After overcoming several obstacles, aspiring director Dave Gunn is shooting his first feature-length film. “Tonight We Murder” is being shot this month in Lawrence, using local talent and operating within a low budget.

Gunn, a Kansas University film department graduate who also wrote the script for the movie, said the film centers around a man and a woman in their 20s who are searching for happiness.

“It’s a story of emotions and how people deny them over and over,” Gunn said.

Though the title of the film may be misleading, Gunn said the film will not have a body count.

“The title is more in reference to the two main characters constantly not being honest with each other,” he said.

Gunn said it was difficult finding funding, shooting locations and actors for his film.

“Setbacks are expected with independent film,” he said. “You just have to be ready to pick yourself back up. The key is to keep moving.”

Gunn said hard work paid off.

“It’s pretty neat how the film is coming together,” he said.

Gunn plans to shoot the film using about $2,000, and the help of digital video.

“It is cheaper, quicker and economical,” he said. “It’s a technology that is becoming more noticed and respected.”

Gunn is shooting his digital film at locations around Lawrence, including Hobbs Inc., 700 Mass.; Flush, 17 E. Seventh St.; Henry’s, 11 E. Eighth St.; and Aimee’s Coffeehouse, 1025 Mass. He is searching for one last location, because a main site fell through just a week before the cast began filming.

Emily Hippert, a recent KU graduate, plays Laura, the lead female in Gunn’s film, opposite KU graduate Andrew Johnson as Mike, the male lead.

“Emily helped me out a lot in finding other actors,” Gunn said.

Hippert said she is willing to help because she expects to enjoy the filming process.

“I relate to the relationships that Laura develops,” Hippert said. “(I relate to) the struggle of being in the real world and having this sense of adulthood, trying to figure out who you are, and at the same time trying to relate to other people.”

Gunn said his favorite part of directing the film is telling the story through the script.

“If you don’t pay attention to the story and the characters on any film … you’ve just wasted people’s time,” Gunn said.

Hippert said Gunn tells stories well.

“I like the way Dave writes dialogue,” she said. “I think he develops some really interesting relationships.”

Gunn said the film should be finished in about a week, and he plans to enter it into film festivals.

“I don’t see why more people don’t take advantage of (Lawrence) and make films here,” he said.