Omaha native actor bringing bright lights of Hollywood to Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - It's not everyday that you find a television show being filmed in Nebraska.

The opportunity is giving local actors like Mario Stewart II a shot at their dreams.

"It's nice to have opportunity here. To see the community growing at a fast pace," Stewart said.

The production, called "The Foundation" is a psychological thriller built off the vision of actor, Randy J. Goodwin. But he's not sticking to the script. He's creating his own with his Omaha-based production company, Fallen Giant Films .

"I just want to be able to help us all get to the place where we're putting this stuff right here in Nebraska on the big screen and the small screen," Goodwin told 6 News.

Goodwin is setting the scene by exposing the next generation to life behind the scenes.

"I did not think I would have an opportunity like this, as I don't know many big film studios around or would have the connections to do so," said Presley Williams, a student at Elkhorn High School.

He's moving stories forward by keeping actors and crew members in Nebraska to see their name in the credits.

"I always told myself I wasn't going to be like a starving artist in New York or L.A. That I would shoot my shot here and see where things would go," said actress Natalie McGovern.

Goodwin is even showing Hollywood players what Nebraska has to offer.

"I'm seeing hunger. I'm seeing people that want to learn. I'm seeing hardworking people," said Bobby Razak, assistant director of "The Foundation."

Soon, Nebraska will have even more for the film industry. Starting in 2025 "The Cast and Crew Nebraska Act" will give tax incentives to production companies that shoot here . It's an initiative for which Goodwin has been advocating.

"The goal is to bring the revenue to the state of Nebraska and since I'm an Omaha boy, I chose to do it in Omaha," Goodwin said.

That way the Midwest can be a gateway to the silver screen.

"I don't want to go back to L.A. ever again," Goodwin told 6 News. "I want to do it all from right here. and I think we can."

"The Foundation" is in early production. Details on when and where it will air are coming soon.