SUPPORT: Contemporary Christian Music Documentary

What happens when you turn Christianity into a business?

SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTIAN SUPERSTAR is a feature documentary where acclaimed artists break their silence in this intimate and unfiltered examination of the billion dollar Contemporary Christian Music industry at the turn of the 21st century.

ABOUT THE FILM

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) was the fastest growing genre in the industry. The artists were packing out arenas, selling millions of CDs, and climbing the Billboard charts. CCM was often marketed as an alternative to what was happening in mainstream music. The sound was similar but the lyrical content was considered SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY — and that’s exactly how it was marketed.

There was a Christian substitute for nearly every sector of the biz; from the music sellers (Family Christian Stores in lieu of Sam Goody), to the tours (Acquire The Fire instead of Warped Tour) to the artists themselves (Looking for a Christian boy band? Don’t listen to NSYNC; try Plus One). This business model proved to be quite lucrative. By 2001 CCM was raking in more than a billion dollars in revenue annually. The genre created a movement among American Evangelicals and the artists were the face of it. But what really happens when you turn Christianity into a business?

The majority of the artists pursued careers in CCM as a way to use their musical gifts to serve God, but once they entered the industry things got more complicated. Not only were they role models, but also they were expected to live under nearly “sinless” conditions. Their lyrics were carefully examined (how many times are you mentioning Jesus in your song?); their looks were scrutinized (are you dressing modestly?); and everyone was put in a neat little box. Then, things got even more intense. Conservative political activists quickly realized these artists could become the faces of movements, ranging from purity culture (True Love Waits) to ANTI-LGBT legislation (Battle Cry) to prayer in schools (See You at the Pole). Contemporary Christian Music became both the face of and the soundtrack for extremely conservative politics and ideals.

This all put an immense amount of pressure on these artists. If they said or did the “wrong” thing, their albums would be pulled from the shelves, churches and youth groups would boycott, and in some cases they were forced out of the industry. As Derek Webb, a member of the contemporary Christian alt-rock band Caedmon’s Call, told us, “The marriage of art and commerce is a tricky marriage. I think the marriage of art, commerce, and religion is maybe a doomed marriage. I've never seen anybody really get out in one piece.”

FEATURED ARTISTS:

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

I grew up in a very conservative and very evangelical home in Ortonville, Michigan. We were taught to be “in the world and not of the world,” so “secular” music was a big no-no. Fortunately for me, there was a movement happening in Christian communities all over the United States that was considered “safe for the whole family,” or better known as Contemporary Christian Music. For me, as a Christian kid there was nothing better than spending time in a Christian Bookstore and browsing the shelves to discover new albums. As a closeted kid growing up in the early 2000’s, this music became my safe space. It sounded exactly like the music that was on pop radio, but rather than talking about “worldly subjects” like sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll, these artists were singing songs that glorified God.

This music was one of my first loves, but as I got older and grew into who I am, I started to question my faith. I found Conservative Evangelicals answers to my personal journey to be extremely lacking — and that extended to my love of CCM. I moved out of Michigan and landed shiny jobs working in the entertainment industry covering red carpets, working on reality TV shows, and eventually running digital video for Hearst Magazines. I married my husband and have built a happy, fulfilled life. I also remained completely obsessed with music — always angling to cover my favorite musicians like Demi Lovato, Reba, and Kelly Clarkson. For me, it always comes back to music. And that always sends me right back to the church. There’s something about the music that you listen to when your brain forms that blueprints onto your DNA and fundamentally makes you the person you are. Even though I was long separated from the church, the memory of its music held a grip on me.

This realization, combined with the current cultural reckoning we’re having with how we treated the young stars of the late 90s and early aughts, got me thinking. Fame on any young person is difficult, but what happens if that fame is intertwined with religion?

I began messaging the artists of my youth to see if they had stories to tell. The responses were overwhelming, and their stories fascinating, timely and finally ready to be told. I found myself in the unique position to help share these important narratives with the world.

SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTIAN SUPERSTAR emerges from a lifelong fascination with the profound influence of music and the creators behind it. This candid, challenging, and ultimately cathartic exploration delves into the billion-dollar realm of contemporary Christian music and the individuals who shaped it. It unravels the journey of artists who were both uplifted and ultimately disillusioned by this industry.

WHAT’S NEXT?

We’ve been filming SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTIAN SUPERSTAR for the majority of 2023. Principal photography is over 80% completed. We’ve now entered post-production which means the documentary is currently in edit. Our goal is to complete the film by the end of 2023 and then enter it into film festivals in 2024 with the goal of a distribution deal.

HOW WILL YOUR MONEY BE USED?

Every contribution will help to bring this film to the finish line.

- Additional production (crew rates, rental equipment, locations, travel, etc..)

- Post Production (editor rates, color correction, sound mixing, etc)

- Motion Graphics and illustrating

- Music composition and licensing

- Marketing

- Festival submissions

- And more!

MEET THE FILMMAKERS:

JASON IKELER

DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER

Jason Ikeler, award-winning film and television director, producer and writer, makes his feature directorial debut, SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTIAN SUPERSTAR. He currently serves as the Vice President of Video at Hearst Magazines, overseeing the production and development of original series for digital, television, and OTT platforms. Ikeler has orchestrated viral shorts and series for Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, including the acclaimed documentary short, MAREN MORRIS IS BECOMING THE VOICE FOR WOMEN IN COUNTRY MUSIC.

Garnering accolades and recognition across platforms, two of the short films that he produced and directed, I AM BEAUTIFUL: JACOB TOBIA and I AM BEAUTIFUL: PASTOR MEGAN were selected for the Seattle Transgender Film Festival. He has won an Ellie Award for directing his short film, SEXISM EXISTS IN POLITICS: HERE’S HOW I ROSE ABOVE IT, featuring former Obama White House aide Alejandra Campoverdi. Ikeler received a Parents' Choice Award for his creation, direction, and executive production of The CW's series READY, SET, PET.

NY-based, Ikeler began his career as a reality television producer in Los Angeles working on series such as HGTV’s HOUSE HUNTERS RENOVATION and FLIP OR FLOP. He's been featured on several national outlets, including E! News, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Huffington Post. He was previously a red-carpet host and reporter for numerous prestigious events, including the OSCARS, the VMAS, and the GRAMMYS; his interviews have garnered national attention.

WHITNEY FERN

PRODUCER

Whitney Fern, producer, writer, and host, is an accomplished Awards and Events Producer, known for creating unique, press-worthy moments in the entertainment industry. Prior to her film and TV production work, she was a member of the Paramount Pictures’ Awards Department for over six years before creating her own company, Whitney Lane Events, in 2018, where she collaborated on numerous awards campaigns, orchestrating behind the scenes coordination of events, that propelled the careers of TV, film, and documentary creators. Notably, she played an instrumental role in garnering Academy Award nominations and wins for acclaimed films such as PARASITE; THE BIG SHORT; SELMA; I, TONYA; and more.

Whitney is co-EP on a series in development with ITV America and is launching a podcast with Sickbird Productions in 2024.

Whitney's life philosophy centers on forging moments that nurture connection, spur creativity, and encourage collaboration. Whitney grew up in the church and signed onto SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTIAN SUPERSTAR because of her personal connection to the powerful topic.

FOLLOW FOR MORE

www.SafefortheWholeFamilyFilm.com

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