The Dallas film industry is a force to be reckoned with - just ask independent producer, Jon Keeyes of Highland Myst Cinema Group.

Keeyes is a director, writer and producer who knows the scene well, and he has a lot of industry experience to back it up.

As a former entertainment journalist, Keeyes decided ten years ago to make the move to behind the camera. His first movie, which he personally raised the funds to produce, was American Nightmare in 2001.


Since then he's directed five movies and produced another three. "American Nightmare taught me I could create, fund and direct a feature film," says Keeyes, "and make a pretty good living doing it."

Fast forward to 2009 and Keeyes and his production team have found their way to Lake Highlands - specifically the site formerly known as our Neighborhood Wal-Mart.

"The film we're currently shooting, Spilt Milk, began when Indigenous Film Works, an independent distribution company here in Dallas, and executive producer John Terry got together to launch the project," says Keeyes. "Written by Daniel Bower, Spilt Milk is an action-comedy similarly styled to John Hughes productions from the 80's like Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles."

Spilt Milk stars Jake Johnson as Todd Wells, assistant manager of a grocery store, and Chase Jeffery, best known for his role in the 2008 Rob Schneider film, American Virgin.

Production here in Lake Highlands will wrap in a couple of weeks, then the film spends another two months in post-production before we can look for it in theaters.

"The movie will hit the market in limited theatrical release this fall," says Keeyes, "and following its local run, viewers can find Split Milk on DVD later in 2010."

Directed by Blake Calhoun, this grocery store set movie finds lots of Dallas - and Lake Highlands talent - behind the scenes. "The Spilt Milk crew has been working in Dallas for 15 - 20 years, with a number of staff members actually living under a mile from the current movie set," says Keeyes.

LHToday will keep you updated on the film's progress and the 2009 local premiere of Spilt Milk.