Interview with Writer/Director, David Evans

David Evans is writer/director for the upcoming dramatic series, “The Underground.” Among his other writer/director credits are the award-winning feature-length movies, “Keep The Faith”, “The Knight of Daye” and “Great Awakening”. He also directed four episodes of the science-fiction dramatic series, “Chronicles”, two of which he wrote. I had an opportunity to sit with David and talk about his latest effort, “The Underground.”

News: So, David, it has been a while since you’ve produced a movie for KTF Productions. I think the last one you wrote and directed was back in 2007. Why the hiatus, and why the return?

David: Yeah, it has been a while. Since 2007 I’ve been involved in a number of Christian projects - mostly podcasts and books. However, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve had a desire to refocus my efforts on something with community involvement; something that can help us all take our minds off of the negativity. I figured a movie project was a great remedy. I was also feeling the itch to get back on the set again and produce something that I’m really passionate about.

News: That would be “The Underground”. 

David: Right.

News: Tell me about the premise of this new series. What is it about?

David: Christians have it good in the United States. There are laws that protect our freedom to worship, our freedom to gather and our freedom to share our faith. There are Christians around the world who do not share those freedoms. And we, as humans, have a tendency to forget about what they are facing and how blessed we are. So, “The Underground” imagines an alternate present where the high levels of persecution occurring in restricted or hostile nations occurred here in America. Through the series, we follow the lives of new believers, who after several years of the faith being repressed, find a new spark that ignites the faith again. These new Christians risk everything to follow Jesus in a country that has made it illegal.

News: Where did you get the idea for “The Underground”?

David: Actually, variations of this idea have been on our hearts since KTF Productions was founded back in 1993. In many ways, I think American believers have become complacent and maybe even a bit lukewarm about our faith as compared to our brothers and sisters in other areas around the world. Our faith is only a part of our life, where it is their life in many persecuted or pour nations. It is my prayer that God will set us on fire for him, that we will see God do mighty things among us and that our country will turn to him. I know that is a big ask, but I hope this series will, at least, help to stir our faith and wake us up from any complacency we may have.

News: Why did you decide to produce half-hour episodes instead of a feature-length movie?

David: Good question. I’ve gone back and forth on this. But, ultimately, I decided to produce half-hour episodes because I believe that in the world of “The Underground” there are so many stories to tell. There are so many angles to approach this topic and so many ways to highlight extreme faith in Jesus. An episodic anthology will allow us to continue to share new stories of believers who have accepted the risk and sometimes the sacrifice of following Jesus.

News: Is there a way for any of our readers to become involved or support the project?

David: I’m glad you asked. Yes. We’re looking for actors, crew, volunteers, locations and props. For those who can’t physically help in this way, they could always pray for us and the project. They can spread the word about it or support the project financially by donating or picking something up in our online store. All proceeds go back into this project, and donations are eligible for tax deduction.

News: Sounds like an interesting and ambitious endeavor. So, you’ll be holding auditions in mid March. Production for episode 1 will be in May and June. And production for episode 2 will be in July and August. But when will we be able to see the finished product? 

David: We hope to do a public screening in early November, but I’ll keep you posted on our website where you can follow all of our progress. That is where the release date will first appear.

News: And that website again is…

David: ktfproductions.com

News: Thanks David, for sharing about KTF Productions’ latest project, “The Underground”. Any parting words?

David: I want to give thanks to God for all he has done so far with “The Underground”. We haven’t recorded a single frame of video, but I can already see his hand in this work and expect to see many more moves of God throughout the production, post-production and distribution process. I also want to thank those who have already volunteered and invite others to join the team or to help in other ways. Any endeavor is most effective when we work as a group, as a team, as a body of Christ. So, whatever your role - prayer warrior, volunteer, cheerleader or financial supporter, I thank you for your contribution.