RIP Darren Rydstrom

It is with great sorrow that I must report the death of one of my favorite cinematographers Darren Rydstrom.  He died in a tragic helicopter crash in California while shooting footage for a reality series for the Discovery Channel.   Two other people also died in the crash.

I first worked with Darren on "Holyman Undercover."  My writing partner Tim Ratajczak and I flew out to the set to watch the work.  It was a great experience and it was great meeting Darren.  Our paths next crossed on "In The Blink of an Eye," a film Tim Ratajczak and I were originally slated to write.  We were fired off the film as writers, but I ended up editing it.  Darren did a great job shooting the film in tight corners with limited time and budget.  Next I worked with Darren on my film "The Encounter."  Neither Tim or I went out to the set this time, but we knew the shoot was in good hands, and, if I'm not mistaken, "The Encounter" is now the most profitable film released by PureFlix Entertainment.

Next Darren worked on my film "Revelation Road:  The Beginning of the End," and its sequel, which was made at the same time.  Once again, I didn't go to the set but I was confident the film would look great!  My last dealings with Darren involved the Tim Ratajczak-penned Biblical epic "The Book of Esther."  I edited the film.  I thought Darren did some of his best work on the film.  We exchanged a few calls during the edit as I searched for some footage.  We didn't have an weighty conversations.  Never thought one of them would be the last.  That just goes to show you.  Tomorrow isn't guaranteed to any of us.

Below is a picture of Darren and actor/director/producer/writer David A.R. White from the set of "Holyman Undercover."   David was always quick to share the credit.  Anytime I complimented David on a camera setup or camera move on "Holyman Undercover" or "The Encounter," David would always say it was Darren's idea.

We'll miss you, Darren.

Here are some trailers for films Darren worked on:

Be sure to check out my memoir The Promise, or the Pros and Cons of Talking with God, published by TouchPoint Press. It is my true story of first faith and first love and how the two became almost fatally intertwined.

Here are some sample chapters of The Promise:

Chapter 1 - A Photograph

Chapter 2 - My Death

Chapter 3 - Childhood

Chapter 4 - Saved!

Chapter 5 - The Promise

Chapter 6 - The Mission

Chapter 7 - Mission Accomplished
Chapter 15 - Quarter To Midnight

Be sure to check out my novel Chapel Street. It tells the story of a young man straddling the line between sanity and madness while battling a demonic entity that has driven his family members to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting my family experienced.

You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble.

Learn more about the book, click Here.

Watch the book trailer:

  

Listen to me read some chapters here:

Chapel Street - Prologue - My Mother

Chapel Street - Chapter 1 - RestingPlace.com

Chapel Street - Chapter 2 - Elisabetta

Chapel Street - Chapter 3 - The Upload

Chapel Street - Chapter 4 - The Kobayashi Maru

Read about the true haunting that inspired the novel here:

The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 1, An Introduction
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 2, The House
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 3, This Is Us
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 4, Arrival
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 5, Methodology
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 6, Clara's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 7, Clara's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 8, My Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 9, My Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 10, My Tale, Pt. 3
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 11, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 12, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 13, John's Tale, Pt. 1 
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 14, John's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 15, Come Inside!
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 16, Marion's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 17, Marion's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 18, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 19, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 20, Lisa's Tale
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 21, Recap, Pt. 1
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 22, Recap, Pt. 2
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 23, Recap, Pt. 3

The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 24, Bad News Betty

The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 25, Joe's Tale

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