DBU REPORT 28 In August 2025, DBU alumna Emma Sumlin ’25 hosted a private screening of Timeless in Rogers Theater on DBU’s campus, drawing an audience of more than 130. Timeless is a black-andwhite silent film that tells the love story of Pearce and Marjorie. The two meet unexpectedly, fall in love, and marry, until their joy is interrupted when Pearce is drafted into the Second World War. The screening marked the culmination of three years of dedication, creativity, and passion from Emma and her crew. Emma’s love for classic romance served as the foundation for the film. In April 2023, she and her roommate, Grace Adams, who plays Marjorie, developed the idea together in their dorm room. Emma reflects, “Immediately, both our minds thought of 1940s Hollywood. We wanted to make a film that felt and looked like an old movie.” Emma crafted the story while Grace helped bring the characters to life, and Emma recalls asking Grace to play Marjorie Kent: “No one else but Grace could have been Marjorie.” The script followed soon after. While working at a local restaurant, Emma wrote scenes during breaks in a green journal. At the time, the project was simply called “1940s WWII Love Story.” By fall 2023, she began shaping the screenplay into its final form. “It went through many revisions, where I eventually settled on a story I loved.” When she shared the script with friends and family, she quickly realized its emotional impact, as many were moved to tears. The film’s visual style was shaped by Emma’s appreciation for classic cinema. “At first, I wanted to tell a classic love story,” she shares. “So I began to study old movies and knew I wanted it to look like an old film.” The crew carefully designed costumes, sets, and lighting inspired by iconic films of the era. For marketing, DBU alumna Kylie Guentherman hand-painted a vintage-style poster, while trailers created by Sierre Clark were modeled after Gone with the Wind and Waterloo Bridge. With limited resources, the team relied on creativity, collaboration, and faith. DBU STUDENT Emma Sumlin PREMIERES Timeless ON UNIVERSITY HILL Filming at Emma’s grandparents’ home in Springtown provided the perfect setting. “My grandparents’ house in Springtown really sold the film,” Emma shared. “My producer showed stills from Timeless to an experienced filmmaker who said our production value looked ‘big budget’.” Throughout the filming process, Emma consistently witnessed God’s provision. “I really saw God provide for Timeless through the generous donations to the film fund.” Kingdom Story Company donated to the project, and one DBU parent gave $3,000, allowing the team greater freedom to bring the story to life. Another meaningful moment came through an unexpected setback while filming Pearce’s farewell scene. After praying for a solution, Emma connected with the City of Grapevine. “They emailed me and said they would love to have me film there and would send me the contract.” When the contract listed the filming cost as $0, Emma was once again reminded of God’s faithfulness. The first day of filming in July 2024 remains especially vivid. “We had everyone there, I said ‘Action!’, and suddenly the world of Timeless existed.” What had once lived only on paper became reality. Reflecting on the journey, Emma says, “The opportunity for Timeless to be shown in Hollywood is truly something only God could do.” She concludes, “The Lord brought all of us together, to Him be the glory. This is not our success, but His.” For more information on Timeless, visit www.timelesstheshortfilm.weebly.com. Grace Adams and Jordan Pope Emma Sumlin and Jonathan Collins
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