With such beautiful works as Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration , The Work and the Glory 1 and Testaments, to his credit, T.C. Christensen is one of the most, if not the most, popular LDS cinematographers in the LDS film genre. What's more, his name is fast spreading beyond the LDS film industry as well.

The recipient of over 270 awards for his work in the film industry, Christensen says, “I first began to love film in junior high. I never loved still photography, but I did love the camera my dad had and the making of home movies.”

Humorously claiming his first award was the one he received from Mrs. Baird's Tap Academy in 1957, Christensen laughs. “Oh yes, that one I am quite fond of.”

Following his performance at Mrs. Baird's tap dance academy, Christensen moved through his early education to attend Central Davis Junior High, where he was elected runner-up as Mr. Valentine in 1967. After graduating from the local high school, Christensen attended BYU, the University of Utah and then returned to BYU (where he graduated as a film student).

Why? Because, “The work I am involved with is always so entertaining and different,” he says.

Of the more than 270 awards Christensen has won, the list includes a CLIO award, the Frank Capra award, and the Washington National Film Festival's gold award. What does Christensen have to say about all of these accolades?

“I keep them in my bathroom.”

TC Christensen, on the set of Sea Monsters . Used by permission of TC Christensen.

Christensen says he has been involved in every process of filmmaking, from pre-production development, production, post-production and distributing. On one of his latest films, Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration , he served as co-director as well as director of photography. This film is currently showing at the Joseph Smith Memorial building.

Christensen has worked on 70mm projects, IMAX films and his first ever IMAX 3-D film, entitled Sea Monsters , for National Geographic. One of his latest projects was his assignment as the Director of Photography, Second Unit, for the film, Unaccompanied Minors.

“Every film has its advantages and disadvantages,” he says. “Smaller screen films are quicker to produce, but big screen films have a larger impact.”

One of Christensen's current ventures, in which he teams up with Audience Alliance Motion Picture Studios, is the production of a feature length film from a short film Christensen produced in 1977. The winner of five major national awards including a Gold Plaque at the Chicago Intercom Film Festival, The Bridge has been known for its sustained, universal appeal. Christensen was also director of photography for the original picture.

Says the Reverend Garrett Short, M. Div., M.A. of this film, "The cumulative effect of all the sermons and homilies that I have ever heard or read on the Atonement could not match the power of The Bridge ."

A dramatic parable of the sacrifice of God's Son, The Bridge tells the story of a similar decision a father must make in regards to sacrificing his son for the sake of saving the life of many other people.

“The essence of drama is conflict,” says Christensen. “And what has more conflict than The Bridge ?” He then adds, “In film, it is the lowest of lows — as in the father in The Bridge needing to make this most difficult of all decisions; whether or not to sacrifice his son — that makes the highs that much higher.”

Teaming up with the Chief Creative Officer of AAMPS, Kieth Merrill, for this film, it was in 1978 that Christensen first met Kieth Merrill, while attending a film event. At this event, Merrill walked up to him and began speaking with him. “I was so impressed by that,” says Christensen, “that Kieth was so willing to talk to anyone and help them out.”

Merrill and Christensen have teamed up on many successful movie projects over the years, including Olympic Glory , which explored the events surrounding the 1998 Olympic Winter Games that were held in Nagano. Christensen was also the cinematographer for Merrill's films On the Way Home; Ozarks, Legend and Legacy; San Francisco the Movie; Testaments; The Witness; and The Pump (a film written by Merrill).

Christensen is very excited about working with Audience Alliance Motion Picture Studios. “This is revolutionary thinking,” he says. “Movies have always worked from the top down. Now, the masses can decide. This is a great opportunity for everybody.”