Jack Lugar, right, reviews footage with crew members during the filming of “This Train.”
ANDERSON — While filming in July 2022, Jack Lugar had no idea his film would be making it to the TLC Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles
The Anderson University film professor will be screening, “This Train” (formerly titled, “Hellcat”), Feb. 23 as part of the Golden State Film Festival.
Lugar originally intended to apply for the Culver City Film Festival. However, a festival organizer said he should apply for the Golden State Festival.
“This Train” follows aging rock star Ricky “Hellcat” Keller who returns to Anderson after the death of his son.
“We shot everything in Anderson, except for one location, which was in Noblesville,” Lugar said in a previous interview. “It is an Anderson film.”
Keller is played by Ed Paul Fry, a local musician, who doubles as a producer of the film.
Fry, who will also be attending the LA screening, expressed excitement about the upcoming screening, calling it “mind boggling,” and “humbling.”
The upcoming opportunity will be a time for Lugar to spend with his wife and their friends. However, it will not be the end of “This Train’s” journey.
Producers recently signed a global distribution contract with Bridgestone Multimedia Group.
Ed Paul Fry sits in a car during the filming of “This Train,” formerly known as “Hellcat.”
The organization’s website boasts more than 360 family-oriented/faith-based titles. Its faith-based brand prompted producers to change the film’s title. “Hellcat” likely wouldn’t sit well with such audiences, Lugar said.
A release date is unknown. However, Lugar predicted it would be sometime this summer.
Lugar’s journey began in 2020, when he came up with the premise of the film. The pandemic and other items put a damper on the film’s progress. Filming began in 2022.
“This Train” was filmed in 15 days, which lasted anywhere from 12-15 hours per day. Lugar then edited the film, which took about a year.
More than screenings and distribution, the film, Lugar hopes, acts as an inspiration for his students — If he can do it, so can they.
Ed Paul Fry, left and Jack Lugar converse on the set of “This Train,” formerly known as “Hellcat.” Both will attend a screening of the film, Feb. 23 at the TLC Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.
