In Blood, Orange, surreal nostalgic visuals meet a dramatic story about unique relationship struggles. Step into Claire's mind as she struggles with her own mental state and her husband Owen battles with how to help her. We see the world from Claire's eyes in a way that no one around her is able, but we are left with the question of whether or not she lives exclusively in her own world at her own detriment. When Claire finds that her dog Ozz has run away she hyper fixates on finding him, but is unsure of where to start. Follow our second character Hayden as he tries to navigate the complicated relationship between him and his wife who struggles with mental illness.

Hayden speaks to his life long friend Dr. K about his crumbling relationship and battles with how to continue forward. As this happens Claire goes on a frantic journey to find her lost dog as her husband Owen tries to stop her, out of concern, in a world that just feels subtly sideways.

Claire is a gentle and softspoken lady who is driven, without fear, when the time calls for it, though sometimes it comes out as frantic panic. She often finds her self wrapped up with her own thoughts, struggling to recognize the words of others because of what she is already convinced of. Claire chases after her dog Ozz, who has run away from home, but will Claire manage to find him before she is confronted with her relationship struggles with Owen.

Owen is an intense and generally rough person who doesn't believe in needing to explain himself. He sees Claire as unstable and treats her with disregard, expecting she may find some new way to embarrass him through her frantic demeanor. In his eyes having her stay home would avoid any nonsense she might create.

Hayden worries about his wife's developing mental struggles. Though he knew the effort he'd have to put in to the relationship before hand he never saw the possibility that he would need to reach out for help. He is quiet and reserved, struggling to assess how he really feels.

Dr. K is Hayden's childhood friend that works as a pharmacist. He tries to help Hayden with his own battle of whether he can help his wife alone, or if reaching out for help would be best.

The story of Blood, Orange is important to audiences of today because many of us are losing sight of reality and the beauty of things taking time and dedication. Perfection is expected of everyone now, and in all ways, but that perfection is what makes our individual stories so real and worth telling. Blood, Orange features that in it's most raw state, through the lens of a relationship and the hardships that come with it. It is possible to tell a story of hardship through our careers, education, war, politics etc. However we believe the most common and relatable way of telling that story is often overlooked, that being in life long relationships like marriage.

Blood, Orange is inspired by the ideas of Leo Tolstoy and the opinion that the human connection rises above all things. Wealth, individual achievement and social standing hail in comparison to the idea of love, compassion. and simplicity as a whole. Every person's mind is different and ever evolving and the search for understanding such things is never ending. Our story urges the viewer to explore those thoughts and question even their own ideas of what loving another person truly means, by doing what is truly best for them. Our director believes no one person has that answer, but rather the subject of searching for that answer is the most beautiful part.

We are students trying to make a genuine impact on audiences that goes beyond the screen and sticks in the minds of our viewers. We aren't creating to make a point or give an answer , but rather to begin a discussion. (Crew members Valeria Santamaria, Zach Ford, and Mackenzie Thompson featured above)

Creating a budget (What donations go towards)

Meal & Craft services (~55%) Our cast and crew will be working very hard on set and long hours require lots of energy. Meals and craft services will keep everyone fed and ensure a quality output!

Locations (~15%) Filming often requires permits or pay that goes towards location owners. Your contribution helps us to secure the best we can find and make the image in our script a reality.

Set Design/ Props (~10%) To make the world of Blood, Orange more convincing and engaging we'll need to put funds towards the creation and beautification of each set. These funds will go towards the purchase or rental of set decoration or props needed. (Photos taken from look book created by Kiara Appel via Pinterest)

Contingency Funds (~10%) Every set comes with the unexpected. Having a contingency fund will help to keep us on track in the likely event that something unexpected happens on set!

Film Festivals (~10%) As film students our goal is to submit Blood, Orange to film festivals around the world. Many festivals require a submission fee. This will allow us to submit to as many festivals as possible and have Blood, Orange seen by all sorts of audiences!

Statement of Appreciation from Joseph P. Malone and Jackson M. Coppinger

Blood, Orange will begin filming in August 2026 with a crew of around 20 people, plus actors and any extras we may need. Every single one of us involved with this production appreciates the generous donations made by our community, family, friends, and supporters alike. Every cent will go towards some part of this production and matters so much to us! Thank you for your support of this project and always remember how much our team values you!

This is a student film being created in fulfillment for Belmont University's Motion Pictures major requirements, however we hope to have this film rise above even that. Our plan is to submit this film to as many festivals as possible following its completion in December of 2026. Without an audience film is a hobby, but with YOU it is ART

(All banner photos are original inspiration stills created for "Blood, Orange" and captured by Mackenzie Thompson)