Biola Backstage is back again for Season 3! Executive producer and host Hope Li talks to Biola Snyder School students Emma Broyles, Jonny Harmon ‘24 and Po Yin Sham about how in the world their award-winning film “A Lovely Ending” had its beginnings. Hear about certain actors’ casting rizz, Easter eggs, a tangent on Emma’s wedding cake goals and why we need to hug our moms more.

• (02:15) - Finding a lovely name
• (04:43) - Beginnings of the ending
• (10:15) - A lovely co-director
• (14:40) - Writing (and finishing) a lovely script
• (19:41) - Also, Emma and Po are roommates
• (26:41) - The lovely actors, and calling Dibs
• (40:04) - A love for musicals (and people) makes for a lovely film
• (54:50) - Locations, locations, locations ... Shout out BeReal!
• (01:02:35) - Easter eggs, tea and a wedding cake request
• (01:11:01) - Emma's mom and mothers' sacrificial love
• (01:16:17) - Therapy and the stress of making a lovely film
• (01:22:58) - Post-production: a lovely ending to "A Lovely Ending"
• (01:26:29) - Final remarks

About “A Lovely Ending”

“A Lovely Ending” is a film from Biola’s Snyder School of Cinema Media Arts that took almost two years to make, with almost 130 cast and crew members. It premiered at Biola University’s newly-renovated Ethel Lee Auditorium on Sept. 20, 2024. Watch the trailer here, and follow the film’s Instagram @alovelyending.musical as it continues on its award-winning journey. The official soundtrack to the film is available on Spotify and all the other music streaming platforms.

To watch the trailers of the films we mentioned in the episode, head to Jonny’s Linktree. For more of his work, follow him on Instagram @harmonmedia. Catch Emma’s recent scribblings on her Substack and her Instagram @emma_of_everywhere, and find Po cooking mushrooms, crocheting and on her Instagram @poyinsham.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Biola Backstage! If you are interested in learning more about the people we interviewed or have ideas for future guests, please email us at torchradio@biola.edu or DM us on Instagram @kbr_torch_radio.

Dr. Matt Hall joins us on this episode of Biola Backstage. We ask him questions about his education, his teaching career, his relationship with the Spanish language and culture alongside discussing some other intriguing topics.

About Dr. Matt Hall
Dr. Hall grew up in Spain as a missionary kid before coming to America. He comes from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he has been an associate professor of church history, vice president for academic services, the dean of Boyce College and the provost and senior vice president of academic administration.
Dr. Hall on the Directory
Dr. Hall's LinkedIn

Dr. Chris Grace and his wife Alisa Grace join us for this Valentine's Day special on relationships, dating and singleness. One of the key points discussed in this episode was by Alisa who said that we should date for patterns, not potential. Dr. Grace regales us with some of his stories of when he first started dating and provides wisdom and insight in that area of life.

About the Graces
Dr. Chris Grace is the founder and co-director of the Center for Marriage and Relationships at Biola University. He has been with Biola since 1988 where he started as a professor in the Rosemead School of Psychology. His wife, Alisa, co-teaches a class on Christian marriage and relationships and is a co-director of the CMR alongside her husband. Additionally, they are the hosts of the "Art of Relationships" podcast where they discuss more relationship/marriage/singleness topics in depth. Together, they have three children and several grandchildren they are extremely proud of.
Dr. Chris Grace
Alisa Grace
The Art of Relationships Podcast
The Center for Marriage and Relationships

Thank you for listening to this episode of Biola Backstage! If you are interested in learning more about the person we interviewed or have ideas for future guests, please email us at torchradio@biola.edu or DM us on Instagram @kbr_torch_radio.