Chad Gundersen ('00) didn't intend to become a successful film and television producer. In fact, when he arrived at UNT as a sophomore transfer student majoring in biology, he was aiming for a career in sports medicine.

But that changed when, during his senior year, he switched his major to radio, television and film -- now called media arts. Since graduating, he has been involved with numerous film and television projects and now co-executive produces "The Chosen," TV's first multi-season series focused on the life of Jesus Christ.

In its fifth season, the megahit series -- which streams on multiple platforms and free of charge on The Chosen app -- is seen in every country and has been dubbed in 60 languages. It also propelled the "Binge Jesus" movement and catchphrase, which adorns T-shirts and other apparel sported by fans of the series.

"We passed 'Baywatch' as the most-translated show in history," Gundersen, a native of Roanoke who now resides in Trophy Club, says. "I never knew during my career that beating 'Baywatch' was a goal of mine."

Creating a Company

During his first semester at UNT, Gundersen auditioned for and was cast in several student films. He began taking film and theater classes as electives.

At age 19, he and friend Joe Scott ('98) -- a media arts alum who now hosts the popular "Answers With Joe" YouTube series -- started their own production company and worked for several years producing commercials for area small businesses, music videos for fledgling bands and other projects in which Gundersen frequently acted and provided voiceovers.

"Through that process, I realized our company needed a producer -- even though, at the time, I didn't realize what a producer was," Gundersen says.

The primary decision-makers on productions, film and television producers work to secure financing and other resources, coordinate schedules and logistics and ensure that infrastructure is in place for creative and technical teams. They may also be involved in developing ideas for projects and processes including scriptwriting, location scouting, acquiring talent and negotiating contracts.

A fan of the Left Behind Christian novels, Gundersen wrote a letter to its co-author, Jerry B. Jenkins, in the early 2000s expressing his interest in participating should the popular book series ever get optioned for a film. Jenkins wrote back and connected Gundersen with his son, film and television writer and director Dallas Jenkins, creator of "The Chosen."

In 2005, Gundersen co-produced the faith-based film "Midnight Clear," which was written and directed by Dallas Jenkins. Over the years, he has produced more than two dozen projects, including the 2014 faith-based Western "The Redemption of Henry Myers" that aired on the Hallmark Movie Channel, and 2015's "Hoovey," a family drama co-starring Patrick Warburton of "Seinfeld" fame, which streams on the Angel Studios app.

'The Crown Jewel'

Also in 2015, Gundersen co-founded Fort Worth-based Out of Order Studios with partner Chris Juen. The pair were later approached by Dallas Jenkins about producing a crowdfunded series called "The Chosen."

Gundersen says he and Juen initially were hesitant to tackle a project about the life and times of Jesus Christ. "There's so many of them done. So, we almost turned it down." But, after reading the first script, "I turned to Chris and said, 'We need to think about this. The approach to the story is different.'  Obviously, we made the right decision."

The first season of "The Chosen" -- produced at Capernaum Studios in Weatherford -- began airing in April 2019. Gundersen says the show became appointment television during the COVID-19 pandemic. "That's when 'Binge Jesus' became a thing. It started getting some legs and people started discovering it."

Its popularity among audiences has been "humbling," he says, adding that he's received messages from viewers who claim the series has changed their lives. "The impact on people has been the biggest thing."

Season five of "The Chosen" premiered in March, and production on the sixth season -- which will focus on Christ's crucifixion -- is underway at Camp Hoblitzelle, a Salvation Army Camp in Midlothian. Additional scenes are filmed on location in Utah.

Gundersen says Out of Order Studios is producing an animated series called "The Chosen Adventures," which is slated to premiere later this year. "We have pretty big source material with the Bible. There are a lot of great stories." The company is also developing several non-faith-based film projects.

"We couldn't be prouder of 'The Chosen,'" he says. "It could very well be the crown jewel of everything we've done."