Pitch CampaignDust and Wire
A Dust Bowl-era drama told through the eyes of a telegraph operator
by Elijah Brooks · Launched Feb 26, 2026
$1,908
raised of $1,500 goal
112
backers
—
ended
About this title
Synopsis
There is a particular sound a telegraph key makes when the man working it has been at it nineteen years, and anybody raised in Cimarron County could tell you it was Harlan Reese before they were through the door. Then the dust comes and stays. The bank goes. The relay station west of him goes. In November the commissioners drive out to explain, kindly, that there is no money left to keep a wire open to a place that is turning into a rumor. They are right about the money. Harlan has until morning to decide what that has to do with him.
Who this is about
Harlan Reese has kept the telegraph office in Cimarron County open for nineteen years, because somebody out here has to be able to tell the rest of the country what is happening, and he is the last man who can spell it in code.
What goes wrong
The bank closes. The relay station west of him goes dark. In November the commissioners drive out to tell him there is no money left to keep a wire open to a place that is turning into a rumor.
What's at stake
If the line dies, the families still holding on out here stop existing on paper. No aid, no census, no record that anybody was ever here.
Why it keeps going
Every week another neighbor walks in with something that has to reach the outside world, and every week the line is harder to hold.
Takeaway
The last man still doing the job is the only reason anyone knows it was ever done.
Shelves
Themes
Story, in the creator's words
Dust and Wire is a historical drama set in 1935 Oklahoma. It follows Hattie Redmond, the only telegraph operator left in a dying town, who becomes the last link between isolated farming communities and the outside world as the dust storms intensify. When she intercepts a coded message meant for a government official, Hattie discovers a plan to forcibly relocate her entire county — and must decide whether to use her position to warn people or protect herself. 10 episodes of rotoscoped animation with period-accurate set design.
Style
Not provided yet
Characters
Not provided yet
Tech stack
Not provided yet
Schedule
Not provided yet
Production plan
Not provided yet
Where your money goes
Your money goes straight to the creator to turn this pitch into a trailer. A pitch today is a poster and a logline. What the money buys is the first piece of film anyone will see.
Nothing is collected until two things are true
This campaign has to raise $900, which is 60% of its ask, and reach 50 backers. Whichever of the two happens later is the one that counts. Money without backers is one person, and backers without money is a crowd that cannot fund the thing, so a Pitch campaign needs both.
Released in stages, against delivered work
Scripts and reference sheets locked
30%Rough cut delivered
30%Pitch delivered
40%The creator has 30 days from the day this campaign closes to deliver. No part of the money is released for the campaign simply closing.
What comes next
Reward Tiers
Fan
$5
Your name on the title, and it lands for you first
- Your name on the backer wall of the finished title
- Early access before it opens to everyone
- 100 coins to spend anywhere on ArchTV
Backer
$10
Everything in Fan, plus your name in the end credits
- Your name in the end credits of every episode
- Your name on the backer wall
- Early access before it opens to everyone
- 300 coins to spend anywhere on ArchTV
Patron
$25
Everything in Backer, plus the room where it is made
- A seat at the creator's AMA while the series is in production
- First access to this creator's next raise, before it opens publicly
- Your name in the end credits and on the backer wall
- Early access before it opens to everyone
- 400 coins, enough for sixteen episodes
50 of 50 AMA seats left
Creator
2
Campaigns run
2
Titles on ArchTV
Delivery record
- Milestones delivered: 0 of 1
- Campaigns funded: 1
Former investigative journalist turned filmmaker. His documentary-drama hybrid style has earned recognition at Tribeca and Hot Docs. Passionate about stories at the intersection of technology and justice.