In We Believe in Dinosaurs the Bible and science collide at a Kentucky creationism museum’s humongous $120 million Noah’s Ark-inspired theme park.
When an enormous, $120 million Ark is built at the Creation Museum in rural Kentucky, the goal was to prove the Bible is scientifically and historically accurate, with detailed exhibits alongside animatronic Biblical characters and animals. Along with incredible access to the Ark’s preparation, We Believe in Dinosaurs unfolds through the eyes of several Kentuckians: Doug, who creates lifelike animals for the Ark, and other colleagues working behind the scenes; Dan, a geologist who blows the whistle on the Ark’s discriminatory hiring practices; David, a former creationist and frequent member of the Museum who now blogs critically about the beliefs he used to hold; atheist activist Jim Helton, co-founder of Tri-State Freethinkers who led a protest rally outside the Ark’s opening; and residents who support the Ark in hopes it will revive the local economy. At its core, We Believe in Dinosaurs explores the roots of our beliefs and worldviews by examining the relationship between science and religion.
The Filmmakers
Monica Long Rossis a filmmaker and playwright. She is a co-founder of 137 Films, and co-directed and co-produced the award-winning documentaries We Believe in Dinosaurs, The Atom Smashers, and The Believers. She was a founding member and playwright for Childsplay in Tempe, AZ, and the Arizona Women’s Theatre Company.
Clayton Brown is a documentary and narrative filmmaker interested in exploring the stories and compelling characters that emerge when people pursue their passions. His fiction work includes Galileo's Grave and The Darkening Sun. He is a co-founder of 137 Films, and co-directed The Atom Smashers, The Believers, and We Believe in Dinosaurs.
Produced by
Amy Ellison
Monica Long Ross
Clayton Brown
Music by Kate Simko
Animations by
Ian Benjamin Kenny
Edited by
Clayton Brown
Executive Producers Philip Cable
Paul and Danah Fisher
Keith McCready
Written by
Monica Long Ross
Assistant Editors
Stephen Poon
Zoe Pressman
Eric Abert
Cinematography
Clayton Brown
Featuring
Jamie S. Baker
Rob Boston
Rev. Chris Caldwell
Jim G. Helton
David MacMillan
Megan McKamey
Dan Phelps
Jennifer Scott
Stephen Wood
Additional Camera
Olivia Curry
Kimberly Sullivan
Scott Thiele
Mark Davis
Jen Scott
Editorial Consultant
Matt Lauterbach
Development
Amy Ellison
Additional Music
Vincenzo DiFrancesco
Additional Songs “Carnickel and Pocketboat”
Composed and performed by
Tim Story and Hans-Joachim Roedelius
Seventh Chance Music (BMI)
“Just Grant County”
Composed by Jimmy Million
Performed by Megan McKamey
Elmer Burchett and Jimmy Million
Used with permission of Jimmy Million
“On the Prowl”
Composed and performed by Cape St. Francis
Jingle Punks
“Believers Tension”
Composed and performed by Clayton Brown
Violin
Kamila Bydlowska
Sound Recording
Amy Ellison
Kim Sullivan
Social Media
Olivia Curry
Kevin Guo
Supervising Sound Editor
Ugo Derouard
Re-recording Mixer
Ugo Derouard
Dialogue Editor
Mehrnaz Mohabati
Sound Effects Editor
Justin M. Green
Assistant Sound Editor
Candace Rae Rich
Poster Design
Justin VanGenderen
Legal Counsel Thomas R. Leavens
Distribution Advisor Amanda Lebow
Color Grading
Jeff Altman
Advisors
James Baptist
Carolyn Blessing
Robyn Bowland
Gorman Cook
Peter Doetschman
Mark Hammergren
Sean Kaplan
Andy Swindler
Sales Representation
Creative Artists Agency
Creative Consultant
Rachel Traub
Transportation Coordinator T.J. Ross
Indiegogo Consultants
Marc Hofstatter
John Trigonis
Rhian Humphries
Special Thanks
David Alvarado
Kathy Berger
Maggie Bowman
Katie Brooks
Don and Helen Brown
The Cincinnati Museum Center
Julie Duncan
Alan and Pam Epley
David Fowlie
Brendan Gardiner
Kyle Henry
Brenda Hunda, PhD
Greg Jacobs
LifeFormations
March For Science, Lexington, KY
Bryan Marshall
Monica Metzler
Randy Moore, PhD
Bill Nye
Brian Perkinson
Bill and Lisa Piechowski
Eugenie C. Scott
Ian Simmons
Adam Singer
J.P. Sniacki
Ines Sommer
Joe Sonka
Glenn W. Storrs, PhD
Jason Sussberg
Rev. Alan Taylor
Domietta Torlasco
The TriState Freethinkers
Calum Walter
Funding Provided by
Ericka Brandstetter
Illinois Arts Council Agency
Patrick Lysaght
Brandon S. Higa
Lee Traub
Mike Grayson
Ned Fischer
Timothy Alexander
Tom and Linda Kaplan
James Langer
Christopher Guarnera
Eric Pynnonen
Ernie Barbarash
Jason & Maryann Vincent
Mark Nigogosyan
Mark Skala
Matthew Grayson
Peter Angelopoulos
Kevin Davis
Brandon Haught
James Jenkins
Kevin Pfefferle
Stephen Roberts
David Curry
LG Development Group
Alexander Hill
Cory Gooch
Dan Haddock
Erick Hahn
Fikri Yucel
Katherine Dorsey
Kevin J. McCormally
Laura Singer and Sean Bradley
Michael Hopfenspirger
Robert Seery
And others. A complete list available from PBS.
Licensed by ITVS
Production Support by
1091 Media
William and Michele Ross
Thomas Sullivan
Jen Ellison
John Long
Gwynne Long
Bevin Ross
Tom and Candy Sullivan
Nicca Ross
Angela Gardiner
Dave Stinton
Greg and Amy Duncan
Colleen Gardiner
Mary Gardiner
Noreen Rodriguez
Rudden Gardiner
Original Series Funding Provided by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Wyncote Foundation
The National Endowment for the Arts