About Rich
Rich Christiano, along with his twin brother Dave, has been writing, directing, producing and distributing Christian films since 1985. In 2002, the brothers formed Five & Two Pictures which is their theatrical distribution company.
Rich also owns www.ChristianMovies.com, one of the very first Christian film websites that is trusted offering only the best in Christian movies at discount prices.
Rich's film timeline:
- 2009 - The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry (Writer-Director-Producer)
- 2006 - Unidentified (Writer-Director-Producer)
- 2002 - Time Changer (Writer-Director-Producer)
- 1998 - End of the Harvest ((Writer-Director-Producer)
- 1993 - Second Glance (Writer-Director-Producer)
- 1991 - The Appointment (Writer-Director-Producer)
- 1988 - Crime of the Age (Writer-Producer)
- 1987 - The Pretender (Producer)
- 1985 - The DayLight Zone (Producer)
Each film I have ever been apart of, I have tried to first put forth a strong spiritual message for the Lord that would inspire and challenge the viewer. We are all headed towards eternity and it is important that we think hard on these important matters. I was raised a Catholic in upstate NY and became a born-again believer on May 3, 1980 while living in California chasing a Hollywood dream. It was the best decision I ever made. The truth will set you free. I have many Bible verses that I love, but one of the most important is Romans 6:22. Take a minute and check that one out. This is what it means to be a Christian and I hope this verse is true about your life.
I love Christian films! They are the best films on the planet and the ones that the LORD GOD cares about. Many people have been challenged to come to the Lord as a result of watching a Christian movie. I believe a Christian film should point to the Lord Jesus Christ, that is what makes it Christian. I rarely watch secular films, mainly out of conviction. Since we write out own stuff, I need my mind clear so I can focus on the project I am writing to make sure the message is right.
Questions about MY films?
Every film I have ever made has been HARD!! Perhaps the easiest was Unidentified but that had its moments. I have enjoyed working with all the actors in every film I have made. I love Gavin MacLeod and we have become very good friends. I talk to him almost once a week. He is the nicest guy and really wants to live for the Lord. I am proud of his excellent work in both Time Changer and the new film, The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. All the actors though are special to me and celebrities in my mind. The cast of Unidentified was the most fun group. Jonathan Aube, Josh Adamson, Jenna Bailey, Lance Zitron and Michael Blain Rozgay were terrific. They are all talented and took the film very seriously. We really have a good repore. When you spend so much time editing a film, you really get to know the characters your actors have created for you. As a Director, you need those actors to come through for you on screen and when they do, you really appreicate their talent. If you cast your film right, directing becomes much easier.
If you have any questions about my films, the actors I have worked with, spiritual issues, feel free to email me at rc@christianmovies.com
Rich is married to Regina who is originally from Brazil and she is a wonderful person. We attend Calvary Chapel in Foothill Ranch and we really like our church.
I love sports. I play basketball at the gym almost every day after work.
I enjoy golf and play fairly often. On a good day, I can shoot in the lower 80's and occasionally will slip in a round under 80 which is always a thrill. I can only hit the ball about 240 yards and that is my downfall. Basically the only thing I watch on TV is sports and 7th Street Theater (which is my brothers TV show). I love the NFL and my favorite sports team of all is the NY Football Giants who won the Super Bowl in 2008. I also always root for Tiger Woods and like watching golf when he's in it.
My list of very important Bible verses:
John 1:12, Proverbs 11:4, Romans 6:22, 1 Cor 6:9, 1 John 5:11-13
And I love the King James Bible.
Christian Filmmaking - Interview with Rich Christiano - By Israel Wayne | January 19, 2009
Rich Christiano, of Five & Two Pictures is a follower of Jesus Christ who makes quality films for the glory of God. His movie Time Changer is one of my all-time favorite movies. It is a very solid, God-honoring film that is great for audiences of all ages. He is also the producer of Unidentified, another very popular Christian film. Rich was gracious enough to spare some time to share with me about his views on filmmaking and also his new feature film, to be released later this year.
Israel Wayne: How did you first get involved with film making?
Rich Christiano: In the late 70’s, when I was only 20, my brother Dave and I went to Hollywood. We wrote a script and tried to sell it. We got two offers but never made a deal. In 1980, I became a born-again Christian that totally changed my life. My brother did also.
Israel Wayne: What inspired you to make Christian films rather than working in the secular film industry?
Rich Christiano: A lot of people think that when they become a Christian, they need to move to Africa or something to minister. My brother and I wanted to make films and we felt the LORD saying to us to make them for HIM! We left California and went to graduate school for Radio-TV-Film at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. My brother Dave eventually got a teaching job in San Antonio where he met a guy who was making Christian films and encouraged us to do the same. We made our first film in 1985 and now have produced 12 movies between us.
Israel Wayne: What are your primary goals when you make a film?
Rich Christiano: First, to please the Lord. John 15:5 is my film making verse. Jesus says ”Abide in Me and you will bear much fruit because without Me, you can do nothing.” I believe this. If we really want to reach people for Christ with our ministry, we must first please HIM. Second, I want to make films that will motivate, challenge, and inspire the believer. Give him some food for his soul. Third, I want to put the gospel in our films so that a non-believer may consider Christ as a result of seeing the movie.
Israel Wayne: What are your thoughts on the new Independent Christian Film movement?
Rich Christiano: I think there are some major issues. It seems most Producers are just wanting to make films that are family oriented with a God message. I call them crossover films. They say they want to hit the mainstream and to try to “reach” the non-believer so they water down the message. But this doesn’t work, especially if you believe that only God’s Spirit can reach people and HE must be pleased first. There are very few filmmakers that want to put a real message for the Lord in their films. And to me, this is what a Christian film really is, a film with a message that points to Jesus Christ. Other films may be wholesome and family oriented but that does not make them Christian. Mormonism is wholesome and family oriented but surely NOT Christian. It is sad to me to walk into a Christian bookstore or to go to Christian websites and see some of the movies being sold as “Christian” films.
Israel Wayne: Tell us about your latest project.
Rich Christiano: We are super excited about our new film called THE SECRETS OF JONATHAN SPERRY. We really believe this film is going to make a real impact and do well. This will be our biggest release to date. We are hoping to release this film into hundreds of theaters coming Sept 18th. It’s a story set in 1970 about a 75 year old man named Jonathan Sperry (played by Gavin MacLeod) who starts talking to three 12-year old boys about the Lord and mentoring them. This film has tons of heart and we have received great response in the screenings we have done. And this is not false hype either, this film is delivering. We are very confident about this movie and what it can do. People can check out the trailer and more info at www.SperryMovie.com
Israel Wayne: What are some ways that average Christians can help to support Christian film making?
Rich Christiano: We are looking for churches to sponsor the Sperry film in their local theaters. We charge a fee and then we bring the movie in just as a normal theater run. If the movie does well, it could play several weeks. The church then gets their fee back PLUS a percentage of the box office. This would be a good way to offer an alternative to what Hollywood puts out but more importantly the movie will be an effective tool to share the message of Christ. Too often the church just plays defense and we just react to what the world offers. This is going on the offense putting something out there that the Lord can use to change lives. We do offer free previews of the movie so churches can see it first. They can contact me at rc@christianmovies.com and we can set this up.
Israel Wayne: How can God's people be praying for you right now?
Rich Christiano: Pray that the Lord will raise up Christians and churches that will sponsor our new film and help us get the word out. We do plan some national promotion but we need the local grassroots to be really effective. We are trying to set up a network of Christ-centered churches and believers that want to get behind solid Christian movies so I would ask for the Lord to raise up these believers and churches that will partner with us. It can be a win-win situation for everyone involved. END
