Facing The Giants

Brandon Rice

Brandon Rice

Distributed Producer
Just watched this film this weekend. It was done for a tiny budget (100K) and really had some nice production value, overall. What did you think?
 
The cinemtography was good. It's the same dude that did the camera work for Friday Night Lights and some other big movies. Watch the making of it's pretty inspirational. I thought the lighting was decent too. Overall you could tell it was done on a tight budget it shows, but the story was good enough to take your attention off some of the weak links. It's interesting that this was done with mostly all volunteers from a church. Most of the actors had never acted, and even the director had practically no experience. All things considered they did a great job! And in my opinion you can't go wrong with a God honoring story like this one.
 
I agree about the look of the film, it was very well lit, and shot. I do however think the script and cast suffered from what most Christian films suffer from... and that is just unrealistic behavior. I would get into the film, and then BAM they hit me with a preachy unrealistic scene. Normal everyday people don't go around quoting the Bible, it's just not realistic. I do think they all can be proud in what they accomplished, but the movie as a whole didn't work for me.
 
Well it is a matter of perspective...in christian circles it's not unusual to hear God talk (qouting verses etc..) but outside of the circle it is rather out of place. The reason I liked the story overall is not because of the dialogue, but the main theme which is faith, because the coach inspired them to look further than a carnal goal that will eventually be forgotten, and set them to something imperishable. As a christian film maker I do however wish to see more christian films that speak a language that everyone can understand and relate too. I watched Amazing Grace and thought this did an awesome job of sending a powerful messege without bible thumping. IT was definately more real, well it was a true story so......I don't think they intended this, but facing the giants was much more talored to a christian audiance.
 
Knowing the story behind how and why and for how much it was produced, I must say that I'm impressed. Brandon, I think you and I share the same thoughts on Christian movies...it's like most of them are trying too hard to slap you in the face with a spiritual message. The result of that is a cheesy movie.

FtG definitely had some production value, but the script and the acting kept me from qualifying it as a professional-quality movie.

IMHO, for a Christian movie to successfully pass a spiritual message and not come out as cheese, the 'message' can't be told...it has to be shown...there are just very few movies out there that take this route. I know that Braveheart isn't a spiritual or Christian movie by any means, but I think it's got the elements that it takes to make an entertaining, moving, and emotional piece WITH a message that does stick with you.

Something that I always wanted to consider producing is something similar to what I think you've done with Smuggler's. Not a documentary, but a dramatic movie documenting some sort of persecution...again, this is a slippery slope because it can quickly turn out to be cheese if the viewer feels like you're trying to tug at heartstrings to yank an emotion out of them. I'm dying to see Smuggler's...
 
Mike McNeese said:
IMHO, for a Christian movie to successfully pass a spiritual message and not come out as cheese, the 'message' can't be told...it has to be shown...there are just very few movies out there that take this route. I know that Braveheart isn't a spiritual or Christian movie by any means, but I think it's got the elements that it takes to make an entertaining, moving, and emotional piece WITH a message that does stick with you.
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I agree with you for the most part. the only thing I'd say I differ is that If you want your story to be credited to Jesus you have to mention in some way that He is the source behind the action. That's why I liked amazing grace so much, You really don't feel overwhelmed with religious talk at all, but you go throughout the movie knowing full well what compelled the man to go up against slavery, and it worked.
 
Heya Brandon, I agree with ya man. I'm a Christian who hates most Christian movies. They seem to think that a Christian message somehow trumps a lack of artistry and talent. I haven't seen FtG but I heard it's decent.

One of the biggest lessons in script writing is "Show, don't tell". And I think that lesson is the one that Christians skip with those scenes that make us cringe. Instead of showing us, they tell us, and it just comes across as bs. Last I read the Word Jesus was also telling us "that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven". Which to me, is a fancy way of saying "show people about your Father and don't merely tell them". That seems to be the biggest beef non-Christians have with Christianity is so-called believers who talk but don't show. Hypocricy in life is hard to overcome, so let's at least get our movies down and show what we mean instead of having a halftime intermission to explain it, complete with handout 4-point salvation booklets and altar call with eyes closed and hands raised...
 
And here's the thing, and I know it may sound funny, but in Smuggler's Ransom there is a character who is smuggling bibles into Soviet controlled Romania... her dialogue is written to be VERY preachy, why? Because she is obviously a fanatic if she risked her life to smuggle bibles into a country! I can believe her quoting scripture left and right, because she's fanatical, but I cannot believe a high-school football coach doing that... just my opinion.
 
Sort of OT...Brandon, why did you make Smuggler's...if you don't mind me asking? Is it an ambassador-like attempt at spreading the gospel? Is it more meant to be entertaining/informative for Christians exclusively? Something else?

I wanted to get your insight on that before I watch it :)
 
Well honestly, we made Smuggler's because we thought it could be a GOOD film, not really because it would spread the gospel, that was and is a huge benefit to be sure. And no, it's not meant for Christians exclusively.
 
I have to say I've never really seen a Christian film I liked
you always hear "well, that was good...for a christian movie."

Im not looking to make a Christian movie, but more of one that
simple get across the message "there is a God, and it turns out he loves you", but
to ge that across without coming out cheesy isn't thet easiest thing.

anyone here seen the movie "Legend of Bagger Vance"
the same way that movie hint at a high power is similar to the way
it should be done.

As soon as people know there being preached at , they put up there guards
 
I think that Facing the Giants is a good movie, and an even better movie once you learn the story behind it. I really think it can show that God is working in something, and the example is the movie itself. I mean, it had a tiny budget, but was still pretty good. Yes, the acting and some of the sets suffered, but overall, making the movie itself is a great showing of faith and shows that miracles can happen. I don't know what these people planned when they made this film, but now it's being played in churches all over the country. Just shows what faith can do, not only through the story of the movie, but through the story of the MAKING of the movie as well.

I acutally wonder if that guy would condsider doing another film. I have a few ideas for a good Christian film, I just need to develop them more.

I think the movie is great for a family film night, or for a football team to watch, regardless of faith.

For a good Christian movie that doesn't shove the message in your face, check out End of the Spear. It was very well shot, and had a great balance of story/message.
 
I do agree the Lord's hand can be seen in how that film came to pass... I also feel the same way in how we were able to do Smuggler's Ransom with a pitiful budget, and even at times not knowing if we could do it... the Lord's hand was totally on the project... I do understand that.
 
Even if the market for it doens't get huge, I think there's a possibility to see more films like Facing The Giants come out. Hollywood is putting out a lot of junk now, and families and people of faith are running out of films to see. I'm hoping the Christian film market begins to take off a little more, and we begin to see the production value of the films increase.

Can't wait to see your film, Brandon!
 
MiataFilmSomething said:
I'm hoping the Christian film market begins to take off a little more, and we begin to see the production value of the films increase.
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I totally agree, and I hope the younger generation (people my age (early to late 20's)) will get involved because I think we can bring a new fresh outlook on "Christian films" that the older generation cannot. I think we can do something big! :thumbsup:
 
Brandon Rice said:
I think we can do something big!
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I think you could too, but I wonder, with people in this thread speaking so highly of Amazing Grace, doesn't the focus of that film play a role in your efforts?

I mean that it seems to be a Hollywood film with a focus on Christianity rather that a Christian film focused on Hollywood. I'm just curious what you think about that distinction.

I am personally not a fan of Christian films for all the reasons that you guys have identified. I'd love to see someone surmount those obstacles in a hugely successful venture and have found this thread fascinating.
 
Yeah, that's the thing! A Hollywood film with the focus on Christianity! That's exactly what I think should be happening.

I haven't seen Amazing Grace yet, but I heard it's fantastic!
 
Yeah, that's the thing! A Hollywood film with the focus on Christianity! That's exactly what I think should be happening.
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OK ... I guess that was an easier answer than I was expecting. :)

Perhaps I overthink situations....
 
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