About the Film
Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie is a documentary set in southern Ohio, where Dallas Gilbert and Wayne Burton have spent years searching for evidence that Bigfoot exists. What begins as a film about two amateur Bigfoot researchers gradually opens into a portrait of friendship, belief, and the dreams people build together.
A Note on the Film
As its title suggests, Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie was never meant to be only about cryptozoology. From the beginning, the deeper pull of the story was Dallas and Wayne themselves: their bond, their shared sense of purpose, and the way their search became part of how they understood themselves and their place in the world.
The film is rooted in curiosity, affection, and a genuine interest in what this pursuit means to them. Their story is at times lighthearted and at other times unexpectedly deep, grounded in feeling, loyalty, and real emotional stakes. What emerges is a celebration of two people whose friendship and shared belief have given shape to a remarkable journey.
Making the Film
The origins of Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie go back to 2000, when filmmaker Jay Delaney first heard about Dallas Gilbert through a business card that read, “Dallas Gilbert, Bigfoot Researcher.” That discovery led to an earlier short documentary, American Dream, and eventually to the desire to return and tell the story in a fuller way.
Production on the feature began in late 2005 with a grassroots approach and a small crew. Filming took place in and around southern Ohio, including time spent with Dallas and Wayne at home, in the woods where they conducted research, and at Bigfoot-related events beyond the region. Roughly 60 hours of footage were captured. From start to finish, the film was a labor of love and an effort to honor the singular spirit of Dallas and Wayne’s story.
Key Crew
Jay Delaney
Director, Producer, Editor
Jay Delaney is a visual storyteller and community builder from southern Ohio. He produced and directed Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie, a documentary set in his home region that premiered at SXSW. The film is his first feature-length documentary.
Jeff Montavon
Executive Producer, Production Sound Mixer
Jeff Montavon is an Ohio-based filmmaker and sound professional whose work has included videography, editing, and nonprofit storytelling. He brought both technical skill and creative partnership to the film. Jeff is a native of Otway, Ohio.
Shane Allen Davis
Cinematographer
Shane Allen Davis is a filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist from southern Ohio. As cinematographer, he helped shape the film’s intimate visual style. Davis is a native of Lucasville, Ohio.
Selected Credits
Jeff Montavon
Jeff Montavon
Shane Allen Davis