Lights, Camera...Big Screen! Seeing Our Commercials at the Movies Never Gets Old
There are few things better than settling into a comfy movie theater seat, grabbing a bucket of delicious buttery popcorn, and waiting for the lights to dim.
Well...there might be one thing…
Watching a commercial you created play on the big screen right before the feature presentation.
Since Savvy Productions first opened its doors, we've had the incredible opportunity to create commercials that have been shown in movie theaters across Utah. Even after all these years, it's still a little surreal when we're sitting in the audience, the lights go down, and one of our commercials suddenly fills the screen.
Sometimes we even get a bonus surprise and see multiple of Savvy Production’s commercials before the movie starts. Now that's a pretty bodacious way to kick off movie night. As a Utah video production company, we spend a lot of time helping clients connect with audiences through television, streaming, social media, and the web. But there's something uniquely special about the movie theater experience. The giant screen, incredible sound, and an audience that's actually paying attention make it one of the most exciting places to share a story.
Here are a few of our favorite campaigns that have made the jump to the silver screen…
One of our favorite theater spots was created with our awesome friends at Rumor Advertising for the University of Utah Health. This commercial took a different approach than traditional live-action advertising. Instead, we used bold motion graphics, kinetic typography, and clean animation to create an energetic message about becoming a better version of yourself. Sometimes words can be just as powerful as actions.
By combining thoughtful design, carefully timed animation, and dynamic music, we created a commercial that grabbed attention from the very first frame. Watching those animated graphics come to life on a massive movie theater screen was movie magic in itself.
The Grim Reaper Wants You to Buckle Up
If you've ever been to a movie theater in Utah, there's a good chance you've crossed paths with one of our favorite characters...The Grim Reaper.
Working alongside Penna Powers, we created a three-year campaign encouraging Utah drivers to buckle up and never drive impaired. Instead of taking a traditional approach, the commercials mixed humor with an important safety message by showing that even Death can be outsmarted with one simple choice.
The campaign became one of our all-time favorites to create.
Not only was it an absolute blast behind the scenes, but the series also went on to earn two Emmy Awards, making those movie theater screenings feel even more awesome. There's something especially rewarding about watching a packed theater laugh at the Grim Reaper while still walking away with a message that could genuinely save lives. That's the kind of storytelling we love.
Adventure Starts at Canyon View
Another campaign we're incredibly proud of was created for Canyon View Credit Union. The name itself inspired the creative direction.
Rather than filming inside a traditional bank setting, we took audiences outdoors with commercials featuring hiking, rock climbing, camping, and all the incredible adventures Utah has to offer.
The campaign celebrated exploration, community, and the idea that life's greatest adventures deserve a financial partner that's with you every step of the way. These commercials were not only fun to create—they also earned multiple Telly Awards, making the journey from concept to the movie theater screen even more rewarding. When breathtaking Utah scenery stretches across a giant theater screen, it's hard not to smile.
Why We Love the Big Screen
One of the reasons we love movie theater advertising is because people experience it together. Families. Friends. Date nights. Everyone sharing the same laughs, emotions, and excitement before the feature film even begins. Knowing that one of our commercials becomes part of that experience is something we never take for granted.
Behind every 30-second commercial are countless hours of brainstorming, storyboarding, filming, editing, color grading, sound design, and all the little details that happen behind the scenes. It's a team effort from start to finish, and seeing that hard work projected onto a screen several stories tall makes every early morning and late-night editing session worth it.
Here's to More Movie Magic…
At Savvy Productions, we've always believed great stories deserve a great audience.
Whether we're creating a commercial for the big screen, a corporate video, a television campaign, or a social media ad, our goal is always the same: help our clients connect with people in a meaningful way while making the entire process fun.
We're incredibly grateful to every client and agency who has trusted us to help bring their vision to life. Every project is another opportunity for lights, camera, adventure, another chance to create a little movie magic, and a reminder of why we love bringing stories to life.
So the next time you're at the movies, keep an eye on the screen before the previews begin.
You just might spot a little Savvy Productions movie magic before Hollywood takes over.
It's a feeling that never gets old.
