The Mars Item
Los Angeles, California | Film Short
Satire, Sci-Fi
This short film confronts elements of the contemporary American landscape, utilizing a satiric and absurdist situation and characters to address the many pressing and troubling events our nation, and the world, are watching unfold in real time.
39 supporters | followers
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$8,888
Goal: $10,000 for development
This short film confronts elements of the contemporary American landscape, utilizing a satiric and absurdist situation and characters to address the many pressing and troubling events our nation, and the world, are watching unfold in real time.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Mars Item is a sharp, black-and-white political satire about a peculiar discovery on the surface of Mars and a government that would rather weaponize the truth before any attempt to understand it.
Tonally this film exists somewhere between the worlds of Dr. Strangelove & Putney Swope. Fast, dangerous, and ridiculously absurd. It seeks to address the ostentatious nature of contemporary political policy, and the extent to which corruption has become plainly visible in the United States.
A Mars Rover malfunctions after unearthing an object that looks exactly like a… cigarette. The Engineer in charge of a small group of data rovers on the planet is unwillingly brought to speak before the President and his cabinet, a shady group of individuals pent-up in a doomsday-prepped war-room. The Engineer must make a decision; they can either capitulate to the cabinet's demands, or insist on the integrity of their work in the face of imprisonment… or worse.
This short exists as part of the Emerson College BFA Thesis Capstone program. Our team is a culmination of students from Emerson, USC, and freelance artists aligned by the belief that commentary generates reflection. Few tell it more concisely than comedian Keegan Michael Key - "it is our job to lampoon, poke fun at, socially, politically, and anthropologically comment on the way the world works - twisted toward the comedic." This film aims to point a finger at the content driven machines that have infiltrated our highest offices.
The money raised for this film will be put to use by our various departments. With your donations we will be able to afford a soundstage, cover costs of crafty for our ensemble (15+) cast & crew, buy and source key production design elements, (we are building robots!), and pay for transportation of equipment and personnel.
Thanks for your time and support. We're excited to have you along for the ride.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera/G&E Equipment
Costs $1,730
Help our team afford the camera, grip and lighting gear we need to shoot this film!
Art Department and Wardrobe
Costs $1,000
Help us make this the Sand Dunes look like Mars, and a sound stage look like a War Room! We will also be dressing our actors true to form.
Locations
Costs $3,000
We will be shooting on Sound Stages, Sand Dunes, and so much more! Help us reach our dream location goals!
Transportation
Costs $420
Get our team and equipment to and from our shooting locations throughout Los Angeles!
Catering and Crafty
Costs $2,500
Help keep our team happy and healthy! One of the most important things on this list: the food.
Post Production
Costs $1,350
Help us afford the miscellaneous items that go into post production: hard drives, color-grading, meals, etc.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our director, Emmet Arkin, is an incoming senior at Emerson College studying Media Arts Production. A writer, director, and musician, Emmet brings a distinct voice and cohesive vision to the project. His leadership style is both intentional and intuitive, fostering a collaborative environment where every department can do its best work. Most recently he received accolade for his film "Universumsatz", which was awarded Best Cinematic Achievement (Best Picture) and Best Sound Design and VFX at the Emerson College EVVY 45 award show.
This same team that has won achievements for VFX and Sound, Jacob Schmidt and Carter Baral, will be leading this teams respective departments!
Our producing team is made up of incoming seniors at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, all studying Film and Television Production.
Leading the team is Bella Crowner, whose background in music video production and movement-driven storytelling shapes the project’s visual and emotional language. With experience on major sets for artists like Demi Lovato and Troye Sivan, she brings a strong understanding of how to build ambitious projects from the ground up.
Co-producer Scout Brodsky brings both creative instinct and sharp development experience. As a Creative Development Intern at Sony Pictures Entertainment, and with over 20 music videos and short films under her belt, she serves as a steady, solutions-oriented force throughout the production.
Co-producer Claire Renschler has an extensive background in documentary and narrative filmmaking. Having supported major USC thesis films and led work with Haute Magazine, she is a trusted creative leader. On this project, she has been instrumental in overseeing VFX, production design, and cinematography, ensuring a unified vision across all departments.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
The Mars Item is a sharp, black-and-white political satire about a peculiar discovery on the surface of Mars and a government that would rather weaponize the truth before any attempt to understand it.
Tonally this film exists somewhere between the worlds of Dr. Strangelove & Putney Swope. Fast, dangerous, and ridiculously absurd. It seeks to address the ostentatious nature of contemporary political policy, and the extent to which corruption has become plainly visible in the United States.
A Mars Rover malfunctions after unearthing an object that looks exactly like a… cigarette. The Engineer in charge of a small group of data rovers on the planet is unwillingly brought to speak before the President and his cabinet, a shady group of individuals pent-up in a doomsday-prepped war-room. The Engineer must make a decision; they can either capitulate to the cabinet's demands, or insist on the integrity of their work in the face of imprisonment… or worse.
This short exists as part of the Emerson College BFA Thesis Capstone program. Our team is a culmination of students from Emerson, USC, and freelance artists aligned by the belief that commentary generates reflection. Few tell it more concisely than comedian Keegan Michael Key - "it is our job to lampoon, poke fun at, socially, politically, and anthropologically comment on the way the world works - twisted toward the comedic." This film aims to point a finger at the content driven machines that have infiltrated our highest offices.
The money raised for this film will be put to use by our various departments. With your donations we will be able to afford a soundstage, cover costs of crafty for our ensemble (15+) cast & crew, buy and source key production design elements, (we are building robots!), and pay for transportation of equipment and personnel.
Thanks for your time and support. We're excited to have you along for the ride.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera/G&E Equipment
Costs $1,730
Help our team afford the camera, grip and lighting gear we need to shoot this film!
Art Department and Wardrobe
Costs $1,000
Help us make this the Sand Dunes look like Mars, and a sound stage look like a War Room! We will also be dressing our actors true to form.
Locations
Costs $3,000
We will be shooting on Sound Stages, Sand Dunes, and so much more! Help us reach our dream location goals!
Transportation
Costs $420
Get our team and equipment to and from our shooting locations throughout Los Angeles!
Catering and Crafty
Costs $2,500
Help keep our team happy and healthy! One of the most important things on this list: the food.
Post Production
Costs $1,350
Help us afford the miscellaneous items that go into post production: hard drives, color-grading, meals, etc.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Our director, Emmet Arkin, is an incoming senior at Emerson College studying Media Arts Production. A writer, director, and musician, Emmet brings a distinct voice and cohesive vision to the project. His leadership style is both intentional and intuitive, fostering a collaborative environment where every department can do its best work. Most recently he received accolade for his film "Universumsatz", which was awarded Best Cinematic Achievement (Best Picture) and Best Sound Design and VFX at the Emerson College EVVY 45 award show.
This same team that has won achievements for VFX and Sound, Jacob Schmidt and Carter Baral, will be leading this teams respective departments!
Our producing team is made up of incoming seniors at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, all studying Film and Television Production.
Leading the team is Bella Crowner, whose background in music video production and movement-driven storytelling shapes the project’s visual and emotional language. With experience on major sets for artists like Demi Lovato and Troye Sivan, she brings a strong understanding of how to build ambitious projects from the ground up.
Co-producer Scout Brodsky brings both creative instinct and sharp development experience. As a Creative Development Intern at Sony Pictures Entertainment, and with over 20 music videos and short films under her belt, she serves as a steady, solutions-oriented force throughout the production.
Co-producer Claire Renschler has an extensive background in documentary and narrative filmmaking. Having supported major USC thesis films and led work with Haute Magazine, she is a trusted creative leader. On this project, she has been instrumental in overseeing VFX, production design, and cinematography, ensuring a unified vision across all departments.