MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO, THE: SEVENTH ANNUAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL SEMINAR: ONE PUNK UNDER GOD {2006} {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in this series of seminars conducted by The Paley Center for Media (known at the time as The Museum of Television & Radio) as part of the 2006 Television Documentary Festival. Held in New York, this program celebrates "One Punk Under God," the six-part miniseries following Pastor Jamie "Jay" Bakker, son of infamous televangelist couple Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, as he charts a non-traditional course of religious worship.
Host Pat Mitchell (president and CEO, The Museum of Television & Radio) offers opening remarks and introduces the first two episodes of the series, which are then screened in their entireties. (For synopsis and credits, see B:89247.)
After the screening, Ron Simon (curator, The Museum of Television & Radio), moderates the following panelists: executive producers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato; supervising producer/director Jeremy Simmons; Sundance Channel executive producer Laura Michalchyshyn; and film subject Jay Bakker.
The panelists touch on such topics as: developing the "organic" narrative arc of the six episodes; Bailey and Barbato's previous film, "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" (2000), and their subsequent interest in pursuing a project about her son; why religious-themed films and show are often "a tough sell" in America; Michalchyshyn's interest in Jay's story and its controversial themes of culture and belief; Simmons' interest in getting to know Jay and his beliefs to create a "foundation" for the series; the series' depiction of significant transitions in Jay's life, primarily his mother's cancer relapse and his decision to publicly declare his church a "gay-affirming" institution; Jay's desire for "transparency" in his church, given his parents' famous scandals; how Jay's personal tone and demeanor dictated the series' style; the ongoing shooting schedule and as-yet incomplete final episode; how the series fits Sundance's "mantra" of diversity and honest observation of people's lives; why Michalchyshyn opts to be somewhat loose with her filmmakers' shooting and production schedules; international interest in the series, particularly thanks to Tammy Faye's worldwide fame; and how the series speaks to the current religious climate in America. The panelists then acknowledge film subjects Stu Damron, Marc Brown, and Jay's wife Amanda Bakker, present in the audience.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics, among others: the challenges of creating the first episode, which must "hook" the viewer by setting up various themes to be explored throughout the season; Jay's initial reluctance to return to Heritage USA, as seen in the first episode; Bailey and Barbato's other LGBT-related films and their interest in the Bakkers' seemingly judgement-free "brand" of Christianity; Tammy Faye's status as a "gay icon," despite her public disapproval of same-sex marriage; further explanation of the legal status of the Heritage USA land; Jay's decision to abandon his "safe line" on LGBT issues and speak out openly about equal rights after his experience at the Open Door Church; his early crisis of faith and eventual decision to return to ministry to aid those who have made mistakes, as his parents did; whether "camera-shy" sister Sue will make an appearance in the series; growing up in the "strict" Assemblies of God denomination of the Pentecostal church; his current ministry work in Brooklyn; and updates on Tammy Faye's cancer battle, including Jay's message of making the most of time with loved ones.
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: October 18, 2006 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:33:32
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:93448
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Pat Mitchell … Host
- Ron Simon … Moderator
- Jeremy Simmons … Panelist
- Randy Barbato … Panelist
- Fenton Bailey … Panelist
- Laura Michalchyshyn … Panelist
- Jay Bakker … Panelist
- Amanda Bakker … Guest
- Marc Brown … Guest
- Stu Damron … Guest
- Tammy Faye Messner (see also: Tammy Faye Bakker)
- Sue Bakker (see also: Tammy Sue Bakker Chapman)