Bear Witness
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A couple weeks ago the ameer of Montclair MSA talked to me about doing a monthly movie night. I thought about it, and responded with saying that I don’t like “Islamic” movies. They aren’t very Islamic. I suggested presenting blockbuster movies, that have an Islamic message.
I figured why not take good movies, edit them for content and language, sandwich it with an Islamic message and present it to the masses at school. Majid (the ameer) asked if I’d like to run with it. (obvious answer)
We decided on a name…”Slick Flicks!” Put forth a list of movies, the first being Batman Begins 
I began work on editing the movie. I got the DVD, put the content on my computer, only to realize that Adobe Premiere wasn’t being too friendly with the DVD content. This is where the challenges started.
I wanted to setup each movie night like this:
- Trailer to movie
- Islamic Message
- Movie
- Islamic Lesson of Movie
- Credits
The theatrical trailer from Apple’s website was edited in Adobe Premiere. The DVD was edited using TmpegEnc. The two are not really compatible with each other. Many hours later, after trying all kinds of conversions of video file formats, I decided on a solution. Turn everything to DVD, and edit it all using TmpegEnc.
Only problem with the solution…I didn’t have an Islamic message video to put before the movie. Result? Project comes to a stop for a whole week (I had mid-terms).
A few days ago, I remembered something. I was telling my brotha from another motha Safi Shareef about a dawah commercial idea I had at Sam’s wedding. People standing in front of the camera, saying the shadah! (I know it sounds dumb, but its not…you’ll see).
I figured I’ll use a unique visual style for this. High contrast black and white, 16×9 format (wide screen), with a while letterbox (as opposed to the standard black). — – Reason for the high contract black and white is to keep it parallel with the theme of right and wrong. Worshiping Allah versus worshiping something else. Clear contrast and distinction.
I went ahead with filming. Getting people to speak in front of a camera can be tough at times. I had set a goal to get 15 people to say the sahadah on camera. I ended up with 12, I really needed 8.
After editing the video, I felt it was incomplete. The video ended with the kalima in the end (looking like the liwaa’), but something was missing. I asked some brothers if there recitation of the kalima is in the Qur’an as is. Closest I got was the ending verses of Surat AlHashr. — – It hit me. I was missing the message of Tawheed in the video. I hit up Corbis Motion and Getty Images for some some video and image content to make the part.
Five hours later I ended up with this:
Filmed, edited, finalized and put online, in less than 24 hours.
————
Lessons:
- Work as a Team – getting the ameer and other main MSA members to help me do the filming was key in getting that part done.
- Use a Microphone – This was beautiful. The audio came our real well. I used Tip #5 from “Becoming a Camcorder Pro” Make sure you have someone helping you hold the mic.
- Use a Tripod - There is nothing like a steady camera shot.
- Use Sunlight – Sunlight makes for the best light source for getting a good image. Especially when your budget is $0.
- Set DEADline – I told myself that I will complete filming today before the sun goes down. I told the MSA people, that if filming is not done by then then there is going to be no movie night. Alhumdulillah, it went well.
MR Says: 16.11.06 at 9:48 am
You gave me some ideas.
Muhammad Alshareef Says: 16.11.06 at 11:07 am
it’s ausome ma sha Allah.
I just gave a lecture to a non-muslim university class, and this video makes me want to share with them.
It’s beautiful because it’s not music (doesn’t get so annoying that the nice islamic videos are usually music?)
and it’s educational.
and it’s short.
good stuff.
Salmaan Says: 16.11.06 at 12:51 pm
Salamualaikum
Good stuff. I have a lot of ideas in my head too I gotta get ‘em out.
yo Says: 16.11.06 at 1:55 pm
Actually, I think the idea originated from Dr. Ashraf Ismail, maybe you should show him.
Also, it would be cool if u could relate the message & lesson to the movie being shown (not sure how Tawheed relates to Batman Begins)
Oh yeah, u should also show Malcolm X Prince of Islam, that documentary is awsome.
Anyways next time we meet, we’ll talk, Insha Allah.
-aforementioned brotha
Humaira Says: 16.11.06 at 7:05 pm
Assalaamu Alaikum!
MashAllah great work! The fact that you filmed, and put it together w/in 24 hours, definately great!! Keep up the good work Belal.
Ibn al Hyderabadee Says: 16.11.06 at 9:19 pm
that was good masha’Allah……Batman has islamic messages – “why do we fall? to rise again”
Allahu ‘Alim
Anonymous Says: 16.11.06 at 11:25 pm
great job ….I don’t know whatyour major is but you are really good at producing, directing, filming, you definitely h ave a career in this field
AlBaraa Says: 17.11.06 at 7:29 am
“Batman has islamic messages – “why do we fall? to rise againâ€
Allahu ‘Alim ”
It has a few good lessons:
- Why do we fall? To get back up
- We fear that which we dont understand. False Experience Appearing Real. Start understanding people
- Its not who you are inside, but what you do. Limb service as opposed to lip service.
If you guys know of more lessons, by all means, share
“great job ….I don’t know whatyour major is but you are really good at producing, directing, filming, you definitely h ave a career in this field”
Thanks for the comment
Actually, just recently I made the active decision to join the film school in my college. This coming spring semester I’m taking my first film related courses. Intro to Film and Film Making Beginning 1…should be fun inshaAllah
yo Says: 17.11.06 at 12:27 pm
“if you make yourself more than just a man (regular human being), if you devote yourself to an ideal(Islam), you become something else entirely (a true Muslim)” it Batman’s case, as good as all the other “superheroes”.
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/batman_begins/trailer/medium.html
Sally Says: 17.11.06 at 12:50 pm
Salamualykum!!
Three words Brother Bilal… SubanAllah, MashAllah, and AlhamdillAllah! Keep up the good work
Marwa Says: 18.11.06 at 11:34 am
MashaAllah brother….keep it up, this is definetly ur thing…good job
AlBaraa Says: 20.11.06 at 4:29 pm
Another lesson:
Training is nothing. Will is everything. The will to act.
randa Says: 23.11.06 at 4:04 pm
i find it ironic that many of the lessons are taught by the “villian” in the movie
AlBaraa Says: 23.11.06 at 4:19 pm
They are taught by the “villain”, but they are “practiced” by the hero
— It’s not who you are, rather what you do.
AbdulHasib Says: 28.11.06 at 3:07 pm
as-salaamu a’laikum,
Nice masha’Allah. Unique. Captivating.
One thing though… it’s now November 28th… do you have your new set of Goals yet? -)
“wa ta’awanoo a’lal birri wat taqwa..”
Serving Islam Says: 07.12.06 at 9:54 am
Assalam Alaikum
Mashahallah.. grt work
Keep it up!
Samir Hashmi Says: 09.12.06 at 12:17 am
Excellent. Will be used in my dawah efforts Inshallah!
abdullah Says: 17.02.07 at 5:36 pm
Very nice.. the no fat right below ‘One God’ was kinda a put off, but apart from that, may Allah bless you, can you please make more like this.. it is very very nice.
Abdullah
aarij Says: 05.08.07 at 7:27 pm
akhi…jazak Allah khair for sending me the Darkness2Light video
can I ask you for the source file of this video? i or someone else in our MSA can tweak it a little, because, subhan Allah, the video (except the montclair msa part, lol) is perfect
may Allah reward you immensely for your efforts