"HENRi" scifi short film -that was kickstarter funded

[jefferiestubes8]

Henri, the story of an artificial consciousness that builds itself a body after the crew of the ship it is aboard dies off.

HENRi is an epic new sci-fi short film starring Keir Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey) and Margot Kidder (Superman). Kickstarter funded, and two years in the making, HENRi tells the story of a derelict spaceship that becomes self-aware and builds itself a mechanical body in order to feel alive. Utilizing a mixture of quarter-scale miniatures, in-camera effects, and computer animation, HENRi is a completely unique and visually stunning short film.

The full film is now complete and available to buy on DVD / BluRay or stream online at the official site,

see the 1:20 length trailer below.
http://twitchfilm.com/2013/02/check-out-old-school-scifi-short-henri.html
also on Vimeo
Written and Directed by Eli Sasich

I like that you can rent or buy the digital file from the site or the DVD or Blu-ray. I'd like to see more scifi films be able to do this. It looks like Shane Carruth went this route with his new film for release this coming May.
If it is not scifi action or scifi horror it is just limilted commercial potential. I'm glad these films are still getting made via Kickstarter funding.
Here is their kickstarter video.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/920784759/henri-20-a-science-fiction-short-film

I am going to have to check this out. For the $ being under $100k it is pretty impressive.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Do you know if the download is DRM free?

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Re: "HENRi" scifi short film download video

Do you know if the download is DRM free?

I just looked at their site and i see

If you buy a Download-to-Own video, you will receive a link to download the file to your computer. The video is in MPEG4 format which will play on most computers and other video-enabled devices. If your computer does not have a video player installed

Can I watch a downloaded video on an iPad, iPhone or Android device?

You can watch downloaded videos on these devices, but you need to download the video to your computer first and then copy the video to your portable device. This is due to limitations with mobile web browsers which restrict your ability to download files direct to the device. You need to download the video on your laptop or desktop first, then plug your tablet or phone into your computer and copy the video across.

Can I give or loan a copy of my Download to a friend?

No, the Download you purchase is only for your personal use. If you want to share the film with a friend, you need to share a link to the film's website using the Share or Embed tools in the online video-player.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I bought this and enjoyed it quite a bit. It's not perfect, but it's real Science Fiction and I hope it's successful enough to encourage more of the same. Independent creators who don't pander to the Hollywood mentality should be encouraged.

The technical aspects of the film were as good as anything you'll find in any studio movie or contemporary TV show. I was disappointed that they went with the tired old grunge look for the spaceship-- I'll never understand the appeal of a future that looks like an old factory basement. But in terms of talent and skill, there is nothing lacking.

The story is touching and brief-- it's the equivalent of a short story in an SF magazine. It is genuine Science Fiction, although there is one scene that grated on me, especially since it could have been so easily fixed.

It was great to see and hear Keir Dullea, although he is actually showing signs of aging-- I thought he'd look the same forever.

I also found it kind of amusing that the "Making Of" documentary is 50% longer than the story itself. But I definitely recommend buying this.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

production design/art direction scifi

I was disappointed that they went with the tired old grunge look for the spaceship-- I'll never understand the appeal of a future that looks like an old factory basement.

I think it is to give a realness with a lived-in feel to the created worlds in sci-fi and fantasy genres. I think the flip side of that is the super clinical brand new everything (and thus unreal) production design/art direction.

like this thread:
Should the future look "Futuristic?"
my post there summed up my thoughts on it mentioning numerous movies art direction/production design.

 

[RJDiogenes]

The problems with it are: 1) It's unrealistic, because a lived in spaceship won't look the same as a rusting factory from the 1940s, b) It's bland and boring, and c) When everybody does it, there is a lack of variety that makes it even more bland and boring.

Yeah, the future should look futuristic, at least most of the time; the genre is about futurism and the sense of wonder, not nihilism and the sense of decay.

I will check out that thread, though.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Heh. Looks like I already did.