Jesse L. Martin (Det. Joe West) has had a story kicking around in his head for years — one that he’s teaming up with other members of the Flash cast to turn into a short film set in the 1860s.

NOW THE BLACK MAIL COME WHEN THE SUN LAY DOWN
IF THE MOON GET BIG AND THERE AIN’T NO SOUND
LISTEN FOR THE WHISTLE, BUNDLE IN THE BED
SLEEP LITTLE BABY, AND YOU WONT WAKE DEAD

A mother hides her family from slavery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The children have grown up with a tale of a man known as The Letter Carrier. As the legend goes, he roams the mountains looking for children to sell as slaves. Painted against this historical backdrop, it is a raw, mysterious, and interpretive fable. Told through a cappella song, using original folk music, spirituals and a score using only natural sounds.

Martin has a theater background (he was the original Collins in Rent), and is writing the screenplay and original songs, with Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon) arranging and composing. Martin and Rick Cosnett (Det. Eddie Thawne) will direct, with the two of them and Patrick Sabongui (Director Singh) producing.

They’re crowdfunding the project, aiming to go into production when The Flash wraps season one. You can help get the film made starting at $15 Canadian, with rewards such as a spoken ringtone by Rick Cosnett, signed headshots of Cosnett or Martin, signed concept art and scripts, and so on. At higher pledge levels, you can get Martin or Cosnett to call you and sing Happy Birthday!

Check out the Kickstarter page for The Letter Carrier!