Need your ideas for a documentary

[Nigel Davey]

Hi guys,

I am in the TV business here in London. Recently I felt inspired (by God I hope) to buy some video equipment that will be used to make a number of Christian documentaries.

Now what I really want to do is produce programmes that will make non believers sit up and take notice, rather than say, "oh look there's another one of those Bible bashing Christian programmes, turn the channel over". Sorry (if I have offended any one), but that's how a lot of people here in the UK react to current Christian output.

Anyway it's easy to say that I want to produce something more captivating, but a lot harder to do. Essentially it requires a very good story, theme, angle or 'hook', as it's sometimes called. I have a few ideas of my own, but I really want this to be a ministry that starts with the 'body' and works with it. God has pretty much said to me (specifically referring to Christians in the media) that what we 'are' (i.e. the united body of Christ) is much more important than what we produce. Consequently I want the input of the body. So with this in mind what are your idea's for a good Christian documentary? What do you think the Christian media hasn't covered or conveyed at the moment? What should we be highlighting? What would be both enjoyable and thought provoking in a way that is culturally relevant?

Feel free to either post here or email me on nigeldavey@hotmail.com

And thank you for your time and consideration. May it bring glory to God.

Yours in Christ,

Nigel.

 

[twosteppin]

I've been thinking about this, and I do not have many good ideas. Do you mean that you are interested in doing a scripted thing, or a "true life" thing? I am under the impression that a documentary is like a true life thing, so that is what i'll infer. What about documenting the lives of Christians, such as, A young teen in school. A sick elderly person at the end of his life. Prison people that have converted. Atheist that has converted. Someone with a crazy life story. you see where I am going? get inside their heads, their everyday thoughts. showing the audience why they are christians, and how their lives had been changed through their walk with God. People that" everyday Joe" can relate to.
What Christian art is not showing is the everyday struggle that people go through. The struggle Christians have with trying to do right, and always, always doing wrong. They do not show the struggle and questioning of faith. The questioning in our minds on what the truth really is. Christians going through grief, loss, family problems. and of coarse the sheer joy and hope that rests in our hearts and this great mercy we have received. I am rambeling, sorry.
I guess something like that can possess problems. Real life isn't scripted. I mean, these people's lives that are being filmed could be real boring. Nothing would happen. Nothing that would keep an audience captivated. but, alas, thats were a great film maker comes in. I'll think about this more. God bless.

 

[Nigel Davey]

I know what you mean about the everyday struggles of Christians. But as you say it is a bit too unpredictable and unless the person has a charismatic character (not the Christian version) there will be little to engage a non believing audience. The conversion stories are always great; I love them, particularly when well done. They can be powerful and show what a difference God makes. But that's not really what I'm after. I want to pick up on some interesting issues that are a little less covered.

For example what about the issue of human 'cloning' or the cloning of human organs to save lives. One seems totally wrong, the other is a grey area (to me at least). OK so let's say this is my topic, but I don't have a story or angle, it's just an issue. I would need to find, or make, a narrative. For example what if a Christian family had the opportunity to save their dying daughter because pioneering clone research could produce a much needed replacement heart for her. The mother wants to go ahead, she only cares about the child, but the father thinks it is fundamentally wrong because the same group providing the heart is also trying to clone whole humans.

Now there is a human interest story with God's boundaries to consider. Perhaps it's a morbid example, and God forbid it should ever happen, but I meant to show how it might engage non believers. Effectively I want to show God's standards have meaning in all our lives and we have to make tough decisions and take stands when appropriate. If we don't there are dire consequences which are being played out all over the world as we write.

My own personal feeling is that for most people (in the first world that is) life has been predictable, safe and to a certain degree, fun for a long time. However things really seemed to change after Sept the 11th. To be blunt the world seems to have gone crazy (or is it just me?) and every other day something more like a Hollywood disaster movie happens. People are starting to ask themselves what on earth is going on, why are people doing this; can I trust that my nice secure lifestyle will be there in the future? In short I believe ordinary people are asking the questions that they should have been asking before 9/11.

I went to a premier of a Christian documentary a few weeks ago (The Legend of Pastor Bill) and one journalist commented 'Christianity is no longer a dirty word' (they were referring to how the media has generally treated it for some time). In a way Christianity is back on the media's list of hot topics. Just think of the response 'The Passion of Christ' is getting. Anyway we (the body) have an opportunity to make some Christian programmes right now that will probably 'want to be watched' by non believers. But we need stuff that is really really relevant. Of course there's a place for the preachers and Christian concerts on TV, but that's not what I'm hoping to make. I really want to find some topics/ideas that address and hopefully answer the questions they're asking right now. That said, maybe I'm only seeing it from one angle and that's why I'm asking the body!

OK that was a long speech, but I hope it clarifies my original proposition.

Yours in Christ,

Nigel.

 

[twosteppin]

I think you might want to get your answer from one who is "outside" the body. Not a Christian. As a beliver, I cannot really understand the questions non-believers have about Christianity. An Agnostic needs to sit down and list questions that they have about our faith.
To do an "issue" documentary is a good idea. However, What do you want non-believers to get out of your documentary? Christian perceptive on the world and current issues? or are you looking to make a good apologetic case for the Christian faith? or just simply a modern peice about modern issues and the body of Christ.
You are right in saying that the world is much different today. People are asking questions, worrying. 9/11 alone was an eye and ear opener. the world seems to be interested in the Christian faith. Strike when the irons hot I always say.
You want current issues that have not been discussed. That right there lies a problem, it seems today every issue has, and is being, discussed. Almost to a point of annoyance. Abortion, Homosexuality, war, you name it.
You want answers from the body but I think, as I already stated, that you might want to start on the outside. I look forward to seeing what other Christians say.
Sorry that I cannot be a bigger help. I'm really interested in this topic though. sorry for my irrelevent ramblings.

 

[Nigel Davey]

Hi DMB233 (sorry don't know your name).

OK let me start by saying that none of what you are saying is 'irrelevant ramblings'. It helps me clarify exactly what I am asking people here. Regarding asking outside the body I did try that. In brief a common response I received was; 'Christians should stop making programmes that assume their position is correct and concentrate more on the things that all religions agree on'. It all seemed to boil down to the fact that they wanted a 'new age' type of program where beliefs they advocated in their own lives could be encompassed spiritually. So I eventually decided to give up on that avenue. As we know there is only one truth. So I'll end up saying right now "I am going to make biased documentaries". Biased towards the truth.

What do I want non Christians to get out of it? Well at a general level I want to show them that God is sooooo relevant today. When they are asking the question 'why has the world gone mad' I want the answer to be 'because you and the society we live in are not doing what God wants'. How do I that? I show them differing views, the world's and God's (played out through Christians). They may not choose to accept God's, but at least they'll hear/see it and have to think about both. However there is a point in program making when you can ask too many 'what do I want to achieve?' questions and your original remit becomes rather muddled.

Finally you remarked that all the current issues have been discussed to the point of annoyance. Maybe they have in open forums, chat shows, Christian debates, but not to my knowledge in documentary form, especially from a Christian perspective. Take homosexuality, has a documentary looked at the current medical evidence (i.e. genetic, environment induced?), the branch of the church that accepts homosexuality and the rest of the church that doesn't, and sat their perspectives together side by side? I don't just mean interviews, but exploring the consequences of each position. How will it affect the Church's position if homosexuality is genetic? Do gay friendly churches interpret other parts of the Bible differently? What is the church likely to do when it becomes illegal (I imagine it will happen) to say publicly homosexuality is a sin? If these types of documentaries are being made elsewhere, we are not seeing them here in the UK!

I knew I wrote 'finally' further up, but this really is it. Please keep giving me your thoughts and ideas. I genuinely appreciate this and it is making me think about exactly what I should be doing. Thank you.


Yours in Christ,

Nigel Davey

 

[twosteppin]

hey nigel! I gotta run. So I'm gonna post a responce either later tonight or tomorrow. God bless!

~~Amy

 

[twosteppin]

Hello again!
You gotta love the world view today. "Truth is all up to the individual, lets get rid of the old "fundamental" ideas on homosexuality, sex, and anything else that might offend anyone, yada yada yada" If there is one thing your documentary should be, thats politically incorrect. So im thinking this. Having a main character who starts out just like the world. Same way of thinking. Then he starts his path of self discovery. Learning about truth and God through the most random and crazy characters. You address the issues you want to through this character and others. You can show that God is relevant by direct or indirect ways. (i.e: a character basically saying that "God is relevant today", or by implying it some other way) I think an audience could really relate to this character and his path to find truth, and answers to his many questions. I know one person could for sure! By the way, is this a short or movielike documentary you are making? God bless.

~~Amy

 

[Nigel Davey]

Hi Amy.

Thanks for your thoughts and your time. The length of any documantary will really depend on the topic. Some issues will take much longer to explore than others. On average a TV documentary is 30-60 mins. Re the politically correct thing, as I said I have no intention of [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] footing around when it comes to putting across a Christian perspective. That said I have to present both sides and try to give balance to both, otherwise the average non believer will just identify it as a piece of Christian propoganda and surf straight past.

If you have any other ideas keep posting. I'm hoping one or two others will come out of the woodwork as well.

Yours in Christ,

Nigel.

 

[Nigel Davey]

Any ideas any one?