Romantic comedies: girl meets guy girl hates guy guy likes girl girl starts to like guy they kiss. Bromance: Expect toilet humor. Violence sex jokes about poo.
There are certain things audiences have learned to expect from Hollywood but a successful Christian in the industry does not always come to mind. Craig Detweiler one of the newest professors of Seaver College proves there is such a thing as a happy ending for people of faith in the star-struck corners of this town.
His rich credentials ranging from participating in various film projects and receiving awards may come across as intimidating when simply read from the Pepperdine faculty Web site.
Hearing of his good connections in the different corners of the film industry can make one nervous as well. However in person he is down-to-earth and approachable and emanates quite the opposite aura of his daunting resume.
The North Carolina native’s primary interests in life and academia revolve around creativity — specifically in the realm of the cinematic arts — as well as the study and practice of theology and how it can be applied to popular culture.
Of the many projects he’s been involved in Detweiler points to two specific films “Extreme Days” and “Purple State of Mind as some of the
most significant.
Detweiler produced the faith-based film Extreme Days and released it in 2001. All 12 people who have seen it loved it he said with a smile.
Purple State of Mind however, received critical acclaim as Booklist, the magazine of the American Library Association, named the documentary one of the top ten religious films of 2009. Clearly, more than 12 people saw that one.
‘Purple’ is essentially a rambunctious dialogue about faith and doubt between myself and my college roommate Detweiler said. By his college roommate, Detweiler refers to the young man he lived with during his undergraduate years at Davidson College in Charlotte, N.C. He added the film is, in fact, a documentary that is comedic and serious in nature.
About two months ago, Provost Darryl Tippens invited Detweiler to teach at Pepperdine, specifically as a part of the Center of Entertainment, Media and Culture (EMC) initiative.
The EMC aims to pool all of the 500-plus Seaver and Pepperdine Law students pursuing studies related to the media as well as all of the resources offered at Pepperdine under the same umbrella said Detweiler, regarding the initiative.
Detweiler said his two months teaching film classes at Pepperdine have been extremely positive.
I am surrounded by lovely amazing smart students asking all of the right questions Detweiler said.
The responses from Detweiler’s students have been equally positive.
Professor Detweiler is in a word incredible said senior Michael Martin. He is extremely well-connected and always brings in people from the real film industry for us to meet. He’s also a very morally grounded man of faith and serves as a good role model. You don’t always see that coming from the film industry.”
“I enjoy how he brings in a different guest speaker every week to talk to us about different aspects of the film industry said junior Jeff Loveness. He has helped with my own filmmaking as well; I did a sketch comedy about ‘X-Men’ and he actually sent it to Ralph Winter the producer of ‘X-Men.’ He brings in a diverse range of films which we discuss both technically and spiritually. I enjoy the class immensely.”
Detweiler organized and played a co-starring role in Monday’s convocation which was based on Steve Turner’s book “The Gospel According to the Beatles.” Detweiler said he viewed Turner and his work as significant because Turner “brought personal proximity to a lifetime of listening.”
“The convocation [is] emblematic of what we wish to accomplish through the EMC initiative Detweiler said. That being listening to pop culture and delving into the enduring questions that artists are asking.”
Monday night itself did not disappoint. Detweiler essentially led Turner through a history of the Beatles regarding their spirituality. The presentation told the story of the Beatles in how they began as working-class churchgoers transitioned to leaders of a conformity-rejecting mass teenage rebellion and eventually became happy hippie spiritualists perpetuating the causes of peace and love.
“I like getting convo credit and hearing about the uses of pot and LSD. I did not know both could be done at once until now said junior Matt McLoon. He added, On a serious note though the guest speaker was really insightful. This is one of the better convos I have been to.”
“The whole thing was really interesting. I’ve never been a Beatles fan but it was so enlightening said Ayla Riviera, a freshman.
Detweiler, a fan of the Beatles himself, cited the White Album, one of the Beatles’ later works, as his all-time favorite. When it comes to his favorite member of the legendary foursome, Detweiler is a John Lennon guy.
I just really like the complexity and contradictions inherent in his life and art he said.
The notion of complexity and contradictions may be applicable to the life of Detweiler, who has managed to maintain his Christian faith, despite his involvement with fun but flashy Hollywood.