The Critical DifferenceBudding filmmakers Ryan Smith—son of Michael W. Smith—and Mark Cowart are trying to help Christians learn how to think critically when watching movies.Jewel Graham |
posted 11/25/2008
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Both young men note that thousands of decisions go into a typical Hollywood blockbuster, by everyone from the writer to the director to the actors to the hundreds of people behind the scenes. Many of those decisions are motivated by a worldview.
Cowart and actors on the set of 'Love at First Sight'
So, as Christians, says Cowart, "We go and watch this entertainment and are not aware that a message or worldview was formed in that [movie] right before our eyes."
Ryan says that applies to every single details of making a film. "We worship a God who is crazy detail-oriented and the greatest artist on the earth. He's created the standard by which we try to create things, so to say those things don't matter is absurd."
Telling great stories
Seabourne's next project is Devil's Shoestring, a short film written and directed by Ryan. In the film, due to release in early 2009, a woman stumbles upon a mystical root that is said to bring luck to the wearer. The style is reminiscent of The Twilight Zone or horror films like The Omen.
And again, it's not a "Christian" film, but one with themes that will resonate with believers. Christian movies usually have an obvious message, but Seabourne sets out to depict a theme in the context of story—and let the viewer decide if there's a "message."
"A lot of times Christians approach it backwards," says Ryan. "They start with a message and sculpt everything around that and so in the end it generally doesn't work as a story. We're more interested in telling great stories. If there's a message, we prefer to let it come up organically."
Learn more about Seabourne and C2 at seabournepictures.com.
Jewel Graham is a reporter and producer for The 700 Club in Nashville.
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