Lee Park Worship releases the first of five exclusive music videos, a Director's Cut of "Why Wouldn't I Run," helmed by filmmaker Kent Smith.
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/837540965/lee-park-worship-unveils-first-of-five-special-director-s-cut-videos-for-why-wouldn-t-i-run-directed-by-kent-smith
Lee Park Worship releases the first of five exclusive music videos, a Director's Cut of "Why Wouldn't I Run," helmed by filmmaker Kent Smith.
Working with Lee Park Worship was truly a cinematic experience. We translated their powerful music into five distinct visual stories, bringing their songs to life in a way that is mind-blowing.”
— Kent Smith
CHARLOTE, NC, UNITED STATES, August 12, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Lee Park Worship has released the first of five exclusive Special Director's Cut music videos for their powerful song, "Why Wouldn't I Run." The video, featuring vocalist Karlie Russell, is the inaugural release in a new series now live on the official Lee Park Worship YouTube page. The entire project was helmed by award-winning director Kent Smith of Lucky You Films, whose feature film "The Last Passport" has garnered over 1.75 million views on YouTube. Smith is currently in production on his next feature, "On Earth As It Is In Heaven".
"What was created in just three days was five different music videos that each had a different look and energy to them," said Smith.
Led by Creative Director and Lead Worship Pastor Shane Dunlap, Lee Park Worship is a North Carolina-based collective that fuses modern worship with the traditional roots of the church. Their album, Faithful Still, was produced by notable names such as Jason Kyle Saetveit, Travis Cottrell, Bradley Knight, and Johnathan Crumpton. "With Faithful Still, we wanted to show God’s unwavering faithfulness, His supreme sovereignty, His goodness, and the boundless love He has for us all," Dunlap said.
The song "Why Wouldn't I Run" delivers a poignant message, asking listeners why they wouldn't run to a God who is waiting with open arms. Written by Shane Dunlap, Sue C. Smith, and Nathan Woodard, the song was intentionally crafted for featured vocalist Karlie Russell. "Karlie just does such a great job. Her voice just fits it perfectly," says Dunlap. "We wrote it for her... It’s pretty cool how that happened and how it’s become what it is."
The ambitious five-video series was shot over a tight three-day schedule. Smith and his dedicated crew—including Director of Photography Tom Butler, Rob Paul, and Chris Ponder, along with gaffers Jim Cote, Brett Ray, and Dan Lewis—skillfully captured a distinct visual style for each song. The versatile Coca-Cola Building in Charlotte, secured with help from The Nichols Company, served as the perfect backdrop for their creative vision.
The Special Director's Cut for "Why Wouldn't I Run" is now live on the Lee Park Worship YouTube channel. Four more videos in the series will be released soon.
About Lee Park Worship
Lee Park Worship is a collective of musicians and worship leaders from diverse backgrounds and generations, including Shane Dunlap, Sam Phipps, Todd Dunlap, Karlie Russell, Brooke Tomberlin, Jack Hargett, and Crystal Gomez. They are united by a mission to praise God, creating a distinctive blend of modern worship and traditional sounds that is both familiar and new.
About Kent Smith
Kent Smith is an award-winning director based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a career that bridges the worlds of still photography and filmmaking. His eye for compelling imagery was honed during his years as a celebrated photographer, capturing portraits of some of the most influential people and companies in the world. He seamlessly transitioned this passion for visual storytelling into the world of film, working behind the scenes on major Hollywood productions. His extensive credits include TV shows like Homeland, Mr. Mercedes, Outcast, and Hunting Wives, and films such as Max, Tusk, American Animals, A Biltmore Christmas, and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
In addition to his work on major projects, Smith is an accomplished commercial director, creating campaigns for top brands both nationally and internationally. His feature film directorial debut, The Last Passport, which he also co-wrote, was a festival success, winning Best Director and Best Actor at the Solstice Film Festival. His latest short films, MIKE and Little Package, have also earned significant praise on the festival circuit. Smith is currently in production on his second feature film, On Earth As It Is In Heaven, and has a feature-length documentary in the works. He also co-hosts the popular Adult Beverage Film Podcast.
Media Contact: [Kent Smith] [Director at Lucky You Films] [Kent Smith] [704-905-3713]
Links:Watch "Why Wouldn't I Run" (Director's Cut): [Link to "Why Wouldn't I Run"Director's Cut on YouTube]
Lee Park Worship YouTube Channel: [Link to Lee Park Worship YouTube Channel]
Lee Park Worship Website: [Link to Lee Park Worship Website]
Lucky You Films Website: [Link to Lucky You Films Website]
Lucky You Films YouTube Channel: [Link to Lucky You Films YouTube Channel]
Kent Smith
Lucky You Films
+1 704-905-3713
kent@luckyyoufilms.com
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"Why Wouldn't I Run" (Director's Cut)
Behind the Scenes: The Magic of 'Why Wouldn't I Run' and More!
The music video for "Why Wouldn't I Run" is a visually stunning Special Director's Cut, directed by Kent Smith of Lucky You Films.
What an absolute whirlwind, and what an absolute joy! We recently dropped the Special Director's Cut Edition of Lee Park Worship's powerful song, "Why Wouldn't I Run," featuring the incredible Karlie Russell and let me tell you, it was an experience for the books. As the director, I had the incredible privilege of working with this phenomenal Christian music group from Monroe, NC, and this is just the beginning of something truly special.
An Ambitious Vision: Five Videos, Three Days, Five Looks!
From the outset, we knew this project was going to be an exciting challenge. Lee Park Worship is a collective that beautifully blends modern worship with the traditional roots of the church, creating a unique sound that resonates deeply. Our goal? To capture that spirit across five different music videos, each with its own distinct look, all within a tight three-day shooting schedule, and all on a limited budget!
It sounds ambitious, right? That's because it was! But when you're working with such incredible music and a group as dedicated as Lee Park Worship, you rise to the occasion.
The Dream Team That Made It Happen
Pulling off a feat like this requires a truly exceptional crew, and we were blessed with the best. Our camera crew – Tom Butler (Director of Photography), Rob Paul, and Chris Ponder – worked tirelessly, their expertise shining through every shot. They have an incredible eye and the technical prowess to bring any vision to life.
And our gaffers – Jim Cote, Brett Ray, and Dan Lewis – were absolute magicians with light. They crafted the perfect atmosphere for each distinct look, transforming spaces and setting the mood with precision and creativity. What this team pulled off in just three days will truly amaze folks when they see the full series!
The Perfect Canvas: A Location Found by John Nicholas Company
A major piece of the puzzle was finding the right location, especially with our diverse visual goals. We were incredibly lucky that the John Nicholas Company in Charlotte, NC, found us the perfect space: the Coca-Cola Building. This building, famously used for filming the TV show "Banshee," provided the versatile backdrop we desperately needed. It gave us everything we required to make the shoot a resounding success, offering endless possibilities for our five different looks.
The Heart of the Project: Lee Park Worship
Throughout the entire process, the members of Lee Park Worship were nothing short of incredible. Their passion for the music, their professionalism, and their willingness to dive into every creative idea made the long hours fly by. This group is truly amazing – a collection of diverse backgrounds, generations, and musical influences, all united in their mission to sing praises to our Lord. Their dedication on set was a testament to the powerful message they carry.
As I, Kent Smith, the director, often say: "We wanted powerful videos that would truly match each song's essence. For us, it was about making the energy and camera movements work in perfect synergy with the music, to powerfully showcase the message they were telling with every single note. What started out as a vision for one video quickly blossomed into five! I'm incredibly excited to showcase these Director's Cuts, as they really bring out the raw energy and profound heart behind each song."
What's Next? Get Ready for More!
"Why Wouldn't I Run" is just the first taste! This Special Director's Cut Edition is the inaugural release in a series of five exclusive videos that will be rolling out on the official Lee Park Worship YouTube page. Each one offers a unique visual journey into the heart of their "Faithful Still" album.
So, head over to the Lee Park Worship YouTube page, watch the "Why Wouldn't I Run" Director's Cut, and get ready for more incredible music and visuals from this phenomenal group!
[Link to "Why Wouldn't I Run" Director's Cut on YouTube] [Link to Lee Park Worship YouTube Channel] [Link to Lee Park Worship Website]
Lucky You Films on YouTube: Award-Winning Film & Video Content Awaits!
We're thrilled to announce that Lucky You Films has officially launched its YouTube page, bringing our award-winning films, including The Last Passport, MIKE, and Little Package, directly to you for free. And that's not all - we're also excited to add our Adult Beverage Film Podcast to the mix, providing even more entertainment and insights into the world of film and video production.
As a leading film and video production company based in Charlotte, we're dedicated to delivering powerful, results-driven content through storytelling. Our team of experienced filmmakers and storytellers work closely with clients to bring their vision to life, crafting visually stunning and effective video content for a variety of uses, including commercials, website videos, and social media campaigns.
At Lucky You Films, our commitment to excellence extends beyond just video production. We're also actively involved in the development and physical production of new media, film, and television programs, partnering with capital sources, including equity investors, to bring original, story-driven feature films and documentaries to the screen.
Our results-driven approach and commitment to excellence have earned us a reputation as one of the top video production companies in the Charlotte area. And now, with our YouTube page, we're bringing that same level of quality and expertise directly to you. Whether you're a fan of award-winning films or just interested in the behind-the-scenes world of video production, our YouTube page has something for everyone.
So what are you waiting for? Subscribe to Lucky You Films on YouTube today and experience the power of storytelling through the art of film and video. We can't wait to bring your brand to life and help you tell your story through the power of video."
The Last Passport is handing out advice on YouTube.
We are proud to announce that The Last Passport is now available on YouTube. Make sure to share it with your friends!
Make sure to Subscribe to our youtube channel to follow more films: YouTube Channel
Little Package Takes YouTube by Surprise: Award-Winning Film Production Shines!
We are proud to announce that Little Package is now available to watch on YouTube.
Little Package is an award-winning short film about a couple who are working on their latest home invention. They are waiting on the last parts to come to complete the project when an unexpected and mysterious package shows up on their front doorsteps by accident. Meanwhile, the owners of the package, track it down in an attempt to salvage it before their time runs out.
Visit us on IMDB to rate Little Package: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13958270/
Watch the Award-Winning Short Film, Little Package, on YouTube
We are proud to announce that Little Package is now on YouTube for free. Make sure to send it to your favorite friends.
Little Package is an award-winning short film about a couple who are working on their latest home invention. They are waiting on the last parts to come to complete the project when an unexpected and mysterious package shows up on their front doorsteps by accident. Meanwhile, the owners of the package, track it down in an attempt to salvage it before their time runs out.
Subscribe for more tips and films just like this: https://www.youtube.com/luckyyoufilms/?sub_confirmation=1
Visit us on IMDB to rate Little Package: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13958270/
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Directed by Kent Smith
Written by Kent Smith and Christian Shonts
Cast listed alphabetically:
Johanna Jowett...Diana Lee
Patrick G. Keenan...Danny Rollinger
Jason Allen King...Thomas Lee
Bryan Pierce...Jules 'The Mule'
Henry Doerr Henry Doerr...Dead Body
Mike Platarote Jr....'Shorty' Boy
Leah Zanville...Nosy Neighbor
Little Package New Poster
We are thrilled to release our last movie poster for LITTLE PACKAGE. It has been a big hit at the film festivals around the world. Our talented actors took this film to the next level, and so did our amazing poster designer, Aaron Dewey!
https://www.instagram.com/adeweydesign/?hl=en
Little Package will be part of the JoeDance Film Festival on August 4th.
We are extremely excited to be part of the JoeDance Film Festival this year. You can see Little Package on opening night with some other great films, plus make a difference. The event is a charity fund raising event for awareness for pediatric cancer research at Atrium Health Levine Children’s.
Tickets >> https://bit.ly/3L9T1Qo
Thu, Aug 04, 2022, 6:30pm
Charlotte Ballet (In Person)
Little Package is a comedy about a family that gets themselves into hot water after a mysterious package shows up on their front doorstep by accident.
You can now watch the award-winning film, MIKE.
We are proud to announce that you can now see the award-winning short film, MIKE. This will help us make more short films in the future, plus you will see a heart-warming film.
Mike is an intellectually challenged man in his mid-50's, working for his only friend, Donald. When one dream propels Mike onto a course of adventure and splendor along the path of life, the dream mission turns out to be not as simple as it might have seemed. It's a tale about finding yourself while experiencing the moment.
Little Package wins Two Awards at the Film Festival.
Award-Winning Film, Little Package
Little Package is comedy short film about a family that gets themselves into hot water after a mysterious package shows up on their front doorstep by accident. Meanwhile, the owners of the package, track it down in an attempt to salvage it before their time runs out.
It just recently won the Audience Award for Narrative Short at the 2021 Charlotte Film Festival in Charlotte, NC.
We are also excited to announce that we won Best Comedy Short at the 2021 Stranger Days Film Festival. We were also nominated for Best Regional Short and Best Supporting Actor for Patrick G. Keenan in his role as Danny Rollinger.
We have also been accepted to Culver City Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA, Mad Visions Internation Film Festival in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Barcelona Indie Filmmakers Festival.
You can check out the cast and crew on IMDB at the link below:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13958270/
You can see the trailer for the film:
https://vimeo.com/582601666
Audience Award Winning Narrative Short Film
The Official Trailer for Little Package
We are excited to announce the release of our latest trailer for the short film, Little Package. It’s an interesting story that is based on a true event. It stars Johanna Jowett, Jason Allen King, Patrick G. Keenan, Bryan Pierce, and Michael Platarote. The film is directed by Kent Smith (The Last Passport, Mike) and written by Kent Smith and Christian Shonts. The film will be traveling on the film festival circuit very soon.
Check us out on IMDB
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13958270/
"Reel Conversations" with our filmmakers of MIKE
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers featured in the 21st Annual International Real to Reel Film Festival. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with filmmakers connected to the short film “Mike.” “Mike” is the story on an intellectually challenged man choosing to follow his dream by visiting a distant shore. Kent Smith (writer, producer, director), Patrick G. Keenan (actor – “Mike”) and Steve Saxon (cinematography) share the stories of the making of this Real to Reel Film Fest selection. The Cleveland County Arts Council will host nearly 50 films in a virtual festival format from Sept. 9 -Oct. 9. For over two decades, Real to Reel has showcased thought-provoking films from around the world and offers opportunities for cinema-lovers to embrace the independent vision of this unique art form. For more information on the Real to Reel International Film Festival, visit realtoreelfest.com For more information on “Mike” visit dreammike.com.
Mike wins three awards at the Independent Shorts Awards
We are so excited to announce that MIKE has just won a few awards at the Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles, California. They selected us from a pool of submissions from 23 countries. One big shout out to Patrick G. Keenan for his fantastic role as MIKE, and to Kent Smith for his incredible directing on this film. The entire cast and crew are so pleased to receive one for the Best Drama Short.
Platinum Award Best Actor: Patrick G. Keenan for MIKE (USA)
Silver Award Best Drama Short: MIKE by Kent Smith (USA)
Silver Award Best Director (Male): Kent Smith for MIKE (USA)
Independent Shorts Awards
HELP MIKE
We are very excited to announce that we are kicking off our Seed & Spark Campaign for MIKE.
And you can help by following or contributing to our Seed & Spark Campaign.
MIKE is a film written/directed/produced by award-winning director, Kent Smith (The Last Passport, Homeland, Mr. Mercedes).
It features Patrick G. Keenan (The Blind Side, Tropical Cop Tales) as MIKE.
Mike is the story of an intellectually challenged man in his mid-50's, working for his only friend, Donald. When one dream propels Mike onto a course of adventure and splendor along the path of life, the dream mission turns out to be not as simple as it might have seemed.
Click on this link to help fund the film:
https://www.seedandspark.com/fund/mike-dream#story
IMDB page:
A new Adult Beverage Podcast is Up. Check out GET OUT!!!
If you love the movie, GET OUT. You should check out our latest podcast where we talk about all aspects of this fantastic film. Check it out below or on one of your favorite podcast platforms or head over to our show website to listen to even more.
MIKE'S OFFICIAL TRAILER
Here is the first official trailer for the short film from Lucky You Films and Blue Drum Films. We hope you will share the love for this film.
MIKE Sold Out the Charlotte Film Festival
We are so thankful to all the people that made our world premiere of MIKE a sell out. It was a huge success, and we are still beaming with joy from the great response we had from the audience. It was lovely to hear all the laughs, and we also noticed all the tears too.
Thanks from all the crew and cast for a fantastic experience! We look forward to more showings across the country.
www.dreammike.com
Here are just a few of the comments from the showing.
“IT'S A MOVING (AND NOT MAUDLIN) STORY, BEAUTIFULLY ACTED (ESPECIALLY "MIKE"), WITH NATURAL DIALOGUE, PROFESSIONALLY FILMED, AND WELL-DIRECTED.” - JB
“LOVED "MIKE"! IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. AND LET ME JUST ADD THAT PATRICK KEENAN WAS BRILLIANT. BEST PERFORMANCE EVER.” - JW
“IT WAS LIKE THE BEST PILOT THAT I HAVE SEEN FOR A TV SHOW IN YEARS. IT JUST KEPT MAKING ME WANT MORE AND MORE.” - BW
“WOW...IT TAKES A LOT TO MAKE AN OLDER MAN LIKE ME CRY, BUT THIS FILM MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH MIKE. I FOUND MYSELF LAUGHING WITH HIM. A MUST-SEE FOR ALL AGES.” - LR
Official Selection of the Charlotte Film Festival
Official Poster and News on MIKE
Here is the official poster for MIKE.
I know that a lot of you are interested to hear about this film, so here is a brief synopsis of the film.
Mike is an intellectually challenged man in his mid-50's, working for his only friend, Donald. When one dream propels Mike onto a course of adventure and splendor along the path of life, the dream mission turns out to be not as simple as it might have seemed. It's a tale about finding yourself while experiencing the moment. One dream. One Journey.
www.dreammike.com
Join us on an incredible journey coming soon to a theater near you!!!