Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise & Matthew Thornton
Hi Denise & Matthew, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story is one of creativity, persistence, and finding strength in our differences. It all began when we were just kids—seventh graders in Corpus Christi, Texas. We met at a track meet, and though we had a typical young love story filled with breakups and makeups, something always pulled us back together.
Fast forward to 2003, we got married and took a leap of faith by moving to Los Angeles. Matthew was chasing his passion for acting, and while it was a challenging period, it also shaped the way we approach storytelling today. That experience taught us resilience, adaptability, and the importance of artistic integrity.
At the time, I (Denise) was balancing my Type A personality with Matthew’s creative vision. Over time, we realized that our differences were actually our greatest strengths. I handled the logistics, budgeting, and business operations, while Matthew focused on storytelling and visual artistry. This balance became the foundation of Griffyn.Co Productions.
The company started as a side project. Matthew was teaching seventh grade during the day while moonlighting as a filmmaker at night. We built everything from the ground up—learning, experimenting, and evolving along the way. As our projects grew, so did our vision. We saw firsthand that no amount of expensive gear or flashy effects could replace a compelling story. That became our mantra: Keep it simple. Tell your story.
Today, Griffyn.Co Productions is a full-fledged video production company based in Austin, Texas. We focus on crafting authentic, cinematic narratives that help brands, artists, and businesses communicate their message effectively. Whether it’s a commercial, documentary, or creative project, our goal is to capture the essence of a story and bring it to life with clarity and emotion.
Looking back, our journey was anything but linear, but every challenge, every lesson, and every risk led us here. And honestly, we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our journey has been more of a slow build rather than an overnight success. When we first started, film was just a side gig. Matthew was teaching full-time, and we worked on projects in the evenings and on weekends, learning the ropes and making connections along the way.
That slow start actually worked in our favor. By the time we made the leap to turn Griffyn.Co Productions into a full-time business, we were already connected to the film community and the local business scene. We didn’t have to scramble for work or figure things out on the fly—we had built a solid foundation over years of experience.
One of the biggest challenges was patience. It’s easy to feel like you need to go all in immediately—invest in expensive gear, hire a big team, or take on huge projects before you’re ready. But keeping it simple has been key to our success. We didn’t overinvest ourselves or our money up front. Instead, we chipped away at it, taking on what we could, delivering the best work possible, and slowly scaling up.
Even now, as we expand and take on larger projects and full-scale films, that mindset hasn’t changed. We’re still focused on steady, intentional growth, making sure every step forward is sustainable. Looking back, the slow road was the right road—it allowed us to grow into our business rather than being overwhelmed by it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Griffyn.Co Productions, we are a multi-faceted independent media company specializing in high-quality film production across a wide range of genres. From narrative films to documentary features, from branded content to commercial storytelling, our goal is to craft visually stunning, emotionally engaging stories that leave a lasting impact.
We’re still in the early stages of scaling, but our journey has already been incredibly diverse. We’ve worked on short-form commercial content, music videos, corporate branding films, and cinematic narratives, each project pushing us to refine our craft and elevate our storytelling. Some of our work includes:
Narrative & Documentary Films – With 2 feature films (Silverfish / Ullberg: Wind in the Sails) and a dozen shorts under our belts, we are moving deeper into long-form storytelling, creating compelling narratives and documentary feature films that capture real, powerful stories. (I have provided a trailer link for Ullberg: Wind in the Sails, which is the feature doc we completed at the beginning of this year.)
Branded Content & Commercials – We continue to serve businesses and organizations by producing high-end commercial content that enhances their brand identity.
Music Videos – We bring artistry to music-driven visuals, crafting immersive storytelling experiences for artists.
Corporate & Non-Profit Films – Our work extends to impactful visual storytelling for businesses and non-profits looking to communicate their mission in a compelling way.
We take pride in our versatility—adapting to different styles and formats while maintaining a strong cinematic aesthetic. What sets us apart is our ability to balance creativity with strategy. We don’t just shoot beautiful footage—we focus on telling the right story in the most powerful way possible.
One of the things we’re most proud of is the sheer variety of work we’ve been able to execute at a high level. Each project has helped us refine our approach, and as we grow, we remain committed to both artistic expression and client-focused storytelling. We’re excited about the future as we expand further into feature-length films, but we will always remain dedicated to serving our partners through high-impact commercial content.
At the end of the day, our mission is simple: tell great stories, create stunning visuals, and bring meaningful ideas to life.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
When you’re just starting out, it’s natural to take on any work you can get—and honestly, that’s not a bad thing. Every project, no matter how big or small, gives you valuable experience, helps you build relationships, and teaches you something new about your craft. But the key is to keep your expectations in check and not try to conquer the industry overnight.
Growth in this field is a slow burn. At first, you may feel like you have to do everything—every genre, every type of project, every opportunity that comes your way. And in the beginning, that broad experience is useful. But over time, you’ll start developing instincts that guide you toward certain types of projects. You’ll begin to see what excites you, what you’re naturally great at, and what aligns with your creative and professional goals.
My biggest piece of advice? Remain open and aware of those instincts. Pay attention to the work that feels most fulfilling, the projects where you find your best flow, and the moments where you feel the most creative. Those are signs pointing you toward the kind of work you should be doing.
Also, be patient with yourself. Filmmaking—whether it’s commercial work, narrative, documentary, or anything else—is a long game. You don’t have to have it all figured out on day one. Focus on consistency, keep learning, and trust that every project is a stepping stone to something bigger.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.griffynco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griffyn.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffyn.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-and-matthew-thornton-0b425366
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GriffynCo/featured
- Other: Ullberg: Wind in the Sails Documentary Film Trailer – https://youtu.be/-nySM6AY5ck?si=Byu-wjbf8x2rYrJ-
