Faith, Film, and Finding Your Place in Hollywood: A Conversation with Isaac Wright // Saints and Cinephiles // This Week in Mormons

For many, the idea of working in Hollywood feels like a dream (but perhaps wrapped in layers of uncertainty and concern).

The industry is fast-paced, competitive, and often perceived as morally and financially precarious.

There is hope, however. Isaac Wright, a Los Angeles-based film professional and founder of the Saints and Cinephiles newsletter, believes that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—and people of faith in general—shouldn’t shy away from the entertainment industry. Instead, he argues that they should be active participants in shaping the stories that are told.

In a recent conversation, Isaac shared his journey into Hollywood, his thoughts on the importance of representation in media, and why more Latter-day Saints should consider careers in film and television.

A Journey into Hollywood

Isaac’s love for storytelling began in his hometown of Santa Barbara, California. As a child, he was fascinated by the power of cinema, especially how books could be transformed into films. A pivotal moment came when Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films were released.

“I went to my parents and said, ‘Mom, Dad, we’ve got to go see these movies.’ And my parents said, ‘Well, they’re PG-13. You’re not 13. We won’t let you watch them unless you read the books first,’” he recalled. “I think they thought this would buy them a few years. But I went to the school library, checked out those books, and poured over them as quickly as I could.”

That early love for books and film eventually led him to Brigham Young University, where he was accepted into the school’s competitive film program. “The BYU film program flies under the radar, but it shouldn’t,” Isaac explained. “The access to materials, equipment, and resources is phenomenal. The program also places a strong emphasis on film theory, which is something a lot of other film schools don’t necessarily prioritize.”

After graduating, Isaac knew he wanted to work in Hollywood rather than Utah’s growing film scene. “I knew that I didn’t want to work in the film industry in Utah. I wanted to move to Los Angeles and really try to make it here.”

The Reality of Breaking into the Industry

Hollywood is a notoriously difficult place to build a career, and Isaac’s path was no exception. He took on various entry-level positions, including working in the mailroom at a talent agency and later becoming an assistant to the president of Sam Raimi’s production company. The experience was grueling.

“You’re working very long hours for extremely low pay,” he said. “I won’t say I had abusive bosses, but I will say you get some bizarre requests that blur the personal-professional line.”

However, through persistence and networking, he eventually found a niche that perfectly aligned with his passions: working as a Book Scout.

“Our company works with production companies and studios to find books, long-form articles, podcasts, and other intellectual property that they can turn into TV shows and movies,” he explained. “So a lot of my work is reading books for a living—and then gossiping about them. It’s pretty wonderful.”

Why Faith-Based Creatives Shouldn’t Avoid Hollywood

One of the most common concerns among Latter-day Saints is whether working in Hollywood could negatively impact their faith. Some hesitate to enter the industry, fearing they might have to compromise their beliefs. Others assume the entertainment industry is inherently hostile to people of faith.

Isaac disagrees with this mindset.

“When I was about to graduate, I had friends tell me, ‘Wow, I could never move to Los Angeles because I would go inactive,’” he said. “And I remember thinking, that’s such a wrong-headed way to think about it. Frankly, if you’re worried about location being the crucial ingredient of your testimony, then you have bigger issues.”

Instead, he believes members of the Church should be a light in the industry. “We’re not called to sit in a comfortable place where the pews are always full. We’re supposed to go out, be an example, and influence the world.”

The Importance of Representation in Media

Another reason Isaac encourages faith-based creatives to enter Hollywood is the issue of representation. He points out that when Latter-day Saints don’t tell their own stories, someone else will—and the results aren’t always accurate or fair.

“If you look at recent portrayals of Latter-day Saints in media, it hasn’t been great for us,” he noted. “From Under the Banner of Heaven to American Primeval, a lot of the narratives about us are being told by people who don’t fully understand our culture, faith, or history. When we stay away from the industry, we’re essentially giving up control of our own stories.”

That’s part of what inspired Isaac to create Saints and Cinephiles, a newsletter that highlights members of the Church working in Hollywood. “I interview actors, producers, stunt performers, costumers—people you might not even know existed in the industry,” he said. “The goal is to break down taboos and show that not only can Latter-day Saints succeed in Hollywood, but they can also do so while staying true to their values.”

Bridging the Gap Between Faith and Film

Isaac is passionate about helping other Latter-day Saints navigate the film industry. He recognizes that many students at BYU or other church-affiliated schools simply don’t know where to start.

“I can count on one hand the number of my classmates from BYU’s film program who actually moved to Los Angeles to work in the industry,” he said. “And that’s a crying shame. We need more faithful, talented members of the Church in Hollywood, not fewer.”

One of his hopes is to help establish more networking opportunities for faith-based professionals in Los Angeles. “There have been attempts in the past to organize groups, but they’ve kind of withered on the vine,” he admitted. “But I think there’s a real need for something formal—a pipeline connecting faith-based students and young professionals with mentors and job opportunities.”

Final Thoughts: The Future of Faith in Hollywood

Isaac’s vision for the future is simple: more members of the Church working in mainstream film and television—not just in “LDS films,” but in the broader industry.

“There’s room for all kinds of storytelling,” he said. “Whether it’s a faith-based project like The Chosen, a quiet, cultural touchstone like Napoleon Dynamite, or a mainstream, faith-adjacent film like Conclave, there are so many ways to integrate values into entertainment.”

His advice for aspiring filmmakers? Just go for it. “Hollywood is tough, but if you’re willing to put in the work, you’ll eventually find your niche,” he said. “And if enough of us are here, we can help shape the future of how faith is represented in media.”

For those interested in learning more, Isaac’s newsletter Saints and Cinephiles is available on Substack, where he continues to interview faith-based professionals making an impact in the industry.

Isaac Wright is a Los Angeles-based film industry professional specializing in literary scouting. Raised in Santa Barbara, California, he developed a deep passion for film and literature early on. He earned a degree in film from Brigham Young University before moving to LA, where he worked his way up from entry-level jobs in talent agencies and production companies to his current role as a Book Scout. He is also the founder of Saints and Cinephiles, a newsletter dedicated to highlighting Latter-day Saints working in film and television. Isaac is passionate about storytelling, representation, and helping faith-based creatives navigate the entertainment industry.