Gladstone Collective Founders Encourage Aspiring Christian Filmmakers to Embrace Their Calling
There is a definite need for positive-value movies that offer a wholesome alternative to the movies that Hollywood tends to release. Over half of Hollywood's movies since the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) began its rating system in 1968 have an "R" rating. Even after the "PG-13" rating became an option in 1984, the majority of movies released into theaters had an "R" rating, according to The Wrap.
Ironically, the movies that gross the highest revenue at the box office have a "PG-13" rating. So why doesn't Hollywood make more "PG-13" rated movies? One reason is that "R-rated" movies can be created with a lower budget. The rest of that story is that most Hollywood filmmakers feel that filmmaking should be about "pushing the artistic envelope and less about the money." Many of them also think more artistic freedom is available with an "R" rating, according to USA Today.
Gladstones Push the Artistic Envelope for God
Husband-wife team Cyrus and Natasha Gladstone recognize the needs and preferences of movie-goers and co-founded The Gladstone Collective. They sense God's calling on their lives to work as a team to create quality Christian feature films.
"When you know who you are in Christ, then when you're doing things to glorify the Kingdom of God, you don't want to do anything else with your life," Natasha told the association of National Religious Broadcasters (NRB).
The two met in film school, and also spent 16 years working in the Hollywood film industry on blockbusters such as "Man of Steel," "Ant-Man," and "Transformers: Age of Extinction," as well as many other film projects.
"When you're working on visual effects at the Hollywood level, you're constantly solving the same problem over and over," Cyrus told the NRB. "And as wonderful as it is to be able to create something from nothing and bring people into this world that is outside of their own, if that world doesn't glorify God or bring people closer to Him, it doesn't have the same fulfillment."
Natasha recognizes the creative process as Spirit-led: "God would just download different concepts to me." As that process begins, she notates them on the whiteboard and prays, "Lord, here are my skills. This is Your company. We just manage it."
Gladstones Encourage Christian Creatives to Push the Artistic Envelope for God
The Southern California filmmaking company is on a mission to raise the bar for Christian filmmaking. In addition, "Our mission is to create awe inspiring Christian films and videos that leave all audiences wanting more. We ensure that our partnerships with clients and vendors help them feel confident and excited about the process and the final product. We know that any film that we oversee will captivate all audiences and bring viewers closer to God," according to their website.
"There are a lot of people hungry for God," Natasha told the NRB.
At the same time, the couple recognizes that a call to the film industry is a challenging one, and they are always trying to inspire and encourage aspiring filmmakers.
"Do not be ashamed of your faith," Cyrus said, referencing Romans 1:16. "Stand up for what you believe. Yes, it might be harder at first, but God will reward you."
"There's a reason why we were born at this time," Natasha said. "We're here to let Jesus' light shine as bright as possible."
Besides attending film school, other ways to gain knowledge and practical experience in filmmaking include volunteering with a community access television station, attend the Lamplighter Masters Guild or Summer Guild.
To view The Gladstone Collective's current film projects, click here.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/sutiporn somnam
Originally published August 19, 2025.
