We are starting to put together some of the key details for our Easter services @mapleviewcc this coming April. As I am working on some creative concepts and starting to piece together the overall design scheme, one thing seems to be running through my mind… “Have I done the image of Christ and the depth of his sacrifice and the beauty of a saviour an injustice in Easters past?”

Working with some of the leaders for our worship ministry today has further burned the thought into my mind. What I am talking about here is the actual, direct “Christ” image that we use. I think anything that gives honour and glory to Christ at easter is wonderful. Rather I reflect on past schemes with Video Jesus, Live Jesus, Correct Middle Eastern Jesus, Swedish White Jesus, Blood Stained Jesus, and yes, of course, the montage of Passion of the Christ clips.

I just don’t think anything I could edit, design or produce can do the Image of Christ justice, this or any Easter! So do I throw in the towel? Do we just do church as normal this Easter? I have resolved on this… My goal in Easter 2012, is to produce something that reflects the greatness, grace, mercy, redemption and love that is Jesus Christ while maintaining a more abstract “face image” of Christ… Pulling together all the creative elements possible, relying more predominantly on imagery and abstract images of Jesus.

So I guess the purpose for this quick post is to ask… Designers, Pastors, Creative Types, how are you portraying Jesus this Easter?

At first, it was all taken with a grain of salt, I mean, I am a fairly confident individual, and I know that no one meant any REAL harm to me, it was all in good fun. But over time, it was getting to me, but not in the way you would think… I could care less if anyone liked the beard, It was patchy and inconsistent, and I don’t feel that it was my best look by any stretch of the imagination…

Rather, the reality of how entitled people feel to comment on others choices and ways became incredibly apparent to me! So on July 26th, 2011 I started an experiment of sorts, I, Michael Fess, would not shave his beard until there was a gap of 72hours between someone commenting on it… Good or Bad, didn’t matter… If anyone made any comment on the beard, it stayed! Even my wife, didn’t know about the experiment!

As the experiment progressed, on August 2nd, I started to make a tally, or how many comments were made by the people on various things… here are the results of the experiment: (disclaimer, I wasn’t doing this full time, so I am sure I missed a number of things along the way)

I began the experiment on Tuesday July 6th,
On Wednesday August 31st… R.K. was the last person to make comment on the beard
I shaved my beard on September 3rd, 2011 (40 Days)
21 people commented on the beard a total of 57 times
14 people told me that they loved me (lost count, as my wife says it a lot)
17 people asked me how my day was at some point
and, 5 people gave me encouraging words, thoughts and/or messages

What I have seen, hopefully learned, and want to change in my life, is to be a person of encouragement, rather than a person of sarcasm, criticism and words that do not bring life! Jokes are all good and fun, I make cracks with friends like anyone else, but to see that more people took time to comment on a silly beard rather than to encourage me and lift me up is eye opening for sure!

I trust that you see this really has nothing to do with a stupid beard! And I forgive everyone who made cracks at it

But 40 days! WOW!

I think that about sums it up!

Maxxwell…

I had an incredible opportunity to work with a team from across Ontario, writing, directing and producing a combination video series and live show for Overflow Youth Conference: Revealed. I thought I would make a post about the creative process and how the one and Zesty came to be!  The story was about a misguided CEO using eHarmony to find fresh and zesty talent capable of MCing the live pre-show events before the main conference sessions at Overflow.

The project posed a few challenges along the way. Things like Storyline changes and actor swaps made for an interesting project, but all in all, a great experience, and a boat load of memories as the team shot and produced the shows.

The first step was conceptualizing the idea and pulling together resources and talent. Along with the creative team for the conference (Christine Mann, Matty Morgs, Blair Mercer, Scott Trapaso & Bob Luciano) we came up with the concept of a talent search that led into a live produced pre-show. Following original meetings I arranged meetings with Mark Bone and we collabarated on refining the story line and collecting talent and equipment.

Our original video and photo shoot took place at Queensway Cathedral in Toronto Canada, where we shot the first 6 Episodes and Promotional Material photography. The team consisted of Myself, My Lovely Wife (Laura Fess Photography) Mark Bone, Ian Malone, Kevin Owen & Amy Harper. Just want to say a huge thanks for their time and talents, but above all the laughs as we worked together. Following the shoot, we took queues from the script and storyline and I branded the series and show “The One & Zesty”

The One & Zesty: Trailer from Overflow on Vimeo.

TO ALL OF THE ZESTY VIDEO BLOGS IN VIMEO CLICK HERE

As the storyline unfolded for all of the students who were coming to attend the conference, a new story was developing behind the scenes as each of of current actors came across work that would not allow them to be at the live event. Disapointing, yes! However, each of these actors had incredible opportunities on world class projects, and although we were disapointed, we celebrate with them the success there were finding in their individual careers!

Heading in a new direction, we had a couple of emergency shoots in Burlington and Grimsby Ontario, where we welcomed our new talent (Fraser Morgan, Johnny Henderson & Brit Mulder) who as we tied up the loose ends of our storyline became the Zesty MC Crew!

The production of the live event involved scripting a 30Min variety show involving comedic banter between the MC’s, Short Competitions, Interviews with Guests and the conference and creating or finding comedic video interludes to transition smoothly between segments and items in the show. Taking into account the conference venue and set-up, I created motion graphics, countdowns, and other graphic and video elements to give the show its own vibe that distinctively separated it from the main show. Working closely with our talent, production team (Matty Morgs, Francisco Denys, Melodie Papp, Jordan Oulette, Bob Luciano and his team from StingNoize) the team sycronized video, lighting, audio, and live talent to pull off an incredible show! It is awesome to see what a team like the oflo production team can pull off, there was such cohesion and harmony, and everyone completed the task very well!

The Zesty Countdown from Michael Fess on Vimeo.

The One & Zesty: Trailer from Overflow on Vimeo.

I walk away from this experience learning a few things the greatest of these being the powerful force of teamwork. There is no way I could have produced this without the incredible hard work and skills of a team of 15+ people. If you are looking for production staff, these are the people you need! See the list below to get in contact with them! You won’t regret it!

Production Team:

• Sound & Lighting – Bob Luciano and his team at Stringnoize
• Matty Morgan – specializing in graphic design & video production
• Jordan Oulette – specializing in graphic design
• Melodie Papp – specializing in animation design
• Francisco Denys – live media projection
• Laura Fess Photography

Actors

• Mark Bone (Original 4)
• Ian Malone (Original 4)
• Kevin Owen (Original 4)
• Amy Harper (Original 4)
• Johhny Henderson
• Fraser Morgan
• Brittani Mulder

It is based upon the iPad UI I designed in February and March for SalesNOW®, check out a couple of screen shots, and keep your eyes and ears open, as I’ll post upon the official launch in the near future!

BlackBerry PlayBook

iPad User Interface

Our world continues to give creative authority to powers of darkness that cannot and will not out create our God, and it is our hope and desire that this art show would be just the beginning of the role Mapleview can and will play in reclaiming the arts for He who is infinitely and inherently creative!

Join us this weekend! Praise to our heavenly father who IS RISEN, and who continues to breathe new life into our hearts, lives and yes, the arts!

Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it. - C. S. Lewis

If you are reading this then you have found the new michaelfess.com. Over the past few years there has been an increased demand from various ministries and businesses across ontario for creative insight and a little bit of help in moving in the right creative direction. It has been on my mind and heart throughout this time to provide an array of services from simple conversations through to tutorials, training and the actual production of media. Thus Michael Fess Creative Consulting was born. I plan to make regular posts right here on my blog that will (I am hoping) help others in creative leadership all over. Whether there are tutorials, resource sharing, links to other professionals in the business, or simply just thoughts, I am trusting that you and others will find this to be a helpful resource for the creative process and direction of just about any project.

So, that being said! Spread the word and send me thoughts, ideas, concepts, others work so that I may make the most out of this resource. I don’t pretend to know it all, or much of anything for that matter, however what I do know is that the power of creative minds collaborating is exponential. So please, drop a line, let me know what you are doing (so I can steal ideas) and feel free to steal a few of mine!

Keep the creative juices flowing!

Maxx (Michael)