Turlock will once again get to experience a bit of movie magic when a former resident returns to town to shoot portions of his independent film.

Mike Hermosa, a graduate of Turlock High School, is coming to town to shoot scenes for his upcoming indie film “The Head Thieves.” Hermosa said the production team will be shooting several exterior and driving scenes in the Turlock and Modesto area starting in the first week of December.

“My home is an extension of who I am as a writer and I’m excited to be putting some of it on film,” Hermosa said.

Hermosa graduated THS in 2002 and enlisted with the U. S. Air Force. He served two tours in Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom before setting up residence in Fullerton. He is one of the founders of Collective Vision Entertainment, serving as a director and head writer.

Hermosa said he first got into the scriptwriting business through a friendship with Cory Yothers, the brother of Tina Yothers, who starred on the hit television show “Family Ties.”

“He needed some help finishing a script and asked me to give it a try,” Hermosa said. “I really just dug in and learned it and I found myself falling in love with cinema and screenwriting.”

“The Head Thieves” will be Hermosa’s first feature as a writer and director. The film is about three brothers who mastermind a scheme to recover some stolen cash.

“From then on it’s a wacky adventure,” Hermosa said.

The film stars Dante Basco, Sandy Martin, Dion Basco, and Mickey Gooch Jr. Dante Basco played the role of Rufio, the Lost Boy adversary  of Robin William’s Peter Pan in the 1991 Steven Speilberg directed movie “Hook.” He also voiced the title character in the animation series “Disney’s American Dragon: Jake Long” and portrayed Prince Zuko in the television series “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

Martin began her acting career in the 1970s and has been featured in numerous top-rated television shows, including recent roles on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Big Love,” and “Shameless.” She also starred in “Marley and Me” and played the role of the grandmother in “Napoleon Dynamite.”

The movie also features actor Daniel Baldwin playing himself.

“The characters meet him at a book signing that goes really bad,” Hermosa said.

Hermosa said the film is operating with a “lean” crew and may use local residents as extras. Information about any potential casting needs will be released at a later date if needed.