I don’t mean to gush, but I read every one of your hundred-plus comments from the “On Language” blog and it made me all glowy inside. I had hoped the response would be generally positive, but after two years of hearing from certain unnamed producer/distributor/funding sources as to why-this-movie-will-have-no-audience-because-it’s-too-edgy-and-it’s-not-family-friendly-and-it’ll-never-pass-muster-with-the-gatekeepers-who-only-go-to-movies-once-a-year-to-send-Hollywood-a-message, it was downright inspiring to read a hundred spirited defenses from the culturally savvy audience we’re making it for. (And I’m equally thankful to those of you who expressed honest, well-reasoned reservations.)
When I first read “Blue Like Jazz” over three years ago, it left me with that same All Glowy feeling your comments gave me – a feeling that I’m not alone, and I’m not delusional, and this book is part of the proof.
Our goal for “Blue Like Jazz” is to make a great movie that leaves the audience with that same All Glowy feeling so many of us got when we first read the book:
We’re not alone. We’re not delusional. And this movie, Lord willing, will be part of the proof.
Blue Like Jazz is what I keep in the back of my mind to remind me that just b/c I’m not a cookie cutter Christian that I am still a Christian. It helps me through more often than it should have to, but it helps me all them same. I don’t doubt a well made movie could have the same effect in a more far reaching way.
Very Interested in your progress. My daughter (Jenson) audtioned for a part. Hope you have good luck with your financing and will soon be filming.
i dont mind language, but please handle it reasonably.
legally blonde had 15 cuss words and while i didnt find it gratuitous, i did find it rather annoying because it was unnecessary. i understand that college kids, christians, & i, myself cuss sometimes, but just because it happens doesnt mean we HAVE to see it happen. nudity and anatomy jokes are rampant in locker rooms but it doesnt mean you have to show it.
i’m not against it. but please keep it milder.
jack, piss, and friggin’ can get the same job done.
and could you let us know what the “CussCount” is.
i definitely wouldnt mind putting some money up for it, but i would rather know if it’s gratuitous (f-bombs and s-words) before i decide.
Wow! …. Blue Like Jazz is a one-of-a-kind book. It allows the reader to think “outside the box” and the realize that the traditional/conservative christian view and lifestyle doesn’t always cut it for every believer. This movie is going to be awesome and will cause some stirrings amongst the christian community …. but that’s a good thing.
We need a little shakin’ …. God is so much bigger than what we give Him credit for ….
Don …. his thoughts and experiences shared thru this book is inspiring to me …. and confirmed to myself, personally, that I’m not alone in my thinking …. not only did the confessional booth part hit home (and something I’ve always felt deep insideas well) but also the “hippy” part where Don saw real love and community shared.
Keep pressing forward with this Steve …. this movie will change ideas, lives, communities …. will be a springboard to wonderful things …. I know God will use this movie because it’s heartfelt, real and pure …..
Blessings …. from Montreal (Canada)
Film @ good ‘ol 3 Mile Island, and it’ll glow, all right. Or, just accomplish your goal, I have a positive feeling about either option.
My friends and I are dying to see this film. We cannot wait! I have the utmost respect for you guys!
Is “glowy” a cuss word?
I don’t thikn we’re supposed to be man pleasers. If the sway of man says make it, should we? I ask you this; the word says that He sent His Holy Spirit to teach us in all things, is this all things, or is there some kind os secret message we’re supposed to be getting from the greek or some great commentary? Does this include a movie, a book or a song? Rich Mullins seemed to believe that eevn the song he would write came directly from God. (See Mary Picked the Roses which Rich wrote)
God is, and should be, the author of everything we do and say. Let Him do the speaking.
Here’s hoping the American Family Association boycotts it…that’ll be good for a million tickets sold right there. ; )
“Their language it was new to me, but Christianeze got through to me, now I can speak it fluently . . .” NOT
I live in the south and now have kids of my own so I am careful not to cuss. But I grew up in the real world and in tougher neighborhoods in NY. “Cussing” was simply adjectives that added emphasis. In fact in that time and culture what most would consider “offensive cuss words” were in fact just exclamation points on whatever we were saying. I understand how other cultures differ, and I want to raise my kids the best I can – but I applaud including “reality” in Steve and Don’s new movie!
I have not read the book yet( I plan to). I have read and listened to enough of your stuff to know that you have artistic intergrity and, that you have a heart for honoring GOD in all that you do. I also know that you have not ” traded your peace sign for a finger” This is a movie I am looking forward to seeing.
On air during a prayer time at Way-FM I took prayer requests. One kid CRIED that he could not ‘do’ Christianity. In my prayer for him I said I ‘Sucked’ at Christianity too. I took a BUNCH of negative calls from parents who decided that word was “not appropriate in prayer…” I said it merely underscored the fact that I did indeed ’suck’ at Christianity. Do what you need to do in the script. Just don’t suck at it.
I didn’t read your original blog on language but no doubt you’re having to defend writing dialog for your characters that is consistent with who they are. I can’t imagine the Reed College campus feeling the least bit real in a film without a generous smattering of—dare I even say it—Pig Latin. No, if On-Day Iller-May and Enny-Pay don’t drop a few well placed Pig Latin Bombs this movie will die on the (sw)vine.
Keep up the good Ork-Way.
Steve,
You guys are going to make a GREAT movie, and I can’t wait to see it!! If I could fork over some big buck$$ to help out I would.
Gone With the Wind was held out of theatres for how long because of one word.
Frankly my darlin’, this is, for better or for worse, a creation by Christians to reach out. Is this movie really going to be the Christian cinematic GWTW vice all over again?? Held back and debated because of one word? Big picture people…
I appreciate the concerns people have, but I hope this debate doesn’t overshadow the greater gifts that the message of the film can portray.
I also hope that of subtle humor and message Donald is so great at isn’t made obnoxious and amplified or diluted when it is translated to screen…
“Friggin’” is not a viable form of communication.
I remember back to my high school days that cussing (like the writer from new York above) was more of like an exclamation point. If you (or I) disagreed with someones argument it was that’s BU@#4#5^!, or say you whacked your hand with a hammer while working on the car it was, OW, S*&$#!. After Having kids myself I’ve tried to not cuss whenever possible because kids basically repeat everything they hear (and usually at school to their teachers!) but sometimes one slips out, say, when a light bulb ends up in a million pieces on the floor because a teenager decided to use a broomstick as a lightsaber. I don’t think God condemns people when they cuss but He probably doese’nt want us to make it a habit.
Steve, you keep doing what you’re doing. You’ve always been a trend-setter and not a follower and that’s why you and your work are still relevant!
just make a good movie. if it needs a couple extra words, use them. if it doesn’t, don’t.
just make a good movie.
Steve! I can guarantee you that you’re on the right track, because like the guy who commented above, if a movie about Reed College didn’t have at least a few swear words (though half a dozen would be better) , then it would not be legit.
And I have no qualms saying that you are legit and you did a damn fine job representing Reed’s culture.
Steve, you’ve been making me feel “not alone and not delusional” for about fifteen years now.
I don’t understand the need for swearing, and how it will draw people closer to Christ? IF I swear, and the Word says let no unwholesome word proceed from my mouth, how does that honor God and His Word? Before I got saved I swore like a bandit. Everyother word, I was the most foul mouthed kid you could ever imagine. The day I got saved, all the swearing stopped. Not because I wanted it to, but because God took from me every filthy and vile thing that was Tim Stomer, and made darkness into light. It was like a complete transformation, just like He said He’d do for me, He did. Swearing is like a bad habit, one that’s really hard to kick, but with God’s help even the vilest of sinners can be saved…like me.
Make a good movie. Write dialogue that sounds authentic.
Don’t be afraid.
Don’t be afraid.
Don’t be afraid.
The world is ready for this, and the kingdom of God desperately needs it.
Now I’m feeling all Glowy.
This is a Movie!!! Language has to be true to the circumstances and or characters or it will not come off as real which is what is needed in order to (sell it). When a movie is real then the audience believes it and at that point the good you want to come across will also. Movies that portray the reality of life can usually leave the audience with a real sense of what ever the story is about. Bad language will not draw people to Christ and it is not intended to but it can show the stark differences between characters and the evolution of characters.
Gloria, and all: How far do we go with that, show total nudity cause it’s real, and if you’re doing a movie on a stripper it would be? If it’s sin, or might cause someone else to sin, then why do that? Swearing wpn’t imporve a movie, it will just keep people away from seeing it in some cases. Hey, there’s swearing, lets go see that one…just doens’t happen, but “swearing, sorry I hear enough of that at work, and you’re supposed to be a christian, how are you any different than the guys at work?” Both points of veiws from non christians. This is a cop put, and wouldn’t do the film any good, it will only serve to drive another divisive wedge in the body. Paul said it best, if you eat meat and go into someone’s house who doesn’t, don’t eat meat and cause them to stumble.
Swearing will cause some to stumble, you won’t win anyone by doing it, you’ll only loose some, some of the one’s you’re trying to reach.
if you do not like it do not go see the movie! Go be light in a church somewhere so everone will see how good YOU are. BRother. Amen.
I do not condone bad language. I repeat this is a movie….Do not confuse what characters on a screen do wtih what the people playing the characters do in real life. I assume you watch movies and surely you have watched movies with evil people in them. I’m sure you do not like or agree wtih the evil people but you know it exists in reality do you suggest not making these types of movies. I agree with not allowing small children to watch things or listen to things that might cause them to mimmick what they see or hear, but; at some point reality is that there is bad in this world and you learn how to deal with it and you make the judgement of doing right or wrong. Everyone sins everyday in some way or other. The job of a christian is not to judge but to lead by example. I agree with you about bad language. But if you were to take a day in your life and put it on film you could not leave out the swearing of your co-workers or it would not be true. That is what any good story is truth. As far as nudity…That is a giant leap from cussing. I do not want to see nudity in a movie either and depending on the storyline I may not go to see that particular movie and any circumstance where nudity might make sense in a film can be shown without it and still get the point across. Normal people can watch a show about murder and will never murder..People make a choice in life to do good or evil. Language in a movie coming from a non-christian situation will not make anyone who does not speak that way all of the sudden start.
Tim Stromer and everyone else. St Paul uses profanity. He wrote in Philippians 3:8 that he counted his former life as skybalon in comparison to knowing Christ. Skybalon is Greek for sh#$t. Paul meant to use the dramatic, shocking word to drive home the point. So if St Paul can say “sh#$” then I think it probably has value in this movie.
When it comes to profanity.. you’ve got to be realistic. You have to stop trying to please people (or a certain demographic) and display life the way it truly was and is. What’s important is that the message, like in the book, clearly shows that it’s not right. That’s what separates this movie from a lot of the other movies that have language in them. It downplays it. Even Paul used profanity. Granted, it was for a different reason. I know it’s hard because of how the audiences who might see this may freak out, but maybe that’s what we need right now. We can’t shun the sin in this world, we have to acknowledge it. It’s time that we face this. Do not be afraid.
So good to see the passion here. I just finished the book last week. The key to me is Don’s point about WITHOLDING love. I think this point is so much more potent than any squabbling over a few f-bombs could ever be; because that’s what I’ve done in my life…witheld love because I thogt I was being spiritual…I think this message is a gift that needs to get out man! Cheers to your entire team! Bryan
I just watched another horrible christian movie that had swearing and immodesty….I don’t understand the appeal here. Let’s be as much like the world so we can win some, or let’s sound, smell, act like the world so we win some. If my bother doesn’t eat meat, I’m not supposed to eat meat around him, I’m not supposed to on purpose make my brother stumble. Do we really think that if our movie is awesome it’s going to be inhanced by our fleshly attempts at appearing like the world? That more people will watch/ be affected because it’s more fleshly? We will lose more, and not gain anything. What you sow in the flesh you will reap in the flesh. What you sow in the Spirit you will reap in ths Spirit. I can’t imagine “Lord, how much swearing should I put in this?” as an honest prayer. Let’s honor God in our film, in every way. I don’t show strippers to lend authenticity to my movie if I’m in Christ, what’s the difference?
regarding carl, no self-respecting filmmaker should accept funds contingent upon such non-sense. i hope and believe steve is a self-respecting filmmaker. otherwise BLJ the flick is going to suck
aw, i knew i wouldn’t sneak that one past.
Tim you are admitting you watched the movie even though it had swearing and immodesty…What was the name of the movie.
It would be interesting to see what others think about it. Don’t get me wrong I do think it is great you do not like people to cuss. There is a difference between cussing and filthy talk. You are right christians should watch their language but again no one is perfect so I assume you are as passionate against stealing, killing, rape, porn, any crimes against the innocent so if cussing turns you off to movies you should fill the same way about any of these things I have mentiioned so if there was someone in the movie that stole something for example then you should have the same distain for it and not go see the movie and would you tell them they should not show someone stealing since that is a sin. I am not sure cussing is a sin except maybe taking the lords name in vain. If you feel this strongly about language you have to feel 100 times stronger about all other sins or evils being shown in movies.
Tim, go read a good Bible translation wiht commentary from Greek and Hebrew scholars. There’s a lot of violence, sex, rape, and profanity in the Bible. And it’s our Holy Book.
Then go out and make your own movie however you like. But stop trying to control how others want to make theirs.
Check out Al-Anon.
Steve,
I would like to know what other stories you have considered for film? Your considerations paint a picture for some of us who are able to get a better understanding as to what moves you. Miller can tell a good story. I have to wonder at what Miller left out of his story because he was possibly trying not to shock his audience? Was Miller trying to write a christian book or target a certain publisher?
Do you feel this BLJ film is your first opportunity to write and direct with out the constrains of the moral police scrutinizing your work everyday? Can Steve Taylor cut loose with his gut feeling and make the art, or is your freedom held in check by the purse strings of the man.
I hope you . . . the 50 year old Tayor finally gets to make this thing without 25 other people wieghing in, and voting whats in and whats out. One person with the power to call the shots can make a film that flows. Shared power when making a film usually shows up in the critics comments. Critics call it all sorts of things but good. The best songs are written by one person. The best movies are created by one’s vision not a consensus. I hope you have the ultimate freedom Steve. This film is going to require it. I’ll see it wether it’s good or bad. This film just needs to hit it out of the park.
When’s this movie taking flight?
Is it cast?
???
Dude Looks Like a Dude …. So very well said! I agree with you 150% ….. “The best movies are created by one’s vision not a consensus” …. ‘Love your comments …. I echo them. Steve …. I have have complete trust that you’ll do an amazing job with this project.
How far do we go with this? If we want to show a crack addict do we have them smoke real crack to get the “real” affect…strippers at a night club? Show a rape scene? How far do we go as Christians to show “real sin” what is our limit? I tell you this, it should not be up to us because what we thought back in the 50’s aint goin on today, and what we think is bad now we won’t 20 years from now if the Lord waits! So who is our measure? I say again, it’s the Lord, let Him decide. Not our interpretation based on our understanding of scriptures, but on what He is saying is good, is fitting, what is worthy of being His. If He says put swearing in a scene you’d better do it, but if He aint’ saying to, you’d better not! Leave it in His hands, He and His Spirit is the only one that’s going to reach anyone anyway. Love you Steve! You hear the Lord, you’re His sheep, you know His voice, just listen, really carefully! God bless you buddy!
In Christ,
tim
Dude Looks Like a Dude, though I would have loved to read the BLJ script and provide feedback, given my personal love for the book as well as being a screenwriter, I absolutely agree with you. Alexander Payne is my favorite Director, and his films are very distinctively his. He writes and directs them, in addition to being on the short list of Directors who possess the very high privilege of final cut. The best filmmakers have this for a reason (I hope to be one of them someday). So, indeed, make the film as much your own as possible Steve, with as much consideration to the source material and audience as your own taste dictates. This is why you are a Director, that is your job. I look forward to the result.
That’s not another request, in disguise, just so you know.
I would probably be considered one of those dreaded “gatekeepers” out there. Regarding language: it depends on the use of the language and the purpose. If it is there to lend credibility to what someone says in playing a part, and if the word is generally considered to be a mild yet crude word, then that is one thing. If it is placed just for shock value or to show that the producers are “cool,” then that is quite another. If the choice is put it in or leave it out, I would say to lean toward leaving it out, simply because it will in fact increase your chance of more people watching it. People who regularly use cuss words are not offended if they are left out, and people who do not use cuss words are offended if they are included. Do the smart thing and widen your audience. Finally, any idiot can cuss (just listen as you walk down the street). It takes a truly creative person to say the same thing, get the same meaning across and let the audience know that there is something “earthy” being said and not use the actual cuss words. I truly do not get why anyone would get all “glowy” over the use of earthy language.
“earthy”? really? i’m not even jewish, but oye vay. those idiots on the street, tell me about it. it’s those geniuses indoors you should really be listening to.
Thanks Tim Way, good comments!
Ok, here’s my take. If Christians can’t sit through a movie with a few cusswords from characters who represent people they are called to love, then they will find themselves pretty uncomfortable actually accomplishing their goal of loving people who cuss. What are we worried about? We’re not violating our convictions by listening to it. In fact, it’s good practice for when we’re in real life situations outside of the whitewashed walls of a church building (or in some cases, maybe inside them
).