Christian filmmaking has grown into one of the most influential movements in modern media. Studios like AFFIRM Films, Angel Studios, and Kingdom Story Company are not only creating box office hits, they are proving that faith-based stories resonate with global audiences. The rise of films like I Can Only Imagine, War Room, and series like The Chosen has shown that stories rooted in scripture and faith are not just niche. They are powerful, relevant, and commercially successful.
What ties all these productions together is the same thing that ties together every great film: clarity of vision. And that is where storyboards and concept art come in.
As a storyboard artist and illustrator, I work with directors and producers to translate words on the page into images that can guide everything from fundraising to final production. In Christian filmmaking, where the stories are sacred and the budgets are often tighter, the need for precise, faith-driven visual storytelling is even greater.
Why Christian Films Need Storyboards and Concept Art
In secular filmmaking, producers often have the luxury of assuming their audience will engage because of spectacle, celebrity, or genre appeal. Faith-based films are different. They must connect emotionally and spiritually while staying true to scripture and accessible to broad audiences.
Storyboards and concept art help bridge that gap. For fundraising, they show potential investors exactly what a scene will look like on screen. A passage from Genesis about Noah building the ark becomes more than words. With concept art, it becomes a fully realized image of wood, rainclouds, and laboring hands, ready to stir belief and financial backing.
During production, boards guide directors and cinematographers through the complex language of film. Whether it is a resurrection scene requiring reverence and restraint, or a comedic beat in a modern Christian family film, the timing, framing, and pacing can all be solved before the camera ever rolls.
Fundraising with Faith
Angel Studios has perfected the fan-funded model, proving that Christian audiences are willing to invest in content they believe in. But convincing backers is not just about passion, it is about presentation.
When a script is accompanied by concept art and storyboards, the pitch stops being abstract. It becomes tangible. Investors and supporters can see the Red Sea parting, or Christ calming the storm, before a single dollar is pledged. That vision builds trust. It reassures backers that the production team has both artistic clarity and technical competence to carry a project through.
I have worked on pitches where the boards themselves were enough to unlock funding. In one case, a series of frames depicting a biblical battle gave producers the confidence to approach distributors. The story was no longer confined to words. It was a moving, visual journey waiting to be filmed.
Keeping True to the Source
One of the greatest responsibilities of Christian filmmaking is handling scripture with accuracy and care. Studios like Pinnacle Peak Pictures and Provident Films understand this well, as do directors like the Erwin Brothers and Kendrick Brothers. When portraying biblical events, there is no room for careless staging.
Storyboards act as a safeguard. They force us to consider how each verse translates visually. Should the camera linger on the prodigal son’s embrace with his father, or on the crowd of onlookers? How do we present Christ’s miracles in a way that emphasizes faith rather than spectacle?
These decisions must be made with both artistry and reverence. Working through them in storyboards prevents costly mistakes later, ensuring that when the audience sees the film, they are moved spiritually as well as cinematically.
Modern Christian Stories on Screen
Not all Christian films are set in biblical times. Many, like I Can Only Imagine or Fireproof, deal with modern characters wrestling with faith in contemporary settings. Storyboards are just as crucial here.
Take a scene set in a church basement, where a family confronts their struggles. The performance may carry the emotion, but the boards dictate how the camera frames that intimacy. Does it hold wide to show isolation, or move in close to emphasize reconciliation? The visual language matters.
Faith-based producers like Kingdom Story Company and JCFilms Studios recognize that today’s audiences are visually literate. They expect the same level of sophistication in Christian films as they do in mainstream Hollywood. Storyboards help deliver that standard without compromising the message.
Learning from the Pioneers
Christian filmmakers stand on the shoulders of giants. Billy Graham understood the power of film decades ago, using media to spread the gospel worldwide. Dave Christiano built a foundation for faith-based storytelling with films like The Daylight Zone. Today, Dallas Jenkins has elevated the field with The Chosen, combining cinematic ambition with community-driven support.
What unites them is not just faith, but clarity of communication. Every great Christian film starts with someone who can take a story from scripture or personal testimony and make it cinematic. That is the exact purpose of storyboards and concept art.
Working with Directors and Writers
One of my favorite aspects of storyboard work is collaborating with directors and writers. In Christian filmmaking, this collaboration carries added weight. Writers want to honor the biblical text. Directors want to craft engaging cinema. Producers want to ensure the message reaches audiences.
My role is to align those goals visually. A script might say, “Jesus teaches the crowd,” but how large is the crowd? Where does the camera sit? Do we see the sea behind him, or do we focus on the expressions of the listeners?
These are not small details. They are choices that affect tone, meaning, and audience connection. By working through them in storyboard form, we give the entire team a visual grammar to speak from.
Faith on a Global Stage
Studios like AFFIRM Films and Angel Studios have already shown that Christian stories can compete with the biggest blockbusters. With platforms like streaming and international distribution, faith-based films are no longer confined to Sunday-school circles. They are shaping mainstream culture.
As Christian filmmaking continues to grow, the demand for professional pre-visualization will only increase. Funders, distributors, and audiences want to know that these stories are not only faithful, but also cinematic. Storyboards and concept art provide that proof.
Why the Human Touch Matters
Some people ask why a studio should invest in a human storyboard artist when software can generate images instantly. The answer lies in intention. A machine can produce an image, but it cannot wrestle with scripture. It cannot weigh the theological implications of how Christ is depicted on screen. It cannot collaborate with a director who is worried about whether the miracle looks reverent or theatrical.
The Lord uses real people to fulfill His will — real people who are filled with the Holy Spirit. Those people are guided in their decisions, and equipped with discernment to make choices that honor God’s story. Human illustrators bring that same discernment to Christian filmmaking. They do not just draw what looks good; they consider the narrative, the audience, and the leadings of the Holy Spirit. In faith-based projects, that discernment is everything.
Closing Thoughts
Christian filmmaking is not a passing trend. It is a movement that has proven its staying power, with studios like AFFIRM, Pinnacle Peak, and Angel Studios leading the charge, and producers like the Erwin Brothers and Kendrick Brothers creating films that resonate with millions.
As a storyboard artist, my goal is to help that movement continue by giving filmmakers the tools they need to tell stories with clarity and conviction. Whether it is raising funds with compelling concept art or guiding a director with shooting boards, the work is always about serving the story, the audience, and ultimately, the Lord.
Faith on screen deserves no less.
📩paul@paultemplestudios.com
🎨paultemplestudios.com