Signing Off
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
History, Sci-Fi
In a retro-futuristic 1950s, a husband-wife pair of radio announcers struggle to control their narrative during an interstellar war between Mars and the United States. Inspired by Orson Welles' radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, this film will explore the power of truth, narrative, and delusion.
Signing Off
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
History, Sci-Fi
1 Campaigns | Georgia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $8,283 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
58 supporters | followers
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In a retro-futuristic 1950s, a husband-wife pair of radio announcers struggle to control their narrative during an interstellar war between Mars and the United States. Inspired by Orson Welles' radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, this film will explore the power of truth, narrative, and delusion.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In a technologically futuristic version of the 1950s, Ray Woodson and Sandra Conaway, a husband-and-wife duo of radio broadcasters, become swept up in breaking coverage of an interplanetary war when NASA’s effort to colonize Mars meets with unexpected, violent resistance from the Martians.
Determined to spread the American Way to new planets and defeat the "Red Menace on Mars," Ray convinces Sandra and their producer, Mr. Creely, that they must promote America's war effort and provide patriotic, optimistic coverage of the Mars crisis despite Sandra's misgivings.
However, as the as the War on Mars goes badly and the United States faces the threat of a Martian Invasion on Earth, Ray and Sandra struggle to maintain both their narrative and their own belief in it.
I have long been fascinated with retrofuturism, which is essentially a previous era's (usually inaccurate) perception of what the future would be. The popular 1950s American perception of the future suggested a narrative of optimism and self-confidence. It tells of a bright golden destiny of space travel and technological utopia which lay just around the corner if people believe in it and work at it hard enough, no matter the challenges. Today of course, this has not come to pass.
As a storyteller myself, I want to explore characters who craft those kinds of narratives and are defined by them. What happens when events contradict their expectations? In my own life, I have felt defined by the stories I have told myself about who I am, both for good and bad. Sometimes these narratives are well-founded, but just as often they can consume me and blind me to the truth of what’s really happening.
In Signing Off, I aim to explore these themes of truth, narrative, and delusion which are relevant now more than ever. Today, we are constantly hearing voices on podcasts, social media, TV and radio telling us stories about who we are and what the truth is, and it is often easier to lose ourselves within the meaning we gain from those stories than to reflect on their accuracy and intention.
The relationship between the broadcasting couple of Ray and Sandra lies at the heart of Signing Off. Ray's stubborn determination to push on with his vision of victory creates a barrier between him and his wife Sandra as she grows increasingly concerned about the Martian War and their role in supporting it. Meanwhile, authority figures like Mr. Creely and Captain Palmer effectively feed Ray's jingoistic impulses while ignoring or denouncing Sandra's practical observations.
Ray Woodson is the confident and charismatic lead broadcaster for WAOK Radio, where things are always looking A-okay. An ambitious young man in a world full of exciting new developments and opportunities, he worked his way up from the bottom in the hopes to make something of himself. At his core, Ray is an idealist who feels he owes his success to the American Dream and believes a bright future is achievable with enough determination.
Sandra Conaway is a down-to-earth woman despite the peppy attitude she brings to her role as the better half of WAOK’s signature radio program. While generally agreeable, she brings a more practical and level-headed perspective to her commentary compared to her husband’s excitable high-mindedness. At her core, Sandra has an instinctual curiosity and an abiding belief in the truth.
Mr. James G. Creely is the gregarious but scholarly founder and owner of WAOK Radio. A shrewd businessman, he saw potential in Ray and Sandra's news commentary program early on and has formed a strong working relationship with them over the years. In the end though, he’s still the boss and will do what he thinks is best for his station.
Captain Clyde Palmer is a prominent figure in the Earth Public Security Bureau, an agency created to counter domestic threats in response to the Mars crisis. A devoted patriot, Palmer now works diligently to sniff out any potential infiltrators or disloyalists that could undermine the war effort with treasonous activity or words.
Signing Off will take thematic and stylistic influence from historical dramas such as Good Night and Good Luck, political satires like Dr. Strangelove, and Science Fiction both old and new including The Twilight Zone, The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Iron Giant.
Perhaps the strongest influence on the film has been the infamous Orson Welles radio dramatization of The War of the Worlds, which was apparently so convincing that many listeners believed the show was a real news report of an actual Martian Invasion (at least, according to newspaper headlines at the time).
Not only did Welles' broadcast provide the initial idea of radio announcers reporting on a Martian invasion from inside a studio, but the whole ordeal around it spoke to the power of narrative and belief, whether it be the mass panic among listeners who believed what they heard on the radio, or the sensationalist narrative built up around Welles and the exaggerated scale of his audience's gullibility.
The film will start out with a colorful, nostalgic look to convey the Golden Age the characters believe they are entering, but this will gradually transition to a more bleak and oppressive visual style as the situation becomes dire and the Martians invade Earth.
To convey the energy, fervor and shock of the characters as they report on otherworldly developments from their studio, the camera will move with their emotions. Pushes, pulls, and tracking shots will place the viewers in the dynamic mindsets of the characters even when they themselves are seated statically in front of their microphones.
We need at least 80% of our goal to receive funds through Seed and Spark. We won't receive any funds if we don’t hit this! This project is important to us, and to get it done well we need to meet our $10,000 budget.
Visual Effects: $1,000, or 10% of the budget. These funds will allow us to pay for VFX services and assets to create a climactic confrontation with an imposing Martian Tripod!
Meals: $1,500 or 15% of the budget. These funds will allow us to feed all the hard working members of our cast and crew with hot meals for their lunch breaks during production!
Production Design: $1,250 or 12.5% of the budget. These funds will allow us to procure 1950s props, furniture, and decorations to create the retro futuristic setting of the film!
Locations: $800 or 8.0% of the budget. These funds will allow us to procure period locations to create the world of a mid-century era radio studio.
Costumes: $700 or 7.0% of the budget. These funds will help us procure clothing that fits the period of the film's setting, including renting, buying, and altering items.
Cast: $2,250 or 22.5% of the budget. These funds will enable us to hire talented performers to breathe life into the characters and emotion of the film.
Crew: $1,000 or 10.0% of the budget. These funds will allow us to give our skilled crew fair compensation for their efforts in crafting the film.
Equipment: $500 or 5.0% of the budget. These funds will allow us to rent supplementary camera, lighting, or sound equipment to make the film!
Post Production: $1000 or 10.0% of the budget. These funds will cover expenses in the post-production process such as editing, creating an original music score, and submission fees for film festivals.
Our production plan to create Signing Off is as follows:
- PRE-PRODUCTION (February - March 2026): Finalize casting, secure locations, design costumes, plan logistics, and test visual effects. We'll also rehearse with our actors to develop the emotional journeys and chemistry of their characters.
- PRODUCTION (April 2026): A five-day shoot with a dedicated cast and crew, capturing the necessary performances and shots.
- POST-PRODUCTION (May - July 2026): The best material is assembled into a Final Cut in collaboration with Visual Effects artists and the music composer.
- FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS (August 2026 onward): Once complete, we’ll submit Signing Off to film festivals around the country, particularly genre-focused festivals.
Thank you for reading through our project's Seed & Spark page, we really appreciate your interest and support. Help us spread the word on social media or by word of mouth among your friends and family so that they too can learn about this film and its crowdfunding campaign. We can't wait to take you to another world in Signing Off!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Visual Effects
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to pay for VFX services and assets to create a confrontation with a Martian Tripod!
Meals
Costs $1,500
We want to feed all the hard working members of our cast and crew with hot meals for their lunch breaks!
Cast
Costs $2,250
This will allow us to hire talented performers to bring our characters to life!
Locations
Costs $800
This allows us to procure period-era locations that suit the retro-radio station setting!
Costumes
Costs $700
We will need clothing that fits the retro-futuristic world of the film, including renting, buying, and altering items.
Crew
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to give our talented crew fair compensation for their efforts
Post Production
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to cover expenses in post-production such as editing, an original music score, and submission fees for film festivals
Production Design
Costs $1,250
This allows us to procure 1950s props, furniture, and decorations to create the retrofuturistic world of the movie!
Equipment
Costs $500
This will allow us to rent supplemental camera, light, and sound equipment to make the film!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Eli Hutchinson is an award-winning writer/director pursuing his master's degree in Film, TV, and Digital Media at the University of Georgia. He received his bachelor's degree in Film and Television Production with a minor in Political Science at Western Carolina University, where he also worked as a Writing Fellow. He loves to make films that feature the fantastical and has previously made stop motion animations that integrate digital effects and backgrounds.
Maddie Ramsey is a fourth-year Undergraduate student at the University of Georgia studying Entertainment and Media studies with a minor in Theatre. She is a scholarship recipient for Women in Film and Television Atlanta and has worked the Peabody Awards in Los Angeles, along with many other on-set roles. She has a passion for independent film and stories that matter.
Greyson Brooks is a student in the University of Georgia MFA Film Program and has worked with Eli on previous projects. He likes creating stories that are far from reality, whether it be sci-fi, fantasy or comedy. With a great passion for world building, Greyson also works in art direction and prop building.
Jesse Scales received his master's degree in Film, TV, and Digital Media at the University of Georgia. He is a co-owner of J and J Pictures. His most recent work was as a production assistant for the Blumhouse film, The Women in the Yard.
Hannah Lee is a second-year Undergraduate student at the University of Georgia studying Entertainment and Media studies with a minor in Film and English. She has a passion for storytelling and film production, and is particularly drawn to book-to-film adaptations.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
In a technologically futuristic version of the 1950s, Ray Woodson and Sandra Conaway, a husband-and-wife duo of radio broadcasters, become swept up in breaking coverage of an interplanetary war when NASA’s effort to colonize Mars meets with unexpected, violent resistance from the Martians.
Determined to spread the American Way to new planets and defeat the "Red Menace on Mars," Ray convinces Sandra and their producer, Mr. Creely, that they must promote America's war effort and provide patriotic, optimistic coverage of the Mars crisis despite Sandra's misgivings.
However, as the as the War on Mars goes badly and the United States faces the threat of a Martian Invasion on Earth, Ray and Sandra struggle to maintain both their narrative and their own belief in it.
I have long been fascinated with retrofuturism, which is essentially a previous era's (usually inaccurate) perception of what the future would be. The popular 1950s American perception of the future suggested a narrative of optimism and self-confidence. It tells of a bright golden destiny of space travel and technological utopia which lay just around the corner if people believe in it and work at it hard enough, no matter the challenges. Today of course, this has not come to pass.
As a storyteller myself, I want to explore characters who craft those kinds of narratives and are defined by them. What happens when events contradict their expectations? In my own life, I have felt defined by the stories I have told myself about who I am, both for good and bad. Sometimes these narratives are well-founded, but just as often they can consume me and blind me to the truth of what’s really happening.
In Signing Off, I aim to explore these themes of truth, narrative, and delusion which are relevant now more than ever. Today, we are constantly hearing voices on podcasts, social media, TV and radio telling us stories about who we are and what the truth is, and it is often easier to lose ourselves within the meaning we gain from those stories than to reflect on their accuracy and intention.
The relationship between the broadcasting couple of Ray and Sandra lies at the heart of Signing Off. Ray's stubborn determination to push on with his vision of victory creates a barrier between him and his wife Sandra as she grows increasingly concerned about the Martian War and their role in supporting it. Meanwhile, authority figures like Mr. Creely and Captain Palmer effectively feed Ray's jingoistic impulses while ignoring or denouncing Sandra's practical observations.
Ray Woodson is the confident and charismatic lead broadcaster for WAOK Radio, where things are always looking A-okay. An ambitious young man in a world full of exciting new developments and opportunities, he worked his way up from the bottom in the hopes to make something of himself. At his core, Ray is an idealist who feels he owes his success to the American Dream and believes a bright future is achievable with enough determination.
Sandra Conaway is a down-to-earth woman despite the peppy attitude she brings to her role as the better half of WAOK’s signature radio program. While generally agreeable, she brings a more practical and level-headed perspective to her commentary compared to her husband’s excitable high-mindedness. At her core, Sandra has an instinctual curiosity and an abiding belief in the truth.
Mr. James G. Creely is the gregarious but scholarly founder and owner of WAOK Radio. A shrewd businessman, he saw potential in Ray and Sandra's news commentary program early on and has formed a strong working relationship with them over the years. In the end though, he’s still the boss and will do what he thinks is best for his station.
Captain Clyde Palmer is a prominent figure in the Earth Public Security Bureau, an agency created to counter domestic threats in response to the Mars crisis. A devoted patriot, Palmer now works diligently to sniff out any potential infiltrators or disloyalists that could undermine the war effort with treasonous activity or words.
Signing Off will take thematic and stylistic influence from historical dramas such as Good Night and Good Luck, political satires like Dr. Strangelove, and Science Fiction both old and new including The Twilight Zone, The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Iron Giant.
Perhaps the strongest influence on the film has been the infamous Orson Welles radio dramatization of The War of the Worlds, which was apparently so convincing that many listeners believed the show was a real news report of an actual Martian Invasion (at least, according to newspaper headlines at the time).
Not only did Welles' broadcast provide the initial idea of radio announcers reporting on a Martian invasion from inside a studio, but the whole ordeal around it spoke to the power of narrative and belief, whether it be the mass panic among listeners who believed what they heard on the radio, or the sensationalist narrative built up around Welles and the exaggerated scale of his audience's gullibility.
The film will start out with a colorful, nostalgic look to convey the Golden Age the characters believe they are entering, but this will gradually transition to a more bleak and oppressive visual style as the situation becomes dire and the Martians invade Earth.
To convey the energy, fervor and shock of the characters as they report on otherworldly developments from their studio, the camera will move with their emotions. Pushes, pulls, and tracking shots will place the viewers in the dynamic mindsets of the characters even when they themselves are seated statically in front of their microphones.
We need at least 80% of our goal to receive funds through Seed and Spark. We won't receive any funds if we don’t hit this! This project is important to us, and to get it done well we need to meet our $10,000 budget.
Visual Effects: $1,000, or 10% of the budget. These funds will allow us to pay for VFX services and assets to create a climactic confrontation with an imposing Martian Tripod!
Meals: $1,500 or 15% of the budget. These funds will allow us to feed all the hard working members of our cast and crew with hot meals for their lunch breaks during production!
Production Design: $1,250 or 12.5% of the budget. These funds will allow us to procure 1950s props, furniture, and decorations to create the retro futuristic setting of the film!
Locations: $800 or 8.0% of the budget. These funds will allow us to procure period locations to create the world of a mid-century era radio studio.
Costumes: $700 or 7.0% of the budget. These funds will help us procure clothing that fits the period of the film's setting, including renting, buying, and altering items.
Cast: $2,250 or 22.5% of the budget. These funds will enable us to hire talented performers to breathe life into the characters and emotion of the film.
Crew: $1,000 or 10.0% of the budget. These funds will allow us to give our skilled crew fair compensation for their efforts in crafting the film.
Equipment: $500 or 5.0% of the budget. These funds will allow us to rent supplementary camera, lighting, or sound equipment to make the film!
Post Production: $1000 or 10.0% of the budget. These funds will cover expenses in the post-production process such as editing, creating an original music score, and submission fees for film festivals.
Our production plan to create Signing Off is as follows:
- PRE-PRODUCTION (February - March 2026): Finalize casting, secure locations, design costumes, plan logistics, and test visual effects. We'll also rehearse with our actors to develop the emotional journeys and chemistry of their characters.
- PRODUCTION (April 2026): A five-day shoot with a dedicated cast and crew, capturing the necessary performances and shots.
- POST-PRODUCTION (May - July 2026): The best material is assembled into a Final Cut in collaboration with Visual Effects artists and the music composer.
- FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS (August 2026 onward): Once complete, we’ll submit Signing Off to film festivals around the country, particularly genre-focused festivals.
Thank you for reading through our project's Seed & Spark page, we really appreciate your interest and support. Help us spread the word on social media or by word of mouth among your friends and family so that they too can learn about this film and its crowdfunding campaign. We can't wait to take you to another world in Signing Off!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Visual Effects
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to pay for VFX services and assets to create a confrontation with a Martian Tripod!
Meals
Costs $1,500
We want to feed all the hard working members of our cast and crew with hot meals for their lunch breaks!
Cast
Costs $2,250
This will allow us to hire talented performers to bring our characters to life!
Locations
Costs $800
This allows us to procure period-era locations that suit the retro-radio station setting!
Costumes
Costs $700
We will need clothing that fits the retro-futuristic world of the film, including renting, buying, and altering items.
Crew
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to give our talented crew fair compensation for their efforts
Post Production
Costs $1,000
This will allow us to cover expenses in post-production such as editing, an original music score, and submission fees for film festivals
Production Design
Costs $1,250
This allows us to procure 1950s props, furniture, and decorations to create the retrofuturistic world of the movie!
Equipment
Costs $500
This will allow us to rent supplemental camera, light, and sound equipment to make the film!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Eli Hutchinson is an award-winning writer/director pursuing his master's degree in Film, TV, and Digital Media at the University of Georgia. He received his bachelor's degree in Film and Television Production with a minor in Political Science at Western Carolina University, where he also worked as a Writing Fellow. He loves to make films that feature the fantastical and has previously made stop motion animations that integrate digital effects and backgrounds.
Maddie Ramsey is a fourth-year Undergraduate student at the University of Georgia studying Entertainment and Media studies with a minor in Theatre. She is a scholarship recipient for Women in Film and Television Atlanta and has worked the Peabody Awards in Los Angeles, along with many other on-set roles. She has a passion for independent film and stories that matter.
Greyson Brooks is a student in the University of Georgia MFA Film Program and has worked with Eli on previous projects. He likes creating stories that are far from reality, whether it be sci-fi, fantasy or comedy. With a great passion for world building, Greyson also works in art direction and prop building.
Jesse Scales received his master's degree in Film, TV, and Digital Media at the University of Georgia. He is a co-owner of J and J Pictures. His most recent work was as a production assistant for the Blumhouse film, The Women in the Yard.
Hannah Lee is a second-year Undergraduate student at the University of Georgia studying Entertainment and Media studies with a minor in Film and English. She has a passion for storytelling and film production, and is particularly drawn to book-to-film adaptations.