Ransomware
Paris, France | Film Feature
Experimental, Thriller
An isolated biorobot and an enthusiastic content creator are bound by our integral relationship with technology in this modern world. Ransomware proves that we are at our most connected, yet lacking the importance of community. Human interaction and identity reduced to data sets.
38 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$4,810
Goal: $6,000 for post-production
An isolated biorobot and an enthusiastic content creator are bound by our integral relationship with technology in this modern world. Ransomware proves that we are at our most connected, yet lacking the importance of community. Human interaction and identity reduced to data sets.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Story
Ransomware is a story that showcases how technology intersects with personal identities, morality, attention spans, and the overall ability to feel empathetic. It has become inevitable and incredibly important in our lives, warping core beliefs about ourselves and others.
The film begins abruptly, narratively paralleling and setting the stage for the personal world of our main character X, a former data-collection biorobot.
With isolation running rampant in our lives, it's seen taking an extreme toll on the main character X as they hide out in their cave-like home. It's unclear the amount of time that X has spent in this room, but we do know how they feel about it. Appearing as what many might call a monstrosity or a freak of nature, finding the courage to break out of this monotonous routine will not be an easy task. Countless video diaries are taken alone, that really portray how feeling like an outcast can shape you into the person that you believe you are. Something has to change...
Now emerging into this unfamiliar world, X explores and takes in what has become of modern day life. Filled with mostly curiosity, but also fear in not knowing what to expect. X is aware of the public judgement they will face, yet is determined to continue this journey in the name of self-fulfillment. While wandering the streets of Paris, we see X cross paths with an internet streamer. 
Although these characters are vastly different, a sort of camaraderie is formed in the shared experience of feeling unsure about the purpose of their lives.
Yet, something feels off. Could it be paranoia?...
Why Now?
We believe everyone is subjected to the effects of technology, the transition of critical needs becoming digital, and modern surveillance. Ransomware is a story that is of the moment and needs to be told. It is a film that is bold and subversive and deserves to be seen/heard loud in person.
As we find our paths becoming more designed by an algorithm all of us are slowly losing a sense of self and humanity. In addition, this story is deeply of the moment with much of our thinking and decisions being offloaded onto machines. Through our distribution our goal is to engage with the community and create events that foster connection. We will be pairing the film screening with live DJ sets in a hybrid art gallery setting. Some of the core ideas of our film revolve around the loneliness and social isolation in a technological world; due to this the importance of in person screenings becomes even greater. You would be helping this come true and creating the pathway to events near you.
Why You?
Making it possible for others to be involved in film making is meaningful to us and we hope to inspire others to create what they have always dreamed of. In addition, queer filmmakers and minority filmmakers in general are often pushed to the outskirts of the industry. This leaves it up to us and our network to find our way, hence why your support is so crucial. The process can seem intimidating or lonely, but by building up a community it becomes even more possible and exciting.
Ransomware is a culmination of dreams and years worth of ideas. You would be able to get in at the ground floor and support at an extremely crucial stage. People have become increasingly more enticed by original and creative concept films, which is why the time to take a chance is now!
Our Timeline
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Composer
Costs $750
Music plays a central key role in the film. Emotionally and thematically pushing the film.
Marketing
Costs $1,250
Paying for flyers, posters, and in person handouts. In addition, online ads and also reaching out to local film critics or reviewers.
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $1,000
As a way to take a multi faceted approach along with the self-distribution we will be submitting to festivals that don't require premiere.
Initial Distribution
Costs $3,000
All filmmaking is an investment and especially for independent filmmakers starting and getting off the ground is usually the hardest part.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Odette Aldrich: Producer, Writer, Director, Editor, and Actor
Odette is a 23 year old filmmaker, editor, and artist living in Paris, France. Through art Odette intends to raise awareness, inspire empathy, create change, and provide comfort to someone who might need it. With film festival selections, both short and medium length, at Fargo Film Festival, Denver Underground Film Festival, Brighton Rocks International Film Festival, Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival, Torino Underground Cinefest, and more. Art and film have provided her immense comfort through distress and helped her to shape who Odette has become with now a hope to provide that for someone else. Ransomware has been an incredible opportunity and most of all I am just excited to share the hard work of so many incredible people.
Willow Westenskow: Director of Photography, Production Designer, SFX Makeup Artist
Willow is a Chicago-based multimedia visual artist. Engages with many forms of art; classically ballet trained, self-taught fine arts, makeup experience (cosmetic & SFX), photography, etc.
Kalia Lyman: Producer, Assistant Director
Kalia is a paris-based multimedia producer with a background in narrative music video and commercial production.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Story
Ransomware is a story that showcases how technology intersects with personal identities, morality, attention spans, and the overall ability to feel empathetic. It has become inevitable and incredibly important in our lives, warping core beliefs about ourselves and others.
The film begins abruptly, narratively paralleling and setting the stage for the personal world of our main character X, a former data-collection biorobot.
With isolation running rampant in our lives, it's seen taking an extreme toll on the main character X as they hide out in their cave-like home. It's unclear the amount of time that X has spent in this room, but we do know how they feel about it. Appearing as what many might call a monstrosity or a freak of nature, finding the courage to break out of this monotonous routine will not be an easy task. Countless video diaries are taken alone, that really portray how feeling like an outcast can shape you into the person that you believe you are. Something has to change...
Now emerging into this unfamiliar world, X explores and takes in what has become of modern day life. Filled with mostly curiosity, but also fear in not knowing what to expect. X is aware of the public judgement they will face, yet is determined to continue this journey in the name of self-fulfillment. While wandering the streets of Paris, we see X cross paths with an internet streamer. Although these characters are vastly different, a sort of camaraderie is formed in the shared experience of feeling unsure about the purpose of their lives.
Yet, something feels off. Could it be paranoia?...
Why Now?
We believe everyone is subjected to the effects of technology, the transition of critical needs becoming digital, and modern surveillance. Ransomware is a story that is of the moment and needs to be told. It is a film that is bold and subversive and deserves to be seen/heard loud in person.
As we find our paths becoming more designed by an algorithm all of us are slowly losing a sense of self and humanity. In addition, this story is deeply of the moment with much of our thinking and decisions being offloaded onto machines. Through our distribution our goal is to engage with the community and create events that foster connection. We will be pairing the film screening with live DJ sets in a hybrid art gallery setting. Some of the core ideas of our film revolve around the loneliness and social isolation in a technological world; due to this the importance of in person screenings becomes even greater. You would be helping this come true and creating the pathway to events near you.
Why You?
Making it possible for others to be involved in film making is meaningful to us and we hope to inspire others to create what they have always dreamed of. In addition, queer filmmakers and minority filmmakers in general are often pushed to the outskirts of the industry. This leaves it up to us and our network to find our way, hence why your support is so crucial. The process can seem intimidating or lonely, but by building up a community it becomes even more possible and exciting.
Ransomware is a culmination of dreams and years worth of ideas. You would be able to get in at the ground floor and support at an extremely crucial stage. People have become increasingly more enticed by original and creative concept films, which is why the time to take a chance is now!
Our Timeline
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Composer
Costs $750
Music plays a central key role in the film. Emotionally and thematically pushing the film.
Marketing
Costs $1,250
Paying for flyers, posters, and in person handouts. In addition, online ads and also reaching out to local film critics or reviewers.
Film Festival Submissions
Costs $1,000
As a way to take a multi faceted approach along with the self-distribution we will be submitting to festivals that don't require premiere.
Initial Distribution
Costs $3,000
All filmmaking is an investment and especially for independent filmmakers starting and getting off the ground is usually the hardest part.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Odette Aldrich: Producer, Writer, Director, Editor, and Actor
Odette is a 23 year old filmmaker, editor, and artist living in Paris, France. Through art Odette intends to raise awareness, inspire empathy, create change, and provide comfort to someone who might need it. With film festival selections, both short and medium length, at Fargo Film Festival, Denver Underground Film Festival, Brighton Rocks International Film Festival, Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival, Torino Underground Cinefest, and more. Art and film have provided her immense comfort through distress and helped her to shape who Odette has become with now a hope to provide that for someone else. Ransomware has been an incredible opportunity and most of all I am just excited to share the hard work of so many incredible people.
Willow Westenskow: Director of Photography, Production Designer, SFX Makeup Artist
Willow is a Chicago-based multimedia visual artist. Engages with many forms of art; classically ballet trained, self-taught fine arts, makeup experience (cosmetic & SFX), photography, etc.
Kalia Lyman: Producer, Assistant Director
Kalia is a paris-based multimedia producer with a background in narrative music video and commercial production.