Novos -- a science fiction film

[Jonathan Brebner]

http://novosfilm.wordpress.com/

Hello all,

I figure that since this will be shot on RED, this would be the place to post. I'd like to put the word out -- and, seriously, I'm really looking for feedback -- for my short sci-fi film Novos. Novos will act both as my thesis project and a collaborative work featuring the talent of creative contributors from around the world. The production will be jointly produced by students from USC and NYU, and will include work from professionals in Seattle, LA, New York, London, and more. We've already added multiple CG artists and concept artists to the team, and will have a 3-time Oscar winning sound mixer consulting for all aspects of the film's sound design and mix.

The project is currently in pre-production, and will be for the next 9 months; filming will take place around Seattle, WA, in June 2011. This extended pre-production period will allow for both the development of the film's complex CG assets and physical props, based on the fantastic artwork of the film's concept artists, and the time necessary for the ambitious fundraising plans. Here's a basic breakdown:

Story
2000 years ago, humanity left a toxic Earth in search of a new home among the stars, leaving behind an army of synthetic organisms to terraform and re-cultivate the planet as a failsafe. Now, a human military scout returns to a home he’s never known and comes face to face with a biosphere that has evolved and become very hostile to humans.

Budget: $30,000 approx.
Start date: June 2011
Location: Tacoma/Seattle, WA
Shooting Format: RED 4k
Final length: 8 minutes

In all aspects of the production -- cinematography, CG effects, sound design, etc -- I'm aiming for nothing short of the quality exhibited by Carl Rinsch's short “The Gift” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOZkLIwbRrw).


If you're interested in contributing to the film, or would just like to learn more about it, please contact me by PM or at: brebner@usc.edu
I can provide you with a copy of the script and more detail on the production plan.

 

[sidbarnhoorn]

Looks / sounds like a great project.

 

[Matthew Bennett]

Is there a script we can see? I love reading SF scripts..

Sounds cool man!!

 

[Jonathan Brebner]

Is there a script we can see? I love reading SF scripts..

Sounds cool man!!

Absolutely! Just send me an email, and I'd be glad to send you over the script.

brebner@usc.edu

 

[sidbarnhoorn]

Brilliant, Jonathan. Let me know if you need any original music scoring done for this.

 

[Jonathan Brebner]

Just wanted to put up some more of the fantastic concept art produced so far for the film. This next piece largely establishes the sort of visual/lighting look of the film's forest setting.

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

Looking forward to it. All the best.

 

[Sami S]

Nice!

 

[Jonathan Brebner]

I love sharing the fantastic concept art the film's artists are churning out, so here's some more! This is an example of the iterative design work the artists and I are doing for the synthetic creatures in the film.

 

[K_Zacharopoulos]

Good luck with your film. The concept art looks stunning!

 

[Jonathan Brebner]

Here’s a glimpse at the very first promotional materials for Novos — postcards and a bookmark! Very special thanks to Tom McDowell for the artwork and Jim Brebner for the printing.

 

[Mathieu Ghekiere]

I just saw that link to that other short movie, The Gift. My oh my. What a great short. I love the cinematography in that short, and really great CGI.

 

[Jonathan Brebner]

I just saw that link to that other short movie, The Gift. My oh my. What a great short. I love the cinematography in that short, and really great CGI.

Yeah, I'm a big fan of it as well. There's a consistent energy that carries you through the whole short. And, as you noted, fantastic visuals. And that's the level of quality I'm aiming and planning for!

 

[Mathieu Ghekiere]

Go for it!
I'll give you a small donation too.

(I'm also love Science Fiction as a genre, and busy with some brainstorms for a SF-script).

 

[Jonathan Brebner]

Go for it!
I'll give you a small donation too.

(I'm also love Science Fiction as a genre, and busy with some brainstorms for a SF-script).

Awesome! Thank you very much Mathieu! I really appreciate your support.

 

[Jonathan Brebner]

Some more great concept art, this time by artist Zoran.

 

[Jonathan Brebner]

More artwork, this time a collaborative piece by Zoran and Tom McDowell. This is very close to a shot that'll be in the actual film.

 

[Tim Hole]

Carl Erik Rinsch is pretty damn awesome. He is bouncing around the block a bit. It would have been interesting if was still on board to direct the Alien prequel and Logan's Run...but now he's doing 47 Ronin with Keanu Reeves (Reeves and Samaurai not something I want to see together). nevermind eh!

On topic though Sci-Fi is the way forward my friend. Story sounds interesting and hopefully its not a family sci-fi and is a bit more dangerous than a Hollywood outing but still very marketable. Good Sci-Fi is very hard to find.

I am working on a few Sci-Fi pieces myself but of a very different kind.

I wish you all the best with your project. Keep the thread alive with updates as you go. Be interesting to hear about it.

Regards

Tim

 

[Jonathan Brebner]

Thanks Tim! I appreciate your encouraging words. This definitely wont be family sci-fi. I like to take my science fiction seriously.

Here's a more detailed concept piece of the ship featured in the previous landscape. Artwork again by the masterful Tom McDowell.

 

[Christoffer Glans]

Is this supposed to be just 8 minutes? I would recommend using it as a seelling pilot for making a feature on the concept. I would certainly go and see a feature length film with this premise.

Good luck!