From Oscar winners, to comedians, television series and feature films, Northwest Arkansas is seeing its fair share of celebrity sightings.

What’s the draw to our community?

“True Detective”, “F.R.E.D.I.”, “Max Winslow and the House of Secrets”, the upcoming “Squeaky Clean Mysteries: Hazardous Duty” and a film starring Martin Lawrence are just a few examples of television shows and movies using Northwest Arkansas as a backdrop.

The local film community is on the rise thanks in part to our next guests who has contributed to a few high profile films that have been made in Arkansas and set in our great state.

Watch as director Sean Olson and co-producer Christian Beckman join Good Day NWA to unveil details on a new project that has been filmed in nine different locations throughout Northwest Arkansas. The movie is Hazardous Duty, from the first book in the Squeaky Clean Mysteries series from author Christy Barrett.

“As soon as we get to this place, we’re enemies.”

Imagine a family film with vague likenesses to both ​Willy Wonka ​and the ​Goosebumps ​series, that manages to strike many chords of relevancy in a digital world… You have ​Max Winslow and the House of Secrets​.

This year’s half term movie is a spin on the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory premise reimagined for the internet age that pits a group of ‘bad’ children against each other to win a glittering prize. A High School teen movie with a dash of the Hunger Games aimed at young adults, Max Winslow and the House of Secrets is a fun if cheesy story of teamwork and beating your demons.

Directed by four-time Emmy Award winner Sean Olson (The Other Mother TV movie 2017, F.R.E.D.I. 2018) and written by Jeff Wild (Chelsea Lately series, The Josh Wolf Show series), Max Winslow and the House of Secrets is the latest tween/teen Sci-Fi/Thriller offering. Its story revolves around eccentric billionaire Atticus Virtue (Murray: One Tree Hill series, Camp Cold Brook 2008), who has extended a once in a lifetime offer to five Bentonville, Arkansas students.

Tech wizard and reclusive entrepreneur Atticus Virtue (Chad Michael Murray) invites five troubled teenagers to spend the evening in his futuristic mansion to compete in a series of games. The prize? Why whoever has the most points at the end of play will win the house of course. All the kids go to the same school Atticus attended and this is his way of giving back to the local community whilst finding a protégée to mentor.

Join the cast and director Sean Olson along with special guests as we host a watch party for the truly delightful Max Winslow and the House of Secrets. This indie film for the whole family is about five teenagers who compete to win a mansion owned by entrepreneur and scientist Atticus Virtue. To win, the teens must face-off against a super computer named HAVEN who controls the mansion. Max Winslow and the House of Secrets is filled with a lot of fun and a ton of heart. What happens will surprise you!

Ahead of its UK release next month, a trailer, poster and images have arrived online for the family sci-fi Max Winslow and the House of Secrets. Directed by Sean Olson, the film follows five teenagers trapped by an evil AI entity after they are invited to compete in a game to win the mansion of an eccentric billionaire.

“Extra” is giving a “Max Winslow and the House of Secrets” Blu-ray and DVD combo pack to 10 lucky friends!

In the movie, directed by “Extra” editor Sean Olson, Chad Michael Murray plays a tech mogul who has handpicked five high school students to participate in a high-stakes game. Check out this sneak peek!

Max Winslow and the House of Secrets arrives on Blu-Ray and DVD August 25.

Mostly painless by design, Max Winslow and the House of Secrets retains a potent bite whenever Sydne Mikelle appears on screen.

Five teens are invited to the home of an eccentric billionaire to compete in a game to win his mansion. The night takes a dark turn when they become trapped in the house and are forced to face off against each other and an evil AI entity who controls everything in the mansion including their fate.

The Valley’s first movie theater to reopen is kicking off with the local premier of Ahwatukee native and Mountain Pointe High School alumnus Sean Olson’s second feature film today, June 10.

Tara Hitchcock of KTVK and Good Morning Arizona interviews director Sean Olson about his new film ‘Max Winslow and the House of Secrets’ and past works including ‘F.R.E.D.I.’ and ‘How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer’

Tara Hitchcock of KTVK and Good Morning Arizona interviews director Sean Olson about his new film ‘Max Winslow and the House of Secrets’ and past works including ‘F.R.E.D.I.’ and ‘How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer’

Filmmaker Sean Olson directs ‘Max Winslow and the House of Secrets’, the story of five teens invited to the home of an eccentric billionaire to compete in a mysterious game. So how do you make a successful independent family film? Sean offers his advice.

TUCSON – A University of Arizona graduate opened his newest feature film in Arizona on Wednesday.

Sean Olson is a graduate of UArizona’s School of Theatre, Film & Television in the College of Fine Arts.

Sean Olson, a former long-time Ahwatukee resident and editor for the entertainment news magazine Extra, was anxiously awaiting the Arizona premiere of his newest movie and its opening in Harkins Theatres in April.

But then came the pandemic, closing film festivals and theaters.

“Ah, the challenge of releasing an independent film in the middle of a pandemic,” Olson lightheartedly mused.

Reminiscent of older Disney films, suitable for children while retaining socially relevant messaging.

In this episode Ryan talks with Film Director SEAN OLSON (‘Max Winslow and the House of Secrets’, ‘Christmas Wonderland’, ‘The Other Mother’, ‘F.R.E.D.I.’ ) about how stating out as an Editor has helped him to be a better Director on set. He also talks about his new company TRASH PANDA ENTERTAINMENT.