NO SIGNAL — A Psychological Thriller Short Film
Logline: After a reckless mistake cuts his connection to the person he loved most, a young man splits his identity to escape his guilt—only to find that his worst fears are waiting for him at the end of the line.
The Story
NO SIGNAL is a 12-minute psychological thriller about grief, identity, and the heavy price of isolation.
The story follows Dylan, a young man haunted by a single, careless phrase muttered during a teenage bender—a moment that perfectly aligned with a tragic reality. Consumed by guilt, Dylan buries his past and mutates into "Villa," a reckless, numb persona tearing through moody city lights, cheap motels, and substance-fueled paranoia.
When a mysterious figure violently forces his way into Villa's reality, Villa is forced to flee the city and retreat to an isolated cabin in the woods. But in the quiet of nature, the noise doesn't stop. Led by the phantom ringing of a disconnected payphone, Villa discovers that you can run from a city, but you cannot outrun your own mind. The film loops back on itself in a chilling climax that explores what happens when we hold our darkest fears too close to our hearts.
The Visual Vibe
Think the neon-soaked, rhythmic energy of Euphoria colliding with the tense, slow-burn psychological horror of Atlantaor Twin Peaks.
We are leaning heavily into our background in music video production to make No Signal a highly stylized visual experience. Expect:
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Rhythmic, fast-paced montages capturing the chaos of the city.
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Intimate, tense, close-up cinematography that locks the audience inside the character's paranoia.
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A heavy, atmospheric sound design where every phone ring and breath carries weight.
Why We Need Your Help
We aren't a massive Hollywood crew looking for handouts. We are a lean, hungry team of independent filmmakers based right here in Indianapolis. We already own 100% of the camera, lens, and lighting gear required to shoot this movie.Every single dollar raised by this campaign goes directly onto the screen.
Your donations will fund the critical pieces that make a movie look and feel real:
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Locations ($1,500-$2,000): Securing the specific, moody spaces that drive the story—including a local motel room and an isolated cabin in the woods.
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Production Design ($400): Building a practical shootout door setup and sourcing key story props, like a vintage outdoor payphone shell.
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Cast & Crew Support ($1,500): Paying our local actors for their time and keeping our small, dedicated crew fed and energized through grueling night shoots.
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Practical Special FX & Wardrobe ($300): Professional-grade stage blood and duplicate wardrobe pieces to ensure continuity during high-intensity thriller sequences.
The Impact
Independent film is where unique, uncompromising stories are born. By supporting No Signal, you aren't just helping us rent a cabin for a weekend—you are directly funding a local crew of young creators pushing themselves to create a polished, thought-provoking piece of psychological cinema.
We have the script locked, the team assembled, and the gear packed. We just need you to help us power the transmitter.
Join us, and help us bring No Signal to life. Please contact Marcelerecords@gmail.com for further questions and inquiries.
