Behind the Screen

Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture

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About

Hollywood: Devil's playground or God's mission field?

Joan of Arcadia, Mission Impossible, Batman Forever, and That '70s Show have been some of the biggest productions in film and television. But did you know that Christians have been behind the scenes of these and other box office ratings smashes? Industry professionals Spencer Lewerenz and Barbara Nicolosi have discovered that the church is very much alive in Hollywood--and making a difference!

Behind the Screen presents the fascinating look at Hollywood through the eyes of Christian writers, producers, and executives living out their faith behind TV shows, on movie sets, and in studio offices. In their own words, they will take you behind the screen to reveal what Hollywood thinks of God and what you can do to close the gap between Christianity and culture.

Endorsements

"For Christians, Hollywood has become the scapegoat for our culture's ills. Behind the Screen is filled with insights from Christian media professionals who challenge us to stop grousing and start using the power of storytelling to broadcast hope. Do yourself a favor, turn off the TV, skip the movie opening this weekend, sit down, make yourself a tub of popcorn, and read this book."

David McFadzean, producer, Home Improvement, What Women Want, and Where the Heart Is

The Authors

  1. Spencer Lewerenz

    Spencer Lewerenz

    Spencer Lewerenz is a writer and editor whose editorials have appeared in The Washington Times, Crisis, Doublethink, The World & I, and First Things.

    Continue reading about Spencer Lewerenz

  2. Barbara Nicolosi

    Barbara Nicolosi

    Barbara Nicolosi is the founder and director of Act One, an organization whose mission is to train committed Christian writers to work in the Hollywood film industry. Both editors live and work in Hollywood, California.

    Continue reading about Barbara Nicolosi

Reviews

"This thought-provoking collection of essays on Hollywood features contributions by Christian writers for both film and television. After a hard-hitting, impressively self-reflective opening piece on the history of Hollywood's tortured relationship with Christianity, essayists expound on a number of topics, from how to survive mostly-secular Tinseltown with one's faith intact to exploring reasons why the industry is so secular in the first place. Refreshingly enough, the book's tone is almost completely non-defensive; these authors are culture-makers who want to seamlessly integrate their beliefs with their work and art."--Publishers Weekly

"'The world does not need a Christian cinema so much as it needs Christians in cinema.' And to that end, Behind the Scenes is highly recommended."--Christian Book Previews.com

"This book puts a refreshingly positive spin on a rarely covered topic."--Library Journal

"After a spate of books about Hollywood written by Christians who are observing the industry from a distance, it's refreshing to see a book like Behind the Screen, which was written by a group of individuals whose day jobs place them at the heart of the most influential cultural enterprise on the planet. Part how-to manual, part meditation on what role Christians should play in the entertainment industry--and what role the entertainment industry should play in the lives of Christians--Behind the Screen is must reading if you've ever cast a stone at Hollywood, wondered how we can span the gap between Christianity and culture or considered getting involved in the entertainment business yourself."--HollywoodJesus.com

"Behind the Screen is an important book because it lets Christian filmmakers speak to their fellow believers and potential audiences. These Hollywood Christians do so with concision, humor, grace, and honesty."--Ethicsdaily.com

"This book has passages of real insight that remind the audience of the traditional links between the Gospel, storytelling, visual art, and the business of communication."--Action Institute, Religion & Liberty

"The book is easy to read while at the same time thought-provoking. Behind the Screen offers advice on script-writing, on whether one should pick up and move to Hollywood, and on telling compelling stories. It is in giving 'creative guidance' in order to fill the void that this book not only works but also challenges and inspires."--www.theculturebeat.com

"Behind the Screen should have a permanent place on the bookshelf of any person who wants to think critically about the relationship between faith and art."--InFuze Magazine

"Christians need to read this book to understand how to genuinely and positively affect the Hollywood culture in a loving, Christ-like manner, producing excellence which reflects that of the Heavenly Father."--Doc Kirby, WTBF-AM/FM

"Ever wonder why there are so many bad movies? That question and many more are answered in this well-written and engaging book. Put this in the category of one of the best books written for Christians on the subject of cultural engagement. In addition to film, the lessons are also relevant to writing and music, but there are many possible applications."--PhantomTollbooth.com

"These 18 Christian filmmakers have some eye-opening things to say to Christians outside of the industry. Christians need to read this book to understand how to genuinely and positively affect the Hollywood culture in a loving, Christ-like manner, producing excellence which reflects that of the Heavenly Father."--Doc Kirby, Book Bit