Duo Defies Odds to Create Christian Movies
Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) July 29, 2015 -- The thought of two people writing, filming, editing and releasing a movie sounds like a fun little hobby. But when it’s a Christian movie that’s good enough to end up in Walmart, Best Buy, and theaters around the country, the hobby turns into a mission. And that mission is Faith House Pictures.
Company founder Craig McMahon is still surprised by the attention his company is receiving. “Our audiences can never believe it’s the work of only two people. The only clue comes during the film’s credits, which are really, really short.”
McMahon’s partner, John Waldron, recounts a discussion with a distributor as he packages DVDs for his daily trip to the post office. “We sent them a copy of the film and they contacted us to say we had forgotten to include the credits. We told them ‘No, they’re all there.’ I don’t think they believed us.”
The team faced an uphill battle from the very beginning. “We had a little money but a lot of faith,” adds McMahon. “We couldn’t afford expensive crews and elaborate sets, so we locked ourselves in a room for two weeks and wrote a script that could be made with virtually no budget.” But then the unexpected happened; as word got out that they were producing a Christian movie, they were flooded with offers of help from the community.
“It reaffirms our belief that God will provide what we need,” adds McMahon. “Locations, props, automobiles, animals, even actors appeared out of nowhere. We were truly blessed.”
To create the films they wanted, additional camera equipment was needed, but was way out of their budget. Since both had mechanical backgrounds, they built dollys, cranes and camera rigs (one which has since been patented) to achieve the sweeping, panoramic shots found in big-budget movies. “We both loved watching ‘The Ten Commandments’ as kids,” adds Waldron.
When they finally released their first movie the two were not prepared for the impact it had on their audience. “It was very gratifying to know we were inspiring people,” said McMahon. “We knew then and there what our purpose in life was. The joy we felt serving God was indescribable. We both had drifted from the church and were kind of lost.”
The two immediately set to writing their second movie but struggled to find a location to film. “We couldn’t afford to keep renting multiple locations and were running out of money,” adds Waldron. “I remember praying pretty hard that week.” And as seems to be the case with them, another angel appeared. “We were offered, free of charge, the use of an old steel building, so we built a studio lot inside it,” said Waldron. “Walls, floors, windows and entire rooms. We make it all and repaint and reuse it over and over.”
“We build furniture pieces, sew curtains, even design costumes,” adds McMahon, “and it’s just the two of us. If you look at the number of names in the average movie credits, it’s staggering. Here we are doing the jobs of a hundred people: writing, filming, editing, set design, hair and makeup, sound, lighting, even food service. We wear all the hats.”
Having limited funds and no crew does have its advantages. “I think it actually makes our films better,” adds Waldron. “We never lose sight of the story because we are both on the same page throughout the entire process. We know what each other is thinking and are incredibly efficient,” but adds with a grin, “though it would be nice if we had some money to hire some A-list actors.”
The team has gone on to produce six more full-length movies, all to glowing reviews, that are available around the country. And they have no plans of slowing down. “We dream about what it would be like to have the money to allow our films to reach more people. But we know God will also provide that when He’s ready,” says McMahon.
About Faith House Pictures
Faith House Pictures, LLC, produces and distributes inspirational, uplifting Christian-themed movies. Our goal is to change the fear and anger in our culture by spreading the word of God and giving faith to those who have become lost.
Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
Kelly Smith, Faith House Pictures, http://www.faithhousepictures.com, +1 602-708-9340, [email protected]
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