Long Island director filming in hometown

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - John Budion grew up in East Rockaway, New York, went on to have a successful career as a writer director an visual effects artist behind projects like ETRADE's talking baby campaign, and now he's back in his small hometown directing his first feature film, a coming of age drama called "Life Now, Life Then."

With Budion returning to his roots, his project is invigorating this village of around 10,000 residents. Beyond reliving his childhood, for Budion, this film has a greater purpose.

The talented cast of young actors plays out scenes that could have taken place here decades ago. And as they live out their lives in 2016, working with Budion in East Rockaway is an everyday learning experience.

As soon as he wraps John plans to bring his movie to Sundance and hopes for a spring 2017 release.