BRUTL
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy
BRUTL is a dark comedy about gossip, tech, and the terrifying truth: your private messages might not be so private. Help us bring this cautionary tale to life—and shine a spotlight on the fine line between honesty, betrayal, and digital exposure.
Green Light
This campaign raised $15,055 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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BRUTL is a dark comedy about gossip, tech, and the terrifying truth: your private messages might not be so private. Help us bring this cautionary tale to life—and shine a spotlight on the fine line between honesty, betrayal, and digital exposure.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Two couples' weekend getaway spirals into chaos after using a new app that reveals the worst things anyone has ever said about them. What begins as curiosity becomes confrontation, betrayal, and emotional fallout. It’s an unsettling, yet comedic, look at how easily the things we toss off—jokes, judgments, side comments—can come back to destroy the fragile trust between us. And in a world where privacy is starting to feel more like a suggestion than a human right, it’s a scenario that feels closer than we’d like to admit.
We talk about each other. It’s human nature. Social scientists say we spend about an hour a day discussing people who aren’t in the room—and more and more, we’re doing it through texts, DMs, and emails.
But what if those private messages weren’t so private? What if the people you were talking about could read every word?
If you've ever felt the pang of anxiety, dread, envy, or shame that comes with an extended session of "doomscrolling," you know the effect technology can have on our mental health. As a writer, I've been fascinated with the way technology and social media plays on our insecurities, and how AI may take this even further. One possibility—an app that can mine everything we’ve ever said digitally and deliver it to the subject—is no longer science fiction. I believe it’s looming.
BRUTL is a short film born from these fears and fascinations. But it’s also about something deeper: the quiet curiosity we have about knowing what people really think of us. Even if we say we don’t care. Even if the truth might hurt. At the core of that curiosity, I believe, is a desire for acceptance and our collective need to belong.
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The film draws thematic inspiration from the technological dystopian stories of Black Mirror, and the off-kilter cinematography and cringe-inducing tension of The Curse.
The script channels the tongue-in-cheek horror of Bodies Bodies Bodies and the emotional tension of discovering what others truly think of you as explored in You Hurt My Feelings.
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We've assembled an amazing team of creatives ready to bring this story to life, and our stellar cast includes Romina D'Ugo, Catherine McCaffety, Nardeep Khurmi, and Chad Coe.
See 'Team' section for more info.
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The Woolsey is an expansive mid century estate on 70 acres of property just west of Canoga Park. The home has stunning views of Los Angeles, including a full valley view from the Ventura border to Mount Baldy. Your support will help pay the location fee for this incredible location.
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We are currently in the process of pre-production with production scheduled for this August. Post-production will begin immediately after shooting, and we plan to begin submitting to film festivals in early 2026.
Your generous support will help us pay for the entire production process. Your contribution goes directly towards:
- Location fees
- Paying cast and crew
- Equipment rentals
- Craft services
- Production design, props, and costumes
- Misc. costs such as insurance, hair and makeup, and more
.jpg)
We are so excited to bring this story to life. Thank you so much for your support, and thank you for supporting independent film!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $3,000
This will help fund cover the cost of our incredible location, "The Woolsey."
Cast and Crew
Costs $9,000
This includes all on-screen talent and crew members on set.
Production Design, Equipment, Meals
Costs $3,000
This will help cover things like props, costumes, equipment rentals, and meals for the cast and crew
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
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Chris Sullivan
Writer/Director/Producer
Chris Sullivan is an award-winning screenwriter, playwright, and podcast producer who tells funny stories about sad people in big, heightened worlds. He is currently a Creative Producer for Audio at Vox Media. He holds an MFA from the USC John Wells Screen and TV Writing Division, and a BFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU Tisch. He is a produced playwright, former member of The Echo Theater Playwrights LAB, and the Obie-Award winning playwrights’ group Youngblood. He is a winner of the Hudson Memorial Award, Filmmatic Inroads Fellowship, and his work has been recognized by the WB Writers Lab, Sundance, Austin Film Festival, Slamdance, and elsewhere. His shorts and digital series ARBOR DAY and GUESS I’M A GHOST have been featured in numerous festivals including SeriesFest.
Romina D'Ugo
Sadie
CSA Best Actress nominee Romina D'Ugo is a first-generation Canadian, and proud daughter to Italian immigrant parents. Originally from Toronto, Romina grew up dancing competitively and professionally since the age of 9. Her career as an actor began with her supporting role in the Universal Pictures film How She Move. She became a household name when she earned a spot as one of the Top 20 dancers on season 1 of the popular series So You Think You Can Dance.
Select lead, supporting, and guest starring roles include Funkytown opposite Justin Chatwin, Godfather of Harlem (EPIX), Coyote (Paramount), Designated Survivor (NBC/Netflix), 12 Monkeys (SYFY/NBC), Rookie Blue (ABC/Global), Nikita (CW), Nurses (NBC/Global), and Law & Order: SVU (NBC).
Notably, Romina was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Canadian Screen Awards for her starring role in the movie Turn The Beat Around. She also choreographed for Margot Robbie and Cara Delevingne in the DC Comics feature film Suicide Squad. Romina went on to star in the internationally acclaimed dramatic comedy I Like Movies, which made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews. The film maintains it's 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes to this day.
Currently she is the leading actress and on the producing team of the 2025 Slamdance feature film Portal to Hell, which had its world debut at the festival this winter. Her upcoming projects include starring in and co-producing for the dark comedy feature film Byeeee, marking her third collaboration with filmmaker Chell Stephen, and has completed production for the sardonic feature film Sacred Creatures; a co-Italian production in Chieri, Italy (starring opposite Olivia Luccardi, James Cusati-Moyer, and Antonio De Matteo). Catch her feature film His Father's Son, in select theatres now.
Nardeep Khurmi
Tom
Nardeep is a Punjabi-American filmmaker born in Switzerland and raised in the ‘burbs of Philly. His debut feature, Land of Gold, had its world premiere at the 2022 Tribeca Festival. After winning a slew of awards at international film festivals, Land of Gold was acquired by HBO and can be streamed on HBOMax.
A graduate of NYU Tisch and FAMU International in Prague, he is the recipient of the 2021 AT&T Untold Stories program, the ScreenCraft Film Fund, is an alumnus of the Salon, and is a PAGE Screenplay winner. His work uses visual poetry to explore intergenerational trauma and human connection. He is currently developing an adaptation of a popular Japanese manga/anime with Amazon, along with a number of feature films, including Whitewash and Members Only, based on the novel of the same name.
Nardeep recently starred in the indie comedy The Toast opposite John Lovitz, due to release in the next year. He's also starring in Dance Dads, available on most streaming platforms. Other recent credits include Chicago Fire, Rebel, SWAT, Why Women Kill, Jane the Virgin, Orbital Redux, and Mira, Royal Detective, where he voices over 35 characters.
Catherine McCafferty
Amy
Catherine is the host of viral digital series on Patreon called ‘Pretty Gay’, produced by Sam Reich (Drop Out TV) and Elaine Carroll (Very Mary-Kate). Recently, Catherine performed as a part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she debuted her hour of comedy: (Not) That Bad, garnering five four-star reviews and a nomination for the Birds of Paradise Best Emerging Artist award.
Catherine can be seen in the queer high school rom-com Crush out on Hulu and the horror movie starring Jenna Ortega, American Carnage also available on Hulu.
Chad Coe
Brett
Chad can be recently seen in theaters in the upcoming films ON SWIFT HORSES opposite Jacob Elordi, starring in SAM the first English language film of Serbian auteur Luke Bursac and supporting in the 2025 comedy. PEOPLE PASSING.
Recent TV work includes bad boy CEO Jeremy Strong on MATLOCK(CBS) opposite Kathy Bates, Seamus Schementti, Melissa Schementti’s Italian brother on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, UNFINISHED BUSINESS, as a firefighting series regular who must talk his way out of purgatory, and Ryan in PUMAS, a daddy who has one too many diapers to change (sounds like another kind of purgatory). Other credits:MODERN FAMILY (AMC) recurring on COLONY (USA) and MATADOR (EL Rey Network).
The youngest of two was raised by his single mother in Detroit, MI. Chad's first love was basketball and earned him a scholarship to play in college. In college he chanced upon an acting class and the rest is history. He lives with his wife Marisa and his two cats, Eilert and Buster.
Jessica Bae
Producer
Jessica bae is a Korean-American storyteller and producer based in Los Angeles, CA. Finding her start in theatre and currently working in commercial productions for both podcasts and video, Jessica brings together all of her experience to facilitate creative spaces with efficient execution. Jessica focuses on unique and thoughtful stories while working with diverse creatives.
Emily Cook
Casting Director/Co-Producer
Emily Cook is a native Angeleno casting professional with more than 10 years’ experience across film and television on projects such as Hulu’s Deli Boys, Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Paramount+’s Star Trek: Discovery. She cast and produced, Chasers, a "tramedy" pilot that premiered at Sundance. Having studied with The Lee Strasberg Theater Institute and the Steppenwolf Theater Company, Emily has cultivated an understanding of how to collaborate with actors to hone performances that elevate the material.
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Jesse Aragon
Director of Photography
Jesse Aragon is a Los Angeles based Director of Photography originating from San Diego, California. He is a graduate of San Diego State’s School of Television & Film Program and has been working professionally over the past ten years. Over the course of this period he has photographed award-winning short and feature-length narrative projects, commercials, television, and music videos.
The projects he has worked on have received multiple awards, and recognition in cinematography including “La Ramona”, “Ugly Ducklings”, “Wild Faith”, “Pretty Boy” and “Can You Take My Picture”. His recent work includes the feature-length film “The Ballad of a Coyote” a border town drama set in the Southwest, and “Gimme My Money” an action comedy set in the background of a busy downtown Los Angeles.
His photographic influences derive from the nuances of everyday life, visual arts, and exposure to different cultures, ideas, and environments. He strives to photograph stories about people and basic human conditions and themes that span across our differences in language, culture, and backgrounds.
Sophia Odegaard
Production Design
Sophia is a Los Angeles-based production designer with a background in costume design, having worked on projects such as This Is Us, Stranger Things, and Grotesquerie. After years in costuming, she transitioned to production design, where her work is driven by a passion for exploring character development through imaginative and immersive world building.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Two couples' weekend getaway spirals into chaos after using a new app that reveals the worst things anyone has ever said about them. What begins as curiosity becomes confrontation, betrayal, and emotional fallout. It’s an unsettling, yet comedic, look at how easily the things we toss off—jokes, judgments, side comments—can come back to destroy the fragile trust between us. And in a world where privacy is starting to feel more like a suggestion than a human right, it’s a scenario that feels closer than we’d like to admit.
We talk about each other. It’s human nature. Social scientists say we spend about an hour a day discussing people who aren’t in the room—and more and more, we’re doing it through texts, DMs, and emails.
But what if those private messages weren’t so private? What if the people you were talking about could read every word?
If you've ever felt the pang of anxiety, dread, envy, or shame that comes with an extended session of "doomscrolling," you know the effect technology can have on our mental health. As a writer, I've been fascinated with the way technology and social media plays on our insecurities, and how AI may take this even further. One possibility—an app that can mine everything we’ve ever said digitally and deliver it to the subject—is no longer science fiction. I believe it’s looming.
BRUTL is a short film born from these fears and fascinations. But it’s also about something deeper: the quiet curiosity we have about knowing what people really think of us. Even if we say we don’t care. Even if the truth might hurt. At the core of that curiosity, I believe, is a desire for acceptance and our collective need to belong.
The film draws thematic inspiration from the technological dystopian stories of Black Mirror, and the off-kilter cinematography and cringe-inducing tension of The Curse.
The script channels the tongue-in-cheek horror of Bodies Bodies Bodies and the emotional tension of discovering what others truly think of you as explored in You Hurt My Feelings.
We've assembled an amazing team of creatives ready to bring this story to life, and our stellar cast includes Romina D'Ugo, Catherine McCaffety, Nardeep Khurmi, and Chad Coe.
See 'Team' section for more info.
The Woolsey is an expansive mid century estate on 70 acres of property just west of Canoga Park. The home has stunning views of Los Angeles, including a full valley view from the Ventura border to Mount Baldy. Your support will help pay the location fee for this incredible location.
We are currently in the process of pre-production with production scheduled for this August. Post-production will begin immediately after shooting, and we plan to begin submitting to film festivals in early 2026.
Your generous support will help us pay for the entire production process. Your contribution goes directly towards:
- Location fees
- Paying cast and crew
- Equipment rentals
- Craft services
- Production design, props, and costumes
- Misc. costs such as insurance, hair and makeup, and more
We are so excited to bring this story to life. Thank you so much for your support, and thank you for supporting independent film!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Location
Costs $3,000
This will help fund cover the cost of our incredible location, "The Woolsey."
Cast and Crew
Costs $9,000
This includes all on-screen talent and crew members on set.
Production Design, Equipment, Meals
Costs $3,000
This will help cover things like props, costumes, equipment rentals, and meals for the cast and crew
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Chris Sullivan
Writer/Director/Producer
Chris Sullivan is an award-winning screenwriter, playwright, and podcast producer who tells funny stories about sad people in big, heightened worlds. He is currently a Creative Producer for Audio at Vox Media. He holds an MFA from the USC John Wells Screen and TV Writing Division, and a BFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU Tisch. He is a produced playwright, former member of The Echo Theater Playwrights LAB, and the Obie-Award winning playwrights’ group Youngblood. He is a winner of the Hudson Memorial Award, Filmmatic Inroads Fellowship, and his work has been recognized by the WB Writers Lab, Sundance, Austin Film Festival, Slamdance, and elsewhere. His shorts and digital series ARBOR DAY and GUESS I’M A GHOST have been featured in numerous festivals including SeriesFest.
Romina D'Ugo
Sadie
CSA Best Actress nominee Romina D'Ugo is a first-generation Canadian, and proud daughter to Italian immigrant parents. Originally from Toronto, Romina grew up dancing competitively and professionally since the age of 9. Her career as an actor began with her supporting role in the Universal Pictures film How She Move. She became a household name when she earned a spot as one of the Top 20 dancers on season 1 of the popular series So You Think You Can Dance.
Select lead, supporting, and guest starring roles include Funkytown opposite Justin Chatwin, Godfather of Harlem (EPIX), Coyote (Paramount), Designated Survivor (NBC/Netflix), 12 Monkeys (SYFY/NBC), Rookie Blue (ABC/Global), Nikita (CW), Nurses (NBC/Global), and Law & Order: SVU (NBC).
Notably, Romina was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Canadian Screen Awards for her starring role in the movie Turn The Beat Around. She also choreographed for Margot Robbie and Cara Delevingne in the DC Comics feature film Suicide Squad. Romina went on to star in the internationally acclaimed dramatic comedy I Like Movies, which made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews. The film maintains it's 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes to this day.
Currently she is the leading actress and on the producing team of the 2025 Slamdance feature film Portal to Hell, which had its world debut at the festival this winter. Her upcoming projects include starring in and co-producing for the dark comedy feature film Byeeee, marking her third collaboration with filmmaker Chell Stephen, and has completed production for the sardonic feature film Sacred Creatures; a co-Italian production in Chieri, Italy (starring opposite Olivia Luccardi, James Cusati-Moyer, and Antonio De Matteo). Catch her feature film His Father's Son, in select theatres now.
Nardeep Khurmi
Tom
Nardeep is a Punjabi-American filmmaker born in Switzerland and raised in the ‘burbs of Philly. His debut feature, Land of Gold, had its world premiere at the 2022 Tribeca Festival. After winning a slew of awards at international film festivals, Land of Gold was acquired by HBO and can be streamed on HBOMax.
A graduate of NYU Tisch and FAMU International in Prague, he is the recipient of the 2021 AT&T Untold Stories program, the ScreenCraft Film Fund, is an alumnus of the Salon, and is a PAGE Screenplay winner. His work uses visual poetry to explore intergenerational trauma and human connection. He is currently developing an adaptation of a popular Japanese manga/anime with Amazon, along with a number of feature films, including Whitewash and Members Only, based on the novel of the same name.
Nardeep recently starred in the indie comedy The Toast opposite John Lovitz, due to release in the next year. He's also starring in Dance Dads, available on most streaming platforms. Other recent credits include Chicago Fire, Rebel, SWAT, Why Women Kill, Jane the Virgin, Orbital Redux, and Mira, Royal Detective, where he voices over 35 characters.
Catherine McCafferty
Amy
Catherine is the host of viral digital series on Patreon called ‘Pretty Gay’, produced by Sam Reich (Drop Out TV) and Elaine Carroll (Very Mary-Kate). Recently, Catherine performed as a part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she debuted her hour of comedy: (Not) That Bad, garnering five four-star reviews and a nomination for the Birds of Paradise Best Emerging Artist award.
Catherine can be seen in the queer high school rom-com Crush out on Hulu and the horror movie starring Jenna Ortega, American Carnage also available on Hulu.
Chad Coe
Brett
Chad can be recently seen in theaters in the upcoming films ON SWIFT HORSES opposite Jacob Elordi, starring in SAM the first English language film of Serbian auteur Luke Bursac and supporting in the 2025 comedy. PEOPLE PASSING.
Recent TV work includes bad boy CEO Jeremy Strong on MATLOCK(CBS) opposite Kathy Bates, Seamus Schementti, Melissa Schementti’s Italian brother on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, UNFINISHED BUSINESS, as a firefighting series regular who must talk his way out of purgatory, and Ryan in PUMAS, a daddy who has one too many diapers to change (sounds like another kind of purgatory). Other credits:MODERN FAMILY (AMC) recurring on COLONY (USA) and MATADOR (EL Rey Network).
The youngest of two was raised by his single mother in Detroit, MI. Chad's first love was basketball and earned him a scholarship to play in college. In college he chanced upon an acting class and the rest is history. He lives with his wife Marisa and his two cats, Eilert and Buster.
Jessica Bae
Producer
Jessica bae is a Korean-American storyteller and producer based in Los Angeles, CA. Finding her start in theatre and currently working in commercial productions for both podcasts and video, Jessica brings together all of her experience to facilitate creative spaces with efficient execution. Jessica focuses on unique and thoughtful stories while working with diverse creatives.
Emily Cook
Casting Director/Co-Producer
Emily Cook is a native Angeleno casting professional with more than 10 years’ experience across film and television on projects such as Hulu’s Deli Boys, Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Paramount+’s Star Trek: Discovery. She cast and produced, Chasers, a "tramedy" pilot that premiered at Sundance. Having studied with The Lee Strasberg Theater Institute and the Steppenwolf Theater Company, Emily has cultivated an understanding of how to collaborate with actors to hone performances that elevate the material.
Jesse Aragon
Director of Photography
Jesse Aragon is a Los Angeles based Director of Photography originating from San Diego, California. He is a graduate of San Diego State’s School of Television & Film Program and has been working professionally over the past ten years. Over the course of this period he has photographed award-winning short and feature-length narrative projects, commercials, television, and music videos.
The projects he has worked on have received multiple awards, and recognition in cinematography including “La Ramona”, “Ugly Ducklings”, “Wild Faith”, “Pretty Boy” and “Can You Take My Picture”. His recent work includes the feature-length film “The Ballad of a Coyote” a border town drama set in the Southwest, and “Gimme My Money” an action comedy set in the background of a busy downtown Los Angeles.
His photographic influences derive from the nuances of everyday life, visual arts, and exposure to different cultures, ideas, and environments. He strives to photograph stories about people and basic human conditions and themes that span across our differences in language, culture, and backgrounds.
Sophia Odegaard
Production Design
Sophia is a Los Angeles-based production designer with a background in costume design, having worked on projects such as This Is Us, Stranger Things, and Grotesquerie. After years in costuming, she transitioned to production design, where her work is driven by a passion for exploring character development through imaginative and immersive world building.