Christian Review Magazine Issue 4 - April 2015 | Page 10

FEATURED FILMMAKERS

(L to R) Director Chad Burns and producer Aaron Burns review footage from BEYOND THE MASK, the revolutionary new
family adventure film in theaters nationwide on April 6, 2015.

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p-and-coming filmmakers Chad and Aaron
Burns haven’t moved to or near L.A. But these
homeschooled cousins are earning a name in
independent movie making. In fact, one of the pioneers
of the new wave of faith-and-family films—Stephen
Kendrick, worked with the Burns to co-write their latest
picture, BEYOND THE MASK.
BEYOND THE MASK makes news on its own for its
groundbreaking use of special effects in a faith-andfamily film. BEYOND THE MASK stakes out—for faith
film audiences—the action and adventure landscape
primarily known for big-budget films such as THE
AVENGERS or GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.
But the move of homeschoolers into the cultural
marketplace—such as into filmmaking—should come as
no surprise.
The number of homeschooled kids in the United States
has increased from 1.7 percent of all students to 3

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percent in the 21st century alone, according to the National
Center for Education Studies.
Additionally, homeschoolers pepper the ranks of stars and
athletes—Tim Tebow, Demi Lovato, The Jonas Bro \