All this week at WitnessLA.org we’re featuring the stories and testimonies of Christians in the entertainment industry. Our friend SMC shares about the challenges of balancing faith and values with career and aspirations.
The entertainment world can seem very daunting for those that are trying to live in the Faith and also carve out their professions in the industry. Many, like myself, have straddled the line of our Faith and an industry that seems directly opposed to what we believe in.
There is a lot of truth to the fact that the entertainment world is in direct opposition to how we are supposed to live the Kingdom life. Some have gone as far as calling Hollywood the modern day Babylon. We can all read in the tabloids about the lifestyle of excess and vanity that celebrities live in. We can also turn on the television or look at the movie listings to find programs glorifying sex, violence, demeaning one another, the excessive lifestyle or the lowest common denominator life. Unfortunately, these productions stay alive and thrive because the general public watches it and wants more of it.
Everybody has different reasons to want to be in entertainment; some of us want more than our 15 minutes of fame, see it as a way to become very wealthy and influential or some just love performing. Whatever the reason, the majority of us go through the ‘struggle.’ Somewhere down the line, some of us lose our Faith or compromise it to play the Hollywood game. We find ourselves having to either be ‘in’ Hollywood and ‘out’ of our Faith or else its being ‘out’ of Hollywood and being ‘in’ with our Faith. What ends up happening is that we become like the lukewarm water that is described in Revelations 3:16…[click “Read More” below to continue]
When we are trying to straddle this line of Faith and Hollywood (for illustrative purposes, I am using Hollywood to describe the entertainment industry), what we are really doing is being on the defensive. It’s playing the game not to lose. When we do that we often end up losing because we are always running scared of the evils of the industry. Treading ever so lightly, so that we fit in with the other actors or players in the industry, but also trying to stay away from the pitfalls such as substances, lust, pride, etc. It’s a difficult balancing act to maintain, as Hollywood is a force that has eaten up and spat out the best of us and so has God.
I was on the defensive for most of my career up until this year. I moved to LA from New York and it was taking some time for me to establish myself in LA in general and as an entertainer. This afforded me the opportunity to reconnect with God after my Faith took a beating for several years. By the time I booked my first role, I was in a good place with God. During filming, however, I felt myself being sucked back into a place where I was constantly looking at women lustfully, putting other actors down because I thought I was better than them and being the life of the party. It was the old me all over again. It was swinging from the vine of sin, then shame and guilt and then asking for repentance.
After filming, I had to ask God if He really wanted me in the industry, especially if I was always going to be on the defensive. It was a strong “yes” because my heart still desired to perform and it was confirmed through several prophetic prayers. God, however, did not want me to be scared of the devil by maintaining this balancing act or being on the defensive. He wanted me to take a stand to make a difference and have the devil be scared of me. I believe that’s what God wants from all the Believers in the industry. We are called to make a difference because Hollywood is a strong tool of influence. Whoever controls the media controls the minds and Hollywood has been filling our minds with filth for decades now.
Hollywood is also fertile soil for people to learn about the Hope, Faith, and Love that only Christ can give. Neil Cole in his book, “The Organic Church,” teaches us that light shines the brightest in the darkest places. People who are obsessed with fame or have fallen into fleshly desires such as sex and substance abuse are people who are struggling with their identity, meaning they are severely insecure. These are the people who are crying out for the light. Even on a smaller scale, actors’ moods are predicated by how their auditions went. It’s ironic that an industry that requires you to have so much faith, hope and love often does not have much of it. This is why we are called into Hollywood. To be on the offensive and plant seeds into the fertile soil.
Heroes of the Bible were called into opposing governments all the time. Joseph was entrusted with Egypt, Esther became a queen of Babylon, Daniel a high official of Nebuchadnezzar and so on. Daniel and his friends postured for God by not eating the royal feast that was offered up to idols. He and his friends knew that God was elevating them into positions in the Babylonian government to show God’s glory to all. We are modern day Daniels that are being called into the modern day Babylon of Hollywood.
You, however, cannot go into a battle to be on the offensive without being properly equipped. One of the first things God told me to do was read the Bible from cover to cover. I believe most of the armor described in Ephesians 6:10-19 was being suited on me since I arrived to Los Angeles and became an active member of a fellowship called GBS. I, however, needed to know how to use my sword, which in Ephesians 6:10-19 is metaphorically seen as the Word. It was also a tool to renew my mind, so that I am no longer conformed to the pattern of Hollywood, as paraphrased from Romans 12:2.
We, also, have to strive for excellence in the field. Being able to perform is a gift to serve God and thus serve the people. Our portrayals and stories are meant to inspire and captivate an audience. As ambassadors of Christ and to be elevated to higher positions, we must strive to be the best performers that God has afforded us to be or else we are doing a disservice to Him by not fully maximizing the gifts given to us. Please see the parable of the talents (Luke 19:12-28).
Often, one of the dilemmas many of us face is that we are asked to portray characters that are unsavory or else do scenes that compromise our values. Let’s face it, there are close to zero characters that are Christian on TV and films. I believe that we have to stay true to our craft and play the character or role, as real as possible. We must separate our true selves with the character. If we do not, we are doing a disservice to the production. If the character, scenes or the film itself is morally objectionable than the project should be passed on altogether. If the character is an antagonist in an otherwise innocent film, then it should be fine. It’s important that you ask God for discretion when it comes to choosing your roles.
I am one that practices method-acting techniques for any roles I take, meaning that I become that character I am playing even before I’m on set. I, however, take the time to do my devotions and quiet time before I get into character. I am also learning to use scripture to use as monologues to get into certain emotional states. For example, you can really get into the anguish of Job, King David’s fear and rejoice in Psalms or the romantic musings of King Solomon in Song of Songs.
Whether it’s in the audition room, on set, or a Hollywood event, there has been no shortage of people to witness to. I don’t necessarily go and declare my Faith to everyone I see, but I do pray before any audition or set that I go on that God sends me those that need to hear His message. I actually naturally don’t like talking to people in the audition room and most of the times I’m just sitting there by myself. But almost everytime I try avoiding people someone comes to talk to me about their frustrations of the industry, the struggle and life in general. I am then able to encourage them with a message of hope, faith and love.
We should also proactively make connections to the more obviously lost. They usually tend to be outrageously inebriated at functions, cannot control their anger, hating on others or else are the one’s that cannot stop name-dropping and listing their accomplishments. The first reaction is to be annoyed by these people, but we have to realize that people act this way because of a lack of love, so it is up to us to try and show them some. Sometimes, as Believers in the industry, we might be the only light in that dark room.
It’s about making a connection with people God has called onto you first and filling a need, whether it’s an ear to listen, empathy or a word of encouragement. These acts will show your Faith and Jesus will enter into the discussion. This is a much more effective way of someone remembering you then you giving them your headshot.
In summary:
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We must know for sure if we are called to Hollywood. If you have dreams of being famous, wealthy and powerful over loving the craft than you should consider otherwise. Fame and wealth should be a by-product of your abilities as a performer, not your main goal.
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Be equipped by seeking after Him through prayer and reading the Bible on a daily basis. It is essential that you are aligned with the Holy Spirit and to know that your purpose in the industry is much bigger than becoming a paid actor or celebrity. Strive for excellence in the craft. Make the most of your gifts to serve God and be an example to those around you.
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Support and encourage other actors, even when competing for the same roles. All you can do is be the best prepared as you can be for the role. The role can be determined by many factors other than acting ability, so being hateful towards others goes nowhere. Remember that our purpose is far greater than a role. It’s to make disciples.
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Be confident in knowing that God is the ultimate agent, manager, casting director, filmmaker, producer, studio exec etc. You are always in a position of strength because God is behind you. We must do our part by seeking Him and honing our craft. A part is being written for us that is perfect for us and He is writing plenty of films and parts for everyone. It may not be the one we are auditioning for right now, but when we are ready, it will be given to us. You must also make referrals, so others can have this magnificent agent/manager.
Since having these revelations and putting some of these things in practice, I believe God has honored His promise that He would be opening more doors for me. It’s about being faithful with little and Him rewarding us with more for it. It has nothing to do with me being ‘in’ Hollywood and ‘out’ of my Faith. I am called to Hollywood to be in it, but not of it. There is no more line or fence to straddle. I am no longer part of the crowd, but stand out from the crowd and because I do, I am being noticed. People are either drawn to the light like moths or run away like cockroaches, as quoted by Neil Cole. These days, I am told all the time, whether it’s a top Hollywood producer or an extra, “You do not seem like a typical actor.” As ambassadors of Christ, we are more than typical. We are difference makers.
