Christians in Cinema

Kevin and Catherine Downes wanted a family, but like so many couples, their path to parenthood was anything but smooth. In 2007, after trying unsuccessfully to have their own biological child, they made the decision for adoption.
Kevin and his brother Bobby, both film producers (To the Wall, Like Dandelion Dust, The Visitation, Mercy Streets), had [...]

Last weekend I spent a couple of days in the Los Angeles area at the 168 Festival. What’s that? It’s the end results of teams of filmmakers making 11 minute films in one week. Start to finish.
It’s a breeze, you say? With multiple locations, casts of 10 or more, special effects, editing, sound design and scoring [...]

I just got a peek at a teaser trailer for a stop-motion project called Glitch in the Grid. It’s an incredible example of what Jeffrey and Eric Leiser, a couple of Christian filmmakers, are doing with non-traditional filmmaking.
Here are a couple of fascinating still photos from the trailer.
      
As soon as the trailer [...]

Do you have a story you’re dying to tell? A great idea that’s just screaming “Movie! Movie!”? The dilemma for aspiring screenwriters is often finding the right channel into the business. Good news!
Trost Moving Pictures, in association with HOSFU LC, has released the official entry form for the Raw Talent Screenplay Contest. The Raw Talent [...]

Today is a great day for the nation of Haiti. People around the world are pouring out their compassion through money, resources and people.
Filmmakers are no different. Tonight, George Clooney hosts a telethon called “Hope for Haiti Now.” Tons of performers will join him and the show will be aired on several networks.
Yesterday, brothers Bobby [...]

World Vision, in conjunction with Sojourners, challenged filmmakers to submit short films addressing the question, “What can you do to end poverty?” The results highlight the issue of poverty in our world and encourage  us to do what we can to make a difference.
The videos will be judged by a celebrity panel as well as [...]

Sojourners and World Vision are partnering together on a new initiative called the Filmmaker Challenge. They are asking aspiring filmmakers to create a short video (less than 4-minutes) that demonstrates what everyday people can do to help end poverty.
The winner gets an all expense paid trip to Africa and a flight to Washington, D.C., to [...]

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 [...]

If you’re an indie producer, you ought to be part of the Indie Producer Network. The best networking site for independent producers, the group also sponsors an annual “Schmoozefest,” along with a screenwriting contest and short film contest.
This year’s screenwriting contest winner was set up

Director – The Ultimate Gift, One Night with the King

Michael has a Hollywood career that spans more than 2 decades. His screen credits include writer, cameraman, director of photography, special effects cinematography, producer, and director on both television and feature film projects.

Joseph Q Simpkins, of Living Water Films, is playing with his new Red Camera like a kid with a new box of crayons. And, like that exuberant kid, he’s getting outside the lines.
Check out this visual effects sequence done with Timothy Sullivan (script doctor from The List). Joe tells me the shot was done outside [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Just got word from Brian Bird (writer/producer of Touched by An Angel series) that he and his production partner Michael Landon, Jr. (Love Comes Softly series) have a couple of features in development. The duo that brought us The Last Sin Eater and Saving Sarah Cain start production on February 27th in Canada.
The greatest football [...]

At last week’s meeting of the Biola Studio Task Force, writer/director Lauralee Farrer asked:
Where do we get the idea we’re supposed to make money with our art? If we don’t are we not going to do our art?
The question was asked during a discussion about her newest film, a documentary entitled The Fair Trade. Lauralee [...]

Check your local theaters for a new movie Valentine’s Day weekend from Dave Christiano. Titled Me & You, Us, Forever, it’s based in part on Dave’s own story of love found and love lost.
Attending a film opening weekend is like voting in the presidential primary (which I did today!).
It was a case of deja vu [...]

Kelly’s Filmworks (The Perfect Stranger, Another Perfect Stranger, and The Stranger short series) is in production on a new feature film titled “Clancy.”
The original story is written and directed by Jefferson Moore. “Clancy” is the story of a 10-year-old runaway girl who connects with a homeless Gulf War veteran. Christina Fougnie (seen at left), [...]

I ran across a movie called Fissure the other day. Don’t ask how I found it. I just did. It looks very interesting. Not safe, but interesting. So I decided to contact the producer (Russ Pond). That’s what I do; it’s part of my job to find people making films and get into their business. [...]