For all you Christian filmmakers out there...

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Batutta

Batutta

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If you're wondering wether or not you can start in Christian filmmaking and have a mainstream career, a writer/director friend of mine who made his first film for the Christian market posted on his facebook page a while ago that he just had a brainstorming session with Steven Spielberg.
 
I've got a DP friend who had a production meeting with him a couple of years ago, I asked him how he dealt with it, he said fine, all you have to do is say, "That's a great idea, Mr. Spielberg."

half joking of course.
 
Blade Borge said:
I've got a DP friend who had a production meeting with him a couple of years ago, I asked him how he dealt with it, he said fine, all you have to do is say, "That's a great idea, Mr. Spielberg."

half joking of course.
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Sounds like marriage: "That's a great idea, Honey...." :love4:
 
Jurassic Park...dinosaurs...evolution :O
And I'm catholic by the way. As for the topic, that's awesome! Hope it went well!
 
*shrug* if you have interesting ideas to pitch and know how to pitch them, your interest in the religious business does not particularly relate to your ability to meet people.

Christians aren't marginalized or oppressed in this country, you know. For the most part, the country is run by people who happen to be Christians.
 
Sad Max said:
*shrug* if you have interesting ideas to pitch and know how to pitch them, your interest in the religious business does not particularly relate to your ability to meet people.

Christians aren't marginalized or oppressed in this country, you know. For the most part, the country is run by people who happen to be Christians.
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Yes, but it's one thing to be a vocal Christian, and another to work in the Christian film industry, which is separate from the regular "Hollywood" industry. There is the perception that Christian films and filmmakers don't cross over into the mainstream. People like to pigeon-hole you. Not that my friend is making Christian themed films in Hollywood. He isn't, although he still makes Christian films using a pseudonym.
 
I think the Christian message is pretty simple. I myself grew up on music like Kansas. I didn't realize until later it was actually Christian Music. I mean, here I was, doing what I was doing, and here all along I missed it. It's a long road I don't want to get into.

I don't think there is a line between Christian messages and your every day short films,
I think you can tell a story that affects everyone, regardless of thier religious beliefs. If even for a few moments. I think the values of Christianity, the good and bad in people, is what might be worthy of focusing on. The values themselves are universal. It's a universal language.

Imo. :)
 
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Extend my congrats to your friend, Battuta.

I find that what can be considered "Christian" only really means no sex or overt violence. People need to start considering that this is a very open market. And I applaud it. Too many films these days have sex and violence in them just for the sex and violence sake. Morals transcend religion. A moral movie can be successful in both markets, if done properly.
 
I think of stuff like The Omega Code and Meggido. Films built around specifically Christian concepts and mythology. Or maybe films like At Play in the FIelds of the Lord, Mass Appeal, or End of the Spear, although I see those more as stories with universal value that happen to be framed in narratives centered upon Christian characters.

Simply insisting upon a purge of anything racy or violent doesn't really land you in Christian territory so much as generically family-friendly Disney-esque type product. I mean, really, just try and make a truthful depiction of the Old Testament stories that aren't saturated with sex, violence, violence inflicted upon people because of sex, or because violence was necessary to get the sex that some particular individual wanted.
 
This thread could get political in a hurry. Let me just say that I am a Christian, and a filmmaker. Does that make me a "christian filmmaker"? Some of my films could be shown in any church, some not. Filmmaking is all about the story, religious or not.

Unfortunately, some like to use their religion to politicize or promote an agenda that has little to do with their religion. I am very wary of anyone who uses religion in this way.

You are judged by the example you set, and the product you produce.
 
Dick Campbell said:
This thread could get political in a hurry. Let me just say that I am a Christian, and a filmmaker. Does that make me a "christian filmmaker"?
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There is a very specific Christian film market, with films that are marketed to churches and church groups, sometimes with limited theatrical runs and then straight to DVD. They are usually made by the same handful of companies and talent, films like the Left Behind series, or The Omega Code, or more recently Fireproof. My friend made his first film for one of these companies and this market.
 
Good for him,

but if he were out there making Christian films with Steven Spielberg, then I think that would be more of an accomplishment (well more in relation to this thread).

Because since he's doing something more mainstream, well it's not exactly the same. I mean yes if you're in the Christian film industry you're seen as not able to make it, but I think it's more BECAUSE they make Christian films. So if you're friend doesn't make Christian films...

But good for him nonetheless.
 
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