MESSENGER FILMS WINS TWO AWARDS!!

A Great Win for Cristobal Krusen, President of Messenger Films!


On July 13, 2012, the movie "Undaunted" won two Crown Awards at the ICVMFilm Festival in Orlando, Florida (www.icvm.com).The Crown Awards are “designed to recognize excellence in production and content of films and videos that are created to reflect Christian values in a secular world.” Undaunted,written and directed by Cristóbal Krusen, won in the categories of Best Evangelistic Film and Best Docudrama/Documentary.

Mr. Krusen, is a friend of Mr. Lowell G.Evans who wrote the novel, "The Village". After reading the novel written by him and doing a personal interview with the author, Mr. Krusen responded:

"The interview I conducted provided me the opportunity to explore areas of your story that I had pre-identified as holding the potential for a successful cinematic treatment. I now feel confident saying that – properly written,produced and directed – a compelling film can be made for a wide audience based partly on your book and partly on details of your life."

Cristobal Krusen

ERASE THE "MYTHS AND STIGMAS" OF EPILEPSY

EPILEPSY: Eliminating the Myths; Understanding the Causes

Wednesday, 20 June 2012 18:30

By Leonard E. Colvin

Chief Reporter

New Journal and Guide

In 1979, while attending Virginia Wesleyan College, Lowell G. Evans was playing in a pick up basketball game when he suddenly became dizzy and passed out. The next thing he knew, paramedics were standing around him. “They said I may have had an epileptic seizure,” said Evans. “Epileptic? I told them I did not smoke that stuff.  I did not know what they were talking about.” At the hospital’s emergency room, doctors discovered a scar at the back of his head which they said may have contributed to the spell.

“They told me that the scar may have been caused by an injury and may have caused previous episodes of epilepsy. I did not think I had any,” said  Evans, who is now 51 and living In Virginia Beach. “I did not know what epilepsy was. I did not know how it would change  my life. But since then, I discovered with treatments meds, I had nothing to fear and I am living a normal life.”

While he was growing up in rural Gloucester County Virginia,  Lowell G. Evans had never heard of epilepsy, let alone  recognized any signs that he may have had the disease. He does recall people who had “spells” who fell to the ground in spasms. He recalled adults saying they were  caused by demons embedded in the person’s soul seeking to control it.  

Until scientists unraveled the causes of epilepsy, people thought it was triggered by full moon or demons. There are various forms of epilepsy and varied reasons attribured to why mother nature imposes it on the lives of over three million people in the United States and a quarter of a million African Americans. The medical experts say that brain chemistry, hereditary, physical injury, prenatal injuries, and exposure to chemicals and other environmental poisons are on the list for causing epilepsy.

Today, Evans is an advocate to educate on the condition. He has written  “The Village,”  a 228-page book which is part biography and part  social commentary and instructional guide on the disease.  “When I first told people that I had epilepsy, most of the reactions were negative and most of the views people had were negative,” said Evans. “It takes a village to raise a child; it  also takes a village to change  the negative views toward epilepsy.” Evans said that society’s ignorance about epilepsy can be just as detrimental as the disease itself. He noted that people display symptoms of the disease differently, and it may be interpreted as alcoholism, drug addiction, psychosis or other  physically debilitating ailments

One good example he offers is a story about Kevin. “Kevin was a highly successful African American man. One day, a couple, who were his neighbors and knew his family, saw him experiencing a seizure out in public and they thought he was an alcoholic or on drugs because he was lying out in the street.   From that point on they decided not to have anything to do with him socially,” said Evans. “Well, the two sons of that couple, who played with Kevin’s children, witnessed him having a more severe epileptic seizure  while they were at his house playing with his kids,” said Evans. “At that point, the two sons were educated. It was not substance abuse or insanity. It was not something which was contagious.”

Evans says epilepsy does not deter people from acquiring careers and achieving their life dreams. He said that actor and activist Danny Glover is epileptic. He joins President Theodore Roosevelt, Author Charles Dickens  (writer of the Christmas Carol), NBA player Bobby Jones, Alexander the Great, and  Julius Caesar, among others, known to suffer from the disease. After he graduated from college in 1983, Evans was recruited by the Safeway Corporation  as a manager, a job he worked for 15 years.  He did operational analysis for Bank of America for 10 years; then  he went into retail sales. Now he is promoting his book and advocating and educating people about epilepsy.

Evans said there are three degrees of epileptic seizures from mild to severe. All are  the result of “bio-electric impulses not fully being transmitted through the brain to make the body function properly for brief periods of time,” he explained. Evans said that an individual may experience an “aura” which is a warning sign “when you feel a light-headed feeling, an unbalance.” “You are walking and you want to move your arms and you can’t,” said Evans.  ”When I have an aura, it indicates that the level of medicine I take to deter epilepsy is low or not at the proper levels.  It does not always mean that a seizure will occur.” Sometimes the person having the seizure goes into a kind of altered state for a short period of time. The person may looked dazed or stare into space. In such a case, it is enough to stay by the person and wait for the seizure to pass. The most important thing is to be calm.

Evans said epileptic seizures can be triggered by varying factors, including certain smells or flashes of light. He is prescribed two different medications to control the onset of seizures. Evans said that he has been talking to owners of the Messenger Films about doing a movie based on his book, detailing the story of man who is epileptic and goes on a quest to educate the village with words about the disease.

For more information, go to thevillageiscoming@gmail.com

YOUR MOVIE IS A MUCH NEEDED STORY

MAN WITH EPILEPSY SEES THE IMPORTANCE OF "THE VILLAGE" AS A MOVIE!

Lowell,

Hello again my friend!  I read the story you sent me about the above mentioned subject.  I wish I were close enough to attend one of your "meetings".  I have tried to tell my story to people or groups of people and received the attitude of "Oh, another guy who gamed the system."  Or, "Well, here's another guy who just wouldn't do his job and got what he deserved."  And it's very frustrating, very frustrating...

And I am sure that some of that feeling is read into what their actions are from my perspective on how I see the myself.

But the fact remains that YOUR story must be told for all of us who are out here, alone, but who you are speaking for.  Please don't give up Lowell.  Discrimination is found in all colors, creeds, religions, no matter what name or adjective you want to put on it, but all of that has a very basic, distinct, and profound similarity.  That being, it takes two individuals for it to happen;  the person doing the persecution, and the one being persecuted...

And in all subjects, as stated above, no matter what side of the aisle may they stand on, we all bleed red, we all live and die, and we all have the ability to either love or hate, it is simply a matter that is decided in the heart.

That is why you cannot give up on the mission you have set out to do.  Because I have experienced it first hand, as well as others, I am sure, and nothing was done to stop it.

DON'T give up Lowell, there are a lot of "Kevin Bolden's" counting on you.  :-)

God speed and God Bless,

Tim Parsons, Sr.

VIRGINIA BEACH FAMILY TRAVELS TO CNN NEWS ABOUT THE VILLAGE

LOCAL FAMILY IS THANKFUL FOR "THE VILLAGE"

Eric Olivier Jr. (E.J.) met Lowell G. Evans in the Kempsville Library some months ago and noticed his T-Shirt about the "National Epilepsy Convention." As Mr. Evans received a "smile" from this 13yr old student from Salem Middle School in Va. Beach, he smiled back and continued on to his desk. Little did the author of "The Village" know what the smile was all about!

Mrs. Teresa Olivier, E.J's mother then stopped the author and asked him about "epilepsy". This is when he told her about his speech at the convention and his book "The Village". He also informed her about his thoughts about epilepsy. He stated to her, "I may have epilepsy, but epilepsy does not have me!" Mrs.Olivier was happy to hear those words from him and then informed him of her son having epilepsy. This is when Mr. Evans asked her, "Is that your son over there?" She stated,"Yes" and then informed him of how Eric Jr. did not want to return to school or church because of the "peer pressure" he was receiving from having a seizure in public. Mr. Evans than asked to speak to E.J. and Mr. Olivier said, "Oh, please do."

After the author informed the young man that he had dealt with the "peer pressure" as well, E.J. felt a little more relaxed about epilepsy. It was when Mr. Evans informed the young man about all of the famous people who had epilepsy. He informed him of President Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Edison, and Mr. Danny Glover all having this condition. The young man could hardly believe what he was hearing! His attitude was changing instantly! This conversation had the Olivier Family amazed! When Mr. Evans informed E.J. of the novel he wrote, "The Village" and then gave him an autographed copy, the relief that came across this young man's face was a site to see! He took the book and ran over to the other side of the library to read it!

A few weeks later, the Olivier family contacted the author again and requested more books to purchase along with "The Village" t-shirts! Little did the author know that the Olivier family had "bigger plans" than he ever could imagine. It was two weeks later when Mr. Evans received a call and it was from Mrs. Teresa Olivier, E.J.'s mother. The family had gone do to Atlanta, Ga. to nominate the author as a "CNN Hero." They were not able to get past security so they took a picture outside of the CNN Studios wearing the "Village T-Shirts and holding a copy of "The Village"! Mr. Evans could hardly believe his eyes!

Mrs. Olivier then stated to the author of the story of  "The Village and Kevin Bolden" changed the life of their son. E.J. for the better! In fact it was a positive change for the entire family! The family is planning on going back to CNN News to make the nomination again!

HIGH SCHOOL IINVITES THE WRITER OF THE VILLAGE TO SPEAK

LANDSTOWN HIGH  APICS ORGANIZATION REQUESTS MR. LOWELL G. EVANS AS GUEST SPEAKER!

When Mr. Lowell G. Evans  saw his old neighbor, Jordan Branch  who attends  Landstown High School at Wendy's Resturant, he asked him and his friends what they were doing . They informed him that they had just finished their organizational meeting for APICS. With him not understanding what this meant he asked, "O.K., fellows what is APICS?" They informed them that it stood for the "Asian Pacific Islanders Cultural Society." With that response he asked, "Can you explain that to me please?"

The students from Landstown High had formed an organization so that the students from all walks of life at Landstown High can learn from each other the different Races and Cultures at the school. Mr. Evans was very impressed with this because the group of young men were conducting themselves as "Gentlemen" and they displayed "great respect" for one another and the people at the restaurant as well.

With the "definition" of APICS being explained to Mr. Evans, he then shared with the group of young men his novel, "The Village." As Mr. Evans informed the students of the story of "Kevin Bolden" who was an African American Corporate Family Man who lost his career and almost his entire family due to the "lack of knowledge of epilepsy", the students became very excited! He then sat down with them and shared his accomplishments and his goal to "eradicate the ignorance of epilepsy" in society by writing the novel. The students were surprised to have a "Published Author" in their presence.

As Mr. Evans explained the story of "The Village", one of the young men in the group named Andy said, "Mr. Evans, The Village is more than just about helping people with epilepsy. It is about "helping your fellow man no matter what the condition or the race. That is actually what we are doing with APICS!" Everyone of the members agreed with him. Mr. Evans was very impressed to see that these young men had recognized the "message being given" in the novel. Again these were high school students but they had a great deal of  "wisdom."

With all that being said, the students then invited Mr. Evans to be the "Guest Speaker" at the end of the year celebration for APICS on June 11, 2012 at 2:30pm at the school. Mr. Evans gladly accepted the offer but informed them that they had to get the approval from their sponsor Ms Marica Garner. He then gave them a copy of the novel and other literature about "Epilepsy".

When Mr. Evans did his speech to APICS, he informed them of how one of their alumni, Mr. D.J.Conti had touched his life.

In closing, Mr. Evans informed the students that Mr. Cristobal Krusen, president of Messenger Films had read his novel and had also came to Va. Beach to do a "personal interview" with him. From the interview, Mr. Krusen said this:

The interview I conducted provided me the opportunity to explore areas of your story that I had pre-identified as holding the potential for a successful cinematic treatment. I now feel confident saying that – properly written,produced and directed – a compelling film can be made for a wide audience based partly on your book and partly on details of your life.

Cristobal Krusen

The students were informed Mr. Krusen had done the movie, "The Bill Collector" in the cities of Va. Beach and Norfolk. He gave them Mr. Krusen's website, www.messengerfilms.com He also informed then that if they helped to spread the word about "The Village and Mr. Kevin Bolden" that when the movie is done, they could be possible "fill-ins" in the movie. There would not be any pay for this, but to have a film done "right in Va. Beach" got them very excited. All this would do is support what "APICS" is doing for the community! They were actually doing the same thing Mr. Evans was doing! Educating people!

Mr. Evans truly enjoyed meeting APICS of Landstown High School and has been inspired by them even more to make the "movie" come to pass!

Mr. Parsons Says, " The Village Movie" Is A Must!

This email below was sent from Mr. Tim Parsons Sr. of Arkansas. He himself was a "Kevin Bolden", a man with epilepsy. A man that could not receive the help he needed. He wants to see "The Village" made into a movie!

Mr. Parsons Sr. writes:

Lowell,

That sounds great!!  I sincerely hope you can acheive your goal in making this into a movie.  I only wish that this could have been done 100 years ago, or longer.  I don't care what the "case" is, whether it be race, creed, etc., discrimination is wrong, no matter what the reason.  I came to realize this at a very early age, because of epilepsy, yet I still was surrounded by ignorant people, of all colors.  It was hard to deal with at times, but it made me a better person overall.  Perhaps it was God's way of tempering me into that better person....

I am glad I have found someone who was able to be so closely paralleled in life to the same situation I went through.  I wish you success with this project.  For all of us who suffer with seizures and the side affects of them and the medications that we take to prevent them, I wish you luck and success with this project my good friend.

Sincerely,

Tim Parsons, Sr.

INVITATION FROM BETTIE F. WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

I was forunate to meet Mrs. Delphina Malone last month. She is the Guidance Counselor at Bettie F. Williams Elementary School located in Va. Beach, Va. While at a restaurant, I shared with Mrs. Malone the story of "The Village" and the life of the character I created name "Kevin Bolden."

Mrs.Malone was very excited about having a "published author" located right in the city of Va. Beach and a man willing to speak about "epilepsy." She then invited me and my publisher, Mr. Dreason Ruckett of Lyrical4cast Publishing to come and speak at the "Career Day" at her school on May 24th. We were greeted by Principal Timothy Sullivan and Asst. Principal, Mrs. Shirley Haywood. They shared with us the "dreams" of the students that we were there to see.

Mr. Ruckett and I had a great time explaining to the students our careers as a author and a publisher. Most of all we enjoyed informing them of what "epilepsy" really was. Just like so many people, the myths and stigmas about epilepsy were "overwhelming". This was our opportunity to educated the students and introduce them to the main character of the novel, "Mr. Kevin Bolden." When the students finally had a "name" associated with epilepsy we then shared with them the "real names" that had the condition. We informed them of Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, Actor Danny Glover, writers such as Charles Dickens and Lewis Carroll. This was a total surprise to them! They then started seeing themselves acheving their "dreams in life." I shared with them that fact that we are working on a "screenplay" for the novel to become a movie. This truly excited them as all of a sudden many of them wanted to become, "movie stars"! We had a great time.

We left the school with the children knowing the life of "Kevin Bolden" and them saying that, "I may have epilepsy, but epilepsy does not have me." They shared their dreams with us and truly made our visit one to remember.

I know I can speak for Mr. Dreason Ruckett in saying, "We thank the staff and the students at Bettie F. Williams Elementary School for the invitation to come and speak."

Sincerely,
Lowell G. Evans
Autor of : "The Village"
A novel of inspiration for the entire family!