Word on Fire Wonder: The Harmony of Faith & Science.
This 5-part series was directed, produced, and edited by Manny Marquez. Cinematography by Rod Hassler. Written by Dr. Christopher Baglow. Text edited by Matthew Becklo. VFX by Carl Graham. Musical Score by Sean Beeson. Producer: Douglas Cummins. Co-Producer: Devin Dailey. Executive Producer: Fr. Steve Grunow.
Each episode unpacks a different area of scientific knowledge in relation to the great tradition of the Catholic faith. Narrated by Jonathan Roumie.
Word on Fire
The Pentecost (After Maíno)
A look into a painter/designer Michael Stevens process in creating an original work of sacred art. Commissioned especially for the Word on Fire Bible (Volume II): Acts, Letters, and Revelation, Michael explores what really constitutes sacred art, and who gets to make it. He also examines the concept of the artist as co-creator with God. This film was made during the pandemic, and I’m extremely proud of our endurance to see it through to completion.
Directed by Manny Marquez. Cinematography by Rod Hassler. Produced by Joseph Gloor. Edited by Matthew Prekop.
Diocese of Tulsa
Watch One Hour with Me
First of a three part series created for the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma to promote the National Eucharistic Revival. From their website: “The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery here in the United States by helping us renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.” This particular film features three different parishes in the Tulsa Diocese and is focused on Eucharistic Adoration.
Director/Cinematographer/Editor Manny Marquez. Commissioned by Adam Minihan. Voice Over by Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
Word on Fire
World Youth Day / Lisbon 2023
Pilgrims from around the world gathered in Lisbon, Portugal to celebrate World Youth Day in 2023, with over 1.5 million people at the celebration of the closing Mass. Pope Francis declared this year’s theme to be "Mary arose and went with haste" (Lk 1:39). Bishop Barron was in attendance, and gave 5 different talks over the course of the event. Manny was commissioned by Word on Fire to document Bishop’s trip, and to edit and upload each day’s work as a finished film while still at the event. In order to achieve this quick turn around, Manny traveled with his trusted editor, Michael Moss. From their week in Portugal, the team delivered 12 finished edits. Special thanks to the Word on Fire team that made all this possible. See below a selection of the films, including a recap edit.
Director/Cinematographer/ Manny Marquez. Commissioned by Devin Dailey. Edited by Mike Moss.
Diocese of Tulsa
Fruits of Holy Communion
Third of a three part series I directed for the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma to promote the National Eucharistic Revival. From their website: “The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery here in the United States by helping us renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.” This film was written by Manny, utilizing the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1391-1401), as his basis.
Director/Editor Manny Marquez. Commissioned by Adam Minihan. Cinematography by Jordan Fisher. Color Correction by Rod Hassler. Score by Sean Beeson. Voice Over by Leigh Marquez.
Exodus 90 Be the Renewal.
The Head of Marketing at Exodus, Adam Minihan, approached Manny to come up with a concept to promote their Lenten program. This needed to invite men to become the renewal they wished to see in the Church, using focused readings & guidance throughout the penitential season of Lent. - Manny began thinking about Lent, what it means and the journey we walk toward Easter. Although it is a time of fasting and prayer, we know it leads to the joy of the Resurrection. That’s when the idea of lamps shining the light of faith on the Lenten journey came to mind.
Director/Editor Manny Marquez. Commissioned by Adam Minihan. Cinematography by Justen Pang.
Diocese of Tulsa / St. Michael Radio
The Catholic Reason
Tulsa has one of the most robust Catholic radio networks in the United States. St. Michael Catholic Radio was founded by Adam Minihan & David Niles of The Catholic Man Show. Their goal is to evangelize Oklahoma, and the rest of the nation, by creating quality Catholic content that can be used online and through the traditional airways. The Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma is blessed to have Dr. Karlo Broussard of Catholic Answers as their staff apologist, where he broadcasts his weekly radio show The Catholic Reason from the chancery. This film promotes the work Karlo is doing, and how St. Michael Radio has given him the platform to reach as many people as possible.
Director/Cinematographer/Editor Manny Marquez. Commissioned by Adam Minihan.
Exodus 90
For Freedom, Christ Set Us Free
For this film Manny and cinematographer Rod Hassler had the great privilege to travel to Latrobe, PA to the Saint Vincent Archabbey and Seminary. Here they filmed Fr. Boniface Hicks in a discussion about the true freedom that comes through Christ. This piece was created as the anthem to promote the 2025 Exodus 90 program. Manny co-wrote the script with Adam Minihan and Fr. Boniface. This was a real joy to be a part of.
Director/Editor Manny Marquez. Commissioned by Adam Minihan. Cinematography Rod Hassler.
Diocese of Tulsa
Go Make Disciples
For the 2025 Faith & Works Annual Appeal, the Diocese of Tulsa asked Manny to create a reminder of the Great Commission: Go Make Disciples of All Nations. (Mt. 28:19) In order to do this, we followed Fr. Duy Nguyen through several days of his work as a priest and Diocesan Vocations Director. His vocation story, and the adventurous spirit in which he seeks to bring young men to serve the Lord through the priesthood is infectious. He even goes as a far as skydiving while wearing his Roman collar! This was a fun piece, yet poignant for the growth of the Church.
Director/Cinematographer Manny Marquez. Commissioned by Derek Lyssy. Editor Mike Moss.
Word on Fire
Wonder Conference 2024
This piece was created to play as an intro for each speaker at Word on Fire’s 2024 Wonder Conference. From the RFP: “Our theme this year is focusing on opening dialogue between people of faith and those in the scientific fields, specifically relating to Nature and the Human Body. The body is at the core of today’s most controversial topics, including evolution, artificial intelligence, and gender ideology.” Remuda Pictures teamed up with Catholic animator & designer Carl Graham to write the concept for the piece. Our idea was to start at the beginning of Creation in Genesis, travel through the Big Bang, and end with Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel ceiling. In doing this, we reference, God, scientific study by way of Georges Lemaître, and the sacred artist as co-Creator with God.
Director/Animator Carl Graham. Produced/Co-Written by Manny Marquez. Score & Audio Design by Sean Beeson. Commissioned by Douglas Cummins of Word on Fire.
Diocese of Tulsa
A Sign of Hope
On May 6th, 2024 the small Oklahoma town of Barnsdall was ravaged by an EF4 tornado. In the early morning hours the following day, Fr. Emmanuel Nduka was awakened by phone calls from a parishioner that his church, St. Mary Catholic Church, had been in the direct path of the storm. The doors were blown open, windows knocked out, but a miracle had occurred. The tabernacle lamp was still lit, and the altar was untouched by the mud or debris. I was asked by the Diocese of Tulsa to create this film for the one year anniversary of the tornado to highlight this parish’s resilient story of hope. Read the full article that inspired the film in the Eastern Oklahoma Catholic by Chris Rush.
Director/Cinematographer Manny Marquez. Drone Footage & Photographs by Daniel McCay. Commissioned by Derek Lyssy. Editor Mike Moss.