In the next couple of days, I should be getting the revised screenplay for my next film from the screenwriters. I'm doing a film currently entitled The Call, and it's basically a faith-based take on films like Family Man, It's a Wonderful Life, etc., films where the protagonist is allowed a glimpse of an alternate life. We're hoping to shoot sometime in March, depending on how the script continues to develop. I'll keep you updated, of course, and once we start pre-production, I'll be doing a weekly blog, and once we start shooting, I'll be doing a daily video blog.
We've also decided that Riven, the book my Dad wrote that came out last year (and for my money, is his best book), is going to be the second film in the Jenkins/Pureflix partnership. We will be talking to screenwriters in the next couple of weeks and hope to be in production by the end of the year. I'm actually going to send a letter to Joe Eszterhas, the famous screenwriter of Basic Instinct, Flashdance, Music Box, and Jagged Edge, among others, who recently became a Christian. I know it's a long shot, but I think he'd be interested in some of the films we're doing. His books are incredible (any aspiring filmmaker should read The Devil's Guide to Hollywood), including his recent one, Crossbearer, which is about his conversion. Maybe Riven will strike a chord, or perhaps Youngest Hero, which is about baseball, one of his great loves. We'll see.
I recently allowed a church in Florida to show Midnight Clear at their monthly "dinner and a movie" night. They have a ministry to the homeless and thought that my film could speak to some of those who struggle around Christmas. I just received the following note from the organizer, which meant a lot:
Thank you so much for blessing our socks off with letting us play your movie. Remember me I go to the little church on the west coast of FL that works with and helps the homeless. We had our movie night in December, I myself was a little disappointed with our numbers that night, we didn't have as many people as usual, but God still worked in amazing ways. Most of them we won't know until we reach Heaven. I did find out today, as I was talking with of our homeless guys after church today, that your movie "Midnight Clear" made a huge impact with at least one person this Christmas. Tommy has been missing for awhile from our church and wasn't at church for the Christmas Eve service (as he had promised he would be). He told me tonight, that he was laying in the woods (his "home") singing Christmas carols to himself. It was one of the loneliest Christmas' he ever had, he plans on next Christmas already will be different. He also mentioned that thinking about the movie "Midnight Clear" helped him get through it (he didn't even know I organize it). He kept thinking about different scenes in the movie and how it related to him. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I know you will never know on this side of Heaven what kind of an impact you made. It helps the guys to know that they are not throw away people that they too can still make an impact in someones life. Keep up the good work and God Bless!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thoughts on faith-based filmmaking
This is an interview I recently gave for a magazine on the topic of faith-based films and the retail market.
2008 Trends -- Faith & Family Films
Looking back on 2008, what happened in the world of faith and family films? How did this portion of the industry grow, change, or regress?
It's hard to say if it's growing or regressing, but it's definitely changing. The studios are proving that they only know how to reach one part of the Christian market, and that's the core church crowd, the crowd that showed up for "Fireproof." And they're also showing that they don't know how to do it themselves; they need Christian filmmakers to make the films and even spearhead the marketing.
The market is growing, but I fear that it's only growing in one direction. I think we're getting further and further from the idea of a mainstream faith-based film; any faith-based films are going to get pushed into one particular box.
Looking forward into 2009, what trends or changes are studios anticipating?
There will be more films like Fireproof--lower budget, straight-on Christian movies marketed directly to the church crowd. The idea of doing a faith-based film and then marketing it like a mainstream film is going to be less viable.
How can retailers prepare for 2009?
They need to develop stronger and more direct relationships with the Hollywood studios, and make sure that they're communicating clearly what they want and need. The studios are listening more than ever.
What products do you have coming out in 2009 that retailers should start to have on their radars?
We're developing a couple of films with Pure Flix Entertainment(Hidden Secrets, The Wager) that we're very excited about. Jenkins Entertainment plans to have a bigger role in this growing movement.
What can retailers do right now to help capitalize on Christmas DVD sales?
The Christian market is really starting to embrace faith-based films; we're where Christian music was 20 years ago. As Christian films get better and more common, the retailers need to really communicate that to their consumers. Movies can be a massive business, but right now, the consumers don't really look at their local Christian store as an outlet for a wide range of choices.
How has the level of "Christian filmmaking" improved over the past few years?
It's improved in some ways, in that the the production is being taken more seriously, the actors are getting better, etc., but we've still got such a long way to go. We've got to find a way to be more artistic, as opposed to just turning the camera on to film a message. And if we increase the artistic quality of our films, which is glorifying to God (the greatest artists of the early centuries were Christians), the audience will start to appreciate that part of it even more, and we can increase sales. And better yet, we might even make a film good enough to be appreciated by non-believers on a mass scale.
Where does "Christian filmmaking" need to go to continue to be relevant to consumers?
In addition to getting better artistically, we need to offer a wider range of genres and storylines. Romantic comedies, teen dramas, even crime stories need to be considered.
Looking out 5+ years, where will this portion of the industry be, or what is your hope for the future of faith and family films?
It can only get bigger. There's such a big audience, and it's being underserved. As long as we continue to make better films, the industry will grow. My ultimate desire is for there to be more mainstream films with Hollywood-style production values and size that come from a faith-based perspective, as opposed to the current status of Christian films being set apart from secular films. But until the market supports that, we have to work within the system and hope to improve it.
Is there a phrase that accurately describes this type of filmmaking other than "faith and family" or "Christian?"
I wish there was.
How do you anticipate VOD or any other type of downloading video service affecting how retailers sell their products in brick and mortar stores?
They should be in conjunction. Hopefully, the retailers can be part of the VOD movement.
How would you motivate consumers to purchase or even to just begin being interested in faith and family films?
It's all about word of mouth. If a retailer has something really good to offer, the audience will embrace it. Retailers haven't always had much to be excited about.
Why is it important to support faith and family filmmaking efforts?
Because film is the most important medium of all time in communicating messages. Films combine every audio and visual element imaginable, and for the last 50 years, Christians have backed off and let filmmaking be controlled by people who don't share our values. That's our fault. But that can change if the films we make are successful, so consumers must vote with their dollar and help these films succeed if they like them. If they make money, then more will be made, and we'll have a better chance of impacting culture.
2008 Trends -- Faith & Family Films
Looking back on 2008, what happened in the world of faith and family films? How did this portion of the industry grow, change, or regress?
It's hard to say if it's growing or regressing, but it's definitely changing. The studios are proving that they only know how to reach one part of the Christian market, and that's the core church crowd, the crowd that showed up for "Fireproof." And they're also showing that they don't know how to do it themselves; they need Christian filmmakers to make the films and even spearhead the marketing.
The market is growing, but I fear that it's only growing in one direction. I think we're getting further and further from the idea of a mainstream faith-based film; any faith-based films are going to get pushed into one particular box.
Looking forward into 2009, what trends or changes are studios anticipating?
There will be more films like Fireproof--lower budget, straight-on Christian movies marketed directly to the church crowd. The idea of doing a faith-based film and then marketing it like a mainstream film is going to be less viable.
How can retailers prepare for 2009?
They need to develop stronger and more direct relationships with the Hollywood studios, and make sure that they're communicating clearly what they want and need. The studios are listening more than ever.
What products do you have coming out in 2009 that retailers should start to have on their radars?
We're developing a couple of films with Pure Flix Entertainment(Hidden Secrets, The Wager) that we're very excited about. Jenkins Entertainment plans to have a bigger role in this growing movement.
What can retailers do right now to help capitalize on Christmas DVD sales?
The Christian market is really starting to embrace faith-based films; we're where Christian music was 20 years ago. As Christian films get better and more common, the retailers need to really communicate that to their consumers. Movies can be a massive business, but right now, the consumers don't really look at their local Christian store as an outlet for a wide range of choices.
How has the level of "Christian filmmaking" improved over the past few years?
It's improved in some ways, in that the the production is being taken more seriously, the actors are getting better, etc., but we've still got such a long way to go. We've got to find a way to be more artistic, as opposed to just turning the camera on to film a message. And if we increase the artistic quality of our films, which is glorifying to God (the greatest artists of the early centuries were Christians), the audience will start to appreciate that part of it even more, and we can increase sales. And better yet, we might even make a film good enough to be appreciated by non-believers on a mass scale.
Where does "Christian filmmaking" need to go to continue to be relevant to consumers?
In addition to getting better artistically, we need to offer a wider range of genres and storylines. Romantic comedies, teen dramas, even crime stories need to be considered.
Looking out 5+ years, where will this portion of the industry be, or what is your hope for the future of faith and family films?
It can only get bigger. There's such a big audience, and it's being underserved. As long as we continue to make better films, the industry will grow. My ultimate desire is for there to be more mainstream films with Hollywood-style production values and size that come from a faith-based perspective, as opposed to the current status of Christian films being set apart from secular films. But until the market supports that, we have to work within the system and hope to improve it.
Is there a phrase that accurately describes this type of filmmaking other than "faith and family" or "Christian?"
I wish there was.
How do you anticipate VOD or any other type of downloading video service affecting how retailers sell their products in brick and mortar stores?
They should be in conjunction. Hopefully, the retailers can be part of the VOD movement.
How would you motivate consumers to purchase or even to just begin being interested in faith and family films?
It's all about word of mouth. If a retailer has something really good to offer, the audience will embrace it. Retailers haven't always had much to be excited about.
Why is it important to support faith and family filmmaking efforts?
Because film is the most important medium of all time in communicating messages. Films combine every audio and visual element imaginable, and for the last 50 years, Christians have backed off and let filmmaking be controlled by people who don't share our values. That's our fault. But that can change if the films we make are successful, so consumers must vote with their dollar and help these films succeed if they like them. If they make money, then more will be made, and we'll have a better chance of impacting culture.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Plugging along...
I wish I had more to report, but it's the same old-same old. This is the movie business, unfortunately. Movies take time. It's a wonder any movies ever get made. Once we go into official pre-production on this film, the updates will come daily, and we'll also have video blogs a few times a week.
Recent movies I've seen: Being There and The Last Detail, both by Hal Ashby, the director I'm studying right now. He and I have similar style sensibilities, so I'm watching all of his films. Both were great films, although I'm not always emotionally connected to Ashby's films; I'm not quite "anti-establishment" enough, I guess.
Books I've read/am reading: the book on M. Night Shymalyan was great (did I say this already? guess I should re-read my blogs, but I'm too lazy), and I'm currently reading "Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know." It's pretty good. Always good to get a reminder of the basics.
Recent movies I've seen: Being There and The Last Detail, both by Hal Ashby, the director I'm studying right now. He and I have similar style sensibilities, so I'm watching all of his films. Both were great films, although I'm not always emotionally connected to Ashby's films; I'm not quite "anti-establishment" enough, I guess.
Books I've read/am reading: the book on M. Night Shymalyan was great (did I say this already? guess I should re-read my blogs, but I'm too lazy), and I'm currently reading "Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know." It's pretty good. Always good to get a reminder of the basics.
Monday, June 16, 2008
More Casting...
Still playing the casting game, trying to find the right actor who's not only available (which isn't easy to find) but interested in a non-studio picture. There are a few names that I think are really interesting, but I really don't want to talk about them here. So what I'm left with is yet another boring, unproductive blog, and you're left with reading it and thinking, "Is this how movies go, or is this guy a moron?"
The script is getting good responses from the agencies, so hopefully something will break through soon.
Continued casting
Published: June 5, 2008
I wish I had exciting things to report, but there really isn't much. We're continuing to pursue a lead actor for the film. Our next offer is going to the actor I actually think would be one of the best people in Hollywood for the part, so I really hope he at least reads the script.
I just finished reading "The Conversations with Walter Murch," which was great and insightful. He's not only a genius editor and has great things to say about the directors he's worked with, but he's got good insights on storytelling, pacing, etc.. I'm now reading "The Man Who Heard Voices," the book about M. Night Shyamalyan's making of "Lady in the Water." It's important not to just read "how to" books, but "behind the scenes" books as well, because they give important looks into the mechanics and personality of Hollywood. Dealing with people and understanding how a set operates is just as important as learning the craft.
In the last couple weeks I've seen The Wild Bunch (pretty ground-breaking for its time), Shampoo (didn't actually enjoy it all that much, as I found it meandering and ultimately empty, which was the point, but it didn't work for me), and Harold and Maude (very funny, and I wish I would have watched it before I made Midnight Clear, but it also didn't reach me emotionally). I'm going to be watching Bound for Glory next; I'm on a Hal Ashby kick, as his style seems very close to mine.
The script is getting good responses from the agencies, so hopefully something will break through soon.
Continued casting
Published: June 5, 2008
I wish I had exciting things to report, but there really isn't much. We're continuing to pursue a lead actor for the film. Our next offer is going to the actor I actually think would be one of the best people in Hollywood for the part, so I really hope he at least reads the script.
I just finished reading "The Conversations with Walter Murch," which was great and insightful. He's not only a genius editor and has great things to say about the directors he's worked with, but he's got good insights on storytelling, pacing, etc.. I'm now reading "The Man Who Heard Voices," the book about M. Night Shyamalyan's making of "Lady in the Water." It's important not to just read "how to" books, but "behind the scenes" books as well, because they give important looks into the mechanics and personality of Hollywood. Dealing with people and understanding how a set operates is just as important as learning the craft.
In the last couple weeks I've seen The Wild Bunch (pretty ground-breaking for its time), Shampoo (didn't actually enjoy it all that much, as I found it meandering and ultimately empty, which was the point, but it didn't work for me), and Harold and Maude (very funny, and I wish I would have watched it before I made Midnight Clear, but it also didn't reach me emotionally). I'm going to be watching Bound for Glory next; I'm on a Hal Ashby kick, as his style seems very close to mine.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Casting
We've officially made our first offer for the lead role in Mountain. We just don't want to lose any time while we're completing the financing deals. I'm going to keep names off this blog for now, but hopefully I'll be able to make an exciting announcement in the next few weeks.
Please forgive any glitches or mistakes with the new site, we're working to perfect it.
Slow but sure...
Published: May 05, 2008
We seem to be making bits and pieces of progress here and there. We're currently in discussions with a few different financial options. One big foreign sales company has verbally committed to a $1 million "minimum guarantee," which is something that they give to a bank in exchange for a loan of that amount. That would get us close to our budget, and with the money that comes from whatever state we shoot in, we'd be just about there. There are also a couple other private investment people and groups that I'm talking with, all of which have some level of serious interest. Who ever knows what's going to happen? This is my least favorite part of the whole process. We're also going to talk about casting this week--we might just go ahead and start making some offers.
I'm currently reading "The Conversations with Walter Murch," a book of interviews with the legendary editor Walter Murch. Terrific book. Up next are a couple similar books, interviews with Truffaut and Kurusawa. I'm watching "The Seven Samurai" today, "Wild Bunch" tomorrow," and I watched "The Godfather" a couple days ago. I'd seen it before, but watching it after reading some of Walter Murch's comments on it was great. I'd always encourage filmmakers to watch films before or after you read some good analysis or inside info on them. And I'm going to go out on a limb and say that The Godfather is a solid film. I know that may put me in the minority, but I'm holding strong in that belief.
Please forgive any glitches or mistakes with the new site, we're working to perfect it.
Slow but sure...
Published: May 05, 2008
We seem to be making bits and pieces of progress here and there. We're currently in discussions with a few different financial options. One big foreign sales company has verbally committed to a $1 million "minimum guarantee," which is something that they give to a bank in exchange for a loan of that amount. That would get us close to our budget, and with the money that comes from whatever state we shoot in, we'd be just about there. There are also a couple other private investment people and groups that I'm talking with, all of which have some level of serious interest. Who ever knows what's going to happen? This is my least favorite part of the whole process. We're also going to talk about casting this week--we might just go ahead and start making some offers.
I'm currently reading "The Conversations with Walter Murch," a book of interviews with the legendary editor Walter Murch. Terrific book. Up next are a couple similar books, interviews with Truffaut and Kurusawa. I'm watching "The Seven Samurai" today, "Wild Bunch" tomorrow," and I watched "The Godfather" a couple days ago. I'd seen it before, but watching it after reading some of Walter Murch's comments on it was great. I'd always encourage filmmakers to watch films before or after you read some good analysis or inside info on them. And I'm going to go out on a limb and say that The Godfather is a solid film. I know that may put me in the minority, but I'm holding strong in that belief.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Georgia on my mind....
Just got back from a trip to the South, where I first gave a few workshops at a media conference before spending a day in Georgia.
I was given a tour of Senoia, about 30 minutes south of Atlanta, which has an incredible studio called Riverwood. I came away from the visit believing that there is no question that Mountain could be shot in that area and be very authentic and high quality. I also met with a few potential investors. Who knows if anything will come out those meetings, but they were relatively encouraging. Either way, I've gotten to a place of contentment where I believe that I need to take things one day at a time and simply focus on being in God's will. Where I'll be in a few months really isn't my business (I stole that line from Phil Vischer, the Veggietales creator who I heard speak a few days ago), and I'm fine with that.
We've also been discussing casting, possibly making offers now. There's some consensus about Kevin Bacon, so he might be the first guy we approach. He's someone who has unique appeal both to American "heartland" audiences but also in the foreign market. Some actors are either/or, but Bacon goes beyond that, so he's probably going to be our first approach. I'll let you know what happens.
I was given a tour of Senoia, about 30 minutes south of Atlanta, which has an incredible studio called Riverwood. I came away from the visit believing that there is no question that Mountain could be shot in that area and be very authentic and high quality. I also met with a few potential investors. Who knows if anything will come out those meetings, but they were relatively encouraging. Either way, I've gotten to a place of contentment where I believe that I need to take things one day at a time and simply focus on being in God's will. Where I'll be in a few months really isn't my business (I stole that line from Phil Vischer, the Veggietales creator who I heard speak a few days ago), and I'm fine with that.
We've also been discussing casting, possibly making offers now. There's some consensus about Kevin Bacon, so he might be the first guy we approach. He's someone who has unique appeal both to American "heartland" audiences but also in the foreign market. Some actors are either/or, but Bacon goes beyond that, so he's probably going to be our first approach. I'll let you know what happens.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Depression
Well, I write this with some frustration and embarrassment, but a blog is a blog, warts and all.
It looks like the financing we had lined up, that was such a sure thing, has fallen through. I'll spare all the details, but the company we were talking to won't be able to put a deal together. Everything's still good on our side; our money is real and we're ready to go, but they weren't. So we're somewhat back to square one. So maddening.
So we'll pursue some of the other options we have, some of which are actually promising, but we're only going to give it another three or four months. So we'll see how this all turns out. I continue to watch a movie a day and read a book a week, furthering my education and preparation as a filmmaker. If I get the chance, I'm going to make a great film, that I know, and anyone who gets involved in this project is going to end up being very proud of it.
Still not much to report...
Published: March 17, 2008
I wish I had big news, but the money stuff is still taking a long time and is complicated. This is my least favorite part about filmmaking, the whole "paying for it" stuff.
That said, I just finished one of my favorite directing books of all time; normally I have to force myself to keep reading academic filmmaking books, but I was excited every time I sat down to read this one. "I'll Be In My Trailer," by John Badham, is a book about directing actors that I'm recommending to every director I'll ever talk to. It's not just boring theory (I've read some books on directing actors that were boring and meaningless, normally written by teachers), it's written by a successful director with dozens of anecdotes from actors and directors. Go get it right now if you're a filmmaker.
It looks like the financing we had lined up, that was such a sure thing, has fallen through. I'll spare all the details, but the company we were talking to won't be able to put a deal together. Everything's still good on our side; our money is real and we're ready to go, but they weren't. So we're somewhat back to square one. So maddening.
So we'll pursue some of the other options we have, some of which are actually promising, but we're only going to give it another three or four months. So we'll see how this all turns out. I continue to watch a movie a day and read a book a week, furthering my education and preparation as a filmmaker. If I get the chance, I'm going to make a great film, that I know, and anyone who gets involved in this project is going to end up being very proud of it.
Still not much to report...
Published: March 17, 2008
I wish I had big news, but the money stuff is still taking a long time and is complicated. This is my least favorite part about filmmaking, the whole "paying for it" stuff.
That said, I just finished one of my favorite directing books of all time; normally I have to force myself to keep reading academic filmmaking books, but I was excited every time I sat down to read this one. "I'll Be In My Trailer," by John Badham, is a book about directing actors that I'm recommending to every director I'll ever talk to. It's not just boring theory (I've read some books on directing actors that were boring and meaningless, normally written by teachers), it's written by a successful director with dozens of anecdotes from actors and directors. Go get it right now if you're a filmmaker.
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