As we continue to approach the 2014 Boston Marathon, it’s safe to say Bostonians and people across the country will experience a stirring of emotions. Some take it in stride or head-on, others take to their more artistic side for expression. Local photographer and filmmaker JJ Miller did exactly that, co-writing and directing a short video that personifies his, and Boston’s, fortitude and resilience in the wake of last year’s tragedy.

The video, uploaded to YouTube on April 1, has already begun making waves throughout Boston and has tallied 949 views at the time of this article. BostInno spoke with Miller, who, at just after 9:00 a.m., was more than willing to chat about his inspiration for the footage and how it came to be. Turns out he, like most locals, had a connection – the friend of a friend – who was stricken by the bombings and felt the urge to arouse positive feelings about it.

“I have a client who was thinking about doing a video for the Marathon,” the owner of JJ Miller Photography Studio told BostInno. “The clip ultimately said ‘no’ but it was a script I was passionate about. We kind of sat on it for a while.”

But as miller continued to screen the video for his friends and family, it became clear that the project was a must-do for both him and for those most deeply affected by last year’s devastating dual combustions to rally behind for continued healing.

“We weren’t going to do it then finally shared it with a few people and they said you have to do this script,” Explained Miller about the film’s conception. “Basically we gathered people that we know run and different people in the city to help with it. We pretty much told them what we’re doing like four or five days before we shot it. We shot it in 24 hours.”

Already the film has generated an overwhelmingly positive response amongst those who have viewed it. In fact, Miller told us, he was in the midst of reading an email from someone who was at the Marathon finish line last year, ground zero of the bombing, who tremendously appreciated Miller’s sentiments.

The only qualm Miller has with his final product, and what some people might misunderstand upon initially viewing, is that it appears strikingly like a running shoe advertisement.

“The was the goal to make it be something people would rally behind. That’s why we used the hashtag. I Hope I’m not selling it too much,” he admits.

But even though it’s possible people will misconstrue the vid as an ad, the message is clear: Everyone has something to cheer for this year.