Neon Hearts
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Comedy, Drama
In a near-future dystopian society, a teenager’s rooftop plummet is derailed when he runs into a girl on the neighboring building with the same exact plan. Within their shared desperation, they find a spark of hope and a genuine human connection in the unlikeliest of moments.
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Goal: $50,000 for pre-production
In a near-future dystopian society, a teenager’s rooftop plummet is derailed when he runs into a girl on the neighboring building with the same exact plan. Within their shared desperation, they find a spark of hope and a genuine human connection in the unlikeliest of moments.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
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Benny Benson drifts through a repetitive, numbing existence. He wakes up in his small apartment, masturbates, and stares at a “Gargie Doll” poster above his bed that reads, “One day at a time,” while a leak in the ceiling drips onto his face. Everything feels mechanical, empty.
He attempts to take his life on his rooftop that morning, but is abruptly interrupted by a man from the neighboring building urinating off the edge, an absurd disruption that pulls him back.
At school, his attempt to reach out is dismissed by his teacher, reinforcing his sense of isolation. He moves through the city, where indifference from people quickly turns hostile. On his way to work at a factory producing “Gargie Dolls,” he narrowly avoids danger in a crowded metro before wandering into a part of the city filled with homelessness, drugs, and violence. Strangely, within the chaos, he feels a fleeting sense of calm.
At the factory, surrounded by identical dolls and the relentless slam of hydraulic presses, his thoughts darken. The machinery becomes hypnotic, an easy way out. That night, back home, a Gargie Doll glitches beside him, repeating “I love you” over and over until it breaks…and so does he.
Suddenly, the ceiling collapses. The people above him crash through mid-sex, along with water and debris. Shaken, Benny returns to the rooftop. It's now night. The city finally quiets. He’s ready.
Milliseconds before jumping, he hears a scuffle. Jules, another teenager on the edge, stands nearby, about to do the same. Their interaction is awkward, chaotic, and unexpected.
In that brief exchange, something shifts. Jules storms away. Benny stays, looking out at the city, unchanged, yet somehow different.
So...why are we doing all of this?
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Well...
The world feels increasingly overwhelming.
Rising loneliness, depression, and disconnection among young people.
Constant exposure to crisis: war, economic instability, homelessness, violence.
Technology is accelerating faster than our ability to process it.
This generation is emotionally exhausted.
Disillusionment, apathy, and fear/anxiety of the future are at an all-time high.
Many feel isolated, unseen, and unsure/pessimistic about whether things will get better.
We are living in a quiet, modern dystopia.
Algorithms shape our attention, identity, and relationships.
Billionaires race toward the future while everyday people are left behind.
Reality begins to resemble the cyberpunk worlds we once saw as fiction.
But this story isn’t about despair, it’s about resistance.
A reminder that human connection still exists, even in our darkest moments.
That hope isn’t gone, it’s just harder to see, and it comes from within us.
That even in a system that feels overwhelming, small, real moments still.
Ok, so you've heard why this story matters.
But a story about loneliness, hope, and human connection deserves filmmakers who genuinely care about what it's trying to say.
So before we ask you to trust "Neon Hearts", let us tell you why we're making it.
We wrote Neon Hearts during one of the darkest times in our lives.
when we felt lost, numb, and disconnected from everything around us…
And somehow, both the process of writing this film together and the actual script itself became the thing that pulled us back.
Every time we slipped, we returned to Neon Hearts:
To the character, to the music, to the world we built,
and it reminded us that something still mattered.
To us, filmmaking is reaching into the void,
hoping someone out there feels what you feel...
And in Neon Hearts, we found proof that connection and hope were possible.
That even in the darkness, something can reach back.
This isn’t just a story we want to tell,
It’s one that saved us.
And we hope it can do the same for someone else.
So, who are these characters?
*Note actors depicted are examples of type and not representative of the actual cast*
Who are the people crazy enough to spend years behind it all?
Meet the incredible team bringing "Neon Hearts" to life below, and visit our Team page to learn more about each member of the production!
So...what's the vibe?
"Neon Hearts" is intimate, raw, and emotionally unfiltered, blending grounded vulnerability with moments of surreal, dark humor. It embraces tonal shifts, balancing quiet sincerity with chaotic, unpredictable energy. The romance is treated with honesty, capturing the messiness of growing up and needing someone.
A dark, grungy, neon-lit, high-tension atmosphere where the world feels loud, unstable, and constantly closing in. Beneath that pressure, moments of connection feel special, quiet, and almost suspended in time. It’s electric and overwhelming, with brief pockets of warmth that feel fragile and fleeting.
It's a Dark Dramaedy, Suicide Meet Cute
Cool! How's it gonna look?
Chaotic intimacy meets quiet existential beauty.
Sounds great, but where is my money actually going?
Your contribution goes directly toward the making of "Neon Hearts", helping fund everything from production and equipment to locations, post-production, music, visual effects, and distribution. Every dollar helps us tell this story at the highest level possible.
How You Become Part of the Story:
Every independent film begins with a group of people willing to take a chance on a story. By backing Neon Hearts, you become one of those people. Your support helps transform an idea into reality, and along the way, you'll gain access to exclusive updates, special rewards, and opportunities to be recognized as part of the team that helped bring the film to life.
All of our love, <3
Neon Hearts Team
Can't contribute right now? You can still play a meaningful role in helping us bring this film to life!
Share our Seed&Spark.
Follow our Seed&Spark campaign page.
Follow us on Instagram.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cinematography
Costs $4,000
Professional camera, lens, and lighting equipment will help us create the cinematic look and atmosphere Neon Hearts deserves.
Locations
Costs $12,500
Securing the right locations will help us create a believable world and provide the foundation for every scene.
Insurance
Costs $1,500
Production insurance protects our cast, crew, equipment, and locations, ensuring a safe and professional shoot.
Set Operations
Costs $3,500
Set operations help cover catering, craft services, supplies, and logistics, keeping our cast and crew fueled throughout production.
Post Production
Costs $10,000
Your support helps fund the editing, sound, music, color, and ambitious visual effects needed to fully realize our vision.
Transportation
Costs $2,500
Transportation helps cover vehicles, fuel, parking, and equipment transport, ensuring our cast, crew, and gear arrive where they need to be.
Costumes
Costs $1,500
Costumes are essential to creating the futuristic aesthetic of Neon Hearts, helping build a believable and lived-in world.
Production Design
Costs $5,000
Production design helps transform real locations into the rich, neon-soaked world of Neon Hearts.
Production Sound
Costs $1,000
Great sound is essential to great storytelling. These funds help us capture clean, professional audio.
Hair & Makeup
Costs $4,000
HMU supports character development and worldbuilding through makeup, hairstyling, and special effects.
Cast
Costs $3,000
A great cast is the heart of any film. Their performances turn words on a page into living characters.
Festivals and Distribution
Costs $1,500
Festival submissions, marketing, and distribution help bring Neon Hearts beyond the screen and into the world.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
"Neon Hearts" is helmed by a diverse group of filmmakers from USC, UCLA, Chapman University, and Cal State Fullerton, with collective experience spanning independent film, commercial production, documentary, VFX, and post-production. Our team has collaborated with studios and platforms, including Warner Bros., Netflix, Apple TV, and Nickelodeon, and has worked alongside established talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Alexander Guo (Director, "Benny Benson") Alexander Guo is a Chinese American filmmaker and actor based in Los Angeles. With a background in sketch comedy, his work blends awkward humor and sharp wit with grounded sincerity, often living between comedy and drama. As a storyteller, he is drawn to deeply human moments within larger-than-life worlds. Whether set in the past, a cyberpunk city, or a fantastical world, his work centers on emotional truths that ground spectacle in something real. His goal is to tell intimate stories on a cinematic scale, where the epic and the human are inseparable. Alexander's work spans independent short films, national commercials, and VFX projects, including collaborations with Warner Bros., Netflix, and creators like Zach King. His VFX work has appeared at festivals such as the National Film Festival for Talented Youth and on platforms like ALTER, and he has directed established talent such as Creed Bratton. He has acted in numerous short films and national commercials, and is represented by the Daniel Hoff Agency. Outside of filmmaking, he trains at the gym and previously competed in boxing for the University of Southern California. He is currently leading his first independent feature film.
IG - @alextheguo
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Shashvath Rethinam (Director) Shashvath Rethinam is an Indian American filmmaker based in Orange, California, currently studying directing at Chapman University's Dodge School of Film and Media Arts. With a background in computer science and engineering, and roots in acting and improv, his work blends sharp comedic instinct with deeply character-driven storytelling, often living in the space where dark humor meets genuine emotional weight. As a storyteller, he is drawn to the intersection of the natural world and the imagined one. A lifelong passion for biology and the environment feeds directly into his love of speculative evolution and fantasy, shaping worlds that feel ecologically alive and rigorously real. Whether grounded in character or built from the strange and fantastical, his work is always anchored in the deeply human. Shashvath's work spans narrative short films, pilots, and spec projects, with a particular commitment to practical filmmaking collaborating closely with SFX and makeup artists to bring tangible, tactile worlds to life on screen. He has directed established talent such as Creed Bratton, and his background in improv and his experience hosting a talk show have sharpened his instinct for performance and the unexpected. He began his creative life as an actor before finding his full passion behind the camera, and that performer's eye remains central to how he works with talent and crafts character.
IG - @shashswebcam
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Samantha Jochum (Producer) Samantha Jochum is a producer and post production manager based in Orange County. She is currently completing her BFA in Creative Producing at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where she has built a hands-on producing practice across narrative short film, music video, and commercial production. In addition to her freelance work, Samantha serves as a Producer and Post Production Manager at Portal Productions, where she manages projects from development through delivery. Her experience spans crew logistics, production coordination, casting, budgeting, and post production oversight, giving her a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to move a project from the page to the screen. Samantha is passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices and bringing complex productions to life. She has hands-on experience producing projects involving stunts, weapons, vehicles, and minors, navigating the logistical and safety demands those elements require while keeping the creative vision intact.
IG - @sam.m.jochum
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Mikayla Ashe (Producer) Mikayla Ashe is a Chinese-born, Miami-raised filmmaker based in Los Angeles. As an adoptee, her work is shaped by questions of identity, belonging, and resilience. With a background as a competitive martial artist and CrossFit athlete turned personal trainer, she brings over 17 years of experience into her work as a director and stunt coordinator, approaching action as both storytelling and psychology. She is the founder of Fight Like a Girl, Inc., a nonprofit focused on women’s self-defense and combating anti-Asian hate, and is the first approved female stunt coordinator on USC’s Physical Production list. Her experience spans 21 Laps, 87North, CAPE, and Warner Bros./Cartoon Network, along with collaborations with artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, LISA, and DJ Snake, and companies including Apple TV and Zach King. Trained by world-class stunt performers and martial artists whose work includes Everything Everywhere All at Once and Avatar, Mikayla brings a high level of technical precision to her work. Her films have appeared and won at festivals such as Diversity in Cannes, Toronto International Film Festival, Burbank International Film Festival, National Film Festival for Talented Youth, and more. She is drawn to stories about connection, belonging, and chosen family, while crafting high-concept action where emotion and movement are inseparable.
IG - @mikaylaashe
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Edward Huang (Associate Producer) Edward Huang is a Chinese and Filipino filmmaker from the Bay Area. He recently graduated from USC, where he studied journalism and film, with a focus on Asian historical narratives. He has worked in newsrooms and is currently working in creative operations for the global business pitch competition Meet the Drapers. Edward is passionate about finding humor and joy in everyday moments and is hyped to be part of this project.
IG - @edwardmhuang
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Isabella Crovetti (Associate Producer, "Jules") Isabella Crovetti began acting in 2010, growing up immersed in the film and television industry. She quickly signed with the Osbrink Talent Agency and began booking commercials, voice-over work, and television roles. She landed early success with a starring role in the FOX pilot Family Album, directed by Shawn Levy, and her first TV film Possessing Piper Rose opposite Rebecca Romijn. She went on to appear in series such as CSI, Jessie, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Scorpion. Isabella later starred in Colony and voiced the lead in Nickelodeon's Shimmer and Shine. She portrayed a young Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, working alongside Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper, and appeared in Disney's Magic Camp with Adam Devine. She is also the lead voice of Disney's Vampirina.
IG - @isabellacrovetti
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Bien Bagui (Associate Producer) Bien Bagui is a Tokyo/Los Angeles based, Filipino filmmaker who recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.F.A. in Film and Television Production. As a passionate visual storyteller, he is dedicated to honing his craft through directing, producing, distribution and development, with a focus on emotionally resonant and psychologically complex narratives. With a growing body of work in the narrative, commercial, and music video space that reflects a bold and thoughtful cinematic voice, he is driven by a desire to create films that both challenge and connect with audiences on a profound level.
IG - @biencz.b
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Jiayang Liu (Associate Producer) Jiayang Liu is a Chinese-American director/producer driven by real, sentimental narratives and bold, poetic moving images. Over the years, he has directed and produced over 60 short narrative and documentary films, many of which have won awards and screened at Academy Award®-qualifying festivals. His latest film Teenhood world premiered and won Best Wyoming film at the Wyoming International Film Festival and won Best USA film at the 307 International Film Festival. His commercial work include clients like Lamborghini, GMC, Toyota, and USC. A graduate from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, he is currently building Goldhour - a creative studio aimed to champion the next generation of bold, original stories and storytellers. Through Goldhour, his YouTube channel and his film career podcast, First Act Break, he continues to cultivate and mentor a growing community of modern storytellers.
IG - @jiayangliu_
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Gabriel Studer-Randall (Cinematographer) Gabriel Studer-Randall is a documentary filmmaker and photographer from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is inspired by character-driven stories that offer uncommon perspectives on contemporary social issues. Gabriel has worked on commercial projects for brands including Readyland, Amazon, and Chevron. He is currently about to graduate with a major in film production at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts.
IG - @gabriel_studer
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Joyce Hong (Production Designer) Joyce Hong is a Chinese-Tibetan stage and film designer who will soon graduate from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. She is a storyteller whose artistry is rooted in culture and identity, and she is passionate about creating counter-narrative projects. Trained as a fine art & mixed media artist for over a decade, she enjoys creating immersive spaces. She is excited to be back working on film sets and looks forward to this production!
IG - @joycehon.g_
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Sofia Stewart (Graphic Designer) Sofia Stewart is a graphic designer and artist from Orange County. She's currently attending Cal State Fullerton, where she's a double major in Graphic Design and Film. When not in class, she works at her school's TV station, interns at the Frida Cinema, and does freelance work for student filmmakers. She's excited about being part of the process, helping craft the visual identity of both the Instagram and the film.
IG - @sofiasansserif
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Cayci Jean (Hair & Makeup) Cayci Jean is a dedicated Special Effects Makeup Artist who moved to Los Angeles to attend Cinema Makeup School and begin doing makeup in the film industry. A big theater kid growing up who began SFX Makeup at a very early age, she spent nine years working in a highly rated haunted house acting and practicing makeup. She developed her love for transformative makeup, disguise/character development, and the art of creating an illusion with the face/body that can deceive even those staring right at it. Cayci is extremely excited to be a part of this project where she gets to collaborate with other talented artists to create a film of wicked characters and amazing practical effects!
IG - @caycijean
Jiayun Zhang (Costume Designer) is a Chinese-Canadian filmmaker studying Screenwriting at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Her work examines AAPI identity, coming-of-age, and womanhood through an intersectional lens, earning recognition from the Austin Film Festival and HollyShorts Film Festival. As a stylist and costume designer, she has worked with NEIWAI, Quirk LA, Enzomnia Magazine, and a range of independent theatre and film productions. She loves using style to reveal story, and is thrilled to bring the distinctive designs of Neon Hearts to life!
IG - @jiayun_zh
Micangelo Ferrante (Composer) is a 23-year-old, Emmy-winning film composer and producer based in Los Angeles. He has scored campaigns for the NFL, NBA, NHL, Faze Clan, Amazon, NCAA, WNBA and for over 50 narrative short films - most recently for Rhys and Zane Zemeckis. Mic’s unique style blends cinematic grandeur, retro hip-hop, jazz, and lush orchestral textures. His orchestral work has been recorded by musicians and orchestras worldwide, from Los Angeles to Budapest, North Macedonia, England, Vietnam, and Indonesia. His cinematic remixes of songs by Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Yeat, Gunna, Denzel Curry, and Fast Life Yungstaz have been played in stadium Jumbotrons across the country and have amounted tens of millions of views across major sports organizations’ social media platforms.
Mic is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.M. in Classical Composition (2024) and an alumnus of the LA Philharmonic Composer Fellowship Program. He was a mentee of legendary film composer Thomas Newman and A&R Executive John Ehmann through the USC Dean’s Circle Mentorship Program. He is a 2025 Los Angeles Emmy winner for his work on the “Arrival of the Trojans” USC Football hype video. He is a recipient of the 2021 BMI Student Composer Awards and the Carlos Surinach Prize.
IG - @mic_ferrante_music
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Kevin Coutu (Concept Artist) is a concept Artist with 6+ years of experience across film, television, and gaming, supported by 10+ years in art and creative direction. Proven ability balancing blue-sky exploration with time-sensitive execution, providing actionable feedback, and delivering consistent, high-quality work across medium and style, skilled in illustration, painting, and rendering, with a focus on composition, color theory, and visual storytelling.
IG - @kevin_coutu
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Benny Benson drifts through a repetitive, numbing existence. He wakes up in his small apartment, masturbates, and stares at a “Gargie Doll” poster above his bed that reads, “One day at a time,” while a leak in the ceiling drips onto his face. Everything feels mechanical, empty.
He attempts to take his life on his rooftop that morning, but is abruptly interrupted by a man from the neighboring building urinating off the edge, an absurd disruption that pulls him back.
At school, his attempt to reach out is dismissed by his teacher, reinforcing his sense of isolation. He moves through the city, where indifference from people quickly turns hostile. On his way to work at a factory producing “Gargie Dolls,” he narrowly avoids danger in a crowded metro before wandering into a part of the city filled with homelessness, drugs, and violence. Strangely, within the chaos, he feels a fleeting sense of calm.
At the factory, surrounded by identical dolls and the relentless slam of hydraulic presses, his thoughts darken. The machinery becomes hypnotic, an easy way out. That night, back home, a Gargie Doll glitches beside him, repeating “I love you” over and over until it breaks…and so does he.
Suddenly, the ceiling collapses. The people above him crash through mid-sex, along with water and debris. Shaken, Benny returns to the rooftop. It's now night. The city finally quiets. He’s ready.
Milliseconds before jumping, he hears a scuffle. Jules, another teenager on the edge, stands nearby, about to do the same. Their interaction is awkward, chaotic, and unexpected.
In that brief exchange, something shifts. Jules storms away. Benny stays, looking out at the city, unchanged, yet somehow different.
So...why are we doing all of this?
Well...
The world feels increasingly overwhelming.
Rising loneliness, depression, and disconnection among young people.
Constant exposure to crisis: war, economic instability, homelessness, violence.
Technology is accelerating faster than our ability to process it.
This generation is emotionally exhausted.
Disillusionment, apathy, and fear/anxiety of the future are at an all-time high.
Many feel isolated, unseen, and unsure/pessimistic about whether things will get better.
We are living in a quiet, modern dystopia.
Algorithms shape our attention, identity, and relationships.
Billionaires race toward the future while everyday people are left behind.
Reality begins to resemble the cyberpunk worlds we once saw as fiction.
But this story isn’t about despair, it’s about resistance.
A reminder that human connection still exists, even in our darkest moments.
That hope isn’t gone, it’s just harder to see, and it comes from within us.
That even in a system that feels overwhelming, small, real moments still.
Ok, so you've heard why this story matters.
But a story about loneliness, hope, and human connection deserves filmmakers who genuinely care about what it's trying to say.
So before we ask you to trust "Neon Hearts", let us tell you why we're making it.
We wrote Neon Hearts during one of the darkest times in our lives.
when we felt lost, numb, and disconnected from everything around us…
And somehow, both the process of writing this film together and the actual script itself became the thing that pulled us back.
Every time we slipped, we returned to Neon Hearts:
To the character, to the music, to the world we built,
and it reminded us that something still mattered.
To us, filmmaking is reaching into the void,
hoping someone out there feels what you feel...
And in Neon Hearts, we found proof that connection and hope were possible.
That even in the darkness, something can reach back.
This isn’t just a story we want to tell,
It’s one that saved us.
And we hope it can do the same for someone else.
So, who are these characters?
*Note actors depicted are examples of type and not representative of the actual cast*
Who are the people crazy enough to spend years behind it all?
Meet the incredible team bringing "Neon Hearts" to life below, and visit our Team page to learn more about each member of the production!
So...what's the vibe?
"Neon Hearts" is intimate, raw, and emotionally unfiltered, blending grounded vulnerability with moments of surreal, dark humor. It embraces tonal shifts, balancing quiet sincerity with chaotic, unpredictable energy. The romance is treated with honesty, capturing the messiness of growing up and needing someone.
A dark, grungy, neon-lit, high-tension atmosphere where the world feels loud, unstable, and constantly closing in. Beneath that pressure, moments of connection feel special, quiet, and almost suspended in time. It’s electric and overwhelming, with brief pockets of warmth that feel fragile and fleeting.
It's a Dark Dramaedy, Suicide Meet Cute
Cool! How's it gonna look?
Chaotic intimacy meets quiet existential beauty.
Sounds great, but where is my money actually going?
Your contribution goes directly toward the making of "Neon Hearts", helping fund everything from production and equipment to locations, post-production, music, visual effects, and distribution. Every dollar helps us tell this story at the highest level possible.
How You Become Part of the Story:
Every independent film begins with a group of people willing to take a chance on a story. By backing Neon Hearts, you become one of those people. Your support helps transform an idea into reality, and along the way, you'll gain access to exclusive updates, special rewards, and opportunities to be recognized as part of the team that helped bring the film to life.
All of our love, <3
Neon Hearts Team
Can't contribute right now? You can still play a meaningful role in helping us bring this film to life!
Share our Seed&Spark.
Follow our Seed&Spark campaign page.
Follow us on Instagram.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cinematography
Costs $4,000
Professional camera, lens, and lighting equipment will help us create the cinematic look and atmosphere Neon Hearts deserves.
Locations
Costs $12,500
Securing the right locations will help us create a believable world and provide the foundation for every scene.
Insurance
Costs $1,500
Production insurance protects our cast, crew, equipment, and locations, ensuring a safe and professional shoot.
Set Operations
Costs $3,500
Set operations help cover catering, craft services, supplies, and logistics, keeping our cast and crew fueled throughout production.
Post Production
Costs $10,000
Your support helps fund the editing, sound, music, color, and ambitious visual effects needed to fully realize our vision.
Transportation
Costs $2,500
Transportation helps cover vehicles, fuel, parking, and equipment transport, ensuring our cast, crew, and gear arrive where they need to be.
Costumes
Costs $1,500
Costumes are essential to creating the futuristic aesthetic of Neon Hearts, helping build a believable and lived-in world.
Production Design
Costs $5,000
Production design helps transform real locations into the rich, neon-soaked world of Neon Hearts.
Production Sound
Costs $1,000
Great sound is essential to great storytelling. These funds help us capture clean, professional audio.
Hair & Makeup
Costs $4,000
HMU supports character development and worldbuilding through makeup, hairstyling, and special effects.
Cast
Costs $3,000
A great cast is the heart of any film. Their performances turn words on a page into living characters.
Festivals and Distribution
Costs $1,500
Festival submissions, marketing, and distribution help bring Neon Hearts beyond the screen and into the world.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
"Neon Hearts" is helmed by a diverse group of filmmakers from USC, UCLA, Chapman University, and Cal State Fullerton, with collective experience spanning independent film, commercial production, documentary, VFX, and post-production. Our team has collaborated with studios and platforms, including Warner Bros., Netflix, Apple TV, and Nickelodeon, and has worked alongside established talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Alexander Guo (Director, "Benny Benson") Alexander Guo is a Chinese American filmmaker and actor based in Los Angeles. With a background in sketch comedy, his work blends awkward humor and sharp wit with grounded sincerity, often living between comedy and drama. As a storyteller, he is drawn to deeply human moments within larger-than-life worlds. Whether set in the past, a cyberpunk city, or a fantastical world, his work centers on emotional truths that ground spectacle in something real. His goal is to tell intimate stories on a cinematic scale, where the epic and the human are inseparable. Alexander's work spans independent short films, national commercials, and VFX projects, including collaborations with Warner Bros., Netflix, and creators like Zach King. His VFX work has appeared at festivals such as the National Film Festival for Talented Youth and on platforms like ALTER, and he has directed established talent such as Creed Bratton. He has acted in numerous short films and national commercials, and is represented by the Daniel Hoff Agency. Outside of filmmaking, he trains at the gym and previously competed in boxing for the University of Southern California. He is currently leading his first independent feature film.
IG - @alextheguo
Shashvath Rethinam (Director) Shashvath Rethinam is an Indian American filmmaker based in Orange, California, currently studying directing at Chapman University's Dodge School of Film and Media Arts. With a background in computer science and engineering, and roots in acting and improv, his work blends sharp comedic instinct with deeply character-driven storytelling, often living in the space where dark humor meets genuine emotional weight. As a storyteller, he is drawn to the intersection of the natural world and the imagined one. A lifelong passion for biology and the environment feeds directly into his love of speculative evolution and fantasy, shaping worlds that feel ecologically alive and rigorously real. Whether grounded in character or built from the strange and fantastical, his work is always anchored in the deeply human. Shashvath's work spans narrative short films, pilots, and spec projects, with a particular commitment to practical filmmaking collaborating closely with SFX and makeup artists to bring tangible, tactile worlds to life on screen. He has directed established talent such as Creed Bratton, and his background in improv and his experience hosting a talk show have sharpened his instinct for performance and the unexpected. He began his creative life as an actor before finding his full passion behind the camera, and that performer's eye remains central to how he works with talent and crafts character.
IG - @shashswebcam
Samantha Jochum (Producer) Samantha Jochum is a producer and post production manager based in Orange County. She is currently completing her BFA in Creative Producing at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where she has built a hands-on producing practice across narrative short film, music video, and commercial production. In addition to her freelance work, Samantha serves as a Producer and Post Production Manager at Portal Productions, where she manages projects from development through delivery. Her experience spans crew logistics, production coordination, casting, budgeting, and post production oversight, giving her a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to move a project from the page to the screen. Samantha is passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices and bringing complex productions to life. She has hands-on experience producing projects involving stunts, weapons, vehicles, and minors, navigating the logistical and safety demands those elements require while keeping the creative vision intact.
IG - @sam.m.jochum
Mikayla Ashe (Producer) Mikayla Ashe is a Chinese-born, Miami-raised filmmaker based in Los Angeles. As an adoptee, her work is shaped by questions of identity, belonging, and resilience. With a background as a competitive martial artist and CrossFit athlete turned personal trainer, she brings over 17 years of experience into her work as a director and stunt coordinator, approaching action as both storytelling and psychology. She is the founder of Fight Like a Girl, Inc., a nonprofit focused on women’s self-defense and combating anti-Asian hate, and is the first approved female stunt coordinator on USC’s Physical Production list. Her experience spans 21 Laps, 87North, CAPE, and Warner Bros./Cartoon Network, along with collaborations with artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, LISA, and DJ Snake, and companies including Apple TV and Zach King. Trained by world-class stunt performers and martial artists whose work includes Everything Everywhere All at Once and Avatar, Mikayla brings a high level of technical precision to her work. Her films have appeared and won at festivals such as Diversity in Cannes, Toronto International Film Festival, Burbank International Film Festival, National Film Festival for Talented Youth, and more. She is drawn to stories about connection, belonging, and chosen family, while crafting high-concept action where emotion and movement are inseparable.
IG - @mikaylaashe
Edward Huang (Associate Producer) Edward Huang is a Chinese and Filipino filmmaker from the Bay Area. He recently graduated from USC, where he studied journalism and film, with a focus on Asian historical narratives. He has worked in newsrooms and is currently working in creative operations for the global business pitch competition Meet the Drapers. Edward is passionate about finding humor and joy in everyday moments and is hyped to be part of this project.
IG - @edwardmhuang
Isabella Crovetti (Associate Producer, "Jules") Isabella Crovetti began acting in 2010, growing up immersed in the film and television industry. She quickly signed with the Osbrink Talent Agency and began booking commercials, voice-over work, and television roles. She landed early success with a starring role in the FOX pilot Family Album, directed by Shawn Levy, and her first TV film Possessing Piper Rose opposite Rebecca Romijn. She went on to appear in series such as CSI, Jessie, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Scorpion. Isabella later starred in Colony and voiced the lead in Nickelodeon's Shimmer and Shine. She portrayed a young Jennifer Lawrence in Joy, working alongside Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper, and appeared in Disney's Magic Camp with Adam Devine. She is also the lead voice of Disney's Vampirina.
IG - @isabellacrovetti
Bien Bagui (Associate Producer) Bien Bagui is a Tokyo/Los Angeles based, Filipino filmmaker who recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.F.A. in Film and Television Production. As a passionate visual storyteller, he is dedicated to honing his craft through directing, producing, distribution and development, with a focus on emotionally resonant and psychologically complex narratives. With a growing body of work in the narrative, commercial, and music video space that reflects a bold and thoughtful cinematic voice, he is driven by a desire to create films that both challenge and connect with audiences on a profound level.
IG - @biencz.b
Jiayang Liu (Associate Producer) Jiayang Liu is a Chinese-American director/producer driven by real, sentimental narratives and bold, poetic moving images. Over the years, he has directed and produced over 60 short narrative and documentary films, many of which have won awards and screened at Academy Award®-qualifying festivals. His latest film Teenhood world premiered and won Best Wyoming film at the Wyoming International Film Festival and won Best USA film at the 307 International Film Festival. His commercial work include clients like Lamborghini, GMC, Toyota, and USC. A graduate from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, he is currently building Goldhour - a creative studio aimed to champion the next generation of bold, original stories and storytellers. Through Goldhour, his YouTube channel and his film career podcast, First Act Break, he continues to cultivate and mentor a growing community of modern storytellers.
IG - @jiayangliu_
Gabriel Studer-Randall (Cinematographer) Gabriel Studer-Randall is a documentary filmmaker and photographer from the San Francisco Bay Area. He is inspired by character-driven stories that offer uncommon perspectives on contemporary social issues. Gabriel has worked on commercial projects for brands including Readyland, Amazon, and Chevron. He is currently about to graduate with a major in film production at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts.
IG - @gabriel_studer
Joyce Hong (Production Designer) Joyce Hong is a Chinese-Tibetan stage and film designer who will soon graduate from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. She is a storyteller whose artistry is rooted in culture and identity, and she is passionate about creating counter-narrative projects. Trained as a fine art & mixed media artist for over a decade, she enjoys creating immersive spaces. She is excited to be back working on film sets and looks forward to this production!
IG - @joycehon.g_
Sofia Stewart (Graphic Designer) Sofia Stewart is a graphic designer and artist from Orange County. She's currently attending Cal State Fullerton, where she's a double major in Graphic Design and Film. When not in class, she works at her school's TV station, interns at the Frida Cinema, and does freelance work for student filmmakers. She's excited about being part of the process, helping craft the visual identity of both the Instagram and the film.
IG - @sofiasansserif
Cayci Jean (Hair & Makeup) Cayci Jean is a dedicated Special Effects Makeup Artist who moved to Los Angeles to attend Cinema Makeup School and begin doing makeup in the film industry. A big theater kid growing up who began SFX Makeup at a very early age, she spent nine years working in a highly rated haunted house acting and practicing makeup. She developed her love for transformative makeup, disguise/character development, and the art of creating an illusion with the face/body that can deceive even those staring right at it. Cayci is extremely excited to be a part of this project where she gets to collaborate with other talented artists to create a film of wicked characters and amazing practical effects!
IG - @caycijean
Jiayun Zhang (Costume Designer) is a Chinese-Canadian filmmaker studying Screenwriting at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Her work examines AAPI identity, coming-of-age, and womanhood through an intersectional lens, earning recognition from the Austin Film Festival and HollyShorts Film Festival. As a stylist and costume designer, she has worked with NEIWAI, Quirk LA, Enzomnia Magazine, and a range of independent theatre and film productions. She loves using style to reveal story, and is thrilled to bring the distinctive designs of Neon Hearts to life!
IG - @jiayun_zh
Micangelo Ferrante (Composer) is a 23-year-old, Emmy-winning film composer and producer based in Los Angeles. He has scored campaigns for the NFL, NBA, NHL, Faze Clan, Amazon, NCAA, WNBA and for over 50 narrative short films - most recently for Rhys and Zane Zemeckis. Mic’s unique style blends cinematic grandeur, retro hip-hop, jazz, and lush orchestral textures. His orchestral work has been recorded by musicians and orchestras worldwide, from Los Angeles to Budapest, North Macedonia, England, Vietnam, and Indonesia. His cinematic remixes of songs by Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Yeat, Gunna, Denzel Curry, and Fast Life Yungstaz have been played in stadium Jumbotrons across the country and have amounted tens of millions of views across major sports organizations’ social media platforms.
Mic is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.M. in Classical Composition (2024) and an alumnus of the LA Philharmonic Composer Fellowship Program. He was a mentee of legendary film composer Thomas Newman and A&R Executive John Ehmann through the USC Dean’s Circle Mentorship Program. He is a 2025 Los Angeles Emmy winner for his work on the “Arrival of the Trojans” USC Football hype video. He is a recipient of the 2021 BMI Student Composer Awards and the Carlos Surinach Prize.
IG - @mic_ferrante_music
Kevin Coutu (Concept Artist) is a concept Artist with 6+ years of experience across film, television, and gaming, supported by 10+ years in art and creative direction. Proven ability balancing blue-sky exploration with time-sensitive execution, providing actionable feedback, and delivering consistent, high-quality work across medium and style, skilled in illustration, painting, and rendering, with a focus on composition, color theory, and visual storytelling.
IG - @kevin_coutu