Chris Hoyt’s career in the film industry began, far from the bright lights of Hollywood, in the small town of Cordell, Oklahoma. His love for storytelling emerged during high school, where he and his brother spent nights playing guitar in a local rock band, often pausing to create homemade skits, reminiscent of Saturday Night Live.
“When I was going to high school in Cordell, I was playing guitar in a rock band with some other guys in town with my brother. We would play all night, whether in a garage or someone’s house. We would stop and make skits—like Saturday Night Live skits—for fun. We would write them and shoot them; it was fun.”
Despite his early creative spark, Hoyt pursued a business degree at Oklahoma University, unsure if the entertainment industry would provide financial stability. Still, he stayed connected to his passion by co-hosting a public access show with his brother and another student during college. The turning point came unexpectedly when a film, The Killer Inside Me, began shooting in Cordell. Although Hoyt didn’t initially land a role, his chance encounter with the wardrobe team led to an invitation from the director, sparking what would become a thriving career.
Hoyt’s role in The Killer Inside Me as a Sheriff Deputy was small but significant, working alongside actor Casey Affleck. “I was a featured extra, and that role led to acting part-time,” Chris recalled. Soon after, he began receiving offers to act in commercials. His next big break came when he landed a part in a Ryan Bellgardt film Army of Frankensteins, playing a soldier named Private Beauregard, a stepping stone that would set the stage for his transition into producing and directing.
“After my first day of filming Army of Frankensteins, I told my wife, Heidi, ‘I think I’m going to volunteer to help these guys with this movie.’ So I did. For nine months, we shot nights and weekends, and I became the associate producer of that movie.”
Following Army of Frankensteins, Gremlin came about, and the same team reached out to Hoyt, making him the film’s producer and further enriching his knowledge and experience.
Hoyt’s natural leadership and vision caught the attention of other filmmakers, and soon he was producing movies part-time while juggling a full-time job. But when a film called The Jurassic Games needed a set built, Hoyt made a bold decision—he quit his day job and dedicated himself entirely to the film industry.
“When making films on a low budget, you have to wear many hats. I pretty much just put everything on black and jumped right in,” Hoyt shared.
His commitment paid off. He co-founded Ctrl+N Studios with his partners Josh McKamie, Colin Stein, and Andy Swanson, a studio known for its highquality, visually dynamic films. Staying true to their meaning, igniting imagination and innovation, and embracing endless possibilities, Ctrl+N Studios has been behind successful projects like Gremlin, The Adventures of Jurassic Pet, Betrayed by My Bridesmaid, and Reagan, a historical film theatrically released on August 30, 2024, for which Hoyt served as the visual effects producer.
“Reagan had a ton of visual effects,” Hoyt explained. “As the producer, I’m the one that works with the director, the producers, and our team to make sure the visual effects jobs get done. I worked with the VFX supervisor, Sean McNamara, the directors, and the producers. I’m the person who organizes it all and makes sure it stays on track. The four of us at Ctrl+N Studios have double credits in Reagan. We have credits under our studio name and credits under Boiling Point Media.”
Hoyt’s expertise in visual effects and ability to multitask in various roles has become one of his defining traits. His creativity extends to writing and directing as well. His work on family- friendly films like The Adventures of Jurassic Pet and Adventures of Rufus showcases his range as a filmmaker. Fans of the Jurassic Pet series can get excited as Jurassic Pet 3, written, co-directed, and produced by Hoyt, is set to release at the end of the year in the next couple of months. He’s constantly expanding his horizons, with multiple projects lined up.
“In October, we are going to be shooting a movie that I wrote. I’ll be directing, and it’ll be a Halloween-themed film. I have another one lined up for December and January; I’m writing a rom-com set during Christmas.”
Hoyt is proud of his Oklahoma roots and remains committed to making films in his home state. “Every movie we’ve ever made, we’ve made in Oklahoma. We’ve done visual effects for movies out of state, but the movies we make, we do here.”
From farmland to forests, Oklahoma’s diverse landscapes provide a rich backdrop for Hoyt’s films, surprising industry insiders who assume his visually stunning projects were shot elsewhere.
“I don’t want to leave the state. We have such a diverse ecosystem here, and we’ve shot in places like Little Sahara State Park. When The Jurassic Games went to the American Film Market in L.A., they couldn’t believe it was all filmed in Oklahoma.”
His journey from small-town Cordell to a successful career in film is a testament to hard work, persistence, and the support surrounding him. “I couldn’t have asked for a better town to grow up in, high school, or teachers,” Hoyt reflected, crediting teachers like June Dirickson, Billie Goettsch, and Elaine Garvin for nurturing his creativity.
“My wife is very supportive. There are times when I am hardly home. When we are filming, it’s twelve-hour days. Even having a supportive network, the guys I work with are all very supportive of each other. I love the angles and the storytelling of Speilberg movies. Support-wise, I had a friend when I was in high school. He’s passed away. I met him right after my parents divorced, and he got me on the guitar. He got me writing music as a good stress reliever, and I try to write songs for movies, too. He was also very supportive of me artistically. He was a good friend, I still have his picture, and he’s been on my mind for 30 years. A lot of times, it’s that one person you cross paths with unexpectedly.”
Hoyt believes that the key to success in the entertainment industry, or any field, is showing up and being willing to do the work. “The biggest thing I stress when I talk to kids when we speak at college seminars, script writing seminars, and producing seminars is that you don’t have to leave the state to make it in this industry. The main thing is that you can do it. I always tell people that if you want to get into the movie business, just show up. Be the person that’s willing to do it and raise your hand.”
Though Hoyt now writes, directs, and produces films full-time, he remains humble, acknowledging the importance of teamwork. “I didn’t do it alone. A lot of time, it takes a team—be it family, friends, or the group you work with— to succeed. I have been blessed with the team I am part of—my wife, my son, and my business partners.”
As Hoyt continues to build on his successes, his love for filmmaking and storytelling remains at the heart of everything he does. “My career now blows my mind. I used to never imagine myself in the position I am now. Every script I write, I love. There’s a little bit of me in everything I do. My brother passed away in 2018, and some of those movies have him in there, too.”
For aspiring filmmakers, Hoyt’s journey from Cordell to creating movies seen by audiences worldwide serves as a powerful reminder that no matter where you come from, with passion and perseverance, you can achieve your dreams.