CHEYENNE -- A Los Angeles producer is proposing to shoot a new television series chronicling the lives of young ski bums pursuing their recreational lifestyle in the resort setting of Jackson Hole.

Robert Hickey of Better Wings Entertainment described the show, called "Epic," as a dramatic comedy with actors and scripted scenes that also incorporates elements of documentary.

"They're in their early 20s, they're kind of that prototypical ski bum, although I don't like that word so much, but they're trying to pursue a lifestyle of skiing and doing the recreational thing that they like doing," Hickey said.

"What I'm interested is in terms of that age in our lives when we're 22 and 23 years old and trying to figure out what are we going to do with our lives?" Hickey said. "Are we going to end up in a cubicle back in the city or are we going to be able to keep this thing going as a skier?"

Hickey, 45, said he hopes to shoot eight to 10 episodes in Jackson Hole around February and March, but the project is contingent on finding a distribution deal for the series -- a process Hickey is working on currently.

The project has received preliminary approval for a cash rebate under the state's film incentive program, said Michell Howard, film manager for Wyoming Tourism and Travel. The program offers 12 to 15 percent reimbursements to film projects for their spending in Wyoming.

Hickey said the projected budget for "Epic" is $3.5 million to $4 million, with as much as $3.5 million spent in Wyoming.

"Hopefully this will continue to drive more production here," Howard said. "A lot of this (film incentive program) has been supporting some in-state projects, but it's nice to get some of the out-of-state ones bringing their money to the state as well."

Hickey is the executive producer of "10 Items or Less," a comedy series on cable network TBS that finished its third season this spring. The show is set in a supermarket, and producers used a moneysaving production method in which the filming was conducted while the store was open to the public and operating.

"That was a critical part of not only lowering costs, but it brings a real feel to it," Hickey said. "In order to shoot in a supermarket where you're allowing the supermarket to operate, you have to have a very lean and efficient crew. You can't have the typically large footprint of a traditional television production."

Hickey said he intends to employ a similar production method for "Epic," including shooting scenes on the ski slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and in establishments -- such as the Mangy Moose restaurant and bar in Jackson -- amid the normal activity of daily life.

Wink Inc. production company in Jackson is working with Hickey to develop and pitch the project, said Jason Winkler, owner and CEO of the company. Wink would provide much of the production backbone for the project if it comes together.

"The cool thing about Jackson is all these amazing resources are right there with a ton of really skilled people, everything from shooters to audio folks to writers, producers -- everything, you can get it right in Jackson," Winkler said.