MSTM IV Journal 5.19.26

My Son, the Mummy IV

Production Diary — Entry 3

May 19, 2026

TRANSCRIPT

Diary entry of May 19th — I was going to say May 18th, now sorted. So, what got done?

Writing. Yes — two jokes in the movie, right there. And there was one small dick joke as

well, and it's the only one in the movie, so — I thought we need at least one of those. That

happened.

I learned a good deal about Apple MLX and various AI effects workflows. Decided that we

will not be hiring any SAG actors. Also did some outreach — send them my way too, so

there's that.

I did a lot of editing on Episode 1 and had a look at it. Did some research — there are

some RF noise issues going on with it, just unavoidable, can't clean them up. But we're

going to justify that with the footage: it looks ancient. You know, that's a good thing for us

right there. And yeah, so all those things are in every episode. But I think there's interesting

stuff going on, so I think it's worth it.

I've never built a website before, so I'm kind of learning and then doing, and learning more

and doing some more, et cetera. I think just for the beginning of the crowdfunding

campaign I'll have a website with four or five active pages, and then there are like another

five pages in undetermined status — they'll get developed and revealed during the

campaign.

And another big decision I made today: we're going to begin with the crowdfunding

campaign. Possibly on three different platforms. A crowdfunding campaign needs to

include everything — a picture, an introduction, merch and swag for donors, gifts. I've got a

list of like 45 different kinds of perks — some that cost very little, others more — for

different tiers of donors. Makes sense, right?

The crowdfunding campaign is going to kick off around June 10th or 15th. We're going to

give it two months to find its legs, really work it, because we want a successful

crowdfunding campaign. I want to avoid a situation where we have to go out to private

investors or investment groups to find the money. $175,000 — I don't have that money,

and so we have to find it. I would rather it come from crowdfunding campaigns than from

private or investment groups, because the more you rely on that as a source of funding, the

more they're in a position to call shots on the film's budget. If crowdfunding covers even a

third of it, that gives me a lot more leeway. Because I'm already asking people to work at

lower rates, pretty much across the board. Me, I'm getting paid nothing.

What matters is succeeding — making the money back, making the budget back. But it's

important to me, especially if we're going to be borrowing funds from a group, that we do

everything possible to make this film successful — and be able to pay all those folks back,

and hopefully more. That's the only plan right now. And it's not a long-shot plan —

$175,000 for a feature film is not asking for the moon.

That is another big decision made today. That's going to be it for this entry of the mummy

movie. That's it. We're finished. See you tomorrow.