Not A Cliche
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Comedy, Horror
A group of friends are home enjoying a night of horror movies. Suddenly, they get a mysterious call. IT'S A KILLER! The friend group decides to split up and secure the house. Will they have what it takes to beat cliches and make it out alive?
Not A Cliche
Chicago, Illinois | Film Short
Comedy, Horror
1 Campaigns | Illinois, United States
3 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$225
Goal: $4,000 for pre-production
A group of friends are home enjoying a night of horror movies. Suddenly, they get a mysterious call. IT'S A KILLER! The friend group decides to split up and secure the house. Will they have what it takes to beat cliches and make it out alive?
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Do you like scary movies? How about comedic-slasher-mockumentaries?
You ever wanted what horror movie cliche you are? How about if you had what it takes to make it to the end of the movie?
In a world of historic horror movie cliches, we bring to you a film that turns them on their head. The dumb blond? The jock? The Mexican gangster? The Black character that dies first? What will these characters do when faced with a masked killer. Run? Hide? Fight?
Not a Cliché is a horror comedy/mockumentary highlighting themes of social norms, ridicule of society, dark comedy, and the never-ending need to not be a cliche. The friend group’s dynamic is similar to that of any of the Scary Movies and the ridicule of society echoes that of The Starving Games.
A group of friends are home enjoying a night of horror movies. All they want is to enjoy a night in
when they suddenly get a mysterious call. IT'S A KILLER! After a second call, it finally sinks in for the friends that they may be in more trouble than they are prepared to handle.
The friend group decides to split up and secure the house. Front door? Locked. Back door? Locked. Bedroom window? Opened. The Killer hunts the friends down one by one, leading to a full-on fight turned waltz. Darnell runs and hides in a closet before the killer can get him. He falls asleep and wakes the next morning. Since the sun is out, he assumes he is safe and goes to the door. But as we all know, the sunrise doesn't mean the movie's over.
Not a Cliché is different from other horror comedies because it includes a serious message reflected in an easy-to-digest way. We are more than short and sweet clichés that outweigh our individual experiences. It features talking heads that allow for a more personal connection to the characters. We pride ourselves in displaying a wide variety of clichés for many to enjoy.
Our casting is diverse, providing representation for different races and ethnicities. This film is doing something not often done; it is providing accurate representation by showing the stereotypes that films typically portray.
Help us create a world where these four friends break the status quo.
“This film is an exploration of social norms/clichés. Since we are born,
there are certain guidelines or 'expectations' placed upon us by society.
This film explores those 'expectations' in a comedic way, leaving the
viewer to reflect on what 'expectations' were placed upon them.
It also serves as a reminder not to feed into them and
to live your life the way you want to live it.”
–Esmeralda Garcia Mejia,
Writer-Director
Not a Cliché features bright, saturated colors to represent the unseriousness of the clichés placed on the characters. This palette reflects the interpretation of the clichés and reinforces the message of not following them.
They say the best way to get over something is to find humor in it. What better way to do such a thing than to visionally show an audience? Our visuals will juxtapose the looping threat that faces the four friends, Darnel, Elena, Amanda, and Chad.
The film uses fast camera movements and talking heads to create a voice within the characters and their clichés. It's no fun when you have to reason why a character takes a certain action. It goes beyond an unseen narrator looming over the narrative, our choice for talking heads provide the private, hidden thought most characters neglect to share.
At its core, Not a Cliché holds a strong message about stereotypes (cliches) and the consequences it can have if you follow them.
This film is for anyone who has ever had stereotypes placed upon them. While it has a comedic tone, the conversation has sensitive topics of giving into the notion of being the “violent one” or the “dumb blonde”.
With your help, we can reach as many people as possible and remind them to not believe the cliché they see and to not feed into them.
Not a Cliché is for anyone who is wanting to watch a fun comedic horror film that addresses societal issues. Primarily ages 18-34, it attracts film enthusiasts and anyone who wants to feel represented!
We plan on entering this film into local festivals and screenings with horror/comedy genres, as well as a handful of larger scale festivals with a wider range for submissions.
All contributions will greatly support bringing this vision to life, including securing locations, securing equipment, and craft services for our cast and crew.
Why do we need to raise $4K on Seed&Spark to make this short film? Because we have an incredible story that needs a good-sized budget to come to life! We have to secure a location, gear rentals, crafty and catering for our cast and crew, and detailed production design, including creating our very own Killer mask. You didn't think our Killer was Ghostface, did you? The costs of making a kick-ass horror-comedy add up quickly. We want to do right by our team!
$5,000 - Improved Gear Rentals
$6,000 - Post-Production Costs Covered
$7,000 - PR, Festival, & Marketing Costs Covered
$9,000 - ALL DISTRIBUTION COSTS COVERED + COMPENSATION FOR CAST/CREW!
April - October 2026: Pre-Production
Mid July 2026: Launch our Seed&Spark campaign
Late October 2026: Complete our Seed&Spark campaign
October/November 2026: Principal Photography
November - April 2026: Post-Production
Summer/Fall 2026: Kick off our festival run!
RING RING!!! Pick Up!!!
Help us fund our film! We are currently in the pre-production phase and would love any support! Your donation with go directly to our cast and crew and the vision of this film, including meals, equipment, production design, and securing a location.
- Back our campaign! Your dollars directly go to making this film a reality.
- Follow our campaign on Seed&Spark. You'll receive updates from our team and help us unlock rewards on the Seed&Spark platform.
- Spread the word IRL and online! It helps more than you know.
How to stay updated: For updates and everything Not a Cliché follow us on Instagram at @notachiche_indie
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Secure Location
Costs $1,200
With your support, we will secure a Chicago apartment that fits the vision of our film!
Crafty& Catering
Costs $1,000
With your support, we can provide nutritious food and snacks for our cast and crew. This includes waters, energy drinks and catered food!
Equipment
Costs $800
With your support, we will be about to secure lighting and camera equipment from a local rental company for Not a Cliche to come to life!
Equipment Vehicle and Travel Expenses
Costs $500
With your support, we will have room in our budget to rest a U-Haul and reimburse our cast and crew for travel expenses!
Production Design
Costs $500
With your support, we can deliver detailed production design to visually grow our story including making our own Killer mask!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Meet our team!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Do you like scary movies? How about comedic-slasher-mockumentaries?
You ever wanted what horror movie cliche you are? How about if you had what it takes to make it to the end of the movie?
In a world of historic horror movie cliches, we bring to you a film that turns them on their head. The dumb blond? The jock? The Mexican gangster? The Black character that dies first? What will these characters do when faced with a masked killer. Run? Hide? Fight?
Not a Cliché is a horror comedy/mockumentary highlighting themes of social norms, ridicule of society, dark comedy, and the never-ending need to not be a cliche. The friend group’s dynamic is similar to that of any of the Scary Movies and the ridicule of society echoes that of The Starving Games.
A group of friends are home enjoying a night of horror movies. All they want is to enjoy a night in
when they suddenly get a mysterious call. IT'S A KILLER! After a second call, it finally sinks in for the friends that they may be in more trouble than they are prepared to handle.
The friend group decides to split up and secure the house. Front door? Locked. Back door? Locked. Bedroom window? Opened. The Killer hunts the friends down one by one, leading to a full-on fight turned waltz. Darnell runs and hides in a closet before the killer can get him. He falls asleep and wakes the next morning. Since the sun is out, he assumes he is safe and goes to the door. But as we all know, the sunrise doesn't mean the movie's over.
Not a Cliché is different from other horror comedies because it includes a serious message reflected in an easy-to-digest way. We are more than short and sweet clichés that outweigh our individual experiences. It features talking heads that allow for a more personal connection to the characters. We pride ourselves in displaying a wide variety of clichés for many to enjoy.
Our casting is diverse, providing representation for different races and ethnicities. This film is doing something not often done; it is providing accurate representation by showing the stereotypes that films typically portray.
Help us create a world where these four friends break the status quo.
“This film is an exploration of social norms/clichés. Since we are born,
there are certain guidelines or 'expectations' placed upon us by society.
This film explores those 'expectations' in a comedic way, leaving the
viewer to reflect on what 'expectations' were placed upon them.
It also serves as a reminder not to feed into them and
to live your life the way you want to live it.”
–Esmeralda Garcia Mejia,
Writer-Director
Not a Cliché features bright, saturated colors to represent the unseriousness of the clichés placed on the characters. This palette reflects the interpretation of the clichés and reinforces the message of not following them.
They say the best way to get over something is to find humor in it. What better way to do such a thing than to visionally show an audience? Our visuals will juxtapose the looping threat that faces the four friends, Darnel, Elena, Amanda, and Chad.
The film uses fast camera movements and talking heads to create a voice within the characters and their clichés. It's no fun when you have to reason why a character takes a certain action. It goes beyond an unseen narrator looming over the narrative, our choice for talking heads provide the private, hidden thought most characters neglect to share.
At its core, Not a Cliché holds a strong message about stereotypes (cliches) and the consequences it can have if you follow them.
This film is for anyone who has ever had stereotypes placed upon them. While it has a comedic tone, the conversation has sensitive topics of giving into the notion of being the “violent one” or the “dumb blonde”.
With your help, we can reach as many people as possible and remind them to not believe the cliché they see and to not feed into them.
Not a Cliché is for anyone who is wanting to watch a fun comedic horror film that addresses societal issues. Primarily ages 18-34, it attracts film enthusiasts and anyone who wants to feel represented!
We plan on entering this film into local festivals and screenings with horror/comedy genres, as well as a handful of larger scale festivals with a wider range for submissions.
All contributions will greatly support bringing this vision to life, including securing locations, securing equipment, and craft services for our cast and crew.
Why do we need to raise $4K on Seed&Spark to make this short film? Because we have an incredible story that needs a good-sized budget to come to life! We have to secure a location, gear rentals, crafty and catering for our cast and crew, and detailed production design, including creating our very own Killer mask. You didn't think our Killer was Ghostface, did you? The costs of making a kick-ass horror-comedy add up quickly. We want to do right by our team!
$5,000 - Improved Gear Rentals
$6,000 - Post-Production Costs Covered
$7,000 - PR, Festival, & Marketing Costs Covered
$9,000 - ALL DISTRIBUTION COSTS COVERED + COMPENSATION FOR CAST/CREW!
April - October 2026: Pre-Production
Mid July 2026: Launch our Seed&Spark campaign
Late October 2026: Complete our Seed&Spark campaign
October/November 2026: Principal Photography
November - April 2026: Post-Production
Summer/Fall 2026: Kick off our festival run!
RING RING!!! Pick Up!!!
Help us fund our film! We are currently in the pre-production phase and would love any support! Your donation with go directly to our cast and crew and the vision of this film, including meals, equipment, production design, and securing a location.
- Back our campaign! Your dollars directly go to making this film a reality.
- Follow our campaign on Seed&Spark. You'll receive updates from our team and help us unlock rewards on the Seed&Spark platform.
- Spread the word IRL and online! It helps more than you know.
How to stay updated: For updates and everything Not a Cliché follow us on Instagram at @notachiche_indie
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Secure Location
Costs $1,200
With your support, we will secure a Chicago apartment that fits the vision of our film!
Crafty& Catering
Costs $1,000
With your support, we can provide nutritious food and snacks for our cast and crew. This includes waters, energy drinks and catered food!
Equipment
Costs $800
With your support, we will be about to secure lighting and camera equipment from a local rental company for Not a Cliche to come to life!
Equipment Vehicle and Travel Expenses
Costs $500
With your support, we will have room in our budget to rest a U-Haul and reimburse our cast and crew for travel expenses!
Production Design
Costs $500
With your support, we can deliver detailed production design to visually grow our story including making our own Killer mask!
Direct link:
Share this update!