Forgiven

"Forgiven" (the original title for this film was "A Second Chance") was based on a actual vision that I had at a senior class retreat during my senior year in High School at The Master's Academy in Oviedo, Florida. After recieving this vision, something deep down inside told me I need to make a short film about this. After graduating from The Master's Academy, I decided to get to work on it with my co-producer Brian Shepard. We worked hard on a decent short script to film. The script was finally completed and a budget was ready to be made. We started searching for locations in Orlando to shoot the crucifixion scenes but that became an impossible search because most of the land in Orlando is flat/wet and not desert looking.
Starring: Thomas Sullivan as James, Mark Weiler as Jesus Christ, Laura Sorenson as Lauren.
During this time, I showed this script to a gentleman named Craig Stamper who was a leader at Parkway Baptist Church in Orlando. He was very interested in our script and helped put some money into our production. However, on September 12th, 2001, I recieved word that he had passed away in a car accident. I was very sad. The last thing he said to me was "Hans, I can't wait to see this when it is done!" I dedicated "Forgiven" in his memory.
So the film was currently in limbo and not much was going on with it. I lost touch with Brian Shepard after a while, I felt like the spirit for the project had faded.
I decided it was time to move to Los Angeles and join the New York Film Academy and see if I could get it produced there. Sure enough, everything worked out and it turned out to be my final short film. It was tough to make, getting the locations, finding a good actor to play Jesus Christ, and scheduling everyone's availability to shoot. I was so glad it finally got made. I spent endless hours at the editing bay piecing this story together. But still, I felt it wasn't finished and needed more to it....
"Forgiven" was half completed in November 2002, and production later resumed late October 2006 and finally completed and ready to go on October 29th 2007.
I hope you enjoy my short film "Forgiven", and that it's positive message will leave you something to feel good about.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
God Bless, Hans Hernke