Expert System
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Crime
Support Expert System! A USC Sci-fi noir short. An android black market artisan, Yazhini, deals with the ultimate glitch, guilt, after committing murder in virtual reality. Now she's hunted by her own kind. Help us bring this high-concept, South-Asian led vision of the future to life!
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This campaign raised $22,850 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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Support Expert System! A USC Sci-fi noir short. An android black market artisan, Yazhini, deals with the ultimate glitch, guilt, after committing murder in virtual reality. Now she's hunted by her own kind. Help us bring this high-concept, South-Asian led vision of the future to life!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY
In the not-too-distant future, the black market has gone virtual. It’s easier than ever to buy and sell art with clientele around the globe via virtual reality chat room...inside the CYBERHAVEN.
Meet YAZHINI, a SENTIENT ANDROID who sculpts Hindu religious statues and forges religious texts. She works for a criminal syndicate specializing in forged religious art sales, led by the seemingly caring and maternal Graves.
Our story starts in the midst of a robbery in the syndicate's virtual reality store. After a junkie robber threatens Yazhini's coworker, Yazhini is forced to kill someone.
She's never done that before.
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She finds murder at odds with her newfound morality, based on the texts that she forges. Yazhini’s overwhelming guilt sets her on a new path, a high-wire balancing act that will unlock her humanity through one concrete decision. This is dangerous, because androids do what they're told...right?
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Pursued by an aggressive police detective and a suspicious boss, Yazhini navigates trials and tribulations on a turbulent journey of personal redemption. Can she find the solace she desires, or will the karma of her actions shackle her in the end?
OUR VISUALS
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OUR INSPIRATION BOARD
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DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
As an Indian Hindu, our culture is abundant with the exploration of the self and selflessness. I am no expert in metaphysics or philosophy, but I enjoy exploring what makes us uniquely human. My stories often are about that exploration of the human condition, set inside a genre that I love.
This story involves a character asserting her independence and free will. To me, the cyberpunk genre was the perfect arena to set this story. It’s ripe with opportunities to explore the human condition, especially in non-human or artificial characters. As a big fan of science fiction, self-assertion, discovery, and journeying inward are themes that permeate my stories.
Furthermore, I wanted the protagonist to be an Indian woman. As someone who is deeply steeped in my culture, heritage, and history, I have unfortunately recognized many old-fashioned patriarchal patterns in Indian society. It has plagued members of my family and many of my friends growing up, and it’s something I feel strongly about.
As a filmmaker, I want to take advantage of my position and articulate those strong feelings through my characters and stories.
So ultimately, Expert System is a story about an Indian woman seeking to assert her independence and find her freedom.
All our donations will be put towards bringing this unique and stylish film to life! Scout's Honor!
Follow our progress! @dhilippranav
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Package
Costs $2,000
These funds will go towards getting lenses, the camera body, tripods, and essential hardware from shooting our film.
Wardrobe
Costs $1,000
This is for creating lived-in and realistic costumes for the cyberpunk world we're creating.
Makeup & Hairdressing
Costs $1,000
Our makeup and hairdressing is critical to creating our android "looks" and realistic characters.
Set Dressing, Art Department, and Props
Costs $5,000
A cyberpunk world needs cyberpunk props and sets. Our world needs a grounded science-fiction aesthetic!
Sound Equipment
Costs $1,000
A film is only as good as it sounds!
Set Lighting
Costs $2,000
Cyberpunk films are defined by stylish and atmospheric lighting. The technical phrase is "it looks real cool".
General Set Operations
Costs $2,500
We need to ensure we have the right equipment for power, rigging, and set safety, especially as we're shooting on an LED Wall!
Locations
Costs $2,500
Our location fees are twofold, both for rentals and permits.
Transportation
Costs $850
We gotta get from here to there and there to here!
Gear Trucks
Costs $1,000
Large trucks ensures we can safely and efficiently move our gear.
Post Production
Costs $1,500
Our film needs some terrific VFX and slick post-production!
Food & Crafty
Costs $2,500
Eating is important. We'd love to have healthy snacks and meals on set!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
LET'S MEET OUR TEAM!
We've assembled an intrepid crew of brilliant student filmmakers for this project. They're bringing this story to life because they believe in it. Frankly, they're some of the bravest, kindest, most creative people I'll ever meet.
OUR PRODUCERS
OUR PRODUCTION TEAM
OUR POST-PRODUCTION TEAM
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
THE STORY
In the not-too-distant future, the black market has gone virtual. It’s easier than ever to buy and sell art with clientele around the globe via virtual reality chat room...inside the CYBERHAVEN.
Meet YAZHINI, a SENTIENT ANDROID who sculpts Hindu religious statues and forges religious texts. She works for a criminal syndicate specializing in forged religious art sales, led by the seemingly caring and maternal Graves.
Our story starts in the midst of a robbery in the syndicate's virtual reality store. After a junkie robber threatens Yazhini's coworker, Yazhini is forced to kill someone.
She's never done that before.
She finds murder at odds with her newfound morality, based on the texts that she forges. Yazhini’s overwhelming guilt sets her on a new path, a high-wire balancing act that will unlock her humanity through one concrete decision. This is dangerous, because androids do what they're told...right?
Pursued by an aggressive police detective and a suspicious boss, Yazhini navigates trials and tribulations on a turbulent journey of personal redemption. Can she find the solace she desires, or will the karma of her actions shackle her in the end?
OUR VISUALS
OUR INSPIRATION BOARD
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
As an Indian Hindu, our culture is abundant with the exploration of the self and selflessness. I am no expert in metaphysics or philosophy, but I enjoy exploring what makes us uniquely human. My stories often are about that exploration of the human condition, set inside a genre that I love.
This story involves a character asserting her independence and free will. To me, the cyberpunk genre was the perfect arena to set this story. It’s ripe with opportunities to explore the human condition, especially in non-human or artificial characters. As a big fan of science fiction, self-assertion, discovery, and journeying inward are themes that permeate my stories.
Furthermore, I wanted the protagonist to be an Indian woman. As someone who is deeply steeped in my culture, heritage, and history, I have unfortunately recognized many old-fashioned patriarchal patterns in Indian society. It has plagued members of my family and many of my friends growing up, and it’s something I feel strongly about.
As a filmmaker, I want to take advantage of my position and articulate those strong feelings through my characters and stories.
So ultimately, Expert System is a story about an Indian woman seeking to assert her independence and find her freedom.
All our donations will be put towards bringing this unique and stylish film to life! Scout's Honor!
Follow our progress! @dhilippranav
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera Package
Costs $2,000
These funds will go towards getting lenses, the camera body, tripods, and essential hardware from shooting our film.
Wardrobe
Costs $1,000
This is for creating lived-in and realistic costumes for the cyberpunk world we're creating.
Makeup & Hairdressing
Costs $1,000
Our makeup and hairdressing is critical to creating our android "looks" and realistic characters.
Set Dressing, Art Department, and Props
Costs $5,000
A cyberpunk world needs cyberpunk props and sets. Our world needs a grounded science-fiction aesthetic!
Sound Equipment
Costs $1,000
A film is only as good as it sounds!
Set Lighting
Costs $2,000
Cyberpunk films are defined by stylish and atmospheric lighting. The technical phrase is "it looks real cool".
General Set Operations
Costs $2,500
We need to ensure we have the right equipment for power, rigging, and set safety, especially as we're shooting on an LED Wall!
Locations
Costs $2,500
Our location fees are twofold, both for rentals and permits.
Transportation
Costs $850
We gotta get from here to there and there to here!
Gear Trucks
Costs $1,000
Large trucks ensures we can safely and efficiently move our gear.
Post Production
Costs $1,500
Our film needs some terrific VFX and slick post-production!
Food & Crafty
Costs $2,500
Eating is important. We'd love to have healthy snacks and meals on set!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
LET'S MEET OUR TEAM!
We've assembled an intrepid crew of brilliant student filmmakers for this project. They're bringing this story to life because they believe in it. Frankly, they're some of the bravest, kindest, most creative people I'll ever meet.
OUR PRODUCERS
OUR PRODUCTION TEAM
OUR POST-PRODUCTION TEAM