Bourbon on the table, big ideas in the air. We sit down with an award-winning filmmaker who left Southern California for Northwest Arkansas and break down, step by step, how a small, collaborative community can grow into a real film hub. Between a honey-finished Buffalo Trace taste test and a few jabs at our missing co-hosts, we dig into the practical levers that matter to creators and investors alike: Arkansas’s cash rebate incentive, easy access to locations, and a surprisingly deep bench of crew.

Scott shares the creative and business blueprint for his contained thriller, In Memoriam, a character-driven story about a daughter who uses memory tech to visit her comatose father and uncovers a painful truth. We talk budgets in the $500k–$600k range, how to stretch locations, and why pre-sales and smart casting can make or break indie projects. Then we lay out a realistic distribution ladder: streaming-first to control P&A, limited theatrical to build earned media, and a pathway to wider release once the data supports it. If you’re curious how films really get financed and sold in today’s market, this is a candid, usable playbook.

We also explore Scott’s second engine: construction site storytelling. Think solar time-lapse cameras snapping every ten minutes, drone passes with graphic overlays, and monthly and quarterly edits that double as investor updates and sales content. It’s a smarter alternative to one-and-done drone tours, giving builders live jobsite views and a narrative asset that wins the next RFP. Toss in a priceless Apple-era anecdote—yes, a “Hate it” email from Steve Jobs—and you’ve got a conversation that blends craft, commerce, and community.

Join us for a grounded look at filmmaking from Bentonville: incentives, crews, distribution strategy, and the creative grit it takes to ship. If you enjoy this kind of inside-the-industry breakdown, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves movies or bourbon, and leave a quick review to help others find us.

More About this Episode

How Northwest Arkansas Is Quietly Becoming the Next Hotbed for Independent Filmmaking

In the heart of Northwest Arkansas, far from the traditional Hollywood backlots and the Los Angeles skyline, a quiet but deliberate cinematic shift is underway. Filmmaker Scott Cronan, a recent transplant from Southern California, is part of a growing movement that sees this region as more than just a scenic escape. For Scott, it is a place where filmmaking dreams can be realized with fewer gatekeepers, deeper community roots, and a supportive, innovation-driven culture.

This is not just another story about moving away from California for cheaper real estate. It is about the emergence of a new kind of filmmaking hub that is deeply tied to local storytelling, economic incentives, and a growing infrastructure that is ready to support creativity at scale.

From LA to NWA: Why One Filmmaker Made the Move

Scott and his family moved to Bentonville in 2022, initially drawn by the popular HGTV show featuring Jenny and Dave Marrs. It was not a calculated career move. It was a personal decision, driven by the desire for a slower pace of life, more space, and a better environment to raise children. But like any good filmmaker, Scott began to see a story unfolding. What he discovered was a vibrant and under-the-radar film ecosystem with real potential.

Arkansas might not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking about film production, but the state has quietly hosted over 100 film projects. Many of these were smaller independent productions, but the creative presence is real and expanding. Festivals like the Bentonville Film Festival, co-founded by Academy Award winner Geena Davis, have helped put a spotlight on the region. Now, filmmakers like Scott are stepping in to build on that momentum.

Why Northwest Arkansas Is Prime for Film Production

Several unique advantages make this region appealing to independent filmmakers.

1. Attractive State Incentives

Arkansas offers a generous cash rebate program for filmmakers. Unlike tax credits that may take years to be realized, the state provides a cash rebate within 45 to 90 days after production, covering a significant percentage of qualified in-state expenses. A project spending $500,000 in Arkansas can recoup up to $150,000, which drastically lowers the risk for producers and makes the state highly competitive.

2. Minimal Permit Restrictions

Unlike major cities where filming permits come with high costs and red tape, Arkansas allows filmmakers to work freely. Most locations do not require permits. This kind of accessibility is a major advantage for indie directors working with tight timelines and budgets.

3. Scenic and Versatile Locations

Scott highlights the diverse range of backdrops available across Northwest Arkansas. There are historic barns, luxury modern homes, rolling pastures, wooded trails, and even urban downtown settings. The only major feature missing is the ocean, but almost every other visual environment needed for cinematic storytelling can be found here.

4. A Supportive and Accessible Community

In larger markets, breaking into the industry can feel impossible due to intense competition and guarded networks. In contrast, Northwest Arkansas offers a far more open and collaborative environment. You can connect with the mayor, build genuine relationships through community events, and develop meaningful partnerships through local networking groups. People here are open to helping one another, and that authenticity is a powerful asset for building creative momentum.

Building a Crew and a Film Culture

Scott has over 20 years of experience in the industry. He has served as an editor, producer, director, and even worked on Apple’s high-profile product launch videos during the Steve Jobs era. He understands the creative and business sides of production.

Starting in a new place does bring challenges. The creative community is not as densely concentrated as it is in Los Angeles. Finding experienced crew members takes more effort, and connections take time to build. Scott is now focused on developing that local network and mentoring the next wave of filmmakers. He encourages collaboration and welcomes aspiring creatives who want to get involved in future productions.

A Vision in Progress: Producing a Thriller in Arkansas

Scott is currently developing a psychological thriller titled In Memoriam. The story centers on a young woman who discovers new technology that allows her to enter the memories of her comatose war-hero father. What she finds forces her to question everything she believed about him. The project explores themes of identity, memory, and generational truth.

The film is structured with a small cast and minimal locations. It is budgeted under one million dollars, which makes it ideal for independent production. Arkansas’s film incentives help offset production costs, and local venues can be repurposed creatively. The entire production is intended to take place in the region.

More than just a personal project, In Memoriam represents a strategic opportunity to build a foundation for future film development in Northwest Arkansas. Scott sees it as a calling card for investors, crew members, and storytellers who believe in what this region can offer.

Expanding Video Services Beyond Film

In addition to narrative filmmaking, Scott is expanding his commercial video production business. His company, Vertex Video, is launching a specialized service for construction site storytelling. This offering provides drone footage, solar-powered time-lapse cameras, and on-site documentary coverage to tell the story of a development from groundbreaking to completion.

There are more than 200 construction companies operating in Northwest Arkansas. With rapid growth in commercial real estate, Scott is offering a way for developers and builders to visually document progress, engage stakeholders, and differentiate themselves from competitors.

This service goes beyond simple drone flyovers. It includes detailed project timelines, real-time visual updates, and interviews that give depth to the project’s purpose and identity. Clients can access live views of their job sites and receive consistent updates, which provides functionality and long-term marketing value.

Looking Ahead: A New Studio Culture for Arkansas

When asked about his ideal next twelve months, Scott laid out a clear vision. He wants to see In Memoriam go into production. He hopes to have a television project in early development with a partner studio. He aims to grow his commercial video business by serving clients throughout the construction and development sectors.

Eventually, he also wants to help establish a dedicated studio space or post-production facility in the region. He is already networking with studio owners in Texas and Tennessee who have unused capacity and are looking to partner on original content. The long-term goal is to make Northwest Arkansas a sustainable base of operations for high-quality, independent filmmaking.

A Welcome Call for Collaborators

Scott is actively seeking creative partners. He is building a list of filmmakers, editors, designers, camera operators, sound engineers, and others who want to contribute to film productions based in Arkansas. Whether you are experienced or just beginning, Scott believes in training, mentorship, and creating opportunities. He knows what it feels like to be on the outside looking in and wants to help open the door for others.

Northwest Arkansas may not have the name recognition of Hollywood or Atlanta, but it has heart, beauty, community support, and a growing appetite for creative risk-taking. It has the potential to become a powerful center for independent film production and storytelling.