Filmmaking of Christian faith-based films is way different from making other films. It goes far beyond the practical steps to produce a film. It has a set of biblical characteristics that it needs to totally align with throughout its life cycle.
Filmmaking of faith-based films broadly involves faithfully answering several biblical questions and fully aligning with biblical principles all along. It needs to be carried out biblically, and it is never just about the outcome alone.
Faith-based films either help in Evangelism or in Discipleship.
The Foundational Aspects:
Every aspect of filmmaking needs to be guarded by biblical values.
The Intent:
Why do we produce them? Is it not for the Glory of God?
If so, is God glorified in every step we take in the entire process?
The Direction:
Are we aware of all the biblical principles needed for the entire process?
Do we really value and pursue the needed godly wisdom and understanding from the Bible?
The Dependence:
If so, are biblical principles being applied with the help of the Holy Spirit at all times?
The Purpose:
What are we presenting in our film? Are the biblical truths faithfully presented using connectable stories to carry out Evangelism or Discipleship?
The Presentation of the Truth:
Do we understand that the filmmaking of faith-based films is basically the presentation of biblical teaching?
If so, how serious are we in upholding the soundness of biblical teaching and presenting sound Theology because we are accountable to God?
The People Management:
How do we deal with all the people involved? Do we value them enough and deal with them with love, integrity, and concern?
The Resource Management:
Are we good stewards of the resources? Do we deal with all resources with integrity, and care?
The Compliance:
Are we compliant with every authority with which we deal?
The Principles:
Commitment to abide in the Heavenly Father and His word
Commitment to obey Him at all times with the help of the Holy Spirit
Commitment to glorify God throughout
Commitment to offer our best
The Characteristics:
Dependence on our Heavenly Father for the needed Wisdom and Understanding
Dependence on the Holy Spirit for Christ-like Attitudes like love, Integrity, and Humility
Dependence on our Heavenly Father for the needed People, Resources and Finances
The Reward:
It is indeed a good deed to be able to bring out a sound faith-based film that brings glory to God by abiding in Him and in His word. Of course, it could draw the people, experience, revenue, and fame that God provides.
Please let me know your feedback.
Thank you.
Pic Credit: Photo by Junior REIS on Unsplash
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Fascinating framework — and while I'm not a Christian myself and make no claim to theological expertise, I do have some relevant experience I'd like to share. I produced the faith-based picture Captive, starring David Oyelowo and Kate Mara, released by Paramount, and made with the endorsement of Rick Warren, as it was a true story deeply tied to A Purpose Driven Life.
Working alongside deeply devout Christian partners — including Oyelowo himself — what struck me was how much genuine debate existed within the Christian community, including among our own team, about what faith-based audiences actually want and deserve. The consensus we arrived at, from the Christians in the room, not from me: the audience deserves more than what my Christian co-producer on the picture referred to pejoratively as a 'sermon on film.'
Our film dealt with dark subject matter — drug abuse, violence, redemption under extreme circumstances. Some distributors were uncomfortable with it precisely because it didn't fit the safer, more on-the-nose template that had defined the market. What we discovered was that the Christian faith-based audience was being deeply underestimated. The film found a passionate following through word of mouth on home video that told us clearly: there is real hunger for higher quality, more nuanced and thought-provoking material within this community.
And if the goal extends beyond serving the already faithful, if there is any hope of reaching the uninitiated or the skeptical, that bar needs to be raised even further, I think. I say this respectfully but plainly: from a literary and cinematic standpoint, the vast majority of Christian faith-based content currently on the market is strikingly unsophisticated. That is not a ceiling imposed by the subject matter. It is a missed opportunity. The themes at the heart of Christianity, redemption, sacrifice, grace, moral struggle, are among the most dramatically rich available to any storyteller. They deserve better than what they're mostly getting.
Thank you so much for taking out your valuable time and for sharing the insights, Katrina.
You have indeed touched the most challenging issue atleast to me, the 'sermon on film.' Also, thank you so much for helping me understand the practical expectations.
Thank you so much again, Katrina.