A dartboard, a struggling bar, the best of friends: it’s a fitting combination for a compelling film about hope and determination.
The concept of “Bulls” has lived in the mind of Writer, Director, and Producer Dan Meyer for decades, and the unique film is finally coming to fruition in the heart of Michigan City, Indiana.
Meyer wrote the script over 20 years ago after hearing about the production of the movie “Swingers.” The film, which started as a fun project among friends, became a sensation. Meyer was an actor at the time, and he entertained the idea of making a movie with his colleagues as well.
“Bulls” was imagined shortly after. Meyer leaned on his own experiences playing darts with his friends and developed a captivating plot with an underdog hero, a supportive community, and plenty of friendly competition. The film follows two friends who own a struggling bar and get swept up in a dart-throwing world championship despite their amateur skill level.
The idea sat idle while Meyer advanced his career in Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles (LA). It resurfaced during a conversation with the owner of a bar in Michigan City. The film was originally set to take place in New York, but after speaking with the bartender, Meyer began to explore the idea of the movie taking place in a small town instead.
He revisited the script and made some adjustments, including changing the setting from a bustling city to a charming Indiana small town.
“When I was younger, you had to drag me back here for the holidays. As I've gotten older, I really have grown to love being in this environment. There’s a lot going on in New York and LA, but as you get older I think you really start to appreciate this sort of small-town mentality, the environment, and the community,” Meyer said.
The change in scenery created a unique opportunity for Meyer to interact with the city in a new way.
“I started to think of it as an opportunity to really do something different and not just shoot it here but actually set it in Michigan City. I wanted it to be in my hometown and have some local people, musicians, and businesses in it because I just find it to be a cool, interesting place,” said Meyer. “I think most people have a certain idea of what Indiana is and that's probably mostly farmers and farms, but that's not all. We have this beautiful beach, a beautiful lakefront, and we have a really interesting and diverse community. This is a chance to show that Indiana's more than what most people think it is.”
The community has come together with an abundance of support for the film. Whether it’s through providing locations, transportation, or financial support, the film’s theme of small-town support has proven to be far from fiction.
“The plot of the movie is that these two guys get this chance to do this unbelievable thing and play for the world darts championship feeling that they have zero chance. They start to train and their town starts to rally around them, and then they start to have hope and think that maybe they do have a chance. That support in the movie has been mirrored by the response of the people in town. Making movies is a difficult endeavor, but they've been championing it and rallying around it and supporting it. It's very much like what happens in the film,” Meyer said.
News of “Bulls” has reached some notable names in the world of competitive darts. The cast will include the top two dart players in the country, and the production will be sponsored by the Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) and potentially a large dart manufacturer. Meyer has also received calls from people all over the world who are interested in the production.
Despite the worldwide recognition, Meyer is still dedicated to staying true to his roots. He plans to host a screening for the town once the movie is released, and hopes to show the rest of the world a glimpse into a Region gem.
“I'm really looking forward to that day. We’re going to have a lot of stuff to do between now and then, but that day when we get to sit down and watch a movie with family and friends here in town, that's what I'm really looking forward to,” Meyer said.
The project is currently in the preproduction stage, and filming will run from mid-April to mid-May. The film will be pitched to distributors and will likely be placed on various streaming services once editing is complete.
“Bulls” will largely rely on donations for financial support. The film’s fundraising is collected through an Indiegogo campaign, which provides a way for supporters to directly contribute to the funding of the film while receiving perks like autographed copies of the script, exclusive digital downloads, and associate producer credits in return.
Meyer looks forward to giving Michigan City a spot on the big screen, and the city has been a pleasure to work with as he produces a heartwarming movie about the power of hope and perseverance.
“I'm just really excited to do this and showcase our community. Thanks to anybody that's come out, anybody that's thinking about being a part of it, wants to be a part of it, or wants to help in any way,” Meyer said.
To keep up with the production of “Bulls,” follow the film’s Facebook page here. To support the film through its Indiegogo campaign, click here.