GREENSBORO -- A local filmmaker is bringing his passion back home to the Triad and shooting his first movie in the Gate City.

The comedy, “12 Trials of My Patience,” is a parody of the classic Greek legend, “The 12 Trials of Hercules.” Shooting started early Sunday morning and some of the state's best and brightest are helping create the film -- both in front of and behind the camera.

“It actually came from karma,” said writer, producer and director Chris Walker. “I have friends who are big into karma and I wanted to make a story that was all about being nice to other people.”

The movie stars Charlotte native and rising comedian Maronzio Vance. They're not working with big studio budgets and many local businesses helped to make the production possible.

“A lot of people really pitched in, like Quizno’s gave us food and Costco gave up stuff, we got energy drinks from the cast and crew,” Vance said. “A lot of the buildings, the businesses allowed us to film inside or on the outside of their business.

The movie's creator says being back in the state and the Triad for this project is a dream come true.

“For every new creative project I do, I end up back in Greensboro,” said Walker. “When I started doing comics again, I just happened to be back in Greensboro. When I started to do design, I happened to be in Greensboro and so I think it's kind of fitting that my first film is happening in Greensboro.”

Walker says he really hopes to draw attention to the arts community in Greensboro. He and his crew will be shooting their film mostly on Tate Street through Thursday.

For more information about the cast, crew and to keep up with the shoot's progress, visit 12trialsthemovie.com