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Production Notes
A Note From The Director
"The Knight of Daye" is the second feature-length
dramatic movie that my wife and I have created. This movie
was quite a step up, technically, from the first movie that
we created in 1993, "Keep The Faith". Although
the scriptural verse, Ephesians 6:11, is what inspired the
movie, we decided to begin the movie with the verse of scripture
from Deuteronomy 12:31.
"you must not worship the Lord your God in their way,
because in worshipping their gods, they do all kinds of
detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons
and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods."
Det. 12:31.
We chose this verse of scripture to lead the movie because
we wanted viewers to get a clear understanding of the evil
nature of satanic cults. After my wife, Jeannene, and I
began to research satanic cults, we realized that this verse
must be revealed. We found that satanism is the darkest
of evils because very often, the seasoned members know exactly
what they've gotten themselves into and they embrace it.
Yet there are others who do not yet know what they are committing
themselves to. Many can be deceived.
I believe that this movie is important for everyone to
see.
-David M. Evans
About the Cast
| MATT SOUTHWELL
(David Daye) |
| Matt
was picked for the lead in two other Western
Michigan University stage plays during the
production of this movie; "One Flew Over
the Coo Coo's Nest", and "Scarlet
Letter". Matt has since graduated from
Western Michigan, finding his way to UCLA
to continue to pursue acting.
"I always thought of the
video (The Knight of Daye) as an entertainment
form like a film, which has to do with the
question, 'Should you feel preached at?'.
I don't think so. It was made to entertain
as well as to teach and with the two combined,
the way it will teach is more subtle. The
message of the film is what's doing the teaching
and the strength and faith of the characters
is what will do the teaching." |
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| CHRISTINA ELLIS
(Lindsey Black) |
| Christina
lived in Allegan, Michigan during the production
of the movie. She had to drive to Kalamazoo
for every shoot while working security at
her place of employment. Christina was born
in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She graduated from
Western Michigan University with a theater
major and a communications minor. Her acting
experience includes a student directed play,
"Marvin's Room." She has dabbled
in screenwriting and directing but would like
to do some serious directing in the future.
"You hear of cults and stuff but I never
really gave much thought to it, and this movie
lets you know that they're out there. The
research was done and they (cults) do exist,
and the movie can help you avoid that. If
you do get involved, it (The Knight of Daye)
shows you what can happen so you can make
a sound judgement of what you want to get
involved with." |
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| TED VERNIER
(Harvey Jones) |
| Ted at
the time of production was in the process
of starting his own production company, "Vernier
Productions." He is married with two
children. Ted would be the first to say that
he doesn't have any practical acting experience,
"Other than a bit part in community theater
adn some cameos in commercials, I don't have
any acting experience."
"I really enjoyed doing this movie. Even
though I play the 'bad guy', working with
experienced actors was very challenging. I
believe if you work with someone better than
yourself, you tend to do better. And the same
goes for good and evil. Hang out with good
people and you'll tend to be good". |
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| TODD SUTTON
(Ronnie Hammond) |
| Todd was
born in Holland, Michigan. He graduated from
Grand Valley State University with a BS in
film and video. During the production of this
movie, Todd worked at WWMT channel 3. "The
movie was my acting debut and grand finale,
" Todd is quick to admit.
"I think this movie displays how easily
someone can be 'taken in' just to be accepted
by someone. If you don't have the right friends
around or the right support, you can be drawn
into something just to fill that void even
if what you're getting into might be bad.
I think young adults are the most susceptible
to this movie. They need to see some of the
warning signs associated with cults. It's
for anybody, but targeted mostly to young
adults." |
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| DAVID M. EVANS
(Ren Horner) |
| David brings
experience to this project from performing
in previous KTF Production, "Keep the
Faith". |
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About the Filmmakers
| DAVID M. EVANS
(Director) |
| David found
himself wearing the hat of actor and director
for this movie. He has directed several projects
throughout his career, including the award
winning drama, "Keep The Faith".
At the time of this movie, David worked for
Portage Cable Access in Portage, Michigan.
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| JEANNENE EVANS
(Producer) |
| Jeannene
joined David Evans in the creation of "Keep
The Faith", as well as many of the commercials,
promotions, and musicals produced by KTF Productions.
"I picture the target audience to be
mid-teens and older. The movies are written
in such a way that younger viewers, though
they may be entertained or scared, probably
would have a hard time understanding the message."
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| ROGER FENNER
(Boom Operator) |
| Roger came
on board with his experience from working
on many productions for church related projects
including a weekly program, and a variety
of church related commercials. He has also
worked on church musicals with David and Jeannene
Evans.
"The process (KTF Productions) is using
is good because it's going to reach people
and touch people that wouldn't normally go
to church. The don't want to be preached to.
This movie is something that's going to catch
their interest and they're going to want to
watch. By the end of the movie there is going
to be a message there that's going to hit
them hard and touch them deep," Roger
continues. "They're going to want to
watch the movie because it's interesting,
it's exciting and when the message at the
end hits... it's going to touch people." |
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The Production
As we began production, we realized that we
had several locations that we needed to acquire. With the
blessings of the Lord, we were able to get them all free
of charge. We were even able to get airplane shots for the
opening of the movie from Kal-Aero as well as authentic
airplane terminal shots through Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International
airport. For this movie, we decided to upgraded our production
equipment with better quality videotape, camera, michrophone
and better editing equipment.
As a whole, production went really smooth.
We finished on schedule, which in itself is from the Lord.
Our crew personel went from two, in "Keep The Faith",
to three in "The Knight of Daye". Roger Fenner,
who we met at church, was our only official crew member
besides the two producers. He was a great help with construction
of props and aiding in some of the difficult shoots. He
also served as our boom operator.
The whole process took approximately 1 year
and 2 months from conception to completion. God was there
with us the entire way.
The Script
The concept for this movie derived from an inner feeling
that I have grown to know in my spirit. Whenever I feel
like satan is getting the best of me, I know that I can
envision my "Spirit Knight" dressed in full plated
armor, which represents my strength in God. I envision this
knight standing strong, being loyal to his beliefs and unmoving.
This is the focus that drove me to create this movie.
Along with the verse from Ephesians 6:11, God led me to
make a movie that also deals with satanic cults. We read
books dealing with satanism to educate ourselves on what
really goes on so that we would be accurate in the creation
of the movie itself.
The focus of this movie extends to reach the mind of anyone
who watches. It is meant to inform the viewer of the dangers
of satanism as well as to encourage by explaining that there
is an answer. The movie's direct focus is intended to be
three fold:
First and foremost, the knight. The knight represents
the metaphorical spirit of the character, David Daye. As
I have envisioned the knight for myself, David Daye also
envisions the knight. Through this parallel, we can see
the spiritual battle that is going on outside of our physical
world. This battle extends past our everyday understanding
into the spiritual realm, and we are able to see this within
David Daye's character, hence the title of the movie, "The
Knight of Daye".
The second direct focus is obviously the satanic cult.
We are able to see signs and dangers that are associated
with satanism. As we read through the books on satanism,
I began to realize how well the scripture from Ephesians
6:11 applied to this very thing. Once this connection was
made, I knew which direction to take the movie, and I hope
that every viewer can understand the dangers that are associated
with satanism even though we weren't able to display it
as realistically and graphically as we know it is.
The third focus is the guardian angel sent to protect David
Daye. This was meant to show that God is forever with us,
even when we may think that he is no where to be found.
Many times throughout the movie, the angel is watching over
David. This is represented in ways that are very subtle.
Next time you view this movie, see if you can notice the
areas where the angel is present. The angel has been with
David throughout the entire movie.
These are three constants that I wanted to be present throughout
the movie. I believe that God had a reason for leading us
to create this movie with this specific focus in mind.
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