Dobson Group Picture

To give you an idea of the complexities in preparing for a large video taping, come along with BizVid Communications, a San Diego video production company, as we scout and set up to direct the new Dr. James Dobson series entitled Family Legacy.

Dobson is known around the world as a leading psychologist dealing with family issues from a biblical perspective. As you will see, there are a lot of moving parts and a large number of professionals needed to create such a series. These include location hosts, cameramen and women, set designers, lighting professionals, audio and video technicians, producers, and directors.

This is an updated series produced by David Nixon Productions, based on the original Focus on the Family videos which were produced in the 1980’s, and had a viewing audience of over twenty million during its lifespan.

The first task in this complex production is scouting the location. This is the brand new Skyline Church facility in San Diego, California, pastured by Dr. Jim Garlow. It seats approximately 2,000 people and should be perfect for the live audience in attendance. Meet BizVid’s Director Bill Gruber to give you an overview of the preparation process.

Bill: There are a lot of people involved in a production of this size. Watch this video and I’ll tell you more.

Beyond the obvious quality of the world renowned speaker, Dr. Dobson, there are many people needed in the support crew to make this series a reality. Thanks for joining us on this behind the scenes account preparing for a remarkable, scripture-based, family teaching series, called Family Legacy.

As BizVid Communications, a San Diego video production company, began working with producer David Nixon on a James Dobson Family Legacy video series, we started getting glimpses of a man who had dual passions between the Gospel message and producing wholesome films. In fact, you’ve likely heard of his work, but perhaps never have seen his face. Even so, David Nixon is on the crest of the new era of Christian film making.  “I’ve tried to make films for movie theaters for 30 years, but, until recently Hollywood just didn’t want them.” That was until 2004 when Mel Gibson directed the Passion of the Christ. The big profits, grossing over $600 million, changed the minds of many of the big name studios and distributors.

David was in Hollywood, hawking his football film, Facing the Giants, when Passion of the Christ was launched. Suddenly there was an appetite for Christian films and Hollywood took their film, which was destined for a modest theater release and gave it national exposure.  After all, it was funded by a Baptist Church with nearly all of the actors and crew volunteers. But, after they grossed about $11 million on “Giants”,   Sony pictures came back to them asking if they had anything else. As a result, Nixon helped produce a film about marriage with good success. It was entitled Fireproof with Kirk Cameron of Growing Pains fame and Left Behind. “Cameron actually ran into some of the guys in the airport in Atlanta,” recalled David. “He said he wanted to be part of the next movie. As such, he became the star in Fireproof.”  According to Nixon, “After Fireproof, we produced Letters to God. It was about a little boy going through cancer and writing letters to God.  Then, last year we released Renee (about a girl overcoming drug dependencies) and we are currently in development on the Rivalry, a basketball movie, with the impact of the Hollywood movie “Blindside”, times ten.”

David Nixon is an American film director and film producer. He is the creator of the film company Possibility Pictures and President of DNP Studios, Orlando.  He is the son of missionaries in Australia.David graduated from Taylor University in 1979 with a degree in Biblical Studies.

One of the best-known Christian psychologists on family dynamics, Dr. James Dobson, is just completing a new instructional video series with the help of BizVid Communications.  As a leading San Diego Video Production Company, Dobson’s producer David Nixon, of DNP Studios in Orlando, selected BizVid to direct and crew this significant production.  According to Nixon, the original series, tied to Focus on the Family, was released in 1978 and was viewed by 80 million people.  Now out of print, Dr. Dobson’s son found the original series in storage and realized their value.

 It was decided to update the materials. They sought out Christian filmmaker David Nixon to oversee the task. “We’re completing a total of eight films,” said Nixon. “We’ve refurbished three of the old ones and are doing five new ones.”   Nixon continued, “Dr. Dobson referred to his son often in the earlier versions. Now he has grandchildren to include in his stories.”   The series offers vital information for parents or anyone interested in the family.