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Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture Joan of Arcadia, Mission Impossible, Batman Forever, and That 70s Show have been some of the biggest productions in film and television. But did you know that Christians have been behind the scenes of these and other box office and ratings smashes? Industry professionals Spencer Lewerenz and Barbara Nicolosi have discovered that the church is very much alive in Hollywood - and making a difference. Here's a fascinating look at Hollywood through the eyes of Christian writers, producers, and executives living out their faith on movie sets, in studio offices, and at TV networks. In their own words, they will take you behind the screen to reveal what Hollywood thinks of God and what you can do to close the gap between Christianity and culture.
Hollywood's influence on morality and religious values has always aroused
controversy, though surprisingly little of lasting value has been published on
the subject. Pop collects the syndicated "On Religion" columns of journalist
Mattingly, who is interested in how movies, music, television, and publishing
intersect and collide with religion. Subjects range from the significant
(reaction to and influence of Mel Gibson's box-office smash The Passion of the
Christ) to the trivial (born-again actress Rene Russo's decision to do nudity
in The Thomas Crown Affair). The essays themselves are brief and likely to
date quickly. Hollywood-based writers and editors Lewerenz and Nicolosi also
believe that popular arts play an important role in the American religious
scene today. Their collection is published under the editorial supervision of
Act One-an organization that aims to train Christian writers to work in the
film industry-and features Hollywood writers and producers who acknowledge the
lack of understanding and depth in modern movie coverage of religious issues
and the failed tactic of blaming Hollywood. Instead, they bid committed
Christians to act as "apostles and artists" by supporting one another and
learning filmmaking skills, thereby extending their ministry beyond the narrow
flock to the wider world. Topics include what makes a good Christian film,
what kind of stories should be told, and how to start and survive in
Hollywood. Some essays seem a bit simplistic, but the book puts a refreshingly
positive spin on a rarely covered topic. While Pop is marginal for most
libraries, Screen can be recommended for public or academic libraries where
Michael Medved's broadside Hollywood vs. America has found a responsive
audience.-Stephen Rees, Levittown Lib., PA Copyright 2005 Reed Business
Information.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
1 of 1 Reviews Showing: 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Cheryl (Midwest), December 30, 2005 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.
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