Mere Entertainment: Theory &
Practice
First Presbyterian Church of Hollywod
Mears Center, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood
(MAP)
Sponsored by Act
One & Reel Spirituality
-
Steve McEveety (Producer, The Passion,
Braveheart)
-
Todd Komarnicki (Writer/Director Resistance,
Producer, Elf, The Flash)
-
John Tinker (Writer, St. Elsewhere,
The
Practice)
-
William Romanowski (Author,
Pop Culture Wars, Eyes Wide Open)
-
And many more...
Within the church, there is a divide between
those who study film and television and those who create it. Many
pastors and educators teach and minister about entertainment without any
first-hand knowledge of the industry that creates it. Many writers,
filmmakers and executives fail to contemplate the larger ethical and aesthetic
issues that surround their work.
Oct. 23rd and 24th, theory and practice
come together for an intense, two-day conference sponsored by Act One:
Writing for Hollywood and Reel Spirituality. Held in conjunction
with the City of the Angels Film Festival, "Mere Entertainment" will bring
together pastors, thinkers, and industry veterans to share practical experiences
and consider the deeper issues at stake in Hollywood.
The ultimate goal of the conference will
be to employ both theory and practice in drafting an aesthetic credo: a
positive statement to which Christians can assent that articulates how
to use the medium of cinema to create enduring works of beauty. All
speakers are subject to availability.
| Thursday,
October 23rd |
| 8:30-9:15 am |
Registration
& Continental Breakfast |
| 9:15-10:00 |
Opening remarks
- Barbara Nicolosi
What is the purpose of entertainment?
How does it differ from amusement? Why do we need comedy, drama,
and fantasy? How do they serve in human and spiritual development?
Does entertainment have a sacred purpose? What should our students'
productions elicit in viewers? What is the nature of this debate,
what are our goals, and what are the needs of our attendees as Christian
academics seeking to teach future filmmakers? |
| 10:00-11:15 |
Session 1—Ron
Austin: The Hollywood Divide
An esteemed industry veteran recounts
how Hollywood and the Church became alienated from one another. How will
that rift affect Christians who hope to work in the industry today? How
do we move beyond it? Recommended texts: Neil Gabler’s "Life
the Movie: How Entertainment Conquered Reality" and Robert K. Johnston’s
"Reel Spirituality" |
| 11:15-11:30 |
Discussion
& Coffee Break |
| 11:30-12:45
pm |
Session 2—Scott
Derrickson: A Filmmaker's Progress
Scott recounts his 8 year journey into
Hollywood and discusses and critiques the Christian community’s attitude
toward Hollywood. What is the duty of the Christian artist? |
| 12:45-1:45 |
LUNCH BREAK |
| 1:45-3:15 |
Session 3—TV
Writers Panel: Writing for Television in the Real World
Panelists: Sheryl
Anderson, Dean Batali and John
Tinker |
| 3:15-3:30 |
Discussion
& Coffee Break |
| 3:30-5:00 |
Session 4—Teaching
Pop Culture
Moderator: Barry
Taylor Panelists: William
Romanowski, Read Mercer Schuchardt,
Scott Young |
| 5:00-7:00 |
DINNER BREAK |
| 7:00-10:00 |
Screening: “INTOLERANCE”
at the Mears Center as part of the 10th Annual
City of the Angels Film Festival |
| Friday,
October 24th |
| 8:30-9:00 am |
Continental
Breakfast |
| 9:00-10:15 |
Session 5—Craig
Detweiler: Beyond Body Parts and the "F" Word: The Postmodern Shift.
Where should we stand on the portrayal
of sex and violence? What is acceptable, and in what context? |
| 10:15-10:30 |
Discussion
& Coffee Break |
| 10:30-12:00 |
Session 6—Panel
TBA: The Bottom Line: Art and the Executive
What do executives expect from filmmakers
who have yet to be established? How does one form and maintain positive
relationships with executives? What is the current climate at studios and
production companies? |
| 12:00-1:15 pm |
LUNCH BREAK |
| 1:15-2:30 |
Session 7—Barbara
Nicolosi: A CREDO for Christian Filmmakers
We must move toward the drafting
of a “faithful aesthetic,” a positive statement to which Christian students
can assent. Such a credo would celebrate truth, beauty and love, and articulate
how Christians can use film and television to create enduring works of
art. |
| 2:30-2:45 |
Discussion
& Coffee Break |
| 3:00
pm |
Session 8—Imagining
"The Passion" - Steve McEveety |
Come explore a Century in Cinema. Let the past
inspire your future...
|
