ELKHORN, Wis. — Filmmaker Greg Augustine, who is a 2000 Freeport High School graduate, is not a big fan of Hollywood's bright lights.

Although Augustine has worked in cinema's capital doing everything from reading film scripts to pitching his own scripts, the 26-year-old entrepreneur prefers less hubbub.

"As far as the vibe goes, I'm an East Coast boy. A small-town atmosphere is a lot more my style," Augustine said.

So he jumped at the chance to film his first full-length feature in Elkhorn, a town of about 7,500 people about 20 miles north of Lake Geneva and hometown to his business partner, Laura Nehs.

"Better the Devil" is the tale of three boyhood friends who return to their childhood home after meeting with failure in their careers. The protagonist, a writer, is composing a novel about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse — war, famine, pestilence and death.

After becoming trapped in the town with a killer on the loose, each of the film's characters must confront their own demons, embodied by the fabled horsemen.

"There is a lot more money at stake and a lot more people involved in a full-length production," said Augustine, who wrote and directed the film.

"I'm trying to establish myself as a director after producing so long. But it's hard because everyone in Hollywood is trying to do the same thing."

Augustine lived in Brackenridge until he was 6, then he moved to Sarver to attend Buffalo Elementary School. His mother, Cindy, still lives in Sarver.

After graduating from Freeport, Augustine attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in film and English with a minor in business.

Following a chance meeting with Nehs in 2003 as she and Augustine each completed internships at Disney's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Fla., the two decided to work together once he graduated from Pitt and she from Brooks Institute in California.

"Instead of waiting around to be discovered, I took my work to the people," Augustine said.

He and Nehs launched Augment Image Studios, which offers film and post-production services, in 2006.

Between 2006 and 2007, the studio churned out three of Augustine's short films, including "The Bench," a 20-minute short shot in one day, "Intemperance," and "The Knights of Zodiac."

"The making of 'The Bench' was the first instance of (Augment Image). You've got to crawl before you can walk," Augustine said.

"It doesn't matter how big or small it is, as long as people tell you it's good," Augustine said.

"(Better the Devil) came from relentless hard work over the past four or five years. If you want it bad enough, you've got to love it 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

"Better the Devil" was shot in about one month, and Augustine expects it to be in limited theaters some time in September. He said two Wisconsin cinema chains, Market and Nova Cinemas, have picked up the film and about a dozen others are interested — especially in the fact it was shot digitally and in high-definition.

"That's music to my ears. While (digital filming) is still expensive, it is not as expensive as shooting on standard 35mm film," Augustine said.

Cinema-grade film is a petroleum-based product, and its price has risen along with fuel, transport and heating costs.

Augustine said there is no need to be in Hollywood because he has available options: theaters, rentals, downloadable film, TV and even video games.

"There are a lot more venues available than there used to be," Augustine said.

He plans to submit the film for festival viewings once it is completed and has been rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. Augustine is trying for a PG-13 rating.

Asked if this film is his big shot at the movie industry, Augustine replied, "This is the first shot."