This is what I’ve been working towards ever since I got my hands on a camera… and now I’m pulling the trigger. This summer, we will shoot Painting the Lake and I couldn’t be more excited about it.
Instead of spending years trying to find someone to purchase the screenplay, I will fund the entire project myself. Of course, this isn’t something I’m doing alone. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting a lot of incredible filmmakers, and together, we’ve built a very strong team.
Our entire crew is united by our belief in this project’s success. Everyone will be working on a back-end points system, meaning they’ll only get paid once the film sells. I can’t put into words how much it means to me to have such a dedicated team willing to take this journey with me. Together, we will make something truly special.
Painting the Lake
The films that inspired Painting the Lake
Painting the Lake is a drama/thriller about a small town house painter named Drew Palmer who starts an insurance scam in order to pay for his brother's medical bills.
I aimed to create a film that immerses the audience in ethical grey areas, where the notion of right and wrong is deeply blurred. Painting the Lake is grounded, thrilling, and heartfelt.
The Place Beyond the Pines significantly inspired Painting the Lake. Just as Luke Glanton utilizes his motorcycle riding skills to facilitate bank robberies, Drew Palmer employs his profession as a house painter to execute insurance fraud within the homes of unsuspecting clients. Both narratives explore the complex themes of legality versus morality, prompting the question: Is it justifiable to steal a loaf of bread to feed your starving family?
Cha Cha Real Smooth is a hidden gem that truly deserves your attention if you haven't yet seen it. The lead character has a lot in common with the protagonist in Painting the Lake; both are charming and endearing characters who bring joy to those around them even though they are deeply struggling within.
Drew, much like the protagonist of Manchester by the Sea, finds himself grappling with feelings of guilt and regret, which manifest in his interactions with those around him. Both narratives explore the complexities of human emotion and the transformative power of forgiveness. The characters' journeys remind us that, while the past cannot be changed, the future holds the promise of hope and renewal.
Painting the Lake features three heist scenes. I truly admire the way the heist scenes were filmed in American Animals. They come across as incredibly realistic and tense, as they focus on ordinary individuals committing crimes rather than a smooth action hero. There is a sense of weight and stakes to every action the characters make, leaving the audience feeling every stressful moment.
Want to help out?
If you are interested in investing in Painting the Lake and owning a percentage of the film please reach out to me at luke@lukefletcher.com
If you want to support the film, please take a look at this sweet, sweet merch. These shirts will only ever be available now. I’m not saying they might be worth a billion dollars one day, but I’m not saying they won’t.
So who’s making this thing?
but, a film takes an army…
Here are some behind the scenes photos of the beautiful people that helped create our film last year and will be working again on Painting the Lake.
Are we even any good?
I’ll let this reel do the talking…
Production Timeline
Want to get involved?
Whether you’re a crew member, an actor, or an investor, I’d love to talk to you about how you can get involved with Painting the Lake. Please send me an email at luke@lukefletcher.com