Capturing the seasons.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area sits literally on Las Vegas’ doorstep. With over 2 million visitors annually, this tough-looking yet fragile desert landscape feels the impact of millions who come to enjoy it. Southern Nevada Conservancy tasked us with creating an engaging multi-season theater film that embraced the diverse visitor uses and at the same time presented the fragile nature of desert ecosystems. The goal – capture the hearts of visitors and inspire them to better appreciate and care about their special place.

For filmmaking, this is a tough environment. Everything bites and dust and wind are ever-present. The seasons in the desert are extreme and short lived, presenting a unique challenge to capture visual diversity in a place where 98% of the days are bright blue skies, dry and sunny. Timing and being ready to go are everything. Filming started in April to catch the wildflowers and flurry of insect and animal life. By May, 100+ degrees is the norm and the landscape is dry and the bugs and animals go into hiding. By June, temperatures soar above 110 degrees and the landscape browns out. August is Monsoon season – humid 100 degree temperatures while waiting for thunderstorms and rain. Fall is a short burst of green from the August rains, and gradual cooling. December brings freezing temperatures and winter storms, most of which last only hours.

After a year of filming the land and interviewing the people who work and play here, it’s clear the Red Rock Canyon theater film will be worthy of it’s mission.