Utah: A Portrait

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Length:	56 minutes.
Released:	July 31st, 1995
Available in:	VHS, DVD

Soar above Delicate Arch, the Great Salt Lake, and the high Uintahs in KUED's Utah: A Portrait, a stunning aerial collage evoking the sweep and majesty of this unique land. Created by Emmy Award-winning producer John Howe, the video postcard captures Utah at its finest while launching KUED's Centennial celebration.

Utah: A Portrait weaves together soaring visual imagery of the state with powerful words and a dynamic original score by Utah composer Tully Cathey. Thematic "portraits" reveal the many different facets of Utah -- from the sun-baked Salt Flats to the sapphire waters of Bear Lake.

"The program is a visual celebration of the diversity of Utah," says Howe. "Certainly what we found during the aerial filming is how spectacular the state really is in terms of landscapes: from deserts, to forests, to striking rivers and lakes. They all combine to make Utah a great place to live."

The program is a companion piece to the University Press publication Utah: A Portrait, written by William B. Smart and photographed by John Telford. Following the book's format, Utah: A Portrait presents a comprehensive tour of Utah that begins in Northern Utah and progresses into Southern Utah's five national parks: Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Arches.

In addition to characteristic shots of Utah's national parks, the program visits unfamiliar spots, including the Aquarius Plateau, Abajo Mountains, and the upper Escalante River drainage. The film focuses on Utah's paradoxes -- juxtaposing the desolate Salt Flats with the lush, rugged Uintah range.

Interwoven historical details enhance Utah: A Portrait as it captures cities and towns throughout the state. Viewers will receive a rare bird's eye view of the towns in which they live --whether it be Centerville, Logan, Cedar City, St. George, or even a smaller city. "We've essentially covered the whole state; it will all be represented in the film, even little small towns like Duchenne, Roosevelt, and Vernal," says Howe. "I think there will be a little bit of something for everyone in Utah: A Portrait."

Utah: A Portrait is made possible by the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation and the US West Foundation.