No More Cheesy, Churchy Videos
The Biola Media Conference included lively debates about Hollywood's efforts to reach a Christian audience. The opportunities are exciting, but are the results much good?
Story by Brett McCracken | posted 9/30/2008
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It wasn't so long ago that some churches frowned upon their members even going to see movies, let alone participate in making them. But as new media and video forms have increasingly become ubiquitous and acceptable tools in worship services, that's all changed. Today, it's common to see a film clip or video illustration on Sunday mornings, and more and more churches have video ministries that are creating original productions.
One such ministry can be found at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles—a city where you'd expect to find churches on the forefront of film ministry. The Bel Air Drama Department (BADD) is an elite, audition-based group of actors, writers, directors, and other film/media practitioners who work together voluntarily to produce weekly short films and instructional videos for the church, one of LA's largest.
Robert G. Lee
For the past eight years, BADD has been led by Robert G. Lee. Prior to that, the group called itself "Thesbyterians"—"the world's worst name," says Lee—and produced only two or three videos a year. These days, BADD produces a new video every week or two, usually on a topic relating to pastor Mark Brewer's sermon.
BADD's 34 volunteer members are Christians who are talented in acting or film production, but not just anyone can join. There are auditions only once a year—every August—from which only about four new members are accepted (out of 30-plus who audition). Those who make the cut have much to prove to a congregation with a keener-than-average eye for quality film production.
More than just a way to hone their talents, BADD also provides a place where Christian entertainment professionals aren't beholden to the widespread amoral requisites of secular Hollywood, but instead can openly integrate their faith with their skills.
"I wanted to be a part of something where I could mix my faith and my professional goals," says actress Elise Baughman, a BADD member since 2006. "It's great to be able to mix faith and film, but also to be a part of a tightly-knit covenant group."
Elise Baughman
For Baughman, working with BADD for the last two years has been a blast; it's a group full of stand-up comics and improv artists, after all. Baughman particularly enjoyed the shooting of the film Wise Counsel, Man!—which she described as a "Christian version of My Name is Earl" that featured four white trash characters.
"The whole cast and crew walked around talking like rednecks all day, and it was one laugh after another," Baughman said. "When you're filming a character named Dirk who is making toast while sitting in kiddie pool or unsuccessfully trying to jump off of a roof, you can't help but have some good laughs in between takes."
The group meets a couple times a month to work on films but also to pray and share with one another. Throughout the year they also have an annual weekend retreat, a summer barbecue, a Christmas party, movie nights and other social events.
BADD's videos are about 80 percent comedy, which "works well to break down defenses" and transition into the pastor's sermon, said Lee. The most popular comedy type for BADD is the repurposed satire or parody. Past videos have parodied The Twilight Zone, The O.C., Fear Factor, and VH1's Behind the Music.
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