DEADNAME
New York City, New York | Film Short
LGBTQ, Thriller
DEADNAME follows Angel, a trans-woman vigilante nun, as she hunts down a shadowy sex trafficking ring and its dangerous madam. Her journey of revenge and reclamation ultimately leads her to the doorstep of her overly religious family, where the trauma began. DEADNAME is an expression of queer rage.
DEADNAME
New York City, New York | Film Short
LGBTQ, Thriller
1 Campaigns | New York, United States
8 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$7,140
Goal: $20,000 for production
DEADNAME follows Angel, a trans-woman vigilante nun, as she hunts down a shadowy sex trafficking ring and its dangerous madam. Her journey of revenge and reclamation ultimately leads her to the doorstep of her overly religious family, where the trauma began. DEADNAME is an expression of queer rage.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Angel, a bad-ass gun-wielding trans nun, arrives to the world of DEADNAME on a beam of bright light as a voicemail plays. It’s the first of many calls from her estranged religious mother. But Angel never answers. She doesn’t have time to focus on her mother’s blessings and guilt trips; she’s on a mission to track down the dangerous and powerful sex trafficking handler, Maxine.
Angel follows Maxine to a warehouse where she is accompanied by a young girl, Ava, and a nameless chauffeur driver. Inside the warehouse, Angel interrupts a disturbingly surreal assault and sets her deadly sights on Maxine. In the aftermath, our exhausted protagonist finally gives in to her mother’s pervasive attempts to reconnect. Or perhaps visiting her parents was always part of Angel’s plan...
The world of DEADNAME is dark and surreal, with most scenes taking place at night in sparsely populated cityscapes. The violence on screen will feel kinetic and gritty with a generous helping of stylization. Some moments of sexualization will be subverted to center a trans woman as hot and to create a sense of unease and dirtiness around the pervasive male gaze. In the moments between the action, a tone of pensiveness will allow the viewer to ponder the themes alongside Angel.
Deadname seeks to provoke, philosophize, and provide catharsis in equal measure. Light and its relation to darkness will play a key role in the film. The world of Deadname is gritty, taking place almost entirely at night. Focused high-key lighting and shadows will be used to create atmosphere and establish contrast between Angel and the world she inhabits. Angel’s interactions with light are designed to portray her as a symbolic Angel of Death who fights for the Light. The exaggerated muzzle flashes of Angel's bullets bring light into her world of darkness. This visual metaphor will imbue the cathartic action sequences with poeticism.
The action of DEADNAME will be choreographed to feel kinetic and seductive. We will bring on a stunt choreographer to prioritize visual fluidity and on-set safety. Mixing martial arts with proper gun etiquette will illustrate the characters as powerful, professional, and dangerous.
Practical and digital special effects and makeup will sell the chaos and carnage of these moments with harrowing effect.
In 2026, many Americans are feeling angry and frustrated at the state of politics and the lack of justice evident in our system. Bogged down by job requirements, poverty, “safe channel” protesting, hostile bureaucracy, and a general sense of malaise, the prospect of meaningful change seems further away than ever for the average person.
What would it look like if someone took vigilante action? How successful would it be? What baggage would these hypothetical anti-heroes carry? Enter: Angel.
Deadname purposefully prods at difficult topics, including the Epstein files, gender relations, religious trauma, and the futility of trying to take on a massive system alone, challenging viewers to confront these themes head-on.
Angel’s character is a creative expression of my own wrestling with these topics. As a nonbinary person with a complicated relationship with my parents and deep-seated religious trauma, I am fascinated by reclaiming symbols as a form of survival and empowerment.
Heavily inspired by femme fatales, sexploitation, and nunsploitation films, this short aims to reclaim the imagery and sexualization of those films to express the rage of being a queer person in modern Christian America.
Seed&Spark requires that we reach at least 80% of our goal ($16,000) before we receive any funds. This is where YOU can make a difference! We’re relying on our friends, family, and community to take this film from a dream to a reality. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a difference!
Follow our campaign on Seed & Spark and stay updated on DEADNAME’s progress! It's 100% free, and it helps us earn products, services, and festival fee waivers courtesy of Seed & Spark! A few clicks from you would help us immensely. Follow @deadname.film on Instagram and join our email list by emailing [email protected] to stay up to date on our progress throughout and beyond the fundraiser.
The only way we will reach our goal is by expanding beyond the networks of our creators. Our success is dependent on people like you spreading the word about our film and campaign! Please share our campaign via social media, email, word-of-mouth, and however else you want! Sharing with your community would mean the world to us <3
Here are some sample messages. Feel free to copy and paste!
Support queer and trans film. DEADNAME (@deadname.film) is a queer revenge thriller that examines the intersection of gender, sexuality, and religion in Modern America. Back it now on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/deadnameshortfilm
DEADNAME (@deadname.film) digs into the complexity of a trans person living in modern America. Back it now on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/deadnameshortfilm
DEADNAME (@deadname.film) is sexy, action-packed, and queer asf. This short is a cathartic gut-punch of a film about queerness in the face of Modern America. Back it on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/deadnameshortfilm
Our team is a passionate collective of filmmakers and artists who are committed to uplifting queer voices in cinema and crafting entertaining genre films. This talented crew's credentials include projects with A24, NEON, HBO, Showtime, Terrifier 2 & 3, and multiple prestigious festival awards.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew Costs
Costs $10,000
We have such a talented and professional crew on this project, and we want their pay to reflect that.
Camera Package
Costs $700
We need a camera to capture all of the beautiful imagery we are creating.
Location Rentals
Costs $650
Strategic locations in interesting pockets of NYC will transform the city into a character in the story.
Wardrobe Costs
Costs $700
Send Angel on a shopping spree before her journey! Angel deserves to look her best while she does her worst to the worst of the worst.
Production Design
Costs $1,300
A well funded art department will make the world of DEADNAME feel immersive.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ryan Rivera (Writer/Director)
Ryan Rivera (they/he) is a nonbinary Nuyorican filmmaker and artist from Queens, NY. With over 5 years of experience in the film industry, Ryan’s notable credits include Art Director on the award-winning short Sally Get the Potatoes (2024, dir. Danicah Waldo), Set Decorator on The Gag (2023, dir. Larry Owens), and Prop Master on the HBO series Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (2024, dir. Anthony Caronna). Ryan’s work as a photographer has been shown at the Newark Museum of Art and Gracie Mansion and published in Local Wolves, Something Different, and Rear Window magazines. Ryan is excited to step into a new chapter of creativity with DEADNAME.
Fay Emmolo-Johnson (Producer)
Fay Emmolo-Johnson (he/they) is a trans director, producer & cinematographer from Long Island, NY. He graduated from SUNY Purchase for Playwriting & Screenwriting in 2017, where he was nominated to the National Dramatists’ Guild through the New South Young Playwrights Festival in his junior year. He started his freelance career in indie horror, serving as the focus puller and later B-Camera operator on the instant cult classics Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3. He has worked on several notable indie features such as STREAM (Iconic Events), Mother’s Instinct (NEON), Hallowarrior (Shudder), and Nana’s Boys (Showtime). He joined the International Cinematographers’ Guild in 2022. His directorial debut, 6th Ave, a dark psychological thriller starring Blair Witch Project’s Michael C. Williams, comes out later this year!
Fay is incredibly passionate about supporting other queer artists, and is starting their producing journey by working with talented young artists willing to take risks! Producing credits include DEADNAME & the independent feature film, Mercury, 1938.
Mia Geere (Producer)
ia Geere (she/her) is a versatile director, producer, writer, and actress based in New York and Los Angeles, with a dynamic career spanning theatre and film, with additional experience in television. She has performed with various theatre companies and most recently appeared in leading dramatic film roles, including Lucy in And Eat It Too and Dortchen Wild in the feature film Brothers Grimm Sisters Wild. Passionate about creating stories both in front of and behind the camera, Mia created, produced, and starred in the award-winning short film Uncontrollable, which earned honors including Best Film at the Magic of Horror Festival, Best NY/NJ Film at the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival, and Best Director at the Glass Ceiling Breakers Film Festival, along with nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay. Mia is also the co-owner of Culture Vision Media, a production services company supporting creative projects and storytelling. When she’s not working in the arts, she enjoys traveling and seeking inspiration from the world around her.
Easton Carter-Angle (Director of Photography)
Easton Carter Angle is a transgender Director of Photography based on the East Coast, specializing in narrative and documentary. He got his start at Temple University studying media arts and visual anthropology. He found himself drawn to documentaries and focused on issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Upon graduating, He was awarded the Lavender Award for his documentary work. His short films and docs have been in film festivals and museums including; Black Star Film Festival, Outfest, Newfest, Frameline, the Brooklyn Museum and the Whitney Museum. His commercial work includes brands such as Shopify, Big Think, and Subaru.
Easton was also recipient of the ASC Vision Mentorship for emerging cinematographers and is now receiving mentorship from Jonathan Freeman, ASC.
Brett Calvo (Production Designer)
Brett Calvo (he/him) is an NYC-based art director originally from New Haven, CT. Brett's background started in scenic design and technical direction for theater, but he has been working in the film and television industry in NYC full-time since 2017. Notable credits include: Art Director for feature films The Front Room (A24), The Home (Miramax), Eye For An Eye (Vertical), and television series Last Call: When A Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (HBO), I'll Be Gone In The Dark (HBO), and Project Runway (seasons 21 and 22). Brett proudly identifies as both trans and gay, and is excited to tap into his personal perspective and experiences for the design of the world of Dead Name.
Nyla Stanford (Wardrobe Stylist)
Nyla Stanford, a multifaceted artist from Jacksonville FL, is now taking over NYC. As a master's-accredited experimental psychology researcher, she dove into starting her own editorial and styling business, becoming a contributing freelance writer for Vogue, Service95, 1202 Magazine, and Essence. Her styling editorials are published in Vanguard Magazine, Roll Up, and Photo Vogue. Film-wise, she has previously worked as a wardrobe stylist for Indigo’s Daughter Productions.
Chris Marmolejo (Lead Actress, Angel)
Chris Marmolejo (she/her) is a Colombian singer, actress, and multidisciplinary artist from Cali, currently based in New York City. She studied Dramatic Arts at Bellas Artes in Cali and spent five years performing with Casa de las Artes MCN, starring in Juan Caracol and La Mujer del Callejón, and participating in a national tour throughout Colombia.
As a singer, she released her first EP, Chris Marmolejo, in 2021 and has performed at several festivals and cultural events. She is currently developing her second musical project, The Alien Siren, exploring pop, performance, identity, femininity, and futuristic storytelling.
Robin Bilardello (Supporting Actress, Maxine)
Robin Bilardello is a Brooklyn-based non-union actor trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC. Recent film credits include Hell Yes (Seton Hall), Assimilation (The New School), Fortune Teller (Montclair University), First Aid, and Demon Core of Fresh Kills Park. Stage credits include starring as "Lillian" in Burn and Rave at the DeSotelle Theater. Her training encompasses Stella Adler technique, active analysis through Chekhov, scene study, voice, and movement.
Amy-Jo Ray (Supporting Actress, Ava)
Amy Jo Ray is an Appalachian-raised, NYC-based screen and stage actress. Recent credits include Netflix's You (Season 5) as well as The Intensive. Ray recently originated the role of Sylvie in Love in America at the Center for Theater Research.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Angel, a bad-ass gun-wielding trans nun, arrives to the world of DEADNAME on a beam of bright light as a voicemail plays. It’s the first of many calls from her estranged religious mother. But Angel never answers. She doesn’t have time to focus on her mother’s blessings and guilt trips; she’s on a mission to track down the dangerous and powerful sex trafficking handler, Maxine.
Angel follows Maxine to a warehouse where she is accompanied by a young girl, Ava, and a nameless chauffeur driver. Inside the warehouse, Angel interrupts a disturbingly surreal assault and sets her deadly sights on Maxine. In the aftermath, our exhausted protagonist finally gives in to her mother’s pervasive attempts to reconnect. Or perhaps visiting her parents was always part of Angel’s plan...
The world of DEADNAME is dark and surreal, with most scenes taking place at night in sparsely populated cityscapes. The violence on screen will feel kinetic and gritty with a generous helping of stylization. Some moments of sexualization will be subverted to center a trans woman as hot and to create a sense of unease and dirtiness around the pervasive male gaze. In the moments between the action, a tone of pensiveness will allow the viewer to ponder the themes alongside Angel.
Deadname seeks to provoke, philosophize, and provide catharsis in equal measure. Light and its relation to darkness will play a key role in the film. The world of Deadname is gritty, taking place almost entirely at night. Focused high-key lighting and shadows will be used to create atmosphere and establish contrast between Angel and the world she inhabits. Angel’s interactions with light are designed to portray her as a symbolic Angel of Death who fights for the Light. The exaggerated muzzle flashes of Angel's bullets bring light into her world of darkness. This visual metaphor will imbue the cathartic action sequences with poeticism.
The action of DEADNAME will be choreographed to feel kinetic and seductive. We will bring on a stunt choreographer to prioritize visual fluidity and on-set safety. Mixing martial arts with proper gun etiquette will illustrate the characters as powerful, professional, and dangerous.
Practical and digital special effects and makeup will sell the chaos and carnage of these moments with harrowing effect.
In 2026, many Americans are feeling angry and frustrated at the state of politics and the lack of justice evident in our system. Bogged down by job requirements, poverty, “safe channel” protesting, hostile bureaucracy, and a general sense of malaise, the prospect of meaningful change seems further away than ever for the average person.
What would it look like if someone took vigilante action? How successful would it be? What baggage would these hypothetical anti-heroes carry? Enter: Angel.
Deadname purposefully prods at difficult topics, including the Epstein files, gender relations, religious trauma, and the futility of trying to take on a massive system alone, challenging viewers to confront these themes head-on.
Angel’s character is a creative expression of my own wrestling with these topics. As a nonbinary person with a complicated relationship with my parents and deep-seated religious trauma, I am fascinated by reclaiming symbols as a form of survival and empowerment.
Heavily inspired by femme fatales, sexploitation, and nunsploitation films, this short aims to reclaim the imagery and sexualization of those films to express the rage of being a queer person in modern Christian America.
Seed&Spark requires that we reach at least 80% of our goal ($16,000) before we receive any funds. This is where YOU can make a difference! We’re relying on our friends, family, and community to take this film from a dream to a reality. Every contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a difference!
Follow our campaign on Seed & Spark and stay updated on DEADNAME’s progress! It's 100% free, and it helps us earn products, services, and festival fee waivers courtesy of Seed & Spark! A few clicks from you would help us immensely. Follow @deadname.film on Instagram and join our email list by emailing [email protected] to stay up to date on our progress throughout and beyond the fundraiser.
The only way we will reach our goal is by expanding beyond the networks of our creators. Our success is dependent on people like you spreading the word about our film and campaign! Please share our campaign via social media, email, word-of-mouth, and however else you want! Sharing with your community would mean the world to us <3
Here are some sample messages. Feel free to copy and paste!
Support queer and trans film. DEADNAME (@deadname.film) is a queer revenge thriller that examines the intersection of gender, sexuality, and religion in Modern America. Back it now on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/deadnameshortfilm
DEADNAME (@deadname.film) digs into the complexity of a trans person living in modern America. Back it now on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/deadnameshortfilm
DEADNAME (@deadname.film) is sexy, action-packed, and queer asf. This short is a cathartic gut-punch of a film about queerness in the face of Modern America. Back it on @seedandspark: www.seedandspark.com/fund/deadnameshortfilm
Our team is a passionate collective of filmmakers and artists who are committed to uplifting queer voices in cinema and crafting entertaining genre films. This talented crew's credentials include projects with A24, NEON, HBO, Showtime, Terrifier 2 & 3, and multiple prestigious festival awards.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Crew Costs
Costs $10,000
We have such a talented and professional crew on this project, and we want their pay to reflect that.
Camera Package
Costs $700
We need a camera to capture all of the beautiful imagery we are creating.
Location Rentals
Costs $650
Strategic locations in interesting pockets of NYC will transform the city into a character in the story.
Wardrobe Costs
Costs $700
Send Angel on a shopping spree before her journey! Angel deserves to look her best while she does her worst to the worst of the worst.
Production Design
Costs $1,300
A well funded art department will make the world of DEADNAME feel immersive.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Ryan Rivera (Writer/Director)
Ryan Rivera (they/he) is a nonbinary Nuyorican filmmaker and artist from Queens, NY. With over 5 years of experience in the film industry, Ryan’s notable credits include Art Director on the award-winning short Sally Get the Potatoes (2024, dir. Danicah Waldo), Set Decorator on The Gag (2023, dir. Larry Owens), and Prop Master on the HBO series Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (2024, dir. Anthony Caronna). Ryan’s work as a photographer has been shown at the Newark Museum of Art and Gracie Mansion and published in Local Wolves, Something Different, and Rear Window magazines. Ryan is excited to step into a new chapter of creativity with DEADNAME.
Fay Emmolo-Johnson (Producer)
Fay Emmolo-Johnson (he/they) is a trans director, producer & cinematographer from Long Island, NY. He graduated from SUNY Purchase for Playwriting & Screenwriting in 2017, where he was nominated to the National Dramatists’ Guild through the New South Young Playwrights Festival in his junior year. He started his freelance career in indie horror, serving as the focus puller and later B-Camera operator on the instant cult classics Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3. He has worked on several notable indie features such as STREAM (Iconic Events), Mother’s Instinct (NEON), Hallowarrior (Shudder), and Nana’s Boys (Showtime). He joined the International Cinematographers’ Guild in 2022. His directorial debut, 6th Ave, a dark psychological thriller starring Blair Witch Project’s Michael C. Williams, comes out later this year!
Fay is incredibly passionate about supporting other queer artists, and is starting their producing journey by working with talented young artists willing to take risks! Producing credits include DEADNAME & the independent feature film, Mercury, 1938.
Mia Geere (Producer)
ia Geere (she/her) is a versatile director, producer, writer, and actress based in New York and Los Angeles, with a dynamic career spanning theatre and film, with additional experience in television. She has performed with various theatre companies and most recently appeared in leading dramatic film roles, including Lucy in And Eat It Too and Dortchen Wild in the feature film Brothers Grimm Sisters Wild. Passionate about creating stories both in front of and behind the camera, Mia created, produced, and starred in the award-winning short film Uncontrollable, which earned honors including Best Film at the Magic of Horror Festival, Best NY/NJ Film at the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival, and Best Director at the Glass Ceiling Breakers Film Festival, along with nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay. Mia is also the co-owner of Culture Vision Media, a production services company supporting creative projects and storytelling. When she’s not working in the arts, she enjoys traveling and seeking inspiration from the world around her.
Easton Carter-Angle (Director of Photography)
Easton Carter Angle is a transgender Director of Photography based on the East Coast, specializing in narrative and documentary. He got his start at Temple University studying media arts and visual anthropology. He found himself drawn to documentaries and focused on issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Upon graduating, He was awarded the Lavender Award for his documentary work. His short films and docs have been in film festivals and museums including; Black Star Film Festival, Outfest, Newfest, Frameline, the Brooklyn Museum and the Whitney Museum. His commercial work includes brands such as Shopify, Big Think, and Subaru.
Easton was also recipient of the ASC Vision Mentorship for emerging cinematographers and is now receiving mentorship from Jonathan Freeman, ASC.
Brett Calvo (Production Designer)
Brett Calvo (he/him) is an NYC-based art director originally from New Haven, CT. Brett's background started in scenic design and technical direction for theater, but he has been working in the film and television industry in NYC full-time since 2017. Notable credits include: Art Director for feature films The Front Room (A24), The Home (Miramax), Eye For An Eye (Vertical), and television series Last Call: When A Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (HBO), I'll Be Gone In The Dark (HBO), and Project Runway (seasons 21 and 22). Brett proudly identifies as both trans and gay, and is excited to tap into his personal perspective and experiences for the design of the world of Dead Name.
Nyla Stanford (Wardrobe Stylist)
Nyla Stanford, a multifaceted artist from Jacksonville FL, is now taking over NYC. As a master's-accredited experimental psychology researcher, she dove into starting her own editorial and styling business, becoming a contributing freelance writer for Vogue, Service95, 1202 Magazine, and Essence. Her styling editorials are published in Vanguard Magazine, Roll Up, and Photo Vogue. Film-wise, she has previously worked as a wardrobe stylist for Indigo’s Daughter Productions.
Chris Marmolejo (Lead Actress, Angel)
Chris Marmolejo (she/her) is a Colombian singer, actress, and multidisciplinary artist from Cali, currently based in New York City. She studied Dramatic Arts at Bellas Artes in Cali and spent five years performing with Casa de las Artes MCN, starring in Juan Caracol and La Mujer del Callejón, and participating in a national tour throughout Colombia.
As a singer, she released her first EP, Chris Marmolejo, in 2021 and has performed at several festivals and cultural events. She is currently developing her second musical project, The Alien Siren, exploring pop, performance, identity, femininity, and futuristic storytelling.
Robin Bilardello (Supporting Actress, Maxine)
Robin Bilardello is a Brooklyn-based non-union actor trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC. Recent film credits include Hell Yes (Seton Hall), Assimilation (The New School), Fortune Teller (Montclair University), First Aid, and Demon Core of Fresh Kills Park. Stage credits include starring as "Lillian" in Burn and Rave at the DeSotelle Theater. Her training encompasses Stella Adler technique, active analysis through Chekhov, scene study, voice, and movement.
Amy-Jo Ray (Supporting Actress, Ava)
Amy Jo Ray is an Appalachian-raised, NYC-based screen and stage actress. Recent credits include Netflix's You (Season 5) as well as The Intensive. Ray recently originated the role of Sylvie in Love in America at the Center for Theater Research.