This year, the conference will be addressing the question of whether or not Christians can “$ave” Hollywood.
Hosted by Biola Mass Communication Department Chair Craig Detweiler, the 11th Annual Biola Media Conference, scheduled to be held Apr. 29 in La Mirada, will cover a variety of topics regarding media related careers, technologies, and ministries, from the creative to the financial and production processes for media.
“While Hollywood is presenting ‘do-overs’ like The Dukes of Hazzard and Bewitched, beloved stories from the Christian community that have been around for half a century or more are emerging,” explains Detweiler, who is also a screenwriter and author of “The Matrix of Meanings: Finding God in Pop Culture.” “The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia and The End of the Spear are sweeping the box office and bringing life back to the slumping ticket sales. The year’s Media Conference contemplates the impact of Christians ‘saving’ Hollywood.”A reputable line-up of speakers are scheduled to appear at this year’s conference including Dean Batali, Executive Producer of FOX’s “That 70’s Show”; Ralph Winter, Producer of Academy Award nominated films such as Star Trek IV and VI, Planet of the Apes, X-Men films, and Fantastic Four and Co-chairman of the Biola Studio Task Force; Arthur Anderson, Co-producer of Mission Impossible 3, Windtalkers, Paycheck, and BMW Films’ The Hostage; and Phil Cooke, President and Creative Director of Cooke Pictures, Co-chairman of the Biola Studio Task Force and Adjunct Professor.
“At the Biola media Conference, the focus is on the real-life, practical issues of producing films and creating television and other media,” said Cooke in a statement released by Biola. “Theoretical discussions are nice, but if you want to get your hands dirty and make a real difference, then this is the place to be.”
Other personalities scheduled to make appearances include musician and producer Steve Taylor, Craig Gross and Mike Foster from XXXchurch.com, former pro-wrestler Steve Borden a.k.a Sting, and “Faith, God & Rock ‘n’ Roll” author Mark Joseph.
For more information including registration, go to www.biolamedia.com.
