About Us/Mission (Below is an pretend interview that Benjamin Thompson (Creator and writer of Spy Sprain and Foster Sister) wrote trying to show the mission of CleanComedyClips while facing his fears of answering the questions of a zealous interviewer.)
Question: Okay who are you? And what do you do? Question: And so? Question: There are so many people. That think
that they have THE TV show idea. So what? How many other
shows are there on TV? So basically you believe that television channels
should be censored from airing “inappropriate”
content? Even when it is part of the artistic work. Benjamin: Ok, I'll take that as a no. For our own shows at CleanComedyClips we will have very strong standards from our scripts all the way to the editing bay. The language, violence, and other various inappropriate-ness. will be determined by; First in our belief that as Christians we will stand before God and have to give account to all of our “artistic” choices. Second: asking ourselves when our children watch the episodes that we helped make, whether writing, directing, acting, or even lighting, will we be ashamed of what our children know we have made? Third, and this one I think every entertainer should ask themselves. Is this act I'm going to commit, questionable? If it is questionable, is it necessary?
Yes, I would prefer that. Now that really is typical simple minded... Thank you. I just called you simple minded. Yes, but you also called me typical. Which means there is going to be a large group of people that think the same way I do. They are going to absolutely love our shows. The modern audience will not watch shows like the Andy Griffith Show. Television audiences have matured a lot since then. Well, first Andy Griffith show is a classic, however while I do love watching Barney Fife, make a fool of himself, I would agree to some extent. Television writing has improved a lot since the '60's. Character development, comedy, motivation, and drama have all seen new heights in TV in recent years. I'm all for that. Television was once looked as inferior to working on feature films. Today that is no longer the case. With shows like CSI, Psych, and Band of Brothers rivaling the majority of feature films made by Hollywood whether in drama or in comedy. While I enjoy and appreciate better writing and more interesting characters and situations, I think there is a difference between interesting and being dirty. Does that mean you are against violence?
No, I think violence can be good in a story. Oh, you mean staged violence, fake. Well, most of the shows I do are comedies. There's very few sitcoms that have a lot of violence. However Spy Sprain and Foster Sister does contain slap-fighting, throwing pot holders, wrestling, and the such like. I think that can be very funny, and entertaining. You just went in a circle. No, I didn't. Yes, you did You came full circle. ...No, that's just you. What I said was that we at CleanComedyClips are not dirty. Not that we would never have brothers being brothers. What we think is the most important in a film is not the things involved in them, but what it's end is. What does the film say? For instance Courageous, made by Sherwood Pictures was rated pg-13 because of violence and drugs. However the film was widely praised by Christian organizations, why? Well, the film was about police officers; violence and drugs are a normal part of police officer's life. Drugs or violence doesn't necessarily make a movie bad. What is important to find out is what the message is. If the violence had been glorified, the movie would have been bad. Also if Courageous had made drugs look fun or exciting, we would have condemned it as a terrible movie. Instead the message of the film was being Courageous or more specifically the dangers that come when a father is not there for his family. I'm feeling spun around again. Well, if grown up shows are too real for you.
There is always children TV channels like Disney or
Nickelodeon. Wow! Just wow! Are you saying that people are controlled by the films and TV shows they watch? Influenced. Just as someone is influenced by things that happen in their past, and influenced by the people they live around and with. I have talked about this for a long times, sometimes discussing, other times arguing. But I would like to read a post that John Moore, (Christian filmmaker of award winning Widows Might and Ace Wonder.) posted on the ChristianFilmmakers.org forum. This is a post written from the perspective of 13 year old girl writing in her diary Disclaimer: This is purposely over done to demonstrate the point. Dear Diary, I am a thirteen year old girl. I recently watched my new favorite film, Tangled. I wanted to watch Twilight, but my parents wouldnt let me. So instead I watched Tangled, and it became my favorite. Ive watched it probably, like, fifty times. (ok, not that many, but maybe ten times. Its hilarious!) Anyway, Im writing you, Diary, to tell you that after I watched Tangled, I realized why my life is so boring and empty. Its because Im not allowed to go live the adventure! Theres this guy from church who is, oh my gosh, AMAZING! But my parents said Im not allowed to date him, and I have to ask you, Diary, is that fair? NO, its not fair! I have been an obedient kid and loyal to my parents, but they just keep holding me back. My destiny is out there! Sometimes, Im certain that my parents are like Mother Gothel. They dont want whats best for me or what will make me happy! They just want me here to keep them happy, and to make them look good! If I love a boy, they should just let me go! My Mom keeps saying that Jason would be bad for me because he will try to take advantage of me. Like hes some stalker! I mean, hes 16, and he stole a car. Big deal! He has a good heart, and I think hes amazing. Besides, didnt Flynn steal stuff too? Its not like he was hurting someone. Anyway, Diary. Im doing it. Tomorrow, Im running away with my Jason. My Gothel parents arent going to tell me every stupid detail of how I should live my life! All I want to do, is go out! I want to be free! I want to know what its like to be kissed... IS that so bad? IF my parents dont want that for me, they are being selfish. Just like Mother Gothel. If they were like Rapunzels REAL parents, they would just forgive Jason for stealing (thats in the past! It happened, like, three days ago, and he feels bad about it now!) and let me be with him! GRRRRR. Parents. I love you, Diary. Sleep tight. Tomorrow is our big adventure! ~ Sincerely, A 13 Year Old Girl. aka. John Moore Wow! That is sooo creepy.
Where can people watch your shows?
There you have it folks. A radical, aspiring TV
show creator criticizes modern television. When we come
back. We will discuss his childhood. You don't want to
miss it!
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