8.16 quark doc_Focus 7-04 8/5/16 12:52 PM Page 11
Hollywood Execs & Stars Mix Faith With Entertainment At The Merge Summit On August 25th, the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel will host the 8th Annual Merge Summit, a three-day conference event where faith merges with the entertainment industry. The faith-based community will enjoy a night mingling with the industry’s most influential celebs—gaining insight and knowledge on how to succeed in the entertainment business. Actress Lisa Raye McCoy, who has attended prior events, called the event, “a faith driven platform of entertainers in the business, that taps into an experience that will lead you into the entertainment world.” Dr. Holly Carter, manager, TV/Film producer and founder of the Merge Summit, told L.A. Focus she came up with the idea from her extensive travels across the country with music artists and clients she represented. “Everywhere I traveled, there was always someone trying to give me a tape or pitch for a show,” she said. “Everyone was looking for an opportunity.” But Carter, a woman deeply passionate about her Christian religion said she loathed turning people down. Her interactions with struggling upcoming artists set in motion her praying to God for advice. “I recall one night going to bed and praying to God to give me a vision or an idea on how to help bring opportunity to people who had no access to Hollywood.” After a great deal of prayer, Carter said she rushed to the office the following morning eager to share her thoughts and feelings with Robi Reed, VP of Talent & Casting for BET and her business partner. “We sat down brainstorming for hours before we came up with something. And here we are eight years later.” Asked what is the favorite part of the event, Reed, without hesitating said the keynote speakers. “Every year we have a host of great speakers participating on the panel. I love seeing the people in attendance leaving with a wealth of knowledge and information. I am deeply moved because I know they might not have had access to those working in entertainment without these kinds of events.” Past speakers have included Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Common, Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross and Suzanne de Passe, as well as top executives from industry leaders including Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, CAA, CBS, ABC Studios and Universal Pictures. “It’s such a great feeling seeing so much talent and inspiration under one roof,” said Carter. I remember when Robi told Denzel to come and speak on the panel, he happened to be right in the middle of a family summer vacation. “He came to the event with a time con-
straint, but though he told us he could only stay for 30 minutes, he ended up being there for almost two hours. His speech inspired the audience. He told those aspiring to be actors and entertainers they should never compromise because God will bless you. It brought me to tears.” The growing list of celebrities and church leaders set to attend the Merge Summit 2016 include Dr. Bill Winston, Dulé Hill, DeVon Franklin, Meagan Goode, Courtney B. Vance, Jonathan McReynolds and Cedric The Entertainer to name a few. Carter pointed out that these events are
“
I recall one night going to bed and praying to God to give me a vision or an idea on how to help bring opportunity to people who had no access to Hollywood.”
”
important because it allows people of faith to “project their choices” on the creative front. She believes it will only be a matter of time before faith-based films tap into mainstream audiences. “The ground is more ripe than it has ever been before, she said. “We are starting to see more aspirational movies and television shows break through. God is moving believers in the mainstream and opening doors for the faith-based at an unprecedented pace.” Nevertheless, gospel artists, today, have moved beyond the church base and have ventured into reality TV entertainment. It has ignited somewhat of a debate whether it is an appropriate venue for the men of the cloth. Carter noted that it is important audiences see faith-based reality TV unadulterated. “Despite the fact we are people of faith; we have flaws like everyone else. Just because we’re Christians doesn’t mean we are perfect. We might make the choice to do reality TV, but if you follow a storyline, say for instance, with someone going through tough times; audiences get a sense of how they overcame their struggles. They get to see what faith walks like, feels like and looks like.” Both Carter and Reed have countless, critically acclaimed credits to their names in production and film. They have helped develop the careers of numerous A-list actors and gospel singers in the industry. Key to Carter’s mission, however, will always be “protecting faith, gospel, and the message.”