Interview: Lena Nelson Dooley, ATK Advisor, Scriptwriter

Multi-award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 800,000 books in print. Lena ranks high on the award winning Christian author list. One of her novels won three different awards this year.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally. 

She is also one of the co-hosts of the Gate Beautiful blogtalk radio show where she interviews a variety of inspirational fiction and nonfiction authors. 

Lena comes to Higher Ground Films with more than her knowledge of screenwriting. She has experience in acting, directing, and voice-overs. 

She’s both a screenwriter for the movie Abducted to Kill and on the Board of Directors for Higher Ground Films.

Lena has an active web presence on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Linkedin, and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books.

When asked about her connection to the film Abducted to Kill, Lena had this to say:

Q. What makes ATK different from other projects you have worked on? 

Lena: Abducted to Kill is a movie and novel project that depicts forgiveness, hope, and love in our fallen world. It shows that there’s nothing we can do that is too bad for God to forgive. There are plenty of people, even Christians, who need to completely understand that concept. Through an action/romance movie is a good way to present it.

Q. What inspired you to work on ATK? 

Lena:  Actually, when the producer asked me to be a screenwriter on the project, I told her I had to pray and make sure God wants me to be involved. Through a series of events, He showed me, three different times, that He wanted me to. I am totally committed to seeing this story on the silver screen—and on DVD, maybe even a novel.

Q. Where do you see the project going in the next few weeks/months/years? 

Lena:  I believe this movie will make a real impact on the unstable political and religious climate in the world today. After this film is finished and distributed, I see Higher Ground Films producing more movies that will make an impact on people’s hearts and lives.

Q. Why do you want to work on a faith-based film? 

Lena:  As the members of the Ground team connect with each other, there is always lots of prayer about what we should do at any given time. It’s exciting to be involved with other Christians who share the same vision I have.

I’m also a Christian novelist, and everything I write is meant to entertain, encourage, provide hope, and point toward the Lord. Faith-based films fit with my goal for why I write, and I praise the Lord for opening new doors of opportunity to me.

Find Lena online here:

Website: www.lenanelsondooley.com

Blog: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lenandooley/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lenandooley 

Official Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Nelson-Dooley/42960748768?ref=ts

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/333031.Lena_Nelson_Dooley

Blogtalk Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/gate-beautiful-radio-show/

Interview: Michael E. Gorga, ATK Advisor - Editor

Mike Gorga has been in the film and video business for 35 years. He began his career as a camera person at a PBS affiliate in Northeastern Pennsylvania. In 1983 Mike met Thomas "Pepper" Martin, a newspaper publisher who helped launch MEGCOMM Productions, a production company and studio facility designed to produce corporate/industrial films and television local/regional television commercials.  For 30 years MEGCOMM has delivered high-end film, video and now high-definition production and post-production/editing to the corporate, non-profit and television commercial advertising market.  

From sales and marketing videos, to training and orientation programs, to mini-documentaries, to infomercials and television commercials Mike has worn many hats including producer/director, writer, director of photography and editor.  He has produced hundreds of corporate projects and perhaps a thousand television commercials, including over 300 for one healthcare system.

Interview

When asked about his connection to the film Abducted to Kill, Gorga had this to say: 

Q. What makes ATK different from other projects you have worked on? 

Mike: For me ATK represents an opportunity to work on a dramatic film in collaboration with deeply passionate and committed Christians.  The depth of my career has been in corporate and industrial films, fundraising for non-profits, television commercials and some documentary style work, but this film gives me the opportunity to edit a theatrical film that I really believe in and that will deliver a Christian film that is rather unique. 

Q. What inspired you to work on ATK? 

Mike:  The story. The opportunity. And a chance to work on an important film with a close friend of 30 years who happens to be the storyteller and producer.

Q. Where do you see the project going in the next few weeks/months/years? 

Mike:  Ultimately I see Higher Ground Films following the path cut by Sherwood Pictures.  A company that turns out one great film after another.  A company committed to telling great stories and driven by a desire to spread God's word through the blessings He has given us as writers, producers, directors, editors and scores of talented crafts people.

In the short term I am excited to hear about the progress of those working to acquire funding for "Abducted To Kill," a film I am blessed to have been offered an opportunity to edit the rough cut on the major production and to have edited promotional material for the film.  

Q. Why do you want to work on a faith-based film? 

Mike:  Frankly, because I think God is the only hope for America and the world.  I'm not happy with where sin has taken us. Driving God out of our institutions has caused most of our challenges, I'd like to be a part of helping deliver God's message back to Americans and the world using the talents He has blessed me with.

Interview: Dr. Gene Steiner

Gene Steiner is the author of 7 books and has served as master editor for 19 others. But that is just the beginning of his qualifications to do multiple roles in the production of Abducted to Kill, the movie.

Gene Steiner was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to wonderful, loving Mennonite Christian parents.  He graduated from high school in Warsaw, Indiana. While living there, he observed Christian films being produced by Ken Anderson Films of Warsaw. There Gene met Dan Dunkelberger, film director and cinematographer. Steiner boldly encouraged Dunkelberger to accept a position to teach cinematography at Oral Roberts University, which Mr. Dunkelberger did -- and that is how Steiner,  while attending ORU, was  mentored in this field.
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Dr. Gene Steiner's many accomplishments and answers to questions about Abducted to Kill, the movie are listed below.

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Q. What makes ATK different from other projects you have worked on? 

Gene: "Abducted to Kill" will be a faith-based movie shot on location and a dream come true for me to assist in the production of a major movie since I have been producing Christian media productions in other formats up until now. 

Q. What inspired you to work on ATK? 

Gene:  It is a fulfillment of my original call to help produce Christian films.

Q. Where do you see the project going in the next few weeks/months/years? 

Gene:  I expect there will be a series of 5 or more successful motion pictures having a global impact.

Q. Why do you want to work on a faith-based film? 

Gene:  The world must hear the Gospel. Films are an excellent means to communicate this message to reach this generation. My role as a prayer intercessor and chaplain for this project will provide a prayer covering, and spiritual staff support, and will be a fulfillment of part of God's call upon my life.

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For Dr. Gene Steiner, his career life is just beginning. His many accomplishments include:

Denver TV station manager for 5 years.

Media director and producer/director for many ministries producing over 5000 Christian television programs for:

Dr. Gene Steiner

Christ For The Nations (5 yrs)

Christian Broadcasting Network

Professional Video Services (8 yrs)

Beverly Hills Baptist Church Dallas

Mount Paran Church of God Atlanta

Marilyn Hickey Ministries (7 yrs)

Covenant Marriages Ministry (7 yrs)

Victory Christian Center Tulsa (2 yrs)

Oral Roberts University (producer 2 yrs)

Creative Media, LLC (11 yrs)

(Highlights... There are many others including productions for Promise Keepers and secular projects)

In 2014, at Jesus Calls International, Gene produced 26 programs plus many hours of raw HD video. He also designed and installed a state-of-the-art high definition television studio with robotic cameras - plus multiple robotic camera production capabilities in the sanctuary and a flypack for this Dallas ministry.

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He traveled to India for three weeks in 2014 consulting with Jesus Calls International. There he helped design an outside broadcast van, trained television production crews, lectured at Karunya University to 400 media students, served as lighting director for a prayer festival in Kurnool, India (with 200,000 people in attendance); lighted the Chennai DGS Dhinakaran Prayer Tower auditorium, designed ENG production gear packages, and consulted with key ministry executives for MAM upgrades.

Other Career Highlights 

Produced two 7-camera crusade telecasts switched-LIVE and transmitted LIVE globally via satellite from India and Nigeria seen on 4,300 TV stations through TBN.

Produced Christian programming for global distribution for 36 years. 

Designed and built 5 TV production studios

Director for an ad agency that syndicated daily TV and radio programs to 4,500 TV stations, 5 TV networks, and 125 radio stations. 

Media consultant, sales manager, and system designer for the past 7 years.