Apr 10, 2026

Killing Time the Frontier Way

What do actors do during idle moments on set? Generally there are a lot of curiosities laying around in the form of props. Here two actors analyze the random selection of words and articles that make up a newspaper prop while they wait their turn for hair and makeup. End of the Santa Fe Trail releases Wednesday, April 15th on Industrious Family Theater. Don’t miss it.Unlock full access to the streaming library here!

Apr 08, 2026

Final Touches Before the Scene Rolls

Director Faustina applied stage blood on the sick outlaw and gives direction on how to run the scene. End of the Santa Fe Trail releases on Wednesday, April 15th on Industrious Family Theater.Unlock full access to the streaming library here!

Apr 07, 2026

Almost Time to Hit the Trail

Only a few days to go! Mary Bowen, who plays Sister Blandina, pauses for a moment just before filming the opening scene of End of the Santa Fe Trail.The journey is about to begin—are you ready?Watch on April 15th on #IndustriousFamilyTheater and make it a family movie night.

Apr 06, 2026

Just Days Away—Plan Your Family Movie Night

We are only a few days away from the release of End of the Santa Fe Trail on Industrious Family Theater. We really hope that you turn next Wednesday into a family movie night as you enjoy this family friendly Western short film. Watch on April 15th—only on #IndustriousFamilyTheater.

Apr 03, 2026

The Secret to Casting Adults? Just Ask.

A fellow filmmaker recently asked us how we get adults to act in our movies. Here's the secret: ask them to. Most of the time they nervously laugh, then confidently say yes. Every adult that we have asked has seemed to really enjoy the experience and they even refer to it many years down the road.Watch End of the Santa Fe Trail on April 15th on #IndustriousFamilyTheater—and see what happens when ordinary people say yes.

Apr 03, 2026

Texas Travels, Big Milestones, and a New Gofers Mascot | Latest Episode Out Now

The latest episode of Gofers Get a Grip is packed with milestones and updates. Patrick shares stories from his trip to Texas, including meeting the Archduke and Princess of Austria and connecting with FABIOLA actor Chris Hatfield. Back home, the Gofers celebrate a new mascot and Declan earning his driver’s permit. There’s also exciting news that End of the Santa Fe Trail is releasing soon, along with a behind the scenes story as the cabin undergoes deep cleaning after a house fire. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share the podcast—and thanks for listening!

Apr 02, 2026

Meet the Outlaw Who Changes Everything

We are excited to share new faces to the screen. End of the Santa Fe Trail introduces Gabe Pogue who plays an outlaw whose concern for a dying friend puts Sister Blandina in the path of Billy the Kid.

Watch Gabe perform in End of the Santa Fe Trail on April 15th on Industrious Family Theater.

Apr 01, 2026

Good Easter Movies to Watch

If you’re looking for a simple way to add to the Easter season, a family movie night might be exactly what you need. Instead of juggling lots of activities, you can gather everyone together, relax, and enjoy a story that fits the season—whether that’s something fun for the kids or a film that reflects the true meaning of Easter. We’ve put together a list of good movies for Easter that are easy to watch and worth your time.

Take a look and find the right one for your family.

Apr 01, 2026

Behind the Scenes: The Boys Hit the Dance Floor

Another behind the scenes look from End of the Santa Fe Trail. Here the "boys" perform a line dance which was recorded and will be used for promotional material after the film is released. Stay tuned to see how this turns with a trailer for the short film.

Watch End of the Santa Fe Trail on Industrious Family Theater April 15th. Subscribe today!

Mar 31, 2026

The Quiet Courage of the Sisters of Charity

In her journal, Sister Blandina shares Col. Meline's words when speaking of the Sisters of Charity: "When we think of those heroic women, talking up their line of march like a soldier's forlorn hope, crossing desert, facing every danger, falling in the ranks, or dying at their posts, with no aim but for the sake of God and suffering humanity, I must confess that I, for one, become impatient at the exaggerated praise some of us receive."

Here Kathleen and Faustina Bowen portray two just sisters.

Watch End of the Santa Fe Trail on Industrious Family Theater April 15th. Subscribe today!

Mar 31, 2026

"Horses Make Movies" - Thanks to Film Wranglers

Film director and mentor Jim Morlino once told us that horses are such an important part of film that almost every movie needs one. Thanks to our friends, we have three horses star in the End of the Santa Fe Trail. Huge thank you to the unsung heroes off the camera. Donna has provided the use of her horses for a few of our films and they have become regular cast members. Thanks to Donna, the horses are alway clean, ready and well behaved during shoots.

Watch "Breezy Tuesday" and "Watch Me Rohk It" in End of the Santa Fe Trail on Industrious Family Theater April 15th. Subscribe today!

Mar 30, 2026

A Bride of Christ Meets the Frontier

Watch Sister Blandina meet Billy the Kid in End of the Santa Fe Trail on Industrious Family Theater April 15th. Subscribe today!

Mar 27, 2026

A Western Tee Just Rode into the Shop - And We Love It!

Have you checked out the Industrious Family Films Shoppe recently? Besides our ever popular DVDs and books, we just released three exciting new products.

You can now celebrate End of the Santa Fe Trail with the vinyl sticker and t-shirt which feature a silhouette of Sister Blandina and Billy the Kid - emphasizing the opposite roles these two characters from the Wild West play. And it's easier than ever to select your size with our new store provider!

We now have a bookmark inspired by Grisly Grisell. This beauty has an image of Grisell on both sides with the beatitude Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy - signifying Grisell's deep compassion and how this is what truly wins out in the end. Get yours to go along with the Catholic Illustrated Classic A Tale of the Wars of the Roses!

Also now available at the shop are gift certificates for Industrious Family Theater. Give the gift of Catholic entertainment when you get this unique gift.

Visit the shop now to browse Catholic gifts!

Mar 27, 2026

Behind the Scenes—Capturing the Moment

#BehindTheScenes on the set of #EndoftheSantaFeTrail. I love it when actors are caught capturing the moment on their personal cameras. Certainly from another era, but this photo reminds me of this picture of Yul Brenner on the set of The Ten Commandments.

Watch End of the Santa Fe Trail when it releases on Industrious Family Theater April 15th!

Mar 26, 2026

A Plea to Turn Back

Patrick Bowen and Nathan Fuerstenau team up in #EndoftheSantaFeTrail as two concerned citizens who try to persuade Sister Balandina to give up helping a member of the Gang.

See End of the Santa Fe Trail on #IndustriousFamilyTheater April 15th!

Watch them perform by when it releases on Industrious Family Theater!

Mar 26, 2026

Without the Heroes of Spain Would We Have Fabiola?

A newly revamped and always-popular article on the website beautifully unpacks the impact that Spain's heroes had on Western civilization. Which begs the question: Without the Heroes of Spain would we have Fabiola?

Fabiola was written by Nicholas Patrick Cardinal Wiseman, a prince of the Church. Cardinal Wiseman was born to faithful Catholic parents who emigrated from Ireland to Spain in order to escape the Catholic persecution brought on by the bloody English reformation.

They left their homeland of Ireland so that they could live out their faith the way their hearts their hearts cried out to in Spain. They passed this faith on to their son who was not only the author of Fabiola: The Church of the Catacombs but more noteworthily the first Roman Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury after the aforementioned wicked, English reformation. He was also the dean of the English College of Cardinals in Rome.

To answer the question, without Spain's heroes who defended and passed on the Faith would our great friend Cardinal Wiseman have had the opportunity to grow in his faith? Likely not. A Saint Fabiola (but not exactly the character of the same name in our story) is the patron saint of Seville, Spain and the novel was first written in Spanish.

My daughters, Faustina and Mary have written Fabiola into a screenplay and have ambitious plans to bring Cardinal Wiseman's novel to life. Lend a hand by donating today! So far on our Lifefunder campaign, we have $290 donated. Let's get that number much, much higher so that more people will see the campaign and help make the film a reality. We need your help to continue making Catholic films! I promise our story will not disappoint you!

Mar 25, 2026

Part 3 of "Dark Fabius" by Christopher Hatfield

To Fabius, it seemed as if Fabiola just accepted the routine departures as just what her dad did, taking it for granted that he would return home, as usual, and dote on her some more.

In the last few months and years, however, despite the continued outward sanguinity and usual jocularity, the tension within Fabius has grown, silently and undetected, leaving him subconsciously conflicted, and threatening to tear his world asunder.

On this (could it be the last?) occasion in the countryside, contrary to her usual acceptance of his departure, Fabiola seems, Fabius faintly perceives, rather sad, and some concern is evident in her countenance.

Fabius barely, somewhere in his mind and heart, detects in her eyes something deeper that distantly echoes in the back of his own mind.

Nonetheless, this thought never fully surfaces.

It hangs ominously just below the surface, just behind his eyes, but locked in the vault of his hidden mind, a spectre from the past.

As Fabius turns to leave, he feels the softest prickle for just one moment, hesitates, standing on the edge of a blade, and must decide whether he will tear himself away from worldly Roman Festivity, or from Fabiola...

The emotional filler I have applied to color in this darker Fabius derives from my own fear of what I imagine would happen within myself and within my daughters if I were to replace Fabius and Fabiola with myself and either of my two daughters, respectively.

I look into Fabiola’s profoundly sad eyes and see my own daughters on the verge of weeping at the thought of me leaving them for sinful pleasures.

Learn more about FABIOLA, contribute or express interest in investing here!

Mar 25, 2026

Part 1 of "Dark Fabius" by Christopher Hatfield

I gave Fabius far too much credit.

In his scene with Fabiola in the countryside, Fabius exhibits some sadness at the memory of his wife, who died in childbirth with their daughter, Fabiola. In building a backstory for Fabius to explain this sadness, I had overestimated him.

I recently had the pleasure of spending time with Faustina and Patrick Bowen while they were in the area fundraising for FABIOLA. I had the opportunity to team up with Faustina to work this scene and to discuss her vision for Fabius’s character.

The background I had set up to explain Fabius’s sadness was far too generous.

I had imagined that he and his wife had been raised as Roman elites, living the life typical for people of the time (the Third Century AD), but had found each other, fallen in love, and thereafter remained as committed to each other as one could expect of such people of such a time (or maybe a little more so, for storytelling’s sake!).

They had wanted children but had not conceived in several years of marriage. Finally, when bearing their first—and only child—Fabius’s wife died.

In obtaining that which they had both dearly wanted together, he lost her with whom he had so wanted it. As a result, to fill the gaping hole of love in his heart (Faustina chokes on her coffee while reading this), Fabius doted on his daughter, Fabiola, and treated her as well as any father could be expected to do in his place and time.

But, he had also begun to spend more and more time back in high Roman society, gradually slipping into old habits, which left him conflicted between the love of his daughter and his reemerging lust for worldly pleasures.

The countryside scene displays this dichotomy in a critically fateful moment as Fabius faces the time of his departure.

Learn more about FABIOLA, contribute or express interest in investing here!

Mar 25, 2026

Part 2 of "Dark Fabius" by Christopher Hatfield

I thought that was pretty good, but Faustina cast a much deeper vision and an even darker shadow on Fabius’s character that I find stimulatingly compelling, and I have been working on it since they left.

(Now, I admit I can’t remember fully how Faustina elaborated on this because I’ve been mulling it over, and I’m about to mix what she described with what happened in my own mind, so I hope what follows is faithful to her vision. If not, I hope — and am sure — she will tell me. 😉)

In this darker version of Fabius, he never fully committed himself to his wife but continued indulging himself in the worldly Roman atmosphere. Rather than romancing his wife during their courtship and even in their marriage, he neglected her, trying to fill himself up with Roman delights.

When his wife died in childbirth, some amount of regret hit him and started to sink in.

As Fabius raised his daughter—the only real, living memento of his dead, neglected wife—he tries to make up, in his own, pathetic way for neglecting his wife by doting on their daughter.

Yet, he continues living his social life as before, accruing over the years a mountain of internal conflict, shame, regret, and denial.

As she grows into a young woman, she reminds him more and more of his dead wife, whom he remembers loving in some way, but which love is mostly tainted by the sting of regret bordering on remorse.

Unfortunately for Fabius, the only outlet he knows for such inner tension is the “festive” Roman life. (As an interesting quirk, and perhaps a not-quite-redeeming quality, he never drinks to full drunkenness, though mostly due to the care he takes to maintain his emotional façade as a happy-go-lucky socialite.)

Yet, each time Fabius leaves Fabiola to reengage in Roman society, he sees in her face the face of his oft-scorned wife and the look in that phantom-wife’s eyes as he left, again and again.

He remembers how that look in his wife’s eyes changed over the years from deep hurt and sadness to restrained anger, bitterness, almost hate . . . and then, gradually, to stony coldness, and, finally, to no look at all.

Learn more about FABIOLA, contribute or express interest in investing here!

Mar 25, 2026

Part 4 of "Dark Fabius" by Christopher Hatfield

Yet, I must temper my own reaction to this to create the correct effect.

I, of course, have not been raised in the ancient Roman ethos, so my conscience would torture me quite differently were I to behave like Fabius does.

On one hand, even Fabius, hypothetically, as a human being, would possess the same natural law engraved upon his heart.

Yet, on the other hand, he has suppressed this echo of God’s law within him and would not exhibit quite so visible a conflict as I think I would.

Since I will be playing Fabius, he and I must intersect somewhere.

To portray him effectively, I must somehow bring up within myself something of what he might feel, and I must repress most of how I would feel in the same circumstances, which I hope will show itself as an outwardly gregarious man with deeply repressed regret and shame, painfully conflicted in his inner mind and soul, but only able to produce on the surface a shadow of the corresponding emotion and shallow concern for superficial desires.

Reflecting on all this, though, leaves me with immense gratitude: Gratitude for my family, particularly my wife and girls; gratitude for my Faith, Grace and the Sacraments; and gratitude for the saints who, though surrounded by societal filth and overwhelming persecution, gave us proof of what is possible by the Grace of God, but for which go I...

Learn more about FABIOLA, contribute or express interest in investing here!

Mar 25, 2026

From Catholic Creators to the Cutting Room: Alejandro Rodriguez on Editing FABIOLA

I met the Bowens through a community known as the Sacred Heart Christian Creators, founded by Michael Snellen—an ambitious and pious young influencer seeking to connect Catholics across the globe. Through that same community, I met Aaron Kessler (our colorist and my filmmaker best friend), who introduced me to Mary Bowen after inviting her into the group.

At the time, Fabiola was just a proof of concept, and the Bowens planned to edit the short film in-house. When I heard they were making it, I naturally offered my services. I love editing and was happy to help as a way to build my portfolio. Mary politely declined at first, but after some time had passed, she reached out to see if I was still interested.

Lovey Maher and Aidan Jones were tapped to play the leads, with Kate Witkemper as Agnes. My editorial strategy was to use close-ups to build tension between the characters and wide shots to ground the audience in their environment. It was a lot of fun cutting to Kate when Fulvius was telling Agnes that she would die if she refused to marry him. Kate's steadfast faith, coupled with a naturally meek disposition, made her Agnes seem incredibly holy but by no means a pushover.

Lovey also absolutely owned the scene as Fabiola. From the close-up where she stares down Fulvius after his threat, to the deep heartache she feels when Agnes tells her she is indeed a Christian, Lovey’s outstanding work made it easy for me to choose the best shots. As the Bowens noted, the final digital zoom as Fabiola watches Agnes being taken away and the quote from the Song of Solomon were creative liberties I took.

To be continued in tomorrow's post...

Mar 25, 2026

"From Catholic Creators to the Cutting Room: Alejandro Rodriguez on Editing FABIOLA" Part 2

n this scene, Agnes plays the role of the bride from the Song of Solomon; her desire to be united with Christ in death is much like the bride's desire to be physically united with her husband. Fabiola is left wondering why Agnes would choose death for something they were taught was untrue. She begins to wonder if Agnes is indeed on the right path and is forced to question her own beliefs.

Since that scene aired, I have been blessed to be cast in a major supporting role as Torquatus—Fulvius' unwilling informant in the Christian world—while still serving as Lead Editor for the Fabiola project. We have raised over $26k so far and even shot two scenes near Yellowstone last September. I also had the chance to join the premiere livestream with the Bowens and Joe McClane, which was the most fun I’ve ever had co-hosting.

I can say with certainty that this is one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever worked on. I’ve made great connections with people like Aaron, Francis Thomas, Kaleb McConner, and Christopher Hatfield, and it was wonderful to collaborate with Meghan Mullaney and Megan Geier again after our work on the Relics project. I cannot wait to share Fabiola with the world and witness the fruits of our labor on the big screen!

Learn more about FABIOLA, contribute or express interest in investing here!

Mar 25, 2026

“Syra: The Faithful Handmaiden Who Calls Fabiola Higher” by Meghan Mullaney

Syra is one of Lady Fabiola’s handmaidens. She is a meek and gentle soul with a deep love for our Lord. Throughout the story Syra grows to be a bold warrior for Christ who would make any sacrifice for the glory of God.

My favorite quality about Syra is her love and loyalty to Fabiola while also staying true to herself. Despite having different worldviews, Syra treats Fabiola with love and respect and calls her higher instead of condemning her for her lack of virtue.

Learn more about FABIOLA, contribute or express interest in investing here!

Mar 24, 2026

Behind the Scenes at the Train Depot

#BehindTheScenes: Bowen extras pose for a photo before the locomotive city park historic train that was used in #EndoftheSantaFeTrail opening scene.

Enjoy this short Western film when it releases on Industrious Family Theater April 15th!

Mar 23, 2026

Leaving Industrious Family Theater Soon: Day of Glory

A beautiful Greek princess of long ago; her devoted parents who love her to a fault; a fierce persecutor of the early Christians…

When Calistos, the ruler of a city-state subservient to the Roman Empire, pleads with Diocletian to prevent bloodshed in his realm, he receives an unexpected proposition.

Diocletian wants to marry his daughter. Philomena, the virtuous princess in question, refuses to have anything to do with the pagan tyrant.

But it will cost her —and her parents—much.

The ultimate sacrifice, however, is not a loss, but a true honor and the highest glory.

Stream Day of Glory now before it leaves on April 1st! Subscribe to Industrious Family Theater to experience St. Philomena's story as told by Saint Genesius Pictures.

Mar 23, 2026

Welcoming a New Face in an Outlaw Debut with Industrious Family

Matthew Bray happily filled in last minute as one of the outlaws in #EndoftheSantaFeTrail. This was his first of what we hope will be many more roles in Industrious Family movies.

See End of the Santa Fe Trail on #IndustriousFamilyTheater April 15th!

Catch it when it releases by subscribing to Industrious Family Theater now!

Mar 20, 2026

Sneak Peek: Stagecoach Drama Unfolds

#BehindTheScenes sneak peek: Aaron Lynch and Ray Speer run through lines in a makeshift stagecoach in scene 2 of #EndoftheSantaFeTrail.

Watch this western short on #IndustriousFamilyTheater April 15th!

Catch it when it releases by subscribing to Industrious Family Theater now!

Mar 18, 2026

A Familiar Face Returns to the Frontier

You should recognize him from his @Fabiolamovieofficial debut. This time Aaron Lynch plays a nervous stagecoach traveler in one of the #EndoftheSantaFeTrail opening scenes which sets the stage for how life was lived on the Western frontier.

See him perform in End of the Santa Fe Trail on #IndustriousFamilyTheater April 15th!

Catch it when it releases by subscribing to Industrious Family Theater now!

Mar 18, 2026

What Patrick Taught Me in Texas

"You don't need to sell yourself. The story is what you need to sell, and it is excellent."

These were words of encouragement I recently received when I said that the hardest thing about raising funds for a film is feeling like you are worth making people stop and decide to support you. When a project idea comes from inside you, it's easy to feel like it is an inferior idea. Doubt demons tell us this.

But we know that FABIOLA is a great story. And to prove it, the person I was talking to had just heard about the project. I always feel a little timid shouting from the treetops that I have a great project and everyone needs to hear about it. This is where Patrick did a great deal to help me out.

With a determination to not have just as much as we brought home as we brought to Texas (and an effort to redesign new business cards!), he took a stack of our pamphlets and started walking up and down the hall of the symposium handing them out to anyone and everyone.

Pretty soon, people who had received the pamphlets began to come over to the table. Patrick hadn't even said anything to them, but shamelessly self promoted and it worked. People read what they were handed without feeling like they were being "sold to". This sparked genuine interest in what we were doing.

Lesson learned and one I think other filmmakers could learn from: Don't be afraid to be bold. Filmmaking is already a bold endeavor. So don't be shy about sharing. Unashamedly self-promote. And sometimes, you don't even need to say anything. Just get the information to them. If they are your kind of people, they will find you to learn more.

Learn more about FABIOLA, contribute or express interest in investing here!

Mar 17, 2026

A Glimpse Behind the Camera on the Frontier

#BehindTheScenes: Many hands make light work! Here Becket turns from actor to camera operator/director as Adelaide stands ready with the microphone. Many hands are needed to pull a film production together.

See #EndoftheSantaFeTrail on #IndustriousFamilyTheater April 15th!

Catch it when it releases by subscribing to Industrious Family Theater now!