Dramatic Encounters
Dramatic Encounters will be a series of films and resources exploring Scriptural stories about Jesus in a groundbreaking, creative way.
At the heart of this new creative project is an exploration of the process of learning, discovery, and creativity. We want to illustrate the experience of the encounters with Jesus that are recorded in Scripture. When characters in the Bible met Jesus for the first time, their eyes were opened to a new way of seeing. In the same way, we use the process of intellectual conversation, theatrical rehearsal, and filmmaking to open the eyes of the viewer to a new way of seeing Scripture come alive.
Prologue
A first look at the opening of the pilot episode— a prologue of what follows.
How do you bring an old story to life?
Dramatic Encounters with Jesus is an immersive exploration into what it takes to truly bring a piece of Scripture to life— intellectually, emotionally, and cinematically. The process begins at The Roundtable, where pastors, theologians, and scholars gather to examine a passage. Guided by Martin, the group doesn’t just analyze the text; they wrestle with it. They unpack original language, cultural nuances, and character motivations, uncovering layers that often go unnoticed. This conversation becomes the foundation for The Rehearsal, where Martin transitions from moderator to director, working with actors in a blackbox theater. Here, the actors bring the text to life, interpreting its emotional weight through movement, expression, and dialogue. The rehearsal becomes a living, breathing encounter with Scripture, marked by discovery and vulnerability. And finally, in The Film, all of this culminates in a cinematic retelling of the passage—directed by Ethan Milner and deeply informed by everything that came before it. The viewer is not just watching a reenactment, but witnessing the relationship between intellectual insight and emotional truth. It’s Scripture brought to life— first through thought, then through flesh, and finally through film.
AN EXPLORATION OF CREATIVITY.
AN EXPLORATION OF PROCESS.
AN EXPLORATION OF SCRIPTURE.
The Film
Dramatic Encounters with Jesus culminates with a film that is an exploration into the dynamics of a single moment in Scripture between Mary, Jesus, Lazarus, and Judas in John 12.
Interested in exploring more?
Reach out below to request the full episode or express interest in becoming involved with the project: