After recently reviewing the movie What if ... , a 2010 release, I had the opportunity to interview the director, Dallas Jenkins, a talented film professional. What if ... stars Kevin Sorbo and Kristy Swanson.
Dallas Jenkins has produced and directed several films with Jenkins Entertainment during the last ten years. Many of those films have been distributed by companies such as Warner Brothers and GT Media, and have aired on Hallmark Channel and ABC Family. Dallas is a man who is passionate about his faith, family and work.
Dallas was born and raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago, where he attended mostly small Christian schools and was heavily involved in sports and drama. He grew up in a very close-knit Christian family. Dallas accepted Jesus as his Savior as a young boy but he recommitted his life to the Lord in early high school. He met his wife, Amanda, while attending college in Minnesota. They were married after she graduated and they now have four children.
JAM—Q: When did you know you wanted to direct movies? Was there a specific moment during your childhood or young adulthood? Can you tell us about it?
DJ—A: My dad introduced me to great films when I was in junior high, and while I loved films, it wasn’t until I saw One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest on TV as a high school freshman when I realized I wanted to tell stories for a living. I just really wanted to arouse people’s emotions in the way that film aroused mine.
JAM—Q: Who has been a significant influence or mentor in your life? How did he or she impact you?
DJ—A: My Dad, without question. We’ve always been very close; I’m very much like him in many ways, and much of what I learned as a husband and father I got from him. I also clearly got the desire to tell stories, albeit in a different format.
JAM—Q: Can you tell us about a little bit about your educational background, the degree you earned and your preparation for a career in movie directing?
DJ—A: I was a Theatre and Bible major at a small Christian college in St. Paul. The theatre experience helped me with acting and directing, but my film education was limited. I did video projects on the side and studied movies where I could, but there’s nothing you can learn about movies in college that you wouldn’t learn in three weeks on a movie set. College for me was primarily about relationships and growth.
JAM—Q: What do you like to do in your free time? What do you and your family do for fun?
DJ—A: My wife and I love movies and television, of course, which is not only something we do to relax, but it’s also part of my job. A good storyteller experiences other storytellers constantly. I’m a voracious reader, and I would say my part-time hobby is playing poker. My kids love hanging out, going to a movie, playing sports, wrestling, etc.
JAM—Q: What do you do to keep yourself inspired and honed in your skills as an artist and as a movie director? Are there any ongoing classes you take or are there any professional organizations you belong to?
DJ—A: It’s all about watching and reading and studying. I watch as many movies as I can, but because I’m so busy and have a family I have to limit it to only the great ones. After I watch one, I’ll read up on it, particularly reviews of the film by Roger Ebert. I can’t stress enough how important it is to constantly study other storytellers.
JAM—Q: Can you name two of your favorite movies? What makes them your favorites?
DJ—A: It’s a Wonderful Life is, for my money, the best film of all time. I watch it every single year, and every single year I weep. It’s flawless storytelling, taking an audience through genuine darkness before revealing the light in such a glorious way. No point in discussing any other film—this is the best!
JAM—Q: Is there a famous quote or Bible passage that guides your life or is very meaningful to you? Please tell us why you consider its message meaningful.
DJ—A: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). I don’t know how He did it, I don’t know when He did it. But I believe He’s real and that he designed all this, and He’s got a plan, and he’s creative, and I want to be part of that.
JAM—Q: What do you enjoy most about your job as a movie director and what is your least favorite aspect about the job?
DJ—A: I love being on a movie set. It’s electric. I love every second of it. My favorite part of that is working with actors to fine-tune a scene. My least favorite part is the exhaustion. Long hours, always playing catch-up.
JAM—Q: What do you hope the movie What if ... will accomplish? What do you ultimately hope to achieve with all future films you direct?
DJ—A: I really want What if ... to prove the value of faith and family over material things. I believe the movie does a good job of making the case for why it’s worth it to settle into family life. I want all my films to point people towards the absolute good of living a life of faith in God, especially in dark circumstances.
JAM—Q: The movie What if ... deals with the theme of finding one's true purpose in life. What are some things you recommend a person do to find their true purpose in life as well as live it out?
DJ—A: I would say that it’s best not to plan too far ahead. Where you’re going to be in five years is none of your business, it’s God’s. Just listen and pay attention to the signs of where He wants you, because it’s often much different from what you assume. I learned that lesson every other week making What if ... I’m not as smart as I think I am!
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What if ... was cited by Movieguide as "one of the top ten family films of 2010." It’s recommended for families, junior high and high schools, church groups, and for holiday enjoyment, too. Other films available from Jenkins Entertainment include Hometown Legend and Midnight Clear. Stay tuned and be looking for Riven, their next movie release.
Click here to purchase What if ... from Amazon.com.
Viewers residing in Portland, Oregon, can rent What if ... on DVD at Movie Madness, 4320 SE Belmont, Portland, Oregon, 97215. Tel. 503-234-4363.
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Author, poet, speaker and singer Jennifer Anne Messing of Portland, Oregon, is a wife, and mother of three children. She has a bachelor's degree in Christian Education and a diploma in Journalism. A past president of the Oregon Christian Writers, Jennifer Anne has had over 180 articles, short stories, movie reviews, and poems published in 55 different magazines and books including The East County Gazette, The Christian Journal, The Proverbs 31 Woman, Evangel, Live, Standard, Seek, Christian Fiction Online and Nudges from God. Her website is www.JenniferAnneMessing.com.
Copyrighted by Jennifer Anne Fabregas Messing. Contact the author for reprint information. Email: Secretary@jenniferannemessing.com
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