Temple Grandin’s Trailblazing Legacy

In the heart of Colorado State University’s foothill campus, a groundbreaking event at the Temple Grandin Equine Center marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey. Executive producer John Festervand, also the Director of Development for the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University, initiated a connection with Dr. Temple Grandin that would lead to the creation of the award-winning documentary, “An Open Door.”

Dressed in her iconic pearl snap western attire with the unmistakable “TG” bolo, Dr. Temple Grandin became the focal point of this cinematic exploration into her influential life and work. The documentary, directed by John Alexander Barnhardt, weaves together the narrative of Dr. Grandin’s advocacy for the humane treatment of livestock, her contributions to autism rights, and her commitment to inclusive neurodiversity.

John Festervand’s dedication to learning about Temple Grandin extended beyond casual observation. Taking a method similar to analyzing football films, he delved into her movies, books, and public speaking appearances. The proximity during the Covid pandemic allowed for several socially distanced meetings between Festervand and Dr. Grandin. These interactions became crucial in understanding her life, legacy, and plans after her 75th birthday.

The documentary team, consisting of John Festervand and director John Barnhardt, embarked on a challenging yet rewarding production journey. One of the significant hurdles was navigating Dr. Grandin’s demanding schedule, filled with teaching, advising, public speaking, overseeing her cattle handling business, and global book tours. Her personal story alone presented an undeniable challenge, but the team recognized the importance of telling it authentically.

Despite the challenges every aspect of the production became a delight for the team. John Barnhardt’s recruitment was a crucial step, aligning philosophically with the aim of creating a distinctive hands-on learning experience for every student involved. The project’s uniqueness extended to its 12 recruited students, fully immersed in every facet of the documentary process.

Reflecting on the production process, Festervand highlighted the difficulty of ensuring an exceptional experience for the students and juggling Dr. Grandin’s hectic agenda. However, the team’s dedication paid off, resulting in an unforgettable documentary experience.

Looking back, Festervand pondered the possibility of capturing footage during Dr. Grandin’s consulting trip to Ireland. While uncertain about the added depth, the team successfully achieved their goals within a remarkable timeframe of 236 days from August 29th, 2022, to April 22, 2023.

For those aspiring to enter the production space, Festervand’s advice is clear: surround yourself with individuals who share a comparable work ethic. Embrace Dr. Grandin’s wisdom, echoed in the film, that “the world needs all kinds of minds to solve problems in the future.”

“An Open Door – Temple Grandin” is an official selection of the Utah International Film Festival, with a screening scheduled at Maven Cinema in American Fork, UT. The documentary encapsulates the essence of Dr. Temple Grandin’s impactful journey, celebrating her groundbreaking life, lessons learned, and lasting legacy.