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Becoming
the Vision the Prophet Saw, Part 2: A Success for All of Us
by Kieth Merrill
Editors'
Note: This is the second part of the key note address given by Kieth
Merrill at the Mormon Arts Foundation meeting in April. Click
here to read Part 1.
Great art has
never been created in committee. An artist is an individual. Even
the most introverted, insecure, and unassured creator is driven—or
drawn—by a powerful ego. The artist is a solitary animal by
nature. Territorial. Protective. Competitive.
As Mormon film makers we need to be supportive, encouraging, constructive,
and helpful. I do not presume to speak for other artistic disciplines
within the church, but it is essential for us to remember—and
believe—that "one success among our peers is a success for
all of us."
It is a success because if we are truly Mormon first and artist
second the goal is not one of self aggrandizement—but the building
of the kingdom. Elder Holland said it perfectly, "The race is against
sin—not against each other."
It is particularly important that we suppress the destructive spirit
of competition—negative criticism, and the backbiting that
can creep in on devil's toes and taint the blessings of our brotherhood.
There is an anecdote that claims the fishermen of Maine do not put
lids on their baskets of crabs. There is no need. If they put two
crabs in each basket they will never escape. If either of them attempts
to climb out, the other will pull it back.
The sensitivities
that make us artists, the intuitive attributes that enable us to
see the world through different eyes, and the insecurities that
curiously compels creative passion are at once our strength and
weakness.
Amidst the voices of praise and criticism, it is curious we are
inclined to discount applause and hear only the silent hands of
the few who do not like our work. One critical voice in a chorus
of appreciation is too often the only voice that we remember. The
wisest among us ignore both aspersion and acclaim, but sometimes
honest encouragement, well timed and properly placed, can make a
significant difference.
We must find constructive ways to support every honest effort emanating
from our diverse creative fellowship without necessarily feeling
compelled to give faint praise, endorse—or even like—the
results.
President Kimball envisioned that our work would be "purified
by the best critics." I believe we have confined ourselves
too long inside the protective walls of our own culture. We must
continually expose our art to the world and brace ourselves with
collective confidence for the reaction. We must boldly face our
critics and be purified. In reading the vision of president Kimball
I have recently wondered if "the best critics"—some of them
at least—may not be here, among ourselves.
Wouldn't it be marvelous if our collective egos were in such control,
our judgments so honestly objective, and our desire for the success
of one another so genuine that we could turn inward in search of
"the best critics."
From some of the Mormon film makers who responded to my inquiry
and from some who read me at Meridian Magazine come the following
snippets:
.".Culturally,
we have created such a fear in our community of Saints about criticism
of any kind, that we have become inferior in our ability to constructively
critique one another with the aim of achieving outstanding work."
"I would like to see a spirit of collaboration and cooperation
among LDS filmmakers."
"We avoid the desperate struggle for perfection in the arts that
demands a kind of focus we are afraid will consume us."
"With some fellow filmmakers, I feel a wonderful sense of camaraderie
and mutual respect. With some, I feel a sense of an almost competitive
tension."
"It would be a positive thing for the established
LDS filmmakers to mentor young up-and-coming artists into the
creative arena. "
"We have lost our ability to truly objectively analyze. We won't
even see 80% of the work the world does and are frequently
completely unable to communicate intelligently with professionals
in the field."
I am encouraged
and amused by the boundless optimism evident in the rising generation
of young Mormon movie makers.
"I'm going
to spend a couple thousand on a feature that I am shooting this
summer. I'm going to shoot it on mini-DV and then transfer it
to digibeta. Oh, and I have one script that would probably take
at least $40,000,000. It is a fantasy adventure film much like
The Lord of the Rings, but with martial arts."
The most exuberant
are on a different path all together and sometimes a little out
of touch with reality. One young man, filled with grand dreams of
making movies, wrote to me about his "top secret, original idea"
to do a movie called, First Nephi. He writes:
"If someone
else were to pull out a surprise production of something like
this—or do it first—I'd be pretty burnmed. [He goes
on to say] I'm actually a hair jealous of Dutcher because I had
thought of that Joseph Smith movie a long time ago... "
One of the most
successful and celebrated Mormon film makers, Jerry Molen, wanted
to be here today. His film opens tonight and made that impossible.
He asked me to share his seasoned insight and pointed perspective.
"I see
a much needed role in creative, dedicated and inspired film makers
who truly want to change the direction of films from unworthy,
uninspired and irresponsible to illuminative, inspired, educational
and entertaining works of 'art'.
"Who better than the LDS filmmakers to fill the void created by
less talented and valueless individuals who happen to flourish
within the Hollywood community and hide behind the few great artists
we all recognize and respect.
"There
is a desperate need of talented writers. It seems that today's
successful' crop of writers are lacking a moral compass.
"So to all of you producers, directors, writers, cinematographers,
designers, actors and creative craftsmen and craftswomen who aspire
to be a part of a change for a better tomorrow, I say congratulations
and whatever you do, never give up."
"I want to be a part of this change and am dedicated to forever
be there to cheer, assist, admonish and encourage the God-given
talent in each of the 'film makers and dream makers of tomorrow.[Jerry
Molen, personal correspondence with the author, April, 2002]
Jerry reminded
me of another great film maker whom I had the privilege to know.
I met Frank Capra the same year I directed the star he created,
Jimmy Stewart in a film called, Mr. Krueger's Christmas
for Michael McLean who conceived the idea, created the project and
produced the film.
Frank Capra said;
"To others that belong or aspire to belong to that privileged
group of one man, one film makers, I dare to say, don't compromise.
For only the valiant can create. Only the daring should make films.
Only the morally courageous are worthy of speaking to their fellow
men for two hours in the dark. Only the artistically incorrupt will
earn and keep the people's trust . " [Capra, Frank, Name Above
the Title]
I am a solitary animal. I am a vigorously independent. I fancy myself
an "auteur," a "one-man one film maker," but the facts
do not support it.
Film is a collaborative art. What ever there may be of value in
my work, it is the collective effort of many--many of you in this
room. I acknowledge you; I thank you.
The wonderful thing about having lived a few years, and done nothing
other than make films, is that the defensive stance of youthful
ego and the confidence born of ignorance has been replaced by the
reality that no one has a corner on creativity . No one is beyond
improvement. No one is beyond benefiting from the value constructive
criticism.
Let us work toward—no let us covenant with one another—to
engender a genuine desire for the success of our fellow artists.
We are blessed with gifts . Some gifts are greater than others.
I have told Merrill Jensen many times that if I could write a single
page of his music I would give up making films . I have told Sam
Cardon the same thing.
When I study the extraordinary world of James Christensen, I know
why I had to abandon my adolescent dream to be an artist . I have
pushed clay around in private, but stand in awe at the work of Dennis
Smith. My dear friend Sheri Dew wants me to write a book and I'm
tempted, but then I read what some of you have written and shrink
in terror.
I wrote and directed the film, The Testaments Of One Fold And
One Shepherd. I am grateful to God and thankful to prophets
that I was entrusted with a blessing "where love and need are one,"
as Robert Frost said so poetically. [Frost, Robert, "Two Tramps
in Mud Time."]
If you have seen it and if you liked it then you caught a glimpse
of what it was like for me to write and direct the film. What it
was like for us—those of you here, Gary Cook, Scott Swofford,
TC Christensen, Merrill Jensen and many others on our vast team
of "collaborating artists"—to enjoy a project wherein "our
two eyes were made one in sight." [Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud
Time.]
One day in the editing room at LDS studios, Jerry Stayner—who
did such a fine job editing the film—asked who had written
the script. It was curious to me he didn't know. I explained that
I had requested permission to "re-write" what had been prepared
by multiple committees . The rewrite became—as President Hinckley
remarked—"an entirely different movie." Merrill Jensen asked
me where the story came from?
If you know
Merrill, you will enjoy this story even more. Merrill Jensen is
without guile. In spite of his great talent, significant acclaim
and serious responsibility as a church leader he remains innocent
as the new fallen snow.
"It's such a
great story," Merrill went on, "how did you come up with it?"
"I promised
not to tell." I said as if trying to deflect intrusion into a deep
dark secret. Merrill slipped forward to the edge of his chair. His
wife Betsy looked up from her handiwork. Jerry Stayner turned around.
"You can tell
me," Merrill probed.
"I don't know.
I really shouldn't," I said then grimaced with enough uncertainty
to give them hope. "Is there an intercom in here?" I asked Jerry.
"Can anyone
hear what we are saying?"
They were hooked.
"As you know, " I began, "I have had the privilege of going into
the First Presidency's vault." I paused for effect. "Promise me
that you will never, ever reveal what I am about to tell you." They
promised with nodding heads and sat spellbound and breathless.
"What very few
people in the church realize, " I explained in clandestine tones,
" is that the 116 pages lost by Martin Harris were in fact..." I
paused once more as if struggling over some final barrier of secrecy,
"They were in fact recovered. " I let it sink it and relished the
wonder on Merrill's face.
"The lost pages
are in the vault. I was given access to them. The story is there.
The entire thing. It's in the book of Ammoron, characters, even
the dialogue, the whole thing."
There was stunned
silence, then finally Merrill whispered, "That's incredible."
Even Betsy,
Merrill's wife, bought in. Unusual for her. I enjoyed their wonder
of my tall tale for half an hour then finally confessed.
The story did NOT come from the 116 pages, it came from the inspired
direction of the prophet. The Testaments was a First Presidency
project. The close and constant association with them throughout
the process was a remarkable experience.
I came to an even greater certainty that these men are prophets,
seers and revelators. We reported regularly to President Faust.
The lessons I learned from that marvelous man could fill volumes.
I came to love him like a father.
I have believed in Jesus all of my life. In making The Testaments
I came to know him in ways I had not understood. In recreating his
world and events of his ministry, I came to know him in new and
unfamiliar ways.
From time to time and in a moment suddenly—in a kind of curious
time warp that happens on a movie set—I was transported. I
walked where he walked. I was there when he healed the leper and
gave sight to the blind. I watched him bless a child. I sat at the
foot of the cross. I watched him die.
I was there when he appeared to Mary as the resurrected Lord and
when came in glory to the temple in bountiful. The emotions of the
extras in the film are real. The tears are honest tears of testimony.
I acknowledge the hand of the lord in all that is good in the testaments.
What ever of it touches your heart it is of him. The flaws are mine
alone.
It is no secret to those who know me that I emerged from that experience
changed. It accentuated the sense of responsibility I feel as "Mormon
movie maker" to use the blessings of a long career and the assets
of access, credential, and credibility to make a difference if I
can.
I emerged committed to make another film based on the life and times
of Jesus Christ. It is my intent to make the film commercial, an
epic, a "Hollywood feature film" for the world-wide market. In the
language of a Hollywood pitch man, think "Gladiator meets Jesus"
and you catch a glimpse of what is possible.
The film will capture the spirit of The Testaments in a
biblical setting. It will carry the testimony of the Savior through
the impact on the lives of the characters whose story we will tell.
It will convey our unique understanding of his divinity to the world
.
In making one film about the Savior I feel compelled to make another.
In the midst of filming the scenes of Christ at the temple, I was
impressed by the responsibility to press forward and somehow get
it done. The prophets have said, "Pray and go" and so we
shall.
If this grand dream seems too presumptuous you will forgive me.
We are gathered to share our grandest expectations are we not? We
are here to seek strength, find courage and gain allies.
As Mormon artists, we are blessed with the opportunity to combine
who we are with what we do. We are blessed with the knowledge that
being "Mormon" is more important than being "artist."
We are blessed
with the gifts to use our art to build the kingdom of God and change
private hearts. We are blessed with the Spirit of Christ to inspire
us to "do that which is for the benefit and blessing of our fellow
men." [McConkie, quoted earlier]
Each of us has a dream—or many dreams. Each of us carries the
fire of creative passion within us.
Our art can
be purified by discipline. Perfected by work. Improved by inspiration.
Sanctified as we purge pride and eradicate envy. Made worthy as
we abandon contention, forsake competition, give and receive criticism—gentle
and constructive—in the spirit of the gospel. Let us yield
ourselves and consecrate our gifts to Him from whom they are received.
We are the vision that the prophet saw—"inspired hearts and
talented fingers." May we dedicate ourselves. May we pull together
separately.
Let us be vigorously independent and faithfully interdependent to
fulfill the prophecy and create the masterpieces that will not only
live forever, but be acceptable to the Master, even Jesus Christ.
I pray
in his name, Amen.
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