Slither On In - A Horror Film - Funds Needed!
Donation protected
Hi my name is Gabby Douglas Wood! Me and my current team are seeking funds to produce the short film that I penned a few odd years ago entitled: Slither On In.
The funds will be used primarily for the wages of our SFX Artist and Animal Wrangler, food for our crew each day, location rentals, van rentals for both plot and moving equipment, and for the wages of our actors.
So, why should you fund us? Well let me go over a few things with you regarding the script and the team!
T H E - P L O T
Slither On In is the story of Ricky Cortés, the owner and primary laborer of Cortés Pest and Animal Control based in Albuquerque. After completing a job involving the removal of a snake, however, we begin to learn of the secret life that him, his friends, and his employees live. Ricky is a cult leader, who's job as a Pest Control worker gives him plenty of access to snakes, needed for ritualistic torture, as they carve their insignias into their skin, dismember them, and then sacrifice them to the deity they worship. A deity who is the creator of all life and of Gods both old and new, known colloquially as the Turquoise Lord, whose Nagual (spirit form) is that of a flaming serpent.
However, to say that Ricky and his conspirators target the innocent would be a bold faced lie.
The story contains themes on the nature of trauma responses, how far is too far when seeking recompense, the collective anger we all feel when justice goes unserved, with the story containing statements regarding who our own criminal justice system truly fights for and operates at the behest of. The institutions of man are just as, if not more, conspiratorial than the small cabal of worshippers that Ricky leads.
B E H I N D - T H E - C A M E R A
Gabby Douglas Wood - Director
Born in North Carolina, but moving to New Mexico to have a better and broader connection to the film industry and those involved with it, Gabby has amassed over six years of screenwriting experience and nearly ten years of writing experience as a whole, having started with penning short stories in the eighth grade. Gabby's on-set experience is now reaching a three year total, having worked in various positions within the projects of Rock Ledge Studios and Black Rabbit Productions, whilst having competed three times with teams during the Broadway Bound Live 48-Hour Film Competition. Their obsession with horror started in elementary school, however, and she has consumed and written artistic works primarily centered within that genre. Gabby's influences within their own storytelling are that of Stephen King, R.L. Stine, Edgar Allen Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Shirley Jackson, and their all time idol, Clive Barker. Within the realm of cinema, he most loves the works of John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, Alfred Hitchcock, Tobe Hooper, Robert Eggers, and again, her all time idol, Clive Barker. This will be Gabby's debut as a Director, a chance to flex his chops at shot composition and at manifesting worlds viewed by the eyes of their audience. She has taken a methodical approach to each and every angle, making sure he can fully and absolutely answer the question of "why look at it from this direction" when it comes to each and every shot planned for coverage. They believe that Horror does not exist solely for the purpose of making your audience jump or squirm, as fun as that may be, but exists as a vector to discuss what truly gives us anxiety within the day to day: mankind's capacity for self-serving acts of brutality and betrayal, unavoidable and obsessive madness that can come to afflict us, and how each and every one of our constructed and trusted institutions tend to hide their true allegiances from the broader public.
Samuel Tomatz - Cinematographer
With over a decade of diverse experience, Samuel brings technical skills, consummate professionalism, and a distinct vision to every project. At age five, his passion for the craft ignited when he directed and starred in his first short film. He has now worked nationally on numerous projects consisting of Emmy-winning TV shows, feature films, music videos, and commercials. Samuel's expansive range as a filmmaker is reflected in his varied experience. He has had the privilege of contributing to film and TV productions that garner a national audience. Samuel's Film and TV credits include: Bands of Enchantment (2024), Forsythian Dweller's Club, Engedi, Exploring Through Our Lens, Frankenstein Complex (2024), Spider Fish (2024), Gluten Affair, and Nova's Crossing. He has collaborated with many local businesses, non-profit organizations, artists, and musicians to create content that meets their cinematic or marketing needs. Samuel's cinematography is brought to life through engaging lighting, clever shot selection, subtle movement, and dynamic framing. He is interested in creating aesthetic experiences that captivate the viewer, engage the emotions, and express the most salient elements of the story. He meets each project with devotion, care, and a collaborative approach. Samuel welcomes the opportunity to guide your story while making sure your vision connects with your audience.
B E F O R E - T H E - C A M E R A - (In order of appearance)
Leandro Pita - "Ricky Cortés"
Leandro Pita is a Black and Indigenous Latino/e actor, and will be playing the lead role of Ricky in Slither On In. Leandro is currently based in Albuquerque and has recently graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and a Minor in Chicana/o Studies. Leandro's experience acting in front of the camera has reached its two-year mark, prior to his extensive experience competing in Dramatic and Comedic Interpretation in Speech and Debate throughout High School. He takes an immense, almost obsessive care when crafting a character to be performed on-screen, going so far as to research the psychological and sociological phenomena that a written character may be experiencing to better craft his performance. His prior credits include Night Car directed by Forrest Goodluck (Supporting), Imogen (Supporting), Fear (Principal), What Kind of Indian Are You? (Supporting), and Doughboy (Principal). He admires the thrill and adrenaline that horror can bring about, and some of his favorite films within the genre include Insidious, Smile, When Evil Lurks, and Terrifier.
Dakotah Lopez - "Wilberto"
Dakotah Lopez is an Albuquerque based actor and is represented by Mitchell and Associate's Talent. He will be playing Wilberto in Slither On In, one of Ricky's close friends and longest employees at Cortés Pest and Animal Control. Having his BA in Theatre and Dance from the University of New Mexico, Dakotah has been acting for the last 15 years. His theater experience includes "The Importance of Earnest" (Algernon Moncrieff), "The 25th Annual Putnam Count. Spelling Bee" (Barfey Williams), and "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" (Charlie Brown). In film, his credits include "Quick Heist" (Supporting), "Altar on the Mountain" (Principal), and "Done with Malice" (Principal). Dakotah has always loved horror, citing Wes Craven as one of his inspirations for participating in the genre. Horror can be used to unlock deep ideas within the human psyche and can help provide a catharsis for both the audience and actor.
Tatianna O'Brien - "Dawn"
Tatianna O'Brien is based in Albuquerque and has been doing Indie films for a little over a year now. She will be playing Dawn, Ricky's trusted friend and conspirator, in Slither On In. She'd argue that she's seen more horror movies than films in any other genre. She has acted frequently with Rock Ledge Studios and Black Rabbit Productions, and her prior credits include Imogen (Supporting), Realization (Principal), What Kind of Indian Are You? (Supporting), and Engedi (Principal). She loves horror movies and novels, with the written works of Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe being among the numerous works that she has consumed. Slither On In will be her second time acting in a horror/thriller. She's super excited to be a part of this film and can’t wait to see what it becomes!
Jacob McCully Gregory - "Mason Morrisett"
Having originally been booked with a Talent Agency in his home state of Oregon, Jacob thought it best to head South as a means of pursuing his cinematic aspirations of the silver screen. He will be making his official, formal debut as Mason, the apple of Ricky, Dawn, and Wilberto's vengeful eye in Slither On In. He's a 21-year old actor now currently living in Albuquerque, and is incredibly excited to play the role of Mason. He is inspired primarily by the acting abilities of horror icons like Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, and Tony Todd, and loves the genre for the thrills and adrenaline that it can produce, even though his own squirms on screen will be the mechanisms of which to inspire the audience's.
L O O K B O O K - S A M P L E S
R E W A R D S
*Rewards Stack, those who pay $100 for example will receive each tier of reward below that as well*
$25 - Your Name in the Credits under a Special Thank You
$50 - A copy of the script signed by the Director and the Cast (Recommended for Non-Spanish Speakers)
$100 - An Official Slither On In Poster
$250 - A Cortés Pest and Animal Control - Certified Exterminator, Adjustable Black Snapback
$500 - A Slither On In, Custom Hoodie (We will be in contact for sizing and preferred colors)
$1000 - An Associate Producer's Credit
$2000 - An Executive Producer's Credit
I N - C L O S I N G
Indie filmmaking relies almost solely on a mixture of personal funds and crowdfunding, and we are absolutely grateful at the thought of you choosing to help us produce this. Regardless of rewards or amounts, we give a hefty and passionate thank you to every single one of our donors. Whether it be $1 or $10,000, we cannot thank you enough for spending your money on seeing this vision made.
There is no amount of shout-outs or rewards that can help us truly express our reverence, but we will try our best in the meantime. Again, from the complete depth of our hearts - thank you.
“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”
― Cesar A. Cruz
Organizer
Gabby Douglas Wood
Organizer
Albuquerque, NM