A team of actors, writers and cinematographers are working on a piece to showcase the city of Eau Claire

Members of the movie crew say they're proud of the localization of their project.

They hope their independent film attracts people to downtown Eau Claire and the surrounding areas.

It may just seem like old, familiar streets and buildings you drive past every once in a while, but local movie makers say downtown Eau Claire is the perfect place to shoot an independent film.

"I think Eau Claire is very picturesque in and of itself. It's a beautiful place to be," said film writer and actor Michael Van Hemert.

The movie is called “Big Star." It's a film about struggling artists in the Eau Claire music scene. And everyone involved is from the area.

"All the talent is being, is in it is local. The writing is local, the production is all local. So it's really like a love letter to the city of Eau Claire," said director and producer Keith Lorasch.

Chief Cinematographer Randy House developed the idea last fall. In November, Van Hemert and Lorasch began writing the script, which turned out to be a nine week process.

Lorasch says after they completed the 170 page script, pre-production began. That includes finding filming locations and donors to help pay for the project.

The crew is in the process of filming right now. When that's done in a few months, the director says they'll move on to editing and distribution.

"It's sort of a learn by doing process so whatever happens along the way sort of determines your next course of action," said Van Hemert.

Director Keith Lorasch says the crew is working long and awkward hours since most of them have other full time jobs.

He says the film is set to come out in September.