Hollywood Director Shares How He Came to Trust Wholly in God
By Movieguide® Staff
Director Brad Silverman, known for uplifting family movies such as GRACE UNPLUGGED and 2020’s SELFIE DAD, made a decision to put God first in all that he does.
“Well you know if I may speak boldly, ‘Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and then all the other things will come.’ You can edit this out if you don’t like it, but my priority is the Lord, and everything transfers from that,” Silverman said. “Everything stems from that, and that’s my focus. I’m not ashamed of the Gospel, and I know that that may limit certain opportunities I have, but so be it. I just have to be true to who I am and who the Lord has made me to be.”
Silverman wasn’t always a committed Christian, though.
“I was in my early to mid-twenties. I’m of Jewish background. A dear friend just started dialoguing with me about, really at that time, the Jewish roots of the Scriptures, which, ironically, was very foreign to me. I really didn’t know the origins of the Scriptures were of such Jewish influence,” Silverman said.
Silverman had friends who earnestly prayed for his salvation. One friend, in particular, supported Silverman as the director struggled spiritually.
“Over the next three, four years, as our friendship grew, the Lord just broke me. Or I should say this: He allowed me to sort of achieve the effects of me running the show, and I just ran myself right into a brick wall,” Silverman said. “So, I came to faith in Christ, and just walked away from the entertainment industry for about a decade.
“My career was actually just starting to go somewhere as a writer/director and I walked away for about a decade. I wanted to go into full-time ministry and thought that’s where the Lord was taking me until about four or five years ago when I felt Him calling me to start making movies again,” Silverman recalled.
Silverman heeded the call.
“When I got back into the film business, I had nothing to lose. If you told me today, ‘You can never make movies again’ if it meant compromising what I believe to be honoring to God, the answer is no. I walk away. So we did a film a few years back, and then did GRACE UNPLUGGED, and it was sort of like I’d rather not make movies than make movies that I feel dishonor God and the Scriptures.”
GRACE UNPLUGGED won several awards, including The Epiphany Prizes for Inspiring Movies & TV. GRACE UNPLUGGED stars AJ Michalka and James Denton both won Grace Awards for their performances. The movie also made Movieguide®’s 10 Best Movies For Families (2013).
GRACE UNPLUGGED exemplified Silverman’s commitment to show faith on screen.
“Maybe it’s just a philosophy of mine, like ‘No, you have to be in the trenches.’ How dare I do that? How dare I expect someone to do something that I’m not willing to do? Same thing with the actors. I think—you know, I try to encourage them to be a part of this family,” Silverman said. “Look, you’re making a movie. It’s hard work, let’s have fun, let’s make it a family environment. I believe that in that we have so many opportunities to share Christ and speak the truth into people’s lives.”
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.
