Greenville filmmakers reach digital distribution deal for 'Electric Jesus'

Greenville filmmakers Chris and Emily Reach White have reached a digital deal with their film, “Electric Jesus.”

White wrote the first draft of the film in 2012, and the couple began filming it in 2019. The film follows a Christian hair metal band as they spend a summer performing in the name of Christ. “I wanted to make a rock band movie. And my favorites are always about rock bands who don’t make it, so that’s the kind of movie I started writing,” White said.

Brian Baumgartner and Shannon Hutchinson. Photos provided

He added that he also never saw the world of evangelical christian youth groups portrayed realistically in film or on television. “Christian characters are almost always made to be sinister, stupid, or superheroes in media, but me and my friends from growing up weren’t any of that. We were wonky, weird, devoted teenagers. More ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ or ‘Lady Bird’ teenagers than anything faith-based or faith-cynical,” White explained

“Electric Jesus” features “The Office” actor Brian Baumgartner and “The Breakfast Club” actor Judd Nelson. White directed the film and he and Reach White produced it.

The couple declined offering specifics but Reach White said they’re glad the film has found a distribution channel.

“It was a really good deal,” she said. “We’re very happy with it and excited to be getting [the film] out into the world.” First reported by Deadline, 1091 Pictures bought the North American distribution and NFT (non-fungible token) rights from the Motion Picture Exchange on behalf of the filmmakers. The movie’s digital release is scheduled for Nov. 2. A non-fungible token is used to show that someone has ownership of online assets such as photos and videos.

Husband-and-wife filmmakers Chris and Emily White

White said it may be the first time NFTs have been in part of an independent film’s distribution plan. “Hats off to 1091 Pictures, because they really are the people with a vision for how a film like ‘Electric Jesus’ can exploit something like NFTs for the film,” said White.

What’s that? Non-fungible tokens are unique, identifiable digital assets whose exchange between the creator and the buyer, via the financial transaction of a cryptocurrency such as ethereum, is logged for anyone to view

White said the deal couldn’t have happened without Reach White’s work. “A lot of the cool stuff like the soundtrack product and distribution deal and NFTs — that’s on Emily saying we are artists, and we’re going to fight for the things that we think artists deserve.”

And they’re looking ahead.

“We’re prepping new work for 2022,” said White. “I have a new screenplay that we are producing and we’ve picked up another movie from another writer that we’re going to produce.”