Before we start, just a couple quick notes: Please refresh your browser every minute or so to see new comments, questions and answers. To reply to specific comment, hit the reply button underneath it and then type away. Always after a comment or question hit “send comment.”

Please stay on topic–in this case The Jesus Guy, fame, pilgrims, faith…

PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC If you want to jump in about the Gulf oil spill, politicians, predator drones or anything else not about tonight’s topics please find a post elsewhere on FDL to do so. Thank you.

Please–and I can’t believe I still have to say this, but–no ad hominen remarks, no attacks on belief systems… And please be respectful of our guest and of each other. And yeah, I tpye badly…

Hello Sean, and welcome to Firedoglake Movie Night!

Hi Sean! Welcome to the ‘Lake

How did you come across WhatsYour Name (WYN)?

Hi Lisa. I’m excited to be here at FDL.

What do you mean by “acres”? “across” maybe?

Welcome to Firedoglake – glad you could join us this evening!

OK. I found an article about him in TIME magazine that absolutely fascinated me.

My tpying is pretty, bad, yes, “across” fixed it in the comment, thanks..
so how did you meet him and come to shoot a doc about him?

Lisa, Sean – welcome.
I immediately thought of Marjoe Gortner when I read the headline. This seems like anything but.

I can’t wait to see the piece.

What’s great is that it is on Hulu.com, making it a breeze to watch.

Thanks for being here, Sean. I found it interesting that although What’s Your Name had chosen not to indulge in possessions or even in shoes, he wears a wireless microphone throughout the film. Did it take some time to convince him to wear the mike? It seems so incongruous with the rest of his clothing.

hi newtonusr. After I saw the TIME mag article, it took me over a year to find him. He was in Bethlehem PA (no kidding) when I located him. I immediately got in my car and met him at a mass the next morning at 6am

He also talks about contracts and uses a cellphone!

And going barefoot is pretty brave too!

Is he primarily catholic oriented? I noticed he spoke a lot about the Eucharist and Mary, and was at catholic conferences and schools…

An amazing doc!! Not what I expected at all. (Thought it was going to be preachy, over-the-head…) What’s “What’s Your Name” up to now?

hi Jim. it did take time to convince him first to allow me to make the film (over 6 months)…I had to gain his trust by repeatedly visiting him on the road. after he agreed, he knew he’d have to wear the mic so I could stay back far from him with the camera, so as not to interrupt his conversations with people.

thanks allfilm. what did you expect?

The situation with the police was pretty intense, the officer seemed unclear on the concept of freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, etc…

He is an interesting choice for your documentary film. He is doing what I suspect I would do if I ever followed that path – only he does it better than I ever could. I wish him well- and hope he continues. I once knew a rich kid that tossed just about everything to join the priesthood – a fellow I always admired.

Obviously he came to your attention and is interesting. But making the commitment to do the film is a major dedication of time and effort – what made this fellow the choice over other candidates?

yes. the Keystone Cops. they were not at all happy with the subject of the film, What’s Your Name? even the fact that he was in their town (Wildwood NJ) was too much for them to handle. they tried to run us out of town.

thanks papau. WYN’s intensity and commitment convinced me. I also majored in Religious Studies at Brown U, so it was right up my alley

papau. many compare The Jesus Guy to St Francis of Assisi, who also had means and threw them away to follow God.

It made me wonder how much background in the Constitution some police officers got…

Did you and WYN ever get into subjects like divorce, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, etc? And if you know what are his views on these

I’ll agree that Carl (The Jesus Guy’s real name) is interesting, certainly complex and somewhat charming.

But he’s clearly delusional.

The Jesus Guy is pretty old-fashioned, pre Vatican II, Catholic…so you can imagine….

Kelly,
How can you know he’s delusional? Have you met him and spent time with him?

I found WYN to be relatively easy to watch. When the film got to the convention of charismatics, I got very uncomfortable. Did he have any reservations about going to the convention? He was invited by someone attending, wasn’t he?

To all of you out there just “listening”…this is really a fun and exciting thing for me…
Not knowing what will come up and be asked or commented and by whom… very exhilirating!

Not someone I would envision having a deep conversation about our even deeper differences, but a truly fascinating guy nonetheless.

Jim.
He travelled (by foot) 100s of miles to get to this conference because a Deacon in charge invited him to speak to the 1000s there. When he arrived…someone higher up had “pulled” his invitation to speak. The Jesus Guy did not agree with much of the charismatic movement, as you can see in the film.

The speaking in tongues sequence, re-purposing the Pauline script and professing a belief in a demon (Satan) pretty much convinced me he’s delusional.

Dear allfilm
You might be surprised if you met him at 2am on the highway near your town and gave him a chance to speak with you. He can have a certain charisma and sincerity….especially one-on-one.

Ahhh…I wonder how he’d get along with Mel Gibson and his Tridentine Catholic Church

Delusional or not, fascinating subject.

The Jesus Guy does not talk about this often, but he has stated to me that when he feels closest to God, it is precisely at that time that he feels demons try to knock him down

well Jesus kinda had those belief systems as did many many people over the centuries–WYN kicks it old school!

I agree. Complex. Maybe even completely unique in this country at this time?

He admits he has struggles with the flesh, and didnt want to discuss those. I kinda wonder what they were…secret cravings for ice cream, falling in love sometimes?

Yeah.. He’s very “old school” religion. Follows the Gospels literally. Knows them completely. I heard him debate with the head of a seminary and this priest told me afterwards, he knows his Bible.

How did her manage ot travel to so many countries? Do people fly him over? Does he have a passport/ID? I bet TSA kinda freaks out when they see him, or did he walk through South and Central America?

He uses the Catholic bible, yes? Not the KJV?

Pre 9/11, it was easier for him. He often hitched a ride on freighters and commercial ships. Recently, he was invited to the Vatican, and a priest friend arranged frequent flyer miles from a donor. He did have to wear shoes and had a lot of problems (I think a Governor had to intervene to get him a passport, given he carries no ID)

How did it go at the Vatican?

The Jesus Guy actually carries a prayer book (Catholic liturgy) that he switches out seasonally (with the generosity of people he meets). He doesn’t actually carry a Bible.

Where did Carl grow up? When did he switch from Carl to WYN?

The Jesus Guy was very depressed and disappointed after his Vatican visit. He had a couple meetings with a Cardinal (who was quite warm to him) but officially, he was not as welcomed. He complained a lot about the poor people and pilgrims who surrounded the wealth and trappings of the Vatican City (devout Catholics) who were not given any help by the Vatican.

Sorry I’m late to the party, but I was watching the movie. Thanks Lisa for bringing this one and thanks to Sean for making the movie.
Who’s to say what’s delusional? I don’t know enough about anyone to give them that label. I’m not Jesus.-

Wow, that means he really knows his Scripture!

What led him on his path? We discuused a doc on a hippie preacher, Lonnie Frisbee, who found Jesus through an acid trip; he ended up really being the fulcrum for the Jesus People movement and the Vineyard charimatic/pentacostal church in the 70s

You can research that online. When I filmed him…he did not share that info. So I kind of honor his wishes not to talk about it. Mostly (and you can witness this in the fim)..he doesn’t want to partake in “petty talk” about which HS you went to, where you grew up, etc. He want to spend his time talking with you about God and Jesus.

Demi. Thanks for watching the film. I spent (off and on) over 3 years with The Jesus Guy. I still converse with him occasionally. I’m certainly no psychologist. Maybe he is delusional? I know he is smart. I know he has committed himself to something very difficult…a supreme sacrifice.

What led him to this life?

A while back we discussed Lonnie Frisbee, the hippie preached who found God through LSD and then stopped doing drugs and basically was the fulcrum for the Jesus People movement and helped found the Vineyard charismatic/pentecostal church

You didn’t catch the tacit nod to his relationship with Mary Elizabeth?

Hi Sean, you said you talk with him on occasion. What was he up to/where was he, the last time you spoke?
Thanks!

The Jesus Guy says that it was at his lowest moment that he found God and Jesus. He was not raised with much religion. His father talks about that in the movie.

Very valid points/ I wonder how he feels about the abuse–physical and sexual–inflicted by priests and nuns?

It’s kind of interesting that in the Keystone Kops segment, he does engage in the “petty talk” of what his rights are. Did he try to move that conversation at any point (that was edited out, since I don’t remember him doing it) to a religious discussion with the policemen?

It seems that making this film was an act of faith. Coming to FDL to discuss it might be seen that way too. I think searching for something to believe in and asking a lot of questions is a good thing. And, I don’t think we all have to do, act or believe the same things. Life’s so personal.

I did, it was subtle, but that’s the vibe I got definitely, thanks for confirming it–Ah, the temptations of Christ…

The Jesus Guy is saddened by the issues that the Catholic Church ( and for that matter, all churches and people of religion) have had throughout time. He is troubled by anything that turns people away from their religion and God.

Amen to that! Well said (typed?), Demi.

No Jim. He was pretty irritated by these policemen. He kind of lost his “cool” and didn’t try to engage them in anything spiritual. He insisted on his rights and knew them. He had been thrown in jail numerous times before for preaching on the street. That segment was heavily edited. The exchange with the cops went on for over an hour.

Has WYN ever watched the film? If so, what did he think?

Thanks Demi. I agree with your comment.

And fascinating that it was pre-VaticanII Catholicism, rather than say fundamentalist Protestantism.

Well, I’m not actually confirming it….
I’ll leave it up to you…which is exactly what I tried to do with the whole movie.
I try not to take a stand on this man or his religion or his mission. Just document it and let the viewer decide (or not…or just be intrigued by his life)

I made a promise to What’s Your Name? (The Jesus Guy) that before it was released, he’d have a chance to see it. So I scheduled the first film festival to be where he was at the time (Birmingham Alabama – Sidewalk Film Festival)
I rented a small function room at a hotel and screened the film with him and a few of his friends, including Father Mitch Pacwa? host of many shows on the EWTN – Catholic Network. At first, WYN did not like the film and thought it misrepresented him. His priest friends argued with him that it was, indeed, very accurate…the good and the bad.

YOu did a great job! It is very balanced and even handed, you are not making it “scandalous” to use WYN’s quote of Paul

I know there are some “silent ones” out there listening in…
I’d love to hear your comments and questions, too.

I worked for a couple years with legendary documentary film maker, Albert Maysles. He is one of my mentors.
I tried very hard to take his approach in this film and be more of a “fly on the wall” than a director. As Maysles puts it “In a dramatic fim, the Director is God…in a documentary, God is the Director” Brilliant!

It so hard for us to imagine a person walking around barefoot with no money and not having an ulterior motive for their “work”. It was asserted that he was partial to the media aspect of his message, but, well, it’s a great way for a message to be shared.
If I ever were to do something like that, I’d hope folks would feed me lobster too. :)

I’m curious. For all those who watched the film on HULU…do you watch on your computer or hooked up to your TV?

Laptop on my desk. The captioning helped a lot. Nice touch.

The Jesus Guy often defended what most people feel is contradictory to his persona (his attention to the media). John Quinone of 20/20 called him on that on a TV segment about What’s Your Name? He says he just wants to use every (modern) means to get the Word out…as he feels Jesus or any of the Apostles would. He also admits that his ego is one of his biggest faults and trials.

laptop – while on travel

Sean, you worked with Maysles–what is your background? And you shoot commercials? What else is on your feature length slate?

thanks Bev. great idea! does it stream uninterrupted? is there advertising?

well, ego was human aspect to Jesus too; smiting the fig tree for example always struck me as a bit petty.

Wow…perhaps he will start up his WYN twitter account!

“Nobody’s perfect…”

Due to so much walking, Religion News Blog indicates that Carl had arthroscopic surgery on both knees donated in 2006.

That appears to be in the time frame when you were filming, and considering the impact to his chosen itinerant mission, why isn’t that in the documentary?

I directed TV commercials for McDonalds, Sears, Tim Hortons, Bell Telephone (Canada), banks, hospitals, you name it. I still do, but also run my own advertising agency now, Sean Tracey Associates. I have a degree in Religious Studies from Brown University. I hope to make a new documentary about Enlightenment. Albert Maysles has signed on to collaborate. Just trying to find some money to start. This film (The Jesus Guy) was totally self-funded. Next time, I’d like to have more funds to promote the film to a wider audience earlier in the process.

Actually, streamed well, no commercials.

Kelly
his knee surgery was after I stopped filming.. It took over 2 years to edit the film.

Maybe he was making a point about False Advertising.

I want to invite all of tonight’s movie goers to keep up with what’s going on with the The Jesus Guy film (and the person, What’s Your Name?) by checking in on our blog site: http://thejesusguymovie.blogspot.com/
(please leave comments for us there, too) You can also find many related articles, recent photos, and press on our site: http://www.thejesusguy.com

Thanks, Sean. Best of luck on your next film. Of course, while you’re doing R&D, you might obtain a glimpse of enlightenment and then you won’t need any luck. (I’m just teasing.) You should be able to get some up front money, I would imagine.

OK…we’re at 85. I really want to hit 100 posts. Where are all the other listeners?

Why do you think WYN just up and left without saying good bye to Mary Elizabeth?

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Demi. I’ve been meditating since age 13, and still don’t feel very enlightened my self. I did meet the Dalai Lama at Brown U in 1982 though. He seemed more in tune. If you know anyone with deep pockets who wants to get involved with a great documentary about enlightenment, you know where to reach me. I have a very intriguing concept as how to do this movie that will be unlike any other ever done. Really. Albert Maysles knows it, too. Your input tonight has been great. Please stay in touch thru our blog site or our web site.
Sean

Personally, I think he has trouble with goodbyes…and didn’t know how to do it. He told me that he had to “exit stage left” because she had become too attached and emotional.

Please excuse my shameless self-promotion…necessary as an independent documentary maker in these times: I’d like to ask all those who enjoyed the film via HULU a favor. It is planned to be “released” on Sept 21st. If you can put it in your Netflix Cue, or ask for it at Amazon.com or Blockbuster (if there are any Blockbuster’s left). This will help the “buzz” for this film and perhaps give me better ammunition to find financing for my next labor of love documentary. Tell your friends to see it, one way or another, too.

Sean

For someone in this country, in these days and times, to go barefoot, relinquish their hold on the useless shiny objects, and try to hold firm to their cherished beliefs without beating somebody over the head with the proverbial whacking stick..is quite an accomplishment. Bless him and may his ‘being’ promote Peace for himself and others…it seems to me he is earnestly trying to be in the NOW…as Ram Dass used to quote.

and bless you for sharing!
Thank you!

In an attempt to help you reach 100, I stopped working in big media 10 years ago and have no contact with the big pockets, but if you’re working out of Los Angeles, I’d be happy to donate some volunteer some phone and office time to you.

Nice! Is WYN going to do a commentary track?! (are you? That would be cool.)

Connie seems to have gotten a certain insight into the miracles of religions via WYN, evne thugh she implies the scales have fallen from her eyes about him.

Thanks for a very informative evening, Sean. And best of luck on your next endeavor.

I will probably work out of the East Coast/NYC. But thanks for the offer.

My pastor has asked for my input on the subject of a summer movie night event. I’m going to lift up your film.

I’d love for The Jesus Guy to do a commentary track. Great idea.

YAY! Thanks Demi!

Oh, I like that idea, alot.

Thank you Jim. Stay in touch.

And thnak you firepups, and Sean for a great discussion! Sean please keep us posted on your next project, and thanks agian everyone.
Next week, it’s AMERICAN METH

Lisa got the 100! What, are you freaking psychic? (*g*)

That’s great. I’ve done personal Q&As, or via live video feed for festivals and once for Harvard Divinity SChool.
Interested?

Toby Wollin is upstairs!
Paul Krugman, Charles Dickens and Why American Workers Can’t Catch a Break

Hi Sean,
Any advice for a student interested in film making? Where to start, how to come across the right topic, etc.
-Kelly

Thanks everyone. This was a gas!
Stay in touch. http://thejesusguymovie.blogspot.com/

are you in film school?

Kelly,
Maybe a good internship is the key?

Yes. Lisa has my contact info.

thank you. sorry I missed your comment earlier in the “flow”

Lisa
ask if it’s OK to send me Demi’s contact info.
Thanks for the opportunity and the hosting.
Over and out?

Thanks Sean and FDL! Can’t wait for the next movie night!

Granted.
Thanks again to both Sean and Lisa. Good discussion.

I thought that this was a pretty powerful film. I am a proud “recovering catholic” and although I may not personally believe or not believe per-say, I found his story fascinating. I know he mentioned in the movie that his dad had given him the New Testament, if Im recalling correctly, because of things he was struggling with in his life. Does he ever give an exact moment when he knew that this is THE path that he was meant to travel?

Why has he chosen to be called James Joseph, or Joseph James (I can’t remember now) instead of What’s Your Name, as he was previously known as?

I also wish he had elaborated on that as well. He shied away from it, hiding his human side, which he is. But, how does he, like priests or monks give it up. And why did HE have such a hard time with it. What were his reasons for not wanting to share that part. You never know, that could have actually inspired someone else to follow the same path.

I have a hard time with things of that nature because of what the Catholic church has undergone in most recent years. And as a recovering catholic, I would find it interesting in how, and why he has the struggles.
Unlike the typical person who has struggles, and may partake in a pint of ice cream or a cigarette. Maybe he meditates and prays…but the answer sure would have been fascinating.

That is a great idea ALL FILM!!!