For Love of Films - Certainly Not Money!
Intervarsity Press Publishing’s blog recently posted an article that poses the question: Is Christian publishing a business, a ministry, or both? The answer? Yes. You could ask the same question about Christian filmmaking. And the answer would probably be YES, as well.
I know this: You don’t go into Christian filmmaking to get rich. The distribution system is too fragmented for that to happen, and only 2 out of 100 movies will make money back at the box office (those two would be “Facing the Giants” and “The Passion of the Christ”).
[Filmmaking] is like shooting a gun in the air and hoping a duck flies by. Bob Fryling, Intervarsity Press
Nope - most Christians who are filmmakers are doing it because they’re passionate about it. If they’re able to establish a track record for themselves (making good films, having some success selling them into the general and CBA markets), they may be able to find a studio that will come alongside for a theatrical distribution. Then, if they’re smart, they have DVD distribution lined up already. Usually, if a studio comes into play, they will want the DVD distribution rights, because it’s in the sales of the DVDs that the money is made.
It’s extremely rare that a film makes enough money at the box office to make back the budget, pay the investors, pay the producers, pay the studio’s marketing costs, etc., and have any money left over to be called “profit.”
In actuality, only a fraction of movies made actually profit at the box office. It happens with the DVD sales. And, interestingly enough, it’s the international DVD sales that most likely turn a profit. OK - that’s the business side. Where’s the ministry side?
It can happen during production - Christians embodying the character of Christ working alongside non-Christians. It can happen at the theater, when a film shows “…a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.” (Madeleine L’Engle, “Walking on Water”) It can happen when films like The Moment After play in Pakistani in the Pakistani language, or Six: The Mark Unleashed is shown on HBO in Asia - where millions are watching.
If you’re a believer, can you really separate your business out and say it’s not a ministry? Hopefully you fully integrate your passion and calling (filmmaking) with your ministry as a fully-devoted follower of Christ, and the world is a richer place because of it.
You got it right but with God’s wisdom the film-maker always has a source of income outside of that movie to be able to keep going. There are ways that Christian film-maker can make movies that do generate revenue. It would be wise for the Christian to seek God’s will before embarking on the project and really to make sure that it is a film that does honour and glorify God but it does not necessarily need to have Christian on it to achieve that.
September 12th, 2007 at 6:05 am
Interesting thoughts. I must admit though, if you can’t find a way to make money you won’t be making movies for long. Money is a tool just like any other and the Christian filmmaker who wants to really make a difference must learn to use this tool effectively. There ARE ways to make money as a Christian in this business. And I’d like to challege the thought that we can’t make the same dollars that secular filmmakers do. True very few films are profitable at the box office, but if you tell incredible stories in an incredible way, there are many willing to fund your work and your vision including the studios.
September 16th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Well said Jon and a worthy challenge to be taken upon by believers. It is not impossible for believers to make movies that make good money at the box office and still glorify God with it. In my recent bible studies - I see a trend where God always prospers His kings who make sure His temple is well looked after and the people are instructed in His ways. It can be done where believers make very great movie stories and attract people to the box office and I as I said earlier it does not have to have “Christian” on it to be considered honourable to God. The movie can be biblically sound without being preachy or claiming to have answers as opposed to working solutions. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom…
September 18th, 2007 at 4:37 am
I have encountered temendous opposition to my maunscripts because they are rated as really good-’but’ they contain no sex, excessive violence and are based on sound family values. I have offered anyone of my manuscripts to film makers for little or no compensation and was rejected because they are funny but not ‘vulgar, they are based on historic possabilities but pu American Natives in too ‘good’ a position or there is no market for young adult themes that do not contain the every day garbage that is foisted upon our younger generation.It seems that good work will go unpublished as long as the liberals control the game. I am sure that if I brought the ‘gay’ crowd into a family situation, my manuscripts would be clamored for and that’s criminal
September 20th, 2007 at 7:26 am