New Ethos “Hollywood Rap”

(January 2008)


Logo Developed





Thank You to Graphic Illustrator, Ken Goldhammer!  One of the best.

 
This logo is what will tip the Catholic market off to entertainment media of excellence.  Basic criteria:  Reveals that the Kingdom of God is present, even among the weeds.  Has an overarching spirit of truth, beauty, and goodness – in other words, it provides us with a powerful encounter with Jesus Christ.


New Ethos Incorporates and obtains 501c3 status

New Ethos gets on the map!  Thanks to the “Chicago 3” - 1st Board of Directors
(We really are a fun bunch of guys – and we do love Christmas!)

 
Fr. Don Woznicki (Founder/Executive Director, President of the Board); Charles W. Foster, CEO of Foster & Associates (Treasurer of the Board); Fr. Al Tremari, SSJC (VP of the Board)

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New Ethos Initial Base of Operations: Oct. 2005-Dec. 2007)

Thank you St. Norbert Parish for your support and encouragement!
 

New Ethos Begins Move to LA – World's Entertainment Capital 

[Beginning Year]:
Thanks to T.J. Berden (Loyola U. Chicago- College Assistant), Fr. Don was able to fine-tune the business plan, and organize a market pilot test with the film BELLA [“A New Ethos Selection”] in Chicago (Metanoia Films).  New Ethos, in conjunction with Capstone Films facilitated two advanced screenings at AMC Theaters in Chicago with packed audiences.  BELLA evoked standing ovations on both occasions.  This significantly helped Metanoia Films plan their future marketing strategy.  Thank you Chicago!  The lead actor, Eduardo Verastegui, was on hand on both occasions as well, to give a faith-filled testimony to an awed audience. 

 
[Chicago-BELLA Advance Screening at AMC-River East, Chicago: TJ is the dude in the Tan jacket, Eduardo Verastegui (long black coat), and Leo Severino, Producer of BELLA (end, right) – sorry ladies, I do not have your name, but I do know you have been God’s faithful servants at the Chicago Women’s Center]



More T.J. News! – He also helped out with New Ethos’ collaboration with Lionsgate for its film, TRADE.  A hard and powerful film on the evils of sex trafficking.  New Ethos helped facilitate two advanced screenings for TRADE at the MPAA Screening Room in Washington D.C. (fall of 2006) for over 100 Catholic and NGO leaders who work to end human trafficking.

[The Move to LA - End of December 2007]:
California or bust!  And I almost did “bust.”  I developed a nasty bronchial flu virus as I was driving out of Illinois and needed to spend a few days in bed in a hotel room.  Then I slowly inched my way to LA, body aches and all.  I believe another “bust” got me through along with your prayers.  I had the bust (statue) of Papa (JPII) in the backseat of my car!  With my driving record, does this count as a miracle for JPII’s canonization?

[New Ethos Arrives in LA!]:
I just made it into LA before three strings of storms hit the area bringing much rain and mudslides.  And then the waters parted, the clouds broke and (here is where the angels sing).

The Parish
                           [St. Finbar Parish – Burbank, CA. -  My temporary home]

                       

The People are wonderful, my fellow priest (Fr. Albert Bahhuth) here is great, the view is spectacular, and the Sacred Heat of Jesus and the Our Lady of Lourdes are watching over me.


"The Office"
7201 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA.

       

Much Thanks to Fr. Willie Raymond, C.S.C., Director of Family theater Productions, for offering me office space and being the incubator and mentor for New Ethos! – Would not be on the map in LA if it were not for Fr. Willie and the rockin Family Theater staff.   See JPII bust above?


 

Fr. Don I asked to brief the Family Theater Production staff on the New Ethos mission.  Hey, there is Fr. Willie on the left.






“Doin the Dance” at Sundance (Park City, UT) – Jan. 21-26

I attended the Sundance Film Festival with Family Theater staffers, Fr. Dave Guffey, C.S.C. and Monika Moreno (Director, Angelus Student Film Festival).  Big part of New Ethos’ work is to network and reach out to those who work in the biz.  Sundance is a great opportunity for that and this year proved it was well worth the time in Park City, UT.  Sundance is the largest American Independent Film Festival where Hollywood moguls come to cut deals on up and coming films.  I meet a few film distributors who are interested in getting Catholic friendly films into mainstream markets.  I hope to connect them with good product someday for all to enjoy in your local theaters (or on-line).  I saw a few films, two that could get some future “buzz” – “Made in America” (Documentary on the history behind the rise of the S. Central LA’s street gangs the Crips and the Bloods) and “Frozen River” (Well done drama about the conflict between immigration laws and the dilemma facing a poor single mother who lives on the border).

 
   
Fr. Dave Guffey, C.S.C. with Melissa Leo, lead actress of “Frozen River” at the WindRider Forum – A Christian Filmmaker’s Forum at Sundance







          

Michael Stahl-David at the Premiere of Cloverfield at Paramont Studios 





Ran into Michael Stahl-David (Columbia College, Chicago grad),
Lead in CLOVERFIELD, at a screening of another indie he did,
THE PROJECT.

Michael is a fine young and up and coming actor.  You will see more
of him.



Till Next Month

 
I am hearing a whole lot of confessions and spiritual direction out here!





Remember Jesus loves you and Hollywood too.  Become part of the “New Ethos” in entertainment (www.new-ethos.org) so all can enthusiastically proclaim again –

Hurray for Hollywood!