Fuzed Gospel

What is the next best thing, what will capture the hearts of the people? How will the entertainment industry evolve with the story’s it tells, whether through music, movies, television etc. We live in a day where just coming up with an idea, and leaving it without any backing or future story line is becoming boring.

I love when I can find a great movie, and find out there is a sequel or with todays trend, that there is a prequel, which completes many left behind holes. You see this with Star Wars and all its remakes, Planet of the Apes, and even The Underworld Trilogy which now has a 4th installment in the making.

I recently stumbled across an article by Media Missionary School that talks about a concept that is becoming the future trend of the Entertainment Industry. The article describes it as TransMedia Storytelling, where the viewers create their own ideas and encourage the writer to implement their thoughts.

TransMedia storytelling is about creating multiple platforms and formats. The goal is to use mass media to develop a media franchise. The goal is to create an open source where the fans actually take ownership and help create content. You become the artist, and you add content to the original story. Or you enhance the original story.

I think this is a great idea, because after an original concept is made and gets into the hearts of the people, they then become the ones that start off a new round of brainstorming. Giving the writers ideas that may have not come to mind during the original contents creation.

The article discusses movies, and television, but I see this as an aid to the Christian Entertainment scene also. If an artist writes a great song, and has listeners come up with what they envision when they hear the song that can aid in the direction of the video, and also give artists an idea of what to include on the next album.

A downfall in song writing is that sometimes the message is great, but the people can’t relate to it. This TransMedia idea can really break open writers block, and buzz for a following to stay loyal to their favorite artist.

The TransMedia article is a great read.

I’m about to come up with a Media Franchise,

~Morris

When thinking of the Gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ, people assume that there aren’t any challenges or when it comes to legal matters, God gives a waiver that would tell a person to avoid suing someone in Court. That is so far from the truth. In 1 Timothy 5:8, the bible teaches that a laborer is worthy of his/her reward. Simply saying that a person, who works, is worth receiving rightful pay for their job. I find that in one of the cases that I found within the Gospel entertainment industry, that a Gospel singer received an email that God told his record label that the gospel singer was not ready yet to receive payment for services, in which payment was required according to a contract that was signed. I totally believe God could say, “hold off on payment” but I also know that God is wise and able to flow in order. And I also know that God can be random too, but if that’s that case, just follow through with what God said and don’t bend. In the cases that I have found, there are dealings with copyright infringement, intimidation, and broken contracts. In my opinion, I know it is a struggle to do everything right, but with the help of being lead by the Holy Spirit, one can’t go wrong.

The Cases and my opinion:
1. Tyler Perry Slapped With Another Gospel Copyright Lawsuit
I know how much Tyler Perry has intertwined African American culture within his plays and movies, so I can see how easy it is for him to slip up and use Gospel songs or sayings. These very saying are at the core of what the African American community can relate to. In this case he is being sued for using Johnny Stringfields lyrics from his gospel song “I Got Away” in a Meet the Browns episode.

Stringfield wants about $100,000 to cover the infringement of copyright. It is shown that Tyler Perry has been down this road before with lifting other people’s songs in his movies, but in my opinion, what he is being sued for, is chump change. He grossed over $50 million for “A Diary of a Mad Black Woman,” so a $100,000 price tag is peanuts. Tyler Perry should cross his t’s a little better because if people catch on, those peanuts will begin to draw some big elephants.

2. Gospel Singers Tricked by Record Execs
In this case, Sony EMG Music Entertainment is accused of intimidating/tricking singers in firing their Music Agent. The singers say that if they didn’t they were made to feel that they were not going to be able to continue to write/sing music. The Agents name is James Walker representing people such as Donald Lawrence, and Twinkie Clark. It is rumored that the execs didn’t want to negotiate through him anymore because he was getting the artists, he was representing, too much money, and the execs wanted to keep them underpaid.

I hope this was taken care of without illegally breaking any contracts, but since the artist let him go, and not the label, I don’t think Walker has that much of strong case. Time still has yet to reveal the results of this situation.

3. Thomas vs. Habakkuk: The Gospel Singer Won’t Buy the God Story
This is the case that mentioned God had told the record label to hold off on paying Isaiah Thomas, a gospel singer, his $30,000 contractual advance. A Judge due to lack of personal and subject matter jurisdiction has recently dismissed this case. Before the ruling, I almost snickered at why the singer wasn’t paid. Not because God said what He did, but because it was allegedly sent through email, and received after the singer already came out of pocket for producing his sophomore album with the record label.

I would just say that God is God and I wouldn’t recommend going against what He has told you to do. But the same God that makes such bold statements is also the same God that was present when signing a binding Contract. The Bible talks about abiding by the law of the land, and that would include legal contracts. I pray that this doesn’t leave an unnecessary bad smear on Christians wanting to do business in the Entertainment Industry.

In these cases, I learned that everyone should always have someone double checking every decision you make, and knowing what your contract upholds you and the person you are doing business with to. If you do that I’m pretty sure that will be the beginning of walking in a good direction.

Abiding by the Law,

~Morris

Today I stumbled across a great article, which takes a God-inspired look at Hollywood. As Christians and believers aspiring to leave our fingerprint on society, with experience we also have learned that society can leave a fingerprint on us too, which in some instances is not received by many. For example the idea of Hollywood, and its stigma of being perverted and not an aid in a believers walk. This thought has caused many Christians to shy away from being affiliated with Hollywood and the entertainment industry. But what this article uncovers is bold Christians that view the industry as a Mission-Field rather than a Mine-Field.

The article which is very-thought-provoking is titled "Hollywood-A Mission Field?." The contents of this article pretty much expose that as Christians, we should not look at the industry as just a place where the enemy has run rampant, but look at it for what it is, which is a place of great influence. Seeing it from a place of influence, allows us to see how we can use it for the Glory of God, and overcome what ever the enemy or immoral behavior has polluted the media-waves with. Hollywood can be approached no longer as a thing that needs to be shut down, but a place to spread the good news, and relevancy of Faith/God's Love.

This fits so much with my concept of Fusion, and showing others that you can still proclaim faith while being relevant, creative, being well put together and all things in between. With Hollywood still being an untapped market for Christians, or a venue where Christian beliefs aren’t outwardly expressed, I can see where hurdles or hindrances can develop and shun people away from taking a stand. With that said, the article brings up a piece on how we all can help one another in this endeavor as a team. For the bible talks about how a House divided against itself cannot stand, so unity and a team mindset is needed in order for Christians to flood the entertainment industry. This will show others/inspire many that Faith is not obsolete and all can still hold strong to values without losing them. Dr. Phil Cooke encourages in his article that:

God certainly can work through the movie and television industry, but we need your help.

Here’s what you can do to make a difference in Hollywood:
1) Consider Hollywood a mission field. We don’t boycott or humiliate a village in Africa because they don’t understand Christian values, so why do it to Hollywood? Let’s begin approaching Hollywood as a mission field—people who are made in the image of God but need to know about His loving plan for their lives.

2) Support films with Christian values. It’s absolutely critical that Hollywood studios realize there is an audience for films with a Christian worldview. I would especially urge you to see these movies on their opening weekend, since that’s when studios make the decision about how long the film stays in the theaters.

3) Pray for Christians in the industry. Every day Christians are working in an often hostile environment in a heroic effort to write, act, direct and produce stories that celebrate faith in God. But we can’t do it alone. We need the help of every Christian to provide the kind of prayer support that will open doors, soften hearts and sometimes make a way where there is no way. Find out how you can help at www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org.

4) Understand how the media can be used as a tool for evangelism. Enjoying Everyday Life is a great example of a Christian program that crosses over to the mainstream audience. That’s because Joyce understands the power of media and how effective it can be for reaching the culture. Movies, television and the Internet are the communication tools of this culture, and if the church doesn’t take them seriously, we’ll lose this generation.

I am encouraged to know that what I aspire to do has a framework to fall into, as well as know that there are others out there that are standing with me. I hope this encourages others to be bold, and know that there aren't just closed doors when it comes to God but there are OPEN DOORS as well.

Be Encouraged,

~Morris