'The Park People' is an ambitious combination of indie-dramedies like Juno & Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and absurdist satires like Parks and Rec.

This satire follows four normal people, spinning in place because of the absurdity of their world. That is, until they find their local park is shut down to make room for new "luxury" apartments. 

We explore this unlikely troupe as they team up to save their park. They quickly find themselves engulfed in an ever-expanding web of nonsensical roadblocks, ridiculous bureaucrats, and shameless corruption. As their protests continue to fall on deaf ears, they discover the intrinsic value of the fight they're in together.

The Inspiration

The idea of everyday people fighting the oligarchy has been around since the dawn of capitalism, but seems ever prevalent in today’s world. The Boundary Waters and other formerly protected natural areas are being sold and mined, The National Park Service’s budget has been slashed, data centers are popping up all over the country, destroying ecosystems in their path, Line 5 is being expanded in our Great Lakes, and the list goes on. 

All of this feels so overwhelming and like it’s impossible to make any change. 'The Park People' has been our outlet - a world and story that makes fun of how absurd everything has become, while still finding a hopeful core of humanity and peace in nature that the world needs right now.

The Park

The titular park is in a quiet corner of the city. It's locally infamous as the hangout for drunks, stoners, and people who need a place to sleep. It used to be the crown jewel of the neighborhood, but years of apathy have left it littered and slightly eerie. 

It's represented on screen by the much more joyful BB Clarke Beach Park!

Most people don’t think twice when it’s set to be turned into luxury apartments. Except for…

The People

Katie, Tom, Rickie, and Parker (Park-er, get it?). Very different people, coming together over the love of parks. Because who doesn’t love a good green space?

Katie is a listless young adult with an overachieving family, misfit friends, and an addiction to doom scrolling. Her local park’s closing becomes a catalyst for changes she needs to make in her life, and she gets close to some cool folks along the way.

Tom is a bitter old man with the energy of someone half his age. As a former activist throughout the Civil Rights and Gay Liberation movements, he’s got a bone to pick again… In the form of the park across the street.

Rickie is Tom’s better half and the sweetest old soul one can have the pleasure of meeting. He’s usually very mild-mannered and non-confrontational, but his favorite park’s closure and the surrounding corruption ignites a rageful fire.

Parker is a kid down on his luck. He doesn’t have much to go back to, and spends his time rebuilding from his past life. He’s found peace in nature and when he gets looped into the chaotic closure of a small park, his search for good people seems to finally be over.

Beyond the park people, so many more weird characters populate the insane city they live in. There’s the corrupt pawn of a mayor, the burnt-out parks director, the former mayoral-candidate-turned-city-employee, Katie’s out-of-touch parents, her polar-opposite little siblings, a sell-out journalist, and so many more...

The Production

Like our characters, we’re up against a much bigger system than ourselves. Producing this movie in a grassroots way means pulling favors, using what we have, and involving the local Madison and Wisconsin community as much as possible. 

We'll be filming over 21(ish) days in the early summer of next year! This is where the magic will really happen.

We'll be preparing throughout the fall, winter and spring. This gives us ample time (ten months!) to polish the story, scout locations, design sets & costumes, and so much more to ensure our production goes smoothly.

After filming, we'll edit, color and sound design for the rest of the year and get it ready for a Spring 2028 release.

The Proof-of-Concept

Last summer, we produced our take on a no-budget short film that shows the tone, style, and value of the feature!

Watch it here: The Park People Short

The characters and the story were altered to fit the shorter time frame, but it still follow the same themes of activism, coming together, and hope moving forward!

The people behind 'The Park People'

This project was born and bred in Madison by local park-goer Corey Holl. It’s a collaboration between Cut The Deck Creative and other filmmakers from all over Wisconsin! 

Corey Holl, writer-director-producer

Corey is a proud young Wisconsinite and adventurer. He co-founded Cut The Deck Creative in 2021 and graduated UW-Madison in 2024, where he studied art and cinema production. Since starting his filmmaking career in high school, he's produced many shorts, screening and winning awards from festivals around the Midwest.

"I've always had the dream of creating a feature film with equal parts comedy and meaning. The story of people coming together of nature has been in my head for years, and 'The Park People' is the exact movie I’m called to make. It’s about nature, love, community, activism, Wisconsin, age, and so much more. I’m so excited to have it seen by people who need a good laugh and a good hug!"

David Guenthner, director of photography and producer

David Guenthner is an award-winning cinematographer and filmmaker born and raised here in Madison, WI. He co-founded Cut The Deck Creative in 2021, and went on to receive his undergrad in Comm. Arts - Radio, TV, Film and Cinema Production from UW-Madison. His skills and endless creativity have helped bring multiple independent films around the Midwest to the screen!

"Some of my fondest childhood memories surround playing games in parks, lending a helping hand to neighbors, and enjoying our great state's beauty. This project gives me the chance to make a film about a thriving community in my favorite community of all, Madison. I'm so proud of being a part of this passionate crew responsible for bringing The Park People to the screen!"

James Kovaleski, producer and sound designer

William James Kovaleski III grew up in the middle of nowhere (South Range, WI) and somehow managed to become an award-winning sound designer and film producer in Madison. He’s been working in audio/video production since childhood, making youtube videos on his dad’s laptop, and never really looked back.

“I have been in the woods since mere days after my birth, growing up in the rural Northwoods. Coming to Madison for college, I struggled without green space on all sides, but found refuge in parks around the city. I have been filmmaking since a little bit longer after my birth, but still long enough to win a couple of awards to flex. Naturally, when I found The Park People combining my passions for nature, my city, and film, Corey and David couldn’t keep me away.”

Madi Lewis, marketing director

Madi Lewis is a UW-Madison Radio, TV, and Film graduate with a passion for digital marketing and production. Madi has worked on several short films in the past, taking on the role of Assistant Director, Production Designer, and Associate Producer. Outside of filmmaking, Madi is a social media manager and event organizer.

“I love the sense of community I feel in Madison and our beautiful parks. I had an amazing time working as Assistant Director and Associate Producer on The Park People short. I can’t wait to start production on the feature version, especially because most of production will take place in my own neighborhood!”

Grace Koenig, associate producer

Grace is a UW–Madison graduate in Radio, TV & Film and Digital Cinema Production who grew up in the fields of Southern Illinois. After stumbling onto a film set in 2022, she never looked back, working as an Assistant Director, Production Designer, and Cinematographer on a variety of productions throughout Madison. Known for her infectious passion and creativity, Grace thrives in collaborative and challenging environments where storytelling comes to life.

“Growing up in the Midwest meant endless days outdoors, fishing, hiking and arguing with my brothers over poorly-built bonfires. While the days of running through cornfields on my way to elementary school are behind me, my love of nature has found a home in Madison's beautiful parks, and my passion for film has found a family with The Park People and its incredible crew.”

And More!

We're also excited to build this production with our energetic network of crew members and film lovers. If you're interested in joining the team, send us an email at [email protected]!

Madison, Wisconsin

There are over 280 parks in Madison! That’s a lot of beautiful green space that has fostered an amazing community of park people. We feel so grateful to live in a city that takes its nature seriously. 

We’ll be filming in a few of these wonderful parks, and all over the city, but the world in 'The Park People' is everything Madison isn’t. Where Madison’s citizens and public servants are progressive, hard working, and active, our world’s citizens are burnt-out, apathetic, and greedy.

Madison and Wisconsin talent, crew, catering, businesses and more will all benefit from filming this feature!

Once it’s done, 'The Park People’'s release will bring people into our parks and show the magic of Madison and Wisconsin through its theatrical run and further marketing.

The story will resonate with Wisconsinites and beyond. It’s about finding community and fighting for what’s right.

At the end of the day, it’s in our state motto, ‘Forward.’

The Budget

We’re looking to raise enough to support this film through 21 days of filming. We'll be spending all of the money on local talent, food, music, production design, and we'll be renting additional equipment. Our goal is to play with other films on a national stage.

We have agreed to work well below livable wage and often for free to produce this project. Funds raised past our $42,000 minimum budget threshold will go to cast and crew to bring their payment to industry standards.

Your donations are very much appreciated! We know money’s tight for some of us, but supporting the arts is now as important as ever. If you are an accredited investor, please reach out to us directly!

Get Involved!

There are so many ways to support this project beyond just donating! Follow along with the production right here on Seed & Spark or on our Instagram for updates. 

If you really want to see this project happen, get excited!! The bigger and more passionate our community gets, the easier it’ll be to fund-raise and make the movie as great as it can be.

Email Corey for more information and to start a conversation! [email protected]