About Us
Catholic. Sisters. Filmmakers.
Clare and Mary are Christian home schooled sisters who are dedicated to creating films with a Christian Worldview. They felt called by the Lord to pursue filmmaking in 2017, and started an organization of Catholic homeschooling filmmakers in the Dallas area called JVGPictures. Clare and Mary released their first film, Cyber Attack, (Action/Comedy, 30mins) in January of 2018. Their second film, Seek First, (Drama, 15mins) was also produced as a part of JVGPictures and was released in December of 2018. In February of 2019 the sisters started the Christian Cinema Series*, through which they are releasing their current project, The Light of Virsa. (Adventure/Fantasy, 45mins).
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*Christian Cinema Series is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.
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Future Plans:
The Vining Sisters, along with Christian Cinema Series, strive to pursue excellence in their craft of Christian filmmaking. In the future, Clare and Mary hope to create entertaining Christ honoring films that will bring Hope, Truth, and Beauty to people everywhere who are so desperate to see God’s presence in the world.
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Clare and Mary’s goal is to enable people to live Philipians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
About Clare
My name is Clare Vining and I think that in life, if people embrace their dreams and the hard work needed to fulfill them, anything is possible. My personal dream as a filmmaker is to make films like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, large scale films with worldwide theatrical releases, so that I can influence popular culture for the better. Although I know this is a difficult dream to achieve, I am determined to continue working my hardest toward that goal, and to persevere in whatever it may take to achieve it.
In 2015 I found my passion for filmmaking. Ever since, I have devoted all my free time to making films. I have co-directed with my younger sister 4 full-scale short films, some of which you can see on IMDb: Cyber Attack (premiered 2017), a 30 minute cyber criminal comedy; Seek First (2018), an 18 minute drama; The Dark Before Dawn (2019), a 9 minute narrative about Native American traditions; and The Light of Virsa, a 50 minute action/fantasy film currently in production. All together I have directed over 200 cast and crew members of all ages. My films have also received several accolades, including a Selection from Dunedin International Film Festival and seven others. I have also been interviewed by GRN Radio and MarilynFilms.com. I really enjoy attending film festivals where I can talk to professional producers/directors/studio executives who are willing to answer questions I have and give me advice.
In 2016 I started an organization of homeschooled filmmakers in DFW. We get together monthly to encourage and support each other. In addition to my film projects, in January 2018 I started a promotional video business called Fluent Productions. Since then I have been hired for numerous event and business promo-video jobs.
I greatly enjoy making videos, as well as the learning involved. I am enrolled as a student in the Tomorrow’s Filmmakers online film school, which provides video training as well as direct mentoring online.
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Marilyn Films Article: https://marilynfilms.com/clare-vining-15-year-old-filmmaker/
CONTENT19 Page: https://www.christianmediaconference.com/workshops-panelist/clare-vining
About Mary
My name is Mary Vining. I am a young filmmaker age fifteen and I have been co-directing short films for over five years along with my sister, Clare. My greatest goal in making films is to give those who watch my films the ability to see the peace, hope, and beauty around them. My next and nearest goal is to begin creating feature films and hire professionals for the most important roles.
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On my way to accomplishing this goal, my sister and I have made over seventy 1-5 minute films and four 10-30 minute films. During my first major project, a cybercriminal comedy called Cyber Attack (2017), I co-directed and organized over 50 kids and teens to shoot a 30 minute film. The script was reviewed by a professional filmmaker, and altogether there were 8 locations and 33 days of filming. Seek First, our next film production, premiered in the fall of 2018 and won awards at multiple film festivals, including a selection from Reel Time International Film Festival. Our current project, The Light Of Virsa, involves over 100 adults and teens and 20 locations. So far the team has spent over 7,000 hrs on this film.
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Along with my sister, I have also co-founded JVGPictures, a group of young filmmakers who meet together each month to practice filming. I also co-founded Vining Sisters Productions, our production company.
Through the course of my journey of learning the arts, I have received inspiration from many professionals. I have been sticking to the pace set by Steven Spielberg’s filming career. In attending numerous film festivals and conferences with professionals, I have been able to greatly improve my skills. One of my mentors, Aaron Burns, has produced multiple films with million dollar budgets. My teacher, Justus McCranie, has given me the skills that are the foundation of my work.
CONTENT19 Page: https://www.christianmediaconference.com/workshops-panelist/mary-vining