Award-winning filmmaker crowdfunding '80s metal-themed indie film

It's a comedic autobiography based on its writer, director and producer Michael Charboneau, who has lived in the Tri-Cities for about two decades running the City of Richland's TV channel.

He has been involved in a number of independent films in the past, including one called The Promise, which won Best Drama at the New York Independent Film Festival.

In his early 20s, Charboneau was the drummer of a hair metal band, playing in bars and embracing the rock 'n' roll lifestyle.

His screenplay Turn It Up is loosely based on those days, but with a exaggerations - and a lot more famous music.

It's about a group of guys who leave their regular jobs behind and set out to make a name for themselves and, for better or worse, they succeed.

The guys land a headlining gig at a major rock festival, forcing them to choose between the music and the partying.

The trailer is out now, featuring numerous spots around the Tri-Cities. If it gets made, the movie would largely be filmed in the Tri-Cities and would require a lot of local talent for the actors and extras, Charboneau said.

But before the project officially kicks off, Charboneau needs to raise about $100,000 to pay for the rights to use more than 40 iconic '80s metal songs he wants to use in the film.

"When I wrote the screenplay, I envisioned songs for literally every scene," Charboneau said.

The film will include songs from the likes of Quiet Riot, Poison, Twisted Sister, Ratt, Slaughter and many more – as long as he can raise the funds.

Charboneau enlisted the help of Autograph lead guitarist Steve Lynch, a Seattle resident best known for the 1984 classic "Turn Up The Radio," to promote his movie.

Lynch read the script and loved it so much that he allowed Charboneau to use his music in the trailer for free. He also introduces the film before the trailer on its crowdfunding campaign page.

Prizes for donating to the project's crowdfunding campaign include limited edition guitar picks signed by Lynch along with a copy of the film, a movie poster and much more.