Douglas Maddox
6 min read ⭑
“I love to bring creative vision to life. Working with others gives me great joy — seeing their vision and guiding them through the creative process. A story and simple truth can become a heartwarming movie with a great message of redemption.”
Douglas Maddox, founder of DBM Communications, Inc. and DBM Films, is a producer and director. He develops, produces, directs and distributes award-winning feature films, documentaries and television series that have aired on Showtime, Netflix and multiple other platforms. His works include “Christmas Ranch,” “Hope’s Legacy,” “Cream of the Crop,” “The Bill Collector,” “Undaunted, Little Heroes” and “Operation Friendship,” among other titles in worldwide distribution.
In this interview, Douglas spends time sharing about the transformative power of prayer when working with a team. He opens up about the challenges of starting a business and the joys of experiencing God’s faithfulness. He reminds us of the importance of dreaming and that vision is imperative to a flourishing life.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
The meals we enjoy are about so much more than the food we eat. So, how does a “go-to” meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
While I was born in Manassas, Virginia, I spent most of my life in Maryland, where there is a great restaurant named Peppermill. Every other Wednesday they have fried chicken. I think that says it all. It is so good that the parking lot is always full at lunch and dinner on that day. Being from Maryland and the East Coast, I also think of blue crabs. We mainly get them from Ocean Pride. They come in small, medium and large sizes, and typically we pick medium. Every nook and cranny is good. They are good in season and out of season, especially with Old Bay seasoning on them.
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QUESTION #2: REVEAL
We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So, what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity do you love engaging in that also helps you find essential spiritual renewal?
One of my favorite activities when the children were growing up was to fly model airplanes and set rockets off to flight. Watching them soar through the sky and then back down to earth again is mesmerizing. I love the clouds and the blue sky and then seeing how the flight of birds is mimicked by man’s approach to flight. I love seeing our Creator in motion!
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness; every human, too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So, what’s your kryptonite and how do you confront its power head-on?
In my weakness, he is strong! I have moved through many challenges in my life with successes and pitfalls. In the beginning of my business, I only had enough to eat and rent a one-room apartment. In God’s faithfulness, year after year, I saw provisions to supply our company enough to grow. We were renting camera equipment for the first several years, and, in faith, I purchased my first camera and put it on a credit card. I prayed and asked God to help me pay that off in one year. It was paid off in less than a year, and I am so grateful that in my weakness, he is strong.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
I love to bring creative vision to life. Working with others gives me great joy — seeing their vision and guiding them through the creative process. A story and simple truth can become a heartwarming movie with a great message of redemption. This means so much to me — seeing my art become realized in motion-picture form. It is a collaborative and creative process. When people watch movies, they are captivated through all their senses; watching characters and stories with heart takes you to a good place. My goal is to take them through the journey with wholesome storylines and real redemption like Jesus has shown me in my life. That’s what I love — being a part of the creative process with the Creator when I make motion pictures.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Cashiers, CEOs, contractors, or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it's God when it happens?
I remember two amazing film projects I worked on recently. “The American Miracle” movie was incredible. The team had synergy, and we opened in prayer every day. We felt his presence on set, at our meals and throughout the journey around the country filming this amazing historical movie. Another movie I made was on a tighter budget and a tighter timeline, but we still opened up each day in prayer. Unfortunately, this movie almost stopped on the third day of filming. We sensed the movement of the Holy Spirit, took a three-hour pause, heard everyone’s story, and listened. Amazingly, we got back up again and finished the movie with resounding success. It’s amazing how God showed up differently in two different kinds of movies.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So, let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
Interestingly enough, praying without ceasing can only be done through the Spirit’s inner working. This has been my experience in good and bad times. When a colleague and I don’t see eye to eye, I am amazed at how prayer seems to heal the issues. I will say a prayer under my breath, and a Scripture will come to mind. That’s why I like working with the group I’m now working with. We pray together as a team, and this inspires me to the higher calling that we are not just working for man, but for the Maker.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and your heart?
I have read a lot of books, but my favorite is the Bible. I think that when it comes to the word of men versus the word of God, there is no equal. But with that said, I love Wheaton’s Chapel Sermons, many of the revival books that have come through Moody, Josh McDowell and Billy Graham. They have such great insights into the Scriptures and into living a kingdom approach to God’s love. I also love reading about filmmakers who have lived through storytelling through the lens of filmmaking. One great book is called “Howard Kazanjian: A Producer's Life” by J. W. Rinzler. It takes you through a movie maker’s journey of faith with friends like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. It is fascinating and always takes me back to the common walk of faith that we all want to live by and work with.
We all have things we cling to to survive or even thrive in our fast-paced, techno-driven world. How have you been successful in harnessing technology to aid in your spiritual growth?
I have watched technology in my life grow and change from a black-and-white TV and a rotary phone to cell phones that look and seem like Star Trek’s icon slogan: “beam me up Scotty.” It has been amazing to watch this revolution take place — for better or worse. I do like to listen to music through Spotify, and my favorite artist is Keith Green. I also enjoy getting to know the new artists that my sons tell me about — like Chris Renzema. I’ve seen Chris in concert five times now, and it never gets old. I still like the paper in hand — reading books and the Bible — but do enjoy using the computer and cell phones to help connect with people all over the world.
QUESTION #8: dream
God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So, give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
To dream and have vision is life. Without a vision, people perish. I love what I do, and I’m so grateful that as a young man, I gave my life to the Lord — which included my career. I have been so honored to have my own business, serve him at our church, and make movies and other media projects throughout my life. I love storytelling, and I want to make the best movies I can possibly make with the means that I have to make them. Most recently I have made an incredible movie, called “The American Miracle,” about our nation’s history. It is provocative only in that it tells the truth about our nation’s formation. I love heroes, and George Washington is truly a hero, as he was changed into a better person as he led our nation. I am looking forward to making the next installment of this amazing book by Michael Medved with the same title (“The American Miracle”). Here is to pressing onward!
Douglas reminds us of Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish….” Many of us are so consumed with the busyness of today and the regrets of yesterday that we don’t carve out time to receive revelation on a vision for our future. In the interview, Douglas says, “To dream and have vision is life.” Take some time today to reflect on your goals and dreams for your relationships, your job, your creative pursuits, your ministries. Ask God for inspiration to craft a vision you can write down and for wisdom on how to take the next step toward those goals.
Douglas Maddox is Producer and Director. He founded DBM Communications, Inc. and DBM Films to provide full service production to his clients. Doug was inducted into the Producers Guild of America in July 2007 and is now Chair Emeritus, Capitol Region. Honored with the Marc A. Levy Distinguished Service Award for PGA, Doug develops, produces, directs and distributes award winning feature films, documentaries and television series which have aired on Showtime, Netflix and multiple other platforms. His works include Christmas Ranch, Hope’s Legacy, Cream of the Crop, The Bill Collector, Undaunted, Little Heroes, Operation Friendship among other titles in worldwide distribution.
