JOINER'S UPCOMING 'CHRISTIAN MOVIE' POKES FUN AT FAITH-BASED CINEMA
Michael Joiner's film project "Christian Movie" will present a parody of faith-based cinema that leaves patrons fleeing theaters nationwide.
▶ BY KEVIN SCOTT COLLIER
There’s a new Christian movie coming in the future, and that’s the title of it, too, Christian Movie. The Esther Pictures project is the brainchild of comedian/actor/writer, Michael Joiner. Don’t expect this religious escapade to be a dirty docudrama, as Joiner is known as one of the world’s funniest clean comedians.
“My feature film project, Christian Movie is the first ever of it's kind ‘parody’ of faith based films,” Joiner told CM. “To give you an idea, here's the logline: A Christian high school football team hopes to win their first ever championship before the rapture occurs, in this spoof of popular Christian movies.”
Joiner conveyed he is seeking investors for the film at the moment and will launch a crowdfunding event in late November. A pitch trailer is available for viewing.
Michael Joiner is executive producer of the project, with associate producer Regis Terencio. Besides Joiner and Terencio, the film will star Brad Stine, Scott Wood, Risky Betts and others. Joiner noted in advertisements for the film, instead of patrons running to the theater to see the picture, they will actually want to flee from it.
Joiner articulated that the objective of Christian Movie isn’t to offend anyone, especially those filmmakers engaged in the genre, but everything humorous has a touch of truth and exploits the most absurd.
“Now, just to be clear, I love working in faith-based movies, and the Christian actor in me was very sensitive to the industry as I wrote this script,” Joiner said. “However, the comedian in me...the bold, brash, often unconventional, ‘call ‘em as I see ‘em,’ funny man in me said the only way to write this script is to not hold back...and I didn't.”
Joiner shared that those who have read the script are calling it “a crazy, unbelievable hilarious idea whose time has come.” Secular and Christian audiences will appreciate the humor. Christians are aware they have souls, but also should recognize they have a funny bone, too. That’s a gift from God that should be put to use more often than it is.
“The ministry [of the film] will be in not only showing the world that we Christians can laugh at ourselves, but in showing the world that we can make a great comedy,” Joiner said. “A real comedy, comparable to what Hollywood puts out.”
Joiner will not name faith-based films parodied in his project, but shared “they are for sure the most recognized in all of Christian films,” yet took care on the script to present jokes in such a way that one will not necessarily have to be familiar with the movies targeted for sport.
Joiner decided to direct the film as most of the secerios come from his own experience from watching, working and analyzing faith-based movies.
“Another very important fact to keep in mind is, if I don’t make this movie, it is inevitable that the secular world will,” he said. “And they will not be nice. In fact, you can be sure they would be rude, crude, and in fact hostile...not at all respecting what we hold sacred.”
Michael Joiner has acquired his craft via many career stages. He moved to Hollywood in 2002, to study with “the big dawgs,” and realized right off-the-bat that his community theater experience wasn’t going to cut it.
“I learned stuff from these ‘A’ list acting coaches that I never heard at any other ‘acting’ class in the midwest. Stuff that I still use today in my acting roles and that I also teach in my classes,” Joiner said. “I see so many, especially in faith-based films, that have great potential, but they are applying zero technique to their roles and the effect is, quite frankly, some very bad acting.”
Joiner said that if Christians want to reach the world with their talents, they need to hone those talents the same way the pro’s do.
“You would never think of forming a band, and then asking people to join who never learned how to play an instrument. But for some reason, anyone who calls themselves an actor (or even director), simply because they want to be makes movies, and the results, especially in comparison to Hollywood standards, are often laughable.”
Joiner stated that study is required for any genre of actor who want to be taken seriously. Learn what the greats know and practice every day.
“If all you have to offer a filmmaker who hires you is to show up on the set with your lines memorized, you're not an actor at all, you're simply someone with a great memory,” he said.
Joiner has had the pleasure of working with Larry the Cable Guy, and explained how the comedian has created a character from sheer talent.
“Well, first of all his real name is Dan Whitten and he has no accent whatsoever,” Joiner said. “That was all his (genius) creation that worked to the tune of making him a millionaire 80 times over. He is a very down-to-earth, wonderful Christian man, and in my opinion, the funniest guy I know. I was thrilled when he signed me to his record label.”
Prayers and investors can help pave the road for the production of Christian Movie. Best join the support team before Hollywood steals the idea and put out something vile, which would be expected. For Joiner, his journey is more than just that of an actor and comedian.
“I have seen God use my comedy to see thousands come to Christ and get prayed for since 1992,” he shared.
And, that’s no joke.
There’s a new Christian movie coming in the future, and that’s the title of it, too, Christian Movie. The Esther Pictures project is the brainchild of comedian/actor/writer, Michael Joiner. Don’t expect this religious escapade to be a dirty docudrama, as Joiner is known as one of the world’s funniest clean comedians.
“My feature film project, Christian Movie is the first ever of it's kind ‘parody’ of faith based films,” Joiner told CM. “To give you an idea, here's the logline: A Christian high school football team hopes to win their first ever championship before the rapture occurs, in this spoof of popular Christian movies.”
Joiner conveyed he is seeking investors for the film at the moment and will launch a crowdfunding event in late November. A pitch trailer is available for viewing.
Michael Joiner is executive producer of the project, with associate producer Regis Terencio. Besides Joiner and Terencio, the film will star Brad Stine, Scott Wood, Risky Betts and others. Joiner noted in advertisements for the film, instead of patrons running to the theater to see the picture, they will actually want to flee from it.
Joiner articulated that the objective of Christian Movie isn’t to offend anyone, especially those filmmakers engaged in the genre, but everything humorous has a touch of truth and exploits the most absurd.
“Now, just to be clear, I love working in faith-based movies, and the Christian actor in me was very sensitive to the industry as I wrote this script,” Joiner said. “However, the comedian in me...the bold, brash, often unconventional, ‘call ‘em as I see ‘em,’ funny man in me said the only way to write this script is to not hold back...and I didn't.”
Joiner shared that those who have read the script are calling it “a crazy, unbelievable hilarious idea whose time has come.” Secular and Christian audiences will appreciate the humor. Christians are aware they have souls, but also should recognize they have a funny bone, too. That’s a gift from God that should be put to use more often than it is.
“The ministry [of the film] will be in not only showing the world that we Christians can laugh at ourselves, but in showing the world that we can make a great comedy,” Joiner said. “A real comedy, comparable to what Hollywood puts out.”
Joiner will not name faith-based films parodied in his project, but shared “they are for sure the most recognized in all of Christian films,” yet took care on the script to present jokes in such a way that one will not necessarily have to be familiar with the movies targeted for sport.
Joiner decided to direct the film as most of the secerios come from his own experience from watching, working and analyzing faith-based movies.
“Another very important fact to keep in mind is, if I don’t make this movie, it is inevitable that the secular world will,” he said. “And they will not be nice. In fact, you can be sure they would be rude, crude, and in fact hostile...not at all respecting what we hold sacred.”
Michael Joiner has acquired his craft via many career stages. He moved to Hollywood in 2002, to study with “the big dawgs,” and realized right off-the-bat that his community theater experience wasn’t going to cut it.
“I learned stuff from these ‘A’ list acting coaches that I never heard at any other ‘acting’ class in the midwest. Stuff that I still use today in my acting roles and that I also teach in my classes,” Joiner said. “I see so many, especially in faith-based films, that have great potential, but they are applying zero technique to their roles and the effect is, quite frankly, some very bad acting.”
Joiner said that if Christians want to reach the world with their talents, they need to hone those talents the same way the pro’s do.
“You would never think of forming a band, and then asking people to join who never learned how to play an instrument. But for some reason, anyone who calls themselves an actor (or even director), simply because they want to be makes movies, and the results, especially in comparison to Hollywood standards, are often laughable.”
Joiner stated that study is required for any genre of actor who want to be taken seriously. Learn what the greats know and practice every day.
“If all you have to offer a filmmaker who hires you is to show up on the set with your lines memorized, you're not an actor at all, you're simply someone with a great memory,” he said.
Joiner has had the pleasure of working with Larry the Cable Guy, and explained how the comedian has created a character from sheer talent.
“Well, first of all his real name is Dan Whitten and he has no accent whatsoever,” Joiner said. “That was all his (genius) creation that worked to the tune of making him a millionaire 80 times over. He is a very down-to-earth, wonderful Christian man, and in my opinion, the funniest guy I know. I was thrilled when he signed me to his record label.”
Prayers and investors can help pave the road for the production of Christian Movie. Best join the support team before Hollywood steals the idea and put out something vile, which would be expected. For Joiner, his journey is more than just that of an actor and comedian.
“I have seen God use my comedy to see thousands come to Christ and get prayed for since 1992,” he shared.
And, that’s no joke.
