There are numerous Christian organizations in Hollywood that God has raised up as beacons of light to those who are walking in darkness, as well as support organizations for Christian professionals already working in Hollywood and for those who are new to the “front lines.”  From a parent’s point of view, it is a huge encouragement to know that there are mature believers working in Hollywood that are willing to connect with and nurture the students who may eventually make a move to Los Angeles or New York either to attend school or to begin their careers.  We have included links to the websites of some of these organizations below that may be of interest to you.

MINISTRY ORGANIZATIONS

Act One: Writing for Hollywood - www.actoneprogram.com

Workshop for Christian film and television writers plus script critique service.

Actors Co-op - www.actorsco-op.org

Award-winning professional theatre company with two Equity-approved 99-seat theaters.

Biola Media Conference - www.mcom.biola.edu/bmc

Exists to educate, encourage, and support people of faith involved or interested in media. It uniquely provides media professionals with a forum to exchange valuable knowledge and wisdom gained in their field of expertise as they integrate their faith with their art.

Experience Arts School Ministries - www.experienceartsschool.com

A Christian education ministry based in Mesa, Arizona to train and equip Christian artists to be technically skilled, biblically grounded, and spiritually minded; instill a desire within our artists to pursue quality and integrity in their art form; ignite a passion within artists to use their gifts and talents to serve both their church and their community; and commission artists to influence our culture and further the kingdom of God both locally and internationally.

First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood - www.fpch.org

A people who desire to know Christ and raise the cross over Hollywood .  Home to Actor’s Co-op, Hollywood Prayer Network and Inter-Mission ministries.

Hollywood Connect - www.hollywoodconnect.com

Hollywood Connect serves to equip and educate Christians in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment Industry to fulfill their individual God-given calling so that Christ will be lifted up in Hollywood and the world.

Hollywood Jesus - www.hollywoodjesus.com

Movie reviews from a spiritual angle.

Hollywood Prayer Network - www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org

Monthly prayer requests, praises, updates and media news via e-mail.

Hollywood Transformation Coalition - www.hollywoodtransformation.com

A collaboration effort of many Christian organizations inviting ministries, churches, prayer leaders and members of the media industry to come regularly together to pray and intercede to see positive changes and transformation in Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general.

Inter-Mission - www.inter-mission.net

Hosts events featuring industry professionals, seminars, spiritual retreats and more.  List of area churches also on this site.

Los Angeles Film Studies Center - http://lafsc.bestsemester.com

Study program introducing Christian students to careers in Hollywood.

Mastermedia International - www.mastermediaintl.org

Ministry for industry leaders in film and television plus small group support for entertainment executives.  Excellent prayer calendar available on this site.

Media Fellowship International - www.mediafellowship.org

Ministry to media and entertainment professionals in key arts and media cities worldwide.

Premise - www.premiseonline.org

Prayer group for Christians in the media.

Victorya Rogers - www.victorya.com

Educational videos, audiotapes, and consulting on how to break into a career in the entertainment industry.

RECOMMENDED READING FOR CLUB MEMBERS AND PARENTS

These books are available for purchase at www.amazon.com.

Behind the Screen edited by Spencer Lewerenz and Barbara Nicolosi

Hollywood:  devil's playground or God's mission field?  Behind the Screen presents a fascinating look at Hollywood through the eyes of Christian writers, producers, and executives living out their faith on movie sets, in studio offices, and at TV networks.  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.  (BakerBooks - 2005)

Hollywood Worldviews:  Watching Films With Wisdom & Discernment by Brian Godawa

Do you watch movies with your eyes open?  You buy your tickets and concessions, and you walk into the theater. Celluloid images flash at twenty-four frames per second, and the hypnotic sequence of moving pictures coaxes you to suspend disbelief and be entertained by the implausible.  Unfortunately, many often suspend their beliefs as well, succumbing to subtle lessons in how to behave, think and even perceive reality. Do you find yourself hoping that a sister will succeed in seducing her sibling's husband, that a thief will get away with his crime, that a serial killer will escape judgment? Do you, too, laugh at the bumbling priest and seethe at the intolerant and abusive evangelist? Do you embrace worldviews that infect your faith and wonder, after your head is clear, whether your faith can survive the infection?  Brian Godawa guides you through the place of redemption in film, the tricks screenwriters use to communicate their message, and the mental and spiritual discipline required for watching movies. Hollywood Worldviews helps you enter a dialogue with Hollywood that leads to a happier ending, one that keeps you aware of your culture and awake to your faith.  (InterVarsity Press – 2002)

How to Talk About Jesus Without Freaking Out by Jim and Karen Covell and Victorya Michaels Rogers

Do you "freak out" when it comes to sharing Christ with others? God commands all believers to go and share the "Good News," but most believers don't do it because they're afraid-afraid of personal rejection, afraid of being ridiculed, afraid of not knowing how, or afraid of not having all the answers. How to Talk About Jesus Without Freaking Out offers easy solutions to those who freeze up, freak out, or "pass" on the thrill of talking to someone about Jesus-and that's almost all of us. It is built on the authors' nine years of experience teaching folks of all backgrounds and religions in Hollywood how to share their faith. This humorously written book will help Christians push their fears aside and start fulfilling the great commission.  (Multnomah – 2001)

Reel Spirituality:  Theology and Film in Dialogue by Robert K. Johnston

The motion picture is an art form that has significantly influenced human culture. Films can shape our perceptions-from relationships and careers to good and evil. They are often a window into the human soul, a glimpse that can be both terrifying and holy.  In view of the increasingly powerful role that movies play in our cultural dialogue, Robert K. Johnston, professor of theology and culture at Fuller Theological Seminary, has written a book to guide Christian moviegoers into a theological analysis of and conversation with film.  Intended for use in the college and seminary classroom, Reel Spirituality helps Christians interpret movies through the eyes of faith. It provides the theological underpinnings for this art form and fosters both dialogue and discipleship.  (Baker Academic – 2000)

Finding God in the Movies:  33 Films of Reel Faith by Catherine M. Barsotti and Robert K. Johnston

Barsotti and Johnston show you how to combine your love of movies with your desire for God.  Introducing thirty-three films of faith - ranging from Tender Mercies to X-Men - the authors identify and explore key biblical themes like forgiveness, faith, and repentance.  An enthusiastic guide for the individual movie lover or small group, this resource contains production notes and film synopses, relevant Scripture texts, theological reflection, recommended video clips, discussion questions, and more.  It will deepen your fervor for film and for God.  (BakerBooks - 2004)

Reflections on the Movies:  Hearing God in the Unlikeliest of Places by Ken Gire

Can a movie feed your soul?  Stories. Be it a parable of Jesus, a C.S. Lewis fantasy, or a movie such as Saving Private Ryan, stories have been around since Creation, a means of both education and entertainment. By far, our favorite way to listen to a story today is at the movies, whether in a theater or a family room. Indeed, says Ken Gire, movies are the parables of our culture—earthly stories that sometimes have heavenly meanings.  Can we discern God's voice in the modern parables of film? Yes, it is there, sometimes loud and crystal-clear, sometimes barely a whisper, sometimes even despite the filmmaker's intent. In Reflections on the Movies, Ken helps us: sensitize our "eyes to hear and ears to hear" God speaking, develop the skills to understand movies and their themes, and learn to reflect on the medium as a form of spiritual enrichment.  In 1999, Ken was one of thirty Christians selected for a month-long study under some of the film industry's top talent in Hollywood. He has led numerous spiritual retreats where he has used movie clips to illustrate his messages.  (Chariot Victor – 2000)

ReViewing the Movies:  A Christian Response to Contemporary Film by Peter Fraser and Vernon Edwin Neal

With film being one of the most powerful cultural influences in America, we Christians cheat ourselves and limit our opportunities to witness to the culture when we label all movies as “completely corrupt” or as “harmless entertainment.”  The one stance thoroughly excludes a possible source of greater understanding; the other allows ungodly values to freely enter our hearts.  What we need is the balance that discernment provides.  A film not made solely by or about Christians can still be uplifting and connect with us spiritually – as long as it conveys truth with cinematic excellence.  Yet many of us are unequipped to determine which movies meet that qualification.  That’s why we need the right tools.  With them we can shift to the offensive and intentionally evaluate and discuss how a movie illustrates God’s truth.  In their book, media experts Peter Fraser and Vernon Edwin Neal offer you those tools.  Using a wide range of examples from throughout cinematic history, they explain how a film is created, what the story line means for its effectiveness, and how films impact both children and adults.  In learning to better understand the movies and unpack their images, you’ll gain an informed discernment for yourself and help your friends, family, and the unsaved come to view Hollywood’s messages more critically and more carefully.  (Crossway – 2000)

Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner

Do Christian values belong in our culture?  Bob Briner would have told you, “Absolutely!”  Christians can and ought to be the movers and shakers of social change – “roaring lambs” who infiltrate and make an impact on their workplace and world with their faith.  Roaring Lambs was written from Briner’s personal experience as an Emmy Award-winning television producer.  It takes you into the work world to meet busy Christians who “roar” on their jobs.  You’ll find culture-shaping strategies anyone can use.  There’s also a useful discussion guide that will help you and your friends put shoe leather to your faith.  (Zondervan – 2000)

The Day I Met God:  Extraordinary Stories of Life-Changing Miracles by Jim and Karen Covell and Victorya Michaels Rogers

The Day I Met God is a collection of unique, powerful stories told by Americans with one thing in common. Young and old, rich and poor, famous and infamous -- they were all searching for something to fill a void in their lives, and they all found it in a personal, life-changing encounter with God. Their amazing stories show how God used the circumstances of their lives -- good, bad, and worse -- to arrange a meeting with Himself. Through miraculous visions, quiet revelations, life and death situations, or gentle persuasion, these people met God, and He filled their empty hearts with freedom, joy, and hope.  (Multnomah – 2001)