Actor/Comedian Michael Joiner’s “Christian Movie” Parody Creates Quite the “Buzz”

LOS ANGELES - Dec. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- Comedian Michael Joiner has been making Christian and secular audiences laugh at themselves for over two decades. After making a name for himself as a serious film actor in faith based films, he tapped back into his comedy roots to show the world VIA film that Christians have a sense of humor.

“The secular world, as well as many Christians, were already making fun of our low budget films, I figured why not do it on purpose in a more “controlled” environment.

And hence the full length feature film parody “Christian Movie” was born (www.christianmovieparody.com)

“Every film genre in history has been parodied” says Joiner, “Action movies, Romance movies, Epic movies, Horror movies…every one, except Christian movies.”

As someone who has starred or co starred in over a dozen faith based films, and as someone who knows what makes Christian as well as secular audiences laugh, Joiner realized he was just the person to writer/direct and produce the world’s first faith based film parody.

I’ve had several people read it and confirm the script is hilarious all one its own, says Joiner. But at least half the comedy will come from stuff that’s not in the script.

Those are things “Say Joiner, “that I have studied, observed and rolled my eyes at since being I introduced to faith based movies.

Joiner certainly feels qualified to recognize bad from good acting and production values. Having lived and worked as an actor in Hollywood for ten years, Joiner private coached with some of Hollywoods most in demand acting teachers.

It was their teaching that earned Joiner the distinction of becoming the only actor to ever receive rave reviews in both the Hollywood Reporter and Variety for a faith based film (“The Grace Card”), and after that going on to become one of Christian films most “in-demand” actors, working in no less than a dozen movies over the next few years.

“I love the message of Christian movies” says Joiner”, “But, if you really want to reach people, you have to give them what they come to the theater for.”

“And that”, Joiner says, “is for one reason and one reason only….to be entertained.”

Too many Christian films want to give a sermon from beginning to end. Even at the expense of a good story, good acting, and good production work.

Joiner admits that has the potential to backfire. “Secular audiences are turned off by in your face preaching. Just read the comments. They feel duped. Taken advantage of.

“If a person wants a sermon” Joiner says, they can go to church. A film producer’s job is to entertain them.

So now, after meeting writer/director Ricki Holmes, who Joiner met on the set of “Broken Faith,” a movie that Holmes wrote and directed in which Joiner was the star, “Esther Pictures” film Production Company was born, Michael started Esther Pictures, and asked Ricki to come on board.

Besides “Christian Movie”, Esther Pictures already has several film projects lined up.

We realized we need to make “Christian Movie” our first project. In order to show the world we are a production company that plans to think outside the box in order to attract both a secular and Christian audience.

In no time at all Joiner was able to get at least one major star from each of the films being parodied in his film to also appear in “Christian Movie.”

“This project’s a real ‘game changer,’ says Joiner, “and if I got a reputation as anything, it’s as a person who loves to change the game.”

The comments on our Facebook and other social sites have been mostly positive, with many begging to be a part. Then there’s the “zealots” who don’t like the idea at all.

One lady posted that the very idea was “blasphemous” Joiner’s response? “Can we use you as a reference”, he posted.

She didn’t get the joke. However most knew the response was indicative of Joiner’s “no holds barred” often sarcastic, but never rude, style… and so the work to make take “Christian Movie” from script to screen will continue.

For now Michael and Ricki have started a fundraising campaign as the go into pre pre-production and seek accredited investors. You can check out all the info at; www.christianmovieparody.com

To interview Michael Joiner, contact;

Michelle, SERIOUS COMEDY AGENCY (661) 414-2992

seriouscomedy@aol.com

www.michaeljoiner.com

Follow Michael on TWITTER; www.twitter.com/actorcomic