Ken was the Executive Producer of the critically acclaimed and award-winning CBS Television series Christy. He enjoyed a long running partnership with director Blake Edwards, producing many films with him including The Great Race, Darling Lili, and The Revenge of the Pink Panther among others. Ken also produced the Emmy nominated, Golden Globe winner miniseries John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, and was associate producer for the first season of Cagney and Lacey. He spent time in the studio system at Walt Disney Pictures, where he was Vice President of Production. Ken has most recently earned acclaim for the powerful film Amazing Grace, the story of William Wilberforce’s grueling but victorious campaign to end Britain’s slave trade.

Createasphere: You’ve had a front row seat for so many changes in the industry and technology. At the heart of it, what has changed in the story telling process?

Ken: When I was a student at Santa Monica High School, I landed a role in Rebel Without A Cause, and the acting bug bit me. As you might guess, since then I’ve seen a lot of changes! While the process has become greatly enhanced technically, that doesn’t mean the storytelling process gets any better – just faster. Walt Disney taught me that it is always “story, story, story,” and that remains true: we’re still telling human stories. Danger and jeopardy must be in every great story. I owe everything to Walt [he helped pay for Ken to attend the USC Cinema School]. While technology impacts storytelling, it does not necessarily lead to a more artful result. It’s a tool.

The leisure of immediate playback is probably one of the biggest advances, but still, storytelling itself is the heart of the visual medium. Today, it’s much more of a business because of the increased financial risk.

Createasphere: How can you tell when you have found a great piece of material? Is it different for houses of worship?

Ken: When I am drawn in and can’t put it down, I am on the way. Compelling stories beg the question, “How’s it going to turn out, what’s going to happen, how will it resolve?” Another significant factor is relate-ability. Do I have something in common with the main character? Is there something I can identify with? The best stories come out of the Bible and much of the reason is that these stories are well known by people. When you tell a story well, it has the comeuppance of the villain and you have resolution. It’s a satisfying experience. We all like to hear a good story. It hits home and enriches our human experience. Whether at church, on TV, or at the movies, skillful storytelling is important.

Those factors relate to churches and houses of worship, of course. They are telling big stories. And, there is a sharp focus on visual elements in churches today. They use film clips to illustrate a point, and that helps to drive the message home in a visceral way.

Createasphere: Has technology had an impact on what the audience, both broadcast/film and in houses of worship, expect to see?

Ken: Audiences expect to see the latest, most up to date things, in every setting. So there is an expectation that houses of worship have up to date technology. I think the feeling for worshippers is this: If your technology is state of the art, then your message will be relevant to me, current and up to date as well.

Createasphere: How do you see the impact of technology increasing, and do you see a role for 3D and social media?

Ken: I don’t know if 3D is going to be a part of the immediate future for houses of worship. I believe we have a long way to go to see 3D without the glasses. Then, it may be important.

But social media will play a bigger and bigger role because it affords worshippers a real chance to feel connected and a part of a community, which is what going to church is all about.

Createasphere: Do you think that houses of worship need to create huge “productions” to get the story told? Do these audiences expect more?

Ken: Yes, I think they’re expecting more, everyone is expecting more! I believe that the key is how information is presented.

Houses of worship clearly understand the need to tell big stories in a big way. Now, it’s in the budget and part of the plan.

People give or tithe more when they have a bigger audio visual experience in the church. In the church I attend, we have an amazing screen that cost a lot of money. The screen was donated by one person, and everyone saw it as an awesome gift! Prior to that, we had a screen that was faded out, hazy. This got in the way of the message. Good technology gets the message across.

Createasphere: What are you currently working on?

Ken: I am drawn to real life stories; they continue to have great resonance for me. We are currently at work on the true story of Ashley Smith, the woman who was held hostage by a man who had gone on a killing rampage in an Atlanta courtroom, Brian Nichols. In his escape, Nichols grabbed Ashley Smith and held her hostage in her own apartment. Ashley is a complex character with her own struggles, but she did something amazing. During the hostage situation, she begins to read aloud passages from “A Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, and she is able to convince Nichols that God is still not done with him yet. He let her go.

That is what resonates so strongly in the story, the redemptive nature of life. Life is always full of new beginnings. There is always time for redemption.

I’m also working on the sequel to Chariots of Fire, another true story.

Createasphere: Thank you for your time, Ken. We are all looking forward to hearing what you have to say to the attendees of Createasphere’s Executive Marketplace for Houses of Worship in Chicago this July.

Exhibit at Executive Marketplace for Houses of Worship