It's amazing that you get to do this
for your job? Like, when you decided you
wanted to make movies, is this the kind
of movie that you knew you were gonna
be making, is this what you wanted to
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Hello, and welcome everybody to this week in
Mormons,
a Twin sibling
interview edition.
Well, Matt, Professional. I I feel like, Garrett,
I need to explain. We'll say T and
not twin. Sometimes people think the Melissa and
I are twin siblings, but T is This
week in Mormons, it's our afternoon.
Okay. Some it's not the same then. Yeah.
We're not twins, but we are Irish siblings
cousins?
Were 10 months apart. Okay. Yes. Yeah. Very
close age.
My my 2 oldest are 8 months apart.
Wow. Alright. Are they adopted?
They are.
Okay. I always leave that off a little
bit and she say. Wow.
And that's hey... It's okay because they have
different mothers. And that's really really confused.
That's a that's a good opener. Yeah. Matt
has 2 sons that are this in the
same grade. And, yeah. They were both adopted
as well. So that's why I I jumped
to that. I jumped back in very quick.
What was it?
And then our oldest son, we adopted him.
The way I would introduce myself at, like,
steak events when I wanted to make sure
I didn't get a calling. I would say,
My wife and I were sealed in the
temple
4 months before our oldest son was born.
Or something like that to were like wait.
I mean, 4 months, I don't know. It's
just a... Let me think. We were sealed
2 months after he was born. That's right.
I got a backwards.
Yeah.
Lazy it raises an eyebrow.
That's right. Whenever there's a new stake president,
and I make sure they know that there's
that that's part of my history. Hey. So
listeners, we have with us today, Garrett Bad.
He is... I'm gonna just call you a
filmmaker
because I know nothing about the industry and
I don't know how to be more specific
than that. Is that... Is that what you
consider yourself a filmmaker? Yeah. That's great.
Well Ge, I noticed when I, you know,
did my really good research on you that
you
write the screen plays,
as well as producing and directing. Most of
your movies, at least that's what it looked
like. Is that right? Yes.
So you take on all the jobs. I
I do. It's a good way to save
a lot of money and the lot stress.
K. So I'm I'm familiar with 2 of
your previous movies, the Sur approach? And then
is it called Free tale, the 1 about
the African saints?
Yes. The missionaries in Africa.
So you wrote those you wrote those and
directed them and produce them. So so top
approach, yes. I rode record producers
produced free town.
I,
c wrote with Melissa Larson, who is an
incredible play right. And I just loved that
experience and she was gracious enough to let
me join her in writing that film.
Wow And then name jump some of your
other movies that you've done.
I did. Well,
name drop. There's gotta be some sort of
recognition with name dropping. Right? Otherwise.
I did a movie about Liberty Jail called
out of Liberty.
Oh, which is
cool, like, it's a western style. So historical
movie, but it's set in out of in
Liberty Jail.
And then, faith of Angels is coming out,
September twelfth,
And then in November, I have a new
1 coming out called the Carpenter.
So we'll wow. I'm happy to talk about
that as well.
Okay. Another episode, but this 1 is faith
of Angels. But, yeah, We're we're excited to
talk to you about your,
upcoming movie for sure. I... Just... So the
listeners know. I did just recently finish watching
it, and it is.
Absolutely my favorite 1 you've done. And I've...
I've seen all your other ones, but this
this topped everything. There were so many good
things about it. I think my favorite is
the cinematography. It's a beautiful move. Be. Frankly.
Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Was... I mean, we
filmed in
up in Utah and we'll talk about what
it's about. But, yes,
our Dp is... Be was Ryan Little, and
you would recognize his work.
He directed and shot the Saints and shoulders,
Saint Okay. Series and it's just a dear
friend and was gracious enough to come and
be a part of this 1 as well.
Oh, that's awesome. So I have a question.
Oh, go ahead, Listen. Okay. Well, I was
just gonna say, Garrett that
I noticed in this movie. You've got some
of the top, I... What I would... What
I would say is L actors. You've got
Kirby born.
And,
he plays a dad and man. It's fun
to see Kirby in that role. He's he
does an excellent job.
There's also, Jason Wade. He's been in a
couple of your films, I think. Me and
Matt actually grew up with Jason. Do you
remember Jason
Factor I care about. He grew...
Across the street. Yeah.
Yeah. He he grew up... Yeah. He grew
up across the street from us, and and
and he does a phenomenal job in it
too, but... But, yeah, you got you got
yourself, you know, the main hit in L
films.
You know, it's it's been so neat to
be able to work with so many wonderful.
Actors, and I I love that. I I
think in
out of Liberty, we had a stacked cast
with, you know, Jason and Cor red and,
each 1 of my films have had the
chance to work with
you know, a name brand,
A list, Elias actor,
And, for faith of Angels, we were fortunate
to be able to get so many wonderful
friends to come back and play for a
couple of weeks, and then surround them with,
our 2 leads
John Michael Finley is from the movie. I
can only imagine, which is, yes. A wonderful
movie and John was great to come that.
And then our sheriff is played by Cameron
Ar net, who is
in some incredible faith based films. And has
a new 1 coming out right now called
the Forge.
Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, and and you
say that, like, yeah, you got to work
with them. But I think really, if I
look at your history... You kind of made
these actors. Like, you did a good job
in in in creating the fame of these
actors with a lot of the work you've
done with them. You wanna take credit for
that? 3
I'll I'll take credit for anything so your
credit work.
But
you know, it's... I love hanging out with
these guys and they're dear friends and the
fact that we get to make movies together
is it adds to it. So
It's in a fun journey with them. And
who played the the young boy in faith
of Angels? So that's an actor named Michael
Bradford. And before I get into this, I
should... You probably may just give an overview
of what the movie... Yeah. Let's do. Yeah.
Go ahead. Right. And then Yeah. And then
we'll answer your question, So, yes. Faith of
Angels. It's a true story based on a
true story I kinda gravitate towards those,
about a young boy.
Who goes missing in and abandoned the mine,
back in in the mountains of Utah.
And then,
mile, you know, 500 miles away.
There's a a man, a stranger who's not
connected to the family at all or to
the boy, and he receives this prompting this
kinda
spiritual voice talking to him,
telling him to
go to Utah doesn't necessarily know why,
when he finally arrives to Utah,
he he learns that there's a boy lost
in a mine and he feels like he's
supposed to be
helpful in leading the search effort for him.
So it's was kind of
what happens in these in this search as
a community out pouring to to race against
the clock and find this boy that that
is missing, and and a man who's trying
to process
his own involvement in that and and and
why he's receiving these
kind of prompting.
Yeah.
And and I do think that it
Again, I think that is what the movie
is about,
not just his kind of trying to understand
his feelings, but a lot of the key
players in the movie, it seems like are
addressing the same kind of thing. Like, do
I have faith? What does that mean, you
know, including the family, including the boy that
it happened to? And and I think it's
really inspiring that way?
But I also think it's just a dang
good movie. Like, it's really
it's it's really enjoyable and fun to watch.
Which you wouldn't think, you know, a boy
going missing and a mind story. Oh my
goodness.
Pause.
The last mine story, I made my kids
watch they cried themselves to sleep. It was
that 1 about the Nutty Putt caves.
Remember that 1?
You remember that 1. You. This isn't like
that.
Movie... But a yeah. A different outcome different
outcome. No. That was 1 of the things
that drew me to this movie is this,
that faith element and this element of, but
angels. You know, as I spoke with,
those that were involved, there were many, many
accounts of
like actual kind angelic interactions or or prompting,
never a a visual of an angel, but
certainly a a voice or a feeling or
this
you know, this comfort or
whatever it is that that angels were involved,
and that's what that's what drew me to
this.
Yeah and honestly drew a lot of our
actors that came on board and said Yeah.
These are important stories to tell.
So were you a a child when this
story happened? I know what it happened in
the eighties.
Yes. Yeah. That's that's very kind way to
phrase that.
Not what I was getting at, Garrett. No,
that's kidding. I'm a... Yeah. I'm from the
19 hundreds. Well, I was just trying to
remember... Like, I I feel like I kind
of remembered this story happening. Like, I I
kinda, like, kind of remembered it. But, yeah,
I just wondered if... Yeah, if that was
just kind of the time you grew up
in. No, yes. That is time I grew
up, but I didn't know about the story.
I wasn't aware of it.
And I...
But but so many people are. I mean,
we... You mentioned the story of Josh Dennis
being found in the mine.
And anybody,
you know, who's as young as me,
remembers it. If there's vivid memories of it
and says, you know, and and it became
a national news store. We got
president
Bush at the time,
president of the United States,
says this story is evidence that miracles happen.
Yeah... And I mean, that's an impactful
nationwide
news story. That was interesting to me too.
I think now a on,
national news,
you know, the term miracle wouldn't necessarily be
used. And if it is, it's sometimes
mocked.
Right. Or or we just shy away from
that. And I think, boy, if we could
ignite that conversation again and say, yes, miracles
are happening,
everyday Angels are facilitating,
you know,
these
unique une
miracles
to help us see the hand of God
in our lives.
And it was evident in talking with
everybody involved with this story that that's what
they were able to see.
So is that where you start is like,
you hear about a story? And then is
that how you start with your writing? Is
just interviewing people?
Yes.
For the... For these based on a true
story, Yes.
I was... I directed
an sold for the churches
book of Mormon series. Okay. These movies that
just came out.
Yeah. The the the norma videos. And,
is somebody that's connected with the Dentist family,
reached out? They they were an extra in
that series,
and they reached out to the producers of
that series and, hey, would you you know,
my... The here's here's an amazing story about
my family, would you be interested in telling.
And and they go the producers didn't... Don't
do that type of content,
you know, narrative, feature film content. But fortunately,
they they said, you know, here's...
Here's a guy named Garrett, and he's
that's britain and would probably wanna do the
story.
And
Yes. And so that's how I came across
it? She she called me and said, would
you be interested in doing this? And I
do get a lot of those calls and
and,
sometimes, I feel like my job as a
producers to determine if if that's a good
story for a family reunion or
nationwide audience.
Oh, yeah. And this 1 immediately resonated with
me. Okay. That's that's when I wanna spend
the next 2 or 3 years of my
life being well with
Wow.
It's amazing that you get to do this
for your job. Like, when you decided you
wanted to, make movies. Is this the kind
of movie that you knew you were gonna
be making? Is this what you wanted to
do?
I didn't...
That's a great question. And in the at
the end ended... I mean, I got, Melissa.
Yeah. That's it. That's it. Yeah. I can
wrap up after this.
No. I mean, I I always knew... I
was going to be a filmmaker. That's what
I always wanted to do since fifth grade,
I did a report on...
Filmmakers or or Tv or whatever was and
just never really gave myself any other options.
That's just what I felt like I should
be doing,
And
but so after films... You know, after my
mission, and I went to film school
at By, Got my film great by. And
then,
immediately moved out to Los Angeles and was
pursuing
pursuing filmmaking out there. And so
these types of stories, you know, that the
L or,
I mean, this is a faith based movies
is not
exclusively Elias.
But these Faith based movies weren't...
Really, on on my radar or I I
don't think on any,
theater goers radar.
And it was about the time that I
was out there that,
God's army it came out and that was
impactful, and I thought that's
interesting. I can see
there's a there's an audience for this and
and a power behind these types of movies.
And
I immediately became involved
in this... In that type of storytelling.
How does the distribution work like, do you
make the movie and then try to sell
it to people
if if you do it backwards, yes,
which which I've done. I guess That's why
I can say that. So the... I mean,
it's... It
there... It's a...
Yeah.
The short answer is, no, ideally, you would
love to have a distributor as involved
involved as early as
as you can
on this type of movie. You'd like to
have them backing it and supporting it. That
is not always
the case,
is sometimes it's hard to convince a distributor
to get behind a
a niche title like this or
sometimes you sacrifice
creative,
your own creative voice by adding a lot
of other,
voices.
And so it's...
It comes in at at different phases. But,
yes, ultimately, the idea is to
get get a distributor involved in the story
early
so that
they they know what they're releasing and they're
committed to to releasing in theaters.
With this movie, with faith of Angels,
we we pursued this, I I pursued this
completely independently. It's independently funded, and
Wow. Very fortunate to have the support of
of
you know, an independent
Back, who said, yeah. We'll try 1. And
and now, we are releasing this in theaters
independently. So we're working with a distributor who
has done
my films in the past,
and so Have a great relationship with them,
but they've committed to put it in,
in any theaters that we request,
So now our now our focus is to
hear find and and find the voice of
the audience
who wants to see it in theaters.
So we're doing right now a kickstarter campaign
to
so that people can go and say, yes.
I'm in Memphis, and I'd like to see
the movie and here's a donation.
And, you know, as the just come in,
we'll know where to take it.
Well, what's... Oh, wow.
So... Yeah. That's fantastic. And, by the way,
what would be the kitchen starter, People wanted
to find it.
So it's... Yeah. If you go to Kickstarter,
we'll have to put a link in there
that we can put you know, and slashes
and everything like that.
Yeah. It's bring faith of Angels to theaters.
Wow. And he just launched it on July
15.
And it'll be going until August fifteenth. So,
yeah. So if you do have listeners,
that wanna help get this in the theaters,
that's how we get to do this 1.
So it seems to me like there are
big moments in this kind of genre of
movies. You mentioned God's army. I think that's
1 of them the sort of kind of
ignited a lot of of films in the
genre. And then it seems to me like,
last summer or sound free might have been
another kind of point like that we're where
people outside the church might have said, wait
a minute There's money to be made in
this. Am I right in that? Is that
kinda of what happened with sound of freedom?
Does it make it easier to make movies
like yours?
I
good,
yes.
Sure. No. I think that there are phases
and tidal waves and
I think a niche market
certain has ebb and flows in any any
niche market, you know, and Hollywood would do
that and say, hey, right now is a
great time for Western.
And so, you know, 1 does well, you
get
back in the nineties, you get unforgiving that
does well and then suddenly, there's a slew
of Western that do well until some don't.
We just are coming out of the superhero
marvel movie
Craze, where for 22 films.
They've done well and so they're starting to
Peter off. And now if you try to
go get a a superhero movie funded in
hollywood, they
show you the door.
And until the timing and tell somebody will
come together because come around, you know, with
a sound of freedom type movie and it'll
do well. And everybody say, oh, So what
is that? Is it faith based? Is it
child trafficking movies? What what are doing well
and let's figure that out.
It does help Matt. It it certainly does
the success of an independent film. Certainly helps
that people feel confident in in trying it
again in, trying another 1. Yeah.
But Garrett, I would think that you and
it you can correct me on. But I
would think that you're at the point in
your career when you say, I have an
idea and I have a movie that that
people trust you and and they say, yeah,
Go for it. Garrett. You you have a
good history.
Spend out home movie be making works? Should.
Right? Is this seems like.
In every movie, it's... We... I mean, it's
a risk. It's
Are you talking about...
Let's see. I I don't wanna downplay
what you're saying Was, yes, I'm very fortunate
to have an audience that has responded well
to my movies and so
you know, a distributor says, we have to
make sure and put your name on this
because people will go to it. And that's...
I I don't take that lightly. I don't
I hope I don't take that for granted.
I don't necessarily trusted all the way. But
but yes, that is a good thing. It
is not a first time like an unknown
entity. That being said,
every single movie is a risk. And
so in order to, like, find an investment
or find a back or find a distributor,
nobody has ever made the next movie that
I'm trying to make before. So there's no
like concept except for it or anything like
that.
Yeah.
Interesting. Question that's kind of related to the
creative process and how people receive your work.
So I do a lot of academic writing,
and there's things that I write that I
just love, and I'm so proud of, and
my family hates it. And I don't really...
It's sub boring. Listen. It's so boring. I
don't... And I'm I'm proud of you, Matt,
but I'm not gonna rate it. And and
I don't... And I don't care because they're
not my intended audience. But then there sometimes
like, there's stuff that I do that I'm
not that proud of, and everybody just loves
and thinks it's the best,
and I I don't quite know how to
respond to that? Because I'm like,
but, do you... Not to, like, be specific
about any movies, but is there something about
creating movies that is that same way to
you or you're like, this is my baby,
I made it, and I kinda care how
people respond to it? And then is there
maybe a part of where you're, like, I
really don't care how people respond.
Sure. Sure. I think that that I think
that that exists. I mean, for these independent
films.
They are, yeah. They are my my...
You know, you put your hard and soul
into it, and you're hopeful that an audience
will respond to it. There are certain elements.
I mean, throughout the entire process,
you, I have to consider the audience. And
I might say, oh, well, this...
This sure is interesting or this might be
fun or funny or
whatever. But I mean, ultimately, if it doesn't
resonate with the audience, then it... It's my
last movie I get to make.
Sure. So so there is that. The there
is... So, yeah. The audience is still sort
of
I I have to serve them.
But at the same time, yes, artistic and
creatively, it's very fulfilling I'm very hopeful that
I can still kinda interject my voice and...
Here's what I took from this story and
I hope that that resonates with an audience.
And, fortunately, it it has. If I if
I do it Right?
I also have, you know, the... My wife
says, look, you can do 1 passion project
and 1, you have to do 1 paying
project 1 passion money. Right? So... Yes. There
are those...
You know, jobs that I do Is was
like, hey, I'm here. I'm at work for
hire.
I'm gonna do this is
Tv episode or whatever it is. And if
we... If I can make it better, great,
but I'm not gonna lose sleep over
you know, what...
In inevitably way is somebody else's creation.
Sure. Yeah.
Garrett, I... I'm also kind of interested in
filmmaking in Utah. You said you graduated from
Brick Mountain University. They're well known for their
filmed department, their animation department, things like that.
But it seems like since you've sort of
taken off in your career
Utah has become kind of a a movie
making spot.
Are things change
the fact that you're able to create and
produce movies in Utah are things changing in,
you know, the students coming out of college
and what their capacity to be able to
do in this area is? I I think
so. And... And I'm not affiliated with any
school program at all at the current you
know love opportunity to go back and teach
or or...
Whatever,
be involved.
But, yes. I I... The the film industry
in Utah in general is is incredible. We
have amazing cruise,
and I think that that does give credit
to
the film programs of By or Uv you
or even utah University of Utah Utah state.
Just incredible crews and opportunities.
There are a lot of hands on programs.
You wanna say, hey, how can we
you know,
how can we learn the equipment better or
learn the production or learn what it's like
on a set? I think those opportunities really
exist really
nicely
in Utah. I was I was grateful that,
you know, having gone to By and thought,
I'm okay. Is that gonna that gonna limit
me out in la and but
But as as you pointed out, there's a
there's a
reputation, a good reputation for... Oh, you went
to, your film degree from By. Great. There's
a level of experience and a level of
respect for for that degree.
So I was grateful for that. But when
utah, I think the film industry's booming, it's
not just church films, and not just spiritual
films.
We do so many wonderful, hallmark,
movies, and Christmas movies, and,
I mean, you've got Kevin Ko and Taylor
Sheridan, who are... Doing horizons in Yellowstone and,
you know,
Apple Tv shoots up here. There's a Utah
film studios up in Park City,
there's an abundance of work.
I I stay that at. Probably there's any
any crew member listening going. Oh, how we
find.
But but, yeah, I it's a great industry
here.
What of filmmaking is,
networking and getting to know people because I
would imagine
despite all the things you learned at By,
it's not like you graduate from By and
the film industry says, welcome to the film
industry, here you go like, Isn't it a
lot of it like,
starting somewhere and building a network. Matt, I
wish you could have told me that, and
I got
because I I went to B, Film school
and looked around. I remember
sitting kinda in my intro film classes and
I'm thinking, yeah. I kinda know what Doing.
I've already... You know, I've already made 3
videos or whatever it was, you know? And
I look around, none of these people are...
Filmmakers in here. They're, like, all barely learning.
You know, actually, they're probably thinking the exact
same thing about me.
And so I went to La as quickly
like I could. I graduated in 3 years
and just like, went to la, not knowing
a soul
and thinking, okay. Now,
you know, I'm here you know, I'll be
an executive in a couple years, like,
glow world. And, yeah, nothing came up. My
first gig,
came at 3 months after La,
after being in La knocking doors every day,
3 months
a guy in my ward
gave me a job as an editor.
And, which was very, very grateful for. And
that was my skill and Like, okay. I'll
do this editing for a while. And love
that. And did that.
When I started making films,
Matt, I mean, I mentioned Melissa Larson was
my screen partner. She sat next to me
in my By
screen night class.
So, yes. It's a long answer to say,
a long way to say, yes.
It is
highly dependent on networking.
And now when I talk to students in
class of students,
and say look around because these are the
people you'll be making films with. There's a
there's a talented Dp in here that's gonna
be shooting
Hollywood caliber films in the next 10 years,
build a relationship with them.
And and so forth an editor or a
writer or whatever it is.
How many times did your family members tell
you you were crazy for studying film.
Yeah. I I was fortunate. I certainly have
heard that. From people. I I know that
that is a sentiment.
Fortunate, have very very supportive parents. I think
my my dad, you know,
help me buy my first camera in eighth
grade or something, and and so I was
great great for that. My mom,
we we... We have an inside joke that,
she she was a flight attendant, Southwest flight
attendant for her career. And it wasn't until...
I mean, it... Even during...
You know, Ce
Sa approach,
it it took off people people saw that
and recognize it. And but, I mean, even
until 5 or 10 years ago. When she
was retired. She would still,
you know, say, oh, and my my son
is... He's trying to get into the film
industry.
Like,
how much more I can do to get
in
the films.
Thanks, mom. That's alright.
We are we laugh about that.
Yeah
Can we,
circle back? Sorry. This is a long circle
to the... You gonna tell us about the...
Actor who played the young man in the...
Yeah. Angel movie. I'm sorry. I lost the
name of Angel angels. Thank you. Thank you.
Yeah. So this was fun. This guy, this
kid, I've known him
his entire life.
He's my... So, like, 10:12 years? Yeah. So
Michael Bradford
is his screen name and he
auditioned for the movie.
And just like, you know, everybody how for
the movie. And the... And this... It's it
doesn't spoil the movie, but it's suppose the
fun that he... He's my son.
No,
really. I love that reaction. I love that
reaction.
No. He's he's talented. He was so good.
That's why I wanted to know about him
specifically.
Wow. Thank you. Yes. Yep. So
he's... You know, he and I were excited
about doing this film.
Together. And I... And this has been a...
Honestly, a once in lifetime opportunity because you
don't get to do...
I mean, Who don't yeah.
But, you know, I said, okay. So Michael,
here's this story about a 10 year old
boy that's lost and you're kinda in that
age and Know he wanted to do acting.
Is this something you'd wanna do. He said,
yes,
he... My... He's 12,
he was 12 when we filmed.
But he said, I would like to do
it, Dad, but
I don't want to do it because I'm
the director's kid. Like, I wanna do it.
Because I've earned the part. And I just
confirmed that wisdom. And so
he said, I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna,
I'll use a stage name. You He said
you can tell me he says I'll give
you 2 choices It can be Michael Bradford
or Tom Holland.
And so he submitted
he submitted an audition under Michael Bradford sent
it to our casting director. And this is
the same casting director that does.
Like, these big movies that come to Utah
and he's done some Mark world W movies
and Chemical Acosta.
And so of all the kids that came
through a casting director sent the
set his selections back over to me,
and Michael was in there. He's 1 of
them. And Wow And I had to do
a a callback, like a live callback where
it's me, the casting director my producing partner,
and the kids come in and and read
their lines and and Michael came in and
he stood out. He did well and Cast
ingram. Yeah. Cast said, what do you think?
Said, I like these people and he said,
he says, Michael Bradford is interesting, and I
said, I had to confess.
Okay. I gotta tell you he's my son,
and our casting director was super supervise. He
said, I if you don't cast him, you're
making the wrong movie.
And that was really insightful and they recognized
both the opportunity there, but, recognize that.
That that Michael was right for the role.
Yeah.
So we ran him by the family, the
the Dentist family on whom whom the boy,
you know, the story is based,
and they said he's, like, an identical
match. He said it was just incredible
how much he
he nailed it. And so Michael did his
own research. He hired a act an acting
coach.
It was just... It took it very, very
seriously.
And even on onset, even the, you know,
the last... Were on the last day on
onset,
Ben Lo, who plays 1 of the search,
1 of the rescuers.
Means order Mike Was. So Michael, what are
you? You know, what's next for you? What
are you are you didn't do? And he's
like, well, I don't know. Probably whatever my
dad wants to do and he he like,
well, who's,
your dad? Who's your dad?
So it was neat that None of the
cast. I mean, the cast didn't know
the
there and and it was it was a
neat thing for them to be like, oh,
wow. That's great. Yeah. That that is a
great story. I had no idea. Yeah. Well,
yeah. Tell him he tell him I personally
found him impressive. But... He really was perfect
for the role, and
and I just thought I just thought the
whole movie was well cast, but I thought
it was really sweet the interactions between him
and, Kirby H who placed his dad. Like,
they both just nailed that time of life.
I just thought it was really beautiful and
weed and, yeah. Really well done. Thank you.
Yeah. They had a good Kirby is so
wonderful and he would come over and improvise
with Michael and practice and And I think
that that showed on screen. Kirby knew what
he was getting into I was like, okay,
we're we're gonna have some heavy scenes with
the with a 10 year old kid,
and let's make sure that those working. I
I'm so grateful for Kirby for doing that.
Yeah. So I've I've heard a lot of
stories in Hollywood about actors who decide they
wanna be directors.
I don't know many stories of directors who
say, hey, I wanna try acting.
Are you gonna be 1 of those stories
I can tell people the future that be
like, you know what? He started out writing,
producing directing, and now he's gonna be starring.
And that
you No. That... No. If I'm in front
of the camera, it's pointing the wrong way.
That's a firm note, matt. Because firm no.
That do you always feel that way?
I think there was a brief time when
I thought, oh, I'd love to be... Actually...
Yeah.
Put my mom would tell you. I used
to... Part of the dream was to
finish my mission and go out to Hollywood
and, you know, just living in a little
flat.
Be an actor and live off of warm
Pepsi and cold pizza was my my... That's
kinda how I'd envisioned those early twenties.
Fortunately,
that...
There was another path for me.
Does you... Does your son have the same
hope and dream for his life? The 1
wants probably the the... Yeah. Troy.
He he has since picked up an agent,
and
the right just this week is wrapping up
a his second movie that he's doing for
another director.
Oh, that's fantastic. It's kinda fun to see
because he's a talented kid and
It's got a good head on his shoulders,
And so,
you know, it's a it's a crazy world
and acting is a is a challenging challenging
craft.
But I think he's approaching it the right
way.
Oh, that's fun. So I've noticed... I don't
know how to call this this genre of
L stuff, but I'm sure you've seen this
trailer
for this horror movie about sister missionaries that
get put in some kind of a torture
house or something like that. Yes. Here.
Heard. Kia.
Is with Hugh brand.
Yes. That's right. Yeah. Is in your view,
is... Like, I don't I just... I don't
know quite how to ask this question, but
it's sort of like, you could take mormons
and put them in any situation and call
it kind of like a Mormon movie
but it wouldn't be a faith based film.
Right?
Like, is it important to you to make
faith based films,
more than making mormon
characters in, like, all kinds of other sort
of things. You. You don't what have asking...
Do you see what I'm saying?
Me... Yes. I do. And I wanna clarify
to... In order...
You're talking about for me to make movies.
Yeah.
Appreciate.
It's a... Yeah, it's a a fair question.
And and
it's funny that, you know, when when that
trailer drops,
you know,
everybody has their own opinion
on on that movie, and we don't know
what it's about.
I don't know Okay. It's gonna be.
Pause. What's your opinion?
Well, I don't know. What it's gonna be?
I mean, I think...
But when you saw the... Trailer were you
like, what.
See the guy that directed the first movie
that showed missionaries in peril, like, I tried
being
handcuffed and beat up. Trailer And everyone... Like,
when I pitched that movie when I pitched
the raw top approach to investors,
they looked at me, like, what is wrong
with you? Like, what do you have
against the church. I'm like, wait a second.
Read read Alma,
like,
they... These are not the first missionaries to
be
tough rough up a little bit.
And then I pitched it to distributors.
You know, I pitched this movie. Okay. Here's
a, you know, it's true story. All these
missionaries there.
They're they're taken and held for 5 days
and and this distributors listening, and I'm thinking
oh, this is really good I'm selling. This
is good. He goes, oh yes Yes.
That that could be very, very funny.
And so
so
I didn't So I didn't know how people
were gonna react at all Yeah until it
hit the theaters.
And so I think I try to give...
Anyway movie, the benefit of the doubt. It's
like, hey. There's the trailer, there's the pitch.
Okay. Great. What's it gonna be when his
theaters.
I don't fear. I don't I don't think
it's gonna... I... It'll... I I think that
movie will certainly have an audience. It looks
very well made and and a 24 distributes
high art.
Type movies. So it'll have an audience. And
from the trailer, it seems like those sister
missionaries sure have the vernacular down and Yeah.
They're quirky accents and Yes. And
yeah. I don't know. Yeah. Okay. But back
to Matt's question about the faith aspect of
the movies you make.
Yes. I love... I'm I'm drawn to faith
based filmmaking.
I I love those types of stories. I
think it's...
So much work to
make a movie
that if I'm gonna put that much hardened
and soul into it, that it should align
with
with what I... What I've... What I promise
put My heart and soul into.
Mh.
And so
I don't know that every story I make
is going to be an L.
Family,
or story or something like that. But it
could. You know, it's a it
again, it's a lot of work to make
a movie. And so I don't know how
many...
I get to make. I hope I to
make another dozen.
But yeah, We'll we'll... We'll see you. You
you do seem drawn to true stories though.
Is that is that fair to say that
you're looking for a good story that's a
true story?
That's what has come up. Yeah. That's that's
what
I think our... I think this audience
is drawn to those and resonates
or at least is
maybe those are easy to sell to an
investor or a or a back or
Mh.
Maybe I'm not I don't know. I
Creatively if maybe there's a a good creative
script that isn't a true story that could
be fun to make.
Yeah. IIII
wouldn't... I don't wanna put myself in a
boxes there. I'll only do true stories. I
think sure. 1, Rom com would be so
great to make.
Like an honestly like a heartfelt
Rom comp could be really hate.
Mh. Cool. Excuse talk to members of the
church from different backgrounds. Right? Like, members of
Congress. We've talked to people that are professors
and podcast, things like that. It seems to
me like members of the church, at least
at the moment.
Feel like there's good that they do in
their calling and in the official ways that
they're part of the church.
And then there's things that they do that
are good because they feel some other kind
of higher calling, maybe an internal calling in
an internal motivation to to do these kinds
of things. Is filmmaking like that for you
or faith based films like that for you.
Like, you kinda feel called to, like, this
is something I can do to...
Like, create good in the world around me.
Yeah. III think so. I think and I
don't wanna come across as, like, the tortured
artist,
but I think that there are easier genres
and easier ways to make a living film.
And it is hard. I mean, I I
mentioned a paid project and a passion project,
didn't say which projects were paid.
They that now, they're not these films.
I did passion projects. And at the end
of the day, I'm grateful for those that
support them and go to see them in
theaters,
but
that's that doesn't... I can't make my living.
That way. So I'll always be doing, you
know, work work for the church or or
other, you know, commercials or I, you know,
I directed an episode of studio c. Mh.
The last season. And so I'm very grateful
for those types of projects.
Term remember. I'd I just dodged your Dodge
your question totally. Got completely answered my question.
Yeah. I I actually think a lot of
people feel that way they. They make their
living in 1 way, and then they say,
but I wanna be doing something in the
world. I wanna, like, I wanna leave my
mark in a positive way or And maybe
it's as simple as like the way they
interact with other people, but but they they
also take on these other things. They're not
waiting for the church to call them to
do something.
I'm waiting for someone to give them permission
to do something. They just say this is
something I think I can do, and this
is a need I see in the world,
and so I'm just gonna take it on
and do it.
I I think you're right on. I love
that.
Right before I made Sur approach. It was
the... I I got a job full time.
Was the only time I've ever had a
full time job.
Working for the church,
producing mormon messages.
And were like, new little... I mean, Youtube
was kind of a place. It was good
wild west,
it's still out west, But
there wasn't a lot of faith based content
coming out on Youtube. Right?
And
the church put out an an Easter message
from Elder Holland. And I... At the time,
I was totally independent and just
I had a business. I had about 5
full time employees. We're doing out of corporate
stuff. And I saw Mess miller at hall,
and I thought, I And even the church
was 1 of my clients. Yeah. And and
I thought, man, I would do anything to
be able to make that type of content
like, that is awesome.
And within 3 months,
my entire business like, dried up,
all my clients are right, we're out of
here we're fence somebody else.
And it was like, what am I gonna
to do? This is insane. And I got
a call from 1 of... Somebody
employee at the church a good friend.
Who... I don't think he knew that I
was
desperately
ready for whatever would come my way, But
he said, hey, would you like to come
on board and and help us produce this
series called mormon messages.
And
so I was grateful over for that. So
let's see. There was a point to this
story.
We
we
put together his team, there are 6 of
us that were creating these more messages and
then it started to spur, like, other, we'd
see members of the church
on their own releasing,
content or creating content or taking cut ups
from general commerce stock and releasing those. And
there was that sentiment of, like, oh, hey.
This is our territory,
and then it's very quick like rep, the
spiritual rep. No.
That's exactly what we want. We want. Members
church to take.
Initiative, why should the church spend money
and resources
creating content when there's millions of members of
church, and we each have phones and editing
or whatever it is, we can create our
own content,
and let's let's do that. Let's make it
look right. Let's not maybe represent anything.
But my goodness is to have people
feel compelled like, yeah, I'm an accountant by
day and a Youtube creator of
General conference Instagram shorts by night. That's cool.
Yeah. That's really cool. That's really cool.
Okay. So Garrett, do you wanna tell us
anything more about this faith of Angel movie?
Because I don't wanna, like, spoil anything.
But I do want people to go see
it? Like, it's really really good.
Do you wanna tell us anything more about
the movie? And...
If so, or if not, I also wanna
hear what you're working on next.
Yeah. Well well, melissa thank you for being
sensitive to spoiling it. And people can certainly
search out the story and they know what
happens.
Yeah. It's not a spoiler in that way,
but it's a spoiler
emotionally. Like, it's it's it's an emotional movie,
and and it's not pushing you to feel
a certain emotion, but it's it's pushing you
to explore what's going on inside your own
head, like it really does take you on
a personal journey. I think as you're watching
it. So... I thank you. And III think
that as a filmmaker,
you know... I spent a year researching the
story in interviews
with the family and the search, and
The news media,
and then anybody else who was involved of
the friends that are connected with the family
and just interviewing and interviewing and researching and
without
fail, every single 1 of them had been,
like,
lifelong impacted by
this story.
And they all recounted
their the own their own miracles
that occurred
through their involvement? And So, the... That was
1 of the joys of of writing the
script. As it a writing scripting saying. How
do we how do we make this
interesting or how do we, how do we
up the stakes and this movie is isn't
we never had to say, well, let's make
something up here. It was always just back
to the notes and say, oh, okay. We
need a scene here,
whatever.
And there was always a supportive miracle.
And so we tried to show those and,
you know, the... There's 17 miracles, and this
would be 25 miracles. You know? Like yeah.
So so, yes, You'll... The... I I want
the audience to come away going.
Wow. That... As une as it is,
It occurred, and let's explain it by saying
it was a miracle. Yeah. That's super cool.
That's super cool. Yeah.
Okay. And what else are you working on?
So we're... So the kick kickstarter is live,
we are we are getting ready and to
put this in theaters September twelfth.
And then a nationwide
September 20 sixth, and so if you want
it,
you know, anywhere
out of out of Utah,
log on to the Kickstarter and and and
be part of that. Share and donate and
share and then we can take this further.
And then in November, we have a movie
called, the carpenter that comes out, and this
is a fun movie. We shot it actually,
before faith of Angels.
Shot it in South Africa.
And it's a it's a movie. It's unlike
anything,
you'll ever see and it's like,
Rocky meets the chosen.
Okay.
It it's a fictional story about a, like,
an Mma fighter that becomes an apprentice to
a mysterious carpenter in Nazareth and it changes
Wow.
Yeah. That sounds interesting. Right Not based on
a story. Okay. Cool. Right Sounds good.
Cool. And then are you just kind of
always on the lookout for your next story?
Yeah. Yeah. I always have 2 or 3.
There's a fun. Tv series that I'd like
to do,
you know, should we find the, find the
right backing, but a Tv series called Angel
town, which
takes place in the afterlife.
Oh, cool. And I... Yeah. This generational drama
about
those unanswered lingering questions of mortality and how
they get answered.
Fun a very fun series.
Yeah. And then I always got a couple
of ideas I like to do, but never
know which one's gonna be next. Right. If
you had to choose, would you rather write
or direct
direct
Oh really? Yeah. Yeah.
I actually... I can see it. Like, in
your... Like, where you're sitting right now?
Is, like, you're in a... You're you're like
in a movie right now. Like you.
Director is high.
I can't imagine what what you would do
if you saw me show up for, like,
B at your house should be like, okay.
Let's let's fix up the way you're looking.
It doesn't quite look right.
Some lighting issues.
Comes in goes through makeup and wardrobe before
the Yeah. Randy.
No. All are welcome. All are welcome.
Thank you so much for joining us on
the podcast.
It's been wonderful getting to know you. Yeah.
Absolutely. Thanks for having me, and thanks for
sharing the... Sharing the word about the movie.
Perfect.
Karen.