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

By Barbara Nicolosi

Book Overview

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. This book 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080106547X
• ISBN13: 9780801065477
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Length: 218 Pages
• Weight: 0.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.8" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Best Advice for Christians on Hollywood

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.

Deep but very entertaining

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.

He who is wise wins souls

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.

Written by people who know of what they speak

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.

culture makers, not culture breakers

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.