When a Minister Aimed to Rival Star Wars and Missed the Mark

As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the galaxy far, far away, I can’t help but feel a mix of admiration and trepidation when I think about Richard Gazowsky’s ambitious endeavor to create his own space epic. Like many others inspired by the original Star Wars trilogy, he dared to dream big and attempt to make a mark in the world of cinema.


George Lucas’s initial Star Wars trilogy made an indelible impact on the film industry, serving as a source of inspiration for numerous creators, such as Ridley Scott and Christopher Nolan.

Yet, crafting an effective science fiction movie isn’t solely about having inspiration, as evidenced by Reverend Richard Gazowsky’s endeavor to make his own space saga.

The Shadow of Joseph’ was designed to combine the captivating appeal of Star Wars with the moral lessons found in The Ten Commandments. However, despite his high expectations, this endeavor unfortunately did not succeed as planned.

Richard Gazowsky, who served as the head of a church in San Francisco, received a divine calling to venture into filmmaking. He established Christian WYSIWYG Filmworks and kick-started production using funds from his church and personal savings. As the project’s scale grew larger, so did its financial requirements, eventually spiraling upward beyond expectations.

The team, made up of churchgoers, actually journeyed to Alberobello, Italy, for filming purposes, yet encountered several obstacles along the way. These included the withdrawal of German investors and legal issues concerning unpaid rent with the City of San Francisco.

The 2007 documentary ‘Audience of One,’ directed by Mike Jacobs, offers a glimpse into the turbulent filmmaking process led by Gazowsky. It highlights his contagious enthusiasm and the disorderly workings of an unskilled team struggling to control a complicated movie set. The film sheds light on the perils of unquestioning belief, as Gazowsky’s congregation invested hundreds of thousands into the project, viewing it as a divine assignment.

Although ‘Gravity: The Shadow of Joseph’ never progressed past preliminary filming and ultimately failed, Christian WYSIWYG Filmworks persisted in operation until at least 2018. During this time, the company published Wayne A. Gazowsky’s book ‘Prophet Whisper’ and released albums by Phil Driscoll. However, the company is still known primarily for its association with that unsuccessful film project.

Currently, Richard Gazowsky remains an active member of his community and runs a distinctive YouTube channel that combines music listening experiences with short spiritual messages.

Despite the challenges he faces, his unwavering determination and positive outlook are clearly visible. However, ‘Gravity: The Shadow of Joseph’ offers a witty cautionary tale suggesting that raw passion and belief may not be enough to ensure success in filmmaking on their own.

Gazowsky’s tale, much like George Lucas’ ambition, underscores the real-life hurdles encountered in the film business and the potential repercussions of venturing beyond one’s knowledge boundaries without sufficient experience.

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2024-10-20 18:14