The Painted Desert selected Higgin to direct the film, as well as naming the stars of the film, William Boyd and Dorothy Burgess. Later in the month it was reported that Higgin would head to Arizona to begin location scouting for the film, accompanied by fellow director, Tay Garnett, however in August Higgin began scouting in the Arizona desert with the screenwriter, Tom Buckingham. It was announced that the film would employ over 300 extras. Higgin was familiar with the area, having working in and around Flagstaff, Arizona as a lumberjack prior to his entering the film industry. Towards the end of August
Painted Desert Project the reservation about the work as well as between tourists passing through the area and local residents. In a small way the art brings people together and stimulates conversations that might not otherwise occur. Artists who have been involved with the Painted Desert Project include: Tom Greyeyes, Troy Lovegates, Thomas "Breeze" Marcus, Monica Canilao, Overunder, Doodles, Labrona, Gaia, Roa, JB Snyder, Pixel Pancho, 2501, Ever, Jaz, Alexis Diaz, Hyuro, Mazatl, Stinkfish, LNY, Nanook, Jess X. Chen + Mata Ruda. The Painted Desert Project is ongoing as of 2016. Thomas hosts a Google map of sites of the Painted Desert Project