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LDS actor arrested |
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DAILY HERALD
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Michael Birkeland has appeared on camera many times for his work in LDS-themed movies, but he found himself in jail after a UVSC art instructor told police that he appeared on the Web camera of a stolen computer.
Birkeland, who appeared in movies such as "Church Ball," "The Singles Ward" and "The Home Teachers," was booked into the Utah County Jail on Friday on one count of felony theft. He bailed out Monday afternoon.
According to an affidavit filed in Provo's 4th District Court, Birkeland attended an art class at Utah Valley State College in April as the guest of a class model. While he was there, he was seen using an instructor's computer, which was missing after he left the classroom, court documents said.
Two days later, the instructor noticed that someone was logged on to the missing computer, and the instructor saw Birkeland on the computer's built-in camera, the affidavit said. After the computer's owner contacted Birkeland -- first online, then by phone -- the actor covered the camera to conceal his identity, according to the affidavit. The computer was left in a gift shop at Thanksgiving Point. |
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Discuss (14 posts)
| bddefense
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Jul 16 2008 20:00:25
Blog801 wrote:
Wow, Keeper, is that his previous police record you posted? That's amazing.
Here's another decision I bet he would like to have back.
There are a few things holding LDS films back.
First, many of them have cheesy acting and directing, which has given the entire genre a reputation that sullies even the good films.
Second, they keep reusing the same actors who didn't do it for us the last film either. Bet on a WINNING horse guys, not an experienced one.
Third, there is a perception that the people making LDS films aren't very LDS themselves, making them out of touch with their target audience.
It's not just how these LDS film people dress, keep their hair, talk and act, its headlines like Richard Dutcher leaving the church, Kirby Heyborne in beer commercials and now Michael Birkeland's arrest.
Many LDS people like to think they are supporting a good movie industry when they buy a ticket or a DVD for an LDS movie. If LDS filmmakers are basically just like the rest of Hollyweird, then LDS movie goers may as well spend their dollars on the better movies made by mainstream Hollywood.
Consequently, Michael Birkeland's arrest hurts LDS movie making as a whole.
That's too bad, both for him and for LDS films to come.
I'm one who would really like to see this industry get off and running, but it seems set on shooting itself in the foot instead.
Wow... I didn't know anyone cared about this genre... but good for you! 
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#380105 |
| Wren
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Jul 16 2008 20:01:01
I am not Mormon although I have been around them for decades, ever since I was little, little, little. I have no memories of my world without Mormonism in it, and at times a very signficant force in my world, even I didn't belong to the church.
Having said all that, and admitting the LDS films are cheesy, I laughed with my Mormon friends during "Singles Ward" and truly was moved by the missionary film in the Southeast Pacific shortly after WWII. I thought both the characters of the LDS missionary and the local Christian pastor were awesome characters, both human and fallible, both willing to be guided by Christ.
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#380106 |
| Marylb
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Jul 17 2008 04:09:58
Sir John the Apostate wrote:
Pittakos wrote:
Why don't we ever see headlines which state something like "Catholic Illegal Immigrant Arrested" or "Atheist Gunman Killed?" Just makes you wonder...
Good point.
Could it be that he wasn't actually a Mormon but, just played one in the movies?
ROFL!
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#380134 |
| Jaye
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Jul 17 2008 17:30:36
Wren wrote:
I am not Mormon although I have been around them for decades, ever since I was little, little, little. I have no memories of my world without Mormonism in it, and at times a very signficant force in my world, even I didn't belong to the church.
Having said all that, and admitting the LDS films are cheesy, I laughed with my Mormon friends during "Singles Ward" and truly was moved by the missionary film in the Southeast Pacific shortly after WWII. I thought both the characters of the LDS missionary and the local Christian pastor were awesome characters, both human and fallible, both willing to be guided by Christ.
The Wolf and I loved 'Mobsters and Mormons'. A Utah Mormon kind of take on 'My Blue Heaven'.
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#380278 |
| Watchman
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Jul 19 2008 23:16:12
Hey, Michael Birkland is a way fun and pretty nice guy. Cut him some slack. He goofed up. I've seen many people lick their lips over a MacBookPro. It got the best of him, but by no means does he deserve to be dropped in the trash. He's got phenomenal potential and I believe he'll come back stronger and better than ever. Has anyone seen my wireless mighty mouse?
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#380683 |
There are too many comments to list them all here. See the forum for the full discussion.Discuss this article on the forums. (14 posts)
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