On Sunday, November 10, 2013 American Film Market presented an INDUSTRY CONVERSATION The Passion of the Film: Family Value Programming in a Commercial World with a keynote address by Mark Burnett, Producer of The Bible.

The keynote was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Barbara Mudge, President, Worldwide Film Entertainment.  Panelists included: David Bixler, SVP, Acquisitions & Production, MGM Worldwide Distribution, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Chevonne O'Shaughnessy, Co-Founder and President, Mission Pictures, Jim Schmidt, Producer, Dean River Productions, Inc., and Ygor Siqueira, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Graça Filmes

Below are please find key quotes from Mark Burnett and panelists on the The Passion of the Film: Family Value Programming in a Commercial World

Mark Burnett, Producer of The Bible,

On receiving inspiration from a higher calling to create ‘The Bible’--"You have to get up and do some work when you're called."

(On the success of 'The Bible'—"It's a God thing."

"Just because you're in the faith business, doesn't mean you get to create crappy product."

On discussing the making of The Bible Miniseries:

"We didn't want to tell you how to think about the bible -- we wanted you to feel it."

Referring to the ‘The Bible’ -- "Do not underestimate this message, do NOT underestimate me."

On creating Faith Based Films:

"There is a market -- just keep praying.  Don't underestimate the power of prayer."

David Bixler, SVP, Acquisitions & Production, MGM Worldwide Distribution, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment:

On the challenges of messaging faith based films for commercial success:

“'Passion of the Christ' was a huge turning point for the way people looked at the business."

On the importance of basing faith based films on true life stories:
“We concentrate on three categories: true life stories, biblical stories, and best-selling books by Christian authors."

Chevonne O'Shaughnessy, Co-Founder and President, Mission Pictures

On the challenges of messaging faith based films for commercial success:

“I would prefer a more subtle story that everyone can relate to."

 

Jim Schmidt, Producer, Dean River Productions, Inc

On the challenges of messaging faith based films for commercial success:

“I think audiences have an appetite for things that touch the spirit."

 

On casting impacting the budget of a faith based film:

"A huge star isn't make or break for us."

 

Ygor Siqueira, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Graça Filmes

On the importance of basing faith based films on true life stories:

"Sometimes if you try to reach both audiences (consumer and faith based), you won't reach either.  Producers need to know who they're reaching out to."

 

On Importance of Social Networking:

"Grassroots support is critical for unbranded films" - David Bixler, SVP, Acquisitions & Production, MGM Worldwide Distribution, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

 

"In Brazil we have a whole ministry behind us -- about 3,000 churches -- which is why content is so important." - Ygor Siqueira, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Graça Filmes