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Carole Mikita ReportingFaith-based films have definitely found an audience here in Utah, particularly those with LDS themes. Now the idea has caught on with independent filmmakers and there's even buzz in Hollywood. One filmmaker from Southern California brought his movie to Utah.
Rodney Henson has spent years working for big name studios, but when he decided to make his own film, his friends there pointed toward a Provo-based film company that in just five years is expanding its movie-making business.
The idea behind the movie -- two kids escape a wilderness program, steal a car, and "disguise" themselves as Mormon missionaries. Cast and shot in southern California, "Suits on the Loose" is a first for the filmmaker.
Rodney Henson, Producer/Director/Writer: "I wrote this coming-of-age story, but I knew I had to take it from the perspective of somebody who didn't know what Mormons were or the LDS church was, because I wanted everybody to understand and enjoy the film."
Rodney Henson, who has spent 16 years in Hollywood working for Disney, Dreamworks and Fox, is taking his first foray into faith-based films with the help of Halestorm's Peter Pilling. The two had to compromise on how to sell the film, but Henson says it's hard to argue with success.
Rodney Henson: "Halestorm has a certain way of marketing their films. They know, kind of, where their demographic is, they know how much a film needs to cost in order to get a certain return. They understand the business, that's what great about these guys."
Peter Pilling, COO, Halestorm & Stone Five Studios: "We've learned a lot through the transition with the LDS films on the importance of distribution. And that's what set apart Halestorm and that's what will set apart stone Five Studios."
Stone Five Studios is a partner company devoted solely to family films, not LDS-based. "Suits on the Loose", they all say, may have two guys dressed as missionaries, but their message is more about 'life lessons learned' than religion.
"Suits on the Loose" premieres tonight at Jordan Commons at 7pm, then opens in theatres around the state this Friday.
