Yesterday, our downtown office had a little more energy than usual.

Instead of listing appointments and strategy sessions, we welcomed a local independent film crew who transformed our space into a movie set for the day. For several hours, cameras rolled, actors rehearsed, lights were adjusted, and scenes were filmed for an upcoming short film titled Murder at the Lake.

It was a reminder of how powerful — and fun — it can be when a community shows up for the arts.

A Small Space, A Big Creative Effort

The filmmaker behind the project, Desmond Dukes, is a local Jackson man working hard to carve out a place in the independent film industry. His cast and crew were exactly what you’d hope for in a true indie production: passionate, scrappy, collaborative, and incredibly dedicated.

Every one of them showed up like a professional — prepared, focused, and committed to the story they were telling.

What really stood out was the reality of filmmaking itself. They spent most of the day shooting just two scenes — likely only a few minutes of the final movie. It was eye-opening to see how much effort, planning, and patience goes into even the smallest moments on screen.

Michigan’s Indie Film Scene Is Thriving

Over the course of the day, I learned a lot about the independent film market in Michigan — and it’s booming. This project wrapped up its fourth and final day of filming after shooting scenes all around Michigan.

There’s something special happening here. Creators are choosing Michigan. They’re telling stories here. And they’re doing it with heart, grit, and local support.

Why This Hit Home for Us

I’ve always described our brokerage as an independent brokerage in the same way people talk about independent films. We’re not a franchise. We’re not corporate. We’re locally owned, locally built, and proudly different.That’s why opening our doors to this project felt natural.

When I was young and getting started, this community supported me. People took chances on me. They gave me opportunities, encouragement, and room to grow. Being able to return that favor — even in a small way — matters to me.

It was also a personal highlight to have my daughter there with me, watching the process, meeting the actors, taking photos, and seeing creativity unfold in real time. It turned a workday into a memory.

Proud to Play a Small Part

We don’t know the full story of Murder at the Lake yet — we only saw two scenes out of the entire film. But we do know this: projects like this don’t happen without people willing to say yes, offer space, and support local talent.

We’re proud that our office could be a small part of this filmmaker’s journey, and we can’t wait to see the finished product.

If this experience reinforced anything, it’s that independent creators — whether in film, business, or real estate — thrive when communities support each other.

And we’re always happy to be part of that story.

-Ben Latocki, Owner Production Realty