By Gina Groeger
gina@newsroom.byu.edu
One film director and BYU graduate is making a name for himself both inside and outside of LDS films.
Blair Treu a freelance director said he wanted to do mainstream film directing as well as directing for local films.
Currently, Disney owns five feature films he has directed, he said.
Two films 'Just Like Dad' and 'Paper Brigade' were made for Lucadia, a production company. Disney liked both movies so much it bought them, Treu said.
One film 'Wish Upon A Star' was made for Warner Brothers, yet again Disney liked the movie so much it bought it, he said.
However, the latest two feature films 'Phantom of the Megaplex' and 'The Brainiacs.com' were made for Disney, Treu said.
Currently two more projects are in the works with Disney and one project with Fox Family, he said.
Brian Sullivan, a freelance cinematographer and Treu's cinematographer on four of his feature films and one LDS film, said he has worked as second unit with many big name directors in Hollywood and can compare these directors to each other.
Treu is just as good, talented and creative as the big directors in Hollywood, he said.
When Treu's films premier on TV, he receives feedback from his children's friends who come over and watch the movie at his place, Treu said.
Although these film are not huge, Treu said he has been approached on directing R-rated movies. He turned each of these movies down although the pay was good.
'I can't tell my kids not to see R-rated films and make them myself,' Treu said.
Too many artists do not take responsibility for their works, he said.
'I try to focus on films that are safe for kids to watch,' Treu said.
For many years he has directed films for the LDS church.
He has found that the reward of using his talents for the LDS church more satisfying than for mainstream films, he said.
Dave Giles, director of CES curriculum services for the LDS church, said he has worked with Treu on about 20 projects.
Treu is a unique individual and can see the whole film in his mind before he begins to shoot so time is not lost, he said.
One of the most well known films, among LDS audiences, Treu has directed is 'Called to Serve.' This film was a dream come true, Treu said.
The idea came while he served a mission for the LDS church. He thought it would be great create a film about LDS missionaries and the work they do, he said.
He directed many of the LDS Seminary short films and some of the Homefront commercials, Treu said.
He also directed a television series based on the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Working with different Academy Award Winners was a good experience, he said.
Blair Treu said he graduated from BYU in 1985 with an emphasis in producing and directing.
Directing was always a hobby. It was not until he found out about the film program at BYU he decided to be serious about it, he said.
As a student at BYU he sold a film and was able to pay for his college, he said.
Treu has been married for 15 years and has 4 children.