Cerebral - The Movie
Austin, Texas | Film Feature
Thriller
CEREBRAL is a psychological thriller based on realistic research that delves into the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury. This strong and well-vetted story has garnered 13 writing awards since 2018. As indie filmmakers, we have 75% of our production budget on hand in this, our third feature.
Cerebral - The Movie
Austin, Texas | Film Feature
Thriller
1 Campaigns | Texas, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $10,350 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
35 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
CEREBRAL is a psychological thriller based on realistic research that delves into the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury. This strong and well-vetted story has garnered 13 writing awards since 2018. As indie filmmakers, we have 75% of our production budget on hand in this, our third feature.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Ruben Esteban is a former journalist who is now a college professor. He is esteemed by his colleagues and adored by his family, which includes his loving wife Sonia and their daughter Jessica. One fateful night, while coming home from work, Ruben comes across a student being assaulted. Being the good man that he is, he intervenes and tries to stop the assault. Unfortunately, the assailant turns on Ruben, and in the ensuing struggle, Ruben is struck on the head, suffering a traumatic brain injury.
Ruben's family rushes to the hospital and holds vigil, praying for his recovery. While Ruben is in the hospital, his mother-in-law, who had never really approved of Ruben as a suitable husband for Sonia, sees an opportunity to create a rift between Sonia and Ruben. She takes advantage of the situation, whispering poisonous words into Sonia's ears, hoping to turn her and her granddaughter against Ruben.
.jpeg)
As Ruben begins to recover, he struggles to communicate with his family. His mind is clouded, and he is unable to form coherent sentences. Over time, as his physical health improves, his psychological state deteriorates. The personality that emerges is not the Ruben his family knows and loves. The darker angels of his personality that had long been repressed in Ruben's mind are unleashed, and he becomes increasingly volatile and unpredictable.
Ruben's family watches in horror as his condition worsens. Sonia, struggling to hold her family together, finds herself faced with a tough decision about what to do with this different version of her husband. Ruben, fighting himself in a valiant attempt to save his family, has to battle the demons within.
CEREBRAL is a sophisticated, realistic story about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and how tentative one’s personality can truly be. The themes of personality disorders and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are under-explored in film and popular entertainment, despite the rising prevalence of TBI worldwide. The project potentially increases awareness of TBI and personality disorders in general.
Many of the dramatic events involving TBI in the screenplay are based on actual events. The script includes disturbing anecdotes regarding TBI that were professionally researched and reworked into our fictional screenplay.
PRODUCERS
In terms of media representations, the filmmakers live and work in Texas, where it is common to see Latinos in professional roles such as lawyers, doctors, business leaders, college professors, political leaders, etc.
TexMex FilmWorks, created in 2021 by filmmaker Alex Avila, is a media production company dedicated to more realistic depictions of Latinos using sophisticated storytelling that appeals to a wide audience. The goal is to combat the media stereotype of Latinos as migrant workers, gang members, maids, criminals, and low-end laborers. TexMex FilmWorks is dedicated to creating films that celebrate the reality of Latinos in Texas.
CEREBRAL has performed exceptionally well as a screenplay in numerous high-profile screenwriting competitions since 2018. All indications are that fans of the thriller genre (including book readers) will respond well to this story. The production company has been re-formulated for this project, and an experienced production team has been assembled with the goal of producing this award-winning screenplay into a high-level film.
FUNDING
Currently, fundraising has secured enough money for the production to move forward, with a start date set to begin in May of 2023. More than 75 percent of the production budget has been raised and is in the bank. This Seed & Spark appeal is designed to bring in the last remaining percentage.
If we exceed our funding goal, any extra funds will automatically go into the post-production budget, which is yet to be finalized. We hope to raise enough post-production funds eventually for marketing expenses, specifically focusing on professional press kits for distributors and major film festivals.
TALENT
As part of the story, we need to cast strong, experienced actors who can bring this thrilling story to life, including three generations of women: a mother, daughter, and grandmother. Despite the challenges, the producers are extremely pleased with the talent that has committed to this project. However, our lawyers advise that announcing our cast would be premature at this time. Nevertheless, we can show you...
In summary, CEREBRAL is a dark psychological thriller about a good man named Ruben Esteban who becomes the victim of a traumatic brain injury. As he recovers physically, he becomes darker psychologically and terrorizes his own family. It is a story about the fragility of the human mind and how events can trigger unexpected changes.
.png)
Production for CEREBRAL begins in May 2023 in the Austin, Texas area.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Pay for our Hard Drives
Costs $1,000
Today's digital technology requires high-speed, high-quality hardware to store our precious images.
Feed Our Cast & Crew
Costs $1,500
Nothing boosts the morale of our cast and crew more than fresh meals. Our food budget is $300/day.
Pay a Crew Member
Costs $1,500
Experienced crew members bring professionalism to a film set. Professionals need to be paid.
Set Design
Costs $3,000
We need to shoot in a hospital room and ICU. Access to medical areas is hard. Best to design a set.
Weapons Master
Costs $2,000
Gunfire on the movie set, state regulations require a certified weapons master and a medic on set.
Insurance
Costs $1,500
The combined cost of equipment insurance and production insurance for this production totals $4500.
Help Pay Actors
Costs $1,500
We are low-budget but it's our goal to pay our supporting actors the suggested SAG rate of $312/day.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
PRODUCERS
The production team of CEREBRAL are seasoned film and media production veterans who have come together for the first time under the TexMex FilmWorks banner specifically to help bring CEREBRAL to life and produce a professional, high-quality psychological thriller.
Alex Avila 
Writer/Director/Producer
CEREBRAL is Alex’s third feature film as producer, second as writer and second as director. Avila holds a B.S. in Radio-TV-Film, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Journalism, all from the University of Texas at Austin. He was a working journalist for 25 years with 12 years as an award-winning NPR producer. Also, from 1993-1999, he was co-director of the Austin-based Chicano/Latino Film Forum. His films and screenplays have won various awards.
Susan Jasso
Co-Producer
Susan Jasso is a veteran of many feature films produced in Texas, mostly as an Assistant Director. Her Assistant Director credits include Selena (1997), Sin City (2005), Machete (2010), Tree of Life (2011), Boyhood (2014), Nashville Season 1 (2012), and more than two dozen other major films. After several years outside of the industry, Susan decided to return to filmmaking in a more creative role where she says she wants to help bring authentic Latino stories to the screen.
David Vox Avila
Co-Producer
As an independent filmmaker, David has written, directed, shot, and produced dozens of short films, documentaries, music videos, and teamed on an award-winning web series. He is well versed in filmmaking and podcast production, and experienced in working with actors, budgets, and intense timelines.
Antonio Garcia
.jpeg)
Director of Photography
Antonio Garcia trained with Steve Mimms at the Austin School of Film and has amassed a diverse experience in film production include First Assistant Camera for Vecinos: Love Thy Neighbor (2021), Director of Photography for It’s Over: Nephilim (2016), and Director of Photography for Closer to Bottom (2017), in addition to crewing up in various capacities for multiple shorts and music videos in the Austin area.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Ruben Esteban is a former journalist who is now a college professor. He is esteemed by his colleagues and adored by his family, which includes his loving wife Sonia and their daughter Jessica. One fateful night, while coming home from work, Ruben comes across a student being assaulted. Being the good man that he is, he intervenes and tries to stop the assault. Unfortunately, the assailant turns on Ruben, and in the ensuing struggle, Ruben is struck on the head, suffering a traumatic brain injury.
Ruben's family rushes to the hospital and holds vigil, praying for his recovery. While Ruben is in the hospital, his mother-in-law, who had never really approved of Ruben as a suitable husband for Sonia, sees an opportunity to create a rift between Sonia and Ruben. She takes advantage of the situation, whispering poisonous words into Sonia's ears, hoping to turn her and her granddaughter against Ruben.
As Ruben begins to recover, he struggles to communicate with his family. His mind is clouded, and he is unable to form coherent sentences. Over time, as his physical health improves, his psychological state deteriorates. The personality that emerges is not the Ruben his family knows and loves. The darker angels of his personality that had long been repressed in Ruben's mind are unleashed, and he becomes increasingly volatile and unpredictable.
Ruben's family watches in horror as his condition worsens. Sonia, struggling to hold her family together, finds herself faced with a tough decision about what to do with this different version of her husband. Ruben, fighting himself in a valiant attempt to save his family, has to battle the demons within.
CEREBRAL is a sophisticated, realistic story about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and how tentative one’s personality can truly be. The themes of personality disorders and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are under-explored in film and popular entertainment, despite the rising prevalence of TBI worldwide. The project potentially increases awareness of TBI and personality disorders in general.
Many of the dramatic events involving TBI in the screenplay are based on actual events. The script includes disturbing anecdotes regarding TBI that were professionally researched and reworked into our fictional screenplay.
PRODUCERS
In terms of media representations, the filmmakers live and work in Texas, where it is common to see Latinos in professional roles such as lawyers, doctors, business leaders, college professors, political leaders, etc.
TexMex FilmWorks, created in 2021 by filmmaker Alex Avila, is a media production company dedicated to more realistic depictions of Latinos using sophisticated storytelling that appeals to a wide audience. The goal is to combat the media stereotype of Latinos as migrant workers, gang members, maids, criminals, and low-end laborers. TexMex FilmWorks is dedicated to creating films that celebrate the reality of Latinos in Texas.
CEREBRAL has performed exceptionally well as a screenplay in numerous high-profile screenwriting competitions since 2018. All indications are that fans of the thriller genre (including book readers) will respond well to this story. The production company has been re-formulated for this project, and an experienced production team has been assembled with the goal of producing this award-winning screenplay into a high-level film.
FUNDING
Currently, fundraising has secured enough money for the production to move forward, with a start date set to begin in May of 2023. More than 75 percent of the production budget has been raised and is in the bank. This Seed & Spark appeal is designed to bring in the last remaining percentage.
If we exceed our funding goal, any extra funds will automatically go into the post-production budget, which is yet to be finalized. We hope to raise enough post-production funds eventually for marketing expenses, specifically focusing on professional press kits for distributors and major film festivals.
TALENT
As part of the story, we need to cast strong, experienced actors who can bring this thrilling story to life, including three generations of women: a mother, daughter, and grandmother. Despite the challenges, the producers are extremely pleased with the talent that has committed to this project. However, our lawyers advise that announcing our cast would be premature at this time. Nevertheless, we can show you...
In summary, CEREBRAL is a dark psychological thriller about a good man named Ruben Esteban who becomes the victim of a traumatic brain injury. As he recovers physically, he becomes darker psychologically and terrorizes his own family. It is a story about the fragility of the human mind and how events can trigger unexpected changes.
Production for CEREBRAL begins in May 2023 in the Austin, Texas area.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Pay for our Hard Drives
Costs $1,000
Today's digital technology requires high-speed, high-quality hardware to store our precious images.
Feed Our Cast & Crew
Costs $1,500
Nothing boosts the morale of our cast and crew more than fresh meals. Our food budget is $300/day.
Pay a Crew Member
Costs $1,500
Experienced crew members bring professionalism to a film set. Professionals need to be paid.
Set Design
Costs $3,000
We need to shoot in a hospital room and ICU. Access to medical areas is hard. Best to design a set.
Weapons Master
Costs $2,000
Gunfire on the movie set, state regulations require a certified weapons master and a medic on set.
Insurance
Costs $1,500
The combined cost of equipment insurance and production insurance for this production totals $4500.
Help Pay Actors
Costs $1,500
We are low-budget but it's our goal to pay our supporting actors the suggested SAG rate of $312/day.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
PRODUCERS
The production team of CEREBRAL are seasoned film and media production veterans who have come together for the first time under the TexMex FilmWorks banner specifically to help bring CEREBRAL to life and produce a professional, high-quality psychological thriller.
Alex Avila
Writer/Director/Producer
CEREBRAL is Alex’s third feature film as producer, second as writer and second as director. Avila holds a B.S. in Radio-TV-Film, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Journalism, all from the University of Texas at Austin. He was a working journalist for 25 years with 12 years as an award-winning NPR producer. Also, from 1993-1999, he was co-director of the Austin-based Chicano/Latino Film Forum. His films and screenplays have won various awards.
Susan Jasso
Co-Producer
Susan Jasso is a veteran of many feature films produced in Texas, mostly as an Assistant Director. Her Assistant Director credits include Selena (1997), Sin City (2005), Machete (2010), Tree of Life (2011), Boyhood (2014), Nashville Season 1 (2012), and more than two dozen other major films. After several years outside of the industry, Susan decided to return to filmmaking in a more creative role where she says she wants to help bring authentic Latino stories to the screen.
David Vox Avila
Co-Producer
As an independent filmmaker, David has written, directed, shot, and produced dozens of short films, documentaries, music videos, and teamed on an award-winning web series. He is well versed in filmmaking and podcast production, and experienced in working with actors, budgets, and intense timelines.
Antonio Garcia
Director of Photography
Antonio Garcia trained with Steve Mimms at the Austin School of Film and has amassed a diverse experience in film production include First Assistant Camera for Vecinos: Love Thy Neighbor (2021), Director of Photography for It’s Over: Nephilim (2016), and Director of Photography for Closer to Bottom (2017), in addition to crewing up in various capacities for multiple shorts and music videos in the Austin area.