Interview: Michael Landon Jr. on the Art of Christian Film Making
Saturday, Apr. 28, 2007 Posted: 5:02:56PM EST
With the success of such films as The Passion of the Christ, Christian and faith-based films have seen a sharp increase in production within the past years. Inside of this movement is one of the most prominent Christian film directors, Michael Landon, Jr., son to Little House on the Prairie star, Michael Landon.
Christian film maker Michael Landon, Jr., is now awaiting the DVD release of his first FoxFaith film, 'The Last Sin Eater.' He also shared his experiences with being a Christian director.
With the upcoming DVD release of his first FoxFaith film, The Last Sin Eater, on May 15, Landon was able to meet with the Christian Post to talk about the movie as well as talk about the experiences that come with being a Christian director. From his reactions, it seems that the genre is on its way up, but still in the process of growing.
CP: First, I’ll jump into your film that is coming out to DVD on May 15, The Last Sin Eater. How was your experience directing that film? Did you feel that it was any different than past movies you’ve made, especially since you released it under the FoxFaith label?
Landon: No, you know the good news was, well first of all, when we first got into business with Fox, it was actually prior to the FoxFaith label. Basically, we pretty much had complete autonomy once they approved the script to make the film as we saw it – “we” meaning my partner Brian Bird and I. So the new aspect for me, in terms of the approach, is that I was fortunate to be able to make the film from my personal company and not someone else’s.
CP: I was reading through some of your past work experience, and I saw that you really have had extensive experience in the moviemaking process besides directing. You’ve taken positions such as a film loader, the director of photography, an apprentice film editor, and even an actor. Do you think these experiences have helped you now that you are a director? Also, did you know all along this process that you would be interested in focusing on Christian entertainment?
Landon: OK, yes, it’s definitely been helpful learning all the other disciplines and paying my dues while doing that. Absolutely, no regrets, I did it a long time. And at the same time, I just feel very blessed to be working as a director right now, because it’s a very competitive business, a very demanding business. And I’m just so grateful to be working.
To answer your other question, no, I did not know that I would be making Christian films. I’ve always approached it in a way that if the material resonates with me, then I’ll pursue it, and that’s pretty much in the guidelines as I move forward.
CP: Do you find it difficult to be a Christian director out there in the market, because it seems that film critics are usually kind of rough when they give reviews of Christian films? Do you think that they are fair with their critiques?
Landon: You know, when you read a review, sometimes you can read into the intent of the critic. It’s hard not to take some of the criticism to heart. Some of it does end up being painful even though you hope you won’t be affected by it. At the end of the day, however, it’s really the audience that you’re hoping will get something out of the film. That’s who the film is being made for, not the critics.
