Texas Rancher
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Drama, Western
Kurt Cliff, an old rancher from rural Texas, equally fiery and prideful, has just killed a man near the edge of his property line, whom he suspects of being an intruder, robber, and murderer. In reality, the man he killed was just his humble neighbor, and his death was entirely in vain. Now what?
Texas Rancher
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Drama, Western
1 Campaigns | Texas, United States
13 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,691
Goal: $14,000 for production
Kurt Cliff, an old rancher from rural Texas, equally fiery and prideful, has just killed a man near the edge of his property line, whom he suspects of being an intruder, robber, and murderer. In reality, the man he killed was just his humble neighbor, and his death was entirely in vain. Now what?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Hello! My name is Farris Mafrige-Elsaifi. I'm the Writer & Director of Texas Rancher. I've been running a small independent production company called I Don't Getcha for nearly 10 years now. In that time, I've been nothing but affirmed in my desire to make incredible, well-crafted stories. For most of my journey as a filmmaker, I've put my focus into comedy, as it was what came most naturally to me. However, for many years now, I've desired and striven to make something that meant more and said more than I felt I could while trying to make people laugh. I've made a good amount of short films so far, somewhere around 20-35. With each new short film, I would attempt to be a step more professional and logistical in my approach until my process could effectively balance efficiency and creative impulsivity.
Me on the set of Don't Smoke Cigarettes Ever!
Our last film, Don't Smoke Cigarettes Ever!, was a resounding success as a production. We got everything done on time with minimal stress, and everyone seemed very happy. While it's still a comedy of sorts, I incorporated many dramatic elements into the composition and visual storytelling. It was my test to see if I was more than my comedy roots, and seeing the finished project and the reactions to it assured me that I was ready for something bigger.
Alyssa Martinez and Chris Bengtson on Don't Smoke Cigarettes Ever!
"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty, teeth, and keystone under independence."
- George Washington, The First US President
(Just kidding, he NEVER said this. But a lot of people believe he did.)
KURT CLIFF kills his neighbor, ROBERT MACLELLAN, in plain daylight. He saw the way he surrounded the border of his property, camera strapped around his neck. He was looking menacing, with a despicable grin and sharp ivory teeth; he was ready to strike. Robert Maclellan has no identity if his identity doesn't start with big bold letters spelling CRIMINAL. Kurt calls his daughter, EMILIA, ready to celebrate and show the lengths he'll go to protect her, but she is speechless. In her mind, a life was taken. She calls the police, and Kurt begins his day of hell.
Throughout the day, Kurt will have run-ins with the Police, who will treat him as though he were already guilty of attempted murder. He will go to church, only to run into more holes in his day. His relationship with his daughter, his best friend, and the one he cherishes most, will suddenly be thrown up in the air. Throughout it all, he will lose hold of his identity as he starts having no identity without a big bold CRIMINAL being spelled before it.
The story of Kurt Cliff is partly inspired by the ways childhood friends and family members talked about firearms growing up. They are all far more normal than the character I am creating, but they were the impetus for a majority of the views I had surrounding firearms as a means to kill and protect. I've grown up hearing many theories about having 'two seconds' to react to an intruder. While I could understand worrying on a practical level, the anxiety about being attacked or unable to defend yourself, I never fully understood the mentality of heavily arming your house and treating the world like you're one step closer to losing everything.
Maybe it's a form of privilege to sleep soundly at night with little worry of being hunted or robbed, but I couldn't help but be curious about who bolstered the narrative of the 'amorphous criminal,' which I define as the caricature of an evil-doer who's ready at any point to destroy your livelihood the moment you let your guard down. My family can be anxious about the world we live in. For those who really give in, and I mean REALLY give in, I imagine the world feels like a do-or-die wild west. There's a constant tingle running up your back; anyone and everyone could be ready to disintegrate your home and your family or steal your money away. In those moments, I imagine a person whose one constant assurance is looking at the Texas Government on TV, talking about the Police being deployed only to protect, speeches about gun laws becoming permissible to keep women and children safe, talking about the criminals and evil factions of the world. That is Kurt Cliff. He's still a human being with love, desire, and hope, but that hope is being predatorily skewed by the system he clings to. This is a story about a man who loves the system, only to be failed by it when he discovers that the hyper-idealized version advertised to him doesn't align with how it actually works.
To boil down why I am making this, the original answer is that I am terrified of guns. I'm terrified of the role it's played in the world around me, and the idea that my life could end at any moment, by the call of any bout of fear or misunderstanding. In a sense, I've created an 'amorphous gunman' in my head, similar to Kurt's criminal. To me, dismantling the amorphous and undefined starts by attempting to understand it, even when it feels like noise. This is my attempt to understand. That is my new answer. I don't wish to judge Kurt; I want to know what made him so scared to begin with. I want to indulge myself in perspectives that feel unnatural to me, which is why I wanted to make this, and it's what kept me going.
This will serve as I Don't Getcha's first major drama short film since officially forming, and this will be our longest and most daring yet. Shot in multiple locations with a paid cast and crew over the course of 7-9 scheduled days (including 2 pickup days), we will need a lot of support to make this film as great as it can be. Due to that, we are asking for $14,000 which will be split between Cast & Crew pay, Catering & Crafty, Equipment, and Locations & Props.
The budget will be split as follows:
Cast & Crew pay: $6,020
As previously stated, Texas Rancher will have a paid cast and crew. To achieve this, we calculated we'd need to set aside 43% of the budget, at just over $6K. Payment will be the same for every position, around $15-20 for each day on set. Anyone involved in pre-production and post-production will receive a flat payment.
Catering & Crafty: $4,200
With the size of our crew and the amount of energy we'll be spending throughout the shoot, making sure we have enough money to keep everyone on set fed and happy is incredibly important. We also plan on providing lunch to all Cast & Crew each shooting day.
Equipment: $2800
We will be filming in a few different settings, so ensuring we have all of the right equipment to achieve the perfect shots is imperative. We will be shooting on a Sony FX3 that we have already secured, so the majority of this money will go to camera rigging (focus pull, matte box, etc.), lighting and sound equipment, as well as quality of life for Cast & Crew (tents, fans, appleboxes, chairs, etc.). The remainder will be used for any further equipment we require.
Locations and Props: $980
This money will also be used to acquire props, makeup, and costumes such as replica guns, cowboy hats, and blood fx. Any remaining money will be used to ensure we are able to film in the locations needed for the story.
On top of this, we will be setting aside a portion of our own money as an emergency fund and for distribution.
THE GOAL
We want this film to have a festival run. We'd especially love to submit Texas Rancher to local film festivals, such as South By Southwest and Austin Film Festival, as well as national film festivals like Sundance. As such, we want to create something up to the standards of films showcased within their catalog. The hope is that by showing off our abilities, we can strive to make grander productions. Eventually, this will give us the support to create our first feature film.
To show that your contributions are appreciated, we have devised a list of benefits you can gain from supporting this film. Each tier is named for its reward and includes all the rewards of the lower tiers.
We appreciate donations of any amount. Everything helps make this film get made! Sharing our project with others and spreading the word is also greatly appreciated!
You can also follow our Texas Rancher Instagram for updates about production and distribution!
Texas Rancher Instagram
Where else you can find us!
If you want to continue to support us, please do so by subscribing to our YouTube channel and following us on Instagram for future updates!
Our YouTube Channel
Our Instagram Page
We hope for your support on this project to make our dreams come true!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment
Costs $2,800
For renting and buying any equipment we don't have to finish the film.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Farris Mafrige-Elsaifi
Director
A recent graduate of the University of Texas' Radio, Television, & Film Program, Farris Mafrige-Elsaifi specializes in making films that are 'flashy, crazy, and generally out-there' but have a lot of heart inside. He has written and directed 20+ shorts that range from overly comedic to dramatic in nature. He currently runs the Austin TX Film Production Company "I Don't Getcha".
August Ochre
Producer
Cool gal with a lot to prove
Alex Zavaleta
Producer
Cool guy with a lot to prove
Poet Williams
Line Producer
Junior RTF major at UT Austin. She is currently an Executive Producer of TSTV's 'Down To Film' and has produced for the short film 'Flames of Passion.' Along with producing, she has been an assistant director and editor for multiple projects at UT.
Nathan Cudgel
1st Assistant Director
Nathan Cudgel is an award-winning Texas filmmaker with a background in politics and music video production. Featured in an Oscar-qualifying festival, DIFF, he is best known for producing the Music Video "Rocket" by Jannah Camille, and for co-founding the short film festival for young creatives, Ramen for Ramen, in San Antonio, Texas.
Andrew Smith
2nd Assistant Director
Senior filmmaker attending U.T. Austin. They've written and directed several shorts, including "Monkey Man" which played at the Austin Film Festival in 2023, and have produced and assistant-directed a plethora of projects, including some graduate student work.
Hector Reza
Director of Photography
Hector Vladimir Reza is a 2023 UT RTF Graduate who has previously worked as a DP on I Don't Getcha short films, such as "Don't Smoke Cigarettes Ever". He is also the director of "Punched Up, Cashed Up". Beyond DPing, he is proficient in post-production work as an editor and colorist, specifically through DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut, AVID, and Adobe Premiere.
Kenzie Azbill
Script Supervisor
A UT Austin RTF and English 4th year, Kenzie Azbill specializes in screenwriting and editing. Previously, she was a scripty on Dinner Party, directed by Mattea Galloway. She is addicted to Diet Coke and Stardew Valley.
Liam Suarez
Gaffer
Liam Suarez is beyond excited to gaff for Texas Rancher. He loves working in environments with lots of natural light sources and is beyond excited to develop a realistic lighting look for the project.
Ramiro Rodriguez
On-Set Sound Mixer
Ramiro Rodriguez is a music producer, engineer, and sound designer with 10+ years of experience in manipulating, coloring, and creating sounds from scratch. He's previously worked as the post-production audio mixer and mastering engineer on the short film "Don’t Smoke Cigarettes Ever", and has worked with I Don't Getcha through the Guthrie Center Film Program in Houston TX.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Hello! My name is Farris Mafrige-Elsaifi. I'm the Writer & Director of Texas Rancher. I've been running a small independent production company called I Don't Getcha for nearly 10 years now. In that time, I've been nothing but affirmed in my desire to make incredible, well-crafted stories. For most of my journey as a filmmaker, I've put my focus into comedy, as it was what came most naturally to me. However, for many years now, I've desired and striven to make something that meant more and said more than I felt I could while trying to make people laugh. I've made a good amount of short films so far, somewhere around 20-35. With each new short film, I would attempt to be a step more professional and logistical in my approach until my process could effectively balance efficiency and creative impulsivity.
Me on the set of Don't Smoke Cigarettes Ever!
Our last film, Don't Smoke Cigarettes Ever!, was a resounding success as a production. We got everything done on time with minimal stress, and everyone seemed very happy. While it's still a comedy of sorts, I incorporated many dramatic elements into the composition and visual storytelling. It was my test to see if I was more than my comedy roots, and seeing the finished project and the reactions to it assured me that I was ready for something bigger.
Alyssa Martinez and Chris Bengtson on Don't Smoke Cigarettes Ever!
"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty, teeth, and keystone under independence."
- George Washington, The First US President
(Just kidding, he NEVER said this. But a lot of people believe he did.)
KURT CLIFF kills his neighbor, ROBERT MACLELLAN, in plain daylight. He saw the way he surrounded the border of his property, camera strapped around his neck. He was looking menacing, with a despicable grin and sharp ivory teeth; he was ready to strike. Robert Maclellan has no identity if his identity doesn't start with big bold letters spelling CRIMINAL. Kurt calls his daughter, EMILIA, ready to celebrate and show the lengths he'll go to protect her, but she is speechless. In her mind, a life was taken. She calls the police, and Kurt begins his day of hell.
Throughout the day, Kurt will have run-ins with the Police, who will treat him as though he were already guilty of attempted murder. He will go to church, only to run into more holes in his day. His relationship with his daughter, his best friend, and the one he cherishes most, will suddenly be thrown up in the air. Throughout it all, he will lose hold of his identity as he starts having no identity without a big bold CRIMINAL being spelled before it.
The story of Kurt Cliff is partly inspired by the ways childhood friends and family members talked about firearms growing up. They are all far more normal than the character I am creating, but they were the impetus for a majority of the views I had surrounding firearms as a means to kill and protect. I've grown up hearing many theories about having 'two seconds' to react to an intruder. While I could understand worrying on a practical level, the anxiety about being attacked or unable to defend yourself, I never fully understood the mentality of heavily arming your house and treating the world like you're one step closer to losing everything.
Maybe it's a form of privilege to sleep soundly at night with little worry of being hunted or robbed, but I couldn't help but be curious about who bolstered the narrative of the 'amorphous criminal,' which I define as the caricature of an evil-doer who's ready at any point to destroy your livelihood the moment you let your guard down. My family can be anxious about the world we live in. For those who really give in, and I mean REALLY give in, I imagine the world feels like a do-or-die wild west. There's a constant tingle running up your back; anyone and everyone could be ready to disintegrate your home and your family or steal your money away. In those moments, I imagine a person whose one constant assurance is looking at the Texas Government on TV, talking about the Police being deployed only to protect, speeches about gun laws becoming permissible to keep women and children safe, talking about the criminals and evil factions of the world. That is Kurt Cliff. He's still a human being with love, desire, and hope, but that hope is being predatorily skewed by the system he clings to. This is a story about a man who loves the system, only to be failed by it when he discovers that the hyper-idealized version advertised to him doesn't align with how it actually works.
To boil down why I am making this, the original answer is that I am terrified of guns. I'm terrified of the role it's played in the world around me, and the idea that my life could end at any moment, by the call of any bout of fear or misunderstanding. In a sense, I've created an 'amorphous gunman' in my head, similar to Kurt's criminal. To me, dismantling the amorphous and undefined starts by attempting to understand it, even when it feels like noise. This is my attempt to understand. That is my new answer. I don't wish to judge Kurt; I want to know what made him so scared to begin with. I want to indulge myself in perspectives that feel unnatural to me, which is why I wanted to make this, and it's what kept me going.
This will serve as I Don't Getcha's first major drama short film since officially forming, and this will be our longest and most daring yet. Shot in multiple locations with a paid cast and crew over the course of 7-9 scheduled days (including 2 pickup days), we will need a lot of support to make this film as great as it can be. Due to that, we are asking for $14,000 which will be split between Cast & Crew pay, Catering & Crafty, Equipment, and Locations & Props.
The budget will be split as follows:
Cast & Crew pay: $6,020
As previously stated, Texas Rancher will have a paid cast and crew. To achieve this, we calculated we'd need to set aside 43% of the budget, at just over $6K. Payment will be the same for every position, around $15-20 for each day on set. Anyone involved in pre-production and post-production will receive a flat payment.
Catering & Crafty: $4,200
With the size of our crew and the amount of energy we'll be spending throughout the shoot, making sure we have enough money to keep everyone on set fed and happy is incredibly important. We also plan on providing lunch to all Cast & Crew each shooting day.
Equipment: $2800
We will be filming in a few different settings, so ensuring we have all of the right equipment to achieve the perfect shots is imperative. We will be shooting on a Sony FX3 that we have already secured, so the majority of this money will go to camera rigging (focus pull, matte box, etc.), lighting and sound equipment, as well as quality of life for Cast & Crew (tents, fans, appleboxes, chairs, etc.). The remainder will be used for any further equipment we require.
Locations and Props: $980
This money will also be used to acquire props, makeup, and costumes such as replica guns, cowboy hats, and blood fx. Any remaining money will be used to ensure we are able to film in the locations needed for the story.
On top of this, we will be setting aside a portion of our own money as an emergency fund and for distribution.
THE GOAL
We want this film to have a festival run. We'd especially love to submit Texas Rancher to local film festivals, such as South By Southwest and Austin Film Festival, as well as national film festivals like Sundance. As such, we want to create something up to the standards of films showcased within their catalog. The hope is that by showing off our abilities, we can strive to make grander productions. Eventually, this will give us the support to create our first feature film.
To show that your contributions are appreciated, we have devised a list of benefits you can gain from supporting this film. Each tier is named for its reward and includes all the rewards of the lower tiers.
We appreciate donations of any amount. Everything helps make this film get made! Sharing our project with others and spreading the word is also greatly appreciated!
You can also follow our Texas Rancher Instagram for updates about production and distribution!
Texas Rancher Instagram
Where else you can find us!
If you want to continue to support us, please do so by subscribing to our YouTube channel and following us on Instagram for future updates!
Our YouTube Channel
Our Instagram Page
We hope for your support on this project to make our dreams come true!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Equipment
Costs $2,800
For renting and buying any equipment we don't have to finish the film.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Farris Mafrige-Elsaifi
Director
A recent graduate of the University of Texas' Radio, Television, & Film Program, Farris Mafrige-Elsaifi specializes in making films that are 'flashy, crazy, and generally out-there' but have a lot of heart inside. He has written and directed 20+ shorts that range from overly comedic to dramatic in nature. He currently runs the Austin TX Film Production Company "I Don't Getcha".
August Ochre
Producer
Cool gal with a lot to prove
Alex Zavaleta
Producer
Cool guy with a lot to prove
Poet Williams
Line Producer
Junior RTF major at UT Austin. She is currently an Executive Producer of TSTV's 'Down To Film' and has produced for the short film 'Flames of Passion.' Along with producing, she has been an assistant director and editor for multiple projects at UT.
Nathan Cudgel
1st Assistant Director
Nathan Cudgel is an award-winning Texas filmmaker with a background in politics and music video production. Featured in an Oscar-qualifying festival, DIFF, he is best known for producing the Music Video "Rocket" by Jannah Camille, and for co-founding the short film festival for young creatives, Ramen for Ramen, in San Antonio, Texas.
Andrew Smith
2nd Assistant Director
Senior filmmaker attending U.T. Austin. They've written and directed several shorts, including "Monkey Man" which played at the Austin Film Festival in 2023, and have produced and assistant-directed a plethora of projects, including some graduate student work.
Hector Reza
Director of Photography
Hector Vladimir Reza is a 2023 UT RTF Graduate who has previously worked as a DP on I Don't Getcha short films, such as "Don't Smoke Cigarettes Ever". He is also the director of "Punched Up, Cashed Up". Beyond DPing, he is proficient in post-production work as an editor and colorist, specifically through DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut, AVID, and Adobe Premiere.
Kenzie Azbill
Script Supervisor
A UT Austin RTF and English 4th year, Kenzie Azbill specializes in screenwriting and editing. Previously, she was a scripty on Dinner Party, directed by Mattea Galloway. She is addicted to Diet Coke and Stardew Valley.
Liam Suarez
Gaffer
Liam Suarez is beyond excited to gaff for Texas Rancher. He loves working in environments with lots of natural light sources and is beyond excited to develop a realistic lighting look for the project.
Ramiro Rodriguez
On-Set Sound Mixer
Ramiro Rodriguez is a music producer, engineer, and sound designer with 10+ years of experience in manipulating, coloring, and creating sounds from scratch. He's previously worked as the post-production audio mixer and mastering engineer on the short film "Don’t Smoke Cigarettes Ever", and has worked with I Don't Getcha through the Guthrie Center Film Program in Houston TX.