November 20

Behind the Scenes: Notes from Director Glenn Holsten

“I have a story to tell” is the simple, central concept behind this film series.

 Over the many months of working on this project, I met a number of Broad Street Ministry guests with a desire to tell their stories, but, for some reason or another, weren’t able to make it to the filming. I completely understand. Life is full. Life is complicated. Life is delicate.

 But perhaps the end product — a film, a poem, a song — isn’t the only thing to be grateful for. Genuine interactions and thoughtful connections with people is really why I’m a filmmaker. I love the end product, but for me, process is just as important.

A few months ago, I met a gentleman at Broad Street Ministry whom I will call JJ.  JJ was extremely interested in telling his story, a journey of music and pain. JJ was a drummer, who spoke with pride about making music for audience. At the same time, he was filled with sadness and anger when he spoke about how he was treated by others when he was experiencing homelessness. His story, he said, needed to be heard.

We tossed around a few ideas and came up with an extremely creative film concept:  JJ would be seated behind a drum kit in the Sunday School Room Studio, and I would ask him questions about his life, like a regular interview. But instead of responding in words, JJ would improv a response through his drums. We both loved this idea — a drum interview!

When I told JJ that I could borrow a drum kit from a friend for the filming, he was on board. We exchanged phone numbers.

 Later that day, JJ texted first:
Hey, this is JJ this is my number text this number and dont forget the drums God bless u and your family.

 I responded:
Hi! Glenn here. So good meeting you today, and I’m so looking forward to this project. I’ll reach out to my drummer friend this weekend and will be back in touch soon with some potential dates for filming. Take care.

 JJ:
Thank you. 😀

 Over the course of a couple months, we continued to correspond and picked a day and time for the filming. I contacted a drummer friend who agreed to let me borrow his drum kit. I learned that there are many parts to a traditional rock and roll drum kit and assembling it for performance was not easy.

GLENN:
 Hi. Glenn here from the Broad Street Ministry film project. I’ve just confirmed that I’m picking up a drum kit on Tuesday night and it will be there for you on Wednesday. Quick question –do you know how to assemble the kit?

 JJ:
GM yes I do

GLENN:
Fantastic.

That week, I picked up the drum kit from a drummer friend (thanks, Mark!) and stuffed it in my little car. There were a lot of pieces. I was glad that JJ knew how it all fit together.

The day before filming:

GLENN:
Hi. Glenn here from the Broad Street Ministry film project. Hope you’ve been well. Just confirming that I’ll see you tomorrow at Broad Street Ministry at 10 for our filming. Really looking forward to being with you.

No response.

 The next day I unloaded the drum kit into a cart and wheeled it up to the Sunday School Room Studio, where the crew and I created a fairly elaborate camera set up to capture this “drum interview.” Fingers crossed, I texted JJ.

 GLENN:
Hi. We are in the Sunday School room with the drum kit!

No text response. No one answered when I called. No JJ. We waited a long time.

GLENN:
Hi. Sorry it didn’t work out this morning – hope all is well. I would still love to work with you and have the drum kit at Broad Street Ministry. Please give a call or a text to let me know what you’re thinking. Thanks, Glenn

The next week.

GLENN:
Hi. I hope all is OK. I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to be at Broad Street Ministry with a crew all day this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I’ll have the drum kit with me all three days in case you’re able to join us.

Take care, Glenn

 I never heard from JJ again. I understand.

Life is full. Life is complicated. Life is delicate. Life is life.

I hope JJ is healthy and happy. And I sure would love to hear him play the drums sometime.