Here is the first trailer for the movie, Family Tree.

Let me apologize first, because I am not an video editor. I don’t have the patience. I recognize that there are some technical glitches, but hey, this is the first of many trailers for this project. I hope it peeks your interests and you take this journey with us.

Family Tree is a dramedy that tells the story of an African American family that do not like each other, but is forced into having a family reunion by one of the members. The story explores family dynamics and what is family. Is it blood or relationship? And what does one have to do with the other?

Family Tree is the story of a family who don’t like each other, but find out that through thick and think they love each other. The family matriarch, Flora Jones, is challenged by her granddaughter, Kate to have a family reunion. Flora knew her children couldn’t speak two kind words to each other, less lone share a meal or party together.

One of the things I learned about storytelling from the Bible is that sometimes a person is important, sometimes a situation is important. Some bible stories start off with “Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found in Israel.” (1 Samuel 9:2) This tells us Saul is key to the story. Then there are bible stories like “Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak,” (Matthew 9:20) This points us to the situation, and doesn’t bother us with names.

In telling the story of Family Tree, sometimes the character was important, sometimes the situation was important. There were days when the actors and crew looked at me like I had lost my mind. I would say, “Don’t worry about the line, just do this!” and I would give them some piece of action to complete. Sometimes these jokers came with their own actions. There was a lot of laughing. Some of the characters you are going to remember, some of the situations are going to make you laugh for decades. There are many standout moments in the picture, but I know an amazing ensemble was formed. You will see it.

I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed watching the actors bring it to life. But I loved watching what God did with the story that went beyond my original vision for it. Every person who participated brought something that was significant. It was cool watching them become a family. As we were wrapping up, some hated to leave. They loved watching each other work. Only God’s presence can bond people like that. It was a privilege to lead them.

I confess that I prayed over every actor and all of the crew before we ever turned the cameras on. I spent the last 30 to 40 days on my knees praying for His intervention. Upon getting up from that position, I learned to accept and receive what He delivered, regardless of if it looked like what I imagined. I trust Him. He knows what He’s doing.

We finished principal photography in June. We will spend July working on graphics. It will head to the editors at the beginning of August. I know that He who began a good work in us will see it through to the finish. I can’t wait to share it with you.
Peace and Hair Grease.
Karen

When you take a road trip with God, the Creator of the universe and Lover of our souls, you will spend a lot time asking “Are we there yet?” As you look around at some of the places He takes you, you will be really glad when He says, “Not yet.”
He never tells me where I am going. He knows that if He does, I will spend all of my time trying to find a shortcut instead of being a part of the journey.
When God invited Abraham on a road trip, He didn’t tell Abraham where he was going. He just said to a place where I will show you. I am sure Abraham trusted God, but I bet it left him with some angst as he had to deal with the folks who came along for the ride. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, probably wanted details. I mean she needed to know how much and what to pack, would there be markets where they were going. How would their needs be met?
This past weekend brought me closer to the end of one part of this journey. I am learning to trust God’s vision for this project. Even though I don’t know what He’s doing, He knows what He’s doing. As I watch amazing moments come together that I did not plan, I know it is only the hand of God that orchestrated it. My goal is to stay out of His way.
Even though we were scheduled to shoot outside, it rained most of the day. This situation brought out the creative side of us. My plan B was God’s plan A. He was right.
When people don’t show up or places don’t work out, God writes this story so beautifully I stand back amazed at His Presence.
My original vision for this story was like a single rose sitting in a vase on table in quiet room. It was a lovely piece of work. Yet, with each day as this movie evolves, it turns into an amazing rose bush in a fabulous garden with much more to see. I had one joke and God made it a concert. (But that’s what happens when you bring talented people together)
Some great moments have been created for you. I can’t wait for you to see it!

God gives me wonderful moments of inspiration, sometimes I wish He would do it before midnight. This past weekend was hard. I knew it was going to be a beating, I just did not know to what extent.

When you make up your mind to do what God has called you to do, there will be obstacles in your path. You will have to decide what you will do about those obstacles. God has spent my life showing me that the battle is His. My biggest stress point is allowing Him to handle it.

I walked into this weekend knowing that the battle was already won. God had decided who would be faithful and who would not. I have allowed the Lord to write this story, cutting when necessary, adding when He saw fit. I had no idea what it would look like, but I trust Him. I like the story He is telling.

Through a very hard, hot weekend we did some of the best work we have done. When one of the actors arrived to the location, he thought he was in the wrong place. He thought we were a “real” family reunion. We have bonded.

My favorite moment was after a scene when most of us cheered. It was a good scene. The actors had done what they came to do. I have been blessed with a talent cast and crew. Lois, Joyce and Camille are incredible talents that have performed far beyond my expectations.
Some moments I got so wrapped up in, I forgot to yell “cut.” Even though we all sweated off five pounds, we laughed, played and created magic. You are going to love this movie.

Let me share something with you that I have learned in my almost 50 years of living. The Bible is amazing tool that reveals who God is and inspires us. The Lord also uses these stories to teach us today how to live according to His plan.
When the Sunday sermon is about Moses or start a bible study about Exodus, I know the Lord is going to do new things in my life and it will be a journey. When the story is about Jesus, I know it is going to challenge me to love people I don’t or sacrifice something I don’t want to. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have the Lord figured out, not by a long shot. But sometimes He allows me to see stuff coming.
As I prayed over this project before production began, my sister mentioned the story of Gideon. Many times God won’t deliver a message through your pastor, cause if you are like me, you will get up and leave. I would not be listening to him preach about Gideon on the verge of this awesome project. But God knows how to deliver a message you don’t want to hear. He can use angels or even a donkey. In my case, He used my sister, who is neither angel or donkey.

In the book of Judges, Gideon was about to go into battle. He was looking for God to supply his need of fighting men. God whittled Gideon’s army of 32,000 men down to 300 to face Israel’s enemy. Gideon was skeptical.
As I began shooting Family Tree, I was skeptic that God didn’t know what He was doing. But after 4 days on the set with my mighty men, I know God has this thing together. I have prayed for God to blow my mind with this project, and He is on course. My mighty men are kicking butt and taking names.

The biggest challenge I face is when to direct and when to produce. Many times in the last couple of days those things overlapped. I had to weigh time and cost versus artistic expression. Everyone has lined up and gone in the direction needed.
I have three mighty warriors in the crew that are blowing my mind. I have had so much fun with them. I love the creative energy that happens when we are all together. God is taking us places. I anticipate great things over the next couple of weeks.
My cast is knocking my socks off. God is telling an amazing and funny story through these people. As I watch the pieces of this story come together, I am in awe of a God who can bring just the right people together to do something. This has become a labor of love for these wonderful actors. You will see the love. Too bad you can’t see the laughter right now. But it’s coming.
As a director, my aim is to create moments that resonate in the viewer’s life. After viewing this film, I want you to walk away with pieces of this that continue to speak to you for the rest of your life. Family is important. God put people together so that they can support each other through life. He does not mean for any of us to be alone. Sometimes we have to get pass the hurtful language and love the unlovable ones. One of the best ways to do that is laughter.

Peace and Hair Grease
Karen

The first day of shooting was great. I couldn’t have done it without Hayden Pittman and Peyton Reed. We worked hard, but laughed all day.
Lois set the pace for the day, which was hilarious. We had so much fun.
Big shout out and thank you to Olivia Hill for stepping in and doing hair and makeup. Thanks Shay for the hook up.

He can fight, He can dance, He can cook…

Meet Brittani Samuels