This episode features a heartfelt conversation with Brent Dawes, who delves into the challenges and triumphs of bringing the ancient story of David to life through animation. Explore the themes of faith and fear, and learn about the creative process that blossomed from a dream into a cinematic experience. Brent shares personal anecdotes and professional insights, showcasing the importance of trusting the journey and the unexpected ways God prepares us to fulfill our callings.
00:23:40 Call to Action – Going After One’s Dreams
CHRYSANDRA :
Welcome everyone to the callings radio show to all the dreamers. I’m your radio host, Dr. Cassandra Brunson, and it is such an honor to be with all of you today. You know, at the calling, we have realized that so many people are afraid to go after Jesus is calling on their lives. Because they’re afraid to fail. And that is just plain wrong. Because if God has given us a dream and we’re not living it out, we are wasting it. And we do not want to die with regret. That’s why the calling we love to inspire, empower, and equip people to after God’s calling on their lives to reap the best kind of eternal legacy possible to have immediate impact on themselves and their families. And we love to do this through so many different avenues from custom tools and programs to global conferences, workshops, seminars, but especially through this radio show where we’re able to bring on world-renowned guests like we are today and where they’re able to share their dreams and their calling and how you can do the same. You guys, you’re in for such a treat today. We have the one and only Brent Dawes with us. And Brent, welcome to the show.
BRENT DAWES :
Thank you so much. So wonderful to be here.
CHRYSANDRA :
Oh, this is such an honor, Brent, and you are joining us all the way from the most beautiful, I would say, I haven’t been there, but seen pictures, places in the world, and that’s South Africa. We’re so honored to have you.
BRENT DAWES :
Thank you for inviting me, and you’re totally right. I’m from Cape Town, and it truly is magnificent. I have mountains in the background and sea on the other side, so it’s beautiful.
CHRYSANDRA :
Oh, we’re going to have to see some pictures, Brent, what this looks like in real life. Because we see the Google images, but firsthand. Yeah, it’s so beautiful. Brent, could you just share? So your name is so familiar to so many of us. But for those who aren’t familiar, can you just share some of the leadership roles that you have led and that you are currently in right now?
BRENT DAWES :
Sure thing. You are far too kind. I don’t think my name is familiar to that many people. And you’re also very kind to say world renowned.
BRENT DAWES :
You are. That’s OK. So I am sort of the lead creative director at Sunrise Animation Studios. But specifically on this project, I was the writer of David and director, along with Phil Cunningham, who is the owner of the studio. Yeah.
CHRYSANDRA :
That is so wonderful. And just recognition of this film, Brent, what is this film that you are referring to that we are all so excited to release?
BRENT DAWES :
Yes, so this film is called David, and it’s clear in the name what it’s about. It is about David from the Bible, and it’s been a story that’s been brewing within Phil’s heart for the last 30 years, and I’ve been working on with him for the last 11 years. So it’s a long time in the making, but if you consider it’s been a story that’s been around for 3,000 years, I guess 30 years isn’t that much after all.
CHRYSANDRA :
that’s a great perspective we love that and uh and we want to know i mean did um how did you and phil meet each other
BRENT DAWES :
So we both were born and grew up in Zimbabwe, which is a country just to the north of South Africa. And he started, so he was doing, running a chickens and eggs and fertilizer and feed business up into Africa. I had studied drama and I was doing copywriting and advertising. And he always had a passion for storytelling. And he said to his wife on honeymoon, he was like, why don’t we make a movie? Like, I’d love to make a movie. And she said, we’ll do it otherwise if you don’t you’re going to end up with a lot of money from chickens and eggs and 75 and not happy with your life you know so he took the leap um decided to make a movie in zimbabwe with no experience or anything and and he assembled kind of like like David with his mighty men, just ragtag group of people who had a very similar vision. My brother-in-law was on the project and said, Brent, come and join us and animate on this project. So I joined Sunrise in 2025. That’s when I met Phil and I knew The minute that I met him and the minute I started Sunrise, I knew that I was home. I was sort of floating a little bit, a little bit aimless, waiting for the seed to deposit that says, this is it, this is your home, now go. And Sunrise was absolutely that. And Phil and I from day one shared a similar heart and vision for the media and stories we wanted to put out into the world. And we’ve sort of just gone together like that for the last 25 years.
CHRYSANDRA :
we love it. And I just ha tuning in. I’ve had such of being able to see the for everyone to be able to This dream inside of a dream inside of a dream from you, Brent, and from Phil to come to be. And so your dreamers heart, Brent, we love just asking, you know, reflecting on this season of a dream fulfilled. But looking back when you were a kid, how did Jesus just start dropping these seeds inside of your heart that you would now be doing this today?
BRENT DAWES :
Well, it was an interesting journey because I’ve always been an entertainer at heart. I always wanted to be an actor from when I was a little kid. I was set on becoming a star in Hollywood, so I studied drama. And it was such an interesting thing to me because that was what was pulling me along all this time. And it wasn’t a God thing. It was just personal motivation. But while I was studying drama, I got involved, very involved in a church in South Africa. And I woke up halfway through my three year course and I woke up and the desire for acting had gone, like literally gone away. And it was such an unusual and strange moment for me because I didn’t lay it down. I didn’t say, God, I hand this to you and use it for your glory. I just woke up and it was gone. And if you consider that I wanted this from when I was a kid. Right. And I was like, well, what am I going to do now? And to keep the story short, I kind of thought, well, maybe. OK, well, I still enjoy acting and I enjoy the church here. So let me carry on at the church and I’ll carry on drama and I’ll just enjoy it. But and maybe I’m going to go into ministry. So then I spent two years or a year and a half. after my course in drama trying to get involved in churches and sort of feel if the ministry door would open up and i thought it was going to fling wide open and it didn’t i gave it opportunity to like i really went for it i sort of put myself out there i flew to the states to join a church i went to malawi on conferences like i really gave it a chance and i was like super confused So then I went back to Zimbabwe. I was like, what am I going to do? Because I know I’m a belief-led person. I need to believe in what I’m doing. And I didn’t know what to do. So then I was like, okay, well, for the meantime, let me get into advertising. I think I can do that. So I did really well at that. And then this opportunity came up. And I think because my heart was looking for it and anticipating it, when the whisper came or the call came, I was like, yes. I am going. There was no question. So then I joined Sunrise and over the course of three or four years there, I found myself. Phil gave me the opportunity to write and direct. And there’s a long story around that as well. But eventually I said yes and it felt like I had come home. And what was amazing to me about that journey was I didn’t know it, but the desire to be in front of the camera was taken away from me. I was then taken into the wilderness, brought back into it behind the camera to write and direct. And it actually feels that’s where I’m meant to be, not taking the limelight, but just telling stories. And so, again, it wasn’t me sort of laying anything down. I felt like I was just taken on. I was available and just taken on a journey and led here.
CHRYSANDRA :
That’s such a beautiful, that’s such a powerful story, Brent, of the dream inside your heart and that God would just be able to entrust you with and that journey of it. And we’re so excited to talk all about the David movie, but what in essence was, was it about this film that you were so prepared and ready for the world to be able to hear about the story?
BRENT DAWES :
It’s not often in life where you know you’re on something that is meant to be. So I’ve been doing this for 25 years and had a lot of fun, told a lot of stories that I’ve really enjoyed, but never have I been involved in one where it’s like, this is meant to be. It’s time has come. And my job within it and Phil’s job within it is to shepherd it and allow it to be what it wants to be, not for us to sort of take ownership of it and try and force it to fit what we want. And that’s, I think, a little bit why we were chosen in the corner of Africa today. We were really open to being used for this story. So I think we were both ripe and ready for it. We both sort of really recognized that this was not of our doing and that it was not ours to take ownership of, but it was ours to be custodians of. And to really be sensitive to and allow it to be and allow it to tell the story it wanted to tell. Because I think a lot of times people can try and force their own interpretation or their own message into a movie, you know, and there’s a bit of an agenda. And we just didn’t want that. We wanted it to be a movie for the secular audience as well as the Christian, you know.
CHRYSANDRA :
And I, again, I can’t wait for people to be able to watch it for themselves. What would you say, Brent, was your core message that you wanted people to walk out with?
BRENT DAWES :
It’s linked to your intro. It really is. I was like, she’s talking about the movie. And I was like, I know this sounds like a regular intro. I would love people to walk out because it’s a story of faith over fear. Saul was given the kingdom, the kingship, and was entrusted with it. But his own fear and greed and fear of man started to weigh him down, whereas David didn’t even want it. But he had a faith that sort of drew him forward. And it was sort of an inevitability. And it was what David is trying to do through the whole movie is he wants to point people. People keep looking at him. And he’s like, stop looking at me. It’s not about me. It’s about God. How did I defeat a giant? Why do you think God chose the weakest of us? Not because I was able to defeat it so that only God could get the glory, right?
CHRYSANDRA :
And we’re going to pause you right there. We have to take a short break. And you guys, I just, I’m so captivated in this story, this film, and how all of us are able to carry not only Jesus’s heart, but Jesus’s heart inside of David. We’ll be right back. Hi guys, this is Crisandra Brunson, host of To All The Dreamers. I am so happy to introduce personal training, nutritional guidance, and behavioral change coaching. Healthy, happy, and heavenly for your wellness, spirit, soul, and body. Contact Mimi Kroger at healthyhappyandheavenly.com.
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CHRYSANDRA :
We are back. Thank you for listening to All the Dreamers radio show. We do have the world-renowned guest with us, Brent Dawes with us from South Africa, director of the David film, Animated. that will be coming out b we went to break, you wer David and the core messag to be able to take from t just take us back into th
BRENT DAWES :
yeah so i’m gonna i’m gonna summarize that one more time but also say more broadly what i’m hoping and maybe this steps on one of your questions later i’m not sure but it feels like the right time the the core theme really is faith over fear and um and also contrasting the leadership of david versus sauls saying like david is a shepherd leader you know he’s a shepherd he has a heart after gods whereas saul was um dictatorial and fear-driven So I would love people to get the message out of this movie that you do not need to be afraid. If you’re feeling a calling, if you’re feeling any inkling to move forward in the same way that I felt to join Sunrise, it’s like, just leap, just take it. But that said, we haven’t wanted to force anyone to get anything from the movie. we had two words as we made it that we were hoping the movie would do. The first one was plain and simply to entertain, just come to the movies and just be entertained. You know, we don’t want to preach at you. We don’t like, again, it’s for a world audience. If you aren’t a believer, come and you’re going to be in for a good time. And the second word is inspired. We want people to leave inspired. Whatever that means for each person is different. And so my true heart for this movie is, is that each person that watches it will be met where they are and spoken to where they are. You know, so there’s a lot of different emotions in the movie. There’s a lot of different songs, a lot of different points of connection. You know, like when he sings tapestry with his mother, he’s like, I don’t understand what’s going on. That’s going to speak to some people in the audience, you know, and when he’s, Out in the desert being chased by Saul, he’s singing, why God, why have you forsaken me? You know, that’s going to speak to some people and they’re going to be able to echo that in their hearts. You know, some are in a place at the moment where they feel joy and light. So they’ll be able to sing and resonate with follow the light or adventure song. So my hope is that there is a moment in the movie that touches each person personally and they will walk out and have been moved by the story and by the spirit, yeah.
CHRYSANDRA :
Yes, yes. When we get towards the end of our show, Brent, we’re going to ask how we can be able to tune in, where we can see this around the world. But we want to know, you know, just in this whole film, even being about David, facing our giants and how to overcome them. Brent, how have you personally had to overcome different giants? And how are you able to do that by faith, knowing that they try to stop our God-given dreams, but we’re meant to defeat them?
BRENT DAWES :
What I have found, so I have felt myself very fortunate and blessed, but it’s an interesting one because sometimes it’s challenging for those around, but it’s fine. Belief is very important to me and it also comes very naturally to me. If something deposits within me, I’m not scared of it. Even if I don’t look at the logistics, I don’t, you know, it’s like, this is what I believe I’m going. And I’m going to trust that the way will open because I believe it. Do you know what I mean? And if I’m wrong, I trust that there’s going to be someone there to catch me. But I’m going. Whereas I feel a lot of people don’t. I do feel that thing, but there’s a lot of, am I really feeling it? Just tell me one more time. You know, like, whereas I kind of like just go, come on, let’s go. And it’s a little bit like, it’s a little bit like David when he faced Goliath. He didn’t go to the battlefield and sort of think, a giant. He was like, who’s this Philistine that’s calling out God? And when he faced Goliath, he ran towards him. He didn’t sort of tentatively go. And so for me, I think if people are struggling to take that step, the thing that I have found helps me a lot is to be as honest with myself as I can. Because I think a lot of people fool themselves and I do it myself as well. So if you’re feeling something and you start questioning, oh, but am I feeling this? Be honest with yourself. It’s like, why am I asking myself this question? Am I afraid? Do I truly not feel that this is right? Or am I afraid? Because if you’re honest with yourself and you can acknowledge, actually, I’m afraid, that’s a really good place to be. Do you know what I mean? It’s like, actually, that’s what you bring. It’s like, God, I’m afraid. And I confess that. And you may find that going there helps you to get the courage to go there. I’m not sure. I’m not a theologian and I’m not a preacher, but… legitimately be as honest as you can and then be brave because why not otherwise you’re going to miss it you’re guaranteed you’re going to miss it right yeah if you don’t take the step definitely so you may as well and if you fall that’s okay you’ll be all right
CHRYSANDRA :
one of the, you know, one quotes of the calling, yo a month, you know, shoot if you miss, you’re among the perfect example of doing admire that heart and what would you say the challenges um in going about this dream for writing the script for this what was that journey like and what’s one of the most amazing parts of the movie that you wrote that you can’t wait for everyone to tune in and to watch
BRENT DAWES :
It was incredibly challenging to write. Not only because of, and I didn’t feel it as a weight, honestly, but obviously this is not our story. It’s not Phil’s story. It’s not my story. And it’s not only Christian story. It is also the, you know, it’s the Jewish faith story. It’s also Muslim faith. So not only are there billions of people around the world that hold this very dear. So there’s a responsibility to that. It was incredibly challenging trying to fit because we told the story from shepherd boy to king. And that’s a lot of story to tell within 100 minutes, you know, so it was very challenging trying to weave and find a narrative that could track and could flow and wasn’t too confusing, wasn’t too busy, you know, was palatable for a family audience because, you know, David, there’s a lot of rough stuff that also happens in David’s journey. Right. There’s so much that I love about the story and so many moments that I’m incredibly sort of grateful for that the answers came. Because honestly, there were a number of times when talking about the mountains in Cape Town, I wouldn’t know what the answer was. And I’d walk up the mountains and it would be a walk of confession. I don’t know what to do, but I trust that the answer will come. I know it’s not working and I can’t see it. I can’t see it. And what I’ll do. often find on the way down something would deposit just a little whisper of something and i’d go okay just an idea and i’d come back and i’d write into that i’d say to fulfill what do you think about this and he’d go oh i like that you know and it was amazing how then that little seed just grew into a scene but i’m gonna i don’t want to give a spoiler but the one of the things i’m most happy with is the moment that david takes down goliath everyone knows it’s going to happen so that’s not the spoiler But what was important to Phil and I was how do we say, how do we show visually in a cinematic way that it is God with David that takes down Goliath? And it’s not David’s skill. You know, even though he’s fought a lion and a bear, David is not going out thinking, I can do this. He’s going out thinking, God is with me, therefore I’m good. So how can we show that? And the shot that we came up with to dramatize that is, I think, the thing that I’m most happy with in the movie.
CHRYSANDRA :
And, you know, because we are all anticipating it and how it’s going to play out. And it was one of my most favorite scenes too, Brent. Yeah. I think you really do have the emphasis that the only way that he did it was God was with him and he knew that and was able to do the seemingly impossible.
BRENT DAWES :
And also what I loved about that interest. And this is a little sort of shout out because you never know where an answer is going to come from. You have to keep yourself open. And I, my son, Elijah, when he was 19, he read the script and he, and I said, what do you think? He said, I love it. He says, but I, I didn’t feel it when David, took down Goliath. And because I’d written it a different way. And because he said that, I was like, okay, but I still want to show that it’s God. So how do I do that? And then I thought of the shot that is now in the movie. And if he hadn’t said that, that shot wouldn’t exist. And I love that. He’s not a professional writer. It was just a comment that I listened. Like, okay, no, this is important. And so wonderful that he can say that’s there because I said something, which is so great.
CHRYSANDRA :
That’s so powerful. Britt, we don’t know where time it goes. It goes by so quick, but we are at the end of our timing. But we have a couple questions that we have for you before we go. Number one, there’s someone tuning in and they’re afraid to go after their Goliath dream, this God dream inside of their hearts. And we would love to know your wisdom. And then we want to know how we can tune in to find this film and to be able to watch it in theaters around the world.
BRENT DAWES :
So the first thing that comes to mind, so we’ve spoken about it, is the simple thing is just go for it. What have you got to lose? And the things you think you have to lose are small in comparison to what you will lose by not taking the step. And I think the sense that I get is there’s that phrase, because a lot of people… can take a long time to heed their call and they think, have I missed it? It’s too late. There’s a beautiful saying, which I’m sure people know. It’s like the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is today. So if you haven’t done the thing years ago, well, the next best time is right now. So… Take the step, go for it, you know, take a risk. You’ll find enough light for the next step. I’ll be very surprised if you don’t. I don’t think you’ll get the full journey laid out in front of you. All you need is light for the next step. And when you take that step, the light will turn on for the next step and just keep going.
CHRYSANDRA :
So good. So everyone’s on just the, you know, they’re anticipating this so much on the edge of their seats listening. How can everyone come around to really rally and nations around the world behind this film and make sure that they get to see it, but also their loved ones. Tell us all those details.
BRENT DAWES :
So it is coming out in the US theatrically all over the US and Canada and certain parts of the world on the 19th of December. You can pre-book tickets at angel.com slash David. And I really encourage you to do that because they’ve got an incredible mechanism there where you can actually pre-book at cinemas that haven’t yet accepted the movie. And Angel is using that data to go to the cinema and say, there’s 100 people waiting to see this movie at your cinema. You better get it in there. And also, it’s get your pastors and your leaders to reach out to Angel and see if they can get pre-screenings or anything like that. Because one of our casting directors, Ned Lott, um they did a screening or they didn’t actually do a screening they they showed the trailer at their church um and prior to that they’d sold out one theater already they spoke to the church they had one of the voice actors come they showed at the trailer again and they they filled up four cinemas with with their congregation So we’re really hoping for it because the thing is, try and get there on opening weekend. Yeah, because the opening weekend is the more the cinemas will get on board.
CHRYSANDRA :
Everyone get your tickets. And then how can everyone come and follow you as well? And perhaps future dreams and movies that are on the way.
BRENT DAWES :
You kind of can’t really follow me. I haven’t jumped on the social media bandwagon. I’ve been sort of feeling to not. So I’m kind of hardish to follow. But follow Sunrise Animation Studios. So that is our studio. They are active and posting a lot. I’m just trying to be sensitive and listen to what’s next for me. Maybe one day I’ll venture onto the social media platform. But for now, it’s not for me.
CHRYSANDRA :
We would love to be able to get involved with Sunrise Animation Productions. And Brent, you’ve been such a blessing. You guys take every single word that Brent has just embedded inside of our hearts and bestowed upon us to be able to act upon. And we just challenge everyone. to be david in our modern the davids of the world. with us, no one can be aga challenge everyone. What you knew you could not fail
