NEO-NOIR LOS ANGELES

WHERE THE SUPERNATURAL WEAVES IN AND OUT OF REALITY.

MOODY SHADOWS AND NEON LIGHTS–CHIAROSCURO. 

RITUAL SMOKE, WORN LEATHER, GUNS AND MEDIEVAL WEAPONS, DARK HUMOR. 

THE SURREAL IS ALWAYS OUT OF THE CORNER OF YOUR EYE.

In a world where the supernatural weaves in and out of reality, criminals Karl and Jimmy are in over their heads, waiting for an enigmatic fixer to clean up their violent mess. But when the Cleaner arrives, they’re not what the duo expected… and unbeknownst to them, Karl and Jimmy are about to become part of the cleanup.

As the tension mounts, the Cleaner swiftly eliminates Jimmy. But Karl’s unexpected resilience, fueled by a mysterious silver coin, turns the tables. In a chaotic attempt to save his friend, Jimmy inadvertently seals his fate, leaving Karl dead. 

Amidst the chaos, the Cleaner discovers the powerful coin among Karl’s belongings. Disturbed by its dark energy, they reach out to an old acquaintance, setting in motion a journey that will uncover arcane secrets and deadly consequences.

CONSTANTINE meets DRIVE

with a mix of SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS' absurdity.

THE CLEANER

nonbinary and no nonsense, magically inclined and sensitive—can pick up on the past by touch and knowing the worst about someone makes them easier to kill, indulges in vices to dull their senses, meticulous, secretive, professional, a little misanthropic but with their own code of honor, they’d rather not be as insightful as they are, night owl, knows all the best late-night eats in the city for a post-body disposal bite, loves to brood

KARL

originally from Tuscon, AZ, xennial, plays cards and pool, sticky fingers, quick with it, PBRs and French dips, keeps eating al pastor despite the heartburn, medium rap sheet of disorderly conduct and robbery, likes to have a good time but antsy and irritable when things go off track, physical and kinetic, drives a shitty Pontiac Bonneville, only smokes spliffs

JIMMY

Seattle brooder, dive bar fly, leather jacket, greasy but still manages to pull, the quiet type who rage blackouts, cool where Karl is hot, chain smokes the worst cigarettes you know, black dog depression, secret pinball aficionado, trades off between working as a bouncer and an enforcer, tries not to think about what he doesn’t remember from his blackouts, especially stoic and tight-lipped under stress, picklebacks

My own experiences have shown me how attitudes can shift dramatically based on identity, especially in service roles where power dynamics tied to class, race, and gender often come into play. The notion of “turning the other cheek” usually reinforces disrespect, making it crucial to address accountability and the impact of violence—issues that resonate in today’s landscape of systemic injustice.

Blending crime with supernatural elements allows us to explore moral complexities and the weight of choices, making the themes both timely and timeless. Although I haven’t experienced the criminal underworld, I relate to the gray areas of identity as a non-binary mixed-race person. I believe in the principle that all actions have consequences, and this resonates strongly within THE CLEANER. The film delves into the ripple effects of choices, emphasizing that every decision carries weight.

PERCEPTION

Karl and Jimmy underestimate the Cleaner because they see a small, androgynous person of color as just someone to fix their mess. When it’s time for the Cleaner to work, Karl leaves and Jimmy ignores them–behavior all too common towards service workers. The Cleaner’s true abilities and intentions are obscured by these superficial views, something many marginalized people experience. With psychometric skills that reveal hidden truths, the Cleaner highlights how limited our perceptions can be and that true understanding requires looking deeper.

POWER

The Cleaner’s abilities highlight the power dynamics at play in the story. Jimmy’s violence, Karl’s cunning, and the Cleaner’s psychometry showcase different forms of power and how power can be used, challenged, and negotiated. The Cleaner’s supernatural ability sets them apart, allowing them to learn hidden truths and redefine their role. In contrast, Karl and Jimmy misuse their power, and the Cleaner’s role in addressing that reflects the consequences of such actions.

VIOLENCE

For the Cleaner, violence is both a tool and a consequence of their role in the criminal underworld. Cleaning up after violent events raises big questions about justice, retribution, and the ethics of violence, putting their moral ambiguity front and center. But violence isn’t just physical for them. Their abilities let them understand the violence committed by others, but that insight comes with its emotional toll. It’s a heavy burden that adds depth to their journey.

ASH MOON (they/them) is a West Coast writing and filmmaking cryptid. Though initially rumored to exist in the Bay Area, they're currently haunting Los Angeles. Their film education began in childhood thanks to unsupervised access to their father’s extensive DVD collection containing classics such as ‘Trainspotting’, ‘Se7en’, ‘The Thing’, and ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. Ash’s overactive imagination developed into a constant sandstorm of ideas that earned them the reputation of having more elevator pitches than anyone you know. Ash functions on the Ursula K. Le Guin writing schedule: early morning pages and getting stupid after 8pm.

JESS RIONERO (she/they) is a TV producer, writer & filmmaker. Experienced in live television production, such as “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” for NBC, and also on major stage competition shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” and The Masked Singer and unique game shows like “Snake Oil” on FOX and “Wish List Games” coming soon to Amazon Prime. Her short film TERRY FITZ, SAG ELIGIBLE, screened at the Rich & Successful Film Festival and Portland Film Festival and was selected by director Alex Proyas for his online distribution platform Vidiverse. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Video from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

GABRIELA SPAMPINATO (she/her) Raised in the vibrant cultural landscape of South Florida, Gabriela Spampinato endeavors to create art that marries realism and genre, hoping to heighten the humanistic perspective as a cinematographer and filmmaker. In 2018, Gabriela moved to Los Angeles to attend the prestigious MFA program at UCLA, where she honed her technical skills and artistic vision. Since completing her MFA, she has shot two feature films, numerous narrative short films, and music videos, showcasing her versatile talent behind the camera. As a previously fearful child (and a presently existential adult), Gabriela has found herself drawn to the horror genre in what can only be described as an over-corrective fixation. This newfound love continues to inspire her to tune into emotional storytelling through various genre hybrids.

TIMELINE

◆ CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN: October - November 2024

◆ PRE PRODUCTION: December 2024 - January 2025

◆ PRODUCTION: February 2025

Includes two rehearsals with the stunt team on location and 2.5 shoot days.

◆ POST PRODUCTION: March - July 2025

Includes VFX, Sound Design, Music Score, and Color Correction. 

Final exports for Film Festival preparation. 

◆ FILM FESTIVAL PREPARATION & SUBMISSIONS: August - September 2025

◆ PRIVATE SCREENING: October 2025

Private Screening that includes cast, crew & top tier donors.

BUDGET

Seed & Spark requires that we raise at least 80% of our goal for the project to be funded.

We must reach this goal in 30 days or we won't receive any funds at all.

Our filming production budget is $15,000.

Contributions will go directly to the cast & crew, stunt team, equipment rentals, transportation, insurance, location, production design, props, hair & makeup, craft services, and more.

STRETCH GOALS

With stretch goals, we can allocate funds to additional departments like our art department, stunt department, location, post-production, festivals, and more.

$16,000 - High-Quality Action Props (Breakaway Glass, Rubber Weapons)

• Achieving this goal allows us to invest in professional-grade action props like breakaway glass and rubber weapons, which are safer for the actors and create more realistic fight scenes. Instead of using real or less-safe props, we can use custom-made, destructible items for more thrilling, dramatic moments—without compromising safety on set.

$17,000 - Fight Choreography and Stunt Team

• We can expand our stunt team with more experienced industry professionals to elevate the action scenes, ensuring they are dynamic, realistic, and safe. This will give the film a high-impact feel that will help execute Ash’s vision. 

$18,000 - Expand our rehearsal schedule on location

• We will be able to rent our location before our filming dates so that our actors and stunt coordinator can rehearse on location. 

$19,000 - Improved Visual Effects and CGI

• Reaching this goal allows us to bring on a talented VFX team to enhance sequences like bullet trails and other effects, creating visually stunning action sequences that immerse the audience even further in the intensity of the project.

$20,000 - Upgrade Cinematography & Camera Accessories 

• We can upgrade to higher-quality cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment, giving our short a cinematic look with more detailed slow-motion shots, fast camera movements, and epic wide angles.

$21,000 - International Film Festival Submissions

• With this stretch goal, we can expand our network and submit it to film festivals to get the short seen by a wider audience, including industry professionals, and raise the profile of the entire project. This will take the final film to another level and kick off the development of this proof of concept into the feature.  

MAKE A PLEDGE

Contribute what you can! Take a peek at our list of incentives. We have a variety of options to choose from to help bring this short to life.

FOLLOW US ON SEED & SPARK

By roping in 250 followers on the Seed & Spark platform, we can unlock Filmmaker Perks offered by Seed & Spark that can go toward our film's production!

STAY CONNECTED

Follow us on the film's instagram @laughinggoblinproductions to get updates about the campaign and the making of our film.

AMPLIFY ON SOCIALS

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Send to a friend and to all the ass-kicking people you know and love.

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Excited to see the next @laughinggoblinproductions action thriller THE CLEANER directed by @lunarfleece, produced by @videojess.mov, and cinematography by @spampiniata ! Pledge here! https://seedandspark.com/fund/the-cleaner-short-film

Support filmmaker @lunarfleece by donating to the campaign for their upcoming film THE CLEANER (@laughinggoblinproductions), an action thriller about two criminals who call a cleaner to cover their tracks and discover they're there to clean up more than their mess. Check out their Seed & Spark campaign at www.seedandspark.com/fund/the-cleaner-short-film

Action lovers, thrill seekers, and supernatural enthusiasts alike! This gender-bending action thriller short THE CLEANER (@laughinggoblinproductions) written and directed by @lunarfleece is currently seeking funding! Support indie cinema and check out their Seed & Spark campaign at www.seedandspark.com/fund/the-cleaner-short-film