Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture [Paperback]

Barbara Nicolosi (Editor), Spencer Lewerenz (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 080106547X | ISBN-13: 978-0801065477 | Publication Date: November 1, 2005

When it comes to Hollywood, Christians too quickly wash their hands of popular culture and leave this immensely influential media to unbelievers. In truth, the industry is listening. There is a church in Hollywood, but too often their work is unrecognized. Behind the Screen offers a glimpse of Hollywood insiders who, through their jobs on movie sets, behind TV shows, and in radio broadcasts, work together to give glory to God. With contributions from the writers and producers of such productions as Joan of Arcadia, Mission Impossible, Batman Forever, That '70s Show, and others, believers everywhere are encouraged to join with the church in Hollywood and do their part in closing the gap between Christianity and culture.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. This thought-provoking collection of essays on Hollywood includes contributions by Christian writers for both film and television. After a hard-hitting, impressively self-reflective opening piece on the history of Hollywood's tortured relationship with Christianity, essayists expound on a number of topics, from how to survive mostly secular Tinseltown with one's faith intact to exploring reasons why the industry is so secular in the first place. Refreshingly enough, the book's tone is almost completely nondefensive; these authors are culture makers who want to seamlessly integrate their beliefs with their work and art. One standout essay is Thom Parham's "Why Do Heathens Make the Best Christian Films?" It asks why, when non-Christians have been making faith-filled masterpieces like The Lord of the Rings, Chariots of Fire and The Shawshank Redemption, believers are wasting their energy on "unwatchable" dreck like The Omega Code. Readers also shouldn't miss movie marketer Jonathan Bock's proactive essay "Love the Cinema, Hate the Sin." (Nov.)
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Review

Behind the Screen is must reading if you’ve ever cast a stone at Hollywood. -Kevin Miller, HollywoodJesus.com -- HollywoodJesus.com

This book puts a refreshingly positive spin on a rarely covered topic. -Stephen Rees, Library Journal -- Library Journal

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Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080106547X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801065477
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #696,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written by people who know of what they speak, December 30, 2005

By 

Cheryl Russell "Book reviewer, writer" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture (Paperback)

Behind the Screen is a collection of essays written by Hollywood writers and producers longing to integrate their faith and work. Their years of experience shine through in thought provoking essays regarding culture, faith and the entertainment industry. These are people that know of what they speak, and those that 1) wish to make a living in the entertainment industry and 2) think they know how to *fix* Hollywood need to read this book and take its words to heart.

I initially read this book in one sitting, but there is too much contained in these pages for just a one-time read. While I'm not a screenwriter and won't be moving to Hollywood, this book resonates with me as a writer, for much of its wisdom is applicable to writing as a whole, and life in general.

The essays in this book are thought-provoking and in a few instances, have even challenged me---something a book rarely does for me these days. Behind the Screen is a book that will remain on my shelves for a long time to come.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He who is wise wins souls, January 19, 2006

By 

Michael Dalton (Eureka, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture (Paperback)

Most Christians don't associate Hollywood with wisdom. Since wisdom can be defined as scholarly knowledge or learning, and since many in Hollywood are at the top of their craft, this may not be a fair assessment. The writers of Behind The Screen point out that when it comes to movie making, Christians can learn from Hollywood. People who work there have mastered the art of filmmaking. It requires a humble attitude for Christians to be willing to learn from those who have different values, but that's what the writers of this book advocate.

Christians tend to think of wisdom in terms of speaking and act wisely and rightly so. This book contains a wealth of practical instruction from Hollywood insiders on how Christians can be an effective influence and have a positive impact on the film industry. Christians who have been successful behind the screen serve as wise guides as they take us behind the scenes.

How did this book come about? A small group of Christian writers and producers in Hollywood formed Act One in 1999. They shared the vision that change must come from within. Protests, letter campaigns and finger-pointing were ineffective. They sought to transform the industry by being ambassadors and artists. They would devote themselves to truth and beauty, while being examples of Christ's love and truth. The 18 essays found here are written and edited by Act One faculty and staff and developed from their curriculum. They could not have assembled a finer textbook to achieve their aims.

Though essential reading for those who want to live and work in Hollywood, this book is an important contribution for all who seek a thoughtful engagement with modern culture. Those whose attitude toward TV and film is primarily hostile should read this if they want to explore a different point of view. There may be disagreement on some of the finer points, but there is a lot of useful information and background. It points toward seeing Hollywood as more of a mission field than a battleground.

Consistent throughout the varied essays is a mature, seasoned perspective-a well-thought Christian view of arts and entertainment. It's entertaining and written with warmth, and provides a refreshing alternative to the ranting that's so easy to adopt. We also get a sound basis for film criticism from a Christian perspective.

Are movies fundamentally dangerous and irreconcilable to the Christian life? James Scott Bell briefly answers the question in the delightful "In Defense of the Christian Movie Buff." The title gives away his answer.

Barbara Nicolosi discusses what elements make for a film that is truly Christian in "Toward A Christian Cinema." Some may find her thoughts surprising. Her main point is this: "Borrowing from St. Paul, Christians in entertainment don't have to be always talking about God. They should be talking about everything in a godly way." Many of the essays are variations of this thought and explore it in more detail.

Ever wonder why there are so many bad movies? That question and many more are answered in this well-written and engaging book. Put this in the category of one of the best books written for Christians on the subject of cultural engagement. In addition to film, the lessons are also relevant to writing and music, but there are many possible applications. If I were to summarize the theme from just one Scripture, it would be this: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls" (Proverbs 11:30 NASB).

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Advice for Christians on Hollywood, December 2, 2006

By 

Stanley D. Williams, Ph.D. (Northville, MI USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture (Paperback)

For decades devout Christians have hunkered in their religious bunkers trying to hold off the "world" -- and occasionally tossing a flaming sanctimonious protest out of their hole, hoping to change the world so it would be "safe" for their kind. If only, while they were down there, they would read the Gospels and discover that their hero (Christ) was rarely more than an arm's reach from the kind of people Christians try to separate themselves from... and telling stories in the process. For 30 years I've encouraged Christians to "Pray for the Christians attempting to influence our society with Biblical values and ideas through their vocations in Television, Film, Art, Entertainment, Literature, Journalism, Education, Academe, Professional Sports and Politics. God has called these individuals and gifted them like Bezalel (Exodus 31, 35, 36) to be Salt and Light to our culture." And if you're so led, "Consider a career as a cultural influencer. As a Christian you can light some candles in the darkness of our society. Prepare for a career in secular media or entertainment. Then, as you excel and gain recognition, use your influence to impart Biblical Christian values to the world." I know many of the writers in this volume, and I continue to pray for them. They are doing what the rest of us should be doing en masse.