Imagine a dusty Missouri mansion, a secret roulette room humming beneath the floorboards, and six strangers trapped together as a murder unfolds. That’s the premise of Roulette: A Midwestern Whodunit, the new live‑action web series being shepherded from script to screen by Metropolis native Nathaniel Henley. While the project sounds like a love‑letter to classic whodunits such as Clue and Columbo, it’s also a bold experiment in indie filmmaking, community funding, and DIY production.
From Sketchbooks to Storyboards
Henley’s relationship with moving pictures dates back to kindergarten, where crayons and cardboard became his first tools. He spent his teenage years producing stop‑motion shorts, and by the time he hit Southeast Missouri State University, animation was his declared passion. A mass‑communications major with a minor in art, he honed his visual storytelling chops while still dreaming of something bigger than a single‑person animation studio.
“I always have a backlog of ideas,” he says, laughing. “A song, a movie poster, a line of dialogue—something just clicks, and I jot it down. Those notes are the seeds for projects that sometimes sit on the back burner for years.” One of those seeds sprouted into Roulette, a concept that has simmered for almost four years.
Why a 1970s Murder Mystery?
Henley chose the late‑1970s for two reasons. First, the era’s dialogue feels comfortably off‑beat without sounding anachronistic, a point his writing mentor highlighted. Second, the period’s aesthetic—think shag‑carpeted hallways, analog cameras, and the lingering scent of cigarette smoke—offers a tactile backdrop that modern digital settings can’t replicate.
The story itself is set in a Missouri where gambling is illegal, yet a casino mogul has hidden a clandestine roulette room inside his sprawling estate. When a body is discovered, the six occupants become both suspects and detectives, each episode zeroing in on a different character to keep the mystery fresh and the audience guessing.
Assembling the Cast and Crew
While Henley’s roots are firmly planted in Metropolis, he cast a geographically diverse ensemble to give the series a broader appeal. Actors hail from Chicago, St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, and Nashville, each bringing a distinct flavor to their roles. To showcase the characters before filming began, Henley animated brief introductions for his Kickstarter pitch—a clever nod to his animation background.
The production team is a blend of local talent and out‑of‑town collaborators. Crew members include a cinematographer who once worked on regional commercials, a sound designer who moonlights as a podcaster, and a set designer who transformed an old rental building into a believable 1970s mansion. The space is large enough to accommodate the primary cast, a modest crew, and the makeshift sets that will double as the mansion’s opulent rooms and the hidden roulette den.
Kickstarter: Turning Fans into Stakeholders
After seven months of prep work, Henley launched a Kickstarter campaign to cover production costs, post‑production, and distribution. The goal? $10,000. As of the latest update, the campaign is two‑thirds funded, with a month left to rally additional backers.
The reward tiers are designed to appeal to both casual fans and hardcore mystery lovers:
- $5 – Your name appears in the end‑credits of every episode.
- $10 – Includes the credit plus a set of twelve custom digital wallpapers crafted by Henley.
- $25 – Adds a “Roulette”‑inspired mixed‑CD featuring mystery‑themed tracks from local musicians and an international composer Henley discovered on a whim.
- $50 – Receives three hand‑made resin coasters, the CD, wallpapers, and credit listing.
- $100 – Grants a tie‑in card game reminiscent of Clue, plus all previous perks.
- $500 – Offers a sponsorship slot in the episode credits, product placement on a special screen, and the full suite of rewards.
Henley emphasizes that the project is “all about people.” He deliberately avoids AI‑generated content, opting instead for a fully human‑driven process—from writing to acting to set construction. “There’s a certain soul you can’t replicate with algorithms,” he explains. “I want every frame to feel like it was touched by a real hand.”
Behind the Scenes: The Production Process
Filming is slated to begin in early November, with a tight schedule that maximizes the rented building’s flexibility. The crew will build modular sets that can be re‑dressed for different mansion rooms, saving both time and money. Henley plans to shoot with a DSLR that offers cinematic depth of field while keeping the gear portable enough for the cramped interior spaces.
Post‑production will be a collaborative effort. Henley has already recruited a local editor who worked on regional news segments, and a composer from France—discovered via a fan email—has agreed to score the series. The soundtrack aims to blend retro synth tones with subtle jazz motifs, echoing the era’s smoky lounges while maintaining a suspenseful edge.
Distribution Dreams
Once the six episodes—each ranging from 30 to 45 minutes—are polished, Henley intends to release the series on YouTube and other streaming platforms. He hopes the free‑to‑watch model will attract a broad audience, with the possibility of future monetization through ad revenue or a Patreon‑style membership for fans who want bonus content.
“If this thing ever lands an Emmy, that would be the cherry on top,” Henley jokes, but his real ambition is to prove that a small‑town creator can produce a high‑quality series that competes with network shows.
What’s Next for Backers?
Backers can expect regular updates on the Kickstarter page, including behind‑the‑scenes photos, short video diaries, and sneak peeks of the set design. Those who pledge the higher tiers will receive physical items—coasters, the CD, and the card game—shipped directly from Henley’s home studio. He also encourages backers to share the project on social media, promising a shout‑out in the series credits for anyone who helps spread the word.
For anyone who’s ever imagined themselves as a detective, a gambler, or a secret‑room explorer, Roulette: A Midwestern Whodunit offers a chance to be part of the story from the ground up. Whether you’re a fan of classic murder mysteries, indie filmmaking, or simply love a good underdog tale, Henley’s project is worth a look—and perhaps a modest contribution.
