THE MAN BEHIND THE SCREENING ROOM
Three years ago, Jeremy Scott had an idea to make a chapel venue out of talking about movies. Since 2016 his Screening Room Chapel Venue has been so popular that Mr. Scott has had to employ his Bible Leadership students to turn away chapel-goers who cannot fit in the theater.
Mr. Scott, long-time MVCS bible teacher, wanted to bring his passion for analyzing films to Chapel: “I realized I could talk about things we watch on television and make a chapel venue out of it.” The Screening Room uncovers themes and deeper meanings in movies and television that are applicable to students lives.
According to Scott, it is important to study films—a lot of times viewers do not realize the importance of what they are watching. “Movies are like prayers,” says Scott. “On the part of the film-makers, it is like they are expressing desire, hope, or anger when making films. They can be addressing something they think is unjust.” Mr. Scott’s idea has attracted so much attention and the students love the chapel venue. The Screening Room has become one of the most popular venues throughout the high school chapel options.
This year, the movie clips are centered around friendship and the way people have come to use the word “friend” all too commonly. He talks about how people can be better friends to each other and how to be the friend that God calls us to be. Mr. Scott says, “The purpose of The Screening Room is to examine elements of popular culture and shine the spotlight on how the Gospel addresses, answers, refutes, and upholds the messages we find in the media our culture loves.”
Mr. Scott analyzes movies and television shows during The Screening Room with students because he has always enjoyed analyzing films. “When I was teaching in St. Louis I started a movie podcast with students. We would go see a movie, talk about it, and then produce the podcast,” says Mr. Scott.
Movies can be compared to a cry for help about issues or, in other cases, a celebration of historical triumph. As humans we can learn from each other because we were made to connect with one another. We are a social species. “Movies are unique in that when we watch them, we have a hard time realizing they are fake. We connect with the characters and the movies on a personal level. Because of that, it can change how we think about different topics,” Mr. Scott tells sources from the Vista.
Mr. Scott also says, “I want students to be aware that they don’t need to accept everything they watch. I would love for students to see truth in films such as love, sacrifice, and faithfulness. I want students to think deeply about the things they are watching.”
