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WHO AM I?
Hi, I’m Caleb Olivieri , the writer-director of Sleeper City. I’m an independent filmmaker based in Toronto, focused on grounded stories that blend realism with psychological tension.
WHAT IS 'SLEEPER CITY' ABOUT?
Hunter Jackson, a former police academy cadet, takes on a sinister hunt for a serial killer, forging an uneasy alliance with a victim’s sibling—only to awaken something in the city that has been dormant far too long.
WHY IS THIS STORY IMPORTANT TO TELL?
This story confronts a quiet epidemic: the fear of inadequacy that festers beneath modern life.
When left unexamined, that fear mutates into apathy—toward our work, our relationships, our communities, and ultimately ourselves. It becomes easier to disengage than to risk failure. Easier to detach than to feel.
The film uses horror as a lens to explore how individualism, emotional withdrawal, and quiet self-doubt compound into societal disconnection.
Hunter Jackson, our protagonist, struggles with her own sense of ineptitude as she pursues a serial killer who represents something larger and more immovable: a force sustained by collective indifference. The terror isn’t just in the violence—it’s in what we refuse to confront within ourselves.
Toronto’s architecture functions as an extension of emotional interiority. Predominantly desaturated palettes reflect numbness, while strategic bursts of colour mark moments of rupture.
Sound design plays structural role, layering ambient urban textures with tonal motifs that destabilize over time.
The film resists conventional catharsis. Instead, it concludes in ambiguity, inviting reflection rather than resolution.
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
With cast attached, locations secured, and a finalized budget, we’ve meticulously built the film’s visual world through storyboards — developing a cinematic language that blends ’70s private-eye noir with ’80s psychological horror.
SLEEPER CITY channels the grit and moral ambiguity of classic neo-noir while embracing the slow-burn psychological dread of contemporary indie horror like It Follows, Strange Darling, and Maxxxine.
CAST
(Q&A Coming Soon with CAST on Story and Role)
as Hunter Jackson is driven, but not steady. A former police cadet who didn’t make it through, she approaches the investigation with something to prove—though it’s never fully said to who. Her focus borders on compulsion, and the deeper she gets, the harder it becomes to tell whether she’s chasing the killer or something unresolved in herself.
as Susan Woo keeps a measured distance from everything around her. Tied closely to one of the victims, she engages only when necessary, holding back more than she reveals. There’s a sense that she’s already processed more than she lets on—or perhaps chosen not to. Either way, she moves carefully, as if connection comes with a cost.
as Jordan Gupta is the closest thing the film has to openness and warmth—someone who hasn’t fully succumbed to cynicism. He leans into people rather than away from them, which makes his presence feel grounding in a world that otherwise keeps its distance.
as Benjamin Warren is harder to pin down. He moves through the city with a kind of detachment that feels less like intention and more like absence. There’s no clear escalation, no obvious breaking point—just a quiet sense that something has long since disconnected.
OUR APPROACH
Sleeper City will focus on:
- Practical effects and grounded realism
- Performance-driven storytelling
- Multiple locations within the city
- Controlled, immersive cinematography
- A slow-burn escalation into psychological horror
This is a film designed to stay with you.
WHY TORONTO?
We’re proud to shoot this film in Toronto — a city that offers a unique blend of architecture, density, and atmosphere perfect for this story.
We’re working with local talent, locations and keeping the production rooted in the community.
For information about the Terms & Conditions or Larger Contributions inquiries please contact us directly.
WHAT WE NEED
Our goal is to raise $40,000 CAD to bring SLEEPER CITY into full production.
Where Funds are Going:
- Cast and crew
- Equipment and locations
- Production design and wardrobe
- Post-production (editing, sound, colour)
- Festival submissions, marketing, and distribution
With Sleeper City fully cast, crewed, and planned, this campaign funds a contained block of principal photography within our 15–17 day shoot.
This allows us to capture key story sequences and maintain production momentum while securing the remaining financing.
BREAKDOWN
What $40K Actually Buys Us?
Approximately 3–5 full shoot days
(depending on 10–12 hour day distribution) These are not filler days—these are high-impact narrative sequences.
1. Cast & Crew — $18,000
- Non-union, 10-hour days (with 4 extended 12-hour days)
- Core Crew Wages (DP, AC, G&E, sound, AD, art, HMU) — $13,000
- Cast stipends — $5,000
2. Equipment Rentals — $8,000
- Maximizing production value on limited days
- Camera package (cinema camera + lenses) — $4,500
- Lighting & grip — $2,500
- Sound equipment — $1,000
3. Locations & Permits — $4,000
- Executing key environments already secured
- Location fees (multi-day use) — $2,500
- Permits & insurance adjustments — $1,500
4. Production Design & Wardrobe — $3,000
- Ensuring visual continuity and tone
- Set dressing & props — $1,800
- Wardrobe & continuity — $1,200
5. Meals, Craft & Logistics — $3,000
- Keeping a lean crew functioning efficiently
- Catering (15–25 people, 3–5 days) — $2,200
- Craft services & on-set supplies — $800
6. Transportation & Misc. — $2,000
- Moving people and gear efficiently
- Vehicle rentals / gas — $1,200
- Load-in / load-out costs — $800
7. Contingency — $2,000
- Buffer for overages (especially on 12-hour days)
TOTAL: $40,000 CAD
WHERE YOU COME IN
Independent films don’t exist without early support.
Your contribution helps us:
- Prove audience interest
- Secure additional financing
- Bring the film from script to screen
Even a small contribution moves this forward.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
Set against a city that mirrors that internal stagnation, the film turns crime into a reflection of the human psyche. SLEEPER CITY explores what happens when compassion is ignored and emptiness becomes the silence that snuffs out our ability to connect?
If this story resonates with you, we’d love for you to be part of bringing SLEEPER CITY to life.
Thank you for your support.
Warmest Regards,
Caleb Olivieri
writer & director
Disclaimer:
No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe
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