Artist bio

Yvonne Sobers There are 3 key components, or passions, that combine to equal Me, Yvonne Sobers. My fascination with foreign languages and film production commenced on entering high school where I was first introduced to the products of international cultures and media forms, opening my eyes to a new language as well as innovative forms of film and video. My interest in languages blossomed through film – from watching a recording of Romeo and Juliet in opera, sung in Italian, to my favourite childhood shows being aired in French. In late 2016, I was introduced to all that is Korean film and media. It was the first time I had ever been properly introduced to an Asian language and lead to me self-studying Korean over the past 3 years. I became enraptured by the different forms of media production and was highly entertained by the range that it offered in music, dance and film. I have since yearned to engage in this kind of creativity. I have previously apprenticed with a graphic design firm, M-Grafix which gave me exposure to digital graphics and printing techniques for different media. However, my first direct exposure to film-making was a collaborative effort during the 2016 Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination summer programme at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. There we produced Unplugged as part of a team project. I have since apprenticed with Amleya Clarke Photography using a Cannon Rebel t6i to shoot behind-the-scenes shots for portraits and commercial photography. This apprenticeship was expanded to videography where I received training in producing amateur short films which I edited for sound and video using Adobe Premiere Pro. These included Le Chateau, a French Short Film (2018), Le Chateau with English sub-titles (utilizing Veed.io) as well as independent student productions: Friends Over Water – Music Version (2017) and Friends Over Water – Voice Over. In March 2020, I directed and produced a short film, Reflection, a commentary on beauty standards. The second component is my love for people. I am someone who believes in others and the fact that, united, people can make a difference. Making others comfortable and helping them when issues arose was never a challenge for me. I enjoy meeting new faces and names and motivating them to be better while working alongside them. This had made me a group leader in many projects and also assisted me as Class President; although I was initially nervous at those times, I am strongly embracing that side of myself. The final key is my faith in Christ, through whom I can accomplish much and be at peace even when the pressure is substantial. I have been very blessed throughout many areas of my life and aim to bless others in whatever opportunities I encounter while following the path God has for my life.

Title

A Legacy of Peace: The Ambassadors

Medium/Genre

Drama

Artist Statement

This film, ‘A Legacy of Peace: The Ambassadors’ was written, planned, recorded, acted , filmed and edited in exactly 21 days after learning of the Engage Art Contest. I am exceedingly proud of its outcome. It was a long journey in a short time and all that I learnt while making it was invaluable. Premiere Pro became both a friend and an enemy depending on the day.

This film tells the story of a young woman who lives her everyday life tiresomely and, one day, that world is abruptly shaken. During an attempt to take her life, her neighbor visits to drop off a Christmas gift which causes the young woman to hesitate in her actions. The gift she receives contains a pair of shoes and a tract which describes walking with God and how to conquer the battles of this world through Him. The young woman becomes inspired and overwhelmed by this new-found life with Christ and aims to share the same gift with others so that they too may walk in Jesus’ peace. As a second character, a teenager, learns of salvation and receives the gift, she too walks into a new life with Christ. This is how the words “The Ambassadors” came to be in the title, because as more people receive the gift they two walk into a new life and share that message with others.

My main aim when I create my films is usually to add an aspect that is identifiable or relatable to people. I personally was attached and could somewhat relate to the story because of a situation 2 years ago where someone was about to ruin a project of mine and I just called my mother and asked her to pray for peace and I myself prayed that the Lord would give me peace in the situation. Even after the project did indeed get initially ruined I did not feel any negative emotions. There was no anxiety, distress, sadness or even contempt and I thank the Lord for his blessing because a few days later I started to feel those emotions resurface and was amazed at how calm and at peace I was in the midst of that trying period. It helped me to relate to the characters in this story and understand that you really do want other people to experience that same feeling of peace.

I hope people understand the characters’ struggles and find their own hope and relationship with God after watching this short film. That gift of salvation and peace is available everyday and at any time for those who choose to accept Him and walk with Him.

How it fits into contest

‘A Legacy of Peace: The Ambassador’s’ is a short film which embodies Ephesians 6:10-20 as it speaks about being an Ambassador for Christ who spreads God’s word. The overall concept of the story however was taken from verse 15 which describes that the ambassadors should have their feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. The story depicted two young women who are going through their own separate struggles but soon receive unexpected gifts which contain a new pair of soft shoes and a tract which highlights verses 10 to 17 from Ephesians 6. The shoes represent both the gift of salvation which Christ has given to us freely and also the gift of peace which we gain through him after we choose to walk in Him and develop our faith. Neither woman knew about this gift from God and had been living a life of unknown torments. Thus the story also highlights verse 12 which explains that the struggles we feel here on earth are caused by a much bigger disturbance in the heavenly realms and so we must not strain our energies fighting against this world’s trials alone but we have someone greater to depend on, God, who will protect and guide us so we can avoid the snares of the enemy both spiritually and naturally. In the story there are people who turned away the gift but this story aims to show that as Ambassadors of Christ not everyone will accept the gift but there will always be someone who does. Thereafter that singular person can meet God’s salvation and the legacy of peace continues.

Credits

Yvonne Sobers: Director, Producer, Lead Actress
Yvonne brought together this short film by filming it, directing the flow of the scenes and acting in it herself. She also edited the project

Ruth Sobers: Writer, Producer, Actress
Ruth designed the props and artwork and also features as 2 characters in the film.

Janae Greene: Supporting Actress, Voice actress
Janae featured in the final scenes as a character and also lent her voice talent to earlier scenes.

Josiah Greene: Supporting Actor
Josiah featured as an actor in the penultimate scene.

Music by a variety of artists [under license from Soundstripe.com]:
KEV, Adrian Walther, glasseyes, and Four Trees

Transcript / Lyrics

Short Film : A Legacy of Peace: The Ambassadors
by Yvonne Sobers

SCENE 1: Wake Up and Get Ready (Black and White)
Flashing Scenes
Clock shows 6:00am, December 23
Head lying in the background
Lady’s figure in bed groans and turns

SCENE 2: Shoes, Preparation & Exit (Black and White)
Lady puts on high-heeled pair of shoes and fixes heel
Picks up keys and bag off sofa
Leaves breakfast plate (colour red-translucent) with unfinished mug of tea (Mug says: “You are loved”)
Hurries out the door
Gets in car
Car reverses and drives away on gravel

SCENE 3: Return Home (Black and White)
Car drives in and reverses into parking space on gravel
Phone clock shows 5:00pm
Gets out and kicks wheel
Lady says: “Stupid car!”
Walks away
Keys jangling/ Door unlocks
Lady walks in
Door closes behind feet
Kicks off or pulls of shoes
Massages one foot
Holds both shoes in right hand
Walks down hallway
Lady calls out: “ Ryan, are you home?” You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had. First my car breaks down on the highway and then it took forever for the tow truck to arrive. Then I get to work 3 hours late and my boss fires me! Ryan, are you here? Ryan?”
Focuses on missing shoes and empty male shoe rack.
Bag and keys drop
Sees note on table
Focus on note
Note reads: “Sorry. Had to go. Won’t be back this time. Ry.”
Lady collapses onto carpet

SCENE 5: Distress (Black and White)
Lady rummages in handbag / Dumps contents out on carpet
(Focus on contents of bag spilt haphazardly on carpet)
Lady takes up pill bottle
Grasps them in hand
Phone buzzes on table / carpet
Phone reads: “Laura / Neighbour”
Lady ignores phone (4 missed calls show on phone screen)
Lady gets up
Returns with a decanter of golden / copper tinged “alcohol”
Pours alcohol in small glass (Focus on decanter)
Lady empties pills into hand and grabs glass
Feet with Shoes walk up front steps and stop in front of door
Knock comes at the door. (Show neighbours knock from outside)
Neighbour calls out: “Reanne, are you home?”
Hand with pills freezes before reaching mouth
Silence

SCENE 6: The Visitor and the Shoes (Black and White)
No answer from lady (Reanne) inside
Visitor puts present (box with ribbon) down in front of feet
Visitor turns, hesitates, then walks way
Inside lady (Reanne) puts glass down on centre table and drops pills on red plate on table
(View from outside)
Lady (Reanne) reaches down and picks up box
Closes door and turns
Lady (Reanne) returns to chair
Sits “Jesus Saves” box on lap…
She takes the box top off
Sees gospel tract inside and shoes with “Jesus Saves” tag
Opens tract and reads tract slowly: tract quotes Ephesians 6 verses 11 – 17
(11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 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.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.)
Highlight on verse 15
Lady enters bathroom and dumps pills into toilet bowl. Flushes and walks out.
Pours alcohol into sink

SCENE 7: Putting on the Shoes of Peace (Scenes in colour)
Clock shows 7:30 am, December 24
Rolls out of bed
“Jesus Saves” gift paper bag stands nest to Christmas tree.
(Focus scene past tiny bells on Christmas tree. Bells in focus moving to focus on 2 presents / shoe boxes wrapped with bows. Refocus on bells)

SCENE 8: Preparing to head out to spread the Good News
Lady (Reanne) dons new “Jesus Saves” shoes and checks feet in the reflection of a mirror
Moves away from reflection
Goes to car outside and places paper gift bag in the back seat
Steps into car

SCENE 8: Spreading the Good News
At a park the lady (Reanne) approaches young man propped with one leg up against a tree
Tries to give him a pamphlet
He refuses and gestures “No” and leaves
In the background a female figure in a blue hoodie (hood not pulled up) is sitting alone hunched. Scene cuts from young man and lady to the female who fidgets with her sleeves. She looks at her phone.
First Message reads: Where are you? I’ll come get you. Don’t do anything silly.
Second message: It does not matter if you failed. Really, it doesn’t. It’s not the end of the world you know. We all make mistakes.
Third Message: Are you ok?
Female responds “Of course I’m not ok.” Then back spaces and says: Puts away phone.
Female pulls a box of cigarettes out, takes out one then hesitates before she can put it to her lips. Puts them back into her pocket.
Female responds: “I’m fine Jordan. Gotta go. Something came up.”
Lady (Reanne) looks into her bag of gifts.
The female comes up to the lady (Reanne). They speak and the lady gives her the “Jesus Saves” pamphlet. Points at the scriptures in the tract.
Highlights verse 12: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The lady (Reanne gives her a gift box), embraces he hands around the box in encouragement / reassurance the walks off.
Female returns to her bench, opens the gift box, inspects the shoes.
Female ditches her cigarettes in the trash bin.
Leaves with her gift (Fade to Black and closing scripture)
CREDITS

Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
7How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

MUSIC
“Gonna Get Better”
Written By
Jessie Marie Villa, Michael Thomas Geiger
Performed By
KEV
Produced By
KEV

Running away to a better time
sweet nostalgia gonna ease my mind
in the shadows can you feel the light
calling to you from a brighter side

oh the rain no the rain can’t stay
when you feel like you’re running in place
feel a shift and the sky gon’ change
take me there to the good ol days

cause you know it’s gonna get
better
yeah the seasons know when to change bad weather don’t last
forever
oh you know things never stay the same

it’s gonna get better
it’s gonna get better

easy to get caught up in the fight
when you’ve been wrestling with the night
but troubles waiting there behind my eyes
evaporating with the new sunrise

oh the rain no the rain can’t stay
when you feel like you’re running in place
feel a shift and the sky gon’ change
take me there to the good ol days

cause you know it’s gonna get
better
yeah the seasons know when to change bad weather don’t last
forever
oh you know things never stay the same

it’s gonna get better
it’s gonna get better

A Legacy of Peace: The Ambassadors Copyright 2020 Yvonne Sobers

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