Find Me Interview
With Filmmaker Tracy Trost

Tracy brings with him more than 20 years of award-winning television production experience, including live events broadcast to more than 200 countries, TV shows, business conferences and more.

Tracy is currently in pre-production on a feature length Christmas movie called A Christmas Snow.

For more information about TMP, visit TrostMovingPictures.com, follow TMP on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Tracy Trost: I got into Television back when I attended Christ For The Nations Bible Institute in 1984-86. They had a daily television show that aired the chapel service. Back then, it was a pretty popular show.

We would have some very well known speakers come through on a regular basis: Kenneth Copeland, Marilyn Hickey, Kenneth Hagan, Mike Murdock and so on. In those days, they were the top television evangelists. That is where I learned to direct live television.

Since then, I have traveled to over 49 countries, recording and airing different events. We would come back to the States and turn the trips into documentaries and special reports, to be aired on TV for the different ministries. Many times, we would air the events live from whichever country we were in.

One of my favorite live events was an open air crusade that we did with Mike Francen of Francen World Outreach. It was an event called Invasion 2000. We brought 400 Americans in chartered 737 airplanes. We held two days of meetings for pastors and church leaders with Mike and TL Osborn in the Olympic Basketball Stadium. It was packed with 12,000 people.

Then we held a one-day event in the Soccer Stadium with over 200,000 people inside and outside the stadium. I was able to broadcast that event live to all of Central and South America, as well as Spain, Portugal and the upper half of Africa. It was estimated that we hit over 180 million homes.

Since then, my crew and I have done dozens of events around the world and in the States that have aired live on different satellite stations like God TV, which reaches over 210 countries.

Christian-Movie.com: Can you tell us about how you decided to create a feature length movie?

Tracy Trost: The decision to make Find Me came from a meeting at my marketing company (Trost Consulting). We were discussing dreams and going after life goals. I had asked everyone what they would do if they could do anything they wanted. Then I asked them what they were doing on a daily basis to obtain that goal. When they turned the question on me, my answer was that I wanted to direct movies.

That was the beginning. I went home and started writing. After several versions and some help, we ended up with Find Me. We shot 114 scenes in just 9 days. It was crazy. There is no way I could have done it without the friends I had made through my years of doing television and live events.

Christian-Movie.com: What is the most meaningful comment anyone has made to you about Find Me?

Tracy Trost: On a production level, it would be, "It’s just like a real movie." I have heard that several times. It makes me feel good to know that, with a very limited budget (under $50,000), we were able to pull off a great looking, entertaining movie.

"In the movie, I try to show how many people see God in a religious way and not in a relationship way. In my opinion, those people are missing out on the best part of being a believer."

On a personal level, it would be, "You made me see things a little different." In the story of Find Me, the characters talk about different beliefs and the difference between Religion and Relationship.

In the movie, I try to show how many people see God in a religious way and not in a relationship way. In my opinion, those people are missing out on the best part of being a believer. If we don’t know our Creator as a Father, and we see Him as a figurehead, we are missing out. I think many see Him as this deity who is waiting for them to do something wrong, so he can hit them with a lightning bolt, instead of seeing him as a God of grace and mercy who loves me like I love my children.

Christian-Movie.com: How did you find Bryan Popin, who composed and recorded the music for Find Me? What are your tips for independent filmmakers who want a solid soundtrack, but are on a budget?

Tracy Trost: Bryan is a very talented pianist and composer. He performed at an event that I produced. We got to talking one time and I told him about the movie. He told me he was interested in composing the music for it. I sent him a couple rough scenes and he sent me some samples for them. They were great.

"My suggestion to producers on a limited budget would be to not scrimp on the music."

Music is a very important part of the movie watching experience. It brings the whole scene together for us and, in most cases, we are not aware of how it is moving us. For Find Me, the music was a large part of the budget, but it was worth every penny.

My suggestion to producers on a limited budget would be to not scrimp on the music. We all have budgets to uphold, but be careful to set aside enough to pay a fair price for your music.

Christian-Movie.com: How many script drafts did you go through before arriving at your final version? How many drafts do you recommend screenwriters go through?

Tracy Trost: I wrote the first four versions on my own. At that point, I sent it to a script consultant in California. I paid him $400 and he gave me about 10 pages of notes to make the script flow better, and to smooth out the story. I then went through another two versions on my own.

Then the script sat for about 6 months. It was at about 120 pages and it was way too long, but I couldn’t find it within myself to cut anything. So I just sat there at a stalemate. Then I met a man who had written a couple scripts and we got to talking. He took Find Me and chopped it up. He did what I wasn’t willing to do and he brought it down to about 97 pages. I took a couple more cracks at it and ended up with 90 pages. So in all, I think there were about 7-8 drafts.

"How many drafts should a script go through? As many as it takes to tell a good story and keep your audience interested."

How many drafts should a script go through? As many as it takes to tell a good story and keep your audience interested. On my current project, A Christmas Snow, we are on draft 3.8. I am guessing there will be at least two more before we are ready to shoot.

Christian-Movie.com: Lead Tyler Roberds has a solid, charismatic screen presence and puts forth a fantastic performance, including an emotional "crying scene." How did you direct Roberds in regards to this scene?

Tracy Trost: First off, Tyler is a very talented actor. So I can’t take all the credit for it. He worked very hard to make that scene believable. I bet we rehearsed it 30– 40 times. When I worked with him, I would take him to about 90% of the performance. I didn’t want him to hit the pinnacle in rehearsal.

On the day of shooting, I told him that this was it. All the nights of rehearsal have been preparation for this moment. Go for it! Bring your "A" game and make it happen.

Then I let him go and he made it happen. I am so very proud of him.

Christian-Movie.com: What kind of camera was used for Find Me?

Tracy Trost: We used the JVC GY-HD 200. Two reasons. It has a Fuji 16x lens that works great and I got it for free.

Christian-Movie.com: The sound quality of Find Me is impressive, including in outdoor scenes where the wind is obviously strong. What kind of sound set-up did you all use to achieve such quality?

Tracy Trost: The location sound guy was Kabe Cornell. In most cases, he used a lav mic somewhere on the actor(s), and a boom mic as well. This way we were covered. We recorded to the camera and to DAT tape for back-up.

Christian-Movie.com: The premise of Find Me revolves closely around geo-caching, a scavenger hunt of sorts where individuals around the world hide and find items at given coordinates. What is the best way for our readers to get into geo-caching if they want?

Tracy Trost: Geo-caching is a lot of fun. The best way to start out would be to go to our website and watch our Geo-caching 101 videos. These videos explain all the ins and outs of geo-caching. You can also see these videos on our Special Edition DVD, which is in stores now.

"I have heard that there are about one million active geo-cachers in the world. I like the sport and I thought that other geo-cachers would enjoy a movie that had the sport as a fundamental part of the story."

Christian-Movie.com: Why geo-caching? How has this choice affected the film’s marketability?

Tracy Trost: I have heard that there are about one million active geo-cachers in the world. I like the sport and I thought that other geo-cachers would enjoy a movie that had the sport as a fundamental part of the story.

We have marketed to the geo-caching community with some success, but I think we have just scratched the surface. Those who have watched it seem to really enjoy the story and the way that geo-caching is depicted.

Christian-Movie.com: What’s the story behind all of the Ron Paul references in the film (bumper sticker, mug, etc.)?

Tracy Trost: I don’t know what you are talking about. But I bet if you went to the Official Find Me Website and clicked on the Hidden Items Game, you could find out.

"I had always thought I wanted to be a director, and at that point I knew it for a fact."

Christian-Movie.com: What was the most satisfying moment you experienced during the creation of Find Me?

Tracy Trost: One of the best memories I had during the whole process happened one day on set. We were setting up for a scene and I had just a moment to myself. I looked around and saw the crew hustling around setting dolly track and rigging and lights.

At that point, right in the middle of all the commotion, I realized that I was home. I was thinking, "This is who I want to be." I had always thought I wanted to be a director, and at that point I knew it for a fact. I absolutely love the whole process of movie making: from writing, to casting, to site location, to filming, to post, to marketing. I love it all.

Christian-Movie.com: What was the most significant lesson that God taught you, from a personal standpoint, during the making of Find Me?

Tracy Trost: That we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Doing this project was a huge stretch for me. Fortunately, those around me were great and were willing to help guide me in the areas I was not familiar with.

"I am being stretched again, but I am willing to grow. I think that is 90% of the battle.
Just being willing to grow."

Don’t get me wrong. There are still times where I second guess myself and wonder if I am good enough or if I can do it. But I have learned to put my head down and move forward. I pray a lot and ask for guidance.

Right now, I am working on our next project and it is a lot bigger. I am being stretched again, but I am willing to grow. I think that is 90% of the battle. Just being willing to grow.

Christian-Movie.com: What was the biggest hurdle that you faced while creating this film, and how did you overcome it?

Tracy Trost: Self doubt and fear. Once again, this was a first time thing for me. Stepping on set and working with the crew and talent for the first time was crazy. I was scared and excited all at the same time. But once again, the crew was great and they supported me throughout the whole process. I am very proud of what we did and I look forward to our next project.

There are still times when I say to myself, "What have I gotten myself into this time?" But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. In the end, it is what I feed on and it is what I desire. Next to my wife and five children, it is one of the things that brings me joy.

"There are still times when I say to myself, 'What have I gotten myself into this time?' But I wouldn’t trade it for anything."

Christian-Movie.com: What are the top three things you wish you had known before you started?

Tracy Trost:

1. The trains run through Tulsa every 30 minutes during the week.
2. How much catering actually costs, even for a small crew.
3. J.J. Abrams’ cell phone number.

Christian-Movie.com: What’s next for Trost Moving Pictures?

Tracy Trost: I am glad you asked that. I am very excited about our next project. It is called A Christmas Snow. You might have figured out that it’s a Christmas movie. It is a very sweet story about three people who get trapped in a house during a snow storm. Through this adventure, they are forced to see things about themselves that they did not realize, and they are brought to a point of healing, through forgiveness.

The exciting thing about this project is that people are already being touched by it. As you may know, we had an online casting call with HOSFU and we had hundreds of people respond. Most of those people actually read the whole script. We have received dozens of emails from people who have told us how it has touched them and brought healing to their lives. That is very exciting for me.

We are in the casting process right now and will begin shooting in February of 2010. It will be done and ready for purchase for the Christmas season of 2010.

The tag line reads: The storm of the century brings the gift of a lifetime.

"The exciting thing about this project is that people are already being touched by it."

Christian-Movie.com: How may Find Me be purchased on DVD?

Tracy Trost: It’s available through the Munce Marketing group of bookstores and Family Christian Stores, and hopefully by the time this goes to print it will be at Lifeway and Mardel. Be sure to ask for it at your local Christian bookstore if you don’t see it. You can also go to FindMeTheMovie.com and use the store locator to find a store near you. We’re adding stores to our locator as fast as we can, so check back often. You can also purchase online at sites like ChristianCinema.com.

In closing, I want to take a moment to thank HOSFU, specifically Eric Highland and Brittany Hardy, for all you do in the Christian Film industry. I am sure most people do not know the dedication you have to spreading the Gospel through media. I have been able to see a glimpse into your lives and I know the two of you are tireless for the cause. I appreciate your dedication and I hope that HOSFU and the work you are doing will continue to grow.

God Bless you and the work you are doing,

Tracy

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