CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

MOMENTOUS ANIMATED FILM ON LIFE OF JESUS SET FOR INTERNATIONAL RELEASE

First Animated Film Ever Produced for Worldwide Child
Evangelism Launched by Book of Hope

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL., March 8, 2004 – A new animated film produced for use in international child evangelism is being launched this month by Book of Hope, the organization that publishes the immensely successful combined Gospel storybook, Book of Hope.

The film, titled The GodMan, brings to the screen the Book of Hope – the combined story of the four Gospels – in a powerful animated version designed specifically to appeal to school-aged children from diverse cultures. Created with cutting-edge computer animation meeting the highest professional standards, the film is designed to lead children to make a decision for Jesus. The GodMan is the first animated child evangelism film ever produced specifically to make an international impact.

The GodMan incorporates modern music and graphics to enhance viewership among young people. Wycliffe Bible Translators/SIL partnered with Book of Hope to insure that the message is consistent with Scripture and presents the Gospel story of Jesus as the Savior. Each version will have a modern day culture- appropriate “wrapâ€

Huh. This could be extremely interesting. At the moment, however, I will wait and speak no opinions or make any specific points.

Michael, I'm certain we know your opinion on the subject. Please don't restate it. It will not accomplish the purpose you wish it to, and only make other people angry. I hate to begin this thread with this message, but I'd like to head off a well meaning exercise in futility.

Well, what can I say. Sounds pretty kool.

DrNic wrote:Well, what can I say. Sounds pretty kool.

Agreed it sound interesting, I probably won't see it cause I don't really like 3D movies that much.

i hope they actaully do it right for once, unlike The Passion

That topic, by the way, will not be mentioned again.

Although I understand exactly what you meant, Inferno, your post still seemed humorous to me. Do you like your movies taking place only in 2D? Or are you a big fan of those 1D flicks?

The dot said the the other dot standing next to him, "You have no depth..."

Hmm... I'd love to see an animated Bible story that pulled no punches...

Sad that animated has to immediately be coupled with "children." But, it's cool... Another resource to reach kids. ^_^

I have nothing against kids, just against the general treatment of animation (case in point: Adventures in Odyssey. The radio drama got rather interesting, while the animated version fell short... It's only because they had a respect for the radio drama and no respect for animation. )

This could end up ok as a kid's movie, but I'd like to see real quality animation that didn't attempt to dumb down the events... In america, animation is seen as something for kids. In Japan, the Bible not twisted around is seen as something for kids... Hmm... I smell opportunity. Just not for me.

I say this with much careful thoughts as a witness...

This film will be another film that will bring down the reputation of christiandom...

Pray that it will never get released...

If you have some suggestions about pitfalls the film would have, I'm sure they would want to hear them.

I know what the excuse of Book of Hope will be when this movie comes out... "But, there are people who are saved by watching this movie"...

And I will not argue with that. If anything good comes out of this product, praise God. He is known for turning and using what we messed up to use for his own good. Right?

This still doesn't excuse poorly made movies. Especially when it has the "Christian" tag on it.

I have many things to say about this movie... But, I want to be careful not to be slanderous...

1)Bad Story/Writing
2)Bad Direction
3)Bad Art Direction

Can't Wait to see it.

Torokun, you seem intimately familiar with the workings of this movie. Do you have sources outside of those listed here? I ask merely out of curiosity.

UC, everytime I was going to say something to someone you said it first

I didnt take the time to read the article, but a computer animated jesus movie could defintely be interesting.

...

<clipped due to legal issues>

only thing i can think of is he thought he was starting a thread in the links section?

I must confess I do not see the immediate application...

only thing i can think of is he thought he was starting a thread in the links section?

No... I worked on the project. If you see under "portfolio" secion, you will see some sample work from the project.

I am sorry for not being so clear on this subject. Notice that one of the reasons for this movie will be bad is the "Art Direction". And that was my job. So, I am taking partial credit to why it won't be a good movie.

It is a delicate thing for me to speak about this movie for many reasons. Even though I know a lot about things happened behind the scene. I am afraid that it will easily become a gossip. At the same time, It goes against my conscience to let people just get excited about the bad product...

Sometime in my life, I will probably reflect back and speak about this movie though...

Ah, I see the connection. This aside, I appreciate your attitude in regard to this, and affirm your decision to not continue about it regarding gossip. But aside from the quality of such a film, what is your impression of the content? I trust that you had some relation to that in the process?

I had no influence on its contents whatsoever... I wish I could have...

Perhaps you could describe, as directly as possible, what your issues with the contents (and I presume from your prior post that they exist) were? I say this partially because of my own interest, and partially so that all of us have a more tangible concept of the movie. How much can you legally tell us?

By contract, I am bound not to reveal the content until it comes out.

And as a pro (o^~^o), I would like to honor that...

*understands now* Yes, I'd be interested to know some of the inside stuff too, but I respect your contractual obligations.

From the looks of his site, there's going to be waayyy too much nudity in it.

Dont look at the site, kids

Indeed, Jedi Sonic. Highly inappropriate. Overall, about the movie, I have a bad feeling about this. I won't bother to elaborate, because everyone here is entilted to their convictions and opinions... for some reason whether it's wrong or righ... wrong when it comes to picturing Jesus, who is God, as corruptable man. I beleive Romans calls them fools.

Torokun wrote:By contract, I am bound not to reveal the content until it comes out.

And as a pro (o^~^o), I would like to honor that...

As I expected.

Shao Feng-Li, please do remember that nakedness in itself is not sin (though I didn't like the aspect either) and that Jesus Christ was a corruptible (if not corrupted) man some two thousand years ago.

Very true, though, it's rather a bad idea for internet purposes, knowing that a child might stumble upon it.

Why don't we have pictures from the time of Christ? Why didn't the Apostles/ disciples paint pictures of him? Why is there no physicle discription of Jesus? Because we would worship the image. Even Jesus said, look to the Father.

Shao Feng-Li wrote:Very true, though, it's rather a bad idea for internet purposes, knowing that a child might stumble upon it.

I agree, though even that would not necessarily be disastrous. Children are likely to ask questions of their parents, and the issue could be simply explained. It would not scar them to understand the matter, as opposed to growing up viewing it as sinful or in the twisted light our society portrays it.

Shao Feng-Li wrote:Why don't we have pictures from the time of Christ? Why didn't the Apostles/ disciples paint pictures of him? Why is there no physicle discription of Jesus?

Though I may roughly agree with your point, I must ask this: do we have pictures of anyone from the time of Christ? As far as I am aware, we do not. Did they paint pictures of him? Most likely not, but we have no way of telling. Lastly, is there a physical description of anyone in the Bible at all? A precious little in some cases, and the Christ is described to a similar degree in the prophecies regarding him.

Shao Feng-Li wrote:Because we would worship the image. Even Jesus said, look to the Father.

Indeed, certainly. But our society is already worshiping the images of pop idols, actors and political figures. If you wish to look for idolatry, you do not need to look to only images of Christ.

We draw dangerously near boundaries in this discussion. I would that you not respond in any way via posting.

Gah...

It is totally my fault. I keep forgetting a lot of people here are still under 18...

No... there will be no nudity in the actual movie. Mind you... that link to the site is my online portfolio. I had to design Eve. And as a designer, I can't just design faces. I need to think of the whole context... So, that sketch is more for my thought process more than the actual representational art. In fact, that sketch will never be used to promote the movie. No Christian organization will dare to do that. And you know that already!

Also, the crucifixion scene is not the crucifixion of Christ. It was just supposed to illustrate common crucifixion you'd have witnessed back then...

I find it interesting that a forum like this one where most of members are fans of anime doesn't understand the function of movie/cartoon as a form of media. Most of you use avatars of characters that probably is more associated with what people would consider mindless violence. Well, even without getting into spiritual issues, I am assuming people here understands the boundaries of fantasies and fictions. Movies/cartoons' primary function is to tell a story. And especially in christian media, they are a supplimentary form of the truth (if they are made right). Not the truth itself.

-I wrote really long responds to what I think is an important spiritual issue here... But, I erased it. I think this is going to a place that is not appropriate to this thread. I am sorry that I didn't put any disclaimer on the link to my site. And I hope what I revealed brings some understanding to the situation-

Torokun wrote:No... there will be no nudity in the actual movie. Mind you... that link to the site is my online portfolio. I had to design Eve. And as a designer, I can't just design faces. I need to think of the whole context... So, that sketch is more for my thought process more than the actual representational art. In fact, that sketch will never be used to promote the movie. No Christian organization will dare to do that. And you know that already!

Also, the crucifixion scene is not the crucifixion of Christ. It was just supposed to illustrate common crucifixion you'd have witnessed back then...

Key clarifications to make.

Torokun wrote:I find it interesting that a forum like this one where most of members are fans of anime doesn't understand the function of movie/cartoon as a form of media. Most of you use avatars of characters that probably is more associated with what people would consider mindless violence. Well, even without getting into spiritual issues, I am assuming people here understands the boundaries of fantasies and fictions. Movies/cartoons' primary function is to tell a story. And especially in christian media, they are a supplimentary form of the truth (if they are made right). Not the truth itself.

The issue is far less that than a doctrine of orthodoxy. Which should not truly be broached here.

Torokun wrote:-I wrote really long responds to what I think is an important spiritual issue here... But, I erased it. I think this is going to a place that is not appropriate to this thread. I am sorry that I didn't put any disclaimer on the link to my site. And I hope what I revealed brings some understanding to the situation-

Depending upon the issue you refer to, there may or may not be a place for it anywhere on CAA. Were it to refer to images of Christ, that would in all probability fall into the category of denominational differences, and should not be worked on here. I would appreciate viewing your response or a summary via PM.