They've stirred controversy in Cheyenne for filming inside a juvenile detention center. In Rawlins, government officials wouldn't speak with them.

Marc Homer and Chris Hume have only been working on their documentary for two months, but already, they've got some people concerned. Raising questions about the state's juvenile justice system will do that.

"There seems to be quite a storm following us," said Homer, shortly after filming students speaking about juvenile justice Friday at a Casper church. "Some people are like, 'Yeah, right on, go for it. This is a great thing.' And other people are like, 'Maybe you shouldn't ask those questions. Maybe you should step a little more lightly.' "

The filmmakers are producing a feature-length documentary focused on how Wyoming deals with its young offenders. Both men believe the system is badly in need of reform and they are determined to create a movie that addresses the situation.

"We know there is some resistance out there from some very powerful people," said Homer, Kids Count director for the Wyoming Children's Actions Alliance. "But I think when they see the evidence, in the end, they're going to realize this is the best thing for the kids of Wyoming."

In advocating for reform, the men point out Wyoming's rate of children in custody ranks second in the nation and is more than double the national average. Wyoming is also the only state that doesn't comply with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, which sets federal rules for juvenile detention.

The filmmakers are not alone in advocating for reform. Retired Judge Gary Hartman, who's now an advisor to Gov. Dave Freudenthal, has recommended uniform standards for dealing with young offenders and a central juvenile data collection system. He has also suggested the state would be better served by treating juveniles in local programs instead of locking them up at a detention center.

Homer began work on the film after securing a $40,000 grant through the Annie E. Casey Foundation. He hired Hume, a documentary filmmaker who recently moved to Laramie, to help him.

Together they've traveled across the state, interviewing experts, reform advocates and children who've been in the system. They've also filmed inside Cheyenne's Jeffrey C. Wardle Academy for young offenders.

Some facility higher-ups weren't happy with the visit, but the men say child advocates have supported them for documenting conditions at the academy.

"We've got to show what's going on," Hume said.

Although Homer has a background in child advocacy issues, Hume said the topic of juvenile justice is new to him.

"It's like turning over a stone and realizing that something right under your own nose was a problem that was right there in your town," he said. "So people in Wyoming will see this and realize that it is a bigger problem that was just kept behind a cinder block wall."

Work on the still unnamed documentary will continue through the spring. The pair hopes to eventually have their film shown on Wyoming Public Television and at film festivals, as well as distributed on DVD.

"It's not just a job," Hume said. "You learn as you go. As you become more educated on the topic, you can't help but become more passionate in a topic like this. It's not just pushing a button and filming stuff."

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com. Visit tribtown.trib.com/JoshuaWolfson/blog to read his blog.