LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- "Sons and Fathers" is filming in Little Rock, Jacksonville and other central Arkansas locations this week.
Based on a true story, a once-successful lawyer succumbs to drug addiction, attempts to reconnect with an estranged son and struggles with the loss of a love.
Writer and director Kareem Lawrence is a 25-year-old Little Rock citizen.
"This particular story is about a father who once had it all and he kind of abandoned his family at his peak. And being a son and respecting your father. The classic son vs. father tale if you will."
"Sons and Fathers" crew took over 2 rooms at St. Vincent's Hospital in Little Rock Wednesday afternoon and they'll canvas other central Arkansas towns before they call it a wrap.
Lawrence says, "23! 23 lovely locations!"
In charge of getting cast and crew in order--and wearing the right wardobe--is Mandy Fason, First Assistant Director.
She says the grueling schedule can be a challenge.
"it's challenging because of course most people here locally have other jobs. So to juggle doing this and being away from a job is hard...to find the key people we need but they have come forward and have committed and we're making a great movie! Everyone will be very proud."
One man who's already made Arkansas proud is Lawrence Hamilton. He plays the father in the film.
Hamilton says, "It's a good positive role: teaching lessons to young men. I think the biggest lesson out of this film is knowing where you came from and where you're going to have to go."
Some of the crew are from out of state, including Austin, TX and Orlando, FL but most of the cast and crew are from The Natural State.
Director Lawrence says, "I was really excited to be able to hire local people. That's one of the hardest things to do is have financing to hire local people. So we were able to do that. We have a crew of about 25 people."
Hamilton says, with a smile on his face, "It's exciting to see that Arkansas has been put on the map with filmmaking. I'm glad that it's happening!"
Filming will wrap the last week of July. Lawrence says "Sons and Fathers" is expected to be finsihed at the end of October, available on Amazon in November and on Netflix and iTunes in December.