Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Producers pitch 'Lawrenceburg Glory' to Lawrenceburg council; panel votes to put funding request on Dec. 1 agenda
Loading...
Summary
Producers from Ellusion Islands asked Lawrenceburg City for $400,000 to film a faith‑inflected sports drama in town, promising local participation and projected recoupment within 12–18 months; the council voted to place the proposal on the Dec. 1 agenda for a full vote.
Elliot Hepler and Jack Cook, co‑founders of the production company Ellusion Islands, presented a proposal on behalf of the film "Lawrenceburg Glory" at a Lawrenceburg City work session in November 2025 and asked the council to consider a $400,000 investment to cover production and marketing costs.
Hepler described the project as a 90‑minute sports drama with elements of faith that would be filmed mostly in Lawrenceburg and showcase the city’s architecture and community. "We are here to present Lawrenceburg Glory," Hepler said during the pitch. The producers asked the city to allow use of local locations — including the high school football field and team uniforms — and invited residents and businesses to participate as extras and vendors.
Jack Cook outlined the production process, saying development and preproduction would run several months, production would involve about 20 crew days on location, and postproduction would follow. The presenters said their production budget totals $300,000 for development, production and postproduction, plus $100,000 for marketing and distribution, for a $400,000 total. They estimated a full production‑to‑release timetable of roughly 10–14 months and said distributors typically recoup investments within about 12–18 months after delivery, with an initial ~3‑month upload/launch period before revenue begins to flow.
Mayor Kelly framed the proposal as an economic‑development and marketing opportunity as well as a potential revenue source. "This is just another way it gets Lawrenceburg on the map," the mayor said, arguing the exposure could draw visitors and benefit local businesses. Councilmembers asked questions about recoupment, how actor contracts are handled and the mechanics of revenue sharing; presenters said investors in the city would be paid back first and that distribution partners normally take 25–35% fees for services before net returns are distributed.
On procedural next steps, Councilmember Tommy Roulette moved to place the proposal on the common council agenda for the Dec. 1 meeting so the full board could vote on whether to commit city funds; the motion received a second and passed on a voice vote, with the presiding official stating, "Motion carries." Presenters confirmed they would provide a written contract and a more detailed incremented budget to the city before the Dec. 1 meeting.
The council and presenters also agreed on regular progress updates during development and preproduction, with the city to name a liaison for communications and scheduling. The work session concluded with the council adjourning and thanking the presenters. The Dec. 1 agenda will show whether the council votes to authorize any city investment or contractual commitment.
