Be a Part of Hating Tom Petty

Now here's a cause Wiltonians can rally around: hating Tom Petty.

Actually, this Friday's event at Trackside has little to nothing to do with any adverse feelings toward one of the country's greatest rock legends. Rather, the idea derives from the title of Wilton-based IHTP Productions (guess what the acronym stands for) and their feature film "I Hate Tom Petty."

"'I Hate Tom Petty' is the title for an independent film, currently in pre-production," the crew clarify on their website. "Mr. Petty, whom we hold in the highest regard and consider ourselves to be among his biggest fans, is an innocent bystander in the story."

The story is actually about a struggling artist and the trials and tribulations he faces trying to launch his own musical career, maintaining a serious relationship, and bringing in to harmony all the various opposing forces in his life. According to the company's website, the film also includes nine original rock tunes written and co-written by the film's two stars. Its title derives from the star's manager and his request that the title character attempt to be like Tom Petty in his drive to success.

The crew will be filming scenes from the movie this Friday at the Trackside Teen Center at 5 p.m. According to Trackside's Executive Director, Mark Ketley, the first fifty teens to arrive will have a chance to appear in the film as extras.