Jon Smith – Wonderstone

We had the opportunity to talk to Jon Smith, Ph.D., faculty member of the Communication Department at Southern Utah University and writer/producer of the short film Wonderstone. 

Wonderstone is about a company in Kanab, Utah mines, processes, and sells interesting artwork and home décor made from colorful sandstone. One day a worker cuts open a 200-million year old, solid piece of stone and finds what appears to be a fossilized cell phone. Through interviews combined with on-scene video at the factory and with experts, “Wonderstone” follows as the workers extract the object and attempt to find answers to how it got there.

What was the inspiration to make Wonderstone? 

When creating fiction it is always fun to play the “what if” game. So in the case of “Wonderstone” and an existing business in southern Utah that cuts open 200 million year old sandstone rock to create decorations and home decor, we just said “What if a modern object appeared in a freshly cut rock and what would happen if it did?

From idea to completion, how did this production change?

Some of the casting and locations had to be adjusted depending on availability. 

What was the biggest challenge in getting Wonderstone made? 

We approached this as if it were a 48 film challenge. So we shot and edited it in a 48-hour window. 

What do you think is the most important takeaway from your film? 

Just have fun

If you could have a do over with Wonderstone is there anything that you would do differently? If so, what would that be?

Not much would change. Maybe just spend more time shooting. 

What do you have next in the works?

A promotional film for the Frontier Homestead State Park that involves a ghost that wants to hang around the park because the homestead life is the best for her. 

How can we learn more about you and your projects?

SUU Communication Department and SUTV. For live events – https://www.suu.edu/hss/comm/sutv/webcast.html