Wheeler has worked in television production for more than 12 years, primarily in the Christian market. In 2002, she graduated from Emmanuel College with her bachelor's degree in communication and earned her master’s in mass media studies from the University of Georgia in 2007. Currently, she resides in Charlotte, N.C., and works as a freelancer.

With comedy as their genre, the two writers of Jesus People tossed around the idea of producing a satirical mocumentary. What followed is the highly successful Web series and now a feature film. Jesus People was filmed in the style of The Office and This Is Spinal Tap and portrays the world of contemporary Christian pop music by showing how the group forms, rises and falls, as well as the man responsible for the entire effort.

According to writer Rajeev Sigamoney, the initial idea for the film began when he and writer Dan Ewald started talking about their pasts. “We pondered what Spinal Tap would look like in the world of Christian pop music,” Sigamoney says. “What works so well with Christopher Guest’s films are characters who are so absorbed in their own world that they lack perspective of how others view them. Both Dan and I grew up in the ‘Christian bubble,’ our idea was quickly developed.”

Ewald says the inspiration for this film was the success of the Jesus People six-episode Web series, which the two created in 2007. “The Web series did really well for us online,” he says. “When we hit 500,000 views, we decided the story needed to evolve to the next step: a feature film.”

As for the production of the film, each person had unique roles. “Dan and I wrote the film,” Sigamoney says. “My strengths are more towards story and structure, so I took the lead more in the construction of the premise and the outlining. Dan is the master when it comes to crafting words and jokes, so he was at the helm on that front. Obviously, both of us were contributing and working side by side every step of the way.”

Teaming up with director Jason Naumann, they decided to undertake the film production independently. “We put together an investor package and began the fundraising process,” Sigamoney says. “At the same time, we began conversations with crew and cast members who we wanted to be a part of the project. It was a stressful but also exciting process as we put together all the nuts and bolts of a feature film. However, knowing we would be working with people we loved on material we were passionate about made every step of the process worth it.”

For Naumann, the film was a continuation of his previous involvement as well. “I directed and edited the Web series and then came on board as director and producer of the film,” Naumann says. “We all did multiple jobs. I was my own first assistant director, for example. Everyone moved equipment and basically did whatever was needed to get the job done.”

Michelle Wheeler, co-producer, says the film consisted of a small production crew. “We only had about 15 people, so everyone pitched in for every job,” Wheeler says. “As co-producer, I had creative input during the shoot, and I am helping to promote the film to various media outlets.”

Ewald and Sigamoney searched for improvisational actors with the natural ability to ad lib comedy. “Our lead actors are some of the best in town,” Ewald says. “We get really excited about improvisational actors.” The team knew exactly what they were looking for in their cast. “We discovered Lindsay Stidham at the Independent TV Comedy Festival, Rich Pierrelouis at an NBC showcase, Damon Pfaff on the short film circuit, and Edi Patterson with the famed Groundlings comedy troupe,” Ewald says. “Once we added Joel McCrary and Karen Whipple, we rounded out our lead cast.”

A variety of comedic guest stars were soon added to the film. “We always start with two of the best improvisational talents in town, Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers) and Tim Bagley (Will and Grace), who we’ve had the pleasure of doing many projects with,” Ewald says. “For our first full-length feature film, we also wanted to add other talents we had not worked with yet: Wendi McLendon-Convey (Reno 911), Carrie Aizley (For Your Consideration), Jennifer Elise Cox (The Brady Bunch Movie), and Robert Bagnell (The Comeback). Our plan has always been to build a repertory stable of actors we hope to work with over and over again.”

Naumann believes the cast really made the film what it is. “They each brought so much to their characters,” Naumann says. “Actors like being part of something good – and getting to do comedy with their friends also appeals to them, even in a low budget situation like ours.”

Naumann says despite Jesus People being a scripted film, it offered plenty of room for improvisation. “Most of our cast has come out of The Groundlings, one of the biggest schools of improvisation. The writers already had plenty of humor in the script and had written really interesting characters, so to have such a talented cast really added another level of depth and intelligence.”

Wheeler says the comedy provides a positive message of the Christian faith. “Though there are many jokes poking good-natured fun at the more extreme personalities found within the Christian sub-culture, the overall message is a very positive, faith-affirming one,” Wheeler says. “This film values those people who allow their faith to truly influence their everyday lives rather than just giving lip service to religious clichés.”

According to Ewald, this movie differs from similar films already released in that the script originates from real life experience. “Rajeev and I uniquely bring authenticity when writing about the distinctly Americanized brand of Christianity,” Ewald says. “I have very rarely seen Hollywood get this culture group right. We were not afraid of showing the good and the bad sides of these folks because we have respect for our characters.”

Sigamoney says he believes the film will raise serious questions to begin a dialogue among Christians about combining religion and comedy. “The greatest strength of the film has been starting a discussion,” Sigamoney says. “The Christian community has been slow to embrace Hollywood and even slower to embrace mainstream comedy. Our hope is that in addition to providing an enjoyable experience, the film can start discussion regarding reasons for this.”

Wheeler says Jesus People is not a “Christian movie,” but rather a Hollywood film about Christian characters. “Though it was written and produced by some believers, it is not an evangelical film. There will be no decision card to fill out in the end,” Wheeler jokes. “One of the primary goals in making this film is to get people on both sides of the religious aisle talking.”

This talented team brought a significant amount of experience to the production of Jesus People. Ewald was raised in Michigan and began producing television series in 1987 at the age of 14. In 2001, he moved to Los Angeles and met Sigamoney.

Sigamoney began his writing, directing and producing career by working in more than 20 plays in the Maryland area. An engineering graduate from Johns Hopkins University, he also earned a master’s in project management. After moving to Los Angeles, he trained at UCLA’s Film and Media Studies Program.

Naumann was raised in Minneapolis. He spent four years in Hawaii employed as a videographer and editor for various companies. In 2001, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as an editor. This is his second completed feature.

Jesus People was shot in Los Angeles. The film’s projected release is late 2009. The movie is expected to be presented at various film festivals throughout the year as well. For more information or release dates, visit www.JesusPeopleFilm.com.

Written by Emmanuel College Communication Junior Lauren Peeples