PROVO, Utah — If you were born before 1970, you might recognize such Church classics as "Johnny Lingo" and "Windows of Heaven." If you were born post-1970, you might have seen "The Book of Mormon: How Rare a Possession" and the latest version of "Man's Search for Happiness."
Whatever the era, Church members continue to be offered uplifting, heartwarming films and videos by the LDS Motion Picture Studio — known until 1991 as the BYU Motion Picture Studio. Operating under the auspices of the Audiovisual Department of the Church, the LDS Motion Picture Studio, situated on 22 acres in northwest Provo, is unusual in the motion picture world in that it is self-contained — productions are filmed, processed, edited for sound and content, and packaged on site.
Even in Hollywood, studios send film out for processing.
On June 13, the LDS Motion Picture Studio and its benefits to the mission of the Church in bringing people to Christ were highlighted in a special dedication ceremony during which Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve and chairman of the Church's Audiovisual Committee spoke and offered a dedicatory prayer. Also offering remarks was BYU President Merrill J. Bateman.
This wasn't the first dedication of the grounds. On Feb. 18, 1959, Bishop Carl W. Buehner, then-second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, dedicated the newly constructed lot, which was 15 acres at the time. Before then, the BYU film department, which began in 1953 under the direction of former Disney Chief of Animation W. O. (Judge) Whitaker, had been producing Church films in a campus building.
In September 1964, a fire devastated the new studio, destroying the main sound stage and equipment, causing $500,000 in damage. The studio was rebuilt, but never rededicated, until this year. This special ceremony not only dedicated existing facilities, but also a new wood, paint and metal shop, and post-production facilities built last year.
"For more than 40 years the Motion Picture Studio has been assisting the work of the Church by putting important elements of our message on film," Elder Holland told the Church News. "As the movie industry has grown and new technology has developed, the studio and its creative personnel have grown and developed accordingly. We are very proud of the work done here — its first-rate professionalism and its unfailing spirituality. This newly expanded facility will help us put the gospel message before an ever-growing audience."
Walking on the lot today is like strolling between now and then. One moment, you're in editing and sound rooms with digital equipment and computers, then in a "foley" room where the sounds of closing doors, trotting horses and various types of shoes and surfaces are created. For example, want to simulate the crunch of walking on dry grass? Step on crunched up audiocassette tape.
Step outside to various sets and the next moment you step into 19th century Kirtland. Walk through the Whitney store or a blacksmith shop. You almost hear the "clang-clang" of the anvil. In 1991, during the filming for the CES film "Lamb of God," you could walk the streets of Jerusalem or wander in Pilate's court.
The sets seem so real that Merrill Dimick, director of the LDS Motion Picture Studio, told the Church News that one institute instructor, while showing the film, "Lamb of God," to his students, pointed out streets in Jerusalem where he "had walked" while in Israel. Brother Dimick related the instructor's confusion when told that this particular "street" was in Provo, Utah.
Some 30 people work full time at the studio, Brother Dimick explained, and their purpose is to "produce in-house films and videos for the various departments of the Church in an effort to fulfill the mission of the Church, which is to bring people back to Christ. We don't originate any materials at this point. We also support the BYU film program.
"We have been busy; there's been very little down time," he added.
Some recent works include videos on the Book of Mormon, Church history, and the Old and New Testaments used in Church Educational System and in gospel doctrine classes. The studio also participated in "The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd" shown at the Legacy Theater in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City.
Assisting full-time employees, which include productions managers, a key grip and gaffers (those who work on lighting), a director of photography, crew, video editors, sound designers and colorist, are freelance artists and carpenters, Brother Dimick said. These outside professionals, he added, have been drawn to Utah through television's "Touched By An Angel" and movies of the week.
And, of course, there's a cadre of LDS actors and actresses. (Please see Jan. 11, 1997, Church News for article on LDS actors and actresses. Also see Aug. 15, 1992, Church News for article on the Audiovisual Department/LDS Motion Picture Studio.)
Whether shooting Church movie scenes at the studio, at Ventura Studios in adjacent Orem, Utah, (formerly the Osmond Studios where the LDS Motion Picture Studio sometimes rents production time) or on location such as in Hawaii, there are tender moments unique to Church-produced films. Brother Dimick and production manager Sharon Beaty recalled how during filming of "Lamb of God" a Church producer from Salt Lake City was on site with his wife and young son during the scene in Pilate's court when the people yell, "Crucify him!"
Sister Beaty said they all overheard the boy ask his mother, "Why is Christ down here and why are those people being so mean to Him?"
"The crew around him were in tears," Sister Beaty related. "His father overheard him and [explained to him] it wasn't real. There wasn't a dry eye."
Brother Dimick said during moments such as these, "it's dead quiet. There's a feeling with those scenes."
E-mail: julied@desnews.com
