'Shooting Heroin' On Mission To Be Real, Show Redemption, Avoid Sugar-Coating
/Spencer T Folmar has a clear mission when making his movies, including “Shooting Heroin,” the one he begins filming on this week — they must be real, show redemption, and not be sugar-coated.BY ALEX MURASHKOThis article is the conclusion of a two-part interview with Folmar, who is a filmmaker and TogetherLA contributing writer. In this part of the interview (below), he shares more about walking the line between Faith Based and General Audiences entertainment.After his film company, Hard Faith, released “Generational Sins” last year, a story that touched on alcoholism, suicide and redemption, Folmar began the early production stages of “The Beast in Me,” but recently shifted schedule to begin “Shooting Heroin.” The need to tackle the opioid problem in the U.S. via his film, sooner rather than later was too great, he explained.In his interview, Folmar shares why it’s important for him to make films that aim for an audience that mirror the “public square.”TOGETHERLA: When did you decide that your movies weren't necessarily going to paint stories of life in a rose garden?SPENCER T FOLMAR: I always had a passion for film. I was a filmmaker in the beginning, had already made a couple feature films, and I had worked on a lot of commercials and corporate work, all before I came to Christ. And then, I had this amazing experience in New Zealand, and I couldn't put this book down — the Bible. I was learning all about God and about all these crazy, complex characters, and these scoundrels that God was using in his story.At that point, I was just trying to imagine what a movie might look like if was going to use my skills and passion to glorify God. I was dreaming while in Bible school what a good movie could look like that was informed by this amazing book and about the character of God. Since I did not grow up in the Christian church I wasn't familiar, at all, with the library of faith based films.So, it was quite an education when I came back to the states and started watching “Faith” films.Whenever I said I wanted to make movies about God, my new family in Christ would point me to these faith based titles. So, I watched a couple of these titles, and then I had to quickly clarify that I was in fact not making these traditional faith-based films at all. It helped me recognize what I didn’t want to do. I'm not trying to create content only for Christian consumption that paints the world with rosy colored glasses.Many of these faith-based films I really still can't get into. Most of them depict such a foreign world and false reality. Most of these faith-based films don't reflect the world in which I live in, or have lived in, or most of my friends and family are still wrestling with.It's just that the stakes aren't that high. I also don't find that most faith-based films reflect the reality of the Bible either. The films are so self-censored that they are unrecognizable to my own life and my own struggles. And if I was going to make films now, with this revelation of God, I want them to be honest with my own struggles and depict the world as it actually is. To be truthful. In fact, in a lot of ways, life can actually become more difficult after you're a Christian.TLA: How long has “Shooting Heroin” been in the works? When did you start writing the script?FOLMAR: I started writing “Shooting Heroin” just a few months ago, but the idea was inspired by many true events and stories.In this movie, theologically speaking, I wanted to deal with the demons of addiction and of judging others too harshly without empathy. But at the same time, I also wanted to explore the call for responsibility, not only for ourselves but for the love of our neighbor.TLA: It doesn’t sound like this movie will be on Pure Flix. Am I right?FOLMAR: Hah! No, it won't be on Pure Flix. My last film, “Generational Sins,” which was about two brothers' return home to reconcile with an alcoholic, abusive father, also is not on Pure Flix. But that's okay because that's not our target audience. We're making films for the main, public square, and general audiences. At the same time, we're talking explicitly about Jesus Christ and his Gospel. And yet not censoring, the R-rated nature of the world.So, my movies will most likely not be on Pure Flix, but we definitely have an evangelistic mindset and mission so we can get these messages of salvation to the people who need them most outside the church.TLA: As a Christian, are there points during the making of a movie where you're thinking, okay, well this is over the line, and this is not, or this is edifying or this is not? How do you navigate the edges?FOLMAR: Yeah, it's tough. It's definitely a difficult balancing act because I don't want to ever glorify sin, or be indulgent.There's enough graphicness and senseless sin in most media. But I don't ever want to take the audience out of the story or out of the reality so that they're less empathetic to real-life figures.You know, sin should be difficult to digest. That's one of the biggest issues with so many faith-based films: The sin is never that vile. There's never truly a beast. You never actually put flesh on the bones of sin or of sin nature because it's so easily digestible. It's been so censored for family audiences.For the sin that I show in my films, I want it to stay with audiences. I don't want them to easily move on from those scenes or onto the next scene without feeling the weight of sin.There should be a long pause because sin is an eternally, weighty matter.TLA: I often ask this question even though sometimes it feels cliché. What do you want viewers to come away with from 'Shooting Heroin?'FOLMAR: I want viewers to come away from “Shooting Heroin” as I hope they came away with from my last film, "Generational Sins," awakening to the fact that despite what may seem like insurmountable despair or darkness that the movie’s characters face and maybe audience members face as well, that there is genuine hope in Jesus Christ. That they can see the light in even the greatest of darkness.
PART ONE: Filmmaker Walks Line Between Faith Based and General Audiences Entertainment
Director Spencer T. Folmar’s theatrical debut, “Generational Sins,” has spurred a national debate surrounding the interplay of faith and film. Folmar coined the term “Hard Faith” to describe this new genre of film, written for audiences who are hungry for hope in the midst of gritty real-life stories. Folmar’s films are now released under his Los Angeles production company Hard Faith Films, which is currently developing several projects that will reflect today’s multifaceted culture and audience.
"The thing that I really wrestled with, and I couldn't quite understand, is that up until that point in my life most of my universe and my actions and everyone around me kinda revolved around me and my ego and pride and what I could get out of this world and what I could accomplish. Whenever I looked at that verse and within the scope of some of these new letters and books I'd been reading in the Bible, it started to become clear to me that my life wasn't about me, but it was actually about this guy named Jesus. And that my purpose of living and all my actions are actually connected to this grand tapestry of God's work and creation, and his plan of redemption for humanity."I was humbled in a good way to realize that the universe didn't revolve around me, and it revolved around Jesus. It was better to be a thread in that tapestry than on the threshing floor. It was a huge 180-degree turn for me. My life flipped upside down and now these words of scripture became illuminated and they mattered in this unique new way. I had a special revelation. I had now found the Bible. Whenever I’ve read the Bible after my conversion experience, the words would be like a personal counseling, therapy session. It would cut me down to the core of my being in a way that years worth of counseling never could."Editor's Note: The above is part one of a two-part interview with Folmar.
The winner of the $25,000 Ware Foundation Prize for the Best Movie for Families -- The Boss Baby (DreamWorks/20th Century Fox) -- is a 2017 American computer-animated comedy film loosely based on the 2010 picture book of the same name by Marla Frazee and produced by DreamWorks Animation. Directed by Tom McGrath and written by Michael McCullers, the film stars the voices of Alec Baldwin as the title character, along with Miles Bakshi, Steve Buscemi, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, and Tobey Maguire. The plot follows a baby who is a secret agent in the war for adult's love between babies and puppies.If British war-time hero, Winston Churchill was alive today, I am sure he would have be pleased that the Winner for Best Movie for Mature Audiences, was Darkest Hour, a 2017 British war drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Anthony McCarten. It stars Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill, and follows his early days as Prime Minister, as Hitler closes in on Britain during World War II. The film also stars Ben Mendelsohn, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James, Stephen Dillane, and Ronald Pickup.The Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring Movie of last year went to The Star, an American computer-animated Christian adventure film directed by Timothy Reckart. Based on the Nativity of Jesus, and an original idea by Tom Sheridan, the screenplay was written by Carlos Kotkin and Simon Moore. It is produced by Sony Pictures Animation, with partnership from Walden Media, Affirm Films and The Jim Henson Company. It stars the voices of Steven Yeun, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Keegan-Michael Key, Kelly Clarkson, Patricia Heaton,Kristin Chenoweth, Tracy Morgan, Tyler Perry, and Oprah Winfrey.
Before the start of the awards show, which will be televised on the REELZ Channel at 4 p.m. on April 1, 2018, I was able to join with journalists from around the world to interview many of the well-known and up-and-coming personalities walking the red carpet, for my “Inside Hollywood with Dan Wooding” TV show on the Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network.I also interviewed another icon of the 50s and 60s, Pat Boone, who joked around with my dear friend, Lance Wilder, a top artist on The Simpsons, pretending to interview him with his electric shaver. Lance later explained how the incident came about, saying, “I've known Pat Boone now for 16-17 years, mainly from walking the red carpet. He was late and was shaving in the limo and accidentally kept it in his hand when he got out. When he saw me, he threatened to shave my beard off, and then just pretended it was a microphone.”Probably, the best-known was Bo Derek, the American film and television actress, movie producer, and model, who is still remembered for her breakthrough role in the 1979 film 10. I was also able to interview famed game show host, Wink Martindale, and his wife, Sandy, who once dated Elvis Presley, and who told me that she felt that if Elvis was still alive, he would have attended a Movieguide® event like this one. Now that would have been something!As during the many times I’ve been to the red carpet event before the start of the Movieguide® awards ceremony, it was lots of fun for me and my cameraman/producer, Tim Hathaway, as endeavored to keep up with the steady stream of people that appeared before us.
Now here is the full list of winners and nominees, sponsored by the Christian Film & Television Commission®:The Jeannette Clift George Award for Furthering Entertainment with Faith & Values, was a special award went to Rich Peluso “for his tireless and superior efforts over many years to present the truth of the Gospel through Hollywood movies.” Peluso is the Executive Vice President of AFFIRM Films, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) that is focused on the development, production, acquisition, and marketing of faith-based and inspirational films.Ten Best Movies for FamiliesWinner of the $25,000 Ware Foundation Prize for the Best Movie for Families – The Boss BabyThe Boss Baby (DreamWorks/20th Century Fox)The Star (Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Ent.)Cars 3 (Pixar/Walt Disney Studios)Despicable Me 3 (Illumination/Universal Studios)The Case for Christ (PureFlix Films)The Man Who Invented Christmas (Bleecker Street Media)The LEGO Batman Movie (Warner Bros. Pictures)Smurfs: The Lost Village (Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Ent.)The Emoji Movie (Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Ent.)Ferdinand (Blue Sky/20th Century Fox)Ten Best Movies for Mature AudiencesWinner for Best Movie for Mature Audiences: Darkest HourDarkest Hour (Focus Features/Comcast)All Saints (Sony Affirm/Sony Pictures Ent.)Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (Walt Disney Studios)Thor: Ragnarok (Marvel/Walt Disney Studios)The Promise (2017) (Open Road Films)Bitter Harvest (Roadhouse Attractions)Wonder (Lionsgate Films)Dunkirk (2017) (Warner Bros. Pictures/Time Warner)Wonder Woman (Warner Bros. Pictures/Time Warner)Justice League (Warner Bros. Pictures/Time Warner)Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring MovieWinner: The StarNominees:All SaintsBitter HarvestThe Boss BabyThe Case for ChristLet There Be LightThe Promise (2017)The StarEpiphany Prize for Most Inspiring TV ProgramWinner: The Long Road Home: Black Sunday, Part 2Nominees:Blue Bloods: Cutting LossesThe Crown: VergangenheitLast Man Standing: Take Me to ChurchLittle Big Shots: Tiny DancerThe Long Road Home: Black Sunday, Part 2Victoria: An Ordinary Woman and The Queen’s HusbandFaith & Freedom Award for MoviesWinner: The PromiseNominees:Bitter HarvestThe Boss BabyDarkest HourDunkirk (2017)The LEGO Batman MovieThe PromiseWonderFaith & Freedom Award for TVWinner: The Long Road Home: Black Sunday, Part 2Nominees:Blue Bloods: Cutting LossesThe Crown: VergangenheitFive Came BackThe Long Road Home: Black Sunday, Part 2The Middle: The 200thVictoria: An Ordinary Woman and The Queen’s HusbandThe Faith and Freedom Awards are supported by a grant from The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.Grace Award for Most Inspiring Performance in MoviesWinner: John Corbett for All SaintsNominees:Erika Christensen for The Case for ChristJohn Corbett for All SaintsOscar Isaac for The Promise (2017)Kevin Sorbo for Let There Be LightSam Sorbo for Let There Be LightTerrence Stamp for Bitter HarvestDan Stevens for The Man Who Invented ChristmasMike Vogel for The Case for ChristChristie Peters Grace Award for Most Inspiring Performance in TVWinner: Paul Sparks for The Crown: VergangenheitNominees:Tim Allen for Last Man Standing: Take Me to ChurchLen Cariou for Blue Bloods: Cutting LossesJenna Coleman for Victoria: An Ordinary Woman and The Queen’s HusbandBill Engvall for Last Man Standing: Take Me to ChurchClaire Foy for The Crown: VergangenheitSteve Harvey for Little Big Shots: Tiny DancerTom Hughes for Victoria: An Ordinary Woman and The Queen’s HusbandMichael Kelly for The Long Road Home: Black Sunday, Part 2Tom Selleck for Blue Bloods: Cutting LossesPaul Sparks for The Crown: Vergangenheit$15,000 Kairos Prize for Most Spiritually Uplifting Screenplay by a First-Time or Beginning ScreenwritersWilliam Gebby for North Star$15,000 Kairos Pro Prize for Most Inspiring Screenplay by an Experienced FilmmakerAlexandra Boylan for SwitchedThe Kairos Prizes are supported by a grant from The Timothy Plan.Now in their 33rd year, CFTVC and Movieguide® are the largest, longest-running international, non-profit ministry dedicated to “redeeming the values of the entertainment industry by influencing industry executives and by informing and equipping the public about the influence of the entertainment media.”At the Gala, Dr. Baehr presented highlights from Movieguide®’s Annual Report to the Entertainment Industry, a comprehensive financial analysis of the entertainment business showing that audiences generally prefer movies and television programs with positive, biblical faith and values.For more information about Movieguide® or CFTVC, visit 
Film critic 
The results also break down according to party, with Democrats seeing more pro-choice messages and Republicans seeing more pro-life messages, which could be attributed to confirmation bias or the simple fact that conservatives and liberals are oftentimes choosing to see different movies, especially when they know that the touchy issue of abortion will be a major plot point.Like the public at large, registered Independents also see Hollywood largely pushing a pro-choice agenda — 27 percent, compared to 16 percent for pro-life.A 
The 168 Film Project competition includes opportunities in all areas of filmmaking, from producing, directing, writing, cinematography, acting, and even craft/food service. 168 can often match interested individuals with local filmmaking teams, and beginners can potentially connect with a team and learn about filmmaking.Globally since 2003, over 1,000 films have been made by an estimated 17,000 artists in 14 years through the annual 168 Film Project filmmaking and writing competitions. 168 provides a proving ground for artists, and has helped to launch careers in filmmaking, writing, directing, and acting. The 168 Film Project is a worldwide, faith-friendly filmmaking incubator.Sponsors of the 168 Film Competition include Roush Media, Advent Media and Arri.More information is available at