5 Christian Film-making Families
Have you noticed how many film-making families there are? There are a lot in Hollywood, and as time goes on I meet more Christian families in film-making. The majority seem to be brothers working together, but I’m sure there’s an even greater variety than that. Here’s a starter list – how many more exist?
- The Crouch family, builders of the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Paul, Jan, Paul Jr., Matt, Lorrie, Brandon (Paul Jr.’s son), Brittany (Paul Jr.’s daughter) are involved behind the scenes, in front of the cameras, or both. Their hard work has taken the humble beginnings of a 6-hour time slot on a local station in Los Angeles and built the world’s largest network.
- The Downes brothers, co-founders of ChristianCinema.com. Kevin acted on television and in Christian movies for several years before the brothers decided to join forces and make movies together. Knowing the fractured state of film distribution, Bobby created ChristianCinema.com as a selling outlet for the films he and Kevin produced, as well as others from independent creators. As their body of work has grown, the Downes Brothers have produced films with larger budgets and stronger releases.
- The Christiano brothers. Rich and Dave, originally from Arkansas, began making Christian films in the early 80s, and gave many of today’s rising young producers their starts on their sets. Now working from the West coast, Rich is creating and distributing his films. From the East Coast, Dave is also creating films and a ground-breaking television series for TBN called Seventh Street Theater.
- The Kendrick brothers. Alex and Stephen are just a few days away from releasing their third feature film Fireproof. The brothers found breakout success with their first nationally released Facing the Giants, and inspired churches around the country to dream about what they could accomplish with willing volunteers, lots of prayer and a lot of work.
- Matt and Amy Mitchell. New to Christian film-making, this husband-wife duo from North Carolina created the suspense-thriller Pray and its sequel Pray 2: The Woods, coming soon to DVDs near you!
If you’re constantly looking for others to work with you, maybe you should take a clue from these filmmakers and look a little closer to home.
Is anyone else working with family members to produce films? Let us hear your stories! The good, the bad, and the funny.
Add me and my brother to that list. We’re the Daws Brothers. We just finished our first feature film, Dangerous Calling. It’s a suspense-thriller set in the world of small town church politics.
Dangerous Calling isn’t quite safe for the whole family, but has a powerful message for the church. Oh yeah, it’s also a great thrill ride! Check out the trailer at the film’s website: http://www.dangerouscalling.com
Dangerous Calling will be premiering at the Rome International Film Festival in Rome, GA on September 6. There are two screenings at 11am and 9pm. For more information or to purchase tickets visit http://rome.bside.com/2008/films/dangerouscalling_rome2008
August 29th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Hi Josh,
I added your Film to the “coming Soon” Page of Christian Film Database, It looks Really Good! Let me know when you get a release date and I will add that also.
Roger
http://www.christianfilmdatabase.com/
August 31st, 2008 at 10:24 am
And if you’ll let us know about distribution, Josh, we’d like to carry it in our site when it’s in DVD format.
Roger – I like your database! What a great resource.!
Angela
August 31st, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Hi Angela,
I don’t know if you remember me, but you helped me figure out how to make the links to your web site. I started CFDb by using your old links system and when CC changed it, I did not know what to do and you walked me through it, and I have been doing it that way ever since, Thanks
I have linked Every Film that I can on CFDb, to ChristianCinema.com, because there is no better place to buy Christian Movies! You sell more Christian Movies than anyone, keep up the good work.
Also Thanks for your Great Reports in the “Movie News” Page! I love reading whats going on with Christian Movies. This is also how I find out some of my info on coming movies and add it to my “Coming Movies” page. http://www.christianfilmdatabase.com/ComingMovies.html
Angela, I would like to ask for your help? If you know of any Coming Christian Movies or “Any” Christian Movies that I don’t have listed on CFDb, even Vhs or old ones on 16mm, Please let me know. I’m sure you must know of some I don’t have listed. I really want CFDb to be a complete Database.
I’m also thinking of making a “Movie News” link on CFDb, were I can link directly to you movie news page if thats ok?
September 1st, 2008 at 7:19 am
Thanks for reminding me about your situation. I remember now.
I’m glad we can work together this way to keep people updated about films coming out – I have our staff looking at your site too to make sure we’re contacting filmmakers about their films when they’re out!
Absolutely – feel free to link to us for movie news. Whatever we can do to help.
Angela
September 1st, 2008 at 11:09 am
Thanks, Angela. That would be great. I’d love to talk with you about that. Can you email me when you get a chance? josh at dawsbrothers.com Thanks.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:05 am
Thanks, Roger. Cool site!
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:07 am
For Heaven’s Sake is a fantastic film that deals with real spiritual issues! Here is a sneak peek as to what you are in store for:
Sarah Miller (Henderson) known to her grand children as “Nanny,” is still slim and athletic in her early seventies. She’s a successful author, feisty, intellectual and full of fun. Her grand daughter Katie (Stephanie Patton “Shadowheart”) is closest to her and together they prepare Katie’s 11th birthday. But before it arrives, Sarah suffers a fatal heart attack and finds herself on a celestial roller coaster en route to heaven. Not particularly religious, Sarah is nevertheless accepted into Heaven, and begins her preparation to meet her parents, the love of her life and others that past before her. Back on earth, Katie is not taking her grandmother’s passing lightly, and on her birthday she collapses and is rushed to the hospital. After heavenly bureaucratic rambling, Sarah gets one last chance to visit her grand daughter on earth, and appears to Katie in the hospital. Katie wants nothing more than to join her grandmother in heaven, but Sarah convinces her that life on earth is a beautiful journey worth experiencing. For Heaven’s Sake! Is an emotional, life-affirming roller-coaster ride for the entire family, with resounding overtones of faith.
Check out the Myspace and Facebook pages and add to your friends:
http://www.myspace.com/forheavenssakemovie
http://www.facebook.com/pages/For-Heaven-Sake/22908023835
Let me know your thoughts.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
You might check out the Burns Family Studios. They are working on a feature film project titled, “Pendragon: Sword of His Father.”
http://www.pendragonmovie.com
September 5th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I can easily recognized a good family movie when I see it. I love all of the Love Comes Softly movies. Some are a bit sad but yet show happy times and strong faith in the Lord. Will any more of these movies be made? Director, Michael Landon Jr., has exceptional talent and knows how to produce strong quality films along with other directors whose movies have received the Dove award.
Other movies on dvd including: Saving Sarah Cain, Facing the Giants, The Final Season, The Rookie, Miracle, etc. have been excellent also. I hope to see more of these family films in the future. There are many I hope yet to see including: We are Marshall, Moondance Alexander, Ace (Dean Martin as policeman with his dog), and Fly Wheel. After seeing Facing the Giants I expect Fly Wheel to be good. There are lots of good Christian movie companies that should continue producing these wonderful family movies.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Don’t forget the Staron Brothers
Yet another filmmaking brother pair. We’ve got another feature film (this one is a comedy) coming out next year. It’s called Bringing up Bobby. Check it out at http://www.bringingupbobby.com. We’re also the fellas responsible for Between the Walls, Pint Size Parables, and The Elephant. We’ve also got a podcast that features stories about Christian films, events, and evangelism. Thanks!
September 6th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Last night I was reminded of the Erwin brothers: Jon and Andy. They did a film called The Cross and the Towers. I remembered it because we were talking about Monday Night Football, and the Erwin brothers have done camera work for ESPN for several years.
September 16th, 2008 at 11:25 am
You can also add the brother tandem of Peter and Paul Lalonde, the founders of CLOUD TEN PICTURES. Peter and Paul Lalonde always wanted to make an impact and make a difference by spreading the Gospel message and they always thought big. From humble beginnings of printing The Omega Newsletter in their basement, to producing and hosting a weekly news-format TV show called This Week in Bible Prophecy, to producing ever-increasingly popular documentaries (Startling Proofs, Last Days) to finally feature film production, the Lalonde Brothers always blazed their own path.
Cloud Ten has been involved in some of the biggest selling Christian films of all time with the Left Behind Trilogy, and is looking forward to the October release of their latest film, SAVING GOD starring Ving Rhames, Ricardo Chavira and Dean McDermott.
Plus, they really are nice guys to work for. : )
Check out the library at http://www.cloudtenpictures.com
September 30th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Jefferson and Kelly Moore Have done the awsome Stranger movies and the Stranger Series they have three more movies in the work kellysfilmworks.net
September 30th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I’m so anxious to see the new movie “Fireproof” by the Kendrick brothers. Wish it would be available in more cities instead of limited locations. There are so many movies that just don’t interest me so when I see or hear about any new movie based on family values I go and see it. Thanks to all who have the courage to create movies like these.
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:17 am
Hey Laura, Fireproof will be coming out at 300 more theaters on the 17th I think, hopefully one will be close to you. It was a really good movie, I’m planing on seeing it a 2nd time soon.
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:10 pm