Claudia Peschiutta
LA CRESCENTA -- Ralph Winter is used to working on multimillion-dollar
blockbusters, films sure to draw large crowds and even bigger box-office
returns.
The resume of this La Crescenta producer includes such well-known
movies as "X-Men," "Inspector Gadget," and three "Star Trek" films.
But Winter is also willing to take a chance on a not-so-sure thing
when he believes in the project.
Within a few weeks, "Left Behind" -- a movie produced by Winter that
is based on the popular Christian thriller of the same name -- will open
in about 1,000 theaters nationwide.
The $4-million film is a vision of the Rapture, in which Christians
are taken to heaven and unbelievers are left on Earth to suffer through
the Tribulation.
Staring actors Brad Johnson and Kirk Cameron, the movie tells the
story of two men who lead an underground group of converts in a fight
against the antichrist.
"It's a bit of a wild card," Winter said. "I think we've made a very
good movie for $4 million but we're competing in a marketplace that's
very competitive."
"Left Behind" was released on video in October in an effort to build
support for the film before its opening, Winter said. Supporters of the
film have helped raised thousands of dollars to sponsor showings of "Left
Behind" in theaters throughout the U.S., he said.
Winter said he hopes the movie will appeal to more than just Christian
viewers.
"Usually, movies made by Christians ... or about Christian themes are
not very well made," he said. "They think the content is most important
and throw out all the issues about how a story is told."
In applying the same production values to "Left Behind" as he has to
more mainstream films, Winter said the drama will draw in non Christians
viewers.
"I wanted to see it have a wider audience," he said.
Being a Christian affects the material he chooses and the way he works
on films, Winter said.
"I don't carry a Bible to work and I don't go out and try to convert
my co-workers but I'm trying to be salt and light," he said.
The Glendale High School graduate wasn't planning on a career in film
when he left UC Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in history his first
job out of college led him to become a producer.
While working for a chain of department stores, Winter said he wrote,
directed and produced several employee training videos and soon found
himself working for Paramount Pictures.
"I'm constantly pinching myself that I'm in this business," Winter
said.
"I don't belong in this spot," he said. "I don't have any relatives in
the business ... I don't even live on the West side."
THE WINTER FILE
* NAME: Ralph Winter
* AGE: 48
* RESIDENCE: La Crescenta
* FAMILY: Winter and his wife of 26 years, Judy, have two children,
Benjamin, 24, and Beth, 19.
* INFO: Winter is the producer of "Left Behind," a movie based on the
popular Christian thriller by the same name, that is set to open in
select theaters in February.
* FAVORITE MOVIE: "E.T.: The Extraterrestrial."
