A year ago, Columbus residents Tera Smith and Barb Malburg were passionately supportive fans of a mix of Christian movies and a new Jesus-oriented online and TV series called “The Chosen.”
Today, their role has morphed into a broad, polished role as interview hosts of everyone from casting directors to makeup artists for a range of Christian movies and more. Such is their work on their YouTube video clip installments of “Talk Back With Tera and Barb” for Against The Tide Media, a new online entertainment entity, and also for Christian film efforts beyond that realm.
“I didn’t actually picture doing this,” said Smith, who has had acting roles in regional films. “And, actually, I don’t think I could have done it if it were just me. …I couldn’t do this without Barb.”
After a simple video tryout of the two interviewing each other, the duo’s recorded online video chats have included Beverly Holloway, the casting director of “The Chosen.” Beyond Against the Tide’s circle, they’ve interviewed personnel associated with well-known Christian films such as “Courageous,” “War Room,” “Overcomer,” and others.
The pair both saw an online notice about interview hosts a year ago for Against The Tide Media, launched by a teen. They were pleased to be accepted as a team. They have driven to interviews at film festivals, and also became extras among a crowd of 2,500 people in a Sermon on the Mount scene for “The Chosen.” The role was no easy task, considering a 12-degree wind chill that day near Dallas.
“We were called the Frozen Chosen,” cracked Smith.
“They wanted to be able to do the scene without the benefit of CGI (special effects),” Malburg said.
That day and their interviews with others linked to Christian shows and movies have given Malburg food for thought about the challenges of productions within the entertainment industry.
“My impression of it all is that I am surprised that any movie can get made,” she said with a chuckle.
They each began watching “The Chosen,” which now has recorded more than 212 million views worldwide and growing (just on the show phone app alone), in April of last year. They fell in love with it for different reasons, and each found distinctively different favorite scenes from a wide variety of episodes.
“I just like the humanity that Jesus shows,” Smith has said, referring even to an instance of him brushing his teeth.
Malburg particularly liked a scene of Jesus calling Matthew to follow him as a disciple.
“Everything just works together so perfectly in that scene, from the music to Matthew’s expressions, which change from shock to doubt to hope and then to just a surrender to Jesus,” Malburg said in an introductory YouTube.com clip.
“The Chosen” creator, director and co-writer Dallas Jenkins has said he aims to reach one billion people eventually. He has worked online to remind Christians to avoid approaching the show too literally, and that “not every episode is about a specific Bible story.”
In fact, fans of the show have lauded Jenkins especially for creating plausible back stories for a range of the characters to help viewers better understand their personality. Malburg has been impressed with not only that, but the character of those they have interviewed connected with the series.
“The people all have been so friendly, and they all love Jesus, and are not afraid to say it,” Malburg said.
Smith has found “The Chosen” episodes a good fit for her nights of family TV watching — especially since nearly every member brings widely different tastes to their viewing.
“We sometimes have a hard time picking a movie to watch,” Smith said, adding that normally, only a couple times per month does everyone end up liking a selection. “So I think it’s neat that I love it, so does my husband, and so do my teenage kids.”
Smith added that her 14-year-old son is such a fan and follower that he wears “The Chosen” merchandise.
Malburg and Smith are grateful for viewer feedback they have gotten for their chats, including ample encouragement.
“You both are naturals!” one viewer posted. Others have typed similar praise.
Many interviews unfold in conference rooms with simple cell phone video setups. Their newfound work has led them to pay more attention to others’ interviews that they see online or on TV.
“When I watch interviews now, I’m looking at what’s behind them and asking ‘Is that a bookshelf, or maybe a cool piece of art?” Smith said. “I look at their microphones, I listen closely to the questions. I am trying to grow.”
In a new and chosen field.
