Help Bring a Texas Curse Film to Life: Blood Stone

My goal is to make a story unique to Texas. I had various movie ideas, but I wanted to keep to location ideas that I could easily access. I have access to some land on Medina Lake, and currently (and for the past few years), it has been under a severe drought. It'll take years to fill it back up. With that being said, I wanted to work with that in my movie concept.

I am planning for the movie to start in the 1850s, with a failed trade between the Comanches and the new Mormon settlers. That blood bath starts a curse, that is resurrected in the present day. The key people from the past, reincarnate, and find the stone in the dried lake bed. The friends know nothing about their history or the history of the necklace, and begin to see ghosts, past visions, get angry easily, and have bloody accidents, climaxing in another bloody fight.

I did put historically plausible elements into the script.

I have a plan for the "essentials" for the movie, and "nice to haves," as funding allows.

Logline

Karma must be resolved from a bloody failed peace treaty between Mormons and Comanche locals that created a curse on necklace which is found by a present day group of friends.

Film Time Frame

Summer 2026

I bare minimum need 4 days with the cast/crew, but could need 6 days to fund them.

Casting

I have most of the lead roles pre-casted. I may have to fill one or two. I would also like to fund/hire the background extras as well, including the people playing as Comanches and Mormons. I'd like to make sure all cast/crew are funded.

This can range from $7,000 - $9,040, depending on how tight the budget is.

Weapons

Due to the "past" battle, I will need roughly $250-$300 of prop guns, prop knives.

Wardrobe

I'd like to buy some pioneer style shirts for the Mormons, and some leather breach clothes for the Comanche men, dresses for the women. I'd like to buy a few Comanche chest plates from real Native Americans (not the strange Etsy ones from Australia or Africa).

Conservatively, this may be $800.

Location

The land belongs to my grandma, but since it is only land, being able to rent an Air B&B nearby might be useful, so the crew spends less time driving to the lake daily. Ideally, I will haul my dad's RV/Camper out to the set too, so the actors can wait in the AC when they are not immediately being filmed. It can get very hot out there in the summer. (The summer heat adds to the story line.)

This can range from $500 - $1,500, depending on funds.

Talent Care

I would like to provide the talent with food, water, sun screen, toilet paper, and other humanly necessities, so they can focus on creativity and not where to get lunch. Including the camera man, actors, PAs, etc.

This is roughly $2,200.

Fundraising Rewards (with email)

All donors will receive information of where to watch the movie online (whether than is streaming, or just YouTube), updates on the production, and behind the scenes photos.

If you donate $35 or more, I can give you the final cut movie file via online download link for your personal use.

If you contribute $50 or more, I will list you in the end-credits. If you donate a significant amount, I can put more attention on your credit and/or even your photo.

If you want to contribute a significant amount of money, I can consider giving you the necklace from the movie (it is sterling silver, with blood stones, I hand soldered it myself). Optionally, you can be one of the extras. Message me.

Other Thoughts

Texas only gives those film grants to rich people. Seriously, if your film budget is $250k, then they will give you incentives. Basically, any Indie film with a smaller budget gets no help from that new Film incentive.

I have a day job as a graphic designer/ motion graphic designer. I do acting and film as a passion. Life would be easier if I did not have this itch, but I am compelled to make this movie. All movies are a team effort. Yes, someone leads, but every person who sets foot on the set puts energy into the movie. You can too put energy into this movie, by contributing to it's funding. It is an equally valuable way to contribute to something creative, short of being there in-person.

I want the cast and crew to enjoy their time, and give some entertainment to the world.

Thank you / Gracias / Aho