It’s no secret that Christian movie-making is on the rise. Hollywood, Christian companies, and independent film-makers are producing faith-based films at a pretty steady clip.

Recently, our church did a Movie Night featuring one of the latest Christian films, Standing Firm, from Praise Pictures. This is a powerful representation of the gospel in the life of a widower who had fallen away from the church. Much of the cast and most of the scenes were shot at Niagara Frontier Bible Church. Today we have a chance to interview with the filmmaker himself, Kyle Prohaska.

I want to thank Kyle for stopping by and offering a very candid assessment of his work and of Christian-movie-making as a whole:

Q: Kyle, I’ve read in interviews that you were inspired by the films (Facing the Giants, Flywheel) produced by Sherwood Baptist Church. But has film making always been something in your DNA or was it something God suddenly thrust upon you?

A: I’ve always been interested in film since I was a little kid so it’s something that didn’t come out of nowhere for me. I had given up on it becoming a reality at a certain point because I just didn’t think it was practical. I started going to college and came on staff at my local church as Director of Media Production. I was going to college for engineering but soon dropped out to pursue the media ministry I was in. I figured if I couldn’t be a filmmaker, this was a way to use the skill-set I had for the Lord. That continued for about a year until this movie possibility came along. I worked on the film and stayed on staff until Summer 2009 when God called me away from ministry and onto some other things that fell flat quickly. The upcoming fall found me almost broke, with no prospects, with a film that had yet to be completed. I started working on the film and Praise Pictures full-time and soon found work doing things for other people that I had been doing on my own film which is web design, graphic design, online marketing, etc. That has continued until today and the film is releasing August 24th. It’s a great feeling after such a long journey.

Q: This seems to be a golden era for Christian filmmaking, with a variety of churches and Christian production companies producing films. Why do think this is?

A: I’ll be the bad guy here and say I don’t think it’s the golden era right now. I think we’re just getting started. One thing that can be bad in this time as other step up to try and do what Sherwood Pictures did, is you end up having many that are trying that probably shouldn’t be. Churches or organizations or even people independently who see the fruit God can bring and want a piece of that. That passion is fine but I think it’s misplaced. You have many who just see what God did with someone else and think “If I only did that, then I would be doing something great for God!” What I would say to someone like that is “But is that what God wants you to actually do?” Now is a time where folks are excited, see the potential and are gunning for it, and don’t think secular companies aren’t doing the same. They’re recognizing the financial potential this new and growing market has. I’m just asking folks to be weary and be attentive to God’s leading, where I think many turn their own goals, aspirations, longings, etc. into “God’s Will.” It’s a great time to be in this industry, but it has it’s drawbacks.

I wasn’t going to go there but allow me for a moment. God has lit a fire under me the past year especially the more I see what’s in this market, talked to those in it or who plan to be, etc. I won’t make this answer too long (I definitely could) but I also see a shift in thinking in Christianity as a whole and it’s trickling into Christian culture, and the filmmaking too. This idea that we need to manufacture a film in such a way, that it’ll bring the viewer into this comfortable position to “accept” Jesus. What is that? Or altering or watering down the Gospel to make the film “more effective?” As if God needed your film to reach folks? As if the Gospel needed to be altered, molded, or changed to be effective? Behold the power of God? I see the Christian industry splitting in half with people who’re putting Art above God, and making excuses for the kinds of things that are in their films (that I consider to be sin), and those who’re focused on being biblical, doctrinally sound, and effective for the Kingdom. I believe that because of some poor attempts in the past, many are by default, afraid to present the Gospel in any form. I believe that it’s possible to have it there plainly and clearly, and presented without the corniness that has plagued some films in the past. I’m willing to give it a try, because I think the Gospel is more important than my art, my narrative, and my story. Does that mean that my story, characters, etc. aren’t important and aren’t to be shown with credibility, reality, and quality of presentation? Of course not, but I won’t sacrifice the Gospel to do it. It’s a worship problem, it always has been. What do you value the most? If you had a scene that was clearly unbiblical, but if removed destroyed your narrative or damaged it severely, would you be able to remove it? To whom are you more accountable? Who is it that you serve? Who even gave you the ability to create in the first place?

Also to those who would defend their film because God seemed to use it and reach folks, I would say “So what!” God can work in spite of you for His own purposes. Some assume because there are results that God is fully pleased with everything they’ve done. Where does that thinking come from? This post is bound to anger a few, but that’s fine. I just pray that some of the things I see happening in this industry don’t continue the way they’re going. I have a feeling they will, and folks like myself will be pushed farther and farther out of the way, but there will always be a certain group that appreciates the other side of the coin.

Just food for thought. The length of the answer is long, but I prefer to serve up steak and eggs when it comes to the TRUTH, and not celery…too bad some “Christian” movies can’t say the same. It’s an exciting time to be in this industry as I said before, but a critical time as it’ll determine where the market goes. Christianity as a whole is strayed farther and farther away from Scripture, and more relativism, compromise, etc. is creeping in. What side are you on and where does your allegiance lie? I chose my side, and I won’t allow my “artistic drive” to get in the way. God and His Glory is priority. Some in this industry and buyers in this market will not like me for that. This isn’t a beauty contest.

Q: There are a lot of challenges to producing a Christian film, including money, resources, etc. How does a Christian film maker overcome those challenges?

A: The challengers aren’t very different from any other filmmaker. At the end of the day, the majority of what you need to deal with is the same. You see many who look for volunteer support while others are strictly against it and want an all professional crew. Do I think volunteers can mean a terrible product at times? Yes, it can. But, I won’t look down on it. I would love to have a more professional crew next time around so I’ll shoot for that budget wise, but sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you wish. When it comes to raising money, it’s difficult no matter what. I don’t care if you’re a Christian or non-Christian, with the state of the economy, nobody wants to pay for anything, let alone fund a film. I think many first timers shoot too high as well. They think they have the next PASSION on their hands and go for a $500,000 budget. If you can find someone foolish enough to give you that kind of money, I commend you. Start small, learn the business, be realistic and honest with what your movie actually is. Everyone loves to think their story will be adored by millions when they fail to realize that a lot of the time, it’s just them. That isn’t the way it always is, but I use the harsh words for a reason. Some do need a slap upside the head to bring them into reality. This is a difficult business to be in, even more so if you were in the secular market. Get guidance from good businessman, go before God about everything, and make smart decisions. Sometimes it’s really that easy. Some folks are looking for some sort of answer written in the clouds when they just need to do what makes good sense.

Q: Why is the medium of film so powerful in this generation?

A: Because a film is a sermon with pictures and sound. Film is unique because it can suck you in and use almost every sense you have to do it. It can present a worldview and a perspective in a way a book and a play can’t. It’s a powerful tool and you don’t have to be a genius to see it being used for evil in today’s society. The internet is an amazing tool until it’s used to hack and steal identities and information. A camera can be used to shoot an adult film, or be used for God’s Glory. Film is a tool. I’ve spoken to many about this, and some are strongly against using film as a means to “preach,” when what they fail to realize is they don’t have to have a lick of scripture in the film to be preaching. Every film is preaching and presenting something. What is yours saying and to whom is it intended? It’s a very important question, because it’ll change everything about what you make, and why.

The goal of Praise Pictures is to make films that can be used to reach people with the Gospel, and also to equip churches to minister to their flocks and become an edifying tool as well. Art and entertainment is all well and good but I’ve come to a place where I realize all is VANITY when compared to the Cross of Christ. Let me be clear, I absolutely love filmmaking, and I love art. I love the arts in almost every shape and form, but when I die, and this world is burnt to a crisp, and all things pass away, what is it that will stand? People roll their eyes at the question and say “Oh, so I can’t go play ping pong outside because it’s not for the Glory of God Mr. Fundamentalist?” I don’t know what to say to such things except shake my head. Film is a gift. Art is a gift. It’s a gift given from the ultimate artist. I intend to use it for the one who gave it. Many disagree on what that actually means, and I won’t even go into all that because some of it angers me. I just don’t want to be the man who said “I’ve wasted it.”

Philippians 3:8 – “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”

You know what, that includes Art. Whatever gifts, talents, etc. that I have were given to me by my creator and I intend to use them for the only thing that matters and that’s Him!

Q: What would you say to an aspiring film maker who feels God calling him or her to produce Christian films?

A: Seek the Lord and the will he has for your life. Be sure that this excitement you feel about film isn’t just you but it’s a legitimate calling. Be willing to accept a different answer. “But no, I know this is God’s calling it has to be!” Really? Seek him and the truths in His Word, and tread carefully. Don’t follow your heart, that is the worst advice anybody could give. Your heart is desperately wicked. Seek the guidance and the wisdom that the Holy Spirit gives, and be willing to do whatever it is he’s called you to. Again, art doesn’t matter. Filmmaking doesn’t matter. The Glory of God is priority, not whatever your dreams are. Align your dreams to what God would have you to do with your life, nothing more.

^{Acts 20:24} But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself,^[a] so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.