359: Dallas Jenkins — Humanity and Historicity (Bonus Episode)
Sep 25, 2023
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Filmmaker and director Dallas Jenkins discusses the impact and success of The Chosen, the importance of staying connected to real people, and the behind-the-scenes details and historical accuracy in their Bible study series. They also explore the impact of Jesus reciting the Beatitudes and the development of characters in biblical texts. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context and delves into the historical messiness and freedom of exploration in creating a more authentic portrayal of events.
The Chosen has gained tremendous popularity by providing authentic and relatable content that goes beyond entertainment, serving as a gateway to deeper spiritual experiences.
The creative team of The Chosen develops characters like Big James and Little James by adding plausible backstories and depth, while remaining true to the biblical account.
The importance of historical accuracy and attention to detail is emphasized in portraying biblical events and characters, providing a nuanced understanding and enriching the viewing experience.
Deep dives
The Growth and Impact of The Chosen
In this podcast episode, Dallas Jenkins discusses the tremendous growth and impact of The Chosen over the past couple of years. Despite the show's humble beginnings, it has gained popularity worldwide and exceeded expectations on platforms like Amazon Prime. Dallas attributes this success to providing authentic and relatable content that goes beyond just entertainment. The show serves as a gateway to deeper spiritual experiences, enhancing Bible studies and encouraging viewers to seek a closer relationship with God.
The Exploration of James' Identity
One of the main topics discussed in the podcast episode is the exploration of James' identity, specifically Big James and Little James. The creative team shares their process of developing these characters and their journeys within the show. While remaining true to the biblical account, they provide additional context and plausible backstories to enhance the characters' depth and their eventual role in the story of Jesus. This approach aims to humanize the characters and shed light on the complexities of their beliefs and actions.
Delving into Historical Context and Authenticity
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of delving into historical context and maintaining authenticity when portraying biblical events and characters. The creative team discusses the meticulous research and attention to detail that goes into incorporating elements such as the use of specific prayers, traditional practices like mikveh, and the portrayal of various religious and political factions of the time. By doing so, they aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of the events and engage the audience in a richer viewing experience.
Portraying the Humanity of Biblical Characters
The show emphasizes the importance of portraying the humanity of biblical characters, aiming to make their behaviors, dialogue, and appearances relatable to viewers. The actors' skills in portraying the humanity of the characters are highly valued in making the audience believe that these biblical events actually happened. The show also acknowledges the actor's contributions by allowing them to use their facial expressions and body language to convey emotions and minimize the need for dialogue. The character development and portrayal in the show are focused on allowing the actors to excel in their roles and bring authenticity to the characters.
Balancing Authenticity and Creative Interpretation
The show strives to strike a balance between authenticity and creative interpretation when depicting biblical events. The episodes aim to present plausible explanations that avoid unnecessary offense to different religious groups, while still capturing the core truths and messages of the biblical stories. The decision-making process behind creative choices, such as the design of Peter's house or the presence of candles, is driven by production needs and the desire to create visually appealing scenes. The show acknowledges that certain liberties are taken, blending different theories and facts, but always with the intention of staying true to the essence of the biblical narratives.