An INNER View with Award-Winning Producer, Director and Writer Lisa Arnold
BIO
Lisa is an award-winning director, writer, content developer, and producer with over 20 years of experience in film, television, and stage. She is an advocate of faith, family, and purpose-driven projects and strives to create stories that entertain and inspire. Lisa’s projects include Bringing Back Christmas, Decidedly Southern, Into the Spotlight, One Nation Under God, Kid Combat, Caged No More, Camp Cool Kid, Beautifully Broken, God’s Not Dead, This Is Our Time, Letting Go, Flywheel, and Christmas Angel and more. She was awarded by ICFF and KIFF with the Outstanding Women in Film Award. She is the Executive Director of Check the Gate Productions and loves to mentor others to reach excellence and make a difference through filmmaking.
INNER VIEW
Kathleen Cooke: I often hear from actors that they feel isolated and in the industry alone. What has God taught you about why community with believers is so vital?
Lisa Arnold : Over the last two years, God has impressed upon me the importance of community and collaboration. Although we individually have callings, we need the body to come together to make a greater difference. Ladies, open doors for each other, inspire one another, and show up for each other! God divinely gives us a village of support in serving His Kingdom.
Kathleen: How would you define success in the entertainment and media industry?
Lisa: If you want to succeed, you must come with a servant’s heart… the heart of Jesus. Every time that I step onto a set as the film director, I make sure that our team feels loved, respected, prayed over, set up for success, and a part of the vision. If I empower and equip them, they will bring their best, and we will create something beyond our wildest imagination. There is room for all to have a seat at the table! A leader serves!
Kathleen: What’s the one thing you’ve learned about your position of influence in the world?
Lisa: Personally, on my journey in film and television, I see the. impact that our Medium has on the world. It defines culture, and most of the time not in a good way. Our programs today are filled with darkness, destruction, and deceit. Rarely do we see positive content, healthy families being portrayed, and stories that share a powerful message beyond the screen. That is why the influence of Faith & Family content is desperately needed in today’s society. We have to combat the cultural changes that cause us to fall into defeat. Just as we come to the table to share a meal and fellowship, so do we need the opportunity to share inspiring stories together. But with the content that is being made today, we immediately see all of the TVMA warnings and are separated due to language, violence, sex, drugs, or abuse. Our shared experience has been taken away from us, and no longer are we seeing programs and films that are for all generations and are meant for co-viewing audiences. Entertainment sets culture much more than politics does. We have to raise up and champion this cause if we want to spread God’s message, show healthy families, and create content with light, love, faith, and encouragement.
On a broader note, I’ll say this… In the world, influence is considered power, but it is the opposite. With influence comes a bended knee. We are not here to raise up ourselves but rather to raise up each other. To encourage and inspire others to reach their potential and be all that God has for them.
Connect with Lisa:
Instagram: _lisaarnold