Who needs Hollywood when you have Bothell and Blender.org?

A trio of local filmmakers is hoping to light up a new trail to science-fiction movie magic with not much more than a free Internet program and plenty of imagination.

“The entire concept of ‘Project London’ is enough to make anyone excited, from science-fiction fans to software engineers, from movie buffs to post-production artists, and it has,” claimed Bothell’s Phil McCoy, 51, who shares producer credits on the ultra-independent movie with brother Nathan McCoy, 45.

The two described the project as a “virtually no-budget, live action” film. For now, “Project London” is still in post-production, but the bothers plan to release it on iTunes and Netflix, as well as on DVD. The latter will be available on their Web site. As far as they know, the distribution scheme is unique.

Shot entirely in this area with local actors, “Project London” contains what its makers brag is some 650 visual effects, all produced using the free animation software, Blender.

Started in the early 1990s, Blender is available for download by anyone, largely created and constantly expanded by users. Some of those users no doubt include the 250 or so volunteers who helped with “Project London,” most via the Internet.

“We had a couple of local folks, but 90 percent were people who heard about us on the Internet,” said writer/director Ian Hubert, 22 and a Kenmore native. He noted the trio behind the movie never has met face-to-face with many of those working on the project.

The story of “Project London” revolves around a young man whose murdered father was the member of an underground group resisting an overbearing government. The son, Nebraska Higgins, is soon recruited by the rebels himself and must decide between some conflicting loyalties.

“The writing stage took me a long time,” Hubert said. “I started sometime in the summer or fall of ‘06, and I don’t think it was really finalized until the summer of ‘07, about a month before shooting began.”

Not surprisingly, all three men behind the film are science-fiction buffs. Their named influences range from old-school, classic SF writers such as Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke to movies and TV shows such as “Blade Runner” and “Firefly.”

“By the time I saw the second draft of the script, my reservations about going forward with production had been eliminated so we started posting ads on Craigslist and other appropriate Web sites,” said Phil McCoy.

He added actors started showing up for auditions in his brother’s office while potential crew members underwent interviews at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park.

“As we built the team and needed a specific talent or skill, we would run another ad for it. We were surprised by the number of people who wanted to volunteer,” Phil McCoy continued.

As for the movie’s budget, Nathan McCoy said any comparison to the dollars spent on Hollywood blockbusters is impossible. He said the group spent “a little bit of money” on props, costumes and equipment rentals.

“And we purchased an editing system to put it all together,” Nathan McCoy added.

Phil McCoy stated that as they advertised for various crew members and actors, a local director of photography read the script and joined the team, bringing with him a high-definition camera, support and grip equipment.

What do people say when any of the trio mention they are making a movie? Hubert said he avoids telling folks what he is up to as, in his words, anybody with a $50 camera bought off the Net can make a movie in their back yard. With the special effects and effort put into the work, he hopes “Project London” is something more.

“After I read the first draft of the script,” said Phil McCoy, “I was so excited. I was literally walking on air. I remember bumping into friends here and there and during the ensuing conversation, I’d say with enthusiasm, ‘I’m making a movie!’ It would just burst out of me. It was such a strange announcement for most people to hear.”

“I think that this movie is likely to inspire many people,” said Nathan McCoy. “Creating a high-quality product outside of the studio system is now within reach.”

There seems to be no set release date for the film. For trailers, visit the “Project London” site.