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

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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.

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).

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.

Many people sense that our culture is broken, but not everyone has the vision, courage and drive to do something about it. This is a book about a community of people who have decided to make a positive contribution to culture and the human family through their gifts of creativity, intelligence and faith.

I had a number of the contributors to this book as faculty members when I attended the Act One: Writing for Hollywood program in Chicago in 2002. Their witness and message was compelling enough to nudge me out of my comfortable life and job in the Midwest and to come out to Los Angeles to contribute to the mission. Read the book and be inspired.

Everything a Christian needs to get initiated into Hollywood-think can be found here, whether your ambition is to be an actor, an executive or just influence Hollywood to make better movies. A diverse collection of essays from Christians who have made it into the "inside" -- and no wonder. Their book is deep and entertaining as well.

This book gives the other side of the story from Christians in the Hollywood culture. I really was impressed by the views of the people working in Hollywood. To a Christian, who is genuinely concerned about the content of the product produced from Hollywood, this book is a must read. It gets into the ways the people behind the product think and can be reached and possibly influenced.
Instead of waging a holy war against Hollywood, we could reach the people that make the industry what it is. This book lends perspective for doing just that.

There are plenty of wet-behind-the-ears dreamers who come to Hollywood hoping to break into screenwriting. And some of those dreamers are Christians. The business isn't easy to start with, but when one is also trying to live a particular type of faith-life, it can get complicated. So I appreciated this book very much.

Some of the writers, like Ralph Winter, describe occasions where they made choices (like spending time with family instead of taking a job in London) that non-believers in Hollywood really do not understand. I think hearing of those sorts of choices is an important lesson to anyone (not just Christians) who wants to get in to Show Business.

There's a wide variety of essays here, each valuable. From how to prepare oneself for being in the business, to recommendations on learning craft (very important in my mind), to the thoughtful matters of content in one's stories, there is something here on all of these. The end result, I hope, is to make it clear to the dreamers that they need to be well rounded, in their craft and in their lives, when they make the leap into the film & television business.

Everyone hoping to pursue this career needs to give some thought to these matters. And the words of wisdom in this book should help that process.

When cultural tension builds to a point where you can't stand it any longer, where do you point the finger of blame? Many Christians love to point their finger at the moral decay in films and television programs, or at "Hollywood."

In 1999, a group of Christian producers and writers in Hollywood determined that the agent for change must come from within the community. They didn't want to infiltrate or conquer Hollywood, but to transform it. So they banded together and formed a nonprofit group called Act One. Today, six years later, they have scores of trained alumni who are working in the industry. Various faculty members from Act One who live in the middle of the cultural transformation wrote essays. This collection is a series of well-done, thoughtful chapters about what Christians are doing to change the culture from the inside.

The film and television credits of the various contributors read like a Who's Who, and anyone who watches television or movies will instantly recognize these names. The continual theme is a cry for professional excellence yet with a solid Christ-like foundation. For example, Dean Batali, executive producer of Fox's "That '70s Show," writes, "Too many Christian writers I have met only know Christians as judgmental, narrow-minded, and hypocritical. The Christian characters we see on TV simply reflect that."

Each of the eighteen chapters provides a different perspective and voice to the question of how Christians can be involved in Hollywood. I loved the chapter that Dr. Thom Parham, associate professor at Azusa Pacific University and author of scripts for "JAG," wrote called "Why Do Heathens Make the Best Christian Films?" The answer is pretty much the same problem we find with new novelists who want to write Christian fiction. The Christian novelist is so focused on their "message" that they become preachers (boring) instead of storytellers (fascinating). There is a severe warning for this type of message-driven writing. Dr. Parham says, "The result is more akin to propaganda than art, and propaganda has a nasty habit of hardening hearts." It's the exact opposite of what most Christians want from their writing.

I could feel the personal pain and heartache in the chapter from Karen and Jim Covell, "The World's Most Influential Mission Field," when they write, "Only about 2 percent of media professionals go to church or synagogue. Hollywood is an isolated society, ignorant of --- and often hostile to --- Christianity." Then the Covells provide a series of practical steps for involvement. Or Janet Scott Batchler who, with her husband Lee has feature credits such as Batman Forever, provides five reasons not to come to Hollywood. They include a desire for riches, to become famous and have power, or even to succeed for the Lord. Instead, Batchler cries for excellence, a servant heart, and a love for people who are unlovable.

These various Christian professionals who are active in the Hollywood community have produced an excellent resource. The titles for the chapters are eye-catching and draw the reader into the text, such as "The $10 Billion Solution" from Charles B. Slocum, who is the assistant executive director of the Writer's Guild of America. Some of the essays are more motivational while others explore practical issues about writing an excellent story. Anyone who wants to be a part of transforming the media from the inside out should get this book --- and read it repeatedly until the pages are dog-eared, written in the margins, and various sections highlighted for emphasis.

A key message for the reader of BEHIND THE SCREEN seems to be summed up in Jonathan Bock's "Love the Cinema, Hate the Sin": "Changing Hollywood will require two virtues Christians habitually lack --- patience and persistence. We'll need to set our eyes on the long-term prize of righting the ship of mainstream culture by bailing it out one bucket at a time. But we'll get there, the world will marvel at our great works once more."


--- Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin, writer and editor in Scottsdale, Arizona. His latest book is BOOK PROPOSALS THAT $ELL, 21 SECRETS TO SPEED YOUR SUCCESS (Write Now Publications). http://www.bookproposals.ws.

The essays contained in "Behind the Screen" look at the Christian's place in Hollywood. Where should we be and how can we get there? Why are Christians ignored or misunderstood by so many decision makers in Hollywood?

This book offers intelligent, creative responses to these questions from a variety of viewpoints proving that Christians aren't a monolithic blob, but rather thinking people who want to entertain and be entertained.

Behind the Screen is full of anecdotes and wisdom from people I've heard of and people I haven't, but all of them have a Christ-centric worldview and a desire to excel at their craft.
Most essays were sharp and gripping, especially for non-fiction (to a fiction-loving, motion picture guy.) Having read quite a few of the "Christians-in-Hollywood" books, BTS provides the most chewable nuggets and real-world applications, even for those of us who will never be Hollywood-bound.