THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603070200
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEXIS M. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
While the little girl slept quietly in her bed, hugging her favorite teddy bear, a fax machine hummed softly nearby where her mom was hard at work.
Judi Johnston Vankevich works out of her daughter's bedroom in a small apartment in student housing at Regent University where she and her husband, Ned, reside. ``All I need is a fax machine, computer and telephone,'' she said.
Vankevich conducts business through the Hollywood offices of Mel Gibson, Dean Jones and Tom Hanks. ``Wouldn't they be surprised if they knew I was sitting in my bedroom office,'' she said and laughed.
Vankevich works as a volunteer for Ted Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission and publisher of Movieguide magazine. Her job is helping organize the annual Movieguide Awards Dinner being held in Hollywood March 13.
Movieguide magazine contains capsule reviews of movies shown throughout the year and promotes itself as providing the reader with an analysis that brings the viewer into a closer understanding of and love for God.
``It's like planning a wedding,'' Vankevich said of her job. ``I do everything from the planning stage to picking up the rental truck when I arrive in California.''
The planning for the awards ceremony began six months ago. She alerted the nominees by mail with a congratulatory letter followed by a formal invitation to the ceremony. On a typical day, she spends six to eight hours on the telephone with secretaries, managers and agents. Countless faxes come and go to Hollywood offices as well as newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times to keep them up to date on the progress of the event.
Each year for the gala, Movieguide selects the top 10 best films for families and the 10 best films for mature audiences and recognizes them for cinematic and artistic excellence as well as positive portrayal of biblical values. At last year's dinner, the Movieguide judges named ``Little Women'' the best movie in its family film category and ``Forrest Gump'' the best for mature audiences.
This year for the first time, philanthropist Sir John Templeton established two $25,000 prizes to be given yearly to the most inspiring motion picture and television program as selected by Movieguide.
Vankevich said, ``I do it because I believe in this ministry and making a difference in cultural values. What Hollywood does influences people around the world.''
A native of Oakville, Ontario, she graduated from Regent University in 1987 in public policy. ``I had visions of being the next Prime Minister of Canada, but then I met my husband and decided to follow him into his career. He writes action and fantasy screenplays and children's books,'' she said. ``Someone once told me that a woman can do anything, but not at once.''
She currently speaks to church and civic groups on how to make a difference in the movie industry. ILLUSTRATION: Mykelti Williamson, who portrayed Bubba in the film ``Forrest
Gump,'' tastes one of the chocolates in a 400-pound award that Judi
Johnston Vankevich, left, arranged for last year's Movieguide
magazine awards dinner. This year's dinner is Wednesday in
Hollywood.
FILM NOMINATIONS
[For a copy of the list, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB