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Star of the Plains

30 years ago, to commemorate the end of our first year in business, we produced a short branding film wishing our customers Happy Holidays.

We set out upon the plains of Nebraska armed with our beloved Arriflex SRII 16mm camera, wooden Peter Lisand sticks and a box of end-rolls. Shooting over a long weekend, we endured frigid temperatures and a winter blizzard.

Somehow we convinced the late, great, Ken Nordine to provide the narration and maestro Steve Horner composed and performed the original music score.

In 1991 the show was released on VHS, with over 600 tapes distributed through the mail. It was met with high acclaim from clients and GPMPC associates.

Now, 30 years later, we have re-imagined this production with a glorious 2K, high-resolution scan from the original 16mm negative, plus a completely new edit and postproduction.

We hope you enjoy this short four minute poetic film about the power of ideas, friendship and artistic collaboration.

CREDITS

  • DIRECTOR, CINEMATOGRAPHER, EDITOR

    Rod Jensen

  • CREATIVE DIRECTOR, WRITER

    Fred Clark

  • VOICE ARTIST

    Ken Nordine

  • ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE

    Steve Horner

  • PICTURE FINISH

    Matt Riley

  • SOUND MIX

    Kurt Labenz

Rogue Elf

CREDITS

  • AGENCY

    Lawrence & Schiller

  • DIRECTOR

    Steve Thiesfeld

  • DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

    Bill Schwarz

  • PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

    Greg Lilly

Trucks & Bucks Urban

CREDITS

  • CLIENT

    Nebraska Lottery

  • AGENCY

    SKAR Advertising

  • DIRECTOR

    Steve Thiesfeld

  • DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

    Bill Schwarz

  • PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

    Shawn Prouse

  • EDITOR

    Steve Thiesfeld

  • VFX & COLOR

    Matt Riley

  • MUSIC COMPOSER

    Steve Horner

The Story of The Great Plains

The Great Plains Motion Picture Company celebrates 30 years of producing high-profile, award-winning, brand-building television commercials and corporate image communications.

Founded in 1990 by directors Steve Thiesfeld and Rod Jensen, GPMPC partners with advertising agencies and corporate clientele to produce creative, imaginative and high-quality productions that excite and inspire.

The vitality of the company is founded on superior service and the pursuit of strategies fostering long-term relationships and satisfied clients. From idea through editorial, we are committed to a project experience that is rewarding and positive for everyone involved.

Our backlot is the midsection of America and beyond. Specializing in corporate branding for healthcare, insurance, financial, agricultural, food, tourism and outdoor industries, we produce and shoot projects across the country — from San Diego to Miami; Portland to New York City — from the Boundary Waters of Canada to Amarillo and all parts between.