Upload
Houston, Texas | Film Short
Thriller, Sci-Fi
Held hostage in his apartment, a popular controversial Youtuber by the name of Frank has to face the consequences of his past actions in a game of cat and mouse orchestrated by a mysterious woman that shows up on his TV screen by the name of Max.
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,280 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
17 supporters | followers
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Held hostage in his apartment, a popular controversial Youtuber by the name of Frank has to face the consequences of his past actions in a game of cat and mouse orchestrated by a mysterious woman that shows up on his TV screen by the name of Max.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Upload is a dark satirical science fiction drama created by Adam Tatum. The short film follows successful but controversial YouTube content creator Frank Wilson. Frank Wilson is a highly cocky 20 something year old African American male who specializes in pushing people's buttons for clicks and views. Frank's raw no holds barred approach to creating content has ruffled some feathers along the way. Blinded by his rise in popularity Frank truly believes he's doing more good even if it means some people get harmed in the process. That way of content creation gets challenged when he encounters an unexpected stranger that invites herself into his apartment in the most eerie manner that can only be described as supernatural. This is where our real story begins.
What's good! My name is Adam Tatum, and I am the writer/director and producer of Upload. Growing up in a small city in East Texas I always had a tendency to escape through films. This form of escapism led to my passion for filmmaking. I can remember when I was in elementary and wrote my first "screenplay" for a live action Animaniacs movie. Yes a very ambitious goal at the time but I was so passionate about filmmaking that I was determined to see this Animaniacs film through. That's how far back my love for filmmaking goes! It took me a full year to finish the script. Several script readings, rewrites and the day to day routine of taking care of a family and a 9 to 5 really battled tested me for this moment to sit in a directors chair. This will be my first official short film but not my first Rodeo. I had the privilege of being asked by a Houston grassroots organization to write and direct a short documentary on environmental injustice in Black and Brown communities throughout Houston. That experience help prepare me for this upcoming short film which is a very passionate and personal project of mine.
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FRANK WILSON: Frank Wilson runs a successful YouTube channel that has gained him lots of attention and income. A lot of that attention he receives stems from some of his more controversial takes and approach to exposing people for what he considers the betterment of society. Frank's character is inspired by controversial social media figures such as the late Kevin Samuels and other males that would be categorized as " Red Pill" content creators. Frank is played by the talented Actor Sean Burns.
MAX: Max is this mysterious uninvited guest that shows up to Frank's apartment at night. Max is very much human but has a somewhat ominous presence to her that makes her seem like she's more of a supernatural being. She's initially the antagonist in the film but as the story unfolds we'll understand the true nature of her relationship to Frank and her reasoning behind the "invite".
.jpg)
Upload is a very personal project to me that I know a lot of people can resonate with in this day and age of content creators. I was an active content creator on YouTube that struggled with getting lots of views and subscribers to my channel. As I struggled with gaining an audience with my content I noticed how quickly some creators rose to fame by making rage bait material on YouTube. This often left me with questions on my approach of creating content on YouTube. Often times I would have thoughts of compromising my beliefs and integrity for notoriety and fame but most times those thoughts would be cut short due to my personal beliefs and morals.
This short film explores the path of what I would become if I did compromise my beliefs for fortune and fame. This film also explores the culture of the "Red Pill community". Our main character Frank Wilson has made quite a living pandering to a largely male audience who craves putting women in their "place" and recognizing the "ALPHA" in modern day men.
A lot of men in America society nowadays feel like it's an attack on masculinity and some feel unseen. Some feel ignored by society so many gravitate to these YouTube influencers that gives them a false delusional sense of hope. This film explores what would happen in a fictional world where those male content creators pay the ultimate price for the content they put out.
.jpg)
The Inspiration for Upload comes from several science fiction and horror anthology shows such as The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Black Mirror and Tales From The Dark Side. It's also inspired by Stephen King's short story entitled "Quitters inc.". While writing the script I kept the pace and beats of these shows in mind so it's written like it's an episode that could easily fit into a season of Black Mirror or Tales From The Dark Side.
.jpg)
The cinematography of the film is a cross between the surrealism of Donald Glover's series Atlanta meets David Fincher's Panic Room meets David Robert Mitchell's It Follows. We have an amazing New York City based cinematographer by the name of Olaa Olabi who will create that look and vibe that captivates audiences into that world on screen.
.jpg)
Our goal:
We would love to start shooting by late-May to mid June of 2025 right before the brutal temps of Houston summers. The money raised goes to paying our cast and crew. Expenses will go to travel and time for the cast and crew. Expenses will also go to shooting location, production design, makeup, food catering, and any other miscellaneous expenses to ensure a great production for everyone involved.
Plenty of sleepless nights perfecting the screenplay and assembling some of the best talent in the state of Texas behind the screen has already gone into the pre production phase of Upload. This campaign and your contribution will go directly towards getting our film into the actual production stage. Each dollar we raise will be spent on the following:
- Cast: Even though this is a completely indie short film I believe in paying actors. We are fortunate and blessed to have 2 amazingly talented and passionate thespians who jumped at the chance to work with a first time director such as myself. Our leading actor Sean Burns has appeared in numerous films such as Twisted Sister , The SZN, Kasi, etc.
- Crew: In order to give the audience the best film possible we need a talented crew on set. A film crew puts a lot of time, energy and effort behind the scenes that people normally don’t see once the finished product is on the big screen. For this reason, it is important that we compensate them for their hard work.
- Meals: We need a way to feed our cast and crew who are doing this project as a labor of love. We want to make sure everyone is fed and nourished throughout our shoot. Luckily I am married to a great chef who is willing to cook amazing meals for our crew and staff throughout the duration of filming.
- Location, Art, Wardrobe, Makeup: In order to get to that “Hollywood look” we need to create a world for our characters. In addition to production design, costumes, and makeup, the cost of sourcing and renting locations can add up quickly. These attention to detail can make a world of a difference especially on a tight budget.
.jpg)
We need your help to bring "Upload" to life! Please consider pledging to our campaign, following our journey on social media, and sharing our story with your friends and family. Together, we can make this film a reality and ensure that "Upload" will be a short to remember!
Director Adam Tatum's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bishop3rd000/
Upload short film Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upload_short_film/
Upload facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572276461667
Images from:
Malignant, Videodrome, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Insurgent, Glad He's Gone
Footage used for Pitch video :
Videodrome, The Poltergeist, and Mr. Crockett
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound mixer & operator
Costs $1,300
Sound is the most important element to your film. Without proper sound it won't be long before the audience clocks out of the film.
Film Location
Costs $1,200
Needing to secure a location for 2 full days in the perfect setting for the film.
Compensation for actors
Costs $450
Talented actors and actresses who aren't household names deserve to get paid for their talent and hard work.
Cinematographer and crew
Costs $2,300
I have a talented dedicated DOP and a select crew she's chosen that will help push this film to the next level.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Adam Tatum
Writer/ Director
Adam Tatum is a former Hip-Hop artist turned writer & director based out of Houston, Texas. It all started in 1993 when Adam discovered his love for filmmaking while being home sick from throwing up the previous night. While his parents were at work and his sisters were at school, Adam was stuck at home by himself accompanied by two of the greatest pieces of cinema to a young elementary kids life in the nineties. That was Jurassic Park and the Nightmare Before Christmas. It was watching those 2 films back to back that sparked his interest in filmmaking. While this will be Adam's first narrative film he's written and directed a docufilm entitled " Environmental Apartheid: A Houston, Texas story".
Olaa Olabi
Director of Photography
Olaa Olabi is a Brooklyn- born cinematographer who splits her time between New York City and Houston, Texas. Olaa has done incredible cinematographer work like the award winning short film " No Other Gods But Me", and has worked with countless musicians such as Glorilla, Uni and the Urchins, Kenya Vaun and a Bose commercial with Method Man. That's just to name a few amazing things she's done as a cinematographer.
Anna Priscilla Robles
Sound Operator
Anna Priscilla Robles is a Mexican-American film producer from Houston, Texas. She is a graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Production and a concentration in Film. Her work primarily consists of dramas and thrillers, showcasing her ability to craft engaging and intense narratives.
Ahmira Wilson
1st AD
From Houston, Texas Ahmira Wilson has done extensive work as a 2nd A.D. and writer for numerous indie films throughout Houston area.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Upload is a dark satirical science fiction drama created by Adam Tatum. The short film follows successful but controversial YouTube content creator Frank Wilson. Frank Wilson is a highly cocky 20 something year old African American male who specializes in pushing people's buttons for clicks and views. Frank's raw no holds barred approach to creating content has ruffled some feathers along the way. Blinded by his rise in popularity Frank truly believes he's doing more good even if it means some people get harmed in the process. That way of content creation gets challenged when he encounters an unexpected stranger that invites herself into his apartment in the most eerie manner that can only be described as supernatural. This is where our real story begins.
What's good! My name is Adam Tatum, and I am the writer/director and producer of Upload. Growing up in a small city in East Texas I always had a tendency to escape through films. This form of escapism led to my passion for filmmaking. I can remember when I was in elementary and wrote my first "screenplay" for a live action Animaniacs movie. Yes a very ambitious goal at the time but I was so passionate about filmmaking that I was determined to see this Animaniacs film through. That's how far back my love for filmmaking goes! It took me a full year to finish the script. Several script readings, rewrites and the day to day routine of taking care of a family and a 9 to 5 really battled tested me for this moment to sit in a directors chair. This will be my first official short film but not my first Rodeo. I had the privilege of being asked by a Houston grassroots organization to write and direct a short documentary on environmental injustice in Black and Brown communities throughout Houston. That experience help prepare me for this upcoming short film which is a very passionate and personal project of mine.
FRANK WILSON: Frank Wilson runs a successful YouTube channel that has gained him lots of attention and income. A lot of that attention he receives stems from some of his more controversial takes and approach to exposing people for what he considers the betterment of society. Frank's character is inspired by controversial social media figures such as the late Kevin Samuels and other males that would be categorized as " Red Pill" content creators. Frank is played by the talented Actor Sean Burns.
MAX: Max is this mysterious uninvited guest that shows up to Frank's apartment at night. Max is very much human but has a somewhat ominous presence to her that makes her seem like she's more of a supernatural being. She's initially the antagonist in the film but as the story unfolds we'll understand the true nature of her relationship to Frank and her reasoning behind the "invite".
Upload is a very personal project to me that I know a lot of people can resonate with in this day and age of content creators. I was an active content creator on YouTube that struggled with getting lots of views and subscribers to my channel. As I struggled with gaining an audience with my content I noticed how quickly some creators rose to fame by making rage bait material on YouTube. This often left me with questions on my approach of creating content on YouTube. Often times I would have thoughts of compromising my beliefs and integrity for notoriety and fame but most times those thoughts would be cut short due to my personal beliefs and morals.
This short film explores the path of what I would become if I did compromise my beliefs for fortune and fame. This film also explores the culture of the "Red Pill community". Our main character Frank Wilson has made quite a living pandering to a largely male audience who craves putting women in their "place" and recognizing the "ALPHA" in modern day men.
A lot of men in America society nowadays feel like it's an attack on masculinity and some feel unseen. Some feel ignored by society so many gravitate to these YouTube influencers that gives them a false delusional sense of hope. This film explores what would happen in a fictional world where those male content creators pay the ultimate price for the content they put out.
The Inspiration for Upload comes from several science fiction and horror anthology shows such as The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Black Mirror and Tales From The Dark Side. It's also inspired by Stephen King's short story entitled "Quitters inc.". While writing the script I kept the pace and beats of these shows in mind so it's written like it's an episode that could easily fit into a season of Black Mirror or Tales From The Dark Side.
The cinematography of the film is a cross between the surrealism of Donald Glover's series Atlanta meets David Fincher's Panic Room meets David Robert Mitchell's It Follows. We have an amazing New York City based cinematographer by the name of Olaa Olabi who will create that look and vibe that captivates audiences into that world on screen.
Our goal:
We would love to start shooting by late-May to mid June of 2025 right before the brutal temps of Houston summers. The money raised goes to paying our cast and crew. Expenses will go to travel and time for the cast and crew. Expenses will also go to shooting location, production design, makeup, food catering, and any other miscellaneous expenses to ensure a great production for everyone involved.
Plenty of sleepless nights perfecting the screenplay and assembling some of the best talent in the state of Texas behind the screen has already gone into the pre production phase of Upload. This campaign and your contribution will go directly towards getting our film into the actual production stage. Each dollar we raise will be spent on the following:
- Cast: Even though this is a completely indie short film I believe in paying actors. We are fortunate and blessed to have 2 amazingly talented and passionate thespians who jumped at the chance to work with a first time director such as myself. Our leading actor Sean Burns has appeared in numerous films such as Twisted Sister , The SZN, Kasi, etc.
- Crew: In order to give the audience the best film possible we need a talented crew on set. A film crew puts a lot of time, energy and effort behind the scenes that people normally don’t see once the finished product is on the big screen. For this reason, it is important that we compensate them for their hard work.
- Meals: We need a way to feed our cast and crew who are doing this project as a labor of love. We want to make sure everyone is fed and nourished throughout our shoot. Luckily I am married to a great chef who is willing to cook amazing meals for our crew and staff throughout the duration of filming.
- Location, Art, Wardrobe, Makeup: In order to get to that “Hollywood look” we need to create a world for our characters. In addition to production design, costumes, and makeup, the cost of sourcing and renting locations can add up quickly. These attention to detail can make a world of a difference especially on a tight budget.
We need your help to bring "Upload" to life! Please consider pledging to our campaign, following our journey on social media, and sharing our story with your friends and family. Together, we can make this film a reality and ensure that "Upload" will be a short to remember!
Director Adam Tatum's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bishop3rd000/
Upload short film Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upload_short_film/
Upload facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572276461667
Images from:
Malignant, Videodrome, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Insurgent, Glad He's Gone
Footage used for Pitch video :
Videodrome, The Poltergeist, and Mr. Crockett
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Sound mixer & operator
Costs $1,300
Sound is the most important element to your film. Without proper sound it won't be long before the audience clocks out of the film.
Film Location
Costs $1,200
Needing to secure a location for 2 full days in the perfect setting for the film.
Compensation for actors
Costs $450
Talented actors and actresses who aren't household names deserve to get paid for their talent and hard work.
Cinematographer and crew
Costs $2,300
I have a talented dedicated DOP and a select crew she's chosen that will help push this film to the next level.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Adam Tatum
Writer/ Director
Adam Tatum is a former Hip-Hop artist turned writer & director based out of Houston, Texas. It all started in 1993 when Adam discovered his love for filmmaking while being home sick from throwing up the previous night. While his parents were at work and his sisters were at school, Adam was stuck at home by himself accompanied by two of the greatest pieces of cinema to a young elementary kids life in the nineties. That was Jurassic Park and the Nightmare Before Christmas. It was watching those 2 films back to back that sparked his interest in filmmaking. While this will be Adam's first narrative film he's written and directed a docufilm entitled " Environmental Apartheid: A Houston, Texas story".
Olaa Olabi
Director of Photography
Olaa Olabi is a Brooklyn- born cinematographer who splits her time between New York City and Houston, Texas. Olaa has done incredible cinematographer work like the award winning short film " No Other Gods But Me", and has worked with countless musicians such as Glorilla, Uni and the Urchins, Kenya Vaun and a Bose commercial with Method Man. That's just to name a few amazing things she's done as a cinematographer.
Anna Priscilla Robles
Sound Operator
Anna Priscilla Robles is a Mexican-American film producer from Houston, Texas. She is a graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Production and a concentration in Film. Her work primarily consists of dramas and thrillers, showcasing her ability to craft engaging and intense narratives.
Ahmira Wilson
1st AD
From Houston, Texas Ahmira Wilson has done extensive work as a 2nd A.D. and writer for numerous indie films throughout Houston area.