In the flickering neon of 1995 Los Angeles, Gloria Schwarber, a volatile diner waitress and desperate actress, clings to the belief that talent still matters in Hollywood. Then comes the call: she’s been dropped from the role that was supposed to save her, replaced by Lulu Larue, a moldable newcomer with the right connections. When Lulu struts into Gloria’s diner that same night, their encounter spirals into a hallucinatory fever dream of blood, glamour, and identity theft.

This is the story of what every actress has imagined doing after ten years of being told to “wait her turn.”

"Gloria's Cut" is a blood-and-glitter dreamscape where ambition turns hallucinatory. The tone walks the line between satire and tragedy. It’s darkly funny, disturbingly relatable, and uncomfortably glamorous.

If Sunset Boulevard, American Psycho, and Clueless had a baby and raised her on glitter, vodka, and unresolved auditions.

OLIVIA GROPP (Writer/Director/"Gloria") is a writer, director, and actress based in Wilmington, Delaware. She has worked in the film industry since the age of 13 (now 24) and recently graduated pre-med from the University of Delaware (purely to play doctors on screen with surgical accuracy). Olivia’s work blends dark comedy, psychological tension, and a glitter-smeared sense of cultural critique. She has written and directed two short films ("Traders" and "Curtain Call") and is currently developing "Gloria's Cut" which is the proof of concept for her debut feature: No Doubt. Both are biting satires of the entertainment industry dressed in 90s glam and bloodstains. Her writing draws inspiration from filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, Alfred Hitchcock, the Coen Brothers, and John Hughes, but always with her own fucked-up, femme-forward twist.  She is SAG-Eligible, WGA-Registered, and unafraid to call bullshit on the way things have always been. 

JASON BROOKS (Stunt Coordinator/SFX Artist) is a multi-talented filmmaker, actor, and special FX artist hailing from the Pacific Northwest. With a passion for genre cinema and over two decades of experience in independent film, Brooks has become a driving creative force in horror and dark fantasy storytelling. Brooks co-founded Real Fiction Studios FX alongside renowned makeup and FX artists Naomi Mechem-Miller and Michelle Munoz. The studio quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the Pacific Northwest's premier FX houses. Their award-winning team has contributed to dozens of feature films, shorts, music videos, commercials, and live events, celebrated for their intricate prosthetics, transformative makeup, and practical effects wizardry. Jason Brooks continues to push creative boundaries with each project, merging his talents in performance, direction, and special effects to craft unforgettable cinematic experiences. With a dedicated following and an expanding body of critically acclaimed work, he remains a leading figure in independent genre filmmaking.

NAOMI MECHEM-MILLER (HMU/SFX Artist) (they/them) is a non-binary makeup artist from Seattle, WA. They love all things horror, fantasy, and science fiction, with my favorite genre being horror comedy. Naomi attended the Art of Makeup School in Portland, OR and completed two years education at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. They are currently living in Bothell, WA and is willing to travel for work. Naomi is a member and co-owner of Real Fiction Studios, a special effects studio located in Bothell. RFS specializes in practical effects, blood squibs, props, costumes, prosthetics, and other fun things that will increase your production value. 

KODY NEWTON (DP/Producer) was the DP of The Death of Snow White, The Boy From Below, and What's Wrong Wendy. He is a full-time director/cinematographer based out of Idaho (of all places). He owns all of his own gear and travels across the U.S. shooting around 6-7 features each year. His dedication to his craft started as a way to make his own films better. Being a "director first" Kody is able to bring to life an emotion behind the camera that transmits to the audience. You'll be hard pressed to find anyone more hard working and passionate about indie filmmaking as Kody with a K. 

NIK TIZEKKER (Producer) has been working as a director and producer for over 15 years. He founded Tizaster Productions in 2005, a company which has become known for taking clients' ideas and initiatives and turning them into art in motion. Nik has a wide range of experience, specializing in Film and Music Videos. Nik has shot videos for dozens of artists, including Kaya Jones, Krayzie Bone, Brandyn Burnette, and Leah Turner. Most recently, he has teamed up with Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and Journey member, Jonathan Cain for music video and album design work. Nik's excellence behind the camera, intuition for storytelling, and his heart for others in everyday life sets him apart in the highly saturated entertainment industry. His enthusiasm for the work and skills behind the camera come together in a down-to-earth combination of heart and hard work without ever losing the human connection. Nik's biggest influence has always been Director/Producer J.J. Abrams. "I really like his style of storytelling," says Nik. "The way he portrays his stories through the art of filmmaking just blows my mind." Meeting Mr. Abrams was one of the best days of his life, and Nik aspires to work with him one day.

Our goal with "Gloria’s Cut" is to create a short that feels like a fever dream wrapped in glamour: a neon-lit satire of fame, ambition, and the quiet insanity of chasing validation in Hollywood. The short will serve as a proof of concept, capturing the tone, visual language, and unhinged charm of the feature script, No Doubt, while standing on its own as a bold, self-contained story.

We want to give other artists the opportunity to channel this same defiance into their craft and to build something beautiful out of rejection. From the production design to the performances, this film is about reclaiming power through creation.

Ultimately, "Gloria’s Cut" isn’t just a story about an actress losing her grip; it’s a love letter to everyone who’s ever been told they’re “too much,” “not enough,” or “almost right.” It’s about what happens when the overlooked decide to take control of their own story and make it unforgettable.

October 2025: Launch our Seed&Spark campaign

Mid-December 2025: Principal Photography

Late December 2025: Post-Production

Fall 2026: Kick off our festival run!

Summer 2027: Distribution + Online Premiere

Cast & Crew Fair Wages: 50%

Lights, Sound, Set, Camera: 20%

Post-Production: 15%

Festivals & Release PR: 10%

Crew Travel: 5%

Back "Gloria's Cut" and help us turn rejection into art. Every contribution, share, or follow keeps our cast and crew fighting for authentic storytelling.

Follow our campaign on Seed&Spark to unlock rewards, behind-the-scenes updates, and a front-row seat to our blood and glitter showcase.

Whether you’re able to donate to our campaign, tell your friends about "Gloria's Cut," or follow our journey on Insta you're helping bring a world full of bold, glamorous, and bloody 90s neon characters to life...thank you!