The film, directed by Ron Carlson and co-written by Robert Galinsky and Carlson, is set in modern-day Los Angeles. What viewers may not know though is that the majority of production happened in Grand Junction, and some even occurred on the CMU Tech Bishop Campus thanks to the help of CMU Tech instructor of Digital Filmmaking Josh Meuwly, who serves as the Grand Junction Regional Liaison for the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), since 2023.
Meuwly’s role as production manager and co-producer on the film allowed CMU Tech to provide resources and accommodations beyond Colorado’s newest film incentive, which provides a 20–22% rebate or tax credit on qualified expenses. The new film incentive was established to help promote Colorado as a destination for film, television and media production. What Meuwly brought to the film production table was 18 students & alumni from CMU Animation, Film, Photography and Motion Design and CMU Tech Digital Filmmaking to find themselves in production roles including Levi Kramer, 2nd assistant camera; Eric Sigler, best boy electric; alumnus Ryan Simpson, grip; and 15 production assistants and interns, some with as little as one semester of training.
In addition to the tax benefits, Denver Film — an organization that works to promote film as both an art form and a civic forum — coordinated with Meuwly on a new Production Assistant Grant they received from the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM). That grant funded 6 of the Student PAs' wages to work on the film and they will also be receiving 10-day industry passes to the upcoming Denver Film Festival this October.
Beyond assisting with film production, the crew took the theme of the film to heart and dedicated themselves to making an impact in the community. August Heart Films partnered up with the United Way, Bombas Socks and Blankets of Hope to distribute Thousands of pairs of socks and blankets to the unhoused community in the Grand Mesa Valley.
“As the regional liaison in our area for the Colorado Film Commission, I believe a film like this has the power to leave audiences with a deeper sense of understanding. Much like the characters in this story, there are people in our communities who did not choose the circumstances they face, and for many, support comes only through the kindness and connection of others. If viewers take anything from this project, I hope it is a renewed sense of compassion and empathy for those individuals,” said Meuwly.
Meuwly’s position as liaison helped advocate for the state of Colorado and Grand Junction as an affordable venue for an otherwise budget-stressed production. CMU Tech was able to provide the production company with otherwise out-of-budget resources, like an ambulance and empty classrooms where scenes were staged. CMU Tech’s access to police vehicles and equipment sourced for career and technical education training allowed the team to avoid expensive costs related to renting and staffing such resources.
The Bench centers around five central unhoused characters who have found community and struggle while living on the streets. The film follows story lines that unfold into emotionally layered themes of grief, healing, memory and the importance of human connection.
What begins as a simple, seemingly random interaction on one bench slowly unfolds into a poignant and revealing conversation. As relationships form, the audience learns more about each character’s individual struggle, regret and hopes. The bench itself becomes a metaphor for the space we occupy between loneliness and connection.
“Having a production like The Bench take place in Grand Junction allows for former and current film students to get real experience with seasoned crew, known cast and working professionals. That experiential learning is a tremendous asset to a community that has limited professional feature film opportunities in their backyard. It helps strengthen our production ecosystem as a whole in Colorado and makes it easier to attract more productions to choose to film here,” said Arielle Brachfeld, deputy film commissioner for the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media.
The CMU Tech crew is especially looking forward to seeing the film grace the screen in the near future, and the state of Colorado is just setting the stage for its name in film production venues.
The filming of The Bench is just one of many examples of Colorado growing its name in the film industry. Locally, Grand Junction will host its annual Junktown Film Festival on October 10 at the Avalon Theatre. Supporters of CMU Animation and Film students and up-and-coming producers, creatives and directors can also look forward to the annual Mavalon Film Festival in Spring 2026.