Directing The Second Chance With Steve Taylor

http://www.thesecondchancemovie.com/

"When you look at race in the context of the workplace or the military, the law has stepped in to mandate equality. When you look at it in the context of religious organizations, treating each other as equals is a voluntary act."

Artist Steve Taylor has always been a filmmaker.

Steve has the distinction of releasing and starring in the first Christian music video, "Meltdown" which featured Lisa Whelchel (Blair from TV's "Facts Of Life") and a house of wax. And man, can he direct wax.

From his early short films to his work directing music videos for Sixpence None The Richer, The Newsboys and Guardian, Steve has always operated with the sensibility and sensitivity of a filmmaker. Whereas most music videos tend to be generic and non-engaging, Steve's videos have always had a sense of humor and "huh?" which of course makes repeated viewing necessary. He likes to tell a great story.

The same is true with Steve's first full-length feature film, The Second Chance, which releases nationwide this month. This movie will make you squirm and think and squirm again. I had the privilege of viewing The Second Chance in Detroit in November, and look forward to seeing it again this month. It brings up so many points for discussion on racial reconciliation for the Modern Disciple, like "who is my brother?" and "how can I truly live out my faith in a way that stretches me?". Steve was kind enough to make time in his busy promotional schedule to talk to us about the movie, his next plans, as well as his brand new role as Dad.

Ryan Richardson: Hey Steve, how have you been?

Steve Taylor: Allright! We just did a screening at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta last night, so I got back at 2 this morning.

RR: Wow. There are certain centers where you would want to see a movie that addresses these themes. Detroit was one of them for me, but the MLK Center? That's amazing. I have referred to this movie as "The Crash And The Switchblade".

ST: I like that one! Can I use that?

RR: Definitely. I'm surprised you hadn't heard that before.

ST: Not yet. We had a great Christmas - we went to Colorado, where my daughter saw her first snowfall.

RR: You and your wife recently adopted a girl from Uganda. You mean, there's not a lot of snow in Uganda?

ST: Surprisingly, no. She loved it, she loved playing with snowflakes and it was fun to experience her first snowfall with her.

RR: What has the adoption meant to your lives?

ST: It's completely different. My wife and I had our 20th anniversary in Africa, when we were getting everything arranged with the adoption. Being married for 20 years and then having an African 8 year old is a quick transition and a great blessing. She is such a joy to have around, she is very lively and happy and she likes being here with us - we've connected really well. We are growing together. She makes friends easily and is very outgoing, which she learned from raising herself in Uganda.

RR: What has the Lord been teaching you through the adoption?

ST: There is so much that you don't understand until you have your own children. Adoption is such a particular metaphor for what Jesus did for us, so there is so much involved in it, it helps us understand at a deeper level what Paul talks about.

RR: That is exciting, when I saw you last year, you had just gotten back from Uganda.

ST: Yeah, it has been incredible.

RR: So how did you get a screening of The Second Chance at the MLK Center last night?

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