Christians in Cinema BLOG

I just learned of new resource for artists in all art forms. It’s called The Grove Center for the Arts & Media. Located in beautiful San Clemente, CA, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, this non-profit ministry seeks to help artists transform our culture.
Currently utilizing other retreat facilities, the organization owns a 12-acre avocado […]

Joseph Q. Simpkins just sent pictures shot last weekend with the new Red One Camera. For equipment buffs, check out the company’s blog about the camera and where it’s being used.
The ease of use of a digital camera vs the more traditional film camera is something that could be really attractive to filmmakers. I heard […]

TwinCities.com and the New York Times published recent articles about a screening of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.
The screening, held in the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, coincided with a convention of atheists. Both Dr. Richard Dawkins and Dr. PZ Myers, who were interviewed for the film, are devout atheists who were in town for […]

ABC and Anita Renfroe just reached an agreement for the comedian (one of my personal favorites) to do regular contributions to the morning show in 2008. Anita first came to the attention of the show because of her “Mom’s Overture” on YouTube. Crown Video released her video to YouTube, along with several of their other […]

Producer Dan Olds sent pictures of his kids in action on the set of his new movie “Song Man.” (Check out the ShoutLife page here.)
Daughter Hannah plays Sunny and son Josiah is Butch. They play a couple homeless of kids who befriend David, the main character.
David is an out-of-work young musician. He’s Jewish and struggling […]

Writer/Director/Producer Thomas Purifoy, Jr., (Modern Parables) recently employed what may be the youngest crew member in filmmaking history. Seen in her father’s arms, little Emily looks at home with the production equipment.
Because of his time in the Navy, Thomas is quite at home in the water, but says Emily is still a little young to […]

I read a post by Kevin Kelly at “The Technium” called 1,000 True Fans. He makes the assertion that an artist needs to only find 1,000 “true fans” to make a living. Curious, I read his description of a true fan:
A True Fan is defined as someone who will purchase anything and everything you produce. […]

What kind of film could you produce in one week (168 hours)? That’s the challenge set before nearly 80 filmmaking teams. Their guidelines were to translate a Bible verse based on the theme “Free the Captives,” and turn it into a 10-minute film.
Films are coming from as far away as Kenya (”Color Blind Killer” from […]

Visit the new Fireproof website and you’ll find some good resources from Sherwood Pictures and Provident Films. A trailer, behind-the-scenes shots, marital assistance, blogs. Whoa! Did someone say “Marital assistance” on a film site? Doesn’t that seem like an oxymoron?
It may, but the production and distribution team behind Facing the Giants and Flywheel have discovered […]

Doug Phillips, founder of the San Antonio Christian Film Festival, announced today they will offer the largest cash prize in film festival: $101,000. The prize will be offered at next January’s festival in San Antonio, Texas.
In remarks, Phillips stated that “Our mission is not to infiltrate Hollywood, nor merely to temper its distasteful agenda, but […]

“Movie” is actually a shortened version of “moving picture.” And its root word is “move.” I had this realization today as I’m aching from 3 days’ worth of manual labor to clean my latest purchase. I thought about the film that our producers just wrapped (the filming portion), and realized how similar the processes of […]

Here’s a cool video from Joseph Q. Simpkins (Living Water Films) that shows their team opening the new RED Digital camera. Now they can begin filming the feature they’re  working on.
It’s like Christmas without the snow.
What new equipment are other filmmakers using that will revolutionize independent films?

What do you see when you watch a film? What filters do you have over your eyes?
Do you see a world in need of redemption, or do you see Hollywood undermining the basic moral values you hold dear?
Do you see rampant sexuality and America-bashing, or do you see a stark portrayal of the void created […]

Last fall, our friend Kelli Caldwell (weekday on-air talent for KLOVE Radio) did a radio interview with some of the cast and crew from “Fireproof,” Sherwood Pictures’ newest film.
Alex Kendrick (Facing the Giants, Flywheel) and Kirk Cameron (Left Behind: Tribulation Force, Left Behind: World at War) talked about the film, their roles, and the impact […]