Panel discussions included &ldquoCreating An Effective Story&rdquo with David Nixon (Fireproof/Facing The Giants, DNP Studios,) Shane Sooter (City on a Hill Productions,) and Kevin Anderson (Steelehouse Productions) and &ldquoPositioning Your Story for Kingdom Impact&rdquo with Jim Green (Jesus Film Project), Joey O&rsquoConnor (Grove Center for the Arts and Media) and Scott A. Shuford (FrontGate Media). 
Breakout strategy groups consisting of all Forum attendees met to set out action plans for Training & Equipping chaired by Don Eland (Oral Roberts University) and Jeremy Varo-Haub (Book of Hope International) on North American Initiatives chaired by David Nixon and Shane Sooter, and on Global Initiatives chaired by Rich Sheeley (Good News Productions) and Rich Blanco (International Bible Society).  As a result, a free &ldquoopen source&rdquo online story and production curriculum is being developed for early 2009. 
Many visual stories were profiled at the event, including the award-winning short &ldquoShopping Cart Named Desire&rdquo which also screened at the Sundance Film Festival and was created by Biola Cinema & Media Arts alumnus Peter Borrud.  Also featured were: the &ldquoEaster Experience&rdquo by City on a Hill Productions (January 2009 release), and &ldquoFireproof&rdquo from Sherwood Pictures.   
&ldquoI’m amazed by the way God brought this group of leaders together in order to expand our vision, showcase effective visual story, sharpen our skills and lay the groundwork for a movement.&rdquo states Clyde Taber, Executive Director of Visual Story Network.
THE VISUAL STORY NETWORK
The Visual Story Network is a coalition of missional and creative Christians working together to fuel a global movement of visual story for the kingdom of God. The Visual Story Network believes a great opportunity exists to move &ldquobeyond preach and print to portray.&rdquo  Visual story is defined as combining narrative and visual media in communicating the message of Christ and His kingdom.  The Visual Story Network seeks to grow a movement by&hellip
1. Advocating for the need for visual story
2. Providing opportunities to connect and collaborate
3. Promoting best practices and products
4. Equipping God&rsquos people to create and use visual story
VIDEO
For comments from Clyde Taber immediately following the Forum, see the four minute video at  http://www.visualstorynetwork.com/video/video/show?id=2118430%3AVideo%3A2934.
LOGO
For a Visual Story Network logo, please go to https://frontgatemedia.coms/vsn.jpg.
PHOTO
For a print ready picture, please go to https://frontgatemedia.coms/vsn_photo.jpg.
The VSN_photo linked above features from left to right:
- Rich Blanco, International Bible Society
- Scott A. Shuford, FrontGate Media
- Jim Green, Campus Crusade For Christ
- Clyde Taber, Visual Story Network
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For more information on Visual Story Network or for the opportunity to interview Executive Director Clyde Taber, please contact:
Lori Lenz &ndash FrontGate Media
714-553-5181