This week begins another step in the creative process of working diligently toward the first draft of our film. The beat outline begins with Billy Stanley and the GRP Film team. Often it has been said that making a movie is like "watching paint dry" and to some degree, that is true.  What we are about to undertake is a massive step by step operation, but before we talk about the screenplay, here is an update "behind the scenes".

PLANNING 

Lynn McAfee, Executive Producer has been working for the past couple months on the business plan, analytics and due-diligence regarding the proprietary nature of releasing the movie, ELVIS MY BROTHER.  The McAfee & Associates Firm is providing due-diligence related to the focus of the film. What makes this movie different is the approach to family and this blog is dedicated to family.

Steven Covey always said, "Start with the end in mind". We believe in the planning modules of this film, our market analysis is focusing on the power of planning, pinpointing the mission and understanding the analytics of the filmmaking process.  Many film companies, like Legendary Pictures have been highly successful due to this process.  We want to thank our Executive Producers for working to understand these important lessons in the "why for this film". 

GIVING TO THOSE IN NEED

Our culture goes through many struggles in life.  Some of these struggles are personal and they are very dear to our heart.  Elvis Presley, in many ways lived a charmed life, but it did not start this way.  He was one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived, one of the most benevolent men who gave lavish gifts to many and one who supported non-profits all of his life.  In fact, at one time at Graceland there was an entire wall of checks that had been written to every non-profit you could imagine.

The greatest gift he gave was to his own family. Elvis always wanted his parents, his step-brothers and eventually Priscilla and Lisa around him.  Tragically, he too went through a divorce. However, he knew the importance of keeping family close and his devotion to his own "brothers" never wavered, even when times go tough. 

ALL MEN & WOMEN ARE EQUAL

What made Elvis unique was his personal belief in all men being equal. Billy shared the other day Elvis was from a sharecropper background.  Sharecroppers in Tupelo and in his day were African American people, so he always had a deep sense of loyalty to equality. This is why he was so distraught when Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis. If you worked for Elvis at the guard gate at Graceland, or were right next to him on the stage like the Sweet Inspirations, you were just as talented as he was, in his mind.

He called those who worked with him and those closest to him "family".  However, there were those who worked beside him that did not treat him like family, and this is what made the bond of family members so precious.  Can you imagine as a young boy of seven years of age, being transported from a boarding school when you were left there at Christmas time, to driving through the gates of Graceland?

Elvis prayed with his step-brothers, he put them to bed, would take them to play and the blood brother who was lost at child-birth was a new gift to his life. These Stanley boys he kept near to him until he passed away.  Seventeen years of a Camelot existence was amazing, a place of wonder and yes, magical.

THE ROLE OF FAITH

The underpinning of this great entertain'er life was his true belief in Jesus Christ. Many feel somewhat uncomfortable about this, but his Bible was always by his side. He struggled like every man in life about philosophy and the different aspects of his faith, but he believed the gospel was the most important part of who he was.  Yes, Elvis studied many religions, but make no mistake about his true faith, rooted in the Bible he grew up with and ingrained into his family's ancestry. His mother was a hallmark for his faith and he loved her dearly. 

A GOSPEL ALBUM

Why would a rock and roll singer make a gospel album, win Grammy Awards for this category? He would share with his step-brothers all the time, the power of faith and family.  This IS what will make our motion picture different.  The faith of Elvis Presley changed the life of Billy Stanley forever. This was a truly amazing experience for three little boys who would grow up at Graceland.

When you go to Graceland, make sure and stop at all the film monitors you will see and notice the three little Stanley children who were there as elementary children and grew up as middle schoolers when Elvis married Priscilla. You will see the hearts of three young boys who loved Elvis and he loved them. This is the spirit of everything we are doing with this blended family.

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST 

Did you know how Elvis began his relationship with his three step-brothers?  The very first evening they met, he took all three boys and he kneeled down with them for their nightly prayers. This was never a custom for the Stanley boys, but Elvis wanted to instill the importance of prayer with them. Why do you think he did this?

Elvis loved God and he wanted his new family members to know the very God he served. This was a hallmark of how the family would begin every meal and why prayer was always a sacred moment to talk to God they would never leave.

Please pray for our team and especially for Billy Stanley in going through this process.  We believe when you do something that truly matters in life, or make a movie with a purpose, there are many evil forces that would try to stop this kind of film. We do not wish to take away other filmmaker's dreams of making films about Elvis, because honestly, his life is full of motion pictures.

We just need your prayerful help to undergird everything we are doing in prayer. Our film team believes in the story of Jesus, we believe He came to save the world by laying down His life for us. Billy shared recently that Elvis Presley's favorite verse was the gospel presented in John 3:16. The verse simply reads, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life."

Do you believe in Jesus Christ?  We want to recommend you reach one chapter of the book of John every single day for a month. After you do this, please invite God to come into your life. Do you know we believe Elvis is in heaven today, not because he was perfect, but forgiven.  

RICK STANLEY'S FAITH
 
Rick Stanley was one of the dearest friends in my life. After Elvis died, Rick began to follow Jesus and he gave his life over to becoming the very thing Elvis would have been most proud of, a minister of the gospel.  He began to preach, to share his testimony of faith and with this, he shared with over 5000 churches in his lifetime, preached with Billy Graham on the same platform and was a tool in helping young people find God.

Rick Stanley's spirit of faith, along with all of the Stanley brother's faith will be seen in this film of family and faith.  Billy contacted me because he wanted to follow wishes that his family had discussed and because his recollection of Elvis and his life, Billy remembered conversations that Elvis had in so many situations, these will be the very words and concepts used in the screenplay.

This film honors Elvis, but also will honor the spirit of the Stanley's as two world collided and became filled with an unconditional love. This film will honor Jesus Christ and will address real struggles but also have the joy, laughter and fun found in living with one of the most interesting men who ever lived. 

PRAYER TEAM

Would you like to be involved in our movie?  We need your help. Our GRP film team is looking to find a PRAYER TEAM who would stand by us as we make this film over the next couple years. Your prayers could make the difference.  We are praying over every aspect of our film, our partners, our cast and crew.  

If you would be willing to pray, would you send an email to us and we are looking for thirty one prayer partners who will undergird this film.  This means one prayer partner for every day of the week.  Here is what we ask.  You would spend one day a month, on a designated day like the "fourth of each month" and remember this project in prayer.  If you will do this, please email us.

God bless you,

Dr. Kevin McAfee
Filmmaker

ELVIS WEEK 2019 is finally here August 8-16, 2019.  The entire week has been finalized. If you are an Elvis Presley fan, you will want to plan to visit Memphis, Tennessee and join in on the enormous group of festivities!  Please check online for the details as they include music stars Ronnie Milsap and BJ Thomas appearing.  Don't forget to be spending time at Graceland and make plans for fun times in Memphis. 

Billy Stanley and Kevin McAfee will be at the ELVIS WEEK together with Bill Stallings and screenwriter Jim Gromer on the last Wednesday and Thursday during Elvis week. You can meet many of those who were in the life of Elvis Presley and hear stories of kindness, of love and true facts about the life of the greatest entertainer in the world.

BILL STALLINGS - AN ELVIS EXPERT

Kevin and Bill met in Franklin, Tennessee last week to discuss the motion picture and future of the episodes he has been creating.  Bill was invited to be a participant inside the motion picture working on the "behind the scenes" part and also as another voice into the film.  Bill has invaluable information for the success of the movie and the GRP team is honored he is going to be involved.

If you are not a subscriber on the YOU TUBE channel where Bill Stallings has created, we want to encourage you about this.  Bill is a talented and caring person regarding the life and legacy of Elvis Presley.

STEP FAMILY MEMBERS

The theme of the movie ELVIS MY BROTHER embraces one of the power of unconditional love when you experience a "blended family". Over half of America is facing the blended family situation today.  Many have difficulties embracing people who are not blood relatives, but Elvis demonstrated true love to his step-family.  This is part of what is unique and special about Elvis Presley.  

Every Elvis fan is important to our GRP FILM team and we appreciate each and every opinion.  Even when some may disagree, we believe unconditional love is more powerful and in alignment with the Bible, which has been embraced by the Presley and the Stanley family. 

FIRST STEP - FINANCING THE SCREENPLAY

Billy and Kevin have been looking for sponsors and talking to potential financial Executive Producers for the movie.  If you have an interest in being part of financing the screenplay and having an active role in our new movie, ELVIS MY BROTHER.  The team needs you to be involved if you would be inclined.  We believe God has the perfect team to join us!

SPECIAL THANKS

Billy and Liz Stanley are inviting all of you to ELVIS WEEK 2019.  They are bringing the GRP FILM TEAM to Memphis and we would be so very honored to meet all of you.  The "candlelight vigil" on Thursday night before the closing on Friday will be a highlight of filming, so if you can, please join everyone for a memory in Memphis like none other.

GRP believes that Elvis Presley knew Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.  You cannot listen to him sing the gospel hymns and not be moved by his passion toward God.  Because his Bible went wherever Elvis would travel, he was never far from God's word.  This is the final and most important element in the new movie being made, ELVIS MY BROTHER.

Hope to see you all at ELVIS WEEK!

Follow your dream,

GRP FILM TEAM

The story of the Stanley family and the McAfee family began shortly after the passing of Elvis Presley in 1977. Rick Stanley came to the Council Road Baptist Church, in Bethany, Oklahoma, to speak for a television crusade for Dr. Wendell Estep, the pastor.  

I had the opportunity, while serving as the Media Pastor on staff at CRBC, to host Rick during this visit.  This began a lifelong friendship dating back to the late seventies.  Rick and I would become brothers and his love for Billy, David and Elvis, was profound. The lessons he learned through the life of his brother, changed him.

RICK STANLEY PASSES AWAY

When Rick died this year, Billy Stanley reached out to me because of the encouragement from his wife, Liz Stanley.  She had seen our prayer partners in making movies now for over almost four decades. The rest of the story is history in beginning this amazing journey.  Billy stepped into my life like a "brother from another mother" and I am so very honored to be in his.

There is not a greater motive to discuss a motion picture, than when it comes from the love of brothers.  Billy has lost two precious brothers and through the loss and pain of knowing the brevity of life and wanting to create a legacy, his heart to make a movie about this story was obvious.  Elvis did something with these children that changed them eternally. 

Elvis wanted to adopt the boys soon after they arrived at Graceland and change their names to Presley; but, he didn't want to hurt the feelings of their birth father.  The loyalty and love shared by the King of Rock and Roll changed something in all of their lives. The "meaning" of a brother went beyond the culture in a time when divorced families would struggle, even today. With all of the frailty of living the life Elvis did, he had his Bible open all the time.  The Stanley brothers were the "carriers" of Elvis Presley's Bible and it was a duty they took seriously. 

ELVIS WANTED TO SHARE ABOUT CHRIST

The gospel shared by the King pointed all of the Stanley brothers to a relationship in Christ and slowly, they followed. This powerful impact resulted in a reunion a few months ago when Elvis and Rick met in heaven.  This was the ethos that prompted Billy and I to get together for the first time and discuss this new film project to honor their blended families and brotherhood.

If you have never been through a divorced family like I have, you don't realize how hard it is to be a "step-anything".  Elvis taught his brothers there was no such thing in treating anyone as a "step" and he lived by this.  The side of Elvis Presley that was Godly, who knew Christ and wanted to served Him, is why he recorded so many Gospel songs, including great songs from Bill Gaither and many more Christian songwriters. He taught a love for God, over all the world through his music. 

Together, our families have been praying for this film. Our first objective is to raise the capital required for the development of a full-length feature screenplay.
If you know of someone or be interested in talking with us more about how you could get involved as an Executive Producer, please contact us.  We are seeking accredited investors only to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity. 

THE WRECKING CREW

While beginning the film process, we are also discussing a feature length documentary around the story of Elvis Presley's Wrecking Crew, Billy, Ricky and David Stanley.  Billy has already been filmed for the first historic interview. 

When Elvis would walk offstage, his first words were, "Wrecking Crew". The boys knew from being personal aids and body guards, their roles in making sure his needs and his desire to be with family were always met.  The bond from these brothers toward Elvis's daughter Lisa Marie never left their hearts of love.

In the spirit of the 33 movies Elvis made in his life of forty-two years, our team is putting together a new film for all children and Elvis fans around the world. He has sold over one billion records and continues to grow on Sirius Radio with the twenty-four hours of Elvis Presley music being played from his music vault.

OUR NEW MOVIE, ELVIS MY BROTHER

However, nobody in the world knows the daily life of Elvis more than his loving brothers. Stories from this family are endearing, heart warming, inspiring and will capture the imagination of every Elvis fan.  This PG rated film will become a classic as everyone will know the "heart, humor and love of Elvis".

When you see the stories come to life on screen, you will know the authenticity they bring as Billy is committed to share the life of Elvis Presley with the world. This comes through the eyes of Billy who loved him and admired him like a father. From the backyard at Graceland, to the backlots of Hollywood, is where this story takes you. You will see Elvis at his best, spoiling his family and giving presents to those in need, laughing around the table at Graceland and you will finally get to know "the real Elvis".

There will only be one king at the end of this film and you will have to go to the theater to see the untold story of brotherhood.  You will laugh, cry and now know the intimate stories of what it was like to grow up in the same halls as the King of Rock & Roll in Graceland.  

THANK YOU

We close by saying, "Thank you fans as this film is dedicated to the memory of Elvis Presley and his brother, Rick Stanley".  May the Lord bless this film and we give all the glory to Jesus Christ, whom Elvis served.  Flawed like every man, even in his last hours, he had shared the truth again of the Bible in his bedroom with his brothers still close at his side.  

This story will change your heart.

We honor these brothers,

In Veritas,

Kevin McAfee
Filmmaker 
ELVIS MY BROTHER

Thank you for joining us!  We hope you enjoy our film blog about our upcoming new screenplay ELVIS MY BROTHER.  This is a private sight for Elvis Presley Fans and people who want to get involved and be a part of making history.

Elvis Presley made history in the lives of three young boys who have largely been forgotten.  However, this film tells a story, through the point of view of the oldest of three young Stanley brothers, who moved into Graceland in 1960. Billy Stanley's life and his two younger brothers, would move from a "black and white" world, to technicolor in their first drive through the gates of the mansion. 

These brothers loved him, were devastated at his untimely departure and have never been the same.  Rick Stanley recently passed away in January of 2019 and Billy decided to take up a promise he had made to Elvis many years ago.  Of all the brothers, he signed with St. Martin's Press and became a best selling author with his book.

Now, Billy is joining forces, with filmmaker Kevin McAfee, to create a film that is "family oriented" to tell the "behind the scenes" childhood stories and the fun and enjoyment of living at Graceland.  This film will also show the side of Elvis Presley many have never seen.  His brothers will grow from boys to men in front of your eyes.  The fun they had together, coupled with a villain in the wings, is why every Elvis fan in the world will want to see this true story made into a movie.

Like all great musical icons, Elvis was flawed like all people; but, the lessons he taught these young men are lessons of truth.  In fact, his own Gospel of knowing Jesus Christ stayed with him until the very end of his young life.  

Enjoy this amazing journey and thank you for being with us.  Billy is following his dream and is honoring his family through this picture in a way few will ever have the chance.  Think about it, this is the first family of Rock & Roll. 

Follow Your Dream,

THE ELVIS, MY BROTHER MOVIE TEAM