Why We're Raising $90,000 First

The current $90,000 raise represents a foundational production tranche, designed to initiate pre-production, secure key creative and casting attachments, and formally activate tax-incentive positioning for a larger, fully capitalized production.

This phase allows the project to advance with discipline and precision before scaling into a higher budget tier.

Phased Financing Strategy

Murder Rap is structured using a phased financing model, allowing the production to scale responsibly while minimizing idle capital and reducing risk.

Rather than raising the full production budget upfront, financing is aligned with specific milestones, ensuring capital is deployed efficiently and strategically.

Phase I - Foundational Production Phase ($90,000)

Phase I capital is allocated toward:

Final script polish and legal clearance

Packaging and key creative attachments

Preliminary casting outreach

Location scouting and production planning

Accounting and tax-incentive setup

Completion of Phase I positions the project to transition seamlessly into full production financing.

Planned Production Budget Tiers

The project has been designed to scale efficiently depending on attachments and market conditions. Multiple budget configurations have already been mapped.

Tier 1 — Micro-Budget Execution ($250,000)

1. Lean cast and contained locations
2. Festival-forward execution
3. Optimized rebate recovery

Tier 2 — Expanded Independent Model ($500,000)

1. Recognizable supporting cast
2. Enhanced production value
3. Increased domestic and international sales appeal

Tier 3 — Premium Independent Package ($750,000–$1,000,000)

1. Tier-1 cast attachment potential
2. Stronger pre-sales positioning
3. Broader distribution reach

Each tier preserves the core creative vision while expanding commercial upside.

Tax Incentive Optimization

Oklahoma’s 38% film production rebate is incorporated into each budget tier, effectively reducing net production cost and improving capital efficiency as the budget scales.

As production size increases, the rebate functions as a meaningful capital recovery mechanism rather than a creative compromise.

Murder Rap is a contained, elevated psychological thriller designed to be produced at a disciplined independent budget with a clear path to tax incentives, controlled production risk, and multiple distribution exit scenarios.

The film is structured to minimize downside exposure while targeting genre-driven upside through theatrical, international, and streaming markets.

ABOUT THE FILM - What Is Murder Rap?

Murder Rap follows a group of teens whose past actions resurface when they reunite in a house tied to an unresolved tragedy. What begins as a reckoning becomes a psychological descent where guilt, denial, and survival collide.

The film blends suspense and dark humor with grounded emotional stakes, designed to travel internationally while maintaining strong audience appeal.

WHY THIS FILM MAKES SENSE 

Psychological thrillers and elevated horror consistently perform well in the independent market due to contained production needs, strong international demand, and post-theatrical longevity on streaming platforms.

Murder Rap was intentionally developed to align with these market realities, prioritizing execution, tone, and capital efficiency over scale for scale’s sake.

At its core, Murder Rap is a bold allegory about the weight of habit, ego, and the cost of unchecked ambition, especially when survival instincts clash with dreams.

Each character embodies a modern vice, not simply as flaws, but as survival tools molded by trauma, culture, and pressure. The film asks: What happens when the same qualities that help you stand out are the ones that could destroy you?

The theme of the power and danger of creative obsession is explored, especially when tied to identity, trauma, and recognition.

The secondary theme is the power of the tongue: how words, expression, and documentation can preserve legacy, or become its downfall.

Beneath the thrills, the film explores creative obsession, trauma, and ambition: what happens when the drive that helps you stand out is the same force that destroys you?

Comparables

The Blair Witch Project — $60K > $248M worldwide

Paranormal Activity — $15K > $194M worldwide

Terrifier 2 — $250K > multi-million franchise success

Creep — $100K > strong Netflix performance

The Wretched — $66K > #1 box office during release window

Tonal & Comparable Cultural DNA (NOT Budget Comparisons

Juice / House Party — Youth ensemble energy + cultural texture

Get Out — Socially reflective psychological tension

Talk to Me — Elevated supernatural mythology appealing to Gen Z

Don’t Breathe — Contained, escalating high-intensity thriller

Why this matters:

These films demonstrate that contained, concept-driven horror with strong

Mythology consistently outperforms its budget and thrives on both SVOD

and AVOD platforms. Murder Rap is positioned within this proven microbudget profit model, not as a lottery-ticket outlier.

A Close-up of the Director

Writer, director, Lead

Mark D. Bonner is an award-winning filmmaker from Shreveport, Louisiana, and the first Black director to win the Louisiana Film Prize with Shreveport Son. His work blends bold storytelling, emotional realism, and regional authenticity, making him the perfect voice for Murder Rap. Bonner’s background in grassroots filmmaking, festival accolades, and selection as a Tyler Perry Studios Dream Finalist showcase both creative vision and industry momentum. Known for maximizing impact on lean budgets, he brings powerful, culture-rooted narratives to life—especially those born from the South. With Bonner at the helm, Murder Rap is primed to punch above its budget.

The above are trailers of my first three short films.

Featured in:

Shreveport Times: https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/life/2022/06/30/get-know-2021-film-prize-winner-mark-d-bonner-shreveport-movies-louisiana/7446850001/

Rory Lewis Studio: https://www.rorylewis.studio/blog/mark-d-bonner-a-tale-of-three-roles-in-one-headshot

Bay State Banner: https://baystatebanner.com/2023/08/02/r-i-international-film-festival-back-for-27th-year/

Facebook (Press/Share): https://www.facebook.com/share/19Mot6eWKL/?mibextid=WC7FNe

https://deadline.com/2025/10/micheaux-film-festival-2025-36-world-premieres-1236570897/

Director of Photography

Michael Street is a Los Angeles–based cinematographer celebrated for crafting cinematic visuals that feel intimate and grounded. Trained at the Academy of Art University, he’s lensed projects ranging from indie features to branded content and documentaries. His work on the Tubi Original Unborn showcased his ability to elevate modestly budgeted films with bold, atmospheric imagery. With deep experience across formats and a style rooted in emotional storytelling, Michael is the ideal DP for Murder Rap. His lens will bring gritty Southern realism and stylized edge—helping the film look like a million bucks while staying on budget.

This strong and diverse team is expanding and accompanied by MovieMaker magazine's outstanding production Services program; our team will be the best of the best to make the best film possible. Many of whom have years of work in the industry, and almost all of them have been funded for their own projects and are in talks with well-known distribution companies.

Why You Should Invest

✅ Distribution Secured

Our partner, Glass House Distribution, is locked in and ready to deliver this film globally via streaming, VOD, and foreign sales channels.

✅ Tax Incentive ROI (Oklahoma )

Expected ROI (e.g., "$90K - leads to a $16K rebate -- 18% ROI before Sales")

✅ Low-Budget, High-Return Genre

Horror has one of the highest ROIs in cinema. Found-footage films like Paranormal Activity and Host turned tiny budgets into massive box office wins.

✅ Built-In Audience

We’re tapping into three cult-fan markets: horror lovers, hip-hop heads, and 90s nostalgia fans. That’s a triple threat for viral content and organic reach.

✅ Flexible Filming Plans = Cost Savings

• Oklahoma: Up to 38% in tax rebates with a low $50,000 minimum

• Los Angeles: Free access to the original House Party location —a $15K+ production value boost at no cost

This flexibility protects your investment.

✅ Award-Winning Director

Mark D. Bonner, a Louisiana Film Prize winner and director of acclaimed shorts like Shreveport Son and Rear Desert, leads the charge with a distinct creative voice and proven microbudget experience. Compensation has been structured to align with the long-term performance of the film rather than front-loaded production costs—reducing early overhead and aligning incentives with investor outcomes.

Cult Classic Potential + Merchandising

Murder Rap isn’t just a film; it’s a brand. From an original animated comic book prequel to soundtrack releases and genre festival exposure, we’re building long-term value.

Pictured is the real main house of the 1990s smash hit that spawned several sequels.

Where we're Filming -- and how we Maximize Investor Returns

Oklahoma's Motion Picture Production Program

Murder Rap is strategically structured to qualify for state film tax incentives while preserving its cinematic authenticity and creative scope.

We’re filming a portion of production in Oklahoma, one of the most indie-friendly states in the U.S. Oklahoma offers up to a 38% cash rebate on qualified in-state spending with a low $50,000 minimum, meaning our lean $90K budget can still earn a substantial rebate — potentially returning $15K–$18K directly back to the production.

By anchoring 40–70% of principal photography in Oklahoma and completing select interiors in Los Angeles, we combine the scale of a studio feature with the efficiency of a micro-budget model. This hybrid approach maximizes on-screen value while protecting investor capital through verified, state-backed incentives.

Our smart production structure:

• 20–38% Oklahoma rebate on principal photography

• 40% Louisiana credit potential for post-production services

• Refund timeline: 4–8 months post-audit

• Cash rebates — not speculative credits

The result: investors participate in a project that’s both creatively bold and financially intelligent — reducing risk, increasing ROI, and keeping Murder Rap rooted in its Southern authenticity.

Additional information for the Louisiana post-production incentives

$50,000 minimum in-state expenditure requirement for Louisiana screenplay productions. $300,000 minimum in-state expenditure requirement on all other eligible productions.

15% Louisiana resident payroll credit: Compensation for services paid directly to a Louisiana resident shall be eligible for a 15% payroll tax credit on the qualified Louisiana payroll only. Payments made to a loan-out company are not eligible for this credit.

10% increase for Louisiana screenplay productions (if production is based on a screenplay created by a Louisiana resident with expenditures greater than $50,000 but no greater than $5 million), the screenplay writer (Mark D. Bonner) qualifies as a Louisiana resident and was originally written to be produced in Louisiana.

Transparency Note

Even though only around 40% of the film will be shot in Oklahoma, the project still qualifies for the rebate through concentrated in-state spending and vendor partnerships.

Oklahoma’s program requires only one day of principal photography and a minimum of $50K in qualified local expenditures — allowing us to benefit from incentives while retaining Los Angeles’s visual and casting advantages.

Our Oklahoma spend hits the $50K minimum threshold, returning up to $18K — before sales or distribution revenue.

Rebate Payout Timeline (Investor Overview)

Murder Rap qualifies for Oklahoma’s 38% cash-rebate program, one of the most investor-friendly incentive systems in the U.S. The rebate is state-backed and paid directly in cash, not as a tax credit. After filming wraps, a certified Oklahoma CPA completes an audit of our qualified in-state spending. Once that audit is submitted, the state typically issues payment within 4–8 months, and for films under $500 K like ours, it often lands closer to 4–6 months. That means early investors can expect to see rebate returns before distribution revenue even begins, turning roughly $16 K–$18 K in cash back on our $90 K budget, allowing investments to recoup faster than most traditional stock or fund positions.

If our production partners with an Oklahoma-based production service company or LLC, we can sometimes receive the rebate through their pre-approved vendor pipeline, which can accelerate payment to as little as 3–4 months.

Estimated Return automatically:

- $50 K qualified spend × 25 % avg. rebate = $12,500 rebate

- Combined incentive value (OK + LA) = $16–18 K ROI boost

Timeline Overview

1. Pre-certify — 30–45 days before filming
2. Shoot — 10–14 days
3. CPA audit — within 6 months of wrap
4. Receive rebate — 4–8 months after audit

Our second reason why you should invest is our comprehensive partnership with:

MovieMaker Production Services has helped hundreds of productions get deals, make connections, publicize their films, and save tens of thousands of dollars.

How does the program work?

A producer of our film invests at least $10K into the program. MovieMaker Production Services then doubles the value of that investment for almost anything that’s needed to get the movie to market — editing, visual effects, DCP, color correction, publicity, you name it. Your $10K gets you $20K in services, $15K gets you $30K, $25K gets you $50K. Double means double.

The ideal budget range for films is $100K to $2 million.

Once your film is complete, MovieMaker Production Services will help promote the film through MovieMaker Magazine, MovieMaker.com, and our social channels. We’ll make sure your film gets the attention it deserves.

Use of Funds (Budget Snapshot)

Production (cast, crew, equipment) 45%

Post-Production (edit, color, sound) 15%

Locations, Design, Permits 10%

Marketing & Distribution 15%

Contingency, Insurance, Legal 5%

Reserve + Tax Incentives (LA & OKC) 10% (effective savings)

• Above the Line (Director, Producer, Lead Talent) – $12,000

• Production Crew + Equipment + Insurance – $28,000

• Locations, Permits, Set Design (Haunted Mansion!) – $5,000

• Post-Production (Editing, Color, Sound, Music) – $8,000

• Marketing, PR, Festival Circuit & Deliverables – $7,000

• Contingency + Tax/Legal – $5,000

• Production Services Matching via MovieMaker – $10K+ doubled in value

➡️ Total Budget: $90,000 (with up to 45% Louisiana rebate or -$15K in LA location savings)

Flexible Filming Plans with Built-in Incentives:

Oklahoma Plan: Up to 38% in tax credits and payroll rebates via Oklahoma’s film incentive program.

Los Angeles Plan: We have also secured free access to the original House Party mansion in LA, a location valued at $15K+, which reduces production cost and offers iconic appeal.

Distribution Plan & Timeline

Pre-Production Q1 2026

Principal Photography (15 days) Q2 2026

Post-Production Q3 2026

Festival Premiere (Screamfest, ABFF, Fantasia) Q4 2026

Distribution Launch (streaming, VOD) Q1–Q2 2027

Our goal is to secure further sales via horror-specific buyers, streaming platforms, and urban film networks.

Financial Return Plan

Let’s say Murder Rap sells to a mid-tier streaming service or accumulates VOD sales across multiple platforms:

• Budget: $90,000

• Conservative Gross: $300,000

• After costs and distributor cut (-30%), net = ~$210,000

• Investors receive proportional returns through SAFE conversion

• Bonus: $5K+ investors receive direct 5% profit share = $10.5K pool

“This model maximizes return potential while preserving long-term equity for larger backend sales.”

🔄 LA vs. Oklahoma Plan Comparison

Oklahoma - Tax Credits up to 38%

1. Crew rates are initially lower. But DP and crew will have to be flown in from LA
2. scout and pay for the location.
3. marketing angle, Southern Gothic
4. logistics, local crew, rebates, and streamlined permits

Los Angeles

1. The tax credit benefits kick in when the budget is 1 million or above.
2. Crew Rates Moderate, but known local crew.
3. Location FREE – and filming landmark - the original House Party house
4. Marketing Angle Hip-Hop Nostalgia, iconic brand.

🛡 Risk Reduction

• Single main location shoot = minimal overhead

• Flexible filming incentives (LA or OKC) = control over costs

• Partnered with post-matching service to double production value

• Distributed by Glass House = ensured release

• Short 15-day shoot, non-union cast/crew

Conclusion

Not only is this story a unique twist on the genre itself, but even during the pandemic, horror movies remain one of the most profitable genres at the box office. In fact, in 2020, during the pandemic’s peak, all genres of performances dampened except for horror. The horror genre has remained a consistent money-maker for studios throughout the pandemic. It is by far the most profitable not just in America, but worldwide.. Horror films essentially offer a socially-sanctioned outlet for you to express your anxiety, and in 2021, that outlet is needed more than ever.

Horror fiction provides a sort of cognitive simulation in which people can engage with frightening phenomena in a safe setting. In the cognitive playground of fictional horror, people can learn what different types of scary situations look and feel like. Through engaging with the fictional world, people can practice emotional and behavioral strategies that might generalize to other kinds of stressful or fearful situations. Though this has not been directly tested, some evidence suggests that it might be occurring.

References

Box office history for horror. the-numbers.com (2021).

Gifford, B.E. The psychology behind watching post-apocalyptic films during a pandemic. Happiful.com (2020).

nautil.us - why-horror-films-are-more-popular-than-ever

louisianaentertainment.gov

https://www.moviemaker.com/mmps/amp/

Wishlist potential distribution / production partners

Budget

In our current phase of funding, we are breaking it up, from above the line to production to post-production and below the line. Our estimated budget in this phase is below.

Marketing and Distribution

Distribution Strategy

We will create targeted marketing campaigns online with Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube ads towards people who are enthusiastic fans of Horror, thriller, and people of color films. I will also implement a strategy I have used to help my debut film’s post go viral on Facebook. We will also utilize influencer marketing and focus on branding the movie to reach a wider audience.

A more detailed distribution and marketing plan will be presented at the time the film and its assets are complete in order to better cater for the trending events during that time.

Market Analysis

We have researched successful films with similar genres and budgets to Murder Rap. The landscape for independent filmmakers is changing, and more films are being produced for lower budgets. It is no longer uncommon to see big Hollywood talent in films made for under one million dollars, and in some cases no no-name talent at all. If a film is made for the right amount, it has a positive chance in the marketplace to be a financial success. Most financial failures in the film world are caused by inflated budgets.

A second stream of revenue is to turn this into an animated comic book.

Guaranteed distribution

Glasshouse Distribution is a member of the Independent Film & Television Alliance.

Glass House Distribution is an international distribution company specializing in feature films and television. This company was started by filmmakers who know what filmmakers go through in making a good quality film, and the hardships of seeking distribution.

Founded in September of 2015, Glass House has grown from a small suite at AFM to attending all major markets each year, including the EFM and the Marché du Film in Cannes. The simple guiding motto of “Full Transparency” (hence the Glass House), as well as a high bar for quality movies, has set Glass House on a course to be one of the future leading sales companies and has already generated buzz as one of the upcoming sales agencies.

Glass House maintains a presence at the AFM, the EFM (Berlin), MIPCOM, Toronto, and the Marché Du Film in Cannes, where each film is sold directly to buyers… relationships that have been built many years prior to forming the company, when each of the Glass House reps were a filmmakers attending markets.

On the distribution side, recently, Glass House’s original series Dropping the Soap won an Emmy for Star Jane Lynch, for Best Actress in a web series or comedy.

They are also associated with Blood House films, which focus on horror films.

What You’re Supporting

• A groundbreaking horror film with a fresh cultural lens

• A proven filmmaker scaling up to his first feature

• A flexible and affordable production plan with guaranteed distribution

• A project with built-in incentives, nostalgic appeal, and genre ROI

I have already made history in my hometown. Please join us. Invest in the next great horror cult classic. Start with $100. Get early access, exclusive updates, and backend share.

Let’s make horror and history together.

- Mark D. Bonner

Director's Statement

I wrote, directed, and produced several award-winning shorts (including Rear Desert and Shreveport Son) on lean budgets, proving my ability to deliver big cinematic vision with resourceful production.

Murder Rap is a culmination of my passions: horror, hip-hop, and stories that speak to the soul of young Black America. It’s about the trauma we carry, the creativity that redeems us, and the demons we must face.

With your support, we’re not just making a movie. We’re making a movement.

Investor FAQ

1. 💰 How do I make money from this investment?

You’re investing via a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity). When the film makes money through sales (streaming, foreign, VOD, etc.), and if it triggers equity conversion, you’ll own a piece of the company’s future.

💵 Bonus: If you invest $5,000 or more, you’ll receive 5% net profit share after the film recoups costs.

1. 🎬 Where will the film be distributed?

We’ve already secured a distribution deal with Glass House Distribution, a trusted sales partner with experience placing indie horror and Black genre films on platforms like Hulu, Amazon, Tubi, and international networks.

1. When will the film be shot and released?

Production is scheduled for Q2 2026. We’re using a 15-day shoot to stay lean and efficient.

Post-production wraps in Q3, and we’ll target top horror and Black film festivals by Q4 2026.

Release is planned for Q1–Q2 2027 via streaming and VOD platforms.

1. Where is the film being shot?

We have two powerful options:

1. Oklahoma – Up to 38% in tax rebates and local crew savings

2. Los Angeles – We’ve secured free access to the original House Party filming location, saving ~$15K+ in location costs

Both options allow us to shoot smart and protect your investment.

1. What are the biggest risks?

All film investments carry risk, but we’ve taken steps to reduce exposure:

• Single-location shoot lowers complexity

• Short 15-day schedule minimizes overages

• Tax credits or free LA mansion = major savings

• Distribution is locked in advance

• MovieMaker match gives us extra post-production value at no cost

1. What makes this film stand out?

• Bold genre fusion: supernatural horror + hip-hop + found footage

• Set in 1990s Louisiana during the rise of DIY rap and VHS culture

• Diverse cast, strong urban appeal, and festival-friendly themes

• Directed by Mark D. Bonner, a Louisiana Film Prize winner with a strong microbudget track record

1. Can I see examples of similar film success?

Yes. Here are indie films with strong returns:

• Paranormal Activity – $15K budget - $193M+ gross

• Host (Shudder) – Shot remotely for ~$35K - global hit

• Juice, Get Out, and Blair Witch show the power of cultural POVs in genre

1. What do I get besides profit?

• Behind-the-scenes updates & exclusive access

• Investor-only screener & Q&A

• Your name in the credits (for investments over $250)

• Executive Producer credit (for $5,000+)

In closing - 

Investors recoup first, then participate meaningfully in upside across all distribution windows.