Who I AM
- I help people launch great things. I'm the founder of STORY and Dream Year. My wife Ainsley and I live in Virginia Beach and have 3 cowboys, Wyatt, Dylan & Cody.
What I Do
Holiday Book Giveaway from STORY
STORY is getting a revamped Twitter feed.
In addition to sharing news and updates about the STORY conference, we’ll be spotlighting artist work and sharing helpful articles, videos and other resources for the creative class.
We’re inviting you to help us spread the word. When you tell your friends about @storychicago, you’ll be entered to win 12 free books by Steven Pressfield and Seth Godin.
What To Do
1. Follow STORY’s Twitter or Facebook accounts (if you’re not already following).
2. Share the following invite on Twitter or Facebook:
Twitter:
Attn. artist, writer, performer, & filmmaker friends: You can follow @storychicago for news & tools for the creative class.
Facebook:
Attn. artist, writer, performer, & filmmaker friends: You can friend http://www.facebook.com/StoryChicago for news & tools for the creative class.
**You can share once per day between now and Friday for up to 5 entries.** Winners will be announced on STORY’s Twitter and Facebook accounts Friday at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Behind the Scenes Photo for STORY '12
This past week, I was on a shoot with Pixel Peach Studio in Austin, Texas for STORY 2012. Eight models, professional hair and makeup artists, professional but volunteer crew.
Every year, I watch in awe as amazing artists bring each year's distinctive vision to life. If I was in the story of the talents, I'd certainly be the guy with the least talents, but the one saying, "Hey, let's put our talents together and do something amazing."
Here's my attempt at a behind the scenes photo:
And here's what they caught through the lens:
The Things we Have Seen and Heard
LOVE this photo of All the Bright Lights in STORY's opener
We're launching the STORY 2012 website three months earlier this year. In fact, we're shooting principal photography for it in Austin, TX this November.
In the meantime, the alumni rate is available to all for a very limited time. I know it's early, but trust me, you'll want to reserve your tix.
STORY Presenter Portraits
The remarkable talent that is Bjorn Amundsen shot some pretty amazing photos of our presenters at STORY:
Ted Dekker
Lauren Chandler
David Wenzel
Ian Cron
See the others HERE
Last Minute Surprise: Actor Sean Astin to Speak at STORY
STORY is just one week away, and it's not too late to bring your team. A few last minute surprises...
1. Actor Sean Astin will be Presenting at STORY
Sean has performed in over 70 films, including the 1980’s classic The Goonies, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Rudy. As the founder and President of Lava Entertainment, he has directed and produced television shows, plays, and published a New York Times best-selling book, There and Back Again: An Actor’s Tale. Don't miss Sean by registering HERE.
2. The Launch of One Thousand Premieres
We're is launching a new feature film project about the story of David and Goliath... and you can be a part of it. Visit One Thousand Premieres to find out how you can help bring the movie Four Stones to life by hosting a Premiere in your living room, church, small group or theater.
3. After Party on Thurs Night, Sept 15
The Creative Collective (www.creativecollective.is) is hosting a STORY After Party, presented by Clark (www.clark.is) on Thurs, Sept 15 from 9:00p to 11:00p. Connect with creatives from all over the US for this exclusive event. Live music, food and art and more. All with the purpose to inspire you to create like you were created. Space is limited, register HERE.
4. See the Complete List of Presenters
Click HERE to see the presenters and performers at STORY this year. We have also added Ed Saxon, the producer of The Silence of the Lambs and many other films.
5. The official Twitter hashtag is #STORY11
Follow us on Twitter at @StoryChicago
Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/StoryChicago
6. Parking
There is limited parking at Park Community Church. It's best to take public transportation or a cab from your hotel or the airport. However, there is a parking garage one block from the venue called the Kingsbury Garage - 950 N. Kingsbury Street, Chicago, IL 60610. The rate is $12 a day. Our parking attendants will help steer you in the right direction on the day of the event.
7. Free Lunch Opportunities
STORY does not offer lunch as a part of the experience, but there are several options off-site. Also, several free lunches are available to a limited number of participants who RSVP using the links below. First come, first served.
- Visioneering Studios Lunch
Thursday, September 15 in the Park Cafe
You're invited to a luncheon hosted by Visioneering Studios and an opportunity to hear from Visioneering's President, Mel McGowan. Sign up HERE. - Vanderbloeman Search Group Lunch
Friday, September 16 in the Park Cafe
You are invited to join Vanderbloemen Search Group, the premier executive search firm for churches looking to hire key Creative staff. Sign up HERE.
8. Follow-up Filmmakers Workshop on Sat, Sept 17
ActOne, the leading training program for Christian professionals in Hollywood, is offering a follow-up, one-day workshop at Park Community Church on Saturday, Sept 17 from 9:00a to 3:00p. Three experienced producers - Ed Saxon (Silence of the Lambs), Terence Berry, and Justin Bell and Michelle Steffes - will talk about bringing your film project to life. Cost is $25. For more information and to reserve your spot, email Terence Berry at Terence@actoneprogram.com.
Introducing the STORY Team
I am privileged to work with an incredible team of leaders on STORY. We work hard, play hard and try to get together as much as possible in spite of our virtual working relationship. These are the people I work with all year long on STORY. In fact, you will come to see that I really do very little. =)
Each year, this team gets better and better. And I should point out that they have no event backgrounds at all... which is precisely why they're so great. Here's the operations team that makes STORY an unforgettable experience. They each lead a team of 10-12 people for a force of about 120 volunteers.
Well, there's me. =)
Event Director
Virginia Beach, VA
Sarah Cunningham
Community Designer
Jackson, MI
Sarah oversees community activities for all of Historytellers Productions (the parent non-profit behind Dream Year, STORY and One Thousand Premieres). She's a two-time author and an extraordinary leader and communicator. You can't have a touch-point with this organization without running into her.
Katie Strandlund
Event Coordinator
Nashville, TN
Katie is the quarterback of the STORY team. She runs all of the event's coordination, from calendaring, plotting, informing, communicating and scheduling EVERYTHING. She's detail-oriented in a way that saves us all from blindspots and makes us look brilliant. When the event is over, she gets huge accolades from our sponsors, team leaders and the venue.
Dave Sandell
Lounge Curator
Chicago, IL
Dave is one of the hippest guys I know, like a page out of Antenna magazine. He's a music and vibe afficianado who is helping us craft a lounge environment at the event with live DJ, screenprinting party, good food, the works.
Rachel Moran
Guest Services
Chicago, IL
Rachel is an attorney by day, but one of the best guest relations people I've ever met. She serves at STORY for the people. Last year, she never even went into the auditorium. She spent the entire conference solving people's problems, answering questions, storing luggage and suggesting restaurants.
Gail Mayes
Speaker Coordinator
Chicago, IL
I met Gail when I was a church planter - she was in our small group. She got married and ended up moving to Chicago for such a time as this. She does an amazing job communicating with all of the speakers and arranges their logistics. She even helped arrange a babysitter for my kids. She's the bomb.
Luke Dooley
Director of Encounters
Cincinnati, OH
I met Luke in the back row of the Exponential Conference many many years ago. He has volunteered at every STORY and last year became one of the core leaders. He is the Bear Grylls of events. You want him on your team.
Becky Veydt
Director of Resources
Jackson, MI
Becky is the definition of high-capacity. She's running the resources area at STORY but makes it look like child's play. She's an executor but has a strong creative bent. She's basically got STORY resources in a headlock this year. Be sure to say hi.
David Hackney
Outside Experience Director
Tipp City, OH
David is the consumate servant-leader. He's a strategist, a field marshall, but focused on the needs of people. If you have a flat tire at STORY, David is the guy who will be carrying you on his shoulders, patting your back whispering it's okay while he's hoisting the jack and checking sports scores on his smart phone. I love this guy. The Navy Seal of events.
Stacy Goebel
Hospitality Coordinator
Chicago, IL
Stacy is a former production director at a megachurch, now a project manager for a high-end ad firm. But she has an amazing gift of hospitality and runs all of the food, treat, and delight aspect of STORY. I know she could do soo many other things, but I keep asking her to lead hospitality because she's so great.
Rosanne Elmore
Surpise & Delight
Memphis, TN
Rosanne is a surprise and a delight in herself. She hilarious but yet extremely grounded at the same time. She coordinated the Dream Year Nashville weekend last year and blew me away with her creativity and execution. I pleaded and begged her to lead this fun-loving and irreverent team.
Michaja Prendergast
Lobby Experience
Chicago, IL
Michaja was a find like no other find. We asked her to lead the lobby experience at STORY because of her proximity to Chicago... and turns out ALL of her friends either work for Second City Improv, acrobatics companies, culinary schools and exotic animal refuges. Kidding. =) But she is the most connected person I know to the creative and theatrical side of Chicago.
James & Jesi Lusk
Gallery Environment
Chicago, IL
Last year, a STORY attendee stayed at the home of his friends, James and Jesi Lusk who were not attending. Each night, he came home to tell of the great adventures he had at the event, and Jesi resolved they were not going to miss it this year. After one phone call with me, I knew the Lusks were special. This year, they're running the Gallery environment.
I couldn't find a good photo of Chris Thomas, our production director. I'll write a post about him separately. Amazing, amazing guy.
Interviews with STORY Presenters
Some interviews with STORY presenters by some popular Nashville bloggers:
Pete Wilson interviews Ted Dekker
Jenni Catron interviews Ian Cron
Justin Davis interviews Mark Pierson
Stephen Brewster interviews Ed Dobson
Lindsey Nobles interviews Daniel Bashta
Darrel Vesterfelt interviews Darren Whitehead
Alece Ronzino interviews Naima Lett
The Artists Behind STORY, pt.2
Here are a few more artists who are helping to create the STORY experience... and I'm not even done! We'll call this part two. =)
Bjorn Amundsen
Filmmaker at Willow Creek Community Church
Bjorn is creating visual pieces for some of the speakers
Corbyn Tyson
Creative director at Monvee and filmmaker
Corbyn is creating a motion piece for a key moment
Elliott Munoz
Designer at a leading Washington DC design firm
Elliott created the original Dream Year site and is now design-architecting the new Dream Year Subscription site which will release in September
Stephanie B
Owner of Lifeography in Virginia Beach
Stephanie is filming clips for the new Dream Year Subscriptions site launching in September. I'll be in your face every Monday morning to kickstart your dream in 2012. =)
Nathan Davis
Comm director at Destiny Christian Center in OKC
Nathan designed the website for a fascinating new project I can't wait to tell you about in September.
Mitch Bolton
Designer at Southeastern Christian Church in CO
Mitch is creating the printed pieces for said project above.
Aaron Van Ruler
The most extraordinary developer I know
Aaron was a member of Dream Year 2010 and he's since been helping me bring my own dreams to life ever since. He developed the website for said project above and is creating a mobile storefront for STORY so you don't have to leave your seat. Resources will be delivered to you after sessions.
Blaine Hogan
Creative Director at Willow Creek
Blaine is creating a multisensory performance with live score
Everything You Need to Know About Coming to STORY
STORY is just over a month away, and I'd love for you to join us. Here's some info as you prepare for the experience:
1. Location: Park Community Church
The church is located at 1001 North Crosby Street, Chicago, IL 60610. If you're flying, either Midway or O'Hare works great.
2. Registration
Check-in begins at Park Community Church at 7:30a. Doors to the auditorium open at 8:30a. For speed of check-in, feel free to bring your Eventbrite ticket, but it's not necessary.
3. Parking
There is very limited parking at Park Community Church. The best thing to do is take public transportation or a cab from your hotel or the airport. However, there is a parking garage one block from the venue called the Kingsbury Garage - 950 N. Kingsbury Street, Chicago, IL 60610. The rate is $12 a day. Our parking attendants will help steer you in the right direction on the day of the event.
4. Hotels
We have arranged a special rate of $169 with Hotel Indigo (rate code: STC) located at 1244 North Dearborn Parkway, Chicago, IL 60610. However, you can find other good rates by searching discount sites such as Hotels.com. Also, there's a Howard Johnson one mile from the church for $79 a night. If you're interested in room or ride sharing, check out the STORY Facebook page.
5. Free Lunch Opportunities
STORY does not offer lunch as a part of the experience, but there are several options off-site. Also, several free lunches are available to a limited number of participants who RSVP using the links below. First come, first served.
- Visioneering Studios Lunch
Thursday, September 15 in the Park Cafe
You're invited to a luncheon hosted by Visioneering Studios and an opportunity to hear from Visioneering's President, Mel McGowan. Sign up HERE. - In the Round Lunch
Friday, September 16 in the Art Gallery
Join In the Round Design Group for a facilitated conversation on all things storytelling, branding and identity, narrative in a contemporary context, technology and intimacy, the fine arts in the digital age and much more. Come for an exchange of ideas over free food. Sign up HERE. Also, nominate someone who has a great story to tell and could use a free website to tell it! - Vanderbloeman Search Group Lunch
Friday, September 16 in the Park Cafe
You are invited to join Vanderbloemen Search Group, the premier executive search firm for churches looking to hire key Creative staff. Sign up HERE.
6. After Party on Thurs Night, Sept 15
The Creative Collective (www.creativecollective.is) is hosting a STORY After Party, presented by Clark (www.clark.is) on Thurs, Sept 15 from 9:00p to 11:00p. Connect with creatives from all over Chicago and the US for this exclusive event. Live music, food and art and more. All with the purpose to inspire you to create like you were created. Space is limited, so register HERE.
7. See the Complete List of Presenters
Click HERE to see the presenters and performers at STORY this year. We have also added Ed Saxon, the producer of The Silence of the Lambs, Adaptation, That Thing You Do, and other films.
8. Follow-up Filmmakers Workshop on Sat, Sept 17
ActOne, the leading training program for Christian professionals in Hollywood, is offering a follow-up, one-day workshop at Park Community Church on Saturday, Sept 17 from 9:00a to 3:00p. Three experienced producers - Ed Saxon (Silence of the Lambs), Terence Berry, and Justin Bell and Michelle Steffes - will talk about bringing your film project to life. Cost is $25. For more information and to reserve your spot, email Terence Berry at Terence@actoneprogram.com.
The Artists Behind STORY
I get to work with some of the most amazing artists throughout the country in putting together STORY. Thought I'd share just a few of them and what they're preparing for the event (I have about 10 more to add, so let's call this part 1 =):
Ryan Jarrell
Designer for the Village Church in Dallas
Ryan is creating the Inside Branding for STORY including the signage, tees, presentation slides, ID badges, etc.
Kyle Steed
Illustrator an UX designer at Fellowship Technologies in Dallas
Kyle is creating illustrations for a performance by Blaine Hogan
Nathan Corrona
Founder of DustBrand Films in Atlanta, GA
Nathan is creating at least five original film pieces for the event
Jared Hogan
Filmmaker at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC
Jared is creating a short film for the experience
Heather Arment
Video designer for World Vision in Seattle... and my sister =)
Heather is creating motion backdrops for each speaker, like scenes from a stage production
Mitch Levin
Fine artist, founder of High Voltage Studio in Kildeer, IL
Mitch is creating some physial art pieces for the environment
Gary Dorsey
Founder of Pixel Peach Studio in Austin, TX
Gary created the outside branding for the event and the books which are 11x14" this year
Nolan Bruce
A young fashion designer I met at Starbucks in Virginia Beach
Nolan is creating custom bags for every attendee at the event
STORY Adds 'Silence of the Lambs' Producer Ed Saxon
We've just added producer Ed Saxon to the STORY line-up. Ed produced the film The Silence of the Lambs, which swept the Academy Awards in 1991, and Philadelphia, which won two Academy Awards. He also produced Adaptation, nominated for 4 Academy Awards, and many other films.
Best rate ends tomorrow at midnight. Sign up HERE.
This is the Big Week
The Advance rate for STORY ends this Friday, July 29. Would love for you to come join the creative class. Also, here are a few promotional graphics in case you'd like to share it with your tribe via blog post, Twitter link or Facebook update. =)
Tom Ryan of Threadless Added to STORY
Excited to announce the addition of Threadless CEO Tom Ryan to the STORY line-up. Best rate ends July 30.
Threadless is a community-based design company with an ongoing open-call for design submissions from visual artists worldwide. As designs are submitted, the Threadless community of over 1.5 million members cast votes to determine which designs become t-shirts and other products. Threadless is a poster child of “crowdsourcing” and was named by Inc. Magazine as “the most innovative small company in America.”
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