DiscussMormonism Triumphs Again as "Witnesses" Garners Top Prize

[IHAQ]

Do we have financial goals for Witnesses? We’ve never really spoken about the matter. It’s genuinely that far down the list of priorities for us.

But, yes, it would be nice if Witnesses could earn back a significant portion of the money that has been spent on its production. It would be very nice if it could recoup all of its costs. And we would be absolutely delighted if it could earn a little profit. What are its odds of doing these things? I have no idea.

It is deeply troubling that the Executive Co-Producer of this film has no idea what is going on with the finances. I'm sure the donors are hoping that someone is keeping an eye on expenditure etc and making sure that the employed professionals aren't rinsing the self declared financially clueless DCP.

[Moksha]

... you would have to assume that the official Church would intervene and take over at that point.

So a couple of Tithing Wiseguys show up and demand their 10% cut or else Doc Peterson sleeps with the fishes?

[Doctor Scratch]

... you would have to assume that the official Church would intervene and take over at that point.

So a couple of Tithing Wiseguys show up and demand their 10% cut or else Doc Peterson sleeps with the fishes?

No....I would imagine something more along the lines of the Church's filmmaking department stepping in somehow. You know, one of the Twelve would show up in order to talk to Dan about how much the Brethren admire what he's done--how proud they are of him and how the Lord appreciates his use of the Movie-Making Artform to preach the Gospel. In fact, the Brethren want to convey the Lord's message, which is that Interpreter Studios should join with the Church's official filmmaking arm. I mean, how can you say "No" to that? And if you defy the Brethren on this, it means you are denying commandments from the Lord Himself. That's when you start to ask yourself how much your eternal salvation means to you, and whether you could endure eternity with Ken-doll genitals.

[IHAQ]

No....I would imagine something more along the lines of the Church's filmmaking department stepping in somehow. You know, one of the Twelve would show up in order to talk to Dan about how much the Brethren admire what he's done--how proud they are of him and how the Lord appreciates his use of the Movie-Making Artform to preach the Gospel. In fact, the Brethren want to convey the Lord's message, which is that Interpreter Studios should join with the Church's official filmmaking arm. I mean, how can you say "No" to that? And if you defy the Brethren on this, it means you are denying commandments from the Lord Himself. That's when you start to ask yourself how much your eternal salvation means to you, and whether you could endure eternity with Ken-doll genitals.

I think that's Peterson's play. He wants the Church to recognise Interpreter as the replacement for the Maxwell Institute. He's still bitter about 2012, is determined to destroy the Maxwell Institute, and will use any amount of donor money to do so.

[kairos]

Two days after the filmed was screened at the festival, I emailed Tom Toone? at the DN to see if he had attended the showing or did he know any news media types who has seen it and written a review. Tom said no he had not attended nor did he know anyone who had and commented on it. Tom writes a column about many things Mormon especially the comings and goings of Russell M. Nelson. So it seems DN did not intend on a critic's review-i have been out of the loop they may well have sent someone to review the movie.
Like some here I smell a rat or at least a mouse - how many paid for their tickets rather than get a freebe from Purdue. I think the award given to Witnesses was probably based on items such a you would find in a movie review- so many points for acting, direction, production, script, scenery ,costumes , cinematography etc. Given that the $2m spent on this comedy dwarfed that of the other films, I can see how "Witnesses" garnered more points from the judges just because other films often are very low budget films not using the highest tier of technology in production.
So questions arise on why this film was not a clear audience choice awardee-free tickets can do wonders!
DCP must now man up to have the film screened for the apostles and other GA's, correlation types, real movie critics etc. I still believe this film is a comedy howler and can't wait to see that play out-Get to work Danny Boy !!
k

[Lem]

Two days after the filmed was screened at the festival, I emailed Tom Toone? at the DN to see if he had attended the showing or did he know any news media types who has seen it and written a review. Tom said no he had not attended nor did he know anyone who had and commented on it. Tom writes a column about many things Mormon especially the comings and goings of Russell M. Nelson. So it seems DN did not intend on a critic's review-i have been out of the loop they may well have sent someone to review the movie.
Like some here I smell a rat or at least a mouse - how many paid for their tickets rather than get a freebe from Purdue. I think the award given to Witnesses was probably based on items such a you would find in a movie review- so many points for acting, direction, production, script, scenery ,costumes , cinematography etc. Given that the $2m spent on this comedy dwarfed that of the other films, I can see how "Witnesses" garnered more points from the judges just because other films often are very low budget films not using the highest tier of technology in production.
So questions arise on why this film was not a clear audience choice awardee-free tickets can do wonders!
DCP must now man up to have the film screened for the apostles and other GA's, correlation types, real movie critics etc. I still believe this film is a comedy howler and can't wait to see that play out-Get to work Danny Boy !!
k

Speaking of Trent toone, he did write this in a Jan 29, 2021 brief article before the film festival.

While filmmakers took artistic liberties with some scenes, the story is based on real events, Goodman said.

Hm. The article was titled " ‘Not made up or imagined’: Witnesses of Book of Mormon will be featured in a new film." So how does one state "not made up or imagined" about a film where the filmmakers "took artistic liberties," in a story "based on" real events? Even the filmmakers don't think they are telling a true story.

[Doctor Scratch]

It's widely known in the mainstream film world that a movie that fails to screen for critics is likely headed for disaster. Sometimes this is because it is a big, "tent pole" event movie--think of a Michael Bay film--that is stupid and will get panned by the critics, but which the producers basically know will turn a profit (because they've crunched their algorithms and are confident that with this matrix of talent, director, and targeted marketing blitz, plus the product tie-ins). They critics are just going to trash it anyways, so who needs them? It may be that the Mopologists actually think that they can pull something like this off--that they actually regard their own film in that light (though I honestly don't think they are that cynical).

The other reason why movies don't screen for critics--as the old logic goes--is that the producers are afraid/nervous about what audiences will think. Critics point out again and again that the likely reason for this is that the movie is terrible, and those in charge of it know that it stinks.

[Philo Sofee]

What are the number of baptisms (including for the dead) thanks to having viewed this magnificent testimony truthing film? Anyone hear about any good news in Zion thanks to the spiritual powerful missionary moments this film has been through? Have any of the actors been offered church leadership positions such as bishop appointments or Stake Presidents? Relief Society? Have the numbers of Trump supporters in Utah dramatically declines due to the Holy Spirit taking over and showing Utah what a moral man looks like (you know, the one in the film Utah already believes is a prophet)? Has BYU tossed any awards the film's makers way, or has it caused a gigantic upsurge in new young fresh pimply smilin faced Mormon kids to attend the college in hopes of eternal rewards of eternal wife kind of stuff?

[kairos]

I had to laugh while watching the opening episode of the BBC Murders among the Mormons when explaining the church version of Joseph Smith receiving the golden plates from Moroni in contradiction to the white salamander version MH forged. The Church (i assume the church is responsible) version shows a good looking , for a translated being/angel white robed with a celestial glow handing the plates to Joseph Smith as if he were handing him lightweight book/Bible. Joseph Smith received the plates without any stretching of muscles are twitching tendons- the weight of the plates in this version appeared to weigh about 2-3 pounds max. At least the film will add some weight to the plates to allow Joseph Smith to juke and jive in the forest and around those pesky would be plate thiefs with 40-50 pounds under his muscular arm. I wonder if in the movie he shifts the plates from arm to arm like a halfback!

k

[kairos]

If you have a copy of Grant Palmer's "Insider View...." his chapter on the witnesses is excellent- 15 pages worth ,heavily documented and citing many of Dan Vogel's "Early Mormon Documents" tome- he pretty much nails the coffin shut,concluding those witnesses' events were visionary. What is excellent is how he shows the environment in which the plates and the use of seer stones was extremely widespread and the context becomes as MQ puts it a magical worldview with seer stones, visions, and remote viewing /second sight dominating the geographical areas around the drumlin Cumorah- worth the read as we prepare for the Witnesses movie.
k