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Baldwin Film Helps Crisis Center

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By KEVIN WALKER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2007

Updated: 12/15/2007 08:12 pm

TAMPA - When he talks about the death that had such a profound effect on him, Malcolm Teasdale usually uses the phrase "local personality."

"Out of respect, you know," Teasdale says.

But Teasdale - founder and president of Tampa marketing firm Teasdale Worldwide - is referring to John Winter, the WFLA meteorologist whose April 5 suicide shocked friends, family, co-workers and television viewers.

"What a terrible thing to happen to such a young man,'" said Teasdale, who knew Winter. "It shocked the whole community."

That same month, on April 20, Teasdale was invited to Texas by one of his clients, actor Stephen Baldwin. Baldwin was starring in a new film, "Midnight Clear," making its debut at the USA Film Festival at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas.

It's based on a short story by Jerry B. Jenkins, co-author of the Christian-themed "Left Behind" series. It's about five people whose paths cross on Christmas Eve. Two of those people want to kill themselves.

"I thought it was a great film, the way it depicts how thoughts of suicide can affect someone's life," Teasdale said. "And the way it shows that there is another choice."

Teasdale's April experience is why, on Tuesday, Baldwin will be in town for a special screening of the film at Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa.

It's also why all the money made from the event will go to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The nonprofit organization, which offers suicide intervention among its services, stands to receive a sizable donation.

"We're giving it all to them. They do such great work there," Teasdale said. "I had hoped to raise $50,000, but now I am getting ambitious and hope to raise closer to $100,000."

How did he do it? Immediately after seeing the film, Teasdale began talking about screening the film in Tampa. He first convinced Baldwin and the film's director, Dallas Jenkins, son of Jerry B. Jenkins.

He then began working on raising money from local sponsors, said Jacqui Knight of Knight Owl Communications, who is handling publicity for the show.

Knight said Teasdale talked with Bank of Florida officials, who donated $10,000. That led to other donations rolling in. They have now sold 150 VIP seats at $150 each.

"It's the perfect movie for this time of year," Knight said. "And Malcolm just thought it was important to bring the movie here."

Although it is based on Jenkins' story, Teasdale said in the movie "good prevails - for once - but it's not a Christian film."

Reviews of the film - which won the debut film prize at the Cinequest film festival in San Jose, Calif. - have noted its religious undertones but also have been favorable about the film as a whole.

The basic plot: Baldwin plays Lefty, a divorced and recently fired man living out of his car. Both he and an elderly woman are contemplating suicide. Those two - plus a father, a pastor and a single mother - find their lives entwining on Christmas Eve in an unnamed Southwestern city.

The film certainly falls into Baldwin's career pattern. Since converting to Christianity, he has written a book about it ("The Unusual Suspects") and appeared at Luis Palau festivals (including one in Tampa).

Teasdale said seeing the film - especially on the heels of a tragic and very public suicide - not only moved him, but also gave him an opportunity to do something for Tampa.

"Bringing this film and event here is a way of giving back to Tampa," he said. "It's also a chance to do something innovative, something that doesn't often happen here."

Kevin Walker can be reached at (813) 259-7975 or kwalker@

ON SCREEN

WHAT: Special screening of the film "Midnight Clear." Stephen Baldwin, Dallas Jenkins and Jerry B. Jenkins will attend.

WHERE: Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

TICKETS: $10; $5 for students; at the box office or tampatheatre.org

tampatrib.com.

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