People Who Inspire: Chad Gundersen, TV and Film Producer

When season 2 of the Chosen had just started, Christian Women Living Magazine reached out to “the Chosen” to get an insight to the production of this amazing series that has taken the Christian community by storm. If you started from the beginning, you can fully understand the impact that this series has had on so many people. In our quest for insight, we were put in touch with Chad Gundersen for a quick insight interview for all of our readers who are fans of “The Chosen.”

Cyndi Kay Green: Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Chad Gundersen: My name is Chad Gundersen and I am film and television producer.  I own Out of Order Studios along with Chris Juen and we are based in Fort Worth, TX.

CKG: At what age did you know that you wanted a career in film/radio/TV production?

CG: Oddly enough, I was about 20 when I started in the film industry.  I studied biology in college (initially) and was going into sports medicine.  I played both football and volleyball in college but lets just say, God had other plans for me.  My senior year of college I switched from biology to film and started my first company producing music videos for local bands and commercials for local businesses.

CKG: Can you tell us about Out of Order Studios? What was the inspiration behind its creation?

CG: Chris Juen and I come from very different backgrounds.  I am 20 years in the independent film world and he is 20 years in the studio system.  Honestly, the only thing we had in common when we met was that we knew God had called us to do something different in the industry.  One of our goals is to do “studio quality projects with an independent mindset.  “Get Used To Different” right? 

The name Out of Order came from my business partner and his wife, Jen, doing a few things in their lives that were “out of the worlds order, but very much in God’s order”.  Jen joked “that should be the name of your company…and here we are.

CKG: How did you get connected with “The Chosen”?

CG: I have known Dallas Jenkins since about 2000.  We did our first feature film together in about 2004, Midnight Clear…him as a director and me and a producer.  We have not worked together since but had always stayed in touch.  When he was developing The Chosen he approached me about two things…possibly shooting in Texas and me coming on to produce.

CKG: What has been your inspiration in the production of “The Chosen” and has this project had an impact on your personal faith?

CG: I think Dallas would say there are many things that have inspired the show.  From him wanting to do a multi season TV show on the life of Christ to the short film, The Shepherd, that he directed that started it all.  Many things behind where God has taken this show.  With regards to my personal faith, its almost a daily thing on this show.  We call them our “Red Sea Moments” when something happens and our back is against the wall and its no one but God that can get us out.  There are too many examples of this to write down.  

CKG: Do you think the series went above the expectation as far as popularity?

CG: Oh,  NO ONE saw this show doing what its doing.  Except for the Lord, Himself.    We joke (sort of) and just say, “Lord, please don’t let us mess this up!”  He is doing such an amazing work in and through this show, that we just want to see it continue to soar.

CKG: What has been the most challenging aspect of this production? Are there any bloopers, blunders or funny stories from the set that you would like to share?

CG: Where to start with this?!?!  We have everything from record setting rainfall to the coldest ice storm in a generation in the state of Texas.  Texas does things bigger but those were HUGE. 

But God…

He has turned what we thought would be a disaster in those moments and made the show even better because of them.  On the bloopers side…folks need to watch until the end of Ep 8 in Season 2.  Little treat there.

CKG: Do you have a favorite episode?

CG: I do not have a favorite episode but I do have favorite moments.  The end of Episode 1 in Season 1 with Mary Magdalene being called by name and then when later in the season when Jesus tells Eden that He “sees her”.  Those two just wreck me every time.

CKG: Can our fans expect a long running series?

CG: We are doing 7 Seasons. 

CKG: Are there any other large scale productions that you have worked on that you would like to share?

CG: I have produced about dozen feature films and various other TV shows and even some animated projects but The Chosen is the crown jewel right now. 

CKG: Is there anything you would like to share with our readers?

CG: Keep following The Chosen, I can assure there is so much exciting stuff coming that folks don’t want to miss.  Folks can also follow Out of Order Studios on Facebook and Instagram for updates on all the great things we will be doing.  Eph 2:10.

Thank you Chad, for giving us an insight to this wonderful production. We look forward to more of the “The Chosen” and more from Out of Order Studios.