Josh Tujillo is one of the partners ina new film production company entitled Epic New Era.

Pine River, Jenkins, and Pequot Lakes will soon be getting a dose of filmmaking with a purpose of helping the community.

A newly formed film company has been born in the area. The company's name is Epic New Era and the group is made of up of local people who, when they originally started meeting, had no intention of putting together a movie.

The two partners are Josh Trujillo, of Jenkins, who graduated from Pequot Lakes High School in 1999, and Jared Walker of Pine River.

"We're actually about 4 years old and we started out as more of a social endeavor. A group of 15 guys would meet and we would teach each other about whatever we knew. We also tried to think of ways to better the community," Trujillo said.

Eventually the group evolved and started to think of making a movie. Trujillo has been a writer since he graduated from high school and adapted some of his manuscripts into screenplays, sending them out to Hollywood.

Without any really enthusiastic response from California, the partners decided that they could produce the movie themselves.

"I realized that we couldn't make it in Hollywood, but that we could do it ourselves. We had a lot of work to do and things to learn, and I'm excited to get the process started," Trujillo said.

Their goal is to produce a low-budget film and then get it out through distribution companies or possibly going straight to DVD and selling them in large chain stores like Target and Best Buy.

This film has the low budget of $1,000,000. Yes, that's the right number of zeros. To raise this money they are seeking grants from various sources.

They are also asking for the public to get involved. Epic New Era will place the donator's name in the credits of their film if they donate money.

Epic New Era is looking for the community to become involved in other ways than through donations.

"We want the film to be all local and have it be a real community effort. We want local artists to work on sets and costumes, musicians to create the music, actors, and anyone who has a talent that they can share," Trujillo said.

The working title of the film is "We Jugglers" and it is a comedy. Trujillo has been juggling for many years, wrote the original script, and will be starring in the movie.

True to its roots, Epic New Era is still focuses on benefiting the community. According to Trujillo 50 percent of the profits from the movie will go toward helping make Pequot Lakes, Jenkins, and Pine River "green."

"We are interested in helping people install solar or wind power. We could make our towns much more environmentally friendly," Trujillo said.

Another one of their larger goals is to help foster art in the community in all aspects not just film. They are interested in eventually helping artists sell their work, publishing books, and other various artistic ventures.

"We are starting with films because it will allow us to get money for our other projects. Producing this movie is the first step for that process," Trujillo said.

Trujillo has jumped into this project completely. He quit his job and is working full-time to bring the movie to fruition.

Epic New Era would like to begin filming this fall if it is possible to raise the funds in that time. The movie is tentatively set for release in a year and a half.

If you are interested in learning more about Epic New Era, or donating to see your name in the credits call Josh Trujillo at (218) 839-9242; check out their Web site at www.eneflix.com; or e-mail Trujillo at josh@eneflix.com.

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