The Contested Plains Trailer (2022)
OFFICIAL TRAILER
The story of the German family who traveled west and were attacked in September 1874 on the western plains of Kansas. What followed was a search for the girl captives that involved the military and the struggles of the Southern Cheyenne.
The Contested Plains
Docudrama/Feature Film
Based on the book The Moccasin Speaks by Arlene Feldman Jauken
Written by Deb Goodrich and Ken Spurgeon, Directed by Ken Spurgeon
The Captives
Smoky Hill River Production LLC, Executive Producers
Jayne Humphrey Pearce
Lee Ramsey
Tom Penning
The Project
A few years ago, a docudrama titled "The Contested Plains" was produced, telling the moving story of the John and Lydia German family, settlers on their journey from Georgia to Colorado. Caught in the overflow of the Red River war between American Indians and the expanding US culture, the family was brutally attacked, and four girls, Catherine, Sophia, Julia, and Addie German, became captives. After grueling months and heroic efforts, the girls were rescued. The incredible part of the story, however, is the eventual embrace of forgiveness. Even after the worst transgressions, hope remains for peace!
Recently, a new group has obtained the rights to do additional work on the film, and is now at work adding additional scenes, editing the docudrama into a feature film, and honing the story of the German family. When completed, we will work towards distribution. Hopefully, presenting the film in theaters and streaming services.
To accomplish this, Smoky Hills River Productions is seeking funding.
The Industry
Independent films have become increasingly successful over the past decade, as additional markets have emerged through streaming and non-exclusive deals made available to independent film producers. This industry has been changing over recent years, and we are poised to take advantage of new opportunities, and experience learned through other projects.
The Market
Independent movies have achieved success in both theatrical and online and streaming markets.
The interest in Western movies and mini-series, such as Yellowstone and 1883, has drawn continued attention back to the Western genre. Additionally, older shows such as Little House on the Prairie, the Waltons, and Longmire are in public focus.
Distribution Strategy
The film industry is highly competitive, with a film’s success often related to the skills of a distributor’s marketing strategy. We believe that our Executive Producers have the understanding, knowledge, and relationships with potential markets that could lead us to a successful placement in a television or streaming market. Possible release points could be Amazon, Apple+, or other family and Western-related outlets.
Investment Opportunity
Smoky Hill River Productions, LLC is seeking at least $400,000 to fund the additional filming of The Contested Plains, making it a theatre-ready feature film. We believe this can be accomplished primarily through private investors who would invest a minimum of 1% ($4,000), not exceeding 20% per investor. (A foundation or group could also act as an investor in this model). We expect final costs to be in the range of $400,000 to $ 600,000 after we have completed the workflow of determining additional scenes to be filmed, along with costs for talent and operational expenses. Using the knowledge of potential revenue projections, the Company projects that the film will generate gross revenue exceeding $600,000.