A visit with film producer George Escobar

I had lunch today with a good friend who is also a very good up and coming film producer. He is George Escobar (in the center of the picture at right), founder and Executive Director of Advent Film Group, and independent film production and distribution group that is moving to make a difference in culture by creating wholesome films and training filmmakers for these films. Their first feature-length film, Come What May, has received strong reviews, and they're already working on their next three films.

My friendship with George began when he attended my painting class about five years ago. Instantly I saw that I had someone extraordinarily talented to work with, and was very excited to have such a talented student to work with, both for his benefit, and mine, as I took it as a challenge, and I love challenges (just ask my kids what happens when they say such and such "just can't be done."). Assuming he'd been at this for a lifetime, I asked, "So, George, who are some of the people you've studied with?" His reply- "Um, this is my first class." Not his first class with me, but his first class ever. Well, George has a large appetite for learning, second only to his desire for excellence. We have since visited museums, talked film, swung hammers, squeeze in breakfasts and lunches when we can get away from our busy schedules, and of course, we talk shop every time. He has invited me to be a part of the production design for his next film, and I am up for another challenge. I've got a bit 0' studyin' to do, George says. The roles are reversed for the time being- I'm the student and he's the teacher. Okay, George, give it to me.