LDS Motion Picture Studio--South Campus

A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to go to the LDS Motion Picture Studio South Campus which was basically created to for the New Testament Film Project.

It is located in Goshen, Utah.

This was a combined YM/YW mutual activity.  Rick was working, so I  brought Cole along.  Sierra was with us, but unfortunately Summer couldn't come.  I really wish that they could have scheduled this 4 hour activity a few weeks earlier before school started.  It was unfortunate that so many of the older youth could not come.

As part of the activity, we helped clear out the weeds from around this pump house.

They were nasty tumbleweeds and they were almost waist high when we started.

Then, we got to go over to the set.

This is where the manger scene was filmed.

It's usually quite windy and there are lots of mosquitos, but this evening was practically perfect without any wind or bug.  And the sunset was amazing.

Most of the bricks are actually styrofoam.

And, then my battery died in my camera and the rest of my pictures were taken with my phone.

Towards the west end of the set is the Garden area

Garden of Gethsemane

This was pretty amazing, as well.  I kept trying to manage the youth and get them to take turns standing near the crosses so that those of us with cameras could take pictures without random kids, but chaos prevailed.  

Brother Sundstrom, from our ward, was our guide and had some pretty amazing stories about this place.

They begin each day of work/filming with prayer.

Meticulous attention has been given to the details of the set and the portrayal of the events.

Hollywood filmmakers have contacted the Church to rent the set for various projects, but the Church has denied any of them the chance to use it.  Maybe because of the non-profit status.

Brother Sundstrom doesn't know for sure, but he really hopes that they can use this set for Book of Mormon movies, as well.  There would have to be some modifications to the set, of course.

I did manage this shot without people in it.  

The white rocks in this area were hauled in from the hills to the east of Manti.

These 2 pictures were taken from the room where the Last Supper was filmed.  It was tiny and dark, so this is the best I could do with a phone camera.

So, here is a link to the videos:  LDS Bible Videos