For friends Gabe Vasquez and Alan Powell, what
began as an idea nearly eight years ago is finally com- ing to life. Raising their children, each dad has sat through his fair share of Disney musicals. While their kids love them, both dads felt like it would be nice if there was something that had the same spirit you’d find in a classic musical, but with something more — a deep message that reveals the presence of God. “Families struggle to find films the whole family can
watch together,” shares Vasquez. He says sometimes even a faith-based film is “very heavy for an 8-year- old.” He and Powell wanted to make something they could show to their kids, and that’s where the idea for the movie, “A Week Away — Te Musical,” began.
Making old music new again With backgrounds in the Christian music industry, Vasquez and Powell have a love for the music and the influences several songs and performers had on them during their formative years. Tink of the era of Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. Vasquez and Powell “felt there was a wealth of music that some of this [current] generation has never heard of,” Vasquez explains. In an effort to pay hom- age to those songs and artists, and introduce them to a new generation, they began brainstorming the idea of a musical that could incorporate updated versions of some classic Christian songs, along with current and original music, while communicating a story with a meaningful message about life change. According to Vasquez, “A great song is a great song,” and the team believed that those classic songs were great and would still be received as great today. The two friends began to brainstorm what kind of
place this story could take place. “Where could kids spontaneously burst into song where it might make sense? Where could you tell the story of life change in a defined moment of time?” they wondered. Their idea culminated in the idea of church camp. Vasquez says, “When you ask most people what camp means to them, it’s followed with big smiles and warm memories.”
Presenting The Power of Camp As producers of the film project, Vasquez and Powell eventually connected with CCCA and attended the national conference in Phoenix several years ago. Tere, they listened and talked with camp directors, board members and others who shared a love for Christian camps and conferences. Tey “leſt so excited to be able to tell a story and represent an experience like [camp],” Vasquez shares. “We walked away adopt- ing the CCCA mantra, ‘Te Power of Camp.’ ” Te team realized that it would be “hard to portray
all the elements of camp in a film,” Vasquez explains, but they “wanted to find something that was fun and a beautiful representation of the ‘big moments’ at camp.” Tey wanted the movie to find a “balance of the levity and depth of camp.” In order to help it feel real and pay homage to Chris-
tian camping professionals who dedicate their lives to the ministry, Vasquez and Powell wanted to create a story and characters that are realistic. For example, with the camp director, the team spent a lot of time developing the character. “We didn’t want him to be a ridiculous version of a camp director,” Vasquez says. “We wanted him to show some over-the-top side that makes camp feel fun, but also [be] the guy who can be serious and influence a meaningful spiritual moment.” Te hope is that the movie will be a conversation
starter for camps and youth groups. Te team also wants the movie to inspire people to either go to camp or help get someone else’s kid to camp. Knowing that there are kids and teens who come to
camp feeling like they don’t belong or aren’t loved, or are maybe angry at God and have built a wall around their hearts, the producers realize it’s through the relationships at camp that kids experience the hands and feet of Christ. “Our greatest hope,” Vasquez shares, “is that we’re able to give a representation of that type of story.”
“When you ask most people what camp means to them, it’s followed with big smiles and warm memories.” —Gabe Vasquez, producer
February/March 2020
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