Sight & Sound Prepare for Movie Debut With I HEARD THE BELLS: ‘We Do It First and Foremost For the Lord’
By Movieguide® Staff
Sight & Sound Theatres is known for its inspiring, faith-filled on-stage productions, like ESTHER and DAVID.
However, Sight & Sound recently announced their first-ever film production, I HEARD THE BELLS, produced through their movie branch, Sight & Sound Films.
Recently, Movieguide® talked with Katie Miller, Director Of Marketing & Communications at Sight & Sound, about their movie debut and what is in store for audiences in the future.
“We are super thrilled to be taking the next step of the Sight & Sound story and venturing into producing feature films,” she said. “With our very first one coming to movie theaters this December, we’re really excited about the opportunity to go beyond Bible stories. On stage… Bible stories is where the Bible comes to life. But Sight & Sound Films will tell true stories of historical figures who changed the world because Christ first changed them.”
According to Miller, I HEARD THE BELLS will highlight the life of American poet and author, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
“We’re just really excited to be able to tell so many of these stories that have been waiting to be told,” she said. “Our very first one is I HEARD THE BELLS, coming to movie theaters and it tells the story of the Christmas Carol and how it came to be written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who experienced several tragedies throughout his life that took him down a path of losing faith. It really is a story of his rekindled faith on Christmas Eve through a set of circumstances that inspires him to write the poem, ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.’”
Although Sight & Sound Films will focus on stories outside of the Bible, Miller said that every production starts and ends with their hope that the gospel is proclaimed through media.
“It all is pointing back to the gospel,” she said. “So whether we are telling Bible stories or telling other inspirational true stories, the purpose behind all of it is to inspire and is to draw people closer in their walk with Christ. No matter what stories we tell that will be the foundation of who we are and what we do.”
“We wholeheartedly believe that the stories in the Bible and the story of the Bible is continuing to unfold today and has been unfolding throughout all of history,” she continued. “To be able to tell some of these other historical stories that changed the world of true lives and events in history—that we’re not the same because of them—is something that we’re just incredibly excited to see unfold in the future.”
While movies are new to the Sight & Sound team, Miller said that their previous experience in theater productions and broadcasts blended well with an on-screen format.
“One of our favorite parts about producing this first film was tapping into the Sight & Sound team and watching their unique gifts and talents come to life in a very different way,” she said. “Some of the same disciplines that are used for theater translate very, very well to film.”
“From the very beginning, we have been storytellers,” she added. “Theater was the way that we told stories, a way that we tell stories, and that has grown throughout the years. We went from being an only in-person Theatre Company to online streaming [with] Sight & Sound TV. Now to take that storytelling to yet another platform of feature films and movie theaters just feels like the most natural step for us because cameras have been a part of our organization and our ministry since the very beginning.”
Despite their continued success and excitement for the future, Miller and the Sight & Sound team are thankful for God’s faithfulness to grow their ministry.
“It’s just so humbling and overwhelming and exciting to just see God’s hand of faithfulness through every step of the journey,” Miller said.
“At the end of the day, we do it first and foremost for the Lord and then secondly, for those that are going to come and hopefully be inspired and feel connected,” she added. “The hope at the end of the day is that no matter how they’re interacting with Sight & Sound, that it is a part of their own faith journey too, no matter what their past experience with faith has been.
“Because we’re all in different places and the Lord is walking in front of us and behind us and so to even have sight and sound be a small part of someone’s faith journey is just in and of itself a really special opportunity,” she said.
I HEARD THE BELLS will premiere in theaters on Dec. 1, and will continue through Dec. 4.
Check back soon for Movieguide®’s review of I HEARD THE BELLS!
A portion of Movieguide®’s review of DAVID, Sight & Sound Theatre’s most recent stage production, reads:
DAVID is a worshipful, masterful retelling of how David became a man after God’s own heart, with stunning stage design, live animals and state-of-the-art visual effects. The actors do a fantastic job engaging viewers in the narrative of what’s happening on stage. The music is heartfelt. In the end, God’s name is lifted high. At the end of the production, none of the actors take a bow, but rather give the honor and glory to God. Sight & Sound’s DAVID is an incredible production that expertly tells the story of David, is appropriate for the whole family, and champions faith, the Bible and God’s faithfulness.
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.
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