Category Archives: Behind the Scenes
Christian Genre follows Direction of Horror Films
The Christian film genre is on the same trajectory as the horror film industry was three decades ago. Horror films started with weekend production companies filming blood and guts stories that had a sole purpose of scaring people. Most film companies bought lunch for their cast and crew, but few handed out paychecks.
Halloween (1978) was the first in the genre to go mainstream and break out of the basement production mode, gaining full distribution. The Blair Witch Project (1999) stepped it up a notch with, at the time, the biggest grassroots marketing campaign in film history – putting horror films universally on the map. Numerous production companies followed suit, which increased production values and rocketed the genre into the main stay of Hollywood.
The Christian genre followed with the sole purpose of preaching a message to its audience. A surge of films emerged created by basement production companies shooting weekend films, while feeding their non-pay cast and crew. Its first mainstream release was The Passion of the Christ (2004) and its first successful grassroots marketing campaign driven by the MPAA’s bizarre rating decision was Facing the Giants (2006). This year, the genre went more universal with the latest three films (Son of God, God’s Not Dead, and Heaven is for Real) all breaking the $40MM revenue barrier.
Just as the horror film industry saw a division in filmmakers, the Christian genre has seen a significant separation between storytellers making small productions and those stepping up to compete with Hollywood. The smaller productions tainted the audience’s view of the genre with preachy stories, thin plotlines, low production values, and inexperienced talent. The few in the genre who see film as an art form have produced multi-layered stories with high production values and box office worthy talent.
The increased competition in the Christian genre is forcing inexperienced films to a four-walling release, followed by a smattering of DVD sales and a limited Netflix release. Several Christian publishers and churches have gotten behind these low budget message films, which have delivered a subculture genre that will seldom do more than breakeven. The publishers are wise in supporting this low budget market, as it has plenty of books available to translate to the screen.
The filmmakers who first see film as an art form and second as a medium to deliver a subtler message are driving budgets higher in order to deliver competitive stories for the box office. These higher quality productions require more than a weekend team to produce and the budgets have escalated to match the $6-$12MM (not including P&A) typically spent on independent films.
I’ve had the opportunity to talk to both types of filmmakers and have seen trends in their conversations. When interviewing a low-budget faith-based film director or producer, I find that they commonly pride themselves with pulling off their films on the cheap and preaching multiple messages in each product. There are a few who will also chat about how the film is God’s story and they tried to capture it just as God wanted it for His use. In most cases, the script goes through only one or two drafts because it is the message God gave the filmmaker and he doesn’t want it altered beyond what God provided.
The artistic Christian filmmaker speaks about the story and the moral it provides their audience to consider. They also speak to the production values and the artistry behind it. A few will share how God was instrumental in the project, but most allow the film to speak for itself based on its own merits. In most cases, the script goes through two dozen drafts to perfect every aspect and nuance of how the story will be portrayed on screen.
What is not said can also be revealing. The low-budget filmmaker seldom talks about techniques and artistic values, as their message will always take center stage and they rarely study the work and techniques of industry leaders. Marketing is also a taboo subject since they pride themselves on making a message film, as they are not out to exploit the market, but rather help those watching their film. In other words, they may not understand how marketing can get their message to millions of more people.
The higher budget filmmaker in the Christian genre seldom talks about the picture’s theme, as they’d prefer the audience is impacted by it as the story unfolds on the screen. Nor do they brag about how great God made the film, but instead leave that determination to the audience. They don’t talk about how they had to make financial concessions or alter things based on their lack of resources. In other words, they don’t brag about their humble situation.
I believe the two groups will separate further within the next three years. The low-budget producers will find ways to create new products for Christian television and the Internet, while the artistic producers will infiltrate the major networks and create large-scale productions for the silver screen. Eventually the lower budget market will become a feeder program for finding the next artistic talent for the higher budget market.
Just as the marketplace finally determined that faith-based films were a genre, the audiences will soon determine what films qualify for the big screen and the little screen. Production values and multi-layered stories will be the first two considerations separating the genre. The stories that are more universal and able to cross over to non-faith audiences will get priority consideration for theaters, while films that preach will be guided toward direct to video releases. These distinctions will most likely drive the marketplace within the next two years.
Copyright 2014 by CJ Powers
Mom’s Night Out — Interview with Producer Kevin Downes
I had the opportunity to interview producer Kevin Downes about his latest film, Mom’s Night Out. It’s a comedy due to release on May 9th. The synopsis is as follows:
“All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed moms’ night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a paper bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for three hours—what could go wrong? MOMS’ NIGHT OUT is an endearing true-to-life family comedy that celebrates the beautiful mess called parenting.”
Here are the highlights from our conversation…
CJ: Most summer films seem to be aimed at men, but this film seems to be designed for women.
KEVIN: Most of my films in the past have been sort of geared toward men – Films I’ve acted in like Courageous, or films I’ve produced. And, I’ve just really felt like God has put it on my heart to make a film for women. That’s really where it started for me in wanting to produce Mom’s Night Out.
CJ: How have the reactions at the pre-screenings been?
KEVIN: It’s been a lot of fun to see the response and the affirmation. We’ve heard so many times, “Oh, finally a film for us.” It’s a laugh out loud comedy that women can enjoy and have a night out with their friends or their husbands. Or, even with their dad or their mom. They can have a fun evening and still be affirmed as they go through the journey in the story of Mom’s Night Out.
CJ: How did you get into the female psyche to find the humor?
KEVIN: As a producer you surround yourself with great talent. The screenplay was written by Andrea Nasfell, who wrote from experience. She has some young toddlers herself and wanted to really write from her experiences as a mom and the craziness of parenting. And, have it be in a comedic form. Jon Erwin co-wrote the funny male testosterone moments from his perspective. He also has toddlers at home, so it was a good combination.
CJ: There is definitely a lot of humor in the film. Would you say it’s more situational comedy, or so true to life that it’s funny, or…
KEVIN: It’s all of the above. A piece of it goes to the fact that its so true to life that… We heard many women say, “They had a camera inside of my home. That’s my story. That’s me.” That’s what makes really effective storytelling, when you can create scenarios and elements where the audience is so engaged that they’re able to laugh at some of the things that maybe weren’t that funny when they were going through them, but when they see it on the big screen it can be quite therapeutic and funny.
CJ: I know comedy can be a very serious business when shooting. How was the atmosphere on the set?
KEVIN: It was very important for myself and the Erwin brothers, they have young children too, to have it be a family atmosphere on set. Our families were present on set almost everyday, as much as they wanted to be. The filmmaking process is often one with long hours, as it takes a long time to shoot a movie. But, it was quite the family environment on the set. It was actually a lot of fun for me…and I hope to have the same type of atmosphere on other films even if they’re not family comedies.
CJ: Does having the family on set change your production process?
KEVIN: Not necessarily. All of my past films have been something families can watch. Our process didn’t necessarily change throughout the filmmaking. We wanted to make sure the byproduct and the enjoyable atmosphere match that of the actual film itself.
CJ: What would you say the target market is for the film?
KEVIN: This is a family comedy. Whether you go to church or not, there’s gong to be elements in here that will make you laugh out loud. We’ve tested it for all types of audiences and we’ve had all different types of backgrounds affirm it. It’s a film for moms and a film for dads. It’s a film for parents. Even if you don’t have children, you’ve got a parent, and you’ve experienced some element or experience that we’ve outlined in this film. It’s an ensemble cast so there are multiple storylines that will affect multiple age groups. So, I think it’s a film for everybody.
CJ: Recently there has been a lot of family and faith-based films released. Do you think there’s an overload of this type of film?
KEVIN: I think we’re just beginning to see what the market can handle. Two years ago it was thought that the market could only handle one movie of this type a year, which obviously has been blown to shreds in the past couple of months. Mom’s Night Out is a family comedy and we haven’t had a comedy come out yet in this space, so I think that’s very unique to the film. One of the things that’s very interesting is that it takes so long to make a movie that all the films released to date have been in the production process for several years. The timing of all of them hitting at the same time isn’t planned per se, but I’m excited about the results from all of these films because I think it’s a very underserved audience. And the audience is making their voice heard by showing up at the theaters and letting them know that this is the type of film we want.
CJ: Does this film have anything Oscar® worthy or is it designed for just having a good time out?
KEVIN: I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a comedy get Oscar® attention, so we’ll start there. The performances are wonderful. Our actors are really talented. From Sarah Drew (Allyson) to Sean Astin (Sean) to Patricia Heaton (Sondra) to Trace Adkins (Bones) and the rest of the cast, are just really, really good. The Erwin brothers did a wonderful job in hand selecting their cast. Audiences won’t be disappointed. As they walk out of the theater they’ll certainly tip their hats to the cast because the performances are spot on.
CJ: What was your favorite part in the making of this film?
KEVIN: First, as a producer, I enjoyed seeing the cast perform in their environment – In their element. The cast had such a good time everyday making the film. Secondly, as an actor, I have such wonderful scenes with Sean Astin and he’s such a brilliant actor – It was such a gift to be able to act with him. He is so good at comedy. I feel really fortunate and blessed working with such talent.
CJ: Were there some favorite outtakes that occurred?
KEVIN: Sean and I had a funny bit where we’re tied together with saran wrap and it took us two nights to actually film that. It was actually a lot of fun to be taped to Sean Astin while twirling around the living room. Some of my favorite outtakes are from Patricia Heaton who does a great job with comedy and does it so effortlessly. I can’t wait for people to see her performance because she is so good at what she does.
CJ: Is the comedy designed as a faith-based film?
KEVIN: Filmmakers often make films that reflect their worldview and you’ll see that played out in Mom’s Night Out. But it’s also a film for everyone. It’s not designed specifically for the faith audience.
CJ: Do you feel kids can understand the humor?
KEVIN: There is definitely humor on the level that kids can understand. It was actually tested for ages 8-12 and they get a kick out of it. Even my five and six year olds like it. I don’t think its just adult humor.
CJ: The early success of the story suggests you might have a sequel in mind already. Is that the case?
KEVIN: Well, sure. I’d love to make five or six of them, but first we have to see if it actually performs. So we’ll see what happens May 9th. It’s a fun genre to create. I think clean comedies are completely underserved. We don’t see that in many of them — And comedies that tip their hat at women, even more so.
CJ: Is there anyone thing you want the audience to get out of the film besides a lot of fun?
KEVIN: May 9th is your chance to be able to make your voice heard when Mom’s Night Out comes to theaters. Whenever we go and buy a movie ticket we’re basically casting our vote for the movie we want to see, and Hollywood listens to that. So you’ll specifically see more films like that come out in the future.
CJ: Kevin, thank you so much for your time.
KEVIN: I appreciate it.
CJ's Corner 