Film buffs and local economy supporters tune in: Hilliard is about to get a taste of Hollywood through hometown talent. As the City of Hilliard reported, Cyrus Richardson, a filmmaker of not insignificant repute in the local circuit, has garnered a $25,000 Innovation Grant from the Hilliard Development Corporation. This grant is a fiscal nod to Richardson's skills and a signal of Hilliard's commitment to growing its creative sector.
Richardson, who's already established under the banner of 12 Stones Productions, is steering his team and their newfound financial boost into uncharted territories—for them, at least. In the coming days, their psychological thriller "Aimless," as per the City of Hilliard, will come to life on the streets of Hilliard. Wrapped in the allure of the season's eeriness, one might begin to glimpse the camera crews as Halloween approaches, an unintended backdrop to their storytelling. Further cementing their presence in the area, they've taken up residence in The Junction by Westwood, a co-working space that sits comfortably in the heart of Downtown Hilliard.
The economic ripples of such a venture are not to be understated. "Aimless" promises more than just suspense and climactic thrills for its audience. It's a fertile ground for the local film economy to flourish. Hilliard stands to benefit from the added industry presence, shaking hands with the allure of film and perhaps whispering to other imaginative minds that Hilliard is a spot where creation can thrive.
For those interested in the financial backing that made this possible, details on Hilliard Innovation Grants can be found at the link provided in this article. And while Richardson and his crew get busy with their reels and scripts, residents should keep an eye out—in the most non-cinematic of realities, their everyday comings and goings may intersect with a scene or two from "Aimless." When that happens, they'll be a part of Hilliard's burgeoning story, not just Richardson's screenplay.
