06/29/2023
A Special Thank you to the Sanford Herald for this beautiful article about our upcoming film!
(Read the full article below)
By Susan Wenner
Herald Publisher/People Editor
It is the love of film at a young age that led Erik Weece to his acting and filmmaking career establishing his company, Weece Entertainment and now bringing him to his firm, Rooted in Him.
He acts professionally at Universal and in 2018 was nominated for a Woody Award for Best Actor and is also sharing this dream with his wife, Sarah and their 3 children. The couple met while studying at The American Musical Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles.
“I was watching everything I could get my hands on at Movie Scenes $5 for 5 day rentals,” he said. “I would watch Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton movies, as well as Laurel and Hardy, all the way to every Jim Carrey movie followed by every stand up VHS tape they had.”
Just two weeks after high school Weece left Deltona to pursue his passion for comedy in New York City and attended college there at American Musical Dramatic Academy before transferring to their Los Angeles campus.
“This is where my passion for making films really started and I began creating one man shows and short films directly after graduating in 2010,” he shared. As a professional actor he has experience with the HolyLand Experience, Trinity Broadcasting Network, as well as an extensive stand up comedy background with performances at Laugh Factory, Gotham Comedy Club and Comic Strip in New York City. Weece also received a B.F.A in Performing Arts from The American Musical Dramatic Academy LA in 2010.
Weece Entertainment was established in 2014 and serves all of Central Florida with wedding and portrait services and is now in pre-production for its first faith-based drama based on a true story.
“I was inspired to write this film by my father's resilience to the stroke he suffered and how he got back up,” Weece said. “He found his purpose and identity not through himself but through his relationship with Jesus and I wanted to make something for my sons Alec, Athan and Everett to show them that no matter what obstacles come your way and no matter what storms come, to remain steadfast and build your life on a solid foundation and to remain rooted in him. My verse for this film is Colossians 2:7. I built the entire movie on it. Rooted in Him.”
According to Weece, the film is about a preacher of 40 years who suffers a debilitating stroke that hinders his ability to speak. With no speech therapists available, due to demand during the pandemic to assist him in his initial recovery, his son steps in to help his father regain his speech. Despite all obstacles and an uphill battle ahead of them a son and father heal past wounds, all while helping his father to reach his ultimate goal, a return to the pulpit.
“This is my first Christian short film and our plan is to raise enough funds to eventually make it into a feature film,” he cited. “We will be submitting it to the International Christian Film Festival: ICFF in Orlando.”
With his extensive acting background, having a BFA in acting and working professionally since 2010, Weece has decided to play himself in this production. He was awarded Best of the Best at District Competitions in high school with his troupe 5532 and was asked to perform in the opening ceremonies of State Competitions as a Thespian.
His hope is that this is the beginning of creating many more faith-based films as his childhood memories play a big role in his step toward Christian films.
“My father was a preacher,” he said. “My grandfather, Harold Hill, was a preacher and a missionary in Jamaica. I grew up with many family relatives on both sides preaching. I feel most of my childhood was spent listening to their sermons. While I never became a preacher, God is using my talents in a unique way. I hope and pray to build the kingdom through film.”
Although Weece was a bit afraid to take that step in faith to make this movie, he shared that it was his wife who encouraged, believed in him and told him to create a Go Fund Me account to build support and awareness for the project.
“Within a few weeks we raised over $1,200,” he said. “I feel blessed to be moving in the direction of completing this project this fall. That was the moment that really connected me to this project and made operating in faith over fear that much easier with the outpouring of love and support I received. I feel like it's just the beginning and God has even bigger plans than anything I could ever dream for this film.”
He further added, “For anyone reading this, follow your heart and go after your passions in life. If you have a big dream and you feel opposition and obstacles keep going. Don't stay defeated. It's a truly beautiful thing to not give up and see your dreams turn into a reality. No matter what your passion is, get back up and keep going.”
For more information about this company go to www.weeceentertainment.com or
To donate to this project and bring this creative vision to life go to: www.gofundme.com/f/rooted-in-him