In the news · September 4, 2026
Minot Daily News profiles Grain & Thunder
Minot, ND — The Minot Daily News published a profile of Grain & Thunder founder Derek Olson on September 4, 2026, under the headline “Minot native brings stories to screen.” The piece covers his return to Minot after years in Los Angeles production, the founding of the company, and its Bronze win at the 47th Annual Telly Awards.
Reporter Hannah Velasquez traces Olson’s path from print journalism through Los Angeles studio production — including photographing the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and producing for Disney’s Maker Studios — to founding Grain & Thunder in his hometown. The article also covers The B.O.G., the company’s half-hour ensemble comedy shot in Minot with local actors.
“There’s no way I would’ve said when I was younger, ‘I want to be a film director.’ That would be like saying, ‘I want to be the king of the world.’”
— Derek Olson, quoted in the Minot Daily News
Read the full article at minotdailynews.com.
About Grain & Thunder
Grain & Thunder is a documentary production company based in Minot, North Dakota. The company develops and produces commercials, documentaries, branded content, and original projects for tribal nations, city governments, and national brands. Founder and creative director Derek Olson, a Minot native with 20 years of production experience, leads a small team of producers and camera crew. Learn more at grainandthunder.com.
Media contact
Derek Olson, derek@grainandthunder.com