An anniversary and a new (old) opportunity

Grounds of Eonyang Catholic Church, Ulsan

One year ago today, I was inflight to my pilgrimage in S. Korea. It doesn't seem like a year has gone by. The pilgrimage is alive in my mind, heart and soul with the making of the film. I am grateful, again, for the immense blessing that was and is that pilgrimage to such holy places.

Another opportunity has arisen regarding the musical score. The composer that I had hired a few months ago has had to drop out of the project. It happens. Schedules and priorities sometimes shift and collide. But this has brought me back to what I'd wanted to do in the first place for this soundtrack. 

When I cut the trailer together in order to apply for the artists' grant from Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, I'd used some beautiful and appropriate music I found on a royalty free site. I have really always heard that music as my soundtrack, but thought I "should" hire someone instead. I've gone back to those tracks - all of which are original compositions - and I've decided that's where I need to go with this project. More on that soon, I hope. I've tried to get in touch with the composer, himself, but from what I can tell, this music is available for download and use on creative projects. He will, of course, receive credit in the film and future IMDb listing.

The other great opportunity this presents is to work collaboratively with a family member on arranging and recording his take on the Korean folksong Arirang for one section of the film. We just discussed it this evening, so hopefully this will also work out.

Interestingly, as I've run into speed bumps like this one, I have never felt upset or discouraged. I know that God is in the midst. He's my "executive producer," so to speak. This film feels like my life's work, in a way. 23+ years in the making, really, since that first flight to Korea in August of 2002 -- the year that changed my life. I know that everything is going to work toward to the good here.