Where Is The Chosen Filmed? Inside Its Utah and Texas Locations
What started as a small pilot in 2017, created by Illinois-born filmmaker Dallas Jenkins, The Chosen is now a multi-million dollar success that’s taken the U.S. by storm. Telling the story of Jesus of Nazareth, this crowdfunded show has run for over 5 seasons...
How Long Does It Take to Film a Movie? A Breakdown of Each Stage
If you’ve ever watched the credits roll at the end of a film and marveled at how many people were involved, you’ve probably also wondered how long it takes to film a movie. The answer is more complex than a simple number. From the first brainstorming session to the...
How to Write a Blockbuster-Worthy Screenplay
You’ve got an idea—a powerful, emotional, action-packed, or hilarious idea—that you know would make an incredible movie. The next step? Turning that idea into a screenplay that could rival Hollywood’s best. Learning how to write a screenplay is both a craft and an art...
Scriptwriting and Screenwriting: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to creating a story for the screen, the terms “scriptwriting” and “screenwriting” are often used interchangeably. However, there’s a subtle distinction between them that many people, both in the industry and outside of it, fail to recognize. If you’re a...
What Was the First TV Show? A Timeline of Television
Since its humble beginnings, television has come a long way, evolving from black-and-white broadcasts to binge-worthy streaming sensations. But where did it all begin? What was the very first TV show—and how did we get from there to the golden ages, reality TV booms,...
10 Best Indie Horror Movies For a Spooky Movie Night
There’s something uniquely unsettling about indie horror movies. Maybe it’s the stripped-down storytelling, the eerie silence between the scares, or the freedom filmmakers have when they’re not tethered to big studio expectations. Whatever it is, independent horror...
How Much Does it Cost to Produce & Distribute a Commercial?
Wondering how much does a commercial costs? The average cost for a 30-second ad spot on local TV can range from $1,000 to over $50,000, depending on factors like production quality, talent fees, and airtime rates. When determining the total cost of a commercial, it’s...
How to Write a Vibrant Screenplay For Animation
Animation brings the impossible to life. Whether you’re crafting a whimsical world, an emotional journey, or an action-packed fantasy, writing for animation is a unique blend of imaginative freedom and structured storytelling, but how do you turn that brilliant idea...
What is a Film Editor & What Do They Do?
In the world of filmmaking, editing is where the magic truly happens. A film editor plays a crucial role in shaping a movie’s final form, transforming raw footage into a compelling and cohesive story, but what is a film editor, and what does a film editor do? Let’s...
The History of Sundance Film Festival: From Robert Redford to Today
What started as a small festival founded by Robert Redford to support independent filmmakers has grown into one of the most influential film festivals in the world. The Sundance Film Festival has not only launched the careers of groundbreaking directors but has also...
How to Make a Persuasive Promotional Video: 8 Steps
Videos do more than tell a story; they make people remember your message. Businesses use them to connect with their audience in a way that static text and images can't—but getting people to simply watch a video isn't enough. The real challenge is persuading them to...
Where in Utah Was Kevin Costner’s Horizon Filmed? A Roadtrip Through Iconic Locations
From the rugged desert-like landscapes of Moab to the lush scenery surrounding the Colorado River, Southern Utah has served as a backdrop for hundreds of movies over the years. Western films, in particular, have featured Utah’s red rocks and diverse geography as a...
TV Advertising Effectiveness: Does it Still Work?
In a world dominated by digital marketing and social media ads, you might wonder if traditional TV advertising still holds its ground. The short answer? Absolutely. TV advertising remains one of the most powerful tools for building brand awareness, creating emotional...
6 Sundance Award-Winning Movies to Add to Your Watch List
The Sundance Film Festival is a mecca for independent filmmakers, showcasing some of the most groundbreaking and thought-provoking films of the year. Founded in 1978 by Robert Redford, Sundance has evolved into one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world,...
Text-Based Editing in Video Production
In the ever-evolving world of video production, innovations in editing software continue to shape how creators approach their projects. One of the most groundbreaking advancements in recent years is text-based video editing. This method streamlines the editing process...
7 Movies Filmed in Salt Lake City: High School Musical & More
7 Movies Filmed in Salt Lake City: High School Musical & More Utah has long been known as the place to film blockbuster movies, especially in the state’s capital, Salt Lake City. From teenage hits like High School Musical to emerging horror classics like...
Top 5 Independent Film Production Companies in the US
Independent filmmaking has long been the heartbeat of creative storytelling, bringing fresh perspectives, bold narratives, and innovative visuals to the screen. Unlike major Hollywood studios, independent film production companies thrive on artistic freedom, pushing...
The 30-Year Journey of Avalanche Studios: Dave Lindsay on Creatives Grab Coffee
In a recent episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, Dave Lindsay, the founder of Avalanche Studios, shared the remarkable story behind our Utah-based video production company with the teams at CGC and Lapse Productions. Founded in 2000, Avalanche Studios has grown from a...