Well, we wrapped up the fourth “What’s in the Bible?” DVD, which takes us through the book of Ruth. I’m now in the midst of writing DVD #5, covering the lives of Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon. Fun stuff! That one will come out in the Spring of 2011. Response to the DVDs has been great, though we still need to keep getting the word out to churches and families who don’t know what we’re up to.
The church curriculum version of What’s in the Bible? is coming along well, and will probably be available this November. (Yes, we had hoped for an earlier date, but, well, we haven’t made Sunday School curriculum before! We’re getting the hang of it…)
On the JellyTelly front, we’re deep in talks with our partner Focus on the Family about plans for JellyTelly over the next few years. Too soon to say, but we’re talking about some fun stuff. We’re also looking at ways to create a TV series out of some of the stuff we’ve created, perhaps for Christian television. Oh, and 24 episodes of “Clive & Ian’s Wonder Blimp of Knowledge” are headed to your local Awana Club this Fall! (They’ll also probably show up on JellyTelly, but I’m not certain when that will happen yet.)
So… yeah… we’ve been busy. On top of that, our editor, Bill Ebel, has spent a bunch of the summer helping the Kendrick brothers (Facing the Giants, Fireproof) with their next feature film. Bill had a co-editing credit on Fireproof, and will probably have another one on the next film. He’s learning lots about theatrical production that could come in handy as we take on progressively more elaborate productions here at Jellyfish. We had a couple great interns in from our friends Huntington University to help out while Bill was gone. They were up to their elbows in Awana episodes!
Hmm… what else… oh, Sunday School Lady may be coming to a radio station near you to give Beth Moore a run for her money as America’s favorite female Bible teacher! We’re producing a series of 1-minute radio shorts where Sunday School Lady teaches different facts about the Bible. Those shorts are being picked up by numerous radio networks, including Moody and American Family Radio, so our slightly-deranged Sunday School teacher should be popping up all over the country!
What does it all add up to? Well, the goal is to provide multiple ways for kids and parents to bump into good, in-depth biblical teaching. We live in a world where 65% of our kids are walking away from the church as soon as they graduate from High School. We’re losing a generation. I recently spoke at the national Christian retail show, and, in reference to the shrinking budgets facing Christian producers everywhere, I said that if I have a chance to work with Pixar-sized budgets to produce Pixar-caliber animation, I will. If not, I’m going to grab a puppet and start shooting. Our kids need the content. We need to be resourceful enough to get it to them in as many ways as possible.
So… back to the lab! There’s more work to be done!
This seems to be a big topic lately, with the comments even in the Wall Street Journal about how kids are leaving the church. I think the most in depth study was done by Barna through the book from Answers in Genesis “Already Gone.”
The enemy certainly realizes how important it is to reach the children with doubt and to question all they have been taught about God. I’m glad that you also recognize this and am thankful for all you do to reach the kids with the Word.
You can see a short preview of Wonder Blimp here.
May the current send your jellyfish into bigger and bigger things.
Hi Phil:
Your creative talents continue to flow. I’m impressed with it all. Keep up the good work.
Yes, we are losing a generation. We have 7 teenagers in our collection of 12 grandchildren, one who has already questioned her faith big time. Andrea is 18.
Is there a way that I can purchase DVDs for my own use? I work with single moms at our
church and would like for their children to be exposed to everything and anything you do.
Would love to hear from you…..HI to Lisa and children.
Donna
That’s great news!
Wow wow wow wow!
Awesome! Can’t wait for all this stuff!
Now I’d like to be the stranger lady that you’ve never met (Obviously a reference to your book) keep an eye on your pride, and don’t lose sight of the big guy. (He loooves you!)
Just one servant to another, we can all keep each other in check!
Donna,
The DVDs should be in your local Christian bookstore. Or you can go to the What’s in the Bible store and order them directly.
So excited for the next DVD. I really enjoy the videos myself and got my roommate into them. She thinks they’re great too! And I’m sharing them with all my friends kids, showing them how much fun learning about the Bible can really be. Thanks Phil to you and everyone at JellyTelly Labs. Think I’ll buy more DVDs and give them to my friend’s with kids for Christmas.
My hands are sweaty becuase I’m so nervous about leaving a comment for Phil Visher–or his intern, Hi intern! Just kidding (kinda). Thanks for making puppets cool again. And, I’ve learned so much about the Bible from these videos. I guess I needed to hear it in kid’s terms. So thanks! Keep up the good work–can’t wait for #4.
P.S. Even my tweenage boys love the puppets!
Wow! You guys are really working hard! I totally get what you mean about not having a Pixar sized budget. You just gotta work with what God gives you and as you become more mature, God widens your range.
Also, I posted a bunch of bumpers to the JellyfishLabs Ning, do I have to email them to you guys for you to use them?
Cool another movie from the Kendrick bros.! I thought it pretty cool when Bill Ebel’s credit came on and I was like, “Hey, I’ve talked to that guy on the internet!”
Wow. So powerful. Thank you so much. Like so many of this next generation I am an aspiring Christian who wants to make films that honor God, and shift the culture of our nation. It is so encouraging to hear, that we don’t have to wait until we have the $30-million budget to make a positive difference, and it reminds of the verse that says we shouldn’t “despise the day of small beginnings” (Zech. 4:10a). And it makes me excited about the future. 🙂
Thanks so much.
— Matthew
I just ordered the three pack to come to Australia, and I just finished reading “Me, myself and Bob”. WOW.
Keep up the good jellyfish. Waiting on Him is so inspiring! You have helped me remember that it is His will, not mine.
Hi Phil,
You’d mentioned an interest in more churches, so I sent a message/email last week. Please let me know if you didn’t get it, thanks.
Hey, good point about the whole Pixar-sized budget! If the content is good, the budget really doesn’t matter so much.
Actually, I like JellyTelly and the older VeggieTales mostly because of their small-budget feel. All the enthusiasm and talent of everyone who works on the project have a chance to come through, instead of being watered down by a hundred people. I hope JellyTelly grows to be huge, but please don’t ever let it lose the personal touch it has now!