OLESYA SALNIKOVA
Staff Writer
Sipping mocha frappuccinos with film producers is hardly what I do on a typical weekend, but this Saturday proved rather unusual as I found myself doing just that. I met up with Aaron Kaiser, an independent film producer from San Diego at a Starbucks in Santa Monica to talk a little about what it is he does. Kaiser works in the entertainment industry as head of Galaxy Films Productions and as the vice president of San Diego Filmmakers.
After talking to Kaiser nonchalantly about this and that, I learned that he had just come straight from an annual breakfast, which included 300 people from all over the country and Ron Deshay (“American Idol” producer and president of TV for Tri Destined Enterprises) as the keynote speaker, of an organization in which he participates. Imagine my surprise when I found out that Kaiser was actually talking about a Christian organization called Media Fellowship International.
Now, I don’t normally put the words “entertainment” and “Christian” together in one sentence. It is rather hard for me to imagine the inhabitants of Hollywood (the very same ones that invade the party scene in Los Angeles) attending Bible studies together. That is why the thought of a film producer just coming from a Christian breakfast caught me a little off guard.
Kaiser admitted it can get quite lonely in the entertainment industry simply because you feel like you are the only Christian in the business.
“MFI is for people to associate with others that have been there,” Kaiser said. Founded in 1987, MFI is a Christian organization for professionals that are involved in the media and entertainment industry in the major cities across America and the world.
As it turns out, MFI was founded primarily because the church was shunning Hollywood and referring to it as “sinful.”
“For years Christians have been discouraged — even forbidden — to be a part of this industry. MFI encourages Christians to live and succeed in the business in order to influence and transform our culture in a positive way for Christ,” the organization professes of its supportive and welcoming community.
The fellowship brings producers, directors, actors, entertainment professionals in music and sports, and even media professionals together for the purpose of worship and support. Its mission statement states that “reaching and caring for media and entertainment professionals worldwide for Christ” is the focus of its ministry.
Kaiser said he feels like he has found this kind of support since he got involved in the organization eight years ago. Most importantly, it gives people in the industry a chance to talk.
As expected, many people attempt to use MFI for networking purposes. Unfortunately for them, the organization is only meant for professionals who are there for the right reasons, i.e., not to get ahead.
Its really quite remarkable that an organization like this exists. Its a great way to find people in the industry who have a Christian background and strive to retain their values while working in a secular environment. It is refreshing to see that Hollywood does not necessarily have to be about parties or flashing cameras, but about finding people who share not only the same goals, but also the same faith.
09-21-2006
