VET JERRY DELLA SALLA ON THE FRONT LINES OF FAITH-BASED FILMMAKING
Patriot, war hero and multi-talented actor stands beside a backdrop of many posters of films he has appeared in, including "Green Zone" (large inset) with actor Matt Damon.
▶ BY KRISTEN COLLIER
Jerry Della Salla is like the Godfather of Christian filmmaking, but cooler. You WANT to kiss the ring, just to get in his good graces, but you don’t have to, because Della Salla is even cooler than the infamous mob boss--he’s a Bona Fide war hero, up for the Purple Heart. He is the poster boy--if ever there was one--for the new face of Today’s Christian Filmmaking Movers and Shakers.
Della Salla’s street cred couldn’t get any cooler:
But he’s not just a war hero-turned-biblical scholar.
Della Salla “had the best teacher in the history of acting schools: Stella Adler.” He recently was one of five nominees out of 15 films for Best Lead Actor in a Short Movie at the very popular Hollywood Divine International Film Fest, in PA, on October 3-5. Della Salla, the “original Jersey boy,” was featured in the mobster comedy, Wireless, directed by Christopher Shawn Shaw and featuring The Reliant’s Josh Murray, and played a mob boss beginning to get a conscience after turning to the Lord.
How did he go from the Jersey shores to a famed theater school?
“My career began in New Jersey, as a college student who was supposed to play football for a Division 3 school,” Della Salla, or “The Don” as we call him, told CM. “When I was ineligible to play my first year, I took some acting classes as an elective to fill the void and, well...I was hooked.”
The Iraq War hero even says that training helped on the battlefield.
“I truly think that I have to give thanks to my Theater background as a legitimate working professional actor in the New York theater scene, that made me a better soldier,” Della Salla said. And he credits it to Stella Adler, who also taught Brando, DeNiro, Streep, etc.
Della Salla said Adler “would ALWAYS say to us in class many things, but one of the greatest things she said, and has always stuck with me is, ‘The reason Marlon Brando is the Greatest actor of our generation, is because he understands what the nature and behavior of his characters are all about, and then he does that! In his work. He doesn't force anything, nor does he telegraph anything. He behaves the way they do. Your talent is in your choices.’ Studying people to that degree, allowed me as a soldier, ultimately to study my enemy when I deployed, and to where, in many cases, it helped our situation, or my own, for that matter.”
The Christian “Don” said, regarding his mission in life, “I really want to bring the Lord's gifts to light within the Christian Film Community of America. I've been working for over three decades within Off Broadway, Shakespeare Theater Fests, and in secular Hollywood for so long, but I feel like I haven't done enough for the Faith Community of Film. That, and just be the best darn DAD that I can be, while raising my daughter up in the Lord. That's it.”
Sounds like a modern-day Ronald Reagan, or future President Della Salla, perhaps.
But as a Jersey boy in a field overrun with, and encouraging, femmes, how critical does The Don think it is in these mixed up times to feature STRONG men on screen?
“Sadly, the ALL American male figure is being attacked,” the award-winning actor said. “There's no denying it. When once we revered strong, bold, pioneering men as heroes, that now has been replaced with the assault of the industry’s #MeToo movement saying it's ‘toxic masculinity!’ HUH? And the thing I find so funny, is that which they’re saying is toxic and ‘outdated’ or no longer ‘manly,’ is exactly the kinds of roles that secular Hollywood deems noble or heroic for women to play. It's such a crock of modern-day, feminist BS I can't even go there.”
The Don explained, “More than ever we need to promote Godly men in movies, who aren't afraid once in a while to be depicted as fierce and in charge, you know, like our generation was taught and the Bible (by the grace of Christ and through his spirit) resembles and teaches. Not to create a tyrannical sort of example, but definitely not the kind that Hollywood today more than ever is trying to emasculate from. Sickens me.”
And he, as have we at CM, notice it’s everywhere.
“Watch 90% of all commercials, hit TV shows, and even films today. I would strongly say 90% of them are about putting the woman in charge, emasculating the male or putting them in an inferior position to her, giving her ALL the smarts or command. And if you're a white male today--forget it! You’re at the bottom of the food chain. Period. This needs to stop, because it's a clear agenda they've all taken up.”
As a war hero, conservative Christian who loves his family, and theater trained, Shakespearean actor with a Master’s in Apologetics, Della Salla could be the next president or at the very least the face of the New Breed of Christian Filmmakers. He’s practically the poster boy for this emerging movement which emphasizes truth over prudish, pedantic sensibilities. Artistic excellence and integrity rather than blatantly inauthentic platitudes.
So, what kind of movies qualify for this new, high bar? What should Christian filmmakers make to reach mainstream audiences?
“Honest ones,” the Don told CM. “It goes back to the statement I made about my acting coach, Stella Adler. Find the truth in life and the people you depict and are playing. Find the things that will bring back to the American popular culture in cinema, male figures that we can look up to. Ones in the service, law enforcement, politics, etc. Civil servants and male figures living for God, call me crazy, at the same time. You just don't see that really anymore--except in Christian films.”
Della Salla named Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge, as a movie that gets this.
“What a movie! And yet, it's a true story. Brutally honest and clearly faith-based,” Della Salla shared. “But bold, too. I lean towards the Gibson faith-based genre, because he's shocking even secular America to take note of us through his harsh and at times (though never gratuitous) graphic use of the horrors of humanity without apology.”
The Don called out hypocritical Christians who want to make an impact for Christ with their movies but then pull their punches, and withhold the truth.
“They get hung up on things like, ‘Oh, but we can't curse in our films, that's the UN-Christian thing to do!’ Huh? Really? But you'll film people getting shot by someone violently, without reason, and not think that UN-Christian?” Della Salla said.
Della Salla cited Gibson’s three faith-based films as being examples of not holding those reservations when filming movies for the faith. (Along with Hacksaw Ridge and The Passion of the Christ, he included M. Night Shamalyn’s Signs, in which Gibson plays a pastor struggling with his faith after the death of his wife.)
The Don said he thinks Christian films “could resemble more of the aspects of sinful man, while at the same time never condoning them in our work, but showing a redemption, or freedom from them, by the end.” In other words--truth (John 17:17).
In regards to the faith aspect for filmmakers and investors considering scripts, what does this Jersey boy recommend to those who want to pop the provincial Christian film bubble, reach beyond the suburbs?
“Look for celebrating and talking about the 'lowest of the low' in this world through your movies, and raise them up,” The Don said. “They are the salt of the Earth after all - they deserve a platform.”
This sounds reasonable since James 2:5 says God chose “the poor of this world to be rich in faith” (which CM believes accounts for the spiritual anemia stereotype of the faith-based genre).
The solution? If those “rich in faith” are “the poor of this world”?
“Your talent is in your choice, remember,” The Don told CM. “Whether we're talking about the inner city kid, the prisoner in jail, the missionary in the field, etc. Anyone can be filmed to an entertaining level - it takes someone with vision.”
In script choices as well as actors.
For those who have the vision to get behind this natural born leader, does Della Salla, Iraq War hero, scholar, father and actor extraordinaire have a website or Paypal button where people can get behind or contribute to his work?
“Sadly, I'm behind in this area,” he told CM. “Call me old school, I guess. But I am up on IMDb of course, and Vimeo [in Trooper]. Also Facebook. But I plan on doing something of that kind, eventually. I probably should by now, huh? LOL.”
How can people keep up with all “Della Salla Approved” projects? How can we know which projects to get behind or that meet his high standard of approval? Does The Don have a newsletter or fan page?
“Again, I don't have one of those either--but hey! If you'd like, let's start a platform on your soon to be ROKU channel where I [give] interviews on favorite movies of the month to see? That could be fun, no?! I could even do my best Jersey Don accent for you again, while giving my reviews. LOL.”
We have no doubt Della Salla will be the New Face of Modern Christian Filmmakers. Besides his professional credits and his service to our nation, this patriot and loving father is the kind of guy every red-blooded American wants to get behind.
God bless America!
And God bless the Della Salla family!
Jerry Della Salla is like the Godfather of Christian filmmaking, but cooler. You WANT to kiss the ring, just to get in his good graces, but you don’t have to, because Della Salla is even cooler than the infamous mob boss--he’s a Bona Fide war hero, up for the Purple Heart. He is the poster boy--if ever there was one--for the new face of Today’s Christian Filmmaking Movers and Shakers.
Della Salla’s street cred couldn’t get any cooler:
- NYU Tisch Drama grad
- Signed up for the Army after 9/11
- In Green Room with Matt Damon
- Played a mob boss with a conscience (coming to faith), in Wireless
- Shot a perfect 10 without night vision goggles at 100 meters at Fort Dix
- Isn’t afraid to kiss his little girl on the cheek on camera
- And don’t forget the Master’s in Apologetics from Biola
- AND he’s a Jersey boy. Fuh-get about it.
But he’s not just a war hero-turned-biblical scholar.
Della Salla “had the best teacher in the history of acting schools: Stella Adler.” He recently was one of five nominees out of 15 films for Best Lead Actor in a Short Movie at the very popular Hollywood Divine International Film Fest, in PA, on October 3-5. Della Salla, the “original Jersey boy,” was featured in the mobster comedy, Wireless, directed by Christopher Shawn Shaw and featuring The Reliant’s Josh Murray, and played a mob boss beginning to get a conscience after turning to the Lord.
How did he go from the Jersey shores to a famed theater school?
“My career began in New Jersey, as a college student who was supposed to play football for a Division 3 school,” Della Salla, or “The Don” as we call him, told CM. “When I was ineligible to play my first year, I took some acting classes as an elective to fill the void and, well...I was hooked.”
The Iraq War hero even says that training helped on the battlefield.
“I truly think that I have to give thanks to my Theater background as a legitimate working professional actor in the New York theater scene, that made me a better soldier,” Della Salla said. And he credits it to Stella Adler, who also taught Brando, DeNiro, Streep, etc.
Della Salla said Adler “would ALWAYS say to us in class many things, but one of the greatest things she said, and has always stuck with me is, ‘The reason Marlon Brando is the Greatest actor of our generation, is because he understands what the nature and behavior of his characters are all about, and then he does that! In his work. He doesn't force anything, nor does he telegraph anything. He behaves the way they do. Your talent is in your choices.’ Studying people to that degree, allowed me as a soldier, ultimately to study my enemy when I deployed, and to where, in many cases, it helped our situation, or my own, for that matter.”
The Christian “Don” said, regarding his mission in life, “I really want to bring the Lord's gifts to light within the Christian Film Community of America. I've been working for over three decades within Off Broadway, Shakespeare Theater Fests, and in secular Hollywood for so long, but I feel like I haven't done enough for the Faith Community of Film. That, and just be the best darn DAD that I can be, while raising my daughter up in the Lord. That's it.”
Sounds like a modern-day Ronald Reagan, or future President Della Salla, perhaps.
But as a Jersey boy in a field overrun with, and encouraging, femmes, how critical does The Don think it is in these mixed up times to feature STRONG men on screen?
“Sadly, the ALL American male figure is being attacked,” the award-winning actor said. “There's no denying it. When once we revered strong, bold, pioneering men as heroes, that now has been replaced with the assault of the industry’s #MeToo movement saying it's ‘toxic masculinity!’ HUH? And the thing I find so funny, is that which they’re saying is toxic and ‘outdated’ or no longer ‘manly,’ is exactly the kinds of roles that secular Hollywood deems noble or heroic for women to play. It's such a crock of modern-day, feminist BS I can't even go there.”
The Don explained, “More than ever we need to promote Godly men in movies, who aren't afraid once in a while to be depicted as fierce and in charge, you know, like our generation was taught and the Bible (by the grace of Christ and through his spirit) resembles and teaches. Not to create a tyrannical sort of example, but definitely not the kind that Hollywood today more than ever is trying to emasculate from. Sickens me.”
And he, as have we at CM, notice it’s everywhere.
“Watch 90% of all commercials, hit TV shows, and even films today. I would strongly say 90% of them are about putting the woman in charge, emasculating the male or putting them in an inferior position to her, giving her ALL the smarts or command. And if you're a white male today--forget it! You’re at the bottom of the food chain. Period. This needs to stop, because it's a clear agenda they've all taken up.”
As a war hero, conservative Christian who loves his family, and theater trained, Shakespearean actor with a Master’s in Apologetics, Della Salla could be the next president or at the very least the face of the New Breed of Christian Filmmakers. He’s practically the poster boy for this emerging movement which emphasizes truth over prudish, pedantic sensibilities. Artistic excellence and integrity rather than blatantly inauthentic platitudes.
So, what kind of movies qualify for this new, high bar? What should Christian filmmakers make to reach mainstream audiences?
“Honest ones,” the Don told CM. “It goes back to the statement I made about my acting coach, Stella Adler. Find the truth in life and the people you depict and are playing. Find the things that will bring back to the American popular culture in cinema, male figures that we can look up to. Ones in the service, law enforcement, politics, etc. Civil servants and male figures living for God, call me crazy, at the same time. You just don't see that really anymore--except in Christian films.”
Della Salla named Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge, as a movie that gets this.
“What a movie! And yet, it's a true story. Brutally honest and clearly faith-based,” Della Salla shared. “But bold, too. I lean towards the Gibson faith-based genre, because he's shocking even secular America to take note of us through his harsh and at times (though never gratuitous) graphic use of the horrors of humanity without apology.”
The Don called out hypocritical Christians who want to make an impact for Christ with their movies but then pull their punches, and withhold the truth.
“They get hung up on things like, ‘Oh, but we can't curse in our films, that's the UN-Christian thing to do!’ Huh? Really? But you'll film people getting shot by someone violently, without reason, and not think that UN-Christian?” Della Salla said.
Della Salla cited Gibson’s three faith-based films as being examples of not holding those reservations when filming movies for the faith. (Along with Hacksaw Ridge and The Passion of the Christ, he included M. Night Shamalyn’s Signs, in which Gibson plays a pastor struggling with his faith after the death of his wife.)
The Don said he thinks Christian films “could resemble more of the aspects of sinful man, while at the same time never condoning them in our work, but showing a redemption, or freedom from them, by the end.” In other words--truth (John 17:17).
In regards to the faith aspect for filmmakers and investors considering scripts, what does this Jersey boy recommend to those who want to pop the provincial Christian film bubble, reach beyond the suburbs?
“Look for celebrating and talking about the 'lowest of the low' in this world through your movies, and raise them up,” The Don said. “They are the salt of the Earth after all - they deserve a platform.”
This sounds reasonable since James 2:5 says God chose “the poor of this world to be rich in faith” (which CM believes accounts for the spiritual anemia stereotype of the faith-based genre).
The solution? If those “rich in faith” are “the poor of this world”?
“Your talent is in your choice, remember,” The Don told CM. “Whether we're talking about the inner city kid, the prisoner in jail, the missionary in the field, etc. Anyone can be filmed to an entertaining level - it takes someone with vision.”
In script choices as well as actors.
For those who have the vision to get behind this natural born leader, does Della Salla, Iraq War hero, scholar, father and actor extraordinaire have a website or Paypal button where people can get behind or contribute to his work?
“Sadly, I'm behind in this area,” he told CM. “Call me old school, I guess. But I am up on IMDb of course, and Vimeo [in Trooper]. Also Facebook. But I plan on doing something of that kind, eventually. I probably should by now, huh? LOL.”
How can people keep up with all “Della Salla Approved” projects? How can we know which projects to get behind or that meet his high standard of approval? Does The Don have a newsletter or fan page?
“Again, I don't have one of those either--but hey! If you'd like, let's start a platform on your soon to be ROKU channel where I [give] interviews on favorite movies of the month to see? That could be fun, no?! I could even do my best Jersey Don accent for you again, while giving my reviews. LOL.”
We have no doubt Della Salla will be the New Face of Modern Christian Filmmakers. Besides his professional credits and his service to our nation, this patriot and loving father is the kind of guy every red-blooded American wants to get behind.
God bless America!
And God bless the Della Salla family!
Check out Jerry “The Don” Della Salla on IMDb and on Wikipedia.
Follow the “Godfather” of Christian filmmaking on Facebook.
Follow the “Godfather” of Christian filmmaking on Facebook.
