An Interview with Ralph Winter

What were your impressions of the book? Have you read any other books in the series, if so, which ones?

The book is not very cinematic, and does require some reworking for the movie screen. But there is a story that is compelling and drives you through to the end. That is the element that I am interested in building on and that you don't find very often. Also, Jerry [Jenkins- author] has created some inspiring characters that have connected with a wide audience – also something to build on.

LB: Why did you choose to work with Cloud Ten Pictures? Have you worked with Peter and Paul Lalonde before? What have your impressions been so far working with the team?

Ralph: Peter [Lalonde] and Paul [Lalonde] have been incredible in their approach to the material and the movie making process. They are experienced but willing to learn, with incredible ideas and thinking 'outside the box.' They not only are the only ones to bring their checkbooks to the party, but also their enthusiasm and energy to this difficult and time consuming process.

LB: How do you feel about working with Victor Sarin? Have you ever worked with him before?

Ralph: Vic has some great movies that caught my attention. He is talented and is seeking in similar ways that Buck is a seeker in the story. That impressed me. His experience with many actors and a variety of stories is what gives him a unique qualification. He also embraced this material quickly and with gusto. We are very proud he has chosen us and works so hard.

LB: What is your role in the Left Behind project?

Ralph: My role is primarily that of a creative producer. Peter [Lalonde] and Nick [Tabarrok] have taken on the day to day job of line producing the movie. My job has been to be a final say on the script, the budget, the cast, and some of the deal making. Nick and Peter have made it easy though, since they do their jobs so thoroughly.

I will also be watching dailies and trying to keep us on track from a distance. Early on, I served as a sounding board for Joe [Goodman] and Bobby[Neutz] as they sorted through script issues and writers.

LB: What are your impressions of the script?

Ralph: I am biased – I like the script's progression over these past years. I have been very vocal that we make the script widely accessible to all audiences, and that we widen the story without diluting the message.

LB: How do you think the movie will impact the audience?

Ralph: If we can duplicate the compelling characters, we will have the same loyal following that Jerry [Jenkins] enjoys in the books. Character and story are the keys, not the special effects.

LB: How do you think 'unbelievers' of the apocalyptic vision are going to react to this movie?

Ralph: I think we can attract a non-believing audience if we create that compelling story. Non-Christians are interested in what the Bible has to say about how the world will end.

LB: What do you tell people when they ask you about your involvement in Left Behind?

Ralph: I am proud to be involved producing this movie and have said so in Hollywood with my contacts and with agents I have dealt with. Some are sympathetic to 'our cause', others are openly hostile. Some just don't return our phonecalls. I think we will gain more respect when the movie does well and Hollywood sees how we have connected with an audience that they do not know how to reach.