Today I followed Jesus

Since about April I have been growing a beard so that I could be an extra in a New Testament movie that the church is making right now. Last week they finally started filming, and today I was called in.

I have never been part of a movie set. Everyone was really nice. They gave us costumes, they did hair and make-up, and even gave us meals plus forced water on us all day. It is hot in the middle of no where Utah.

I got to take part in three takes. The first was following Jesus to where he blesses children, hence the title "Today I followed Jesus", it was a literal statement. The next seen was after blessing the children we followed him away. While I was "acting" I tried to put myself in the character of someone actually following Jesus. It was a nice feeling. I pondered if I would be able to leave work and everything behind to go and just follow him. It would be hard, but worth it.

The children were a miracle. They did their scenes amazingly and I couldn't help but smile at them. They were patient and did everything asked. Some of the mothers said there was no way those kids would act like that all day in the sun normally. It had to be a miracle.

My last scene was sitting in a group after the Resurrection when Peter, James and John were in charge of the church, and they gave us the Sacrament. I am straight on from the camera. I hope I get to see myself in the movie whenever they actually produce it.

I don't know if I will be called in again, nor know if I would want to, but I would do it anyway. It was a good experience where I met some good people. I met the guy from Saints and Soldiers, he was our medic. Also I met the guy who played Joseph Smith in the newest church movie. He is a nice guy. I also met a Jamshid. That is my middle name, and I don't come across it much because it is Persian. He was only half like me, and knew less Farsi that I did.

The only thing I didn't like was that some people complained. Even thought the sun was very hot, it was tolerable. There was a non-member man, that was sad that they had postponed the casting, was not happy about how little we know about when we are needed. He is keeping a beard like all the men, and thinks he can't get a real job till this is done, so he wants to participate more. I guess that is understandable, we all need money, but I only came for the experience, getting paid was just a bonus.

We all learned about it last night at like 9 pm, so getting there at 5 or 6 something was hard but worth it. Some people traveled really far. One guy, Jeff, drove from at least 100 miles south into Utah both ways today so he could participate. He was a really great guy. I knew at least two that even came down from Idaho. I really hope everyone made it home safely, not implying heaven.

My only regret is I should have talked more about how amazing it was to be on the set, and even just act as a disciple of Christ. It was nice.

Yay, the months of growing a beard and looking iffy have paid off. Now to see how much more they call me.