Item Detail
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18285
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13
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0
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English
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A History of Mormon Cinema
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BYU Studies
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2007
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46
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no.2
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12-163
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Astle traces the history of LDS Cinema (films by and/or about Mormons) through five "waves." In each wave he focuses on members of the Church who are working in the motion picture industry, how members of the Church are portrayed in mainstream films, and motion pictures created by Mormons and the institutional Church. In the early days of cinema, films produced by the institutional Church were made in response to sensational anti-Mormon motion pictures. However, the Church came to see the value of using film, not only to educate members, but also to spread the gospel. The Church's use of this medium then inspired members of the Church to create independent films of their own. The First Wave (1905-1929) is defined by "sensationalist pictures aimed at exploiting Mormonism¿s peculiar history and somewhat propagandistic films made in response to these by the Church." In the Second Weave (1929-1953) the Church began using filmstrips to instruct members and in missionary work, and a foundation was laid "for all future institutional filmmaking." The Third Wave (1953-1974) saw the creation of the BYU Motion Picture studio and a return to unfavorable portrayals of Mormons in mainstream films. The Fourth Wave (1974-2000) had the institutional Church using VHS, satellite broadcasts, films in large format, and television to share their message. Finally, in the Fifth Wave (2000-present) more Mormon filmmakers are creating commercial motion pictures, some aimed at a wide audience, and others created for the Mormon niche market. Time will tell what the fifth wave will bring, but "Latter-day Saints are starting to sense the emergence and importance of their own film tradition, suggesting the beginning of a culturally identifiable (but institutionally independent) Mormon cinema."
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