Should we compete with Hollywood?
For the past 14 years I have always used seasonal musicals that incorporated lots of drama. I prefer the so-called "broadway-style" musicals which are perfect for choreography, dance, drama and include a great gospel message. These musicals require enormous resources in sound equipment, lighting, costumes, sets and props not to mention the incredible requirments for available, talented and dedicated personnel.
I have been to churches that have some unbelievable presentations: live animals, flying angels, a rising Jesus as He ascends into heaven, automobiles onstage, and one even had a section of the stage which slides out automatically to reveal an ice-rink on top for a figure skater. The expense must be mind-boggeling.
The question often arises as we are sweating through rehearsals or stage building or costum making..."Is this really worth it?" After all, how can we possibly compete with something like "Star Wars" or a musical like "High School Musical"?
I am reminded of a story once shared with me by a composer who lives and works in California including some work with Hollywood. He was asked to visit a friends church as they held their dress rehearsal so that he could share some advice. During the dress rehearsal he watched as a lady was stringing lights on a tree. One strand of lights had a short and kept blinking on and off. It was very distracting, so he walked up to let her know. Her response was very crisp and curt, "This isn't Hollywood, you know?" He tried to explain that the lights would be a distraction to the audience, but she simply replied, "This isn't Hollywood, you know?" He decided not to push the issue.
During the performance the next evening, he watched as people throughout the program continued to turn their heads toward the tree and the lights that kept flashing on and off. As he watched he realized what he should have told the lady..."You're right, this isn't Hollywood. It is far more important than that. The worst thing that will happen with a bad performance in Hollywood is the loss of some money, bad reviews, a career ended. But in church, we are dealing with a message that if missed could have eternal implications."
IMHO - We should not try to compete with Hollywood or Broadway, but rather, we should be leading the way. The church needs to be the center for creativity. The world should look to us and say, "Wow, they really have something there."
What do you think?
I have been to churches that have some unbelievable presentations: live animals, flying angels, a rising Jesus as He ascends into heaven, automobiles onstage, and one even had a section of the stage which slides out automatically to reveal an ice-rink on top for a figure skater. The expense must be mind-boggeling.
The question often arises as we are sweating through rehearsals or stage building or costum making..."Is this really worth it?" After all, how can we possibly compete with something like "Star Wars" or a musical like "High School Musical"?
I am reminded of a story once shared with me by a composer who lives and works in California including some work with Hollywood. He was asked to visit a friends church as they held their dress rehearsal so that he could share some advice. During the dress rehearsal he watched as a lady was stringing lights on a tree. One strand of lights had a short and kept blinking on and off. It was very distracting, so he walked up to let her know. Her response was very crisp and curt, "This isn't Hollywood, you know?" He tried to explain that the lights would be a distraction to the audience, but she simply replied, "This isn't Hollywood, you know?" He decided not to push the issue.
During the performance the next evening, he watched as people throughout the program continued to turn their heads toward the tree and the lights that kept flashing on and off. As he watched he realized what he should have told the lady..."You're right, this isn't Hollywood. It is far more important than that. The worst thing that will happen with a bad performance in Hollywood is the loss of some money, bad reviews, a career ended. But in church, we are dealing with a message that if missed could have eternal implications."
IMHO - We should not try to compete with Hollywood or Broadway, but rather, we should be leading the way. The church needs to be the center for creativity. The world should look to us and say, "Wow, they really have something there."
What do you think?
Comments
Dee