Episode Details

Your kids are already making videos on their phones — but what if that creativity became something much bigger? Youth filmmaking is one of the most powerful ways to build storytelling, teamwork, and real-world skills all at the same time.

David Alford, of Cross Purposes Products, pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to make a film from scratch, sharing 5 practical insights every aspiring young filmmaker needs to know before they ever pick up a camera:

✅Why the story always comes before the equipment in youth filmmaking

✅The biggest mistake young filmmakers make that loses the audience every time

✅How to find free locations, borrow gear, and a willing crew in your community

✅What 4 months of pre-production looks like and why it makes everything work

✅How a $6,000 short film made it to film festivals and international distribution

✅Why telling stories from a Christian worldview matters more now than ever

Visit Crosspurposes Productions to watch the films mentioned in this episode and reach out if you want guidance on getting started.

Resources for You 

• Cross Purposes short film and all films
• Contact email for filmmaking questions
• Cross Purposes available on Pureflix, Tubi, Apple TV, TBN, Amazon, and international platforms
• Life Skills Leadership Summit 

Show Notes:

Making Movies With Your Kids — A Conversation With Filmmaker David Alford

Today I have filmmaker David Alford here, and we're talking about a topic I personally think you'll find exciting — making movies. When I think about my grandkids, they're always making movies with my phone. Kids today are walking around with little movie studios in their hands. So let's talk about what's actually possible.

How David Got Started — And How Homeschool Kids Changed Everything

David is a graduate of UT Austin with a degree in radio, television, and film. He worked in Christian radio for about 12 years as a drive-time radio host, then did some television work at a local ABC affiliate. But he'd never done the film part of his degree. So in his 50s, he decided to round off the trifecta — and he started making movies.

He also became a homeschool dad. His kids grew up in a community of homeschool families, and over time that community became his surrogate family.