I Dreamt You Shot Me
San Francisco, California | Film Feature
Comedy, Drama
After suffering a major panic attack on the side of the road, a 30-year-old Mexican American filmmaker with a strange sense of humor and an even stranger set of phobias is forced to face his biggest fear yet: creating a short film with his best friend, who pushes the boundaries of comedy.
I Dreamt You Shot Me
San Francisco, California | Film Feature
Comedy, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
15 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$2,105
Goal: $4,500 for production
After suffering a major panic attack on the side of the road, a 30-year-old Mexican American filmmaker with a strange sense of humor and an even stranger set of phobias is forced to face his biggest fear yet: creating a short film with his best friend, who pushes the boundaries of comedy.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"I just thought I'd be like, I don't know; Paul Giamatti by now, or hosting SNL"
Afflicted by images of his ex-girlfriend dying, 30-year-old David Olivo, a struggling Mexican-American filmmaker and chronic people-pleaser, finds his life going nowhere. While he struggles to make rent and his traumatic past haunts him, he is cursed with facial twitches, blurting out random catchphrases, and extreme anxiety, which leads him to overthink every little interaction.
On the afternoon of his birthday party, David begins to do a series of celebrity impressions. Pressured by his best friend Joey, David does an off-putting impression of a celebrity that offends his friend’s partner, Diana, who eventually leaves out of frustration.
Attempting to console him, Joey asks David if he’d want to partner up on a comedic short film for a film festival that pays $20,000. Once his final unemployment check is deposited, David reluctantly joins. With no choice, he must now face his newfound obsession with not offending people with his humor, while simultaneously working with a friend who constantly wants to “push the envelope of comedy.”
Eventually, David's anxiety is challenged by a new romantic interest, his relationship with Joey, and the mourning of his ex.
I Dreamt You Shot Me has been in the works since 2021. It's being produced by a passionate group of filmmakers and artists who are devoting their weekends, locations, and equipment to bringing it to life.
In 2022, I took a 12-week screenwriting class with Sundance alum and filmmaker Linas Philips. I entered the class with a rough idea of the type of film that I wanted to write, and walked out with a script that I knew I had to produce. Receiving creative feedback from one of my favorite filmmakers was profoundly impactful to the development of this script.
Simultaneously, while attending these classes, I was also diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, which deeply inspired the story and trajectory of the narrative.
I Dreamt You Shot Me is not based on a true story, but inspired by true moments, emotions, and struggles I've gone through with my mental health journey. I hope that this film resonates with those who have also felt lost, exhausted, or alone during their personal development, and that after watching this film, they realize that life does, in fact, get better.
The film is visually inspired by I Saw the TV Glow (2024), with an emphasis on deeply colorful and naturalistic lighting, as well as incorporating parts of the film shot with DV tapes to emphasize a retro VHS look when we see David's obsessions.
David and Joey's comedic dynamic is heavily influenced by Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (2026), as both of them attempt to create their own sitcom, while simultaneously entertaining each other with niche pop culture references from 2003-2008.
Anne at 13,000ft (2019) greatly inspired my writing when it came to portraying David's psychological journey. Like the 2019 film, we will follow David up close and personal during his most intimate, awkward, and chaotically vulnerable moments in his life.
I Dreamt You Shot Me has only 11 days left of film production. 5 major scenes have already been completed, and we are incredibly proud of all of the artists who have devoted their time to this project.
With the remaining 11 days, the film budget would be distributed as follows:
This film is truly a labor of love, and simply couldn't exist without the talented individuals devoting their time, creativity, equipment, and passion to this project for free. Every donation will go towards making sure they're fed and that the film can travel the festival circuit!
BTS Photography provided by: Christopher Nguyen (@Chnguyen1288)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Meals and Snacks!
Costs $2,500
Feed the cast, crew, and extras for their hard work! (We can't eat Pizza everyday).
FIlm Festivals
Costs $500
This isn't our first rodeo. Help us enter film festivals! This will give our film life and opportunities to be seen by audiences!
Production Design
Costs $300
Help us cover art for the film! This will go towards any costumes, props, posters, or makeup that we need!
Roxie Review
Costs $400
Help us have our film screen at The Roxie (SF) prior to our final picture lock, for a community feedback session.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jonathan Olivo (Writer/Director) - Jonathan Olivo is a writer, director, and editor based in San Francisco, California. After graduating from San Jose State University in 2016 with the Emerson Doc Arends Award for Excellence in Film Directing, Jonathan has continued to write, direct, and act in a handful of different projects, from short films to music videos. This is his first feature film, which has been in production since 2022.
J.P Emodi (Cinematographer) - J.P Emodi is a Bay Area native, based in San Francisco. He has been acting as the Director of Photography for Short Films for the last 9 years and is an accomplished director as well. This will be our second major project together - the first being a music video for the band Suffer Under, which premiered at the Red Hare Film Festival earlier this year.
Jacob Ohlhausen (Executive Producer) - Jacob Ohlhausen has produced over 40+ Short films for San Jose State University and is currently a part of the faculty. To date, Jacob has produced or been involved with all of my projects since 2013. He is a major part of SJSU’s film community and has assisted us with incorporating alumni and current students to work on “I Dreamt You Shot Me”.
Jorge M Sanchez (1st Assistant Director) - Jorge is an accomplished writer, comic host, and podcaster from San Jose, California. Jorge is a jack of all trades, and his natural ability to lead productions and speak to groups of people comes in handy on our intimate sets!
Adam Miranda & Alann Santiago (Cam Operators) - Adam and Alann (both Bay Area natives) are both incredibly talented photographers and cinematographers in their own right. We are very fortunate to have them both lend their camera knowledge and talents to this project.
Marco Guzman & Joshua Barone (Sound Operator) - Marco and Joshua (both San Jose State Alum) have saved our film production with their audio expertise, and are an invaluable part of this project. If you think the sound quality of this video is good, wait until you hear the final cut!
Mary McCoy (Production Design) - An accomplished artist, animator, and illustrator, Mary has worked on several animated films throughout her career. Mary's ability to decorate a set with a limited budget has done wonders for our film. Her latest role was in the art department for the 2025 Netflix film "Fixed".
Linas Phillips (Script Supervisor) - Linas is a seasoned filmmaker, Sundance alum, and Duplass Brother collaborator who assisted in the creative development of this script. Linas's feedback and guidance with this project have been instrumental in the film's progress, and we are very lucky to have him be a part of this project.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
"I just thought I'd be like, I don't know; Paul Giamatti by now, or hosting SNL"
Afflicted by images of his ex-girlfriend dying, 30-year-old David Olivo, a struggling Mexican-American filmmaker and chronic people-pleaser, finds his life going nowhere. While he struggles to make rent and his traumatic past haunts him, he is cursed with facial twitches, blurting out random catchphrases, and extreme anxiety, which leads him to overthink every little interaction.
On the afternoon of his birthday party, David begins to do a series of celebrity impressions. Pressured by his best friend Joey, David does an off-putting impression of a celebrity that offends his friend’s partner, Diana, who eventually leaves out of frustration.
Attempting to console him, Joey asks David if he’d want to partner up on a comedic short film for a film festival that pays $20,000. Once his final unemployment check is deposited, David reluctantly joins. With no choice, he must now face his newfound obsession with not offending people with his humor, while simultaneously working with a friend who constantly wants to “push the envelope of comedy.”
Eventually, David's anxiety is challenged by a new romantic interest, his relationship with Joey, and the mourning of his ex.
I Dreamt You Shot Me has been in the works since 2021. It's being produced by a passionate group of filmmakers and artists who are devoting their weekends, locations, and equipment to bringing it to life.
In 2022, I took a 12-week screenwriting class with Sundance alum and filmmaker Linas Philips. I entered the class with a rough idea of the type of film that I wanted to write, and walked out with a script that I knew I had to produce. Receiving creative feedback from one of my favorite filmmakers was profoundly impactful to the development of this script.
Simultaneously, while attending these classes, I was also diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, which deeply inspired the story and trajectory of the narrative.
I Dreamt You Shot Me is not based on a true story, but inspired by true moments, emotions, and struggles I've gone through with my mental health journey. I hope that this film resonates with those who have also felt lost, exhausted, or alone during their personal development, and that after watching this film, they realize that life does, in fact, get better.
The film is visually inspired by I Saw the TV Glow (2024), with an emphasis on deeply colorful and naturalistic lighting, as well as incorporating parts of the film shot with DV tapes to emphasize a retro VHS look when we see David's obsessions.
David and Joey's comedic dynamic is heavily influenced by Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (2026), as both of them attempt to create their own sitcom, while simultaneously entertaining each other with niche pop culture references from 2003-2008.
Anne at 13,000ft (2019) greatly inspired my writing when it came to portraying David's psychological journey. Like the 2019 film, we will follow David up close and personal during his most intimate, awkward, and chaotically vulnerable moments in his life.
I Dreamt You Shot Me has only 11 days left of film production. 5 major scenes have already been completed, and we are incredibly proud of all of the artists who have devoted their time to this project.
With the remaining 11 days, the film budget would be distributed as follows:
This film is truly a labor of love, and simply couldn't exist without the talented individuals devoting their time, creativity, equipment, and passion to this project for free. Every donation will go towards making sure they're fed and that the film can travel the festival circuit!
BTS Photography provided by: Christopher Nguyen (@Chnguyen1288)
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Meals and Snacks!
Costs $2,500
Feed the cast, crew, and extras for their hard work! (We can't eat Pizza everyday).
FIlm Festivals
Costs $500
This isn't our first rodeo. Help us enter film festivals! This will give our film life and opportunities to be seen by audiences!
Production Design
Costs $300
Help us cover art for the film! This will go towards any costumes, props, posters, or makeup that we need!
Roxie Review
Costs $400
Help us have our film screen at The Roxie (SF) prior to our final picture lock, for a community feedback session.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Jonathan Olivo (Writer/Director) - Jonathan Olivo is a writer, director, and editor based in San Francisco, California. After graduating from San Jose State University in 2016 with the Emerson Doc Arends Award for Excellence in Film Directing, Jonathan has continued to write, direct, and act in a handful of different projects, from short films to music videos. This is his first feature film, which has been in production since 2022.
J.P Emodi (Cinematographer) - J.P Emodi is a Bay Area native, based in San Francisco. He has been acting as the Director of Photography for Short Films for the last 9 years and is an accomplished director as well. This will be our second major project together - the first being a music video for the band Suffer Under, which premiered at the Red Hare Film Festival earlier this year.
Jacob Ohlhausen (Executive Producer) - Jacob Ohlhausen has produced over 40+ Short films for San Jose State University and is currently a part of the faculty. To date, Jacob has produced or been involved with all of my projects since 2013. He is a major part of SJSU’s film community and has assisted us with incorporating alumni and current students to work on “I Dreamt You Shot Me”.
Jorge M Sanchez (1st Assistant Director) - Jorge is an accomplished writer, comic host, and podcaster from San Jose, California. Jorge is a jack of all trades, and his natural ability to lead productions and speak to groups of people comes in handy on our intimate sets!
Adam Miranda & Alann Santiago (Cam Operators) - Adam and Alann (both Bay Area natives) are both incredibly talented photographers and cinematographers in their own right. We are very fortunate to have them both lend their camera knowledge and talents to this project.
Marco Guzman & Joshua Barone (Sound Operator) - Marco and Joshua (both San Jose State Alum) have saved our film production with their audio expertise, and are an invaluable part of this project. If you think the sound quality of this video is good, wait until you hear the final cut!
Mary McCoy (Production Design) - An accomplished artist, animator, and illustrator, Mary has worked on several animated films throughout her career. Mary's ability to decorate a set with a limited budget has done wonders for our film. Her latest role was in the art department for the 2025 Netflix film "Fixed".
Linas Phillips (Script Supervisor) - Linas is a seasoned filmmaker, Sundance alum, and Duplass Brother collaborator who assisted in the creative development of this script. Linas's feedback and guidance with this project have been instrumental in the film's progress, and we are very lucky to have him be a part of this project.