Stars Marc Evan Jackson, Michael Liu in Rock Island for ‘Six More Weeks’ film production

MykaEntertainment2025-07-226810

Production Company Fresh Films is creating an original movie called ‘Six More Weeks’ with production taking place right here in Rock Island. The project includes actors Marc Evan Jackson best known for roles in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “‘Parks and Recreation” and the “Good Place,” and Michael Liu, known for his roles in “Shrill” and ‘”Better Things.”

Fresh Films “Six More Weeks” production (Gabe Zwierzynski, OurQuadCities.com)

The family film is a comedy about Groundhog Day. It centers around a young boy whose parents are considering divorce. The boy hopes for six more weeks of winter so that he can help fix his parents’ relationship. In an act of desperation, the boy steals the town’s beloved groundhog.

“Six More Weeks” production (Gabe Zwierzynski OurQuadCities.com)

“We are always creating films and television shows and we really wanted to do a holiday special. For us, holiday didn’t have to just be about Christmas, and so we thought, ‘What about Groundhog Day?'” Kelli Fagley, executive producer of the film, told Our Quad Cities News.

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The writer of the movie is Liz Hara, who won an Emmy for the Marvel show “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.” She is also known for her work on “Sesame Street” as a puppeteer. Hara told Our Quad Cities News that she has been enjoying watching her writing come to fruition.

“Six More Weeks” production (Gabe Zwierzynski OurQuadCities.com)

“It has been so much fun to watch the project evolve because when you are writing something alone in your room, you’re like ‘This is going to be so great and so easy,’ and then it comes to set and it’s just reality smacking you in the face. And there’s just a lot of problem solving that has to happen,” she said.

Production of the film will be 21 days long, with filming completely in Rock Island except for some scenes in Sylvan Island. It features cast and crew members from all over the country as well as from the Quad Cities.

One of the film’s feature actors, Gary the Groundhog, will make his debut in the completed film. While he declined an interview, his puppeteer, Bradley Freeman, came all the way to the Quad Cities from Texas and works primarily in New York. Freeman told Our Quad Cities News that he was drawn to the script by its charm.

‘Six More Weeks’ production (Gabe Zwierzynski OurQuadCities.com)

“It just was a fun script. It feels kind of akin to ‘The Goonies,’ just sort of like the dynamic of kids being kids and coming up with some kind of scheme to save their parents’ marriage.” He says puppetry is a passion. “I love puppetry. It is just a magical experience. There’s this thing that, once you suspend your disbelief, you 100% believe in the character. I love being able to make that magic happen for people and help them to experience their childhood again.”

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Freeman added that one of the most important reasons for putting on the production is to help young people pursue their interests: “They have been having a wonderful experience coming through and learning and asking questions and just being so curious.”

He says since his first time on set at the start of his career, filming has gone from intimidating to a second home. He hopes the young people working on the set can share the same experiences.

Actor Michael Liu, who plays Park Ranger Pete in the movie, told Our Quad Cities News he’s enjoyed his time working with student film makers. He did his first commercial in 2007 and says the best way to get involved in film making is to simply start doing it. “If you’re an artist, you’re an artist because being an artist is a calling. If acting is your medium then, you just gotta do it. It’s tough, but if you’ve got that illness then what else are you going to do? “

“Six More Weeks” production (Gabe Zwierzynski OurQuadCities.com)

“Just being exposed to this for the first time kind of makes them realize that these jobs are possible.” writer Liz Hara added. “Just knowing that you don’t have to be an actor or a writer, there are just so many other ways to be creative and be involved in this industry, and they are very real accessible jobs.”

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Hara says the movie will be both real and magical. “What I really love about this is that it is a kid that is kind of on the border between still believing in magic, but also dealing with real life. I really hate talking down to kids and so I think seeing kids deal with real adult fears and emotions is really healthy, but also in a way that’s really funny and has an adorable puppet.”

Fresh Films has four locations in the Quad Cities, where they help get young people involved in the film industry. To get involved with Fresh Films or to learn more about them, click here.