Loving Corvallis seems to be a family affair for the Walkers. Morris and Lynn Walker and their daughter Amoris have lived in Corvallis for a dozen years, after traveling the country with their former family band, Earthwalkers.

The town enchanted them each time they came through on tour, and when they finally got the chance to settle down here, their first impressions proved correct. Now they're celebrating that love with a major cinematic undertaking, an hour-long documentary on the history, present and future of Corvallis, as part of the city's 150th anniversary celebration.

Lynn and Morris have been in the film-making business since the early 1990s, and their first local production, "The Christmas Tree Story," won a number of national awards and was shown on public television across the country. Since then they've done a number of projects, including two hour-long films on the wine industry.

Amoris, a teenager at the time, was the on-screen host of the Christmas tree film, and has since formed her own production company, Sunflower Digital. An award-winning filmmaker herself, she sometimes partners with her parents' company, MicroEPIC Productions, and is hosting "150 Years in the Heart of the Valley."

The Walkers have long considered doing a film about Corvallis, and the sesquicentennial seemed the perfect time to launch the project, but creating an hour-long feature on such a complex process means their November deadline for completion is looming heavily.

"This is our home and we love it," Morris said, but "it's an enormous task…"

From creating a historically accurate timeline of significant Corvallis events to highlighting businesses important to Corvallis' livelihood, there is a huge amount to do, which is why filming is already taking place.

"We're in research and development (mode), but we're also in production," Morris said.

Two production teams are working on the film, which will include historic images, interviews and footage from community events. There will be no commercials, but some segments focusing on important businesses will be financially sponsored by those businesses. Much of the production is being self-financed by the Walkers.

The film will feature a theme song written by the Walkers, and they hope to have local bands record different versions of the song to use throughout the film.

The Walkers envision the DVD as a tool to boost tourism, a gift for those who love Corvallis, and a digital historic record that will help future generations learn about the city.

"It's going to be something people will want to buy and own and keep forever," Amoris said.

Eventually it will appear on local cable access, but will also be available for downloading on-line, so that people around the world will have a chance to learn about Corvallis, from its diversity to its emphasis on sustainability and livability, to its high tech industries and thriving university.

"This," Lynn said, "is the town of the future."

To inquire about becoming part of the film, contact the Walkers at heartofthevalley@yahoo.com

For more information, go to www.microepic.com.

By THERESA HOGUE, Gazette-Times reporter