Why are Artists So Disconnected from the Church?

Can you imagine a world without art? Think about it. No poetry. No paintings. No color. No books. No music. No Dance. No sculpture. And no films. It would be a grey and unimaginary existence. Art helps us connect with our humanity. Ultimately, it can reveal the divine which exists all around us. In many ways, I think that’s exactly the purpose of art—to reveal God’s glory and majesty.

I believe that when we create art it’s through the creative process that we are closest to God. God is a creator. And if we are made in the image of God, at least at some level when we create we are mimicking the very nature of God. After all, isn’t God the supreme artist? He created an amazing canvas—the world you and I live in. And I have no doubt that he is asking each of us to follow his lead.

However, over the years, the subject of art and its relationship to the Christian community has often been controversial and problematic at best. I describe it as a love/hate relationship. I’m not sure the Church completely understands the heart and the mind of the artist.

For over 30 years, I’ve been involved with artists. I’ve come to realize that they often don’t think like most of us do. Not wishing to speak in generalities, I have come to some conclusions. Artists tend to be sensitive, fragile, and wear their emotions on their sleeves. They are easily hurt and offended. They are free-spirited and open to new ideas. They are unconventional and don’t fit into neat categories. The bottom line is creative people just think differently and are more likely to think out of the box. And sometimes that scares the Christian and faith-based community.

As a result, through mistrust and misunderstanding of the artist, the Church has not provided the type of support and encouragement that I think is necessary in helping our artists grow and mature. In fact, I think we are losing our artists at an alarming rate.

Recently, The Barna Research Group published some groundbreaking research. They concluded that 84% of 18–29 year olds that identify themselves as Christians do not understand how their faith has any relevance to their vocation or career. Amazingly, 20% of all young people in the church feel they have a calling to the arts. But if they feel there’s no relevance between and their faith and their vocation as a writer, musician, or filmmaker to name a few then we are missing the best opportunity we have to fulfill the Great Commission, build the Kingdom of God, and be a witness for Christ. What a tragedy! Then the world gets the brightest and the best artists. Think about it, their talents could have been used for for a higher purpose.

One of the major mistakes the Church has made over the years is to force artists to create art that conforms to the image of what the Church believes art should be. In other words, it’s like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. It’s a sad story. But the Christian community prefers its art to be explicit, leaving nothing to the imagination. They would prefer art that can be best described as an instruction manual with detailed diagrams, with no possible discussion about its meaning or origin, and with nothing left to the imagination.

Case in point: The Contemporary Christian music industry is a great example. I worked as a television producer for years on a Christian music video show. There was a joke in the industry that if your song didn’t contain at least three references to Jesus, it wouldn’t play on Christian radio. Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know. But I do know that most Christian radio stations had stringent requirements as to what constituted a Christian song. And if you didn’t meet those criteria, you didn’t get on the air. As a Christian recording artist, that meant you wouldn’t sell records or tickets to your concerts. In short, you wouldn’t have a career in contemporary Christian music very long.

Off the record, I met many Christian recording artists who felt they were being held back and who also felt they had to conform to somebody else’s standard as to what they thought art should be. They had no freedom to be the artist they were called to be. Their creativity was cut short.

But this goes on all the time in the Church. If it’s outside of the orthodox of what we think is acceptable, it gets rejected. Now I know in some places in the faith community things have gotten better over the past few years; however, there is still much work to be done. If a young person who felt a calling to go to Hollywood and be a filmmaker went to their mission’s board and asked for support, would they get it? Can you be an artist and go into the secular mainstream world of media and entertainment? Can your art reflect God’s majesty without being explicit? Is there a way you can express the heart of God that connects people to his love and forgiveness that’s totally outside of what we would expect to see in the Church. I think we can do that. And that can be done through art as long as we allow the artist to tap into the divine no matter what that looks like.

Ti West's 'Innkeepers' Continues the Blooming.

If I figure that the film is directed by Ti West, a toiling director that had in fact managed to stun me with his work--Trigger Man and the House of the Devil--I am to complacently assume that the movie would walk between the lines of wit and interest. Now, The Innkeepers, continues his sprouting slick-looking and effective approach to the horror genre.

A bored, vulnerable, and asthmatic, Claire (a tomboyish and not-cloying sweet and charming, Sara Paxton) and an out-of-boredom ghost haunting enthusiast, Luke (Pat Healy) are trading shifts in the front desk as last two employees of the Yankee Pedlar's last weekend operation--it's out of business, obviously. Claire and Luke, out of the main agenda of hotel-sitting, find themselves devoted to find a ghost haunting the hallways of the hotel instead.

 With an 80's setting, complacently seen via the Pedlar's whose location is achingly remote--almost hidden--and the look: shoddy, 'Innkeepers' is no secret a follower of a convention that West's 'Devil' followed too. However, Innkeepers managed to toil in a bundle of different things that 'Devil' didn't managed to. One thing for extreme certainty is the pinch of physical comedy. A scene that proves in particular is in which Claire struggles to throw Pedlar's garbage into the ginormous trash bin. There is Sara Paxton, who managed to charm me in some of her scenes that exposes her vulnerability and comedic sense that effects to effective shocks--if the shocks that you encounter are not of those false alarms.

The main reason that the genre found Ti West as its savior, is that West understand how to tickle audience on their tummies, shift their minds out of the paranormal lurking for a quick second, then shock them alarmingly with surprising and effective gore and scare. 'Innkeepers' is a proof that Ti West is the green thumb that continues to bloom the blossoming genre of horror and suspense. 4 stars!

HORROR ENTHUSIAST AND MAKEUP ARTIST ZACH SHILDWACHTER BRINGS OUT THE GRUESOME BEAUTY OF BJ-C

This past weekend I was lucky enough to spend time with longtime friend and fellow horror nerd, Zach Shildwachter.  We had a horror filled extravaganza that included my taking his "Day of the Woman/I Spit On Your Grave" virginity, and the two of us enduring quite possibly the WORST film ever made (review to come soon).  It was definitely a weekend for the record books, but the biggest highlight was when Zach asked if I would be willing to be a model for some of his work.  Just look at that face, how could I say no?  Zach is also toying around the idea of auditioning for SyFy's FACE OFF (something he should totally do) and what kind of uber nerd would I be if I didn't help support the creative process?  Zach is an extremely talented makeup artist and his simplistic and organic approach was wonderful to watch and even nicer to experience. He's a righteous dude. Nuff said.

Below are the progress pictures of his hard work.

Now a while back, a little over 2 years ago, Zach visited our friends John Squires of FreddyInSpace.com with the legendary Kristy Jett and met the infamous Jesse Bartel. Over the course of the 4 Loko fueled weekend (read about it here) Zach somehow managed to Sharpie some spiffy website adverts on the chests of my compadres. Being all the way in Chicago and left out of said visit, I joked that she wanted the same treatment for this site. Zach was more than happy to pay me back for two year wait.

I'm also extremely stubborn and refused to take off the liquid latex the smart way. I should have listened to my makeup artist, he really does know best. In all seriousness, Zach is a dream to work with. He's very conscious of his model and understands that not every face is going to look the same as the stock ones you're given to practice with.  He's remarkably talented and I consider myself very lucky to have been able to sit for him.

I want to use some of the photos he did as part of my promotional package. 

If you have any favorites, comment with them below!

Check out Zach's other works on his site Awkward Creations
or 
Read his horror journalism over at The Blood Sprayer 
or
Creep on his personal life at his tumblr Off Color Commentary 

Me Again” DVD Release on January 24, 2012

By  Cheryl Wicker

Christian Movies Examiner

Pure Flix Entertainment announces the DVD release of “Me Again,” on January 24, 2012.  David A.R. White directs and stars in this film as a character who is allowed to view life from other people’s perspectives as an unexpected answer to his prayer.

By all outward appearances, Rich Chaplin (David A.R. White) has everything that any Pastor and family man could ever want. In reality he has lost sight of everything that matters the most, including his family.

When he wishes for a life other than his own, he suddenly finds himself trapped within the lives of everyone his apathy has affected. This unforgettable journey brings Rich to view life through the eyes of a diverse cast of characters including an elderly woman (Della Reese), a top fashion model (Andrea Logan White), his own wife (Ali Landry) and even a goldfish! It might even take an encounter with a strangely familiar angel, (Bruce McGill) to help him realize that he is wasting his chance to love and impact the most important people in his life.

Read more at  http://www.examiner.com/christian-movies-in-national/me-again-dvd-release-on-january-24-2012

MAC ELDRIDGE'S BLOOD ON THE PLAIN IS FINALLY AVAILABLE

You may remember hearing about Water Cooler productions and up and coming filmmaker Mac Eldridge a few years back when their hit zombie short "Chemical 12-D" made its festival round.  With a keen eye for the aesthetics and a strong grasp on spinning the genre, Mac Eldridge and his crew easily took the horror short world by storm.  After a highly successful and international run, Mac was on a mission to create something very, very different.  Joining his efforts (along with his amazing production team) this time around was author/screenwriter Angel Esparza.  While 12-D was merely an unique look at the zombie genre, Water Cooler Production's newest horror flick is an animal of an entirely different breed.  I submit for your approval, Blood on the Plain.  Now, I say that this is an entirely different breed for more than just stylistic reasons.  You see, Mac and the gang are trying to achieve what every filmmaker would like to do.  The short film Blood on the Plain is (hopefully) a stepping stone into creating a feature film.  It is for this reason that the short is left VERY open ended.  You know when you watch a film and your reaction is "THAT'S IT?! I WANT TO SEE MORE!" Well, that is entirely the intention of the filmmakers, and they have manged to instil that sensation with ease. If you like the short and crave more, have hopes that someday they'll be able to turn this into a feature film.

The filmmakers themselves seem to to describe this best. "Part western. Part horror. Blood on the Plain is a self-aware pulp exploration of a town in the wake of tragedy. Following a savage massacre at the Wadsworth High School Homecoming Dance, the townspeople take up arms and—under the guidance of four seasoned trackers—set out in search of justice. It’s the marriage of fear and anger which fuels these efforts and ultimately signals their failure. Those who remain will be forced to square off with the assailants; a breed of man never before seen and born of a previous generation’s offense."  They managed to create a very delicate balance of the world of Westerns and pair it elegantly with all the things that create a great horror film.  Unlike 12-D, there's a hearty pile of gore smack dab in the middle and some well executed creatures sure to give you the heebie jeebies.  Cinematographer David Wagenaar has also improved dramatically since the last time we visited him and it only continues to prove that the minds behind Water Cooler productions are a force to be reckoned with. 

My only complaint about the film is the ending, but the reaction I had was exactly what the filmmakers wanted their audience to have.  It's not a "full story" the way their first big short was, but the film making and cinematography has grown exponentially over the past few years.  At the very least, it's a beautifully shot film, and it keeps me wanting more.  This really isn't a short film per se, it's just the epitome of a teaser.  This gives just enough insight to the story we aren't able to see due to time and budget restraints.  If you're able to watch the film with all of this in mind, you'll find yourself highly entertained and like myself, wanting more.  If you aren't able to separate yourself from its unconventional feel, you may feel a bit disappointed.  I won't lie to you, it feels a bit disjointed, but it is SUPPOSED to feel that way.  Either way, they've got a gorgeous creation on their hands and something entirely new in the horror genre.  Instead of whining about the latest remake, support indie filmmakers with, I don't know, AN ORIGINAL IDEA. :)

"But BJ-C, how ever will we see this film you've been talking up for the past few paragraphs?" Well my darlings, I will tell you.  For the low, low price of $3.99 you can download the short for yourself and enjoy twelve minutes of the future of horror film making by purchasing it from The Blood On The Plain Web Store.  Not into downloads? No worry. You can totally buy a DVD at the same website for only $10.00.  What may be the most interesting of the merchandise up for sale is the selling of movie frames.  This film was brought to life by Cinematographer David Wagenaar, and to showcase the cinematic beauty that Blood on the Plain has to offer, they have decided to capture each moment frame by frame, and make these frames available to YOU!  By purchasing these frames, (at only a dollar, mind you) you are helping fund their future projects like, a feature of this film mayhaps?

Blood On The Plain will hopefully be starting a festival run in the near future, and you should really be a part of it! Support up and coming horror and indie filmmakers, or the terrorists win.  

Watch the official trailer below!

The Ordinary Man’s Birthright

When we recognize that we have a media culture crisis and decide we want to respond to the crisis, we must start first with reaching Hollywood. Remember Hollywood is the most influential mission field on the planet. If we reach Hollywood, we reach the world. Consider this. Foreign missionaries will tell you that the greatest influence on their people group is the American media. Media produced by Hollywood shapes the hearts and minds of people around the globe.

Some 60 years ago, the President of Indonesia requested an audience with some of the key Hollywood executives of the day. He stated that he regarded them as political radicals and revolutionaries, who had hastened political change in the East by creating unrest. He said what the Orient saw in a Hollywood movie was a world in which all of the ordinary people had cars, electric stoves, and refrigerators. Now the Orient regarded itself as an ordinary person who has been deprived of the ordinary man’s birthright. If that was 60 years ago, you can only imagine how our influence has increased throughout the world.

What happens if we embrace Hollywood as a mission field? Not only do we influence the uttermost parts of the earth, but we get a 2-for-1 deal. We also can impact our own hometown and our own local mission. Why? Because Hollywood’s influence is everywhere. It’s the only mission field that extends beyond the physical limitations of a confined space and time. America’s number one export is entertainment. If we embrace Hollywood as a mission field, our message will be part of whatever Hollywood is exporting.

Finally, by accepting Hollywood as a mission field, we are embracing Jesus’ commandment found in Acts 1:8 which says, “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power, and you will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem (in your hometown), throughout Judea (in your state), Samaria (in Hollywood) and throughout the ends of the earth.”

We have a passion and conviction that drives us as Christians in our efforts to embrace foreign missions. No sacrifice or effort is too great. We are on board with a “whatever it takes” attitude. We need that same passion and mindset if we are to be successful in our efforts to redeem Hollywood. I know we can do it. And I’m sure it’s on God’s “To do List”. The only question is are we willing.

The Rant—The Media Virus

I have a love and passion for hiking and the outdoors. I especially enjoy climbing mountains. I’ve climbed to the top of Mt. Whitney, Mt. Princeton, Mt. Harvard, Telescope Peak, Mt. Charleston, and Swift Current Mountain, just to name a few.

Now my rant is not about hiking or mountain climbing in general. It's about a funny phenomena I have noticed  lately. Today a number of people seem to be more concerned about getting to the top than enjoying the experience along the way. Sure, I’m like any climber. I want to get to the mountain peak. But the real experience is the journey. Stopping to enjoy the view and listening to the wind blowing in the trees is just as enjoyable as the thrill of getting to the top.

But these day, it seems we are so goal-oriented that we forget to stop and enjoy the world around us. Have we become that results-driven that we can no longer just savor the experience of living? As the old saying goes, you have to stop and smell the roses.

Of course, not all hikers fall into this category. But it is an alarming trend. Here’s something that really absolutely takes the cake. At the top of the mountain you can usually find a connection from some faraway tower. Now, I often see people who, once reaching the peak, pull out their cell phones, I-phones, or other mobile media devices. Sure, you might want to call a friend and tell them you made it to the top safely. But these days I actually hear people doing business—calling the office, checking e-mail. Can you believe that? I just can’t explain it.

Maybe it’s just some form of media virus—the absolute need to be connected at all times. If there’s a place to drop off the planet and enjoy life, wouldn’t you think it would be on the top of a 14,000 foot mountain? Do we have to be in constant contact with the world?

Last summer, I hiked to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park in Utah. Amazingly, I watched some guy spend 30 minutes talking quite loudly on his cell phone making one deal after another. Why bother going to one of the world’s most beautiful places merely to make a call.

So my rant is how do we unplug, slow down and pay attention to the important things and start to enjoy life? Is it possible to leave our cell phones, our computers, and I-Pads at home for once and spend a little time connecting with the things that really matter? As I said, my fear is that we’ve all been infected with this media virus. Perhaps we can work on trying to find a cure.

A Lesbian 'Black Swan' Will Take You to the Edge!

Natalie Portman plays the character of a dancing lesbian--ballerina, specifically--in this mystery and suspense directed by David Aronofsky: the man behind some decent work via 'The Wrestling'. In this early of a blog post, I'd take on the gut to tell you that 'Black Swan' ends up as gripping and magnificent.

Nina Sayers (a stunning Natalie Portman) is on the vanguard of her ballet career. In the event of her callback as the 'Swan Queen' to a prominent ballet story-slash-musical, Nina is eaten by the pressure of it and then chaos ensues inside her.

You can take a bundle of roses and be sure that all of them are flowers, however it is once in a blue moon that you can walk through a greenery and be sure that all of them are roses. It is the same analogy that would apply to holiday season released movies. Black Swan is surprisingly a mentally puzzling movie that rarely makes its mistakes visible. It puddles a nice amount of sexy, a chance that I would take to mention the sultry Mila Kunis as Lily, a ballerina friend. The scenes of which Natalie Portman is mad. Madly entertaining. There is a decent amount of nail-biting whenever psychological events effects. Portman is never going to place second to play the role of Nina. In my understanding, Natalie plays her role magnificently.

Natalie Portman leaves you with a stronghold; bits of the scenes you've watched minutes ago would sting like a bee. An almost smothering and at the same time enjoyable experience. 4 stars.