This just in: churchgoers know a bad movie when they see it.
After furiously pandering to evangelical Christians in recent years, the major Hollywood studios are backing away from faith-based marketing schemes that offer churches private screenings and Bible study guides based on a movie’s characters or themes. The reason cited was simple: they don’t work. “I’d rather spend my money elsewhere,” one mogul marketer told the Hollywood Reporter.
The evidence? The faithful didn’t flock to stinkers like “Evan Almighty” or “The Nativity Story.”
The practice of boosting box-office by marketing to Christians was born in 1998, when a producer for the End-Times thriller “The Omega Code” had the idea to give sneak peeks to pastors in the Bible Belt. The pastors were pleased enough by the biblically faithful movie to organize church theater nights, which landed “The Omega Code” in the top ten for box office one slow week in January 1999. The strategy became legend in 2004, when Mel Gibson courted evangelical clergy for his crucifixion-flick, “The Passion of the Christ,” which earned $370 million in the U.S. alone.
But today, says the Reporter article, “many experts now believe ‘Passion’s’ success was an anomaly,” and that, as political consultants have found, devout Christians have a variety of interests that affect how they behave at the box office or the voting booth. “A big misunderstanding is that the faith audience is this one monolithic audience,” says an exec at faith-based marketing firm Walden Media.
But don’t expect the pandering to end altogether. Instead, marketers will be refining their approach–and won’t expect faith-based programs to deliver miracles. Says another marketer, is that “if a movie is largely rejected for various reasons, you can’t expect a faith program to bail it out.”
|
Previous Posts
UNDEFEATED is an Uncommon Film: Share Your Story For a Chance to Win a $500 Giftcard to Sports Authority
UNDEFEATED, the new documentary from the Weinstein Company (opening in limited release this Friday), is the real deal. It's one of those perfect, real life underdog sports stories that are only captured on film once in a long while (ala Hoop Dreams). It follows the hopes and dreams of the Manassas
posted 12:35:58am Feb. 13, 2012 |
read full post
»
Exclusive Interview with Rachel McAdams & Channing Tatum, Stars of "The Vow", on Relationships
I had the chance to sit down the other weekend with Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum and talk about their new film (opening this weekend, Friday, February 10th ) called "The Vow."
Now, just so you know, I am NOT the target demo for romance films. Maybe, MAYBE, once in a blue moon I'll enjoy the
posted 2:57:16pm Feb. 08, 2012 |
read full post
»
Is Your Dad the Greatest Dad of All Time?
Dad's are awesome! (although, being one myself, I am a bit biased) And if you think your Dad is awesome - no, if you think your Dad is the GREATEST DAD OF ALL TIME!!!! - then we want to hear about it! Just leave a comment below using a valid email address and tell us in as much detail as you want wh
posted 2:19:28pm Dec. 30, 2011 |
read full post
»
Show Review: Reaching Generations with Switchfoot
Switchfoot performing on the Tonight Show
Switchfoot’s debut album Legend of Chin came out in 1997, it was a fun, anthemic rock album that stretched the boundaries of Christian rock. Fourteen years later, the band is still bringing it. Seeing Switchfoot live at the National in Richmond, VA
posted 3:12:06pm Dec. 06, 2011 |
read full post
»
Mitch Albom's 'Have a Little Faith' Inspires
Mitch Albom is world famous for his moving and inspirational books. “Tuesday’s With Morrie,” “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” and “For One More Day” have all spent months upon months on the New York Times bestseller list. His latest book, “Have a Little Faith,” has just been a
posted 2:51:06pm Nov. 22, 2011 |
read full post
»
|
posted March 6, 2009 at 5:31 pm
This is so true…… A bad movie is a bad movie. Passion of Christ not only was a very good script. The lighting was great the music excellent, the camera and directing all great. It would have been a hit even without the church, not as big mind you. I am sure The Passion of Christ did what God intended it to do.