by Chris Denson
So the thing is this: Everything we do, we do by faith. We drive down the street with music blaring and eating cheeseburgers, under the assumption – or faith – that we won’t get hit by a bus. When we launch a company or new product or new form of entertainment, we have an unyielding conviction – or faith – that it will sell like hot cakes. When we jump off a pile of rocks, into moving stream of water, some would argue it to be dangerous, while their counterparts have faith – that our faces won’t splatter in the rocky depths below (graphic, I know). I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.
Although we tend to look at ourselves as the vehicle that pushes wonderful things into the world, I like to think that we are always guided by some internal compass, or gut feeling or “faith.” And as ego-centric as Hollywood and the media industry can be, it’s great to find an individual who is both accomplished and humble. Meet Rebecca … don’t bother trying pronounce her multi-syllabic last name, without practice, you’ll have an aneurysm.
Rebecca’s the kind of person you go to with a quandary and the next thing you know, you’ve figured it out on your own and she hasn’t said a word. Sometimes being in her presence is just good enough. It’s truly a gift of inspiration. She’s an accomplished filmmaker, activist, film school director, wife, pastor, art enthusiast, mother and a person who truly lives her life with purpose. She and I first met when I was elected to the Mid City West Community Council‘s Arts and Recreation Committee. A week or two later, we sat down for coffee, and two hours after that coffee, I realized we needed to stop talking because I was late to work…. and we probably had another two hours in us!
The word inspiration, means to be “in spirit”. Whether it’s a movie, a book, a person, or work of art, when we’re inspired by something, it’s because deep within, we’re moved by the experience. I try each and every day to be inspired by things I encounter and the people I’m lucky enough to encounter.
Because sometimes you just have to jump in with your clothes on.
About Rebecca Ver Straten-McSparren:
Rebecca is the director of the L.A. Film Studies Center (LAFSC), an intensive film production program for college seniors who are finishing their degrees in film. She also teaches in the program. Rebecca recently moved from being the director of the City of the Angels Film Festival to the Board of Directors, and has participated as panelist, emcee, co-producer and head of panels over the last seven years. She is on the planning committee for Reel Spirituality, a think-tank for filmmakers and theologians sponsored by Fuller Theological Seminary. Rebecca speaks on film, culture and theological issues at Reel Spirituality, Act One (faculty) and at various conferences and colleges/universities. She was on the revision team for the book Reel Spirituality and has written, “Polanyi’s Personal Knowledge and Watching Movies,” in the book, Reframing Theology and Film: New Focus for an Emerging Discipline (Cultural Exegesis), edited by Robert K. Johnston for Baker Academics.
Elected to the Mid City WEST Community Council, Rebecca is chair of the Arts and Recreation Committee in the area where LAFSC is located, and directs a monthly art walk of over 40 galleries and museums.
Before coming to LAFSC, Rebecca was the principal and executive director of an urban school for low-income families, coming from a background leading urban non-profits and working with gang members, taggers and urban youth. She was also the pastor of Tribe of Los Angeles, a church ministering to artists, filmmakers and graduate students. As an ordained minister she has served in several churches and created an art gallery at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles with international, national and local artists, developed courses, writing groups and retreats for artists and filmmakers.
