In 2000, God’s Army was released, bringing a new awareness among members of the Church to movies for and about Latter-day Saints.  Several other films followed soon after, touching on various genres, including comedies, missionary films, dramas, mockumentaries, etc.  Some were good, others not so much.  And just as suddenly as these movies seemed to appear, the interest disappeared, or at least greatly diminished.

In the early days of LDS film, movies would come to theaters and then be released on DVD, selling over 100,000 copies in a relatively short period of time.  Some sold as much as 400,000 copies, but with the release of each new film, that number diminished.  Today, a successful DVD sells around 50,000 copies, and even that can be difficult to achieve.

As a result of the economics of making movies for a small niche market in a declining DVD market, fewer and fewer LDS movies are being made, which brings up the question, “What’s the future of Mormon cinema?”  (more…)

LDS Film Festival Turns 9

It’s nothing like the Sundance Film Festival–celebrity sightings, exclusive parties and button-pushing, boundary-breaking films don’t really jive with the LDS mindset.  But Utah’s other notable film festival kicks off this weekend.  And if you’re big into LDS movies and films made by LDS filmmakers, the LDS Film Festival–now celebrating its ninth year–is the place for you.

In past years, audiences attending the festival were the first to see such films as The Best Two Years, The Errand of Angels, Forever Strong and Emma Smith: My Story.  The festival doesn’t just show LDS-specific fare; films made by LDS filmmakers or films that are LDS-friendly make the cut as well.

This year’s crop of premieres and screenings looks promising.  Below are trailers for some features screening at the LDS Film Festival.  Which ones are you excited for?  If you attend the festival, post your comments on the ones you saw!

Sundance Skippy – An Orem, UT native has a way with Hollywood celebrities.

The Yankles – A washed up former major leaguer coaches an orthodox Jewish baseball team

Melted Hearts – A returned missionary leaves his home in Mexico to pursue his former companion’s sister who lives in Provo.

Humble Pie – When he decides to pursue a career in acting, a socially awkward loner finds opposition from his friends and family.

You’re So Cupid – Cupid got married and had twin daughters.  Any surprise that they’ve turned out to be expert matchmakers?

In an effort to increase collaboration among LDS filmmakers throughout the world there is a new social networking website called the LDS Filmmakers’ Network. The site is designed to serve as the online gathering place for Mormon film, television, and media professionals throughout the world by helping Church members in these industries meet, collaborate, receive feedback, and enhance both their work and the strength of the Church throughout the globe. It is open to all Latter-day Saints over 18 years of age regardless of professional experience and whether their films are gospel-themed or mainstream; it seeks to enhance, not replace, existing resources like LDSFilm.com, the LDS Film Festival, and the Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database, as well as general organizations like IFP, Shooting People, Production Hub, and Mandy.com.  (more…)

As the director of such films as The Touch of the Master’s Hand, Praise to the Man and Gordon B. Hinckley: A Giant Among Men, and the cinematographer of The Work and the Glory, Forever Strong and The Testaments, T.C. Christensen has touched the hearts of millions of Latter-day Saints with his exemplary filmmaking. Now he shares the incredible true story of a man who had everything he wanted, but discovered something greater in sacrificing all for the building of the Kingdom. 

Treasure in Heaven is the true story of John Tanner, a wealthy New York landowner and convert to the Church who in 1834 sold his properties to assist the Church.  He freely gave all he had, giving us an example of generosity and consecration in serving the Lord. 

The DVD is now available wherever LDS products are sold or you can order your copy today here.

Rob Diamond, director/writer/producer, sat down with MormonMedia.com and gave his insight on film and his background.

How long have you been in the industry?

RD: 26 years. I did my first commercial for Coca Cola when I was 17. I grew up as a surfer and was on the beach in Southern California when some of the producers tapped me on the shoulder. The commercial was about a summer love story. Me and a girl walking on the pier, hand in hand on the beach, and swinging in a swing set. It was a great way to break into the industry.

What was it like being a successful model in the ’80s?

RD: It was a blast. I’m grateful for those times. It prepared me for the film industry. Besides print work, I did a lot of commercials including Levis 501 Blue Jeans, Minute Maid, Coke, Honda, Toshiba and numerous others. I spent a lot of time working in Los Angeles and Japan.

Once you started doing films, you worked with Mickey Rooney. What was that like?

RD: It was an honor to be able to work with a legend. Mickey is very energetic and has lots of Hollywood stories to tell, especially with him and Judy Garland. Just watching him work taught me a lot.

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Heather Beers recently took time to give MormonMedia.com a rare and insightful interview. Her latest film Once Upon A Summer is due for release September 29^th on DVD, with select screenings in several states throughout the summer. Heather shares her thoughts on her breakout role in Charly as well as other projects she is involved with.

Mormon Media: Most people recognize you as “Charly” even now. Do you ever get used to that?

Heather Beers: The first year or so after the film came out I didn’t realize people were talking to me when they would call out “Charly!” I have gotten more used to it since. I recognize it takes courage to walk up to a stranger and ask if she’s the one you’ve seen in a movie. Overall, I think it just underscores the power of the film’s message—we’ve all lost people we love and a movie like Charly that speaks to hope in the face of tragedy is something people tend to remember.

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For some Utah filmmakers, Christmas came earlier than usual this year–a lot earlier.

Candlelight Media Group, distributor of Emma Smith: My Story, began production this past January on a new holiday movie, Christmas Angel. The film stars Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Bruce Davison (X-Men and Runaway Jury), KC Clyde (The Best Two Years) and Kari Hawker (The Dance).

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He’s the most recognizable face in LDS movies. Throughout the Jell-O belt, he’s a household name. And it seems that every Mormon has an opinion about him.

Utah native Kirby Heyborne got his big break in the 2002 LDS comedy The Singles Ward, but it wasn’t until the following year’s The R.M. that Heyborne became the closest thing the LDS community has to a bona fide movie star. But with such a lofty title comes much scrutiny from LDS moviegoers and sadly, none of the monetary gain. And to the rest of the world, he’s just another working actor.

MormonMedia.com recently had the opportunity to talk with Heyborne about a sundry of topics, including fame, fortune (or the lack thereof), and working in LDS and non-LDS environments. In his own words Kirby sets the record straight.

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AUGUST 2008–On location at Camp Maple Dell in Payson Canyon outside of Mapleton, Utah, the sun beats down on the cast and crew of Scout Camp.  Everybody is either golden brown or bright red, depending on how much sunscreen they’ve used over the sixteen day shoot.  While some crew members are prepping a shoot that will require about twenty kids and six adults to perform various scouting cheers, director Garrett Batty is shooting scenes with actor Jeff Blake, who must exit an outhouse.  Over and over.  (Don’t worry, the outhouse is fake.)

Scout Camp is the comedic story of a group of teenage boys who go to scout camp to prove to themselves what they are made of. But when one of them unknowingly takes the ancient Spirit Stick from the camp, the boys must work together and put the Indian heirloom back in its rightful place.

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