Artist bio

Hi! I'm Nyrasia Hall and I am a young woman who loves God and people. I have a bubbly personality and love making connections with those I meet along my journey of life. I believe we are all here to glorify God and give Him our very best! I was born on October 28th, 1994. I enjoy spending time with family, dancing and going for walks. My love for the arts developed at a young age. I had some dance training through Alvin Ailey summer camp and graduated from Housatonic Community College with an Associates in Theater Arts. Haston Hall was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut on March 14th, 1986. He enjoys nature, creating films and going on extreme adventures. His love for visual arts and film developed a few years ago. He is a self-taught photographer and videographer.

Title

Unpeeled

Artist Statement

This film idea came through a picture I had saw on Facebook. The picture displayed an orange sinking and one floating. There was some text on the photo and it was the scripture, Ephesians 6. I shared it with Haston and immediately thought of a way we can capture the meaning of this photo through film. We created this project in about two days. In our filming process, we had a bit of a disagreement and it quickly made me realize that I didn’t even have on my armor that day. I let something so simple get me upset. I had to repent and check myself. It was nothing but a distraction from the enemy. The writing process was challenging because we didn’t know how we’d relate a particular situation to people. Like, how can we embody this? So, we said we’d do voiceover, rather than having actors give dialogue. This project fits our canon of work because we try to make things plain as can be, while also using imagery and metaphors people can relate to. We also believe this fits our canon of work because we want to keep making films that glorify God and share His Gospel.

How it fits into contest

This Work fits into the contest topic, the Spiritual Battle found in Ephesians 6:10-20 and related verses because it shows that everyday there’s a war, externally and internally. If you’re not covered before you step out into this world or do something that may trigger your emotions, you can seriously get injured. Without your armor covering, you’re vulnerable and things can easily get to you. When you’re covered, you can be confident in knowing that you’re shielded from anything or anyone’s negativity. Though your armor may have dents in it, it still shows that you’re protected. You’re not letting it penetrate your thoughts and make you sway back and forth in your faith. Not only do we battle with outside forces, but it’s also those inner thoughts and feelings that lie within that we battle with everyday. Like, “am I good enough?” “What does this person think about me?” “Why doesn’t this person like me?” “I want to do what this person is doing, so let me copy them so I can be validated by outsiders.” It’s these inner thoughts that keep us bound, not fulfilling our own purpose and caring too much about what others say about us. It’s time that we be free from our own criticism and free from being a people pleaser. Serve God and only Him. The title “Unpeeled” with the “bothered” crossed out is because people may be bothered by things, but as long as they don’t take their armor off, they’ll be ready for whatever comes their way.

Credits

Haston Hall: Lead Cast (VoiceOver), Editor, and Videographer

Nyrasia Hall: Writer, Director, Producer, and Supporting Cast

Music: MUSICBED

Transcript / Lyrics

Script
VOICEOVER:

My mom once showed me an example of how important it is to keep the armor of God on at all times. You can be wide awake or sound asleep; it’s vital that you have it on. You see this peeled orange right here? (shot of a peeled orange) This represents an individual who did not put on the armor of God today. Whereas this one, (shot of unpeeled orange) represents an individual clothed in the armor of God. So, one is shielded and protected and the other is not. Now, let’s think of these oranges as people.
The dangerous thing about the unarmored one is that it stepped out into the battlefield called “life” without any protection. It shows that there’s little to no prayer life. They’re left open, vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks, darts and schemes and he has full access to you! He has the freedom to mess with your mind, mess with your emotions and is only here to steal, kill and destroy. Trust me, you don’t want that for yourself! Which brings me to my next point.
The unpeeled orange is the person who is clothed in the armor of God. They are staying prayed up, not giving in to the enemy’s schemes and mind games. This person can stand against the wiles of the devil and is covered at all times. You see, they may have dents on their shield, but it hasn’t touched them at their core. This person is ready for battle each and every day.
My mom poured water on each orange to show its effects. The water represents the battlefield. It’s apparent that when we take the armor of God off, we sink. But, when we wear the armor of God, we stay afloat.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm.

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