News
Interview with Fireproof Director
Editor in Chief Paul Bury had a fantastic conversation with Steven Kendrick (director of the amazing Fireproof movie).
{PB}: A lot of the special features made it look like the cast and crew had a lot of fun. Is this an accurate assessment?
{SK}: Absolutely. Kirk found it the most important to have fun. It was also a safe environment.
{PB}: Who got the most pranks pulled on them? The feeling we got at Family Friendly Gaming is it was Kirk Cameron.
{SK}: Yes it was on Kirk. He got some people too. Harassed Alex about his hairline a lot.
{PB}: Were the actors ever in peril during the train scene?
{SK}: Not really, we did a lot of special effects, and Micheal was far enough away. The scene that was scary was Kirk under the building saving the girl. We shot that on a Friday, and he came back on Monday but still had not regained his voice.
{PB}:The arguments of the couple were very intense. Was this by design?
{SK}: Absolutely. We wanted to show the extremes of fighting. It makes us appreciate the last 15 minutes of reconciliation that much more.
{PB}: Were ya'll planning so much humor in Fireproof?
{SK}: Yes, we wanted there to be emotional breaks.
{PB}: Any reports of Fireproof saving marriages thus far?
{SK}: Absolutely. Thousands. The story section of the Fireproof website has many incredible stories.
{PB}: How did ya'll get Casting Crowns involved with Fireproof?
{SK}: Ran into him at Atlanta airport. Gave him Facing the Giants. He loved it, cried, and wanted to get involved.
{PB}:Are ya'll surprised with how God has blessed Fireproof?
{SK}: We knew God will do something big. Football reaches some people, but marriage touches everyone. We had all kinds of people and places volunteer to help as well.
{PB}: Where can Family Friendly Gaming get some Wrath of God?
{SK}: *lol* That's right. Originally we were going to have the actors drink Scope. Kids copy what they see in movies, so we decided that was not a good thing. Wrath of God is something one of our guys came up with, and we went with it.
{PB}: In Fireproof Caleb gives up his dream of a boat, so his wife can get what she wants for her stroke damaged mother. How do you respond to critics that say this message is husbands are wrong, and they should give their wives what they want?
{SK}: Read the novel, it ties back to the whole boat issue and there is some hidden symbolism.
{PB}: Fireproof is vague on whether or not Katherine had an affair. Did she?
{SK}: Not a physical one. She had an emotional affair. We did not want to contaminate children. Left that up to the creativity of the viewer.
{PB}: What was the doctor's marital status?
{SK}: Married. It was not planned to show his wedding ring. We wanted the audience to hate him, but the actor is such a nice guy. Right before shooting confrontation with Caleb he realized he needed to take off his ring. I realized then that would be a great shot. Talked to Alex and he said shoot it both ways. We did, and that shot just worked.
{PB}: What is the next movie being worked on by Sherwood Pictures?
{SK}: We are resting right now.Praying about what God wants us to do next.
{PB}: Will Kirk Cameron return for the next movie?
{SK}: Good question, I don't know.
{PB}: Anything you would like to share with our readers?
{SK}: There is a lot of symbolism in Fireproof. The scene where they reconcile, she is wearing a red dress to symbolize the blood of Christ. They come together in front of a big '1' on a fire truck - two becoming one.
{PB}: Thank you for your time.
{SK}: God bless.