
Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears, directors and writers of the animated short film ForeverGreen, share their personal faith journeys and how these experiences have shaped their creative work. They discuss the importance of storytelling in conveying spiritual themes, the challenges they faced during the film's production, and the role of community support in their creative process. The conversation highlights the intersection of art and faith, emphasizing the power of storytelling to communicate deep truths and engage audiences. In this conversation, Nathan Engelhardt and Nathan Presley explore the intricacies of creativity, collaboration, and the spiritual dimensions of storytelling. They discuss the challenges faced during creative projects, the importance of patience and generosity, and the role of faith in guiding artistic expression. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of storytelling as a means of conveying deeper truths and survival information, while also addressing the need for rest and reflection in the creative process.
Takeaways
Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears are directors and writers of the animated short film Forever Green.
Both creators share their personal faith journeys and how they intersect with their work.
The film aims to convey deep spiritual themes through storytelling and animation.
They discuss the importance of allegory in conveying complex ideas simply.
The creative process involved collaboration and overcoming various challenges.
Personal struggles and spiritual battles influenced their storytelling.
Community support played a crucial role in the film's development.
They emphasize the importance of being genuine in faith and creativity.
The film serves as a platform for sharing the gospel and engaging with audiences.
Future aspirations include continuing to create meaningful stories that glorify God. Creativity often requires patience and a generous spirit.
Collaboration enhances the quality of creative work.
Storytelling can convey profound truths without explicit dialogue.
Rest is essential for creative rejuvenation and clarity.
Every story should have a clear message or survival information.
Faith plays a crucial role in guiding creative endeavors.
Small beginnings can lead to significant outcomes.
Listening to feedback is vital for improving creative projects.
The pacing of a story can greatly impact its emotional resonance.
Artistic expression can serve as a bridge to deeper conversations about faith.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Forever Green
03:05 Personal Faith Journeys
06:07 The Role of Spiritual Warfare
08:37 The Creative Process Behind Forever Green
11:33 The Calling to Create
14:20 The Story of the Three Trees
17:39 God Moments in Storytelling
20:29 The Impact of Allegory in Film
23:22 Conclusion and Future of Forever Green
31:14 Navigating Hypocrisy and Authenticity
33:00 The Struggle with Sin and Grace
36:19 The Journey of Spiritual Purification
38:43 Facing Resistance in Creative Endeavors
41:03 Balancing Family and Creative Pursuits
44:57 The Process of Filmmaking and Collaboration
47:33 Handling Creative Differences
50:15 Extracting the Spirit Behind Feedback
58:12 The Art of Animation and Storytelling
59:37 The Power of Silence in Film
01:02:16 Finding Rest and Recalibration
01:04:04 The Importance of Intentional Storytelling
01:07:25 Faith and Creative Expression
01:09:44 The Role of Art in Spiritual Conversations
01:14:19 Survival Information in Storytelling
Keywords
art, faith, animation, storytelling, spiritual journey, creativity, Disney, Forever Green, personal growth, community support, creativity, collaboration, storytelling, filmmaking, faith, leadership, artistic process, project manag...
Chapters
- (00:00:01) - Art and Faith(00:01:32) - In the Elevator With Forevergreen(00:02:07) - What Was The Moment That God Became Real To You?(00:08:32) - The Battle of spiritual warfare(00:09:42) - The Lion and the Bear in Forevergreen(00:13:46) - Jeremy on The Lord's Direction(00:19:07) - In the Elevator With Jeremy(00:21:57) - Jeremy and Nathan on The Art of Parables(00:23:54) - The Tale of the Three Trees(00:31:18) - Paul on The Unqualified(00:37:12) - The Three Hurdles of Laying That Sin Down(00:42:15) - The Process of Making a Documentary(00:46:47) - Disney's The Story(00:51:37) - The Spirit of the Note(00:56:07) - How To Make A Western Film(01:00:55) - The Tree's Voice(01:02:09) - The Lord's Rest(01:07:59) - The film's small beginnings(01:11:24) - Hemsworth Creative Art Conference and Hume Lake Creative Arts Conference(01:13:22) - How To Tell a Story(01:18:49) - Prayer for Nathan