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“I was out there with no camera. I just wanted to kind of embed myself into their life and build that trust and see how they run a ranch,� Beecroft says. “If I’m going to write about their experiences, I better get it right.�

The result, “East of Wall,� looks at Tabatha Zimiga, a rancher near Wall, S.D., who rescues and resells horses. She and her children proved fascinating when Beecroft and cinematographer Austin Shelton pulled up to her house looking for story ideas.

“They were intimidating,� the director says. “Then Tabatha came out and said, ‘So, you’re here to see some real cowgirl (stuff) and she told her daughter Porshia and Porshia’s friends to get on their horses. And the kids jumped on their horses and started riding bareback, doing tricks.�

That planted the seed and led to the three-year quest.

A writer living with them for three years with no guarantee?

Zimiga was fine with the plan: “I don’t really look forward to anything,� she explains. “I don’t try to get my hopes up over things but I never, ever felt like Kate was blowing smoke, either. I just let it play out.�

Once the script was written, Beecroft had 26 days to shoot. She hired several actors to join Tabatha and family and went to work.

“It wasn’t shot like a documentary, it was a SAG/union film,� she says. Classified as “docufiction,� “East of Wall� was inspired by the family members lives’ but included fictional and improvised scenes.

“She gave us a script and says, ‘Here you go. Memorize these,’� Porshia Zimiga says. “It was a lot easier than we thought.�

Instead of memorizing the entire script, they just had to have specific scenes ready for the next day.

Actors Jennifer Ehle and Scoot McNairy were added to the cast to play key roles. “We are so honored to be able to work next to them and to be able to bounce off their acting,� Tabatha Zimiga says. “They just amplified ours.�

The two fit in, Beecroft says, “because they love storytelling. They were just there because they wanted to be a part of telling Tabby’s story.�

Both Zimigas say they talk with Ehle and McNairy frequently and consider them friends.

Because of the exposure, both mom and daughter say they hope to do more films. Moving to California, though, isn’t in the cards. “Maybe just during the winter,� Tabatha Zimiga says with a smile.

Now experiencing premieres, press and photo ops, both women say the most “Hollywood� thing they’ve done is appear on red carpets and have their hair and makeup done. Otherwise, life isn’t all that different. Both, in fact, have remained true to their roots.

In the film, Tabatha shaves the side of Porshia’s hair before she’s in a rodeo. They liken it to a “warrior� move and, yes, Tabatha still has the look. “It’s inspired by ‘You can do whatever you want,’’ she says. Porschia’s more practical: “I got it because my hair is really thick…and it’s hot.�

While “East of Wall� has scenes of high emotion, Beecroft says both women were able to handle the demands quite well. A scene with women sitting around a campfire was improvised, “so if they wanted to change lines, they could. They’re the ones who are telling the story.�

“East of Wall� will have a premiere in Sioux Falls, S.D., Aug. 12, then a screening in Rapid City, S.D., and then a wider release Aug. 15. A selection for both the Sundance and Tribeca Film Festivals, “East of Wall� has prompted Beecroft to plan another docufiction film as her next project.

In Hollywood, she says, there are age gaps for actresses. “You either have to be an old woman or a hot 20-year-old. I love to write for the women in between.�

Thus, “East of Wall.�