Why GAF CEO Bill Abbott Focuses on ‘Really Supporting Faith and Family’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Great American Family CEO Bill Abbott recently shared why he’s passionate about creating faith-based content.
“At GAM, we are very focused on storytelling, character development, setting, overall premise and really supporting faith and family,” he told Church Leaders.
Despite the values Hollywood typically promotes and the increasing moral decline in America, Abbott believes most people still want traditional values in their entertainment.
“I really believe that the majority of the country believes in faith, family, and country and it’s just such an underserved audience,” he added. “There’s so much dark material out there that is horrifying and inappropriate for families.”
Actor Pat Boone has expressed concern about the entertainment industry’s focus on dark content.
“On television, you can hear all sorts of swear words,” he said. “Nothing short of actual pornography is celebrated on television now. I don’t know how to put it strongly enough, but I just think the film industry is committing suicide. It’s killing itself as far as I’m concerned. America’s image is being destroyed…The whole thing is upside down. Some of the biggest films now show people getting away with the worst things. Lawbreakers are even celebrated. The criminals are becoming bigger. Heroes are doing worse things than criminals and being rewarded for it.”
To combat this, Abbott aims to create content that is noticeably different from what audiences typically see.
He previously spoke with Movieguide® about his deep passion for bringing uplifting content to viewers.
“We started [GAF] with a belief that the majority of people are tired of what they see on TV, and that there isn’t a place that allows viewers to come to and be inspired and uplifted and have faith and family at the forefront of what they view,” Abbott told Movieguide® in a recent interview.
“They can’t watch with their families. We want to be that outlet. The vast majority, if not all, of the entertainment outlets in the business are edgy and salacious, they are the bottom of the barrel in terms of the content that they produce,” he continued. “We wanted to be the quality creator of everything that is faith and family for viewers.”
GAF’s first original scripted series, COUNTRY RESCUE, focuses on faith and family.
“I love the blend of the faith and family [themes] that you see in COUNTY RESCUE,” star Kristin Wollett said in an interview with Movieguide®. “It’s so interesting to actually have the faith element with it because it’s a very demanding job…and so it addresses these real-life issues that people face.”
She continued, “We lean into all of that to explore where God shows up in all of that and the power that He has in all of these situations and what that looks like.”
GAF star Candace Cameron Bure is also “living my dream of making family and faith centered movies,” as she executive produces JUST IN TIME.
Movieguide® previously reported:
JUST IN TIME is the fourth movie Bure has made under the “Candace Cameron Bure Presents” banner with Great American Family.
“Candace Cameron Bure has a knack for finding beautifully crafted, meaningful stories that she and her team nurture into great family films,” GAF President and CEO Bill Abbott said. “We are so proud to include the wonderful Laura Osnes in our family of talent and Just In Time is that little gem of a movie viewers will want to watch over and over for years to come.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
