Thursday, December 11, 2014


Aramaic Herald
A NEWSLETTER FOR CHRISTIANS WHO WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEIR ARAMAIC HERITAGE
 Volume IX Number 25                                                                                  December  2014

New Assyrian Heritage movie in Development
Stephen Andrew Missick is producing an Assyrian heritage movie. The movie “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus” is about the Apostle Thaddeus, known among Assyrian Christians as Mar Addai, and the founding of the Assyrian Church of the East. The movie will be based on ancient Assyrian Christian literature, namely “The Doctrine of Addai” and “The Acts of the Apostle Mari.” It is also based on other ancient sources, such as the writings of the early church historian Eusebius.
The production crew will include three Assyrian Americans and at least six Assyrian Americans will be cast in major roles. This will enable these Assyrian Americans to learn about the art of film-making and perhaps launch their careers in either film production or acting.
Mr. Missick said, “Lorenzo Lamas has shown an interest in playing the Apostle Thaddeus and has given me a “letter of interest” in playing the role of Thaddeus. The movie will be filmed at the Alamo Village movie set in Brackettville, Texas. The Assyrian American actors and production crew will work with Lorenzo Lamas, who gave me the impression that he is a friendly and approachable person. He can most likely tell them about the ins and outs of the television and movie-making industry. Being involved in this project may enable the Assyrian Americans who are involved in it to launch their careers in film-making. This project has enormous potential to benefit the global Assyrian community.”
He said, “This movie could also create cultural awareness, among the Assyrian community about their own culture and can also create awareness about the Assyrian Christian heritage outside of the Assyrian community. I believe this is especially important at this time when the Assyrians are facing terrible challenges and face the threat of genocide in their ancestral homeland. “
He believes that this film project has important educational, literary and cultural value. Missick said, “It also has important ecumenical value in that it can bring Christians of diverse denominational backgrounds together on the core message of Jesus and his Apostles. It is my intention to tell this story in a sincere and reverent manner.”
The film also has the potential to be profitable. Recent Biblical productions, such as “The Bible: The Epic Miniseries,” “The Son of God, “ and “Noah,” has been successful, as well as faith-based films such as “God’s Not Dead” and “Heaven is for Real.” There are also upcoming Biblical epics such as “Exodus: God’s and Kings” and “A.D.: After the Bible.” However, this project is unique in that the story of Thaddeus and the founding of the Assyrian Church has never before been told in film.
If the funds are raised, we intend to begin shooting around March 15-20.
The production company is “Walker Cable Productions” of Conroe, Texas. WalkerCable have completed several movies, mostly westerns and action movies.
Mr. Missick has been able to procure costumes and props for this film that were used on screen in Spartacus, Alexander, Rome, and Dwayne Johnson’s Hercules.
Missick says, “We are working to raise $120,000 for the film. Once we have raised the money we will go into pre-production and begin auditioning actors. I intend to film most of the major roles of the film with Assyrian Americans.”
The film producer, Stephen Andrew Missick, is the author of three papers on the history of the Assyrian Church of the East that are published in the Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies (www.jaas.org).  He is an army chaplain and a doctoral student at Houston Graduate School of Theology. His doctoral thesis/project is entitled “FACILITATING INTERACTION BETWEEN THE ARAMAIC ASSYRIAN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS FOR ENHANCED UNDERSTANDING AND INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE, SPIRITUAL RENEWAL, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE” in which he will work to create awareness about the humanitarian crisis among American churches and attempt to provide aide to needy Assyrian Christian refugees.
 
For more information about the Thaddeus film project and the Assyrian American production crew behind it and for ways to support the film see www.aramaicherald.blogspot.com/
The SAINT THADDEUS MOVIE KICKSTARTER:
(Or go to www.kickstarter.com and enter “Thaddeus” into search projects and it should come right up!)
Lorenzo Lamas Set to Star in Biblical Epic
 

Lorenzo Lamas is known for playing Lance Cumson on the popular 1980s soap opera “Falcon Crest”, Reno Raines on the 1990s crime drama “Renegade,” and Hector Ramirez on the daytime soap opera “The Bold and The Beautiful.” He also starred in “Grease” with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Lamas was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Argentine-born actor and director Fernando Lamas and actress Arlene Dahl. His autobiography “Renegade at Heart” was published in December 2014. He is married to actress and model Shawna Craig. Lorenzo Lamas is set to star in the Spring 2015 season of “Celebrity Apprentice.”
Mr. Lamas stated, “I have worked with Walker Cable Productions in several films on the course of the last several years and it is my understanding that they will be producing a film on the Apostle Thaddeus in the near future. Based on my former association with this company and the integrity of Sam Cable and Chuck Walker as friends and film makers, I have a strong interest in being involved in this project as an actor in the title role of Thaddeus. I find the script interesting and captivating and look forward to making this project a big success. I am thrilled to be working on Thaddeus the new WalkerCable production. These are terrific guys and a wonderful production company that I have had the pleasure of working with many, many times in the past. So, if you have the opportunity to invest in a WalkerCable production don’t hesitate. You will not regret it. So, I am excited about being a part of this Christian movie. I think it is an important time for our society to embrace the Christian faith. I am looking forward to it.”
 
The Production Company
The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus will be produced by Walker Cable Productions. See www.walkercableinc.com.
Sam Cable and Chuck Walker began Walker Cable Productions as a moderate budget feature film company, soon going public under the name of MSH Entertainment Corporation in the early nineties. The new entity expanded to include music and television.  They produced “Vanpires”, a live-action/animated action-adventure series which quickly became the number one syndicated children’s show on television.
Their company also produced the last album by the legendary John Entwistle and The Who. As well as other headliners.
In the last several years, Walker and Cable have re-directed their interests to motion pictures, having produced a slate of westerns released by Lionsgate, including “The Man Who Came Back” in which they partnered with soap icon Eric Braeden who portrays the infamous Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless.  The movie starred Braeden as well as Academy Award Winner, George Kennedy, Emmy Award Winner Armand Assante, Billy Zane, Sean Young and super model, Carol Alt.  The movie was the number one non-theatrical release in the United States for its first six weeks.
The duo produced two films last year including the action-adventure nail-biter, “The Texas Triangle”, and “Backstabber”, starring Lorenzo Lamas and Tammy Barr.  “Backstabber” recently won a Platinum Remi Award at Worldfest International for Best Picture in the fantasy/horror category.
Walker Cable Productions is currently in post-production on the suspense-mystery film, “Burned Soul” which will release this fall.  They are poised to produce and release three films per year for the foreseeable future.
 ASSYRIAN-AMERICAN BILLY HAIDO WILL BE THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
 
 

Stephen Andrew Missick-Screenwriter and Producer
Stephen Andrew Missick is the author of Mar Thoma: The Apostolic Foundation of the Assyrian Church and The Christians of Saint Thomas in India. He has written and illustrated several books such as The Language of Jesus: Introducing Aramaic, The Assyrians: The Oldest Christian People, and Christ the Man. He has traveled to India to work with the Christians there. He has widely traveled throughout the Middle East. He served in the war in Iraq, in two deployments, both as a soldier and as an army chaplain. He is an ordained Evangelical minister. He has graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a doctoral student at Houston Graduate School of Theology. He lives in the Houston, Texas area. He has written a screenplay about Saint Thomas in India and is the author of the Acts of Thaddeus screenplay. His papers on the history of the Assyrian Church of the East can be viewed at www.jaas.org.
His YouTube Channel is www.youtube.com/aramaic12. He can be contacted at PO BOX 882, Shepherd, Texas, 77371 or nestorius1@hotmail.com.
His blog can be read at www.aramaicherald.blogspot.com.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





Friday, December 5, 2014

NEW ASSYRIAN HERITAGE MOVIE TO BE MADE



New Assyrian Heritage movie in Development

Stephen Andrew Missick is producing an Assyrian heritage movie. The movie “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus” is about the Apostle Thaddeus, known among Assyrian Christians as Mar Addai, and the founding of the Assyrian Church of the East. The movie will be based on ancient Assyrian Christian literature, namely “The Doctrine of Addai” and “The Acts of the Apostle Mari.” It is also based on other ancient sources, such as the writings of the early church historian Eusebius.

The production crew will include three Assyrian Americans and at least seven Assyrian Americans will be cast in major roles. This will enable these Assyrian Americans to learn about the art of film-making and perhaps launch their careers in either film production or acting.

Mr. Missick said, “Lorenzo Lamas has shown an interest in playing the Apostle Thaddeus and has given me a “letter of interest” in playing the role of Thaddeus. The movie will be filmed at the Alamo Village movie set in Brackettville, Texas. The Assyrian American actors and production crew will work with Lorenzo Lamas, who gave me the impression that he is a friendly and approachable person. He can most likely tell them about the ins and outs of the television and movie-making industry. Being involved in this project may enable the Assyrian Americans who are involved in it to launch their careers in film-making. This project has enormous potential to benefit the global Assyrian community.”

He said, “This movie could also create cultural awareness, among the Assyrian community about their own culture and can also create awareness about the Assyrian Christian heritage outside of the Assyrian community. I believe this is especially important at this time when the Assyrians are facing terrible challenges and face the threat of genocide in their ancestral homeland. “

He believes that this film project has important educational, literary and cultural value. Missick said, “It also has important ecumenical value in that it can bring Christians of diverse denominational backgrounds together on the core message of Jesus and his Apostles. It is my intention to tell this story in a sincere and reverent manner.”

The film also has the potential to be profitable. Recent Biblical productions, such as “The Bible: The Epic Miniseries,” “The Son of God, “ and “Noah,” has been successful, as well as faith-based films such as “God’s Not Dead” and “Heaven is for Real.” There are also upcoming Biblical epics such as “Exodus: God’s and Kings” and “A.D.: After the Bible.” However, this project is unique in that the story of Thaddeus and the founding of the Assyrian Church has never before been told in film.

If the funds are raised, we intend to begin shooting around March 15-20.

The production company is “Walker Cable Productions” of Conroe, Texas. WalkerCable have completed several movies, mostly westerns and action movies.

Mr. Missick has been able to procure costumes and props for this film that were used on screen in Spartacus, Alexander, Rome, and Dwayne Johnson’s Hercules.

Missick says, “We are working to raise $120,000 for the film. Once we have raised the money we will go into pre-production and begin auditioning actors. I intend to film most of the major roles of the film with Assyrian Americans.”
To SUPPORT THIS PROJECT GO TO:
 
The film producer, Stephen Andrew Missick, is the author of three papers on the history of the Assyrian Church of the East that are published in the Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies (www.jaas.org).  He is an army chaplain and a doctoral student at Houston Graduate School of Theology. His doctoral thesis/project is entitled “FACILITATING INTERACTION BETWEEN THE ARAMAIC ASSYRIAN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS FOR ENHANCED UNDERSTANDING AND INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE, SPIRITUAL RENEWAL, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE” in which he will work to create awareness about the

New Movie to tell the story of the founding of Christianity in Mesopotamia and Armenia


A new film starring Lorenzo Lamas will tell the story of the founding of Christianity in the Middle East and in Armenia.
It is based on ancient writings from the writings of the early church fathers.
 
TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT GO TO:
 

Lorenzo Lamas Set to Play the Apostle Thaddeus in new Biblical Epic Movie

Lorenzo Lamas is set to portray the Apostle Thaddeus, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, in an upcoming production of WalkerCable Productions of Conroe, Texas. The film will be titled "The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus" and it tells the story of the Apostle Thaddeus founding Christianity in what is today Iraq and Syria. The script is based on "The Doctrine of Addai," "The Church History of Eusebius" and other ancient sources. (Addai is how Thaddeus was pronounced in the Aramaic language.)
Lamas has worked with Sam Cable and Chuck Walker on several films in the past.


Lorenzo Lamas is known for playing Lance Cumson on the popular 1980s soap opera “Falcon Crest”, Reno Raines on the 1990s crime drama “Renegade,” and Hector Ramirez on the daytime soap opera “The Bold and The Beautiful.” He also starred in “Grease” with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Lamas was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of Argentine-born actor and director Fernando Lamas and actress Arlene Dahl. His autobiography “Renegade at Heart” was published in December 2014. He is married to actress and model Shawna Craig. Lorenzo Lamas is set to star in the Spring 2015 season of “Celebrity Apprentice.”
 


HELP SUPPORT MOVIE ON ORIGINS OF ASSYRIAN CHURCH

Kickstarter project on Film portraying origins of the Assyrian Church of the East has launched!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/210000190/the-acts-of-thaddeus-a-dramatic-feature-film


Local Pastor to Produce Biblical Film

Stephen Missick, associate pastor of King of Saints Tabernacle on 2228 FM 1725, Cleveland, Texas, 77328 is producing a biblical movie that dramatized the story of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.

The script is derived from the Bible and other ancient sources such as the writings of the Early Church Fathers.

The film is anticipated to be produced by WalkerCable, Productions of Conroe, Texas. WalkerCable anticipates to begin filming in early 2015. Sets at Alamo Village in Brackettville, Texas will serve as Biblical Lands.

The working title of the film is “The Acts of the Apostle Thaddeus.”

‘From the very beginning of the film industry, movies dramatizing stories from the Bible have been made,” Missick said, “Many of these films are classics, such as Cecil B. DeMille’s  “The Ten Commandments” and Charlton Heston’s “Ben-Hur.” However, I want to do something totally different. I was to do something that audiences have never seen before.”

In this movie, Pastor Missick will be telling the story of the Apostle Thaddeus. According to early Church Historians, Thaddeus evangelized what is today Iraq, Iran and southern Turkey.

“With the rise of ISIS, this story is timely and relevant, “ Missick said, “ ISIS is trying to destroy the ancient Christian community founded by Thaddeus and Thomas.

According to Pastor Missick, “The Acts of Thadeus” tells the story of the origin of the Assyrian Church of the East and the Armenian Church.

Pastor Missick describes the story of Thaddeus as a very fascinating one. He says, “According to Church historians, Thaddeus was the groom at the marriage of Cana in Galilee, where Jesus turned the water into wine.  Also, there is a connection between Thaddeus and the Shroud  of Turin.” The Shroud of Turin is a relic kept in Turin, Italy that is believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus and it bears an impression of the body of a crucified man.  Many Shroud experts believe that the Shroud of Turin was known as the image of Edessa and that it was brought to Edessa by Thaddeus who gave it as a gift to the Syriac king Abgar. Missick says, “Those who believe that the Shroud of Turin is authentic believe that there is a connection between the Shroud and the Apostle Thaddeus. The Shroud will be featured in the movie.”

For more information contact:

Stephen Andrew Missick, stephenamissick@hotmail.com, 281-592-4104

2228 FM 1725, Cleveland, Texas 77328

New Movie to tell the story of the first Hanukkah


 

Many people associate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah with the holiday season, but few people know of the popular festival’s historical basis.

Now, the exciting story of the first Hanukkah will be told in an upcoming movie, based on a script written by Stephen Missick.

“167 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, the Syrian Greek tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes tried to exterminate the Jewish faith. Thousands of people were put to death because of their belief in the Holy Bible,” Missick said, “When all seemed lost suddenly a hero appeared who rescued the Jewish people from destruction. This hero’s name was Judah Maccabee. “Maccabee” means “Hammerer” in Aramaic. He was probably called this because of the way he hammered back the Greeks in order to bring deliverance to the Jewish people. Therefore I named the comic book adaptation that I wrote and illustrated “The Hammer of God.”

Stephen Missick is adapting his graphic novel “The Hammer of God” into a film entitled “Hanukkah: The Story of the Maccabees.”

“Hanukkah is an incredible story. It is you have a group of Jews with no weapons or military training who were able to defeat one of the strongest military forces of the time. I also think that it is a very relevant story with the threats to religious freedom around the world, even in the United States, and also the rise of anti-Semitism that we see,” Missick said.

Rev. Missick is partnering with WalkerCable Productions of Conroe, Texas to produce the movie. It is anticipated that the filming will be at Alamo Village at Brackettville, Texas. “There are several great sets in Brackettville that we can use for this movie and WalkerCable Productions have filmed there several times before. I have also acquired a wardrobe consisting of several screen used costumes that have been used in various “swords and sandals” movies.

Stephen Missick’s “Hanukkah: Comic and Coloring Book” and “Judas Maccabeus: The Hammer of God” are available from Amazon and other booksellers.


Up-coming Film brings to life Richard Wagner’s “Jesus of Nazareth”


 

German Composer Richard Wagner has had a huge influence on music and culture, from his Wedding March to the unmistakable influence of Wagner’s “The Ring of the Nibelung” upon J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” His influence can also be heard in the musical scores of several movies; in fact, Wagner’s music was used in the scores of “Apocalypse Now” and “Excalibur.”

Now, one of Wagner’s unfinished works is coming to the big screen. Stephen Andrew Missick is partnering with WalkerCable Productions, of Conroe, Texas to film an adaptation of Richard Wagner’s “Jesus of Nazareth.”

“Richard Wagner created a detailed outline for a play entitled “Jesus of Nazareth.” With it he wrote extensive notes and a Bible study with commentary. I have written a screenplay based upon the original writings of Richard Wagner,” Missick said. The screenplay is based on Wagner’s writings for his unfinished “Jesus of Nazareth” play and “The Love-feast of the Apostles.” Das Liebesmahl der Apostel (in English "The Love-Feast of the Apostles") is a piece for orchestra and male choruses that Richard Wagner composed in 1843 that tells story of the first Pentecost, as told in the second chapter of the book of The Acts of the Apostles, in music.

Wagner worked on the play “Jesus of Nazareth” from 1848 until 1849 before abandoning the project. It is possible Wagner used certain aspects of “Jesus of Nazareth” in his later operas such as “Parsifal.”

The score to the film “Richard Wagner’s Jesus of Nazareth” will be completely derived from the works of Richard Wagner.

The movie will be funded through kickstarter. Rev. Missick says that he hopes to raise $175,000 on kickstarer for the project.

WalkerCable has produced several movies in a variety of genres.

It is anticipated that the movie will be filmed on film-sets in Texas.

Rev. Missick is an ordained minister and served as a chaplain in the army during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In the official numbering of Wagner’s works “Jesus of Nazareth” is WWV 80 and the “Love Feast of the Apostles” is WWV 69

The “Richard Wagner’s Jesus of Nazareth” kickstarter is at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/360405228/richard-wagners-jesus-of-nazareth.