In a New Light: Spirituality and the Media Arts

An inside take on the intersection of film and faith Tinseltown is tarnished. Hollywood, while embracing creativity, seems to be shutting out morality and community. Can those with a Christian perspective find anything of value in such an environment or contribute anything worthwhile to it? Eying the landscape from an insider's perspective, Ron Austin answers a firm yes. Austin's In a New Light unpacks the spiritual principles underlying the art of film, including a historical survey of how cinematic art was shaped by the crisis of modernity. A veteran of the industry having worked nearly half a century in its environs Austin goes a step beyond the now popular course of critiquing current films from a Christian world view, espousing that the key to confronting evil in the media arts lies in the Christian attitude toward suffering. Based on several years of Austin's film making courses, In a New Light explores a spiritual foundation for creative film work and seeks ways to find common ground on which to build creative relationships. Austin's inside look will prove fascinating not only to students and practitioners of the media arts but to anyone interested in this aspect of popular culture. Includes 16 bw film stills.