Sleuth
Las Vegas, Nevada | Film Feature
Film-Noir, Mystery
After a job goes wrong, private investigators Sarah and Devon find themselves in the midst of a web of corruption that will stop at nothing to take control of land and energy in the Nevada desert. Mystery and noir fans, this one's for you!
Sleuth
Las Vegas, Nevada | Film Feature
Film-Noir, Mystery
1 Campaigns | Nevada, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $6,143 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
35 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
After a job goes wrong, private investigators Sarah and Devon find themselves in the midst of a web of corruption that will stop at nothing to take control of land and energy in the Nevada desert. Mystery and noir fans, this one's for you!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A love note to Las Vegas and film noir, "Sleuth" brings forth a modern story of intrigue, seduction, and corruption in the beautiful city of Las Vegas.
The film opens with Sarah and Devon - private investigators closing up a case to help a blackmailed client, when they are hired to look into a man suspected of infidelity. As the trail takes them from the city and into the desert, they unveil a dangerous land-theft scheme disguised as greenwashed energy projects.
Las Vegas has been my home for decades, and I want to show the beauty of the city and the desert beyond the resorts and lights. Fate will have it as our home is currently in a key moment to preserve its nature, mind its natural resources, and rethink its infrastructure. Which fits perfectly in the setting of the film, and as the next stepping stone in the film career.
The past four years have been a learning journey as my team and I have worked in many award winning short films that continue their film festival run. All of these stories share unique perspectives in established genres to show the richness in diversity of cast, story, and lifestyles with a message full of hope and perseverance. Sleuth will be no different as we will have a queer story led by women and people of color in front and behind the camera.
Films shown in image from left to right: "Moe" (2022), "Decision" (2023), "Ocean Blue" (2024).
The story skeleton of the film is based on known story points and tropes seen in classics across the genre, such as "The Maltese Falcon", "Casablanca", and "Devil in a Blue Dress" to name a few. The visuals will pay homage to some of these films, as well as take inspiration to showcase Vegas and the beautiful Nevada desert from more modern pieces like "El Camino" (2019).
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Films referenced in image: "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), "Casablanca" (1942), "Devil in a Blue Dress" (1995), "El Camino" (2019).
Sample shots from our previous films that fit within the genre:
"Decision" (2023) had both an office and car scene which portrayed the crisis that Ramon was facing in the story. Limited and natural light sources helped us convey the emotions throughout the narrative.
.png)
In "Ocean Blue" (2024) we worked on keeping lighting and wardrobe around a cool vibe to match the beach shots, and the candles and golden hour to help further the romantic theme of the story.
We are committed to bring you along the adventure as this film gets made, and you will have access to the behind the scenes of the filmmaking process in the weeks leading up to filming and post production. We're also committed on a project that is both environmentally safe, and artistically ethical. Thus any scenes filmed out in nature will be done so in established roads with minimal impact to surroundings; and we believe in human-led artistry, so we will not be using generative AI tools at any stage.
To bring this story to life our money situation includes self funding, and investment. Our total minimum budget is $15,000 of which we have already raised $7,000, and we need to get to at least $7,500 via this campaign to cover the remaining filming costs. We want to pass this to reach $11,000 to provide raises for the team, and boost our post production costs. Here's a breakdown:
.png)
And here's a graph for the expanded visual. With an extra $3,500 more, we can get further ahead by providing raises across the board for talent and crew, and further our post production costs for colorist and re-recording mixer
NOTE: Thank you for reading! All of your support, follows, and shares will help us get closer to have a film delivered by Q2 2026
Banners and drawings in this campaign made by @sckbounty
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Meals and supplies
Costs $1,500
Bring some joy to our team on set, and pledge for our meals and supplies!
Crew
Costs $3,000
Pledge to ensure our crew is paid for their hard work that brings the story to life!
Talent
Costs $3,000
Pledge to ensure our cast gets paid for bringing our characters to life!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
To accomplish this film, we have a most expert team of folks from across our filmography and new faces to help us bring a collaboration to life:
(Photo by NBMA Photography in Arizona)
Guillermo E. Barahona C. (Co-Director/Writer/Producer): is a Las Vegas based producer, writer, director, and talent. He started out as a stagehand on the couples game show, "Lovers or Losers" growing into a producer before the end of his tenure with the program. Simultaneously, he worked in a number of roles on the talk show “The Downtown Podcast”. Guillermo knows the value of a well coordinated team to achieve results.
His work is often inspired by social issues, drawing from real life experiences. His short film “Moe” has had a long festival run and received the Audience Award at the Nevada Women’s Film Festival. A portion of that film is dedicated to a documentary interview with Guillermo’s parents where they talk about moving to the USA from El Salvador after the 2001 earthquake and amidst civil unrest after the Salvadorian civil war. Since then he has made the shorts “Decision”, and “Ocean Blue”, which are currently on the film festival circuit.
Guillermo is always eager to learn about the many roles on a production. He's also the author of "Terremoto: On Surviving the Disaster of 2001", and "Death Gamble". You can find him on instagram/bluesky at @guillbarahona
Gabriel E. Barahona C. (Co-Director/Writer/Animator): An accomplished UNLV film department graduate, Gabriel is an artist, animator, and editor who has worked alongside Guillermo in their main short film projects, and will have his directorial debut in "Sleuth". You can follow him and his art @sckbounty across all social media platforms
Emmeline Deville (Wardrobe/Locations Coordinator): An accomplished actor, and project manager in films such as "Doctor Deathface", "Nameless", and "Ocean Blue", Emmeline is a key element for any project she's recruited for. She's also a Vegas based real estate agent and can deliver on finding your dream homes as well as your dream filming location. You can find her across socials @emmeline.md
Lindsey Cruz (Key Makeup Artist/Wardrobe): a self made Film Director and Actress from African, British and Puerto Rican Descent. Now the C.E.O of HOUSE OF CRUZ PRODUCTIONS She looks forward to the 2021 release of her Thriller "KHAMELEON" Lindsey is a screen writer who loves playing strong leading female characters. Her writings and creations are colorful and inspiring with a hint of depravity and sadness. She also can fill positions in Production management, coordination, Art direction, and FX makeup. She is truly a Jackie of all trades. She hopes to continue to expand her knowledge of the industry and try new exciting things in the world of Film. You can find her across socials @lindseycruz66
Sydney Alexi Moral (Co-Writer): A nursing student by day, and intense writer by night, Sydney brings forth her writing expertise and exquisite touch for dialogue across the pages of the "Sleuth" Screenplay. This will be her first feature film and collaboration with the Barahona brothers.
Michael Keene (Cinematographer): The director of films such as the sci-fi satire "Fatal Future", one of the all time cult-hit SOV (Shot On Video) horror pieces "The Head", and the highly anticipated, and latest conjuring "Doctor Deathface". His work as a cinematographer has also been invaluable in the collaborations with the Barahona brothers, being the force on camera that helped bring "Decision" and "Ocean Blue" to life.
Enessa Ossa (BTS Photographer/Videographer): An accomplished videographer and editor in southern Nevada and the American southwest, Enessa is the key person that brought the pitch video you're seeing in this campaign to life. Her work across local TV stations and other private and public clients, makes her one of the most sought after experts in her craft. She will be joining the Barahona brothers in documenting the filming journey for "Sleuth".
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
A love note to Las Vegas and film noir, "Sleuth" brings forth a modern story of intrigue, seduction, and corruption in the beautiful city of Las Vegas.
The film opens with Sarah and Devon - private investigators closing up a case to help a blackmailed client, when they are hired to look into a man suspected of infidelity. As the trail takes them from the city and into the desert, they unveil a dangerous land-theft scheme disguised as greenwashed energy projects.
Las Vegas has been my home for decades, and I want to show the beauty of the city and the desert beyond the resorts and lights. Fate will have it as our home is currently in a key moment to preserve its nature, mind its natural resources, and rethink its infrastructure. Which fits perfectly in the setting of the film, and as the next stepping stone in the film career.
The past four years have been a learning journey as my team and I have worked in many award winning short films that continue their film festival run. All of these stories share unique perspectives in established genres to show the richness in diversity of cast, story, and lifestyles with a message full of hope and perseverance. Sleuth will be no different as we will have a queer story led by women and people of color in front and behind the camera.
Films shown in image from left to right: "Moe" (2022), "Decision" (2023), "Ocean Blue" (2024).
The story skeleton of the film is based on known story points and tropes seen in classics across the genre, such as "The Maltese Falcon", "Casablanca", and "Devil in a Blue Dress" to name a few. The visuals will pay homage to some of these films, as well as take inspiration to showcase Vegas and the beautiful Nevada desert from more modern pieces like "El Camino" (2019).
Films referenced in image: "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), "Casablanca" (1942), "Devil in a Blue Dress" (1995), "El Camino" (2019).
Sample shots from our previous films that fit within the genre:
"Decision" (2023) had both an office and car scene which portrayed the crisis that Ramon was facing in the story. Limited and natural light sources helped us convey the emotions throughout the narrative.
In "Ocean Blue" (2024) we worked on keeping lighting and wardrobe around a cool vibe to match the beach shots, and the candles and golden hour to help further the romantic theme of the story.
We are committed to bring you along the adventure as this film gets made, and you will have access to the behind the scenes of the filmmaking process in the weeks leading up to filming and post production. We're also committed on a project that is both environmentally safe, and artistically ethical. Thus any scenes filmed out in nature will be done so in established roads with minimal impact to surroundings; and we believe in human-led artistry, so we will not be using generative AI tools at any stage.
To bring this story to life our money situation includes self funding, and investment. Our total minimum budget is $15,000 of which we have already raised $7,000, and we need to get to at least $7,500 via this campaign to cover the remaining filming costs. We want to pass this to reach $11,000 to provide raises for the team, and boost our post production costs. Here's a breakdown:
And here's a graph for the expanded visual. With an extra $3,500 more, we can get further ahead by providing raises across the board for talent and crew, and further our post production costs for colorist and re-recording mixer
NOTE: Thank you for reading! All of your support, follows, and shares will help us get closer to have a film delivered by Q2 2026
Banners and drawings in this campaign made by @sckbounty
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Meals and supplies
Costs $1,500
Bring some joy to our team on set, and pledge for our meals and supplies!
Crew
Costs $3,000
Pledge to ensure our crew is paid for their hard work that brings the story to life!
Talent
Costs $3,000
Pledge to ensure our cast gets paid for bringing our characters to life!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
To accomplish this film, we have a most expert team of folks from across our filmography and new faces to help us bring a collaboration to life:
(Photo by NBMA Photography in Arizona)
Guillermo E. Barahona C. (Co-Director/Writer/Producer): is a Las Vegas based producer, writer, director, and talent. He started out as a stagehand on the couples game show, "Lovers or Losers" growing into a producer before the end of his tenure with the program. Simultaneously, he worked in a number of roles on the talk show “The Downtown Podcast”. Guillermo knows the value of a well coordinated team to achieve results.
His work is often inspired by social issues, drawing from real life experiences. His short film “Moe” has had a long festival run and received the Audience Award at the Nevada Women’s Film Festival. A portion of that film is dedicated to a documentary interview with Guillermo’s parents where they talk about moving to the USA from El Salvador after the 2001 earthquake and amidst civil unrest after the Salvadorian civil war. Since then he has made the shorts “Decision”, and “Ocean Blue”, which are currently on the film festival circuit.
Guillermo is always eager to learn about the many roles on a production. He's also the author of "Terremoto: On Surviving the Disaster of 2001", and "Death Gamble". You can find him on instagram/bluesky at @guillbarahona
Gabriel E. Barahona C. (Co-Director/Writer/Animator): An accomplished UNLV film department graduate, Gabriel is an artist, animator, and editor who has worked alongside Guillermo in their main short film projects, and will have his directorial debut in "Sleuth". You can follow him and his art @sckbounty across all social media platforms
Emmeline Deville (Wardrobe/Locations Coordinator): An accomplished actor, and project manager in films such as "Doctor Deathface", "Nameless", and "Ocean Blue", Emmeline is a key element for any project she's recruited for. She's also a Vegas based real estate agent and can deliver on finding your dream homes as well as your dream filming location. You can find her across socials @emmeline.md
Lindsey Cruz (Key Makeup Artist/Wardrobe): a self made Film Director and Actress from African, British and Puerto Rican Descent. Now the C.E.O of HOUSE OF CRUZ PRODUCTIONS She looks forward to the 2021 release of her Thriller "KHAMELEON" Lindsey is a screen writer who loves playing strong leading female characters. Her writings and creations are colorful and inspiring with a hint of depravity and sadness. She also can fill positions in Production management, coordination, Art direction, and FX makeup. She is truly a Jackie of all trades. She hopes to continue to expand her knowledge of the industry and try new exciting things in the world of Film. You can find her across socials @lindseycruz66
Sydney Alexi Moral (Co-Writer): A nursing student by day, and intense writer by night, Sydney brings forth her writing expertise and exquisite touch for dialogue across the pages of the "Sleuth" Screenplay. This will be her first feature film and collaboration with the Barahona brothers.
Michael Keene (Cinematographer): The director of films such as the sci-fi satire "Fatal Future", one of the all time cult-hit SOV (Shot On Video) horror pieces "The Head", and the highly anticipated, and latest conjuring "Doctor Deathface". His work as a cinematographer has also been invaluable in the collaborations with the Barahona brothers, being the force on camera that helped bring "Decision" and "Ocean Blue" to life.
Enessa Ossa (BTS Photographer/Videographer): An accomplished videographer and editor in southern Nevada and the American southwest, Enessa is the key person that brought the pitch video you're seeing in this campaign to life. Her work across local TV stations and other private and public clients, makes her one of the most sought after experts in her craft. She will be joining the Barahona brothers in documenting the filming journey for "Sleuth".