Breathe Motion Pictures

Based on a true story.

In October 2008,Writer/Director/Producer George A. Johnson had two high-concept feature films in development, with directors and $45 million in financing in place.  Within a few short weeks, the financing fell through, delaying the projects indefinitely - and he lost his "day job" as a marketing director.  His family suddenly had no income, no prospects, and no idea what to do next.

VIDEO LOG - "HOW IT HAPPENED"

Throughout the entire production, Director George A. Johnson created a Video Diary, and posted updates on the web.  Here are just a few of the videos, highlighting the journey of producing "Homeless For The Holidays":

THE FIRST DAY OF PRODUCTION (:32 seconds)

UPDATE BETWEEN LOCATIONS (:42 seconds)

CREATING SNOW! (:49 seconds)

More Videos Coming Soon!   (See them all now on FACEBOOK).

 "I figured I could continue to sit around and sulk about how life had sucker punched us, or I could use the experience to do something positive."

 Karen & George A. Johnson on the set of "Homeless For The Holidays"

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 A "Real" Person

Crystal Dewitt-Hinkle plays Sheryl Baker

Finding an actress for the lead role of Sheryl Baker proved to be a difficult task.  After several open auditions, and with the first day of production just five days away, the crew was growing nervous - until Singer Crystal Dewitt-Hinkle stepped into the audition room, bringing with her a unique awareness of the character.

"She was living it", Johnson said.  "Her husband had been out of work for six months, and they lost their cars, their house, and they (with their three young children)  were living in a small home with their parents.  No actress would have gone through that kind of research for a role.  Crystal WAS Sheryl Baker.

"We've screened a few scenes, and a typical comment from female viewers on Crystal's performance is that they can relate with her much more than they could with an A-list actress who was paid $10 million to play a character who is going through tough economical times.  There's something genuine about  watching her scenes & knowing that, and the end of every day, she had to go back to her parents house because her young family had lost everything in this economy."

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In 2004, George & Karen Johnson released their first theatrical feature film, "DREAMER: The Movie" in four states.  Produced with home video equipment, and often referred to as the first "YouTube-style" movie to be released in theaters, the film won two film festivals, the Dove Foundation's Family Approved seal, and was an official selection at the Motherwell Film Festival in Scotland.

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"The budget for "Homeless For The Holidays" was $1.25 million.  We shot it for about $20,000."

In an economy where few investors are feeling courageous enough to write a check, Johnson set the budget at an ultra-low $1.25 million.  However, he quickly discovered that even this amount could take months (or even years) for a sophomore director to raise in this economy.  Determined to give the film a Christmas 2009 release, he and Karen decided to step out in faith, and fund the project themselves.

"Everybody worked for free", Johnson stated, "Nobody on the set was paid a dime."  (After all, the project was being funded by an unemployed dad of four).  "It was a labor of love for all of us.  We became a big movie 'family' with one common goal - to create a positive movie with a message that would bring hope to the millions who are struggling in today's economy."

While the goal of the project was to inspire others, Johnson found himself greatly inspired as this quality motion picture came to life for less money than a typical studio film spends on bottled water, "I learned a lot on this project, but if one thing stands out from the rest, it has to be that, when God calls you to do something, He will also equip you to do it (albeit in His own way) which is really quite liberating.  As long as you can get over the idea of having to do things your own way, there really is no limitation to what God can do through you.  We really believed that this was an inspired project, and it was amazing (if not miraculous) to see how all of the elements came together without the millions of dollars that are generally required for a project of this scale.  Dozens of businesses & organizations, as well as over 500 people in the community united to make something out of nothing.  It was the 'loaves and fish' of filmmaking."

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"Chosen" For The Lead

Actor Matt Moore as Jack Baker

A few short years ago, Matt Moore was living in Hawaii, where his acting career was just beginning to take off.  He had appeared in two episodes of ABC's "Lost" & the movie "Pearl Harbor", as well as many national TV commercials.

Life was just the way he had scripted it - until God told him to become a Pastor - in Decatur, Indiana!  Moore wrestled with God for weeks before finally deciding that he had lived life his own way for long enough.  He agreed, but not before asking God why He would destroy his dream of acting.  God's response, according to Moore - "I can make your dreams come true, even in Decatur, Indiana."

"...And Matt would have missed the auditions, had it not been for Divine intervention," states Johnson.  "He didn't know that a movie was being shot in the area.  Fortunately, his nephew did.  He wanted to attend, but his parents were busy, so he called 'Uncle Matt', and asked for a ride.  Matt decided that, if he was going to stand in line with his nephew for hours, he might as well bring along a resume & audition, too.

"We were impressed with his first audition, but it was his call-back audition that landed him the role.  He was given sides for about 4 different characters, and he nailed every one of them, showing a strong ability to be versatile - which is what this role demanded.

"Casting Matt was one of the best decisions we made on this project, and, now aware of his testimony, we have come to believe that we were not the only ones who 'chose' him for this role."

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