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Summarized by Gregor McHardy
LDS Film Maker Called GodFather Of IMAX
Deseret News 31Mar00 A2
By Jeff Vice: Deseret News movie critic
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- You've most likely heard of the name of Keith
Merrill, director of many films made by the Church, but did you know
that he is a big name in the biggest of all movie theatre's? Big
meaning IMAX, that is.
Merrill was the director of the 1985 IMAX documentary, "Grand Canyon: The
Hidden Secrets," one of the earliest in the format and one of the most
successful of all time. "When people go to the Grand Canyon, they're there
for a day at most," he said. "They take a look around, and maybe if
they're adventurous, they take the tour down the canyon. But there's a lot
more to it than just that." The resulting 40-minute documentary - a
blockbuster by large-screen industry standards - has been showing ever
since at the Grand Canyon IMAX Theatre, and it has helped define a new
genre
Merrill got lots of glory for the movie, but little cash. After being
forced out of the company that made the film he said "It was both good and
bad," he said. "On one hand, I helped create a whole new genre of film,
and on the other hand, I definitely didn't get paid for my share of the
box office (receipts)." But that didn't stop him from continuing his role
in making IMAX films. He has worked with many other big names including
Reid Smoot, Scott Swofford, Sam Cardon, and Bruce Neibaur. "(Merrill)
certainly is the godfather of the IMAX movie," said Leigh von der Esch,
executive director of the Utah Film Commission. "He's picked up a
reputation as a great director in that format, and in doing so,
jump-started many local careers almost single-handedly."
Merrill is also the producer/director of "The Testaments: Of One Fold and
One Shepherd," produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
and now showing at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. According to
Merrill, it's probably his IMAX work - rather than "Legacy" - that allowed
him to make "The Testament."
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