Fund Within Madness: A Reconceputalization of Horror
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Update: We received a private donation of 3000.00! That means that we are officially in the territory of what can be achieved by reaching goals of 6000.00 and higher!
WITHIN MADNESS: REIMAGINED
A Found Footage Descent into Obsession Returns — Bolder, Darker, and More Unhinged Than Ever!
WHERE MADNESS BEGAN
Within Madness is the chilling debut feature from filmmaker J. M. Stelly, presented in a raw and unsettling found footage format. The film centers on Donovan, a seemingly quiet man whose inner world is consumed by obsession and delusion. Shot through the lens of Donovan’s own camera, the film offers a deeply personal — and increasingly disturbing — view into his fractured psyche and the events that spiral out of control when love turns into fixation.
Drawing influence from real-life killers and films like Man Bites Dog and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Within Madness explores themes of isolation, voyeurism, and the terrifying places the human mind can go when reality becomes blurred.
Fueled by a stripped-down DIY ethos and real-life influences, the film carved out a space in the underground horror scene for its boldness, discomfort, and intensity.
REIMAGINED, NOT REMADE
WITHIN MADNESS: CHAPTER I - SACRAMENT OF BONDAGE is not a remake — it’s a complete reconstruction and expansion of the original film, using the core footage shot in 2009 -2014 as a foundation while building a deeper, more layered psychological descent.
This re-imagining includes:
✅ Original footage re-edited and re-framed to better explore the protagonist’s descent
✅ Newly shot material that expands the narrative, providing a stronger sense of character and context
✅ A new visual approach, with updated color grading and remastered quality
✅ Revamped sound design and an original score by Synthetic Anatomica
✅ A darker, more immersive psychological tone as well as a more brutal horror scenes.
This isn’t just an update. It’s a deeper dive into the disturbed mind behind the camera — and into the twisted world he's trying to shape.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP
We’ve come a long way since the original 2015 release, and we want to bring this new vision to life with the quality and care it deserves. But we can’t do it alone. Your contributions will directly support:
Production of new scenes.
Post-production (editing, sound design, color correction).
Original soundtrack and mixing.
We’re asking for just $3,000 because we know how to do a lot with very little. That’s always been part of our DNA as filmmakers — telling bold, challenging stories with raw, practical tools, minimal resources, and total creative commitment. This isn’t about building a bloated budget. This is about completing a film that already exists and giving it the final polish it needs to reach its full potential.
With $3,000, we can:
Pay everyone a wage that they deserve for their work.
Hire essentials for the days we need them.
Remaster and clean up the original film
Improve the sound and score
And shoot more scenes to expand on the film and the characters that make this film both psychological and horrific in nature.
But if we raise more, the film evolves.
More funding means:
Better practical effects
More shooting days
A more immersive sound and visual experience
A deeper exploration of the film’s disturbing world through added content and expanded storytelling
So while $3,000 is the floor, your support can help us raise the ceiling — and take Within Madness further than it’s ever gone.
THE FILMMAKER
J. M. STELLY
J.M. Stelly is a filmmaker whose body of work challenges conventional boundaries, exploring the darkest corners of the human experience through the lenses of horror, thriller, and arthouse genres. As the founder of Anatomica Films, Stelly has made a name for himself with films that combine gritty realism, psychological depth, and innovative storytelling. Over the years, his works have become a testament to his unwavering commitment to creating films that evoke thought, emotion, and fear. With a diverse and growing body of work, Stelly stands as a visionary who pushes the limits of what cinema can achieve. He's been featured across multiple film outlets, most notably DEADLINE.
The Birth of Anatomica Films
Anatomica Films was founded by J. M. Stelly in 2015 as a platform to create and distribute independent films that defy mainstream expectations. Rooted in Louisiana, Stelly’s company has produced a series of films that are deeply influenced by horror, true crime and real world experiences, creating a distinctive cinematic voice. Anatomica Films not only serves as a production company but also as a distribution arm, offering films that prioritize creativity and artistic integrity over commercial success.
Stelly’s Filmmaking Style
J.M. Stelly's film making style is unmistakable. His work is often described as dark, atmospheric, and psychological, with a focus on character-driven stories that delve into the human psyche. His mastery lies in creating tension and unease through character development, narrative pacing, and atmospheric cinematography. Stelly has a keen eye for visual storytelling and has consistently showcased his ability to immerse audiences into unique worlds, whether it's the haunting descent into madness or a battle against unseen supernatural forces.
His films are often marked by their gritty realism, tense mood, and elements of suspense. Stelly’s ability to blend genres, from horror and thriller to art-house drama, creates a cinematic language that speaks directly to a diverse audience, unafraid of exploring the uncomfortable and taboo. With a consistent dedication to authenticity and depth, Stelly’s body of work leaves a lasting impact on those who watch his films.
He is currently represented by Rodrigo Moscoso at ZERO GRAVITY MANAGEMENT.
THE ACTORS INVOLVED
JARED BANKENS
Jared Bankens is a dynamic and deeply committed actor known for his emotional range, physical intensity, and ability to disappear into both grounded and surreal roles. Hailing from Louisiana, Bankens has steadily built a career that spans film, television, and stage, gaining attention for his versatility and fearless performances. While he’s appeared in notable mainstream projects like Venom (2018), The Peripheral (2022), and Twisted Metal (2023), it’s his work in the independent film world—particularly with director J.M. Stelly—that truly showcases the depth of his craft.
A Chameleon Actor with Grit
Jared Bankens brings a rare combination of vulnerability and menace to his roles. Whether he’s portraying broken, complex anti-heroes or quietly simmering villains, his performances are marked by authenticity and emotional gravity. His background in theater lends him a strong command of physicality and presence, which he uses to embody a wide spectrum of human experience—from addiction and trauma to existential dread and moral crisis.
Creative Partnership with J.M. Stelly
Bankens has become a frequent collaborator of filmmaker J.M. Stelly, whose films often explore psychological horror, surrealism, and moral ambiguity. Their partnership has produced some of the most striking and genre-defying indie films of the past few years under the banner of Anatomica Films. Through these projects, Bankens has had the opportunity to stretch his acting muscles, taking on challenging and emotionally demanding roles that demonstrate his range and commitment to character.
Call of the Void (2024)
In Call of the Void, Bankens stars as The Painter, an opium-addicted artist slipping into madness. The film is a haunting, arthouse descent into the psyche of a man consumed by guilt, addiction, and the echoes of a mysterious voice urging him toward oblivion. Bankens’ performance is raw and layered—balancing physical vulnerability with emotional devastation. The film won over 28 awards on the festival circuit and is a powerful showcase of his ability to hold the screen in an introspective, near-solo role.
They Are Watching (2024)
Bankens leads this gritty found-footage horror film about two friends who dive into the dark web in search of mystery boxes and inadvertently stumble upon a nightmare involving Red Rooms and digital voyeurism. Here, Bankens channels paranoia, desperation, and survivalism, blending naturalistic acting with horror genre demands. His performance grounds the film in emotional realism despite its chaotic, high-stakes premise.
Abacus (2024)
In Abacus, Bankens plays Benjamin Port, one of three men who wake up in a locked room where they must make a series of morally excruciating decisions to survive. The film is a claustrophobic psychological thriller with philosophical undertones, and Bankens brings quiet intensity and psychological complexity to the role. His character wrestles with guilt, moral ambiguity, and past trauma—all elements that play directly into Bankens’ strengths as a character actor.
The Demonologist (2019)
Though in a supporting role, Bankens added menace and presence to The Demonologist, a supernatural thriller where demonic forces and cult activity collide. His contribution helped round out a film heavy on atmosphere and tension, contributing to the building of an immersive occult world.
A Creative Force Beyond Acting
Bankens is not only a skilled actor but also a creative force who understands the collaborative nature of film making. His performances often elevate the material and bring deeper meaning to the psychological and emotional themes explored by Stelly’s direction. Together, they have forged a creative bond rooted in mutual respect and a shared passion for character-driven storytelling that doesn’t shy away from the darkness.
Jared Bankens is an actor who thrives on risk and emotional honesty. His work with J.M. Stelly has allowed him to tackle a range of roles—tormented artists, desperate survivors, conflicted men searching for meaning—and each performance adds a new layer to his growing and impressive filmography. As independent cinema continues to push boundaries, Bankens is a name to watch, especially as he continues to collaborate with filmmakers like Stelly who are unafraid to tell stories that confront fear, pain, and the fragile human condition.
MATT STORY
Matt Story is an American actor recognized for his versatile performances across film and television. He has built a diverse portfolio, showcasing his ability to adapt to various genres and character types.
Notable Acting Roles:
"The Beguiled" (2017): Story appeared as a Confederate Soldier in this Sofia Coppola-directed drama set during the American Civil War.
"NCIS: New Orleans" (2014): He portrayed Nathan St. Clair in an episode of this popular crime procedural series. Plex.tv
"Roots" (2016): Story took on the role of Captain Pratt in this historical miniseries, a remake of the 1977 classic. IMDb
Collaborations with J.M. Stelly:
Matt Story has collaborated with director J.M. Stelly on several projects, contributing significantly to Stelly's films under Anatomica Films:
"Within Madness" (2015): Story played Donovan Summers in this psychological thriller, marking one of his early collaborations with Stelly.
"Abacus" (2024): In this psychological thriller directed by Stelly, Story starred alongside Jared Bankens, Keegan Macy, Antonio Saez, and Jerry Katz. The film follows three men trapped in a mysterious room, forced to make life-altering decisions. "
Through these collaborations, Matt Story has demonstrated his range and commitment to complex roles, contributing meaningfully to J.M. Stelly's vision and the success of Anatomica Films' productions.
JAMIE NIPE
In the evolving landscape of independent horror, few creative partnerships have shown the kind of promise and intensity as that between actress Jamie Nipe and filmmaker J.M. Stelly. Nipe, a powerhouse performer with striking range, has emerged as a defining presence in Stelly’s growing body of work. Their collaborations—including the brooding psychological short The Prologue and the visceral, blood-drenched music video CONJURE for the band DOWN—showcase a mutual creative trust that results in raw, unforgettable cinema.
What makes Nipe’s presence so vital to Stelly’s vision is her ability to channel deep emotional complexity within heightened, often surreal horror environments. In The Prologue, she anchors the narrative with a quiet intensity that slowly unravels into dread—a performance that serves as the emotional backbone of the film. In CONJURE, she plunges into a 70s grindhouse-inspired fever dream with fearless abandon, balancing theatrical gore with grounded vulnerability.
Stelly’s work is often characterized by themes of trauma, fragmentation, and the blurred line between reality and nightmare—terrain in which Jamie Nipe thrives. Her ability to move between subtle introspection and explosive expression not only complements Stelly’s storytelling but elevates it. She is more than a performer in these films; she is an extension of the emotional architecture he builds.
As J.M. Stelly prepares his most ambitious projects yet, including new ventures that promise to push psychological and supernatural horror into bold territory, the involvement of Jamie Nipe is not just an asset—it’s essential. Their creative partnership represents the very best of what independent horror can achieve when performance and direction are in perfect sync.
Within Madness was the seed of everything that came after. It was born out of obsession, grit, and emotional truth. This isn’t just about bringing back an old movie—this is about finishing what we started, giving the film the treatment it always deserved, and preserving a piece of independent horror that dared to go inside the mind of the monster without flinching.
If you believe in the power of DIY filmmaking… if you’ve followed my journey through the years… or if you just want to support the kind of stories that don’t pull punches—this is your chance to help us make something real, raw, and lasting.
Even $10 helps. Sharing helps. Being part of this helps.
Let’s bring Within Madness back from the void.
Organiser
Justin Stelly
Organiser
Baton Rouge, LA