DVD Release Party

It’s the night before the DVD release of the No. 1 independent film of the year. The movie’s co-writer/producer has gathered with one of the executive producers, the lead actress, and three other members of the ensemble cast.

But if you’re looking for red carpets, camera crews from “Access Entertainment,” or famous Hollywood landmarks, you’ll be looking for a long time. After all, we’re talking about FIREPROOF here!

To celebrate the release of the movie on DVD, a team from Sherwood traveled to Spartanburg, South Carolina, to meet and interact with nearly 500 fans at a great Christian store. For more than two hours, the team talked with and signed DVDs and books for their newfound friends.

Erin Bethea, Ken Bevel, and Jason McLeod meet FIREPROOF fans

“This is a great event,” said Stephen Kendrick, who was joined by Jim McBride, Erin Bethea, Ken Bevel, Harris Malcom, and Jason McLeod at Christian Supply. As he welcomed the crowd from the stage, he thanked store owner Chuck Wallington and the Christian Supply staff for hosting the event.

“We aren’t celebrities,” Stephen added. “We came to God with our five loaves and two fish … and God still uses those!”

Stephen Kendrick addresses the crowd at Christian Supply

People began arriving at the store at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 o’clock event. After hearing from the cast, they were able to meet the FIREPROOF team and have pictures taken with them.

Before that, Erin told the crowd how she had given up her job as an actress at Disney to make FIREPROOF … only to be offered her dream job there after filming concluded. “Trust the Lord with your desires and your goals,” she said. “He gave you your passions, desires, and abilities to serve Him.”

Ken told the crowd, “It’s a blessing to be here. God has done some awesome things in my marriage through FIREPROOF.” Harris, like Ken, said he brought no acting experience to his role as Caleb’s father. However, “I did have 30 years experience as a dad. We are thankful for the support of people like you that bought out show times and took your friends to see FIREPROOF.”

Ken, Jason, and Harris Malcom talk with new friends

Jason, who played Eric Harmon in FIREPROOF talked about his first film role: Brock Kelly in Facing the Giants. “Little did I know that God would use that opportunity to change my life. If God can use someone like me, He’ll use anyone.”

It’s a message that FIREPROOF fans in Spartanburg—and around the country—hear loud and clear!

South Africa Checking In

Stories. Since FIREPROOF opened in theaters last September, we have heard incredible stories from people all across the country whose lives and marriages have been impacted by this movie.

Now, with the DVD being available, we are starting to hear stories from all around the world. Stories like this one from Hanti:

“I’m from a small town, Balfour in South Africa, and my husband and I couldn’t wait for the DVD. After watching it, we decided that it will be great to go through the movie and study guide with our small group at church. Today at work, one of the ladies suddenly spoke to me about the bad state of her marriage (and I hadn’t even told her about the movie yet) and I immediately invited her to join us in our small group. Even my boss now asked where I got the movie from, and where he could buy The Love Dare. I believe that this movie is going to reach thousands of people in South Africa.”

If you have friends in a country outside of the United States, or if you yourself live elsewhere, you can find out more about the international release of FIREPROOF on the DVD website.

Interview with Kirk

You may have seen or heard an interview with castmembers of FIREPROOF in the previous couple of days. The team was busy helping get the word out about the DVD release. Let us know if you saw or read an interview and where you caught it.

Kirk Cameron, who played Caleb Holt, was interviewed on the Moviefone website. Among the things he said was:

“I think the best part about the movie was just the responses from people after seeing it. It wasn’t just, ‘Hey that was cool, that was fun,’ or you know, ‘Good story.’ People were saying things like: ‘You don’t understand. That was exactly like watching my own marriage up on the big screen. That’s what's going on in my house.’ Or, you know: ‘We went out and got The Love Dare and my husband and I have canceled our divorce hearing. We’ ve been married for 30 years, and our marriage is finally getting back on track because of this movie.’ So marriages have been rescued from divorce because of the movie and the book The Love Dare. So that’s the best part.”

You can read the whole interview here.

January 27 is Here!

The release date for the FIREPROOF DVD has officially arrived! In celebration, we should all take a long lunch break and go to our favorite Christian store to get the Special Collector’s Edition.

On it, you will find the action-packed love story that touched the hearts of more than 4 million moviegoers. You will also find scads of great bonus features: we’re talking Commentary from the Kendrick Brothers, we’re talking the Making of FIREPROOF TV Special, we’re talking FIREGOOFS (outtakes), we’re talking Rescued Scenes, we’re talking the full version of the Wayne on Wayne Mockumentary, we’re talking Firehouse Pranks.

We know what you’re thinking: it can’t get any better than that. But you’d be wrong! That’s right ... the Special Collector’s Edition provides you with bonus Bonus Features! These inclde the FIREPROOF Video Blog, the music video for Casting Crowns’ Slow Fade, and Wayne’s Firehouse Commentary—a great opportunity to see the heart behind the humor of youth pastor Stephen Dervan who plays Wayne Floyd.

So, there you have it. FIREPROOF is available today! Let’s sync up our watches and head over to the store at noon! See you then.

700 Club on Tuesday

Word just into the FIREPROOF Blog world headquarters: our favorite movie will be highlighted tomorrow on The 700 Club. Seen on ABC Family network at 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. (EST), and TBN at 3 p.m. (EST), The 700 Club is also shown on various television channels across the country.

As they like to say in the business: check your local listings ... and then tune in on DVD release day to see FIREPROOF on The 700 Club!
The 700 Club reporting from Albany, Georgia!

Big Celebration!

As the countdown to the release of FIREPROOF nears its exciting zenith (available tomorrow at your favorite store!), you can celebrate tonight with some of the people you know from the movie! Of course, it helps if you are near Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Christian Supply, the largest family-owned Christian store in the country, is hosting a special DVD release party tonight, beginning at 7 p.m. Among the folks from Sherwood expected at the special gathering: Erin Bethea (Catherine), Ken Bevel (Michael), Harris Malcom (Caleb’s Dad), Jason McLeod (Eric), and producer Stephen Kendrick.

At the event, you will be able to purchase the Special Collector’s Edition of the DVD, the new Legacy Edition of The Love Dare, and meet the cast members. You can find directions here ... we hope to see you tonight!

Contests

With FIREPROOF coming to stores on Tuesday, we have heard about sites where you can register to win the DVD!

Our friends over at Christian Music Review are running a contest through Valentine’s Day for your chance to win both the FIREPROOF Special Collector’s Edition DVD and The Love Dare. Jay at CMR.com has been helping spread the word about FIREPROOF since our early screenings last summer, so be sure to check out the site and the contest.

You have until January 27 to enter the Christianity Today Movies contest for your chance for a DVD ... or the big prize: the DVD, The Love Dare, a FIREPROOF poster, and a tee-shirt from Kerusso.

Know of another contest? Fill us in ...

Read All About It

Today’s Wall Street Journal has a story about the Christian film industry, with a strong focus on FIREPROOF. This is how their story begins:

“Through a purely Hollywood lens, ‘Fireproof’ is the most unlikely film success since ‘Rocky.’ It was written by novice screenwriters, cast nearly entirely with amateurs, staffed largely by volunteers, and shot almost all on location. It wrapped for a total outlay of only $500,000. But that’s where God provides a different prism.”

Take a look at the entire story, then let us know what you think ... not only about the story, but also about what you look for in a movie.

One Week from Today!

FIREPROOF arrives in stores next Tuesday, January 27.

As if that wasn’t exciting enough (and we happen to think it is), we have some more good news: we have relaunched FireprooftheMovie.com for the DVD release. You will find some fun new elements, including Q&A with some of the cast members.

In addition, you can get a first look at FIREPROOF in 60, a fun DVD bonus feature that you have to see to believe! You will also still be able to access the full movie site, look for great resources, and find a link to FireproofMyMarriage.com.

Head over there, take a look around, and let us know what you think.

And by the way, did we mention: FIREPROOF, next Tuesday!

A FIRERPROOF Fanatic!

As we get within a week-and-a-half of the DVD release of FIREPROOF, we thought we would share the story that Clarke posted on the website:

I pre-bought the FIREPROOF DVD back in October during the first week it went on pre-sale at Family Christian Stores. I have seen this movie 10 times in the theater. Yes, 10 times! I love this movie! I got word through a co-worker that FIREPROOF was playing at the $2.50 movie theater now, here in my area. So I am going to see it again tomorrow night, for the 11th time! This movie will change your life forver! Thanks goes to the Kendrick brothers for making such an awesome and POWERFUL movie! Well done!

That, I believe, is a fan!

No. 1 Indie Film of 2008!

You read the headline correctly: FIREPROOF indeed was the top independent film release of 2008. The website Defamer found this to be mind-boggling:

“The year-end tally features FIREPROOF ... atop an impressive pile of awards hopefuls including Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Rachel Getting Married and even The Visitor, whose renown as this year’s preeminent indie sensation nevertheless was good for only $9.4 million since opening last April. FIREPROOF accrued more than three times as much since the end of September, never expanding beyond 905 screens.”

Wasn’t there a movie a couple of years back that wondered what is impossible with God? The answer is nothing!

Good News on TV

Has it been a while since you have seen any good news on TV? Well, that can change this weekend. Christian World News, a weekly newscast from CBN News, will be highlighting the success of FIREPROOF and the story of a church that makes movies when it airs this weekend.

You can see the program on TBN this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). In addition, Christian World News can be seen on a number of other networks and stations. Find out more about the show and where it can be seen.

Then be sure to tune for a little good news!

Two Weeks and Counting!

FIREPROOF arrives in stores two weeks from today, Tuesday, January 27. Needless-to-say, we can’t wait! ... Of course, we’ll have to, but in preparation, we thought we’d give you a glimpse of the bonus features you will find on the FIREPROOF DVD.

• Making of FIREPROOF: TV Special
• Filming a Movie in 30 Days: FIREPROOF Video Blog (exclusive)
• Commentary from the Kendrick Brothers
• Spanish and Portuguese Language Options
• Subtitles in Portuguese, Russian, Korean, and Arabic (exclusive); as well as English, Chinese, French, and Spanish
• Rescued Scenes (scenes deleted from the final version of the film)
  
• Firegoofs (outtakes)
  
• Firehouse Pranks (fun on the set)
  
• Casting Crowns Music Video for “Slow Fade” (exclusive)
• Wayne’s Firehouse Commentary (exclusive)
• Fun with Mr. Rudolph (exclusive)
• Ministry Resources
• And much, much more!
  

The exclusive features are only on the Special Collector’s Edition version, which is available at Christian stores ... beginning in two weeks!

Checking in with Caleb's Dad

With the FIREPROOF DVD arriving in stores on January 27 (two weeks from tomorrow!), we have been checking in with some of the actors that you have gotten to know via the movie.

Harris Malcom plays John Holt, father of Caleb. His wife Phyllis played Caleb’s mom Cheryl in the movie! The couple had a gratifying experience following a recent church service.
“We were worshiping at a church one evening and the pastor recognized us as being present and our parts in the movie. This man came and said, ‘Thank you, my wife and I are back in church because of FIREPROOF.’”

Harris, a long-time pastor, serves churches across southwest Georgia in his role as a Ministry Resource Consultant for the Baptist Convention of the state of Georgia.

Wayne on Wayne on GodTube

When the FIREPROOF Special Collector’s Edition DVD arrives in Christian stores on January 27, it will have some great bonus features (we’ll fill you in on those in the coming days).One feature that’s sure to be a hit is the Wayne on Wayne Mockumentary. That’s right: everyone’s favorite hot-sauce drinking firefighter, Wayne Floyd, talks about his favorite topic: himself! Our friends over at GodTube have a sneak peek at portions of the interview with Wayne.

Take a look and let us know what you think ... and be sure to share the video with your friends!

Telling Your Story

Before FIREPROOF opened in theaters last September, we added a page to FireprooftheMovie.com where you could upload your stories about how the film impacted you.

For the next week, you will also have the opportunity to upload the audio version of your story in an mp3 file for the opportunity to share with radio listeners about how FIREPROOF or The Love Dare have made a difference in your marriage.

Radio networks and local stations around the country are hosting Fireproof My Marriage promotions between the DVD release date of January 27 and Valentine’s Day on February 14. Many of these stations are looking for personal accounts of the impact of the film on moviegoers.

If you can tell your story in 90 seconds or less, please be sure to upload it here. You may just find yourself on the radio talking about FIREPROOF!