If you’ve been reading COLLIDE for a while now, you’ve noticed that we tend to gravitate towards those who tell stories well. One such group is the Chronicle Project of Pasadena, California, that produces the remarkable Deidox series. Led by director Brent Gudgel and producer Dave Mahanes, Deidox is a growing collection of documentary-style short films that tell compelling stories of how everyday people are being used by God to impact the world. The first three shorts, “Deidox: Lindsay,” “Deidox: Robert,” and “Deidox: Deon” are available now at www.deidox.com.
COLLIDE : What are your backgrounds in film and documentaries?
Brent Gudgel: I got my start at film school, directing the normal student film projects. I was fortunate because those student films got me hired by a few non-profit organizations to do documentaries overseas. Since then I’ve directed projects in over 20 countries for different causes and clients, and along the way, met Dave at a church out in Los Angeles. We started collaborating pretty soon after that fateful day.
Dave Mahanes: Yeah I’ve been trying to shake him ever since, but he keeps hanging around. I actually had a background in politics, and when I came out to LA to do film I discovered that producing was right up my alley. I cut my teeth on a lot of commercials, producing spots for Ford and the Carolina Hurricanes. The documentary work really started later, after meeting Brent, as I discovered how these types of films are a unique combination of film and ministry.
Our first big project together was Dear Francis, a feature documentary on the HIV/AIDS crisis in Swaziland. It got picked up by Showtime Television and ever since then we’ve been traveling all over the place to do documentary films. It’s been an incredible ride so far.
COLLIDE : Tell us the beginnings of Deidox and the meaning behind the name.
Gudgel: As documentary filmmakers we have always been interested in the authenticity and rawness that come from telling real life stories as they unfold. For us, the most compelling stories document how God is interacting with the world today. These stories affected our worldview in such a positive way that we felt compelled to bring them to a broader audience.
Mahanes: We actually made up the name Deidox. “Dei” is Latin for God, and “Dox” is short for documentaries. So basically we are telling short documentaries about an active God.
COLLIDE: Why were you inspired to tell the stories of everyday people? What is the purpose behind it?
Gudgel: We live in a celebrity-driven society, even within the Christian subculture. We’re attracted to big personalities and that often conditions us to think that God can’t use us unless we’re a big speaker, artist, or author. But the reality is God is using everyday people to do his work. The problem is we just don’t get to hear about or see these stories on a consistent basis.Mahanes: So the purpose of these films is to show what it practically looks like for followers of Christ to be used by God on a daily basis. Our hope is that we spur people on from just being “hearers of the word” to actually being “doers of the word.”
COLLIDE: How did you come across these stories?
Mahanes: Initially we simply shared the vision of Deidox with close friends and family, asking around for story ideas. It was all word of mouth. Deon we met through a friend at Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles. We were introduced to Robert through my dad, actually.
Gudgel: Lindsay was introduced to us through some friends in New York. Now, we’re actually receiving lots of amazing story suggestions through our website.
COLLIDE: How have these stories affected you personally?
Gudgel: Doing the Deidox films has really challenged me in my personal life with the idea that I need to be a sort of missionary in my local community. But honestly it has been a struggle to get outside the church walls and make service a lifestyle, probably because I’ve spent so much time serving within the church world. But God is good and He is helping me re-learn how to do it.
Mahanes: Getting to know people who are risk takers and faithful to God’s calling in their lives has challenged my own faith and inspired me to seek after God and try to be obedient.
COLLIDE: In what ways can a church use Deidox?
Gudgel: Churches can use the short films during their main services as an illustration to support a message or theme. Small groups can use the films as discussion starters. We just heard about a church in Tampa, Florida, that did a series where they used the films as examples of how each member in the church has an assignment from God.
Mahanes: Another church in Seattle did a message [around the question] “What is your story?” and showed the “Deidox: Lindsay” film. After the film they allowed members of their church to share their own story and how God was using them. Pretty cool.
COLLIDE : What can churches learn from these stories?
Mahanes: I hope churches can begin to change the way they communicate what it means to serve God. Having grown up in the church—I’m a “preacher’s kid”—most of the examples of serving God have really been ways to serve the church institution, i.e., parking cars, working in the nursery, passing out bulletins. I’m not saying these are bad. I just wish there were more examples of how we can serve God on a daily basis at home, work, school, or wherever our sphere of influence might be.
Gudgel: I think these films can be a reminder that God is actively at work and we have the opportunity to be a part of His mission. I hope people who are not participating in God’s work will see these films and realize they are missing out on something great.
COLLIDE: How would you encourage churches that want to make better films and tell better stories?
Mahanes: I’m a big advocate for valuing artists the same way you value pastors, worship leaders, custodians, etc. If you want good visual stories then find gifted and talented artists and commission (yes, pay!) them to create films. Just as you wouldn’t expect your pastor, worship leader, or custodian to show up and provide excellent work for free, don’t expect the same from artists.
Gudgel: Another thing would be to support artists who are already creating media by purchasing their films. It may sound self-serving coming from me, but your purchase really does help artists tell more stories.
COLLIDE: You say that Deidox is more than just short films. How is it giving back to the local community?
Gudgel: Our vision for Deidox is to not only challenge and inspire people with the stories told, but to also highlight and support organizations that are demonstrating God’s love on a daily basis.
For each Deidox story, we have identified a non-profit organization that complements the themes and issues raised in the short film. One dollar of each download is then provided to that non-profit organization to help them accomplish their mission.
COLLIDE: What future Deidox stories do you have in the works? When will you release your next bunch?
Mahanes: We are actually working on three more films right now. The fourth film asks the question, “How does God use a mom?” You can now watch “DeiDox: Dawn.”
Gudgel: I just got back from shooting the fifth Deidox film in China with the underground church. The film explores how God is using a man named Li in the midst of heavy government persecution. It was an intense shoot to say the least. We just released “Deidox: Li Yang” in late October.
To learn more about Deidox and to watch the films, visit www.deidox.com.