Author: Calvin R. Evans
Published: September 22, 2005
Tool: [ email ]
Manhunt: First of all, I would like to congratulation with the deal you recently signed between your company, Amen films and Maverick Entertainment.
Martin: Well God bless you. Thank you very much.
Manhunt: Did starting out as an artist in the music business help make the transition to video production easier?
Martin: Well, being familiar with the business and conditioned as an artist helped. In hindsight, there were times when I couldn’t understand why I was drawn in certain conversations. On a video set, I preferred to hang out with the film crew rather than be in the dressing room with the artists. I was drawn to the video side and from that I learned the basics. It was a blessing to be like a Robert Redford or a Paul Newman that were able to be artist/directors. I was able to learn about directing from the artist side. I was interested in the technical side of the video project. Most artists couldn’t get into it, mainly because they just were not interested.
Manhunt: Tell us about some of the challenges you faced when you decided to start your video production company.
Martin: Technically, it was not a big thing. It’s like when you drive a car, you have to respect the rules of the road. I think the biggest challenge for me was dealing with the inner workings of Chris Martin and the plan that God had for me. But dealing with budgets, timing factors, just a lot of the checks and balances and juggling of things are important. Those are the things that I had to adjust to. But it wasn’t really hard, mainly because I believe it is effortless when your doing something that you are supposed to be doing.
Manhunt: Is it hard to get financing for Christian films?
Martin: Very hard. It is very hard to get financing for Christian films. Mainly because it is not the flavor of the month or year. I remember back in the days, I was at a club and people were dancing and grinding to the music. Then they put on Kirk Franklin’s Stomp and the way people responded, they got convicted and cleared off the floor. Christian films serve a different purpose than mainstream films. It is not pleasing to the flesh and that is what the world is after. So for business men and women concerned with making bucks, the two can’t coincide.
Manhunt: What is the goal that you would like to accomplish with your film company?
Martin: I am not looking for personal accolades. That is not my goal. Like with the Holy Hip-Hip feature that is almost completed, I think that if people can say “I didn’t know this exists” or they are exposed to something that they hadn’t experienced before, I will be blessed by it. It’s like the title of the film company, Amen. A lot of people do not realize that the word Amen simply means I agree. I want people to see what we are making and look at it and say I agree, or I can identify with what the people in the film went through. That is what I look forward to.
Manhunt: Do you find it difficult to manage the marriage between business and ministry?
Martin: At first it was difficult for me. I was kind of uncomfortable with the business side of things. I don’t really like dealing with the business side. I guess it is because when you have to make business decisions, money plays a factor and sometimes ideas die because of it. For me, I trust in God.
Manhunt: I know that for me, when I first got saved I heard people paint a picture of Jesus as being poor. Now that is not scriptural, but people have that idea or picture of Him. So they develop an idea that something is wrong with making money while serving in ministry.
Martin: Exactly. I still do not like having to deal with the business side of things, but I simply trust in God.
Manhunt: Do you have any advice for anyone trying to enter the Video Production/Director field?
Martin: Find out who you are then just do you. Like me for instance, I am 42 years old and I just found out what I do best. Get into the habit of asking yourself what is your motivation for doing what you are doing. By doing that, and then being man or woman enough to confront your answer, I think that will help you along.
Manhunt: Brother, thank you again for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview with us.
Martin: It was my pleasure. Thank you, God bless you.
Manhunt: God bless you too.
