The Chosen, a groundbreaking television drama that vividly portrays the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of those who encountered him, has captivated a global audience. Conceived and directed by Dallas Jenkins, this multi-season series boasts over 408 million episode views worldwide and is accessible in 58 languages. Distinguished by its cinematic production quality, compelling performances, and a unique fan-supported funding model that made the first two seasons a $22 million crowdfunding triumph, The Chosen offers its content freely to viewers internationally. As the highly anticipated season three unfolded, the question on many fans’ minds became: Where did the filming take place? The answer lies in Midlothian, Texas, the new permanent home for The Chosen studios.
The Chosen sets located in Midlothian, Texas
During the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, The Chosen established a pivotal collaboration with The Salvation Army’s Camp Hoblitzelle, a sprawling 1,200-acre facility nestled in Midlothian, Texas. This strategic alliance involved a long-term lease agreement granting The Chosen access to 900 acres of Camp Hoblitzelle’s expansive property. Brad Pelo, President of The Chosen, explained the location selection, stating, “We were looking for a place that would be convenient for cast and crew, where we could capture the essence of the Middle Eastern locales where Jesus’ ministry took place.” This partnership proved mutually advantageous, providing The Chosen with an ideal filming environment and offering Camp Hoblitzelle a meaningful purpose during a period when its traditional camp programs were suspended.
Within an impressive nine-month timeframe, CRC Construction undertook the construction of a 30,000-square-foot soundstage and a meticulously detailed first-century city spanning over two acres. This newly constructed site became the primary filming location for the ambitious third season of The Chosen, which involved an impressive 12,000 extras. In October 2022, The Chosen officially inaugurated its permanent home with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, welcoming faculty and staff members from Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) to tour the remarkable sets and sound stage.
Members from Camp Hoblitzelle join with The Chosen team for the ribbon cutting.
During the tour of The Chosen film campus, Dallas Jenkins, the director and co-writer, shared valuable insights for aspiring filmmakers, particularly those within the faith community and students involved in SAGU’s Digital Arts Media program. Addressing the common misconception that Christian filmmaking is inherently limited or ineffective, Jenkins emphasized the unique advantage faith-based creators possess. He stated, “So many students, especially believers, think, well, I don’t want to be a Christian filmmaker because Christian filmmaking is cheesy and not effective. But I can tell you, one of the core things any filmmaker would kill to have is a niche audience that’s actually looking for something they want. And so having your faith be a part of your filmmaking is not only not a negative these days, but it gives you an advantage. Because there’s an audience out there that wants it.”
Jenkins’ perspective is powerfully validated by the remarkable success of The Chosen, evidenced by 19.26 million unique app downloads and consistent top 50 rankings in entertainment on both iOS and Android platforms. The audience for faith-based content is not only present but actively engaged and willing to invest, as demonstrated by the show’s innovative “pay it forward” funding model, which fuels the production of future seasons.
Co-writer and producer Dallas Jenkins interacts with several guests during the tour of the The Chosen sets.
Prior to the establishment of the Midlothian set, The Chosen utilized other locations for filming. Seasons 1 and 2 were primarily filmed at Capernaum Studios in Weatherford, Texas, and at The Goshen Movie Set in Goshen, Utah. While Season 3 also incorporated locations in Texas and Utah, the permanent move to Camp Hoblitzelle in Midlothian signifies a long-term commitment to this Texas location.
Jenkins himself visited the SAGU campus in early 2022, engaging with Digital Media Arts (DMA) students and sharing his experiences directing The Chosen. His genuine passion and vision resonated deeply with the students. He encouraged them to embrace their faith as an asset in filmmaking, stating, “What I’m hoping with The Chosen,” he says, “is that you can feel the permission to do good work. The best filmmakers are telling their own stories. You have the opportunity to do the same thing. Don’t shrink from it. Don’t consider it a liability. It’s actually an advantage. And I think you’ll actually find yourself more in step with God rather than trying to run away from the label.”
The Chosen Season 3, showcasing the miracles of Jesus and his earthly ministry, is now available on major streaming platforms, joining Seasons 1 and 2. For individuals interested in pursuing film production, SAGU offers a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Arts, providing comprehensive training in broadcasting, creative management, writing, and production.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about The Chosen Filming Locations:
Q: Where are the primary filming locations for The Chosen?
A: The Chosen has utilized several key filming locations throughout its seasons. Seasons 1 and 2 were filmed at Capernaum Studios in Weatherford, Texas, and The Goshen Movie Set in Goshen, Utah. Season 3 and subsequent seasons are primarily filmed at The Chosen’s permanent set at Camp Hoblitzelle in Midlothian, Texas.
Q: Why did The Chosen choose Midlothian, Texas as its permanent filming location?
A: Midlothian, Texas, was chosen for its convenient location for cast and crew and its landscape, which effectively replicates the Middle Eastern setting of Jesus’ ministry. The partnership with Camp Hoblitzelle provided a large, suitable property to construct a permanent first-century city set and soundstage.
Q: What economic benefits does the filming of The Chosen bring to Ellis County, Texas?
A: Ellis County gains significant economic advantages from hosting The Chosen production, including increased tourism, local business growth, job creation, and enhanced global visibility for Ellis County businesses.
Q: How can I get the latest updates and news about The Chosen?
A: Stay informed about The Chosen by visiting the official website (https://watch.thechosen.tv/) and following their social media channels: The Chosen Instagram, The Chosen Facebook, and The Chosen Twitter. You can also subscribe to their official mailing list for direct updates (https://new.thechosen.tv/).
