Where Was the Rinvoq Commercial Filmed in Utah?
Behind the Scenes of a Pharmaceutical Ad in the Beehive State
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Introduction: The Mystery of Location Shooting
When you watch a commercial for Rinvoq (an immunology drug from Rinvoq / AbbVie) that features sweeping landscapes, active-lifestyle sequences, or dramatic outdoor backdrops, you might assume the commercial was filmed in a specific, iconic spot. In the case of many commercials, the actual filming location is not publicly documented in full detail, and that has proven to be the case with the question: “Where was the Rinvoq commercial filmed in Utah?”
In this article we will explore what we do know about the filming of Rinvoq commercials, examine whether Utah specifically was used as a location (and if so, which part), discuss how location selection works for pharmaceutical ads, and draw some conclusions about what can be asserted with confidence — and what remains speculative.
What We Know About the Rinvoq Commercials and Their Filming Locations
According to publicly-available commercial tracking databases (such as iSpot.tv), Rinvoq has several authentic lifestyle-and-action-oriented TV spots, including titles like “Mountains,” “Volleyball and Skiing,” “Gymnast and Sand Castle Carver,” and “Dancer and Glass Blower”.
For example:
“Mountains” is listed as a Rinvoq (UC/Crohn’s) spot and evokes outdoor mountain-scenes.
iSpot
“Volleyball and Skiing” similarly suggests a mixture of beach/volleyball and ski-mountain terrain.
iSpot
“Gymnast and Sand Castle Carver” and “Dancer and Glass Blower” incorporate artistic + outdoor elements.
iSpot
One Reddit thread attempts to locate a river section used in one Rinvoq ad—but that thread draws a conclusion that the location is in Mexico (the Rio Pescados in Jalcomulco, Veracruz) not Utah.
Reddit
Thus: while we know the commercial features outdoor/active visuals, there is no publicly confirmed documentation that a Rinvoq commercial was filmed in Utah. At least, I could not locate a credible source that declares “this Rinvoq spot was filmed at Park City, Utah” or “in the Wasatch Mountains.”
Given this gap, the rest of this article will examine possible Utah clues, how location scouting and filming work for ads like this, and how plausible a Utah filming-location is (or isn’t).
Could Utah Be a Filming Location for this Ad? The Case For and Against
The Case For Utah:
Utah offers some strong advantages as a filming location, particularly for outdoor, active-lifestyle commercials:
Utah has varied terrain: from alpine slopes (Wasatch, Uinta mountains) to desert-basin landscapes (southern Utah) to beautiful national parks.
Utah offers film-friendly infrastructure (especially around Salt Lake City/Provo) and is used for many film and commercial shoots.
If an ad features skiing, outdoor adventure, freedom of movement, and mountain views, Utah could be a natural fit.
The Case Against Utah:
However, there are obstacles and reasons why Utah might not have been used (or at least not publicly documented):
Major documentation or location-credits typically list state or region when used. In this case, no reliable source identifies Utah as the shoot locale for the Rinvoq spots we’ve referenced.
The Reddit thread on the river scene pointed to Mexico, not Utah. That suggests some outdoor scenes in Rinvoq ads were filmed abroad.
Reddit
Pharmaceutical commercials often shoot in controlled environments, sound-stages, or locations chosen for permitting, cost, or convenience rather than purely “look”.
Without clear production credits posted publicly, it may not be possible to definitively say Utah was involved.
Conclusion of this section: While Utah could be, and has all the look of a potential filming region, there is no publicly verified evidence that the Rinvoq commercial in question was filmed in Utah. Therefore, we must treat that claim as unverified.
How Location Selection Works for Pharmaceutical Commercials Like Rinvoq
Let’s go behind the scenes of how a commercial for a prescription drug might choose filming locations, and why it’s often a more complex process than simply “pick a scenic spot, shoot there.”
Creative Brief & Brand Message:
The agency and brand define what emotional tone is needed. For a drug like Rinvoq, the messaging might be about “regaining active life,” “freedom beyond symptoms,” etc. That drives the visual direction—ski slopes, beach volleyball courts, mountain biking, etc.
Location Scouting & Permitting:
A location-scout company may be brought in to propose different sites that meet aesthetic, logistical, cost and permit-requirements. They will consider weather, access, accommodations for crew, shut-down possibilities, legal/regulatory aspects.
For example, commercial-scouting firms list southern Utah / northern Arizona region as accessible and film-friendly territory.
locationssouthwest.com
Budget, Incentives & Logistics:
Budget plays a big role. If a location offers film incentives, lower permit fees, or lower travel costs, that may sway the decision. Utah does offer film incentives in some cases, though big national spots may favour very established studio locales.
Also, even if a location looks like Utah, filming may happen elsewhere (Canada, abroad) to reduce cost or increase flexibility.
Production Needs & Controlled Shooting:
In pharmaceutical commercials, there may be tight controls needed around filming actors demonstrating lifestyle activities, specific medical-related messaging, and very controlled lighting/production. That may favour studio locations or controlled outdoor environments rather than remote wild terrain.
Post-Production & CGI:
In some cases, a seemingly remote location is enhanced or even partially CGI-driven. Backgrounds, color-grading, drone shots, and compositing can change a desert or mountain venue into something more dramatic.
Given all that, even if Utah appears to be the location, it may have been partly shot in Utah, partly elsewhere—or even simulated elsewhere entirely.
What to Do if You Want to Confirm the Exact Location
If you are trying to definitively confirm where a Rinvoq commercial was filmed in Utah (or elsewhere), here are a few practical steps:
Check production credits: Some commercials include “Location: ____” or mention the production company, which can shed light on geography.
Contact the agency or production company: Many commercials are produced by agencies or houses that might disclose general location info (though they may not due to confidentiality).
Check filming permits and local film-office logs: Utah’s film commission or local county permitting offices may have records of major commercial shoots.
Look for visual clues in the footage: Mountains, vegetation, road signage, architecture, flora/fauna—and compare with known Utah landscapes.
Search for local news or social-media posts: Often when a commercial shoot happens in a town, local news or Instagram posts mention “crew in town filming ad” etc.
If you like, I can attempt to dig into public permitting databases in Utah to see if a Rinvoq ad shoot is listed—but there is no guarantee of success.
Conclusion: What We Can—and Can’t—Say
In summary:
We know that Rinvoq has produced several commercials with outdoor, active-lifestyle motifs (mountains, skiing, sand castle, glass blower, etc.).
We do not have publicly verified documentation that identifies a Utah filming location for these commercials.
While Utah is a plausible setting for such visuals, the absence of confirmed evidence means we must treat any claim that “the Rinvoq commercial was filmed in Utah” as unconfirmed.
If you are writing about this topic or including it in an article or project, it would be best to qualify the claim (“possibly filmed in Utah”, “location not publicly confirmed”) unless you obtain direct confirmation from production/agency/permit records.
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