[MUSIC PLAYING]
This year, in season three of the Book of Mormon, we're filming from King Benjamin all the way up to Alma the Younger. There's hundreds of actors, thousands of extras. We had a lot of big, behemoth set builds, lot of different locations. It was a pretty rough year logistically, but it was a really rewarding year as far as the content we did and the stories we were able to tell. My name is Ben Lomu, and I am playing King Lamoni. This project is inspired, and this is part of the fulfillment that the Book of Mormon will flood the earth. I really believe that. We're trying to bring souls to Christ through the Book of Mormon, and this is just another way of doing it.
O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me. We've been doing a lot of more intimate scenes, and the dialogue has been really nice, light, but very sensitive, since we're talking about Jesus Christ and His role in redeeming mankind.
We're just trying to show that these are kind of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, and we're seeing the highlights of that.
Here we go. Quiet, please. And roll, please.
Two cameras. A-mark.
What is happening right here, what you see--this set, these guys--this is what makes everything come to life. A typical day on set starts very early. We had some call times that were like 3:30 a.m. We start four hours before the crew comes in, and we get hundreds of people dressed, who also have to be made up, and their hair has to be done beautifully. We have a huge team here that spent months and months and even, in certain areas, years just to do some research so that people can actually get a feel for what this world might have felt like. It is kind of fun how we get the different pieces of production together from different locations, different sets, different times that we shoot it. For example, as we start out the episode of Abinadi, we had to shoot at four different locations, four different times. But it all comes together seamlessly into one story. We have different tribes, different cities, different cultures, and all of that's reflected in the hair and the personal grooming and even makeups and tribal markings. Once everything's in place and you see all of the extras walking around in costume and makeup, and the cast is in place and in character, you feel like you've stepped back in time.
Our wonderful set has turned into a ghost town.
One of the things I'm excited for people to see is the messages of the Book of Mormon portrayed in season three that reflect the importance of sharing the gospel with others. You see that with Alma and Amulek, Ammon and the sons of Mosiah, and you see it with Abinadi. I think it's impossible to underestimate a good story. And these videos--besides doctrinal, full of spiritual insights and teachings--they are story, and people love to listen to them and learn from them.
The idea is that this is a--it's disturbing. You think about what's going on here--it's pretty sobering. Behold, even as ye have done this unto me, so shall it come to pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains that I do suffer. Sometimes it's what you don't see. It's what's implied, but what you don't see, that has the real power. [INAUDIBLE] [INAUDIBLE] It looks sweet. Action--
My name's Jeff Dickamore, and I'm playing Alma the Younger. It's been pretty intimidating to try to portray such an iconic, heroic prophet of the Book of Mormon. But to get the opportunity to use his words and be in an environment that could be similar to what he experienced and the life that he lived--I've absolutely loved it. It's been an amazing experience.
Arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? This crew, people that make this happen, are the best. Not only are they amazing at their jobs, experts in their fields, but they're also just really fun, good-humored, happy people who are also disciples of Jesus Christ at the same time. And seeing everyone come together and the way that--the collaborative energy of being on this film set has just been awesome. And you can see it.
The whole reason we're making these videos is to bring people closer to Christ. Our hope is that people will be moved to change--they'll grow closer to Jesus Christ through these stories--and to become more like Him, which is the purpose of the Book of Mormon: to be gathered unto Christ, all things in one.