Jon Sayles started The Great Detectives because he wanted to make a detective film that finally reflects the world we actually live in, a story told to him ass a true story. A noir story with color, culture, and community, led by a predominantly BIPOC cast and shaped by the vision of autistic filmmaker Jon Sayles. We set out to create something bold, we were forced to pivot and turn this into a stylized, and different: a hybrid feature that blends live -action detective grit with graphic- novel animation and retro 1970s flashbacks. 

   This project has survived setbacks, injuries, recasts, and real life challenges, but the film never died. We kept shooting. We kept building. We kept creating. Now we’re at the stage where we need support to finish the animation, sound, color, and final polish that will bring this world fully to life.

   With this campaign, we’re offering supporters a chance to step inside the world we’re making... early screeners, behind-the-scenes access, collector items, and even opportunities to appear in the animated flashback sequence. Every reward is designed to make you feel like part of the team.

   Crowdfunding lets us stay independent and stay true to the vision. It allows us to finish the film without studio interference, without compromise, and with the community that helped keep this project alive.

   Your support makes you a co-creator. You help complete the animation. You help finalize the sound. You help bring this film to festivals and audiences who rarely get to see themselves in stylized detective stories. You help us prove that independent creators can build something extraordinary.

   If you believe in underdog filmmakers, representation, and bold storytelling, we invite you to join us. Together, we can finish The Great Detectives and bring this hybrid noir epic to life.

WHY WE’RE MAKING THIS FILM

Detective films rarely center BIPOC characters. Stylized noir rarely includes autistic creators. Hybrid animation rarely comes from grassroots teams.

We’re changing that.

This film represents:

• BIPOC leads in a classic detective genre

• Autistic‑led creative direction

• Colorado‑based independent filmmaking

• Hybrid storytelling that blends live‑action and animation

This is noir reimagined for a new era.

WHAT’S ALREADY COMPLETE

We’ve already accomplished the hardest part:

• Majority of live‑action scenes filmed

• Visual style established

• Color palette locked

• Animation pipeline designed

• Characters, world, and tone fully built

• Production team assembled

Now we need the final push to finish animation, sound, color, and post‑production.

VISUAL STYLE

The Great Detectives blends:

• High‑saturation noir colors

• Hard shadows + neon accents

• Halftone comic textures

• 1970s animated flashbacks

• Retro detective silhouettes

• Practical sets mixed with stylized color blocking

This film looks like a graphic novel brought to life.

THE TEAM

Jon Sayles — Director / Writer

Autistic filmmaker with a distinct visual logic and storytelling rhythm.

Perry B. Anthony — Producer / Co‑Creator

Creative director, filmmaker, and community builder powering the campaign and production.

Eliana Dzhikova — Sound Designer

Emerging filmmaker and precise audio technician shaping the rich, high‑stakes sound world of the production. Eliana’s attention to sonic detail elevates the hybrid noir atmosphere, ensuring every scene hits with emotional clarity and cinematic weight.

BIPOC Ensemble Cast

Local actors bringing depth, representation, and authenticity to the detective genre.

FINAL CALL TO ACTION

If you believe in underdog creators… If you believe in representation… If you believe in bold, stylized storytelling…

Join us.

Help us finish The Great Detectives — a hybrid noir epic built from resilience, community, and pure creative fire.

Become part of the film. Support the campaign.