Chase Kuker and Jordan Kuker are convinced a micro-documentary film could be what Lampasas needs to help the city grow its brand as a tourism destination.
As the Lampasas Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors begins to shift its attention away from the Business Park, tourism has been discussed as a new avenue for economic development. At the board’s meeting on Feb. 11, the Kuker brothers provided a detailed presentation on how film will elevate Lampasas. “We have found that when there is film involved, a brand video that showcases what the town is offering, those things draw and attract people in,” Chase told the Dispatch Record.
Raised in Lampasas, the Kukers spent 20 years off and on in Los Angeles in the film industry but recently moved back to the community full time in 2023. Although away from Hollywood, the brothers remain very much involved in filmmaking.
Chase is a co-founder of several awardwinning filmmaking ventures including Chromosomes, which specializes in post-production audio, and Lunar Doors, an independent film production company. Jordan is a producer at Lunar Doors, and recently with his brother founded Pillar Productions, a locally based production studio and creative infrastructure company.
Also a founder of Pool House Studios, Chase and his business partners were prepared to launch their new Bertrambased audio recording studio Jan. 17, but a fire that engulfed the facility ruined those plans.
With more time on his hands, Chase opted to join Jordan at the monthly meeting of a local nonprofit Forward Lampasas. The focus of the meeting was a marketing presentation from Madeline Grenadier Fish of the Digital Society.
After listening to input during the meeting, the brothers believed they had a plan. The Kukers approached Forward Lampasas member and EDC board president Deorald Finney about their idea to use filmmaking as a marketing tool for the city.
“I got to hear what their needs are here and was like, ‘Wait, we have something we can offer,’ ” Chase said. “We have a service we do that can really help benefit what everybody is doing. It was kind of cool. One thing led, like that opened up to see what we can do in the town we live in.”
The Kuker brothers have developed plans for a 12- to 15-minute documentary film that can be edited as a four-minute marketing tool to highlight Lampasas’ rich history, its hidden gems such as the Hancock Springs pool, restaurants and more. Instead of crafting a typical documentary, the pair plan on telling a narrative.
“We will probably have eight people that we are focusing on,” Jordan said. “Interviewing them and telling a narrative on the history of Lampasas to where it is now and what we have to offer.”
For the film, the brothers plan to give it a true Texas feel, like a “Landman” meets “Friday Night Lights.” Through creative camera angles and bringing the culture of Lampasas to life through a vivid plot, the pair believe they can sell Lampasas to the public.
“The reason why films make so much difference with people and they feel something is because it’s heightened reality,” Chase said. “You are experiencing the sound design, music, everything that is drawing you into the moment to really feel something.”
The Kukers said the film could be used as a brand asset to let potential visitors learn about the unique opportunities Lampasas has compared to other communities.
“The whole point of people traveling and going places is not just to go drink and go to restaurants,” Chase said. “It should be to meet other people, see what community looks like in different areas and experience the history of a town. Lampasas has so much to offer, and I think it has been building that slow because of all the work people have done.”
Their plans do not stop at just a film. The brothers want to develop marketing tools that will be accessible to the EDC, the city staff, the Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center, and other partners.
“It is social media edits, vertical media versions, still photography that can be used for chamber of commerce brochures, drone footage and B-roll archives,” Chase said. “This goes to everybody. Anybody that wants it, needs it, gets it. Everybody is on the same page, everybody is using the same branding material.”
Interim City Manager and Acting EDC Director Erin Harrison said an item to approve the Kuker brothers’ marketing film will be posted for action on the EDC board’s meeting agenda for March 18.
“Based on what I heard, I think it is a great marketing opportunity for the city, certainly marketing collateral and some exposure we haven’t received to my knowledge ever, and certainly in recent history.” Harrison said. “It’s nice that some hometown boys are creating it.”
The Kuker brothers are ready to get to work once approval is granted. They said it could take a month to complete the project. The pair look forward to the opportunity to bring their hometown community to life.
“We have such cool businesses, places to go and experiences that have so much potential, we just want to help elevate that so people can come and want to be here,” Jordan said.
