Josh is a kind-hearted young man who, despite his best efforts, remains an outsider in society. He struggles between embracing his experiences of alien abduction, and living a normal, happy life. This is his last chance to connect with the world around him before leaving it forever.
Josh is a kind-hearted young man who, despite his best efforts, remains an outsider in society. He struggles between embracing his experiences of alien abduction, and living a normal, happy life. This is his last chance to connect with the world around him before leaving it forever.
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Story
Mission Statement
This is a film about social repression, and the struggle of being silenced. By making a documentary, Josh claims agency over his own story. AIOT also challenges the typical view of mental illness, and provides a creative lens through which to view personal trauma. Our AD, Hannah, is a badass lady.About The Project
Nicholaus and I (Brad), were sitting in our favorite coffee shop, throwing some ideas around for a short film, but nothing was sticking. I went home feeling dejected and decided to watch the NBA All Star Weekend to get out of my funk. One of the players, Kyrie Irving, had just come out to the media as a "Flat Earther," and when he came onscreen, the wheels in my head started turning. Even though most people agree that believing in a flat Earth is ridiculous, Irving's reasoning intrigued me. He said that we need to find the answers for ourselves. For example, science used to tell us that there was nothing smaller than an atom, but now we know the atom can be split into even smaller parts. Instead of believing everything we're told, we should find the answers that are important to us. That notion really stuck out to me: finding the answers for yourself. So the next time Nicholaus and I met, I told him that's what I wanted to make a film about.
Since I was a kid, I've been fascinated by space. Everything about it. And the one thing that has always scared me the most? Aliens. I used to lay awake for hours, convinced that the little red light on my heater was a lazer beam from a spaceship. My heart raced as I contemplated the prospect of abduction - but I thought that as long as I stayed conscious, the aliens couldn't get me. My memories of this time in my life are so intense and vivid, and the feeling of fear so palpable, that I knew I had to make aliens the backdrop of this film.
I started thinking about what it would be like to live in a small town, like the one I grew up in, and truly believe that you had been abducted...how would you be treated? In my hometown, most ideas that go against the grain are seen as crazy or dangerous. If an adult man believed in aliens, he would definitely find himself isolated. And, knowing that isolation breeds instability in the human psyche, I found the central question of the film: is Josh telling the truth, or is he delusional?
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Soon after that I asked my friends Hannah and Greg to join the team to help create this film. Hannah is a recent film school grad who's passionate about storytelling, so I knew that we needed her. And Greg, sweet Greg, is our writer. He's a no-nonsense kind of guy who loves diving into a story, ironing out all the kinks, and never cutting corners. So after months of meeting every week, working tirelessly on the plot and characters, we have an amazing script. It's a one-of-a-kind take on the typical alien narrative that is, at it's core, a story about the struggles of being human. I'm so proud of the work we've done, but it's only the begining.
Incentives
$10
Believer
You believe in this! You get a special thanks on our Social Media Platforms!
$25
Star Gazer
You've been gazing at the stars for more! You get a shoutout on social media as well as a Digital Copy of the Film!
$50
Major Tom!
Ground Control has been trying to get in touch with you! With this, you are floating away with everything above AND special behind-the-scenes footage!
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$100
The Leader
You're the leader and we want to be taken to you! Whenever we have the premiere, there will be a ticket with your name on it! As well as everything above.
Claimed: 12 of 20
$200
Moonwalker
Your dance skills are impressive! MJ would jealous of your moonwalking abilties. Our very own Matt Weber, of the Austin Band 'Full Serive,' will sing you a a special little personalized tune! As well as everything above!
Claimed: 5 of 20
$300
Z. Stardust
You play rock n' roll with the spiders of Mars and your hair is like a cat from Japan! You get something special: ALIEN-THEMED COOKIES!!! Made by the staff! And a special message. As well as everything before this.
Claimed: 2 of 10
$350
Life on Mars
You are the Life on Mars! You get the Shout-Out, BTS footage, digital copy of the film, a Matt Weber song, a Ticket to the Premiere, and YOUR NAME goes in the credits under Special Thanks!
$400
Extra Extra, Read all about it!
YOU GET TO BE AN ACTOR!!!!
Seriously, you can be an extra in the film! Travel not included, unless you live in Austin, in which case Nicolaus will pick you up personally. PLUS everything above!
Claimed: 1 of 5
$750
Associate Producer on IMDB
That's right. Never thought you'd be an Associate Producer for a Film? This is your way in! Enjoy this and everything above!
Claimed: 1 of 10
$1,500
Executive Producer
You're our number one fan (and we're definitely yours)! You get everything you want in life, that we can offer at least... IMDB Credit, regular updates on the production promise, and you get first look at everything! As well as ALL OTHER incentives! Thanks, we love you!!!
Claimed: 1 of 4
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Believer
You believe in this! You get a special thanks on our Social Media Platforms!
$25
Star Gazer
You've been gazing at the stars for more! You get a shoutout on social media as well as a Digital Copy of the Film!
$50
Major Tom!
Ground Control has been trying to get in touch with you! With this, you are floating away with everything above AND special behind-the-scenes footage!
$100
The Leader
You're the leader and we want to be taken to you! Whenever we have the premiere, there will be a ticket with your name on it! As well as everything above.
Claimed: 12 of 20
$200
Moonwalker
Your dance skills are impressive! MJ would jealous of your moonwalking abilties. Our very own Matt Weber, of the Austin Band 'Full Serive,' will sing you a a special little personalized tune! As well as everything above!
Claimed: 5 of 20
$300
Z. Stardust
You play rock n' roll with the spiders of Mars and your hair is like a cat from Japan! You get something special: ALIEN-THEMED COOKIES!!! Made by the staff! And a special message. As well as everything before this.
Claimed: 2 of 10
$350
Life on Mars
You are the Life on Mars! You get the Shout-Out, BTS footage, digital copy of the film, a Matt Weber song, a Ticket to the Premiere, and YOUR NAME goes in the credits under Special Thanks!
$400
Extra Extra, Read all about it!
YOU GET TO BE AN ACTOR!!!!
Seriously, you can be an extra in the film! Travel not included, unless you live in Austin, in which case Nicolaus will pick you up personally. PLUS everything above! Claimed: 1 of 5
$750
Associate Producer on IMDB
That's right. Never thought you'd be an Associate Producer for a Film? This is your way in! Enjoy this and everything above!
Claimed: 1 of 10
$1,500
Executive Producer
You're our number one fan (and we're definitely yours)! You get everything you want in life, that we can offer at least... IMDB Credit, regular updates on the production promise, and you get first look at everything! As well as ALL OTHER incentives! Thanks, we love you!!!
Claimed: 1 of 4
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Brad Silman- Director
Brad moved to Austin from Shreveport, LA to pursue his dream of acting and filmmaking. Brad met Nic and Hannah through acting class and is extremely excited to make this film. Outside of a few sketches and short films made with friends this is his first budgeted short film to direct.
Nicholaus Weindel - Producer/Actor
Nicholaus has been in Austin for 5 years to continue his pursuit of acting. He started out on the East Coast where he studied at Penn State University and The Stella Adler Conservatory in NYC. After making his way to Austin, it was here that he ran into Brad. Fellow actors with like minded drive, they decided to start creating shorts. This is their first major short film they've worked on together.
Hannah Shaper - Assistant Director/Creative Producer
Hannah graduated from film school in Colorado College last year, and moved to Austin to pursue her passion for film making. She met Nicholaus and Brad in acting class and couldn’t wait to get in on the action of Am I Out There. Though Hannah has never seen an alien, she has a distinct feeling they’re out there…suffice it to say, she is thrilled to be the Assistant Director of this unique project!Greg Stoker - Writer
After completing his military career with the Ranger Regiment in 2015, Greg decided to pursue acting and writing. He is currently enrolled at Columbia University where he studies Film and Creative Writing. Greg likes Black Metal, Dungeons and Dragons, and English Literature.
John Valley - Josh Emerson
John Valley is an actor and filmmaker from Austin, TX. He has studied with various acting schools and has made 40 + music videos, 4 feature films, a mini-series and a handful of shorts.
Carol Hickey - Carrie Emerson
Carol Hickey has studied with some of the most prestigious instructors in Acting at HB Studio in New York and 7 years in Los Angeles with Harry Mastrogeorge. She has a degree in Theatre from University of California, Santa Barbara. She earned her living working on commercials and television series (Gilmore Girls, Six Feet Under, Scrubs, ER, NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Big Love, National Tide, AT&T, Kelloggs, Cisco and many more) in Los Angeles. She also has received awards for her work on stage, developing premiere works in Los Angeles and in New York with The Canyon Theatre Company, along with name actors such as Mark Ruffalo and Kathy Bates. She worked as an instructor through East L.A. Classic Theatre to inner city, underprivileged youth and has primarily served as a private audition coach here in Austin.
Shelby McCoy - Stacy
Shelby began studying at the Carol Hickey Acting Studio in the Spring of 2016 after a long hiatus from performance and acting. She looks forward to working with and continuing to grow alongside Austin's rich film and theater talent.
Allison Mosely - ClinicianAllison Moseley acts, writes, directs, produces, and occasionally sleeps on her feet. Most recently she was in the Sundance film Little Woods and the web series Day 5.
Patrick Costigan - Officer Wimberly and Sound
Patrick Costigan is an actor and sound recordist and theatre graduate of Boston University. He finds himself in Austin after stints in San Fransisco and New York where he acted, wrote and made short films. If you've seen any of his work, please call his mother.
Zak Seeker - Director of Photography.
Zak Seeker is an Austin based cinematographer. He has shot many projects, including music videos, commercials, and reality television, but he is most passionate about shooting narrative fiction. With every movie he shoots, he tries to use the camera in the way that will best complement the story.
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