Brian Shields
How Lumen Entertainment Began
In 2004 Brian Shields started Lumen Entertainment to evangelize through the media. Inspired by his wife and children they set out to create quality Catholic Entertainment the whole family could enjoy.
When Brian was 14, his uncle said, "Brian, you need to get an agent." That simple comment gave him the direction he was looking for, but to shy to ask for. He had success in the entertainment industry until it all came to a head at age 25. Although life looked good on the outside he was unfulfilled. "I'd see friends on magazine covers but one thing I knew is that they nor I were really happy.", says Brian.
Out of desperation he went on the first retreat of his life where he had a transformative experience with the Eucharist. "It was a game changer for me. Going from a life of blah to knowing the meaning of life is a fantastically overwhelming crossroad. I knew I had to break from a lot of bad habits, but that sweet after taste of freedom reassured me any obstacle was worth overcoming." Shortly after this experience came a Goliath of a challenge. Brian's agent sent him to meet the producers of a new TV series that would make his career. As exciting as it all was, the scales had fallen from his eyes and reading the script revealed the show was subtly promoting immorality to teens. The short version is God never allows a temptation without a way out. Brian chose the way out. This led him on a new journey that he has never regretted. There's plenty of industry people that feel the same way and have also walked away.
There's other challenging scenarios out there too. Like when a Catholic filmmakers try to beat Hollywood at its own game. The result is a compromised team and story with little evangelical punch. Recovering from such a financial loss is difficult. As a result, the Catholic filmmaker goes to Hollywood looking for work. The pressures to compromise their faith for employment are legion. Not equipped to take on the Goliath of Hollywood, the artist's soul is at risk.
At Lumen we provide formation, training and resources Catholic filmmakers need to defeat the Goliath of Hollywood. Personally transformed and empowered, they resist compromise and bravely share the light of the Gospel through their work, igniting a Catholic film renaissance.
