Angela Walker
Christian Cinema.com

Look up John Schneider on the Internet Movie Databae (imdb.com) and you’ll find a list of credits all the way back to the mid-1970s, beginning with “The Dukes of Hazzard.” After that show catapulted him to fame as a television icon, he turned to country music and found success in a second career.

While living with Johnny and June Carter Cash, John was introduced to Christianity and became a believer. He makes no apologies for his faith, and believes in living it out in the middle of Hollywood, Broadway, or wherever his career takes him. On a busy morning before going to a costume fitting for a new movie, he made time to talk about his latest film Hidden Secrets.

Hidden Secrets stands out from other “Christian” films that have been released lately. When you received the script, why were you interested in doing the movie?

John:  I kind of cringe when someone tells me that there’s a Christian group that wants you to read a script. A lot of times it’s very saccharine and preachy, and I start right away to give my “turn-it-down” speech.

I started reading this, and things that Gary (John’s character) has an attitude right off the bat. He says these terrifically witty things about abortion. He’s somebody who has an intelligent debate about why he thinks Christianity is a bunch of hooey. You don’t get that in a Christian script, in any script, really. I just loved that guy right off the bat.

And the preachy lady, the one that I battle with so much in the movie (Autumn Paul), we’ve all known that person, and probably been that person ourselves. What we don’t realize, and what this script points out, is that person is far more damaging to her cause than she is helpful. Nobody’s really told that story either.

What they’ve done with Hidden Secrets is so terrific because they’re not afraid to really tell it like it is. It’s not telling the Gospel the way it is, but the preaching of the Gospel like it is. Who does that?

Who has a character that actually says, “Give me a break! Do you actually believe this? Are you out of your mind?”

The cast was different than what’s assembled for many Christian films. How was it coming together with that group doing that kind of script?

It was great fun because we went to areas that people generally are afraid of going to in movies. People don’t talk like that in movies, and they don’t really have those conversations in life, either. So because of that, we got to talk about people like the guy who knows scripture better than your pastor, but thinks it’s all a bunch of crap. We’d all say, “Oh, yeah, I know that guy.”

So actually we got to have really honest conversations about Christianity, about how it affects what we do in movies, and all that sort of thing. Because of the nature of the script, they were more honest than really they’ve ever been before or since. We were doing this wonderful group of scenes while we were up working on the roof, and none of us know anything about roofing.

We were talking about “Divorce Barbie” that comes with all the Ken stuff. It was a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and talk about movies and Christianity with people who are in both.

Have you seen this with an audience, and how did they respond?

John:  Yes. It’s relieved laughter. The audience gets to laugh at things, especially the Christian contingent in the audience, that they really wouldn’t dare laugh about otherwise. The kind of pathetic nature of the pathetic preacher-lady who has an opinion and a verse about everything resonates with everyone. We all know that person, and we all want to tell them just to can it!

So there’s laughter of relief when you watch this movie. So it’s a good movie to bring that person to. Just don’t tell them that’s why you’re bringing them there, and hopefully they’ll figure it out.

It was a delight to make, and it’s terrific it’s getting the attention it’s getting right now. I think it’s a valuable tool. You don’t have to be a Christian, or even know a Christian, to think this movie is funny. And there’s not a lot of movies you can say that about.

I think it’s the sideways approach to Christianity and discussions of it that makes the film work.

It is quick-witted, well-written, and very well-cast. It’s one of those movies like what my father said about “The Big Chill.” “You can see everyone in that movie, including yourself.”

What do you see of yourself in the character you portray?

John:  I am very sarcastic. I love debate. I will oftentimes take the opposite side of an argument just to be there. I enjoy that. This guy enjoys that as well, so I really like that part of it.

I like the witty, quick dialog. There’s a scene with David (White) and I sitting out in the backyard at night where I’m wondering about things, wondering about our friend who passed away, and whether or not it was all worth.

I’m saying, “I’m happy. I’m a happy guy. What’s the point? What would I want this for? Why would I need it? Tell me. Convince me.”

I like the honesty of that. Again, to have a character like that in a film is so unusual. He can quote scripture but doesn’t believe that it’s true. He’s happily married, he’s successful, and he drives a nice car and makes a lot of money. He’s not destitute and aware that he’s in need of a Savior. To be asking questions like that is so unusual. I’ve not seen anything like it before or since. You don’t really see that in life.

You don’t see people baring themselves to that degree when life is pretty good. It’s unique in so many ways. Usually the person is in the gutter, they’ve reached rock-bottom, and realize, “I need God.”

That’s not what this is about. It’s extremely unusual.

You’re also in production with another film with David White.

John:  Yes. It’s “Holy Man Undercover.” I don’t know where they find what they find. I play the devil in that movie. My pulpit is infomercials. I do all this advertising on television to get people into my camp. It’s country music and bales of hay. It looks like “Hee-Haw.”

Really, it’s so clever. Again, they’ve managed to find or develop a script that is extremely entertaining, extremely thought-provoking, and it’s something you’d never expect to see come out of a group of church-goers. That’s so great.

That’s really the only thing that reaches people who don’t go to church, and I think a lot of times people forget that. They forget what it was like to not believe.

So many films preach to the choir. Jesus said, “I came to heal the sick.” I read that as “I’m not interested in you. You’re OK. You’re fine. We don’t need to have this conversation. I’m going to go over there in the whorehouse. That’s where I need to have the conversation. Where the money is exchanging hands. These are the people that need to hear this, so stop detaining me.”

This group manages to develop scripts that have these people in them, and they’re very unique, and I’m very proud to have been part of this one. I hope to do more with them in the future. I really can’t say that about any other groups because these folks are so clever. I believe this company can change the world through the cinematic movies they make.

It’s so intelligent; they don’t talk down to anybody. You can go to this movie and not be a Christian, and you can come out of this movie and not be a Christian, and you will still have seen a really good movie.

My character asks questions that probably anyone who has a Christian friend has wanted to sit down with them and say, “Come on! Really? Do you honestly believe this stuff? How can that be?” And that’s refreshing. That’s where the laughter of relief comes from.

How did you come to Christianity? Was it by questioning?

John:  No, it was by Johnny Cash. I lived with Johnny Cash for a year and if somebody as rough around the edges as Johnny Cash was could say that Jesus was his Savior, then there had to be something to it. If Johnny Cash felt the need to keep a Bible in the trunk of his Mercedes next to his fishing pole, then there had to be something to it.

The reality of Christ was so evident in Johnny Cash, who never preached a word to me, that it was undeniable. It was undeniable in every breath that I saw Johnny Cash take. That’s not the case with a lot of other people. A lot of folks chase people out of the kingdom with their preaching. Johnny Cash never did that.

It opened a little door and made me wonder, “Huh, if he believes this, then maybe I better look into it.” That’s when Christ comes into your heart – bam! It’s like “I could have had a V-8!” Once it makes sense, it will never not make sense again, but until it does, it doesn’t make any sense.

Many actors who are believers are classified by their faith, but your career has covered a broad spectrum.

John:  You’re an example in your workplace regardless of the product. I’d love to do more movies with David. It’s great, it’s fun, and I’d enjoy it. But I also do “Nip/Tuck.” Probably a lot of people just dropped their coffee, but it’s the example you are in the workplace that’s important as well.

People say, “Wow, it must be very difficult being a Christian actor. That must be the toughest thing.” I say, “It’s not the toughest thing. Trying being a Christian lawyer. Try being a Christian fireman. Try being a Christian anything. It’s tough!”

The Bible says it’s tough. It says you’re persecuted for your faith, so it’s no tougher to do what I do than what you do. Want to try something tough? Try being a Christian schoolteacher in public school. How do you handle that, because you have to teach what they tell you to teach or you’ll lose your job. That’s gotta be tough.

Can you imagine? A Christian parent teacher who’s got to teach evolution or lose their job? That’s tough. I don’t have it tough. I haven’t had a tough moment. I’ve loved every minute of everything I’ve done.

And I’ve made some serious mistakes, and I’m sure I’ll make some more today. Don’t hold me up as an example. If you’ve been entertained, or caused to think some thoughts you didn’t think you were going to think, that’s great, but don’t hold me up because I’m a mess just like you are.

What kind of advice would you give someone just starting out in their career?

John:  Whatever the career is, get as much hands-on experience doing it as you possibly can. Again, no matter what it is. Intern somewhere that does something you want to do. Talk to people who already are what you want to be. It doesn’t matter what you want to be. You cannot get too much experience.

Nobody ever said, “Gee, I wasted time getting experience.”

If it’s movies, theater, or television, go out and work for free. Sew costumes, build sets, do whatever you can. My 23-year-old daughter wants to be involved in independent documentary filmmaking, so she’s going to go to New York and intern with a company there. I don’t think she’s going to get a dime.

She’s going to do it for maybe a year to get as much experience as she can. What’s the old adage? Success is where preparation meets opportunity. That’s my advice. That’s what my folks told me. And you must pursue it!

It’s the pursuit of happiness and success. Success will not knock on your door. Only the bill collector will knock on your door. Success must be chased.

Christian Cinema.Com ChristianCinema.com, Inc. is a US based motion picture production and distribution company founded in 1999. They have spent years developing relationships with independent filmmakers in order to bring you the best movies and documentaries our industry has to offer. Every title is screened before being added to their database to insure a standard of quality and that it represents a biblical worldview. Our desire is to get the word out about what is happening with Christians in the film industry today and want to encourage the making of more films from a Christian perspective. Some of these films will be obviously evangelistic while others more subtle in how the Gospel and attributes of Jesus are communicated. Christian Cinema.com believe the Good News not only saves, but transforms. Some of the most powerful films communicate various themes of transformation: redemption, grace, love, hope, healing, and faith to name a few. When you buy movies from this site you are not only buying a movie, you are helping the ongoing efforts of Christian filmmakers to continue making better films with a message that counts. Thanks for your support! And please tell your friends! Website Link: http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/default.php?a_aid=7f0207b8