Justin Hayward is my brother!

that's my brother, Justin, and his preggo wife, Amie

As I have stated before, my family is massive. Out of my siblings, Justin is the oldest.  His dream since he was just a boy was to become a producer. He is extremely talented and creative.  He lives in Chicago, IL with his lovely and preggo wife, Amie. Side note: I can't wait to have another little nephew!!  Justin has worked as the lighting guy (not sure of the technical name) on several commercials.  He's had many jobs with Silent Partner Films.  Here is a website you can check out to see some commercials Justin has done the lighting for: www.spfilms.com. If you click on "reels" it will show commercials you can choose from.  Check out that sweet lighting!  I never realized how hard it was to get the perfect lighting until I went and visited him where they filmed in Chicago.  It was so cool to finally see what my brother has done for years of his life now.  At that time they were shooting a Toys-R-us commercial for power tools.  It was so intriguing to watch!  He has also won the Chicago film festival twice!  He made a short film called Divorce Lemonade, I believe in 2005.  Check it out:

  This past year, he finished his first feature film called Fireproof Gloves. No, it's nothing like the movie Fireproof.  Not Justin's style:)  Just recently, he filmed a music video for the awesome band in St. Louis called Pretty Little Empire. Justin Johnson, the lead singer, is a good friend of his. Check out how great the band is and how great of a job Justin did with filming the video.

To check out Pretty Little Empire's site, just go to www.prettylittleempire.com.  You can see the video here as well.

Ok, now I'll tell you about my way way way exciting news. My dad called me last month to let me know that Justin had an interview at 1:30pm on January 7th to try and win $100,000 toward making the beginning of what can hopefully be made into another feature film.  I didn't know many details, but dad just wanted me to pray. So that night, while devouring my delicious steak I had been craving from TGI Friday's, I thought to call Justin so I could find out the outcome and details. The phone was busy. He called me back about 5 minutes later.
"Hey Justin!"
"Jane, I got it!"
"What?!?!"
"I won!!!"
I was in shock!!! I know Justin wouldn't joke about this. He went on to tell me that when I called him he was on the other line being told he won the $100,000 toward his film. I could not believe it!!! Before I called Justin, I called my dad and listened to my dad tell me how Justin was positive he didn't win. There were several people who submitted a short film in attempt to get an interview and only 3 people were interviewed.  Justin was one of them!!! That's already awesome! He said he could hear the people who interviewed before him laughing in the interview and clapping their hands. He thought right away they won. He was second to interview. By that time he said he was super nervous (nothing new for Justin:).  For the interview, Justin had to have the beginning of his storyboard for his feature film he was hoping to be able to shoot someday. It actually is a short film that happens to be the opening of his feature, which worked out perfect.  He had everything prepared and by the time they began asking Justin about his film, his nerves left him. He told them all about it and explained everything in detail using his script and drawings of the story board.  He still left not feeling confident, but knowing he did his best. He and Amie even went to pizza that night to make Justin feel better. Haha, I thought that was funny. Little did he know he would receive a call that same night to find out he won! So exciting!! I called Amie later that night, and she explained to me that he has 8 months to shoot and submit the beginning of this feature film to this company. Once they receive it, they will submit it for him to several different film festivals....and that's when we will see if he will get a shot at making his full feature film.  If people like the opening of it, they will fund him for his feature film.  Holla!

Here's the best part: the interviewers told Justin they will be glad they have met him someday.  They think he will go big!!! Ahhh!! I am so proud of Justin for sticking with his dream and working extremely hard to achieve something he's been working for his whole life! The Lord has blessed him with such an amazing opportunity.  If nothing happens in the end, I know he won't give up. It's still awesome he had such a great opportunity. On Sunday they are presenting him the award...I guess at the big award ceremony.  He does have to miss Elijah's first birthday party, but I guess it's worth it;)

Congratulations Justin!!! I love you and I'm so proud of you!!