SERVED - from the 2010 Media Missionary School Film Camp

SERVED - from the 2010 Media Missionary School Film Camp from Media Missionary School on Vimeo.

"Served" was produced by high school students while participating in the 2010 Media Missionary School Film Camp. To learn more visit mediamissionaryschool.blogspot.com

The Defining Principles of the Media Missionary

The media missionary is not concerned with genre, ratings, marketability, or the level of Christian content contained with any media or film project. Their work becomes an act of worship with no division between the sacred or secular. The media missionary approaches each project with no defined agenda other than to recognize God at work and their willingness to join him in that work.

Calling

A media missionary has a distinct calling from God to serve him in the area of media and entertainment. For the most part, it is a calling to reach a broader or comprehensive audience. His or her purpose is to reflect God’s glory and truth in the media he or she creates. In order for a media missionary to complete or fulfill his or her calling, he or she must be willing to submit and be under the control of the Holy Spirit. The journey to become a media missionary starts first with recognizing the calling. If you choose to assign a title or not to assign one is not important as long as you recognize you have a purpose and a calling to fulfill. In fact, calling yourself a media missionary in front of your peers may be more of a hindrance or obstacle to your calling.

A Love for the Industry

Without a respect and love for the people that work in the entertainment industry, it is impossible to fulfill your calling as a media missionary. A media missionary will live his or her life in a way that will reflect God’s love and grace for those in the industry.

A Student of the Filmmaking Process

We have a responsibility to be proficient in all aspects of filmmaking and media making. Our work should excel in the areas of production values and artistic expression. There is no excuse for not being a student of the filmmaking process. A media missionary must study and learn the art of filmmaking and media making.

Redeem and Reform

A media missionary desires to redeem and reform the industry from within. In other words, we must go, work and function in the mainstream media and entertainment industry. It requires us to live out our faith on a daily basis. The only way that we can redeem or reform the industry is through the power of God’s presence in our lives. If we approach our work in this manner, it becomes more than just a vocation or job. It becomes an act of worship to God.

Sees Hollywood as a Partner

A media missionary understands that Hollywood is not the enemy. We do not go to this industry to subvert it. Our agenda is not a Trojan Horse approach. We seek a partnership with Hollywood. God can help us to make films and media that speak of Jesus the least but that has him most in mind. This concept is the heart of a media missionary and the relationship that we seek with the media and entertainment industry. Adopting this approach will put us in a position to make media that is more Christian in nature than Christian films or media have been in content. We should never use media as a form of propaganda.

The Parables of Jesus

Media missionaries must be culturally relevant and learn to communicate to a broad audience. Our inspiration comes from the parables of Jesus. He taught us how to tell stories that are engaging, thought-provoking, honest and truthful. He used symbolism and metaphors to communicate complex truths in order to make them understandable. His stories always had a point and were never boring. As with Jesus’ stories, our stories need to be Biblically based and contain truth that lead people to the Father.

Find Point of Entry

Filmmaking is not about giving all of the answers, but it offers a venue in which we can ask questions. The media missionary’s role is to find a point of entry where we can link some aspect of our culture back to the Gospel message. We have the opportunity to ask questions — Where is God when I hurt? Does he care about me? Is he still present? Why is nothing in my life working? These are often questions our film characters are asking, if not externally at least internally. Often the audience will identify with these characters because they want the same answers to these questions.

We often spend too much time giving contrived answers and overlook what our audiences’ real questions are. What are their situations? Crisis pregnancy? Divorce? Sickness? Job loss? What circumstances and struggles are they facing? Poverty? Single parenthood? Addiction? Low self esteem? Situations and struggles provide the media missionary a point of entry to speak to a broader, more comprehensive audience.

The Mentor

A media missionary is a mentor to the next generation of filmmakers and media makers. Future media missionaries require a mentor, based on the Paul/Timothy relationship model (mentor/ disciple). This relationship involves a lot of work that is often inconvenient and requires dedication, tenacity and commitment. But it is necessary if we are to create disciples who understand how to use media to communicate God’s love, grace, glory and truth. Media missionaries are often developed through on-the-job training with the help of a seasoned, veteran media missionary to help guide and direct them.

Motivation

Do you love your audience more than what you are saying to them? The media missionary must build trust with his or her audience. We build trust when we respect our audience. If they are willing to give us two hours of their time, it is our duty to create a product that is entertaining. The media missionary must put art first and the message second. We rely on God to reveal his truth through the art. We don’t have the power to change anybody’s mind unless the Holy Spirit is involved in the process.

Our responsibility as a media missionary is to get out of the way and allow God to do what he is going to do. It’s not our job to tell the audience what to think. All we are required to do is to develop a relationship with our audience. God will do the rest. Speaking with mercy, compassion, and kindness in our work will be more powerful than the words we use in our art. Media missionaries are motivated not by outrage but by outreach. Where, in the past, Christians have branded Hollywood in a negative light, our mission is to view Hollywood in a positive light so that we may enter into a discussion and dialogue with them.

Our mission is to restore the image of God. We are motivated to express truth and then allow our audience to respond on a deep, profound emotional level. We recognize that our current culture is motivated by postmodern philosophy. We must express art in such a way that they can experience truth in a relevant fashion that speaks to the heart.

Ten Things You Should Do Before Pursuing a Career in Entertainment

I am often asked this question, what do I need to do to prepare for a career in film or television. That’s why the last class I teach in my film class is about this very subject. Perhaps you have taken a class or two on film or television production. Maybe you are a high school student who has a passion for film or you are someone looking for a career change. It’s never too early to start planning and preparing if you are serious about pursuing a career in media.

I think the first place to start is to examine if you have been called by God into media and entertainment. One of my mentors told me a long time ago “God has a plan for your life. The trick is discovering what that plan is.” So is God’s plan for you to go to Hollywood to make movies or television programs? How do you know?

There are no easy answers. This is a journey that will require some time and effort on your part. So I will offer you some points to consider. Your calling usually lies at the intersection of your passions, dreams and strengths. For most of us, it will take some time to clearly see God’s calling and plan for our lives. I would suggest reading Experiencing God, Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry T. Blackaby and Claud V. King. It’s one of the best books I have ever read on the subject.

But in the meantime as you are exploring what God’s will is for your life, here are ten suggestions that will help you prepare for a career in media.

1. Thanks to the digital revolution, you have access to a film school in your DVD player. Today’s DVDs offer a wealth of information and resources about the filmmaking process. Most DVDs offer a commentary track featuring, in some cases, the director, producer, cinematographer, and actors discussing the creative process behind the movie. Before DVDs this type of information was hard to find. I often ask my students if they listen to the commentaries or watch the special features on their DVDs. I’m surprised how few actually have. If you are serious about a career in film and TV, you should be taking advantage of the commentaries and the behind-the-scenes features.

And don’t just watch the usual suspects such as the latest popular Hollywood blockbusters. Diversify your choices. Check out the critically acclaimed films, such as art house and independent features. Chances are when you first start out in the film business, you will be working with a low budget. So why aren’t you watching independent films? Doesn’t that make sense? Learn how they did it. Forget about special effects and big explosions and learn how to tell a good story.

For those of you are thinking about a videographer or editor, I would recommend turning off the sound and concentrating on the visuals. For example, you’ll notice the editing process of how scenes are cut together, how transitions are handled between scenes, pacing, and the use of coverage shots.

2. Get around people who love media, film and television. Is there a movie being shot in your home town? One of your best resources is to call your local film commission. Find out what’s going on. Maybe you can volunteer so you can get some experience. Don’t expect anything big such as assisting the director. The point is you want to be on the set watching how a film is made.

If no movie is being shot in your town, there are other alternatives to check out. Think about your local cable access studio or your church video team. They are always looking for volunteers. What about joining a 48-hour film project team? It’s another good way to get some practical experience. What about a local production company? Perhaps, you can line up an internship. The point is, you are not going to get paid. But more valuable than that is you want to get around people who share your passion. Opportunity knocks for those who are willing to pursue it. Don’t expect it to come looking for you.

3. Get your own camera and editing system or at least find a way to have access to one. The gap between professional and consumer-grade equipment has dramatically narrowed in recent years. You can now buy a 3-chip camera for as low as $2,000. In the used market, it will be lower. I suggest taking a look at the DVX-100 from Panasonic. It’s an excellent camera with an external XLR input. Editing software today can cost less than a few hundred dollars. Video drives have also decreased in cost as well. The bottom line is why not start making your own short films now? Write your script and get your friends involved. Why wait?

4. I hate to use the term homework, but there’s no getting around it. You’d be surprised what you won’t learn in film school. So you have to do your homework. Start reading the trades now. For example, The Hollywood Reporter covers the industry from the inside. You will be surprised what you can learn by just following the trades. The information is out there if you are willing to do a little research. Hey, entertainment is America’s number one export, so somebody in Hollywood knows what they are doing. Take time to learn how the system works before you waste months or years banging on doors. Thanks to the internet, you have access to the entertainment industry right from your own home. So start using it.

5. Learn the secrets of marketing. For every dollar Hollywood spends on production, they also spend an additional .51 cents on marketing. So if marketing is important to Hollywood, shouldn’t it be important to you?. In this industry, you must become an effective marketer. Learn to brand yourself. We live in a culture where perception is more important than reality. So use it to your advantage.

Being a filmmaker is more than just understanding the principles of your craft. Take some marketing classes. They will come in handy at some point. You must also learn to distinguish yourself from the crowd. Having a topnotch demo reel with the right presentational materials can have a huge impact.

6. Become a problem solver. This principle applies to whatever you do in life. Whether that’s working in film or television or being a plumber or an electrician. Having the ability to make other people’s problems disappear is a pathway to success in life. In fact, you will never be out of work.

Here’s an idea that someone shared with me a few years ago. Your life will change when you realize your value in the workplace is in direct proportion to your ability to solve problems for other people. Recently, I met a young filmmaker who wants to produce and direct movies. He is starting at the bottom. Over the past couple of years, he’s worked on several major motion pictures as a production assistant. But he is always looking around for opportunities to help people on the set beyond his job description. In other works, he’s solving other people’s problems. As a result, he is moving up in the industry and getting more responsibility on every new project he works on.

7. As boring as this sounds, you need to learn the principles of business and finance. The entertainment industry is first and foremost a business, and money talks. I’ve said it many “times that’s why they call it show business”. There’s no show without the business. As a filmmaker, it’s a good bet that you will not have the resources to produce and finance your films on your own. You most certainly will have to find the money and make the deal work. That means working with investors who want a return on their money. No one’s going to give you resources to make your movie without some expectation of profit.

I don’t care what your role is in the film or television industry. Whether you’re an editor or a production designer, the bottom line is you will need to know something about business. Chances are you will be a freelancer at some point in your career, which means you will be self-employed. You will have to be able to find clients and keep them happy. So you can see why having a few business skills is essential.

8. Become a storyteller. The art of storytelling has become a lost art in the entertainment industry. But those who recognize a good story have a tremendous advantage. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a writer. To advance your career as an actor, producer, director or crew member, you must work on projects that embrace quality, excellence and, most importantly, a solid story. Therefore, it’s essential to recognize good writing and storytelling.

9. Start building relationships today. The people around you will most likely be your fellow colleagues. Whether you’re taking a film class or actor’s workshop or performing in a high school drama production, get to know your peers and make friends. Filmmaking is a collaborative process. That means you cannot do it alone. I don’t care how good you think you are, you will need help.

Recently, a friend of mine produced and directed his first feature film. He did not do it by himself. In fact, he had over 50 volunteers, including cast and crew. Without building relationships over the past few years, he would never have been able to get this project off the ground.

When they need help, they will call you. And when you need an editor or videographer, hopefully, you will have a friend you will be able to call. That’s how it works.

10 Find a training program in your home town. Today you can find film classes almost anywhere. Chances are there’s a film class near you. Take some classes before you decide to go to film school or before you get on a flight and go to Hollywood. The point is you must get some training.

Here in Cincinnati at Media Missionary School, we offer several high school film camps during the summer. If you are interested, we can find you accommodations. We’re available to help you. Check out our website (mediamissionaryschool.blogspot.com) for class schedules.

The Bottom Line

If you believe you’ve been called to the entertainment industry, then go for it. Protect your dream and push ahead. Remember, it won’t come looking for you. You’ll have to pursue it. But whatever you do, start preparing now. Follow these easy steps. There’s nothing ground shaking or revolutionary about what I’ve shared with you. It’s just plain old common sense. You have to put the work, the effort and the time into getting yourself ready. So go for it.

Experiencing God

Experiences in knowing God are not limited to a physical building or a worship service. We can know God anywhere because he is constantly revealing his presence in every aspect of life. That’s how God speaks to us through movies, television programs or other forms of media. Dr. Paul L. Cox, an ordained Baptist pastor and co-director of Aslan’s Place, said that he and a few friends went to see Star Trek. During the movie, he felt waves of the power of God come over him. As he later contemplated what that could have meant, he realized that the Lord was speaking to him in a dramatic way. The theme of Star Trek is daring to boldly go where no man has gone before. He felt the Lord was asking him if he dared to go where God wanted him to go?”

If you are earnestly looking for God, he will reveal himself to you. God uses whatever means it will take to get to your heart. That is an example of how people can have a profound experience with God at the movies.

God is at work in the world. Our experience with God can occur at any time of the day throughout the week. He will choose whatever means he desires to speak to us whether it be through people, places, nature, objects, etc. Is it fair to say that many of our church leaders want to control how people experience God? Perhaps it is a frightening concept to consider that God can work outside the walls of the church building and outside of the pre-constructed box in which we have placed God.

I believe today's society can better understand a God that they can experience in whatever way God choices to reveal himself. We have limited God and made him fit into our framework. This helps to explain why many in our culture can have a profound spiritual experience watching media because God is speaking to them though it. We must be open to how God chooses to speak to people. God works differently with each generation.

THE BUS STOP produced during the 2010 Media Missionary School Film Camp

THE BUS STOP produced during the 2010 Media Missionary School Film Camp from Media Missionary School on Vimeo.

"The Bus Stop" was produced by high school students while participating in the 2010 Media Missionary School Film Camp. To learn more visit mediamissionaryschool.blogspot.com

Finding Your Calling

When I became a Christian in 1976, people told me right from the start that God had a plan for my life. I was made for a purpose. There was a reason why I was alive. There was something that God wanted me to do. In other words, I had a destiny and a calling to fulfill. That made me special and unique in the sight of God. I soon learned that all of us are special and unique because we all have a calling that is tailor-made for each one of us. Over time, my views concerning a calling have not changed.

But finding your calling is by no means an easy process. It can be downright difficult. Why? Because we have to get ourselves and what we want to achieve in life out of the process of God using us to fulfill His purposes. It has taken me years to discover my calling and purpose. So what have I learned along the way?

Your view or opinion of a calling will depend on how you see God. Is he a personal God involved in our daily lives, active in the affairs of this world? Or is he a distant God who created the universe and turned it over to man? If God is a distant God, that means you really have no purpose other than to do what you think is right. And, frankly, that’s a recipe for disaster. As far as I can tell by studying the Bible, God is clearly involved in the affairs of man and desires a personal relationship with his creation. The Bible says that when we diligently seek Him we will find Him. If he is a distant God, he would be inaccessible.

Many Christians also believe that only some have been called, but that’s not true either. Galatians 1:15 says, “But God had special plans for me and set me apart for his work even before I was born.” NCV Isaiah 49:1 says, Before I was born, the Lord called me to serve him. The Lord named me while I was still in my mother’s womb.” NCV Sounds to me like we all have a calling; however, our view of a calling is rather narrow. It depends on how we view the world. For some of us, the world is divide into two parts, secular and sacred; therefore, a calling must be sacred, such as being called to the priesthood or becoming a pastor or a missionary in Africa. That would exclude a career in film or television or becoming an electrician or even a politician. But God has no division. Everything in life is sacred. That makes finding your calling even more complicated.

However the one thing that is not complicated, if you are a follower of Christ, you are called to spread the Word of God. The how part of spreading the Gospel takes into consideration your unique calling as well as the part that you will play in the Body of Christ. Therefore you can be a missionary working in Hollywood producing mainstream films as well as working as an engineer in NASA. We each have a specific, unique skill set to fulfill the mission of spreading the Word of God through our vocation. How do we get started in discovering God’s will for our lives? Am I called to be a media missionary? Should I go to Hollywood or make independent Christian movies? I believe the question we should be asking ourselves is what is God’s will and where is He at work? If we are going to know God’s will, we must have a relationship with him that is authentic and personal. Unless you spend time with him, you cannot know his character, his motives, or his purposes. Just like in dating, you spend time with a person to get to know him/her. God is no different. By reading the Word, spending time in prayer and meditation, and spending time with fellow Christians who have a committed relationship with Christ, we start to understand who God is.

You cannot accept Christ as your Savior, walk away, and expect to understand your calling. By developing a personal relationship with God, you will come to know what you believe and why you believe it. In doing this, you will realize that God’s first plan for your life is to turn total control over to him. For most of us, this is a difficult concept to accept. We will resist and fight this. We will try to make a deal with God. We will turn over some parts of our lives in order to get what we want. In other words, we try to bargain by saying, if you let me go to Hollywood and make movies, I will give up this or that.

As time goes on we either do one thing or the other. We give up more control of our lives or hold on to our control. But if we are willing to allow God to control more of our lives and the decisions we make, he will invite us to join him in his work. We will reach a point where we really want to know what God’s will is. God will begin to speak to us through the Holy Spirit, through his Word, prayer, circumstances and the Body of Christ to reveal his purposes and his ways.

God will do whatever is necessary to get our attention. We will have to decide if we are willing to make the adjustments in our lives to do what he is doing instead of what we want to do. Some people call this a crisis of faith. I believe that it is when we totally surrender to the will of God that are willing to give up our passion and our dreams in order to do and accomplish the will of God. For some of us, that might mean accepting the fact that we are not called to go to Hollywood and make movies. It’s at this point that we truly experience God by obeying him. He then accomplishes his work through us. In the end, you might very well be called to be a media missionary to go to Hollywood and make movies and TV shows. The question is, are you willing to give it up to serve God. That’s the central issue that surrounds the crisis of faith.

Discovering God’s calling and plan for your life is always a process. It will take time and sacrifices, but, in the end, you will ultimately have to readjust your life and join him in his work and not yours.

Another thing to consider in discovering your calling is the intersection of your passion, your dreams, and your strengths. When the three come together, this can help you understand what God’s plan is for your life. But looking only at your passion and not considering your dreams and strengths can be misleading. Passion speaks to the heart. For example, when I was in high school, I had a passion to be a ball player. In my heart I wanted to be a major league baseball player. I certainly had the passion, but I lacked the talent. It was not my strength. It was my dream because it is all I thought about. Dreams are a matter of the mind. But, again, I lacked the talent. Only when the three come together can we begin to see how God is working. You must look at the complete picture.

Finding God’s will is dependent on a life focused on God, his activity, and our decision to deny self. No one can tell you what God’s will is for your life. Only you can find that out by diligently seeking him and being purposeful in how you live your life.

Producer, Phil Cooke, Discusses the Mission of the Biola Media Conference

Producer, Phil Cooke, Discusses the Mission of the Biola Media Conference from Media Missionary School on Vimeo.