The Best Indie SFF Short Films & Web Series

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DivineTheSeriesLogo3.JPG

The Resurrection Of 'Divine: The Series'- The Gripping Supernatural Drama Featuring Misha Collins of 'Supernatural'

April 01, 2018 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror

Editor's note: Divine: The Series was originally released in 2011, and was one of the first web series we covered. The series was taken offline after several years, but was made available for public viewing again during the 2018 Easter holiday. This is a reprint of our original feature, edited to reflect the updated information about the series.

Divine: The Series is a provocative beast.

It poses intriguing questions concerning free will, determinism, and redemption in the guise of a dark supernatural drama.

The story centers on a mysterious, immortal man named Cesar Divine, portrayed with tortured gravitas by Dan Payne. 

Divine is on a quest to protect humanity from insidious supernatural beings who inhabit dark corners of cities, and the soul. He does so in order to gain penance for some unknown sin that has damned him.

Assisting him on his quest is an intriguing supporting cast of characters, each with secrets of their own:

  • Deacon Jim (Allen Sawkins) is a devout, compassionate man of the cloth with a hidden past

  • Father Andrew (Ben Hollingsworth) is a young priest having a crisis of faith, until he witnesses the miraculous

  • Jin (Chasty Ballesteros) is Divine's constant companion. A young woman whose motivations and history have yet to be revealed

Rounding out the cast is Father Christopher, played by actor Misha Collins who is best known for his popular role as Castiel on the cult hit t.v. show Supernatural.  Mr. Collins pulls triple-duty as actor, co-creator, and co-producer of Divine.

Six episodes of the series were produced, and they make for compelling viewing. As Divine grapples with his need for redemption, we witness him face off against demonic beings in gloriously grotesuqe action sequences.  

For a taste of what to expect, here is the series teaser trailer: 

During quieter moments, the characters engage in earnest debates about the nature of good and evil. This would sound preachy if not for the smart, grounded scripts by the writing team led by creator Ivan Hayden.  

What also makes Divine: The Series so exceptional is it trusts in the intelligence of its audience. Viewers are left to draw their own conclusions.

To view this atmospheric supernatural drama, visit the official Divine: The Series Facebook page.


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April 01, 2018 /Rod T. Faulkner
divine the series, divine the series misha collins, divine the series dan payne, ivan hayden
Horror
MeetHenryLogo.JPG

A Young Man Reveals A Dark Proclivity In The Sci-Fi Horror Short 'Meet Henry'

January 14, 2018 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror, Science Fiction

What do you think are the most frightening monsters?

My answer would not be vampires, werewolves, or zombies. Not the xenomorphs from Aliens.

In my book, human beings are the most terrifying monsters of all, because of the cruelty we can visit upon each other.

When watching the opening scene of Meet Henry, you will meet the titular character who appears to be an average young man conversing with a friend.

Things quickly escalate during the debate when Henry reveals a dark proclivity.

You may think the film falls squarely in the horror genre with no science fiction influence to be found, but wait until the final moments of this brief, though haunting short.

To reveal more would give away the pivotal plot twist at the end. A turn that will absolutely place this short in Black Mirror territory of dark science fiction.

This film also marks the debut of Chris K. Daniels (who also stars), a promising young filmmaker. 

Watch Meet Henry here...


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January 14, 2018 /Rod T. Faulkner
meet henry sci-fi short film, meet henry chris k daniel, black mirror, sci-fi horror
Horror, Science Fiction
DAWNOFTHEDEAF LOGO

'DAWN OF THE DEAF': Groundbreaking Horror Short Centers Deaf Protagonists

June 28, 2017 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror, Short Film

After a mysterious audio pulse engulfs the planet, everyone who hears it is struck dead, leaving only the deaf untouched. 

Reeling after this apocalyptic event, a small band of deaf survivors soon realize the true horror is just beginning.

Written and directed by Rob Savage, the British short film DAWN OF THE DEAF is a groundbreaking take on the zombie apocalypse.

In an interview with video streaming platform Vimeo, Savage stated he is a fan of the iconic zombie films of George A. Romero. He also bemoaned how derivative and trite subsequent zombie stories have become in the years since Romero's classic films were released.

Seeking to inject originality and a unique perspective into a zombie story, he and collaborator Jed Shepherd decided to focus on the pivotal events in the lives of six deaf protagonists in the moments right before "the pulse" destroys civilization as we know it.

In order to engage British hearing and deaf viewers, dialogue is spoken in English along with British Sign Language and English subtitles.

The result is a mesmerizing, gripping, gory, and disturbing zombie short that is an important breakthrough in the onscreen representation of people with disabilities - a marginalized group often ignored and neglected in many conversations about more inclusive representation in the media.

Watch DAWN OF THE DEAF here ...

(WARNING: This short film contains adult themes and situations, and is suitable for MATURE audiences only. Viewer discretion is advised.)


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June 28, 2017 /Rod T. Faulkner
dawn of the deaf horror short film, dawn of the deaf rob savage, dawn of the deaf jed shepherd
Horror, Short Film
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

16 Of The Best Indie Sci-Fi And Fantasy Short Films of 2016

December 16, 2016 by Rod T. Faulkner in Science Fiction, Short Film, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Horror

From the troubling and disturbing political developments in Washington, D.C., to the rise of bigotry, racism, and intolerance here in the United States, to say 2016 has been a difficult year for many would be quite an understatement.   

Thankfully, one of the bright spots of this year has been in the arena of independent genre film.

2016 saw an explosion of science fiction and fantasy short films that pushes the envelope in every area of production, including theme, visual effects, art design, and scale.

So, we are pleased to present our picks for the best genre short films of 2016. Note: these terrific selections are listed in no particular order or ranking. Ranking them would be harder than keeping a mogwai dry!

(Click on each image or title to view the selection and read our original review)

UFO Diary

During World War II, what if women officers in the United States army were instrumental in stopping an alien invasion?

That tantalizing question forms the premise of UFO Diary, an exceptional period piece and sci-fi adventure that celebrates the heroic contributions of the women who serve in the armed services.

 

RAIN

RainLogo.jpg

The X-Men are some of the most popular comic book characters  ever created.

Among them, one of the most iconic is Storm, a Kenyan princess with the power to control the weather itself.

Storm in the comics is a intelligent, bold, compassionate, powerful, and dynamic woman. 

Unfortunately, the character's charisma and personality were almost non-existent in the film adaptations of The X-Men.

Enter Maya Glick, a renaissance woman who wanted to bring to screen a more accurate portrayal of one of her favorite characters.

After conducting a successful crowdfunding campaign, Glick succeeded in producing RAIN, a short film that shows the world an electrifying Storm never before seen onscreen.

 

SHADOWS

This dark dystopian short set in the year 2037 depicts a London under the control of a fascist regime.

Due to terrorist attacks, civil liberties are things of the past.  The government spies on its citizenry with a fleet of weaponized drones, and spyware that can infiltrate any electronic device.

Welcome to a totalitarian nightmare that may be closer to reality than we would like to imagine.

TRIAL

During a near-future military conflict, a soldier is grievously wounded in battle.

Due to high mortality and low recruitment rates, fringe science is used to heal and rejuvenate the injured solider - but at a terrible price.

This sizzling sci-fi thriller has it all - mystery, charismatic leads, and dynamic action sequences.

 

GROW

In the year 2083, climate change has irreparably damaged the earth's ecology.

Air pollution has made the atmosphere incapable of sustaining human life.  

The only means of obtaining precious oxygen is by purchasing it from the major corporations that control it.

GROW is a grim and startling cautionary tale about the kind of future our children may inherit due to our ecological malfeasance. 

 

GEAR

Set in the back allies of a sprawling futuristic metropolis, GEAR chronicles the adventures of a precocious street urchin named Mazzy.

Surviving on her own, Mazzy is intelligent, resourceful, brave, and most determined to rescue a most unlikely ally from a shadowy cabal.

GEAR is an exciting sci-fi adventure that introduces a captivating young heroine.

 

LILITU

A woman with a special psychic gift is enlisted to help a priest fight an ancient, unspeakable evil.

This unnerving and atmospheric horror short is reminiscent of classics such as Rosemary's Baby and The Haunting.

 

EMPSILLNES

Four years in the making, this animated masterpiece depicts a lone astronaut's struggle for survival aboard a gigantic space station adrift at the edge of the solar system.

The brainchild of animator Jakob Grygier, this short film boasts a eye-popping mix of CGI and 3D animation that creates a breathtaking portrait of space.

 

SAURORA

Beneath the ocean of a distant planet, two divers desperately work to rescue a injured colleague.

Reminiscent of James Cameron's sci-fi groundbreaker The Abyss, SAURORA is a tense thriller with spectacular visual effects that convincingly create an ethereal and dangerous alien underwater environment.

 

UNCANNY VALLEY

Welcome to a future where virtual reality technology has become so immersive, its environments are indistinguishable from the real world.

As a result, people have become addicted to using the technology at the expense of their physical well-being and personal relationships.

With virtual reality potentially causing a paradigm shift in the way we interact with technology, filmmaker Frederico Heller has imagined a future that feels disturbingly prescient.

 

ZELOS

(Caution: Contains MATURE themes)

Maria is a woman living a charmed life.

She has a devoted husband, two beautiful children, a thriving career, and a gorgeous home.

But when her competition with a seemingly perfect rival ratchets up, Maria orders a clone of herself to help her manage her numerous responsibilities. 

She may have just made the biggest mistake of her life.

This provocative short film explores how technology meant to connect us, can actually have quite the opposite affect.

 

TEMPLE

This explosive cyberpunk thriller by director Nguyen-Anh Nguyen and starring Osric Chau (Supernatural) is set in a future where cybernetic enhancements to the human body have become commonplace.

Oz (Chau) is on a quest to find a unique cybernetic organ that can save a loved one from death by a deadly virus.

With its combination of impressive visual effects and exciting fight choreography, TEMPLE is a high-octane thrill ride from start to finish.

 

DARKWAVE: EDGE OF THE STORM

One hundred years into the future, humanity has finally expanded out among the stars.

On a distant world, Sarah, along with her husband Ben and young son, are fleeing from their repressive government.

During their flight, the family makes a discovery that could alter the course of human destiny.

DARKWAVE achieves a cinematic sense of size and scope due to its exceptional production on every level.

 

KARA

With the highly-anticipated releases of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: Rogue One, George Lucas' iconic space opera has been cemented as the preeminent science fiction franchise in the world.

Part of the beauty of Star Wars is its universe is vast enough to include intriguing stories featuring fascinating tertiary characters.

The unofficial indie film KARA is a brilliant example of such storytelling.

The short focuses on the titular Kara, a young woman with a extraordinary secret that could alter the outcome of the galactic war.

The Adept

Ben and Maddy are a married team of scientists engrossed in solving a vexing problem with their research.

During the course of their work, they encounter a mysterious force that seems like ... magic.

This thoroughly entertaining short film raises fascinating questions about our perceptions of reality.

DUST

On a verdant world, a deadly plague is decimating the citizens of an enormous fortified city.

One man possesses the arcane knowledge to find and eliminate the source of the scourge.

Unfortunately, he must also overcome personal tragedy and a crisis of faith if his world has any hope to survive.

Filmed in Japan, DUST by Ember Lab is one of the most extraordinary SF&F short films we've ever seen.

Its combination of lush cinematography, East Asian inspired art design, compelling narrative, and phenomenal visual effects easily makes this short film among the very best we have seen this year.

If you enjoyed these short films, make sure to check out our picks for the top SF&F WEBSERIES of 2016. 


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December 16, 2016 /Rod T. Faulkner
best of 2016, best sci-fi 2016, best scifi fantasy 2016, best sff 2016
Science Fiction, Short Film, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Horror
Image credit: Windell Oskay used via CC by 2.0

Image credit: Windell Oskay used via CC by 2.0

7 Spooktacular Short Films Fitting For Halloween

October 29, 2016 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror, Short Film

As most of us know, Halloween is the holiday for celebrating all the spooky, creepy things that give us goosebumps.

Like Jack O'Lanterns casting spectral gazes over costumed trick-or-treaters, indulging in a marathons of our favorite scary movies has become synonymous with the holiday.

Here at The 7th Matrix, we want to do our part to help make your 2016 All Hallows' Eve extra frightful and fun with our curated list of devilishly delightful short films.

Tombes & Manèges (Tombs & Rides)

Created by the students of the French VXF and animation school ISART Digital, this macabre-yet-sweet 3D-animated short tells the story of a gravedigger working the late shift who creates a charmingly grotesque carnival in order to keep his beloved son entertained.

 

The Woods

Written, produced, and directed by filmmaker Remington Smith, this short takes place deep in a desolate wasteland during the height of winter. There, a mysterious woman goes through extraordinary lengths to survive and take care of a suffering loved one.

 

Closet Space

A couple moving into their new home discover one closet has very ... unusual properties. Written and produced by David. F. Sandberg, whose other creepy short film, Lights Out, was adapted and released theatrically this summer as a major motion picture!

 

Who's There?

Based on actual events,  a man is wakened in the middle of the night by strange noises. Is he just hearing things, or is someone in his house?  Written and directed by Chris LaMont & Joe Russo for indie horror film studio Fun Size Horror.

 

GiverTaker

A disturbed teen uses arcane magic to exact revenge on a trio of girls she feels has wronged her. Written by Peter S. Hall and directed by Paul Gandersman for Arcanum Pictures.

 

LASIURUS

Beginning with the realization the grocery store where he is shopping is completely deserted, one man's solitary evening at home descends into mind-numbing terror.  Directed by Marcus Alqueres.

 

The End

Fleeing from zombies,  a mother and her preteen daughter seek refuge in an abandoned farmhouse. However, the mother soon realizes danger is much closer than they feared. Screenplay by Pia Cook & Tina Smith. Directed by Crash Taylor & Raj Pathak. A Coldwater Canyons Pictures/We Are Heroes Films production.

YouTube thumbnail image of horror short film 'The End'

Enjoy over 30 hours of outstanding sci-fi, horror, and fantasy short films by downloading our film guide, 200 Best Online Sci-Fi Short Films.

200 Best Sci-Fi Short Films eBook Cover

All proceeds from the sale of this ebook help keep The 7th Matrix independent and AD-FREE.

October 29, 2016 /Rod T. Faulkner
Halloween2016, Happy Halloween, Horror Short films, Horror shorts, All Hallows' Eve
Horror, Short Film
TheBestOfIntentions

Horror Short Film Spotlight: 'The Best Of Intentions' - A Father's Vengeful Plan Has Dreadful Consequences

October 20, 2016 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror, Short Film

For me, the best horror tales do not involve gratuitous amounts of blood, guts, and gore. Instead, I prefer horror stories that delve into the darkest crevices of the human psyche.

While ghosts, zombies, vampires, and other ghouls that go bump in the night can make for a creepy yarn, nothing compares to the terror inspired by the dark impulses of human beings.

A prime example of this more psychological brand of horror is the Swedish short The Best of Intentions.

This unsettling film is reminiscent of classic psycho-thrillers by the iconic "master of suspense," Alfred Hitchcock.

The short tells the story of  Kjell (starring famed Swedish actor Per Ragnar), a man who believes his disabled daughter is being sexually abused in her assisted care facility by her attendant Jocke (portrayed by Emil T. Jonsson, who also directed).

Furious, Kjell has a dire confrontation with Jocke about his daughter. 

From the first moment Ragnar appears onscreen as Kjell, you sense something is very amiss.  He radiates cold rage and menace that is boiling just beneath the surface of his dignified demeanor.

Jocke notices Kjell's hostility  towards him immediately, which causes the tension between the two men to gradually thicken until it engulfs them like a shroud.

Like a coiled cobra about to strike, you know something terrible and violent will happen.

To reveal more specifics would spoil the plot, but Jonsson manages to masterfully build nail-biting suspense by means of body language and dialogue alone.

When Kjell enacts a chilling plan of revenge, its tragic consequence will haunt him - and you the viewer.

Watch The Best Of Intentions in its entirety below ...


Enjoy over 30 hours of outstanding sci-fi, horror, and fantasy short films by downloading our film guide, 200 Best Online Sci-Fi Short Films.

All proceeds from the sale of this ebook help keep The 7th Matrix independent and AD-FREE.

October 20, 2016 /Rod T. Faulkner
The Best of Intentions Swedish short film, The Best Of Intentions emil t jonsson, The Best Of Intentions Per Ragnar, horror short film, halloween
Horror, Short Film

SOS: Save Our Skins - Two Geeky Brits Face The Apocalypse

May 10, 2016 by Rod T. Faulkner in Satire, Post Apocalyptic, Horror

The sci-fi/horror/comedy web series SOS: SAVE Our Skins is the story of Ben (Nat Saunders) and Stephen (Chris Hayward), two geeky Brits who awaken on the first day of their New York vacation at a science fiction convention to discover they are the only human beings left in the city.

As the gravity of their situation dawns on them, they realize the enormity of their crisis - not only are they the only two people left in New York, they may be the only humans left on the planet.

As the men try to piece together the cause of this global catastrophe, they stumble upon a strange television broadcast that serves as their only clue. 

However, as Ben and Stephen prepare to embark on their quest to find out the truth behind the apocalypse, they soon discover they are not as alone as they thought.

Watch the official trailer for SOS: Save Our Skins ...

The 13-episode web series - created by leads Hayward and Saunders -  is a hybrid between satire and love letter to geeky pop culture.

Pop culture references fly fast and furious, with frequent nods to iconic genre properties such as Dr. Who, Xena: Warrior Princess, The Walking Dead, and others.

 It's as if The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy and Shaun Of The Dead got together and had a love child. The series gleefully revels in its dry British humor and wit.

Of course, the premise of the show would fall flat if the two leads were not able to shoulder the burden.

That concern is quickly alleviated as Chris Hayward and Nat Saunders prove to have a relaxed chemistry in their roles as the dim-witted series leads.

Another highlight of the series is its cinematography - especially during the initial episodes set in New York.

The "city that never sleeps" appears completely deserted, which is deeply unsettling to see. Those visuals immediately immerse you into the plot. 

Kudos to the production team for pulling off such an impressive feat on an independent film budget!

Watch all 13 episodes of SOS: Save Our Skins on its official YouTube channel.

To find out more about the production, visit the series Tumblr blog.

If you are a fan of geeky pop culture, dry British comedy, and post-apocalyptic dramas, you will find much to enjoy in SOS: Save Our Skins.


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May 10, 2016 /Rod T. Faulkner
SOS Save our Skins, chris hayward, nat saunders, sci fi comedy web series
Satire, Post Apocalyptic, Horror
LILITU

Horror Short Film Spotlight - "LILITU"

January 12, 2016 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror, Special Feature

For me, the best horror films aren't the kind filled with exploding heads, tons of viscera, and bloody dispatches of oversexed teens.

My favorite is the kind that slowly crawls under your skin, up your spine, and wraps around your brain.

Maybe this is why horror films from the sixties and seventies, like Rosemary's Baby and The Birds, affect me the most.

The short horror film LILITU is a throwback to those classics.

It tells the story of a woman who uses her power of astral projection to help a Catholic priest solve a dark mystery. 

This 9-minute atmospheric short is creepy with a huge order of dread on the side.

Its eerie tone is achieved not by showering the screen with blood and guts, but with compelling performances by the actors, and masterful cinematography used to malevolent effect.

Watch LILITU in full below ...


Enjoy over 30 hours of outstanding horror, sci-fi and genre short films by downloading a copy of our ebook 200 Best Online Sci-Fi Short Films.

All proceeds from the sales of our ebook help to keep our web site independent and AD-FREE.

January 12, 2016 /Rod T. Faulkner
LILITU horror short film, horror short film
Horror, Special Feature

'Surviving' - The Zombie Apocalypse Web Series By Reagan Gomez Featuring POC Protagonists

October 15, 2015 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror

It is an unfortunate fact Hollywood has a dismal record when it comes to the representation  of people of color on screen - especially in genres involving speculative fiction.

Which is why I did a fist pump upon finding out the new zombie apocalypse web series Surviving (formerly Surviving The Dead), by actress/writer/producer/director Reagan Gomez, had finally debuted.

What sets Surviving apart from so many other projects with similar themes is its voice and main protagonists.

The story is told from the perspective of a Black family who serve as the central driving force of the plot. 

This is starkly unlike other zombie tales, where the few people of color present are easily disposable cardboard characters, superfluous to the main narrative.

Those characters typically exist without any agency of their own; whose sole purpose is to further the dramatic journey of their White counterparts (looking at you The Walking Dead).

Surviving opens during the earliest days of a zombie apocalypse. Doctor Shayla Robinson (Cynthia Kaye McWilliams) and her younger sister Lucy (Zayden Bates) must evade hordes of the undead.

Together, they embark on a quest to find their missing father and survive a world gone mad.

Fortunately, Shayla is not only a physician, but has also been trained in self-defense and wilderness survival since childhood - at the insistence of her father (portrayed by the distinguished character actor Phil Morris).

Did Shayla's father have some foreknowledge about the zombie apocalypse? Was he somehow involved?

This mystery is skillfully woven into the show's main dramatic thread, creating a captivating tapestry of suspense, action, and horror.

The series also boasts outstanding production value on every level.

Produced by Gomez - who also directed - along with her husband Dewayne Turrentine for their RGP Productions company, Surviving has a dynamic, gritty tone that immerses you right into the center of the drama. It also helps that each episode seems to end on a exciting cliffhanger!

Check out the series trailer here ...

To watch the complete series, visit Gomez's official YouTube Channel.

Surviving is a tense, compelling zombie apocalypse story told from a refreshing perspective and visionary voice.


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October 15, 2015 /Rod T. Faulkner
surviving reagan gomez, surviving zombie apocalypse, surviving web series, surviving phil morris, diverse science fiction, diverse sff, diverse horror, black sci-fi, black horror
Horror
Photo © Lindsey Turner, Used via CC By 2.0

Photo © Lindsey Turner, Used via CC By 2.0

Sci-Fi Short Film Spotlight: 'Cargo' And 'Super-Zero' - Two Zombie Shorts Better Than 'Fear The Walking Dead'

August 25, 2015 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror, Short Film

The highly anticipated prequel/companion television series to The Walking Dead entitled Fear The Walking Dead (FTWD), has finally made its debut to record-breaking ratings.

The series is set in Los Angeles during the very beginning of the viral outbreak responsible for the zombie apocalypse.

While it is sure to be another feather-in-the-cap for AMC network, the pilot left me extremely underwhelmed.

While the premise sounds intriguing on paper, most of the expanded 90-minute runtime of the pilot focused on tedious, uninteresting melodrama generated by the show's central (and extremely unsympathetic) characters.

Granted, I'm not the biggest fan of zombie stories, or of The Walking Dead specifically. Yet, I did watch the premiere episode of The Walking Dead, and feel it's one of the best television pilots ever produced.

Key characters were introduced in a dynamic narrative that never once felt self-indulgent or meandering.

Surprisingly, the FTWD pilot failed to emulate its predecessor on both counts.

Fortunately, there are other zombie stories being told onscreen. Tales that effectively use zombies as a backdrop to explore universal facets of the human experience.

The following two zombie short films are prime examples.

Each one uses the zombie apocalypse to tell engrossing stories about the human condition much better than the Fear The Walking Dead pilot

CARGO

Stranded during the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, a man devises a desperate plan to save his beloved infant daughter.

Released online in 2013, this short was a finalist in TROPFEST, the world's largest short film festival. It has garnered over 9 million online.

Watch CARGO by clicking on the image below ...

Cargo.png

Super Zero: Badass Journey Into Zombie Awesomeness

Meet Josh, a likable, geeky young man who receives devastating news - and then the zombie apocalypse begins.

However, the end of civilization causes Josh to mine depths of strength he never knew he had, and a most unlikely hero is born!

 Written by independent filmmaker Mitch Cohen, this action-comedy is also deceptively poignant and triumphant.

Watch Super Zero here ...

Both of these exceptional shorts prove exciting zombie stories can still be told with a compelling narrative, economy of pacing, smart script, and soulful performances - all in less than 15 minutes.

The producers of Fear The Walking Dead should take a few notes.

Do you agree or disagree with my assessment of the FTWD pilot? Please feel free to share your thoughts below - just keep it civil!


Both Cargo and Super Zero: Badass Journey Into Zombie Awesomeness are included in our ebook: 200 Best Online Sci-Fi Short Films. Download your copy to experience 200 of the best science fiction and genre shorts on the web!

All proceeds from the sale of this ebook help keep The 7th Matrix independent and AD-FREE.

August 25, 2015 /Rod T. Faulkner
Fear The Walking Dead, Cargo zombie short, super zero zombie short, zombies, the walking dead, tropfest
Horror, Short Film
LAMacabreLogo

In The Web Series Thriller L.A. Macabre - A Terrifying Cult Awakens

August 22, 2015 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror

L.A. Macabre unnerved the hell out of me.

Set in Los Angeles as a series-within-a-series, we follow a trio of young documentary filmmakers as they produce a web series investigating a defunct Manson-like cult called "The New Family."

Show host Ryan (Ryan Hellquist), director Colin (Aidan Bristow), and Ryan's younger sister Jamie (Ryan Bartley) make contact with Callie (Corsica Wilson), an ex-member of The New Family.

Callie reluctantly agrees to be interviewed on condition of anonymity.

However, Colin soon becomes captivated by her, and Callie quickly begins exerting a disturbing control over him.

Exacerbating matters further, eerie events begin to occur signifying The New Family may still be operating - and targeting the filmmakers.

Is Callie truly out of The New Family, or does the dangerous cult still have a hold over her?

L.A. Macabre excels in building an unrelenting sense of tension and dread.

From the group's initial meeting with Callie to the pulse-pounding season finale, the series maintains its spooky, uncomfortable vibe.

Adding to the chilling tone is the incorporation of real historical details about the Manson Family's ghastly exploits.

On the production side, the entire cast gives superb performances as ambitious young filmmakers in way over their heads.

Watch the compelling series trailer here ...

The producers launched a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund a second season of the series. Since season one ended on a major cliffhanger, knowing a second season is planned is terrific news.

To watch the series, visit its YouTube channel.

To learn more about the show, visit its Facebook page.

L.A. Macabre is a compelling and creepy psychological thriller.  Definitely check it out to discover why it has earned numerous well-deserved accolades.


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August 22, 2015 /Rod T. Faulkner
la macabre web series, horror web series
Horror

Storytellers The Web Series - A Tale Of The Supernatural By Joey Graceffa

March 28, 2015 by Rod T. Faulkner in Horror

Storytellers is a web series that looks like it could the be pilot for a show on the CW network.

Created by - and also starring - popular YouTube vlogger Joey Graceffa, Storytellers opens on a small group of teens telling each other stories around a bonfire.

As the series progresses with each teen taking their turn spinning a tale of suspense, you learn they are close friends bound together by more than just friendship.

They each have ties to the supernatural that will alter their lives forever.

The six episode web series is constructed similar to an anthology, with each installment revealing the background of a separate character.

The episodes are named for the main characters centered, and are as follows:

  • Hunter Crowley (Joey Graceffa) the scion of a rich, dysfunctional family. Though he is the most popular kid at his high school, Hunter is grappling with a dark secret

  • Mai Himura (Jessica Lu) Mai is a very self-possessed young woman who must come to terms with her family's unique heritage

  • Skyler Evans (Kristina Cole) Kristina is Hunter's girlfriend who is growing increasingly frustrated with his mood swings and growing emotional distance

  • Finn Avery (Jake Thomas) The self-deprecating Finn is deeply concerned over the secrets threatening to rip his friends apart

  • Celia Crowley (Devyn Smith) Hunter's troubled younger sister who is chafing under their father's high expectations

As each episode of Storytellers unfolds, the backstories of the characters intertwine to form a single story arc that culminates in a mystical battle between good and evil.

Admittedly, I'm not the typical demographic for this project, but I still appreciate a well-told story with solid production value.

This series most definitely has both of those qualifications.

The writing by Whitney Milam and Michael Gallagher is solid, avoiding much of the cringe-worthy dialogue indicative of most teen dramas. 

Also, the direction by Michael Gallagher is sensational. 

He adroitly weaves disparate scenes and sequences together to create a cohesive whole.

The series co-producers - Graceffa, Milam, and Michael Wormser -  should be commended for giving the production network-quality polish.

However, what was most impressive was the performances of the young actors. 

Honestly, I didn't expect much in the way of dramatic range from the cast, but they acquitted themselves handsomely. 

Each actor was able to convincingly relay a varied range of emotions essential in bringing the story to life.

Get a taste of the tone of the series by watching the trailer here ...

Storytellers surprised me with its well-crafted narrative structure, skilled direction, intriguing story, and capable young cast. 

The first season ended on a cliffhanger, so there may be a second to resolve the story completely.

The series is available for viewing via its channel on YouTube: Storytellers.


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March 28, 2015 /Rod T. Faulkner
storytellers joey graceffa, storytellers web series, whitney milam, michael wormser, michael gallagher
Horror
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