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Hello everyone, my name is Rameses Gaines, and I am a student filmmaker at Howard University, and the director of the short film STONE THROWER. I am looking to raise $3,500 to bring my thesis film to life.
About Me
I am a filmmaker from Oxon Hill, MD, currently studying at Howard University, with focuses on screenwriting, storytelling, sound mixing, and directing. I am also a scholarship student athlete planning to attend graduate school in the fall of 2025. My work explores the intersection of science fiction and fantasy through the lens of a Black American experience, a perspective often underrepresented in both genres.
This will be the 2nd film I've directed, and with STONE THROWER, I am excited to tell a genuine story that reflects our real-world struggles with capitalism, poverty, and survival under oppressive systems.
The Story
In a near-future dystopia, a deadly pandemic has turned blood into the most valuable commodity, bought and sold by the wealthy while the poor are left to fend for themselves. Letitia, a nurse at a for-profit blood bank, spends her days collecting blood from the poor and desperate while her boss, Mr. Capital, profits from their suffering. Her meager wages barely cover the cost of treating her husband, who is battling the virus.
When she learns he will die without a bone marrow transplant, Letitia pleads with her boss for help—only to be fired and replaced. Now, with no options left, she faces an impossible choice: let her husband die or do whatever it takes to save him.
STONE THROWER is a dystopian drama that explores commodification, exploitation, and the true cost of survival, asking the chilling question: How much is a life worth?
Why I Need Help
As a student filmmaker, I am working to build a talented cast and crew who are ready to bring this vision to life. However, making a film requires resources. Every dollar raised will go directly toward:
- Production Design & Props (Medical equipment, blood bags, IV drips, set design)
- Locations & Permits (Creating a believable dystopian world)
- Food & Catering (Ensuring our hardworking cast & crew are well-fed)
- Equipment & Gear Rentals (Cameras, lighting, sound)
- Insurance & Safety Costs (To protect our team)
- Film Festival Costs (To distribute the film)
How You Can Help
Any donation—big or small—brings us one step closer to making this film a reality. Even if you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with your friends and family goes a long way.
Let’s make STONE THROWER happen together. Thank you for your support!
Organizer
Rameses Gaines
Organizer
Oxon Hill, MD