HAUNTED CIRCUITS
Introduction: Feature vs. Short?
Haunted Circuits is a feature film concept, but could be retooled as a short film series. The following pitch materials were assembled for a short film grant. It includes background information that is common to the feature.
Short Film Logline
In a gothic horror story with a sci-fi twist, a young man searches for the remains of his robot father with the help of a vampire guide.
Short Film Summary
Another place, another time. A young man dressed in a medieval cloak named Marcus makes a nighttime journey, an untrustworthy vampire as his guide. Their destination is the Grand Cemetery, where Marcus’ father was buried. Many years ago, they were separated when his father was called away on a quest for scientific knowledge. During Marcus’ journey, he checks data from a small palm computer, giving a hint as to the nature of technology in this world. Upon reaching the graveyard, the two are attacked by ghoulish rat-creatures. The vampire helps fight them off at first, but leaves Marcus when another imposing creature approaches. Marcus escapes into his father’s crypt, and soon discovers his remains. Marcus’ father is a robot with human flesh, now decomposing off his metal and plastic form. Marcus attempts to reboot his father, but the memory module is missing. His father spouts “demo mode” banalities while Marcus fights off other resuscitated robots. The two escape into the night, off to find the man who can help reconnect Father’s memories.
Short Film Screenplay
Haunted Circuits short screenplay PDF.
Statement of intent
In my career as an animator and filmmaker, I have done hand-drawn, digital, and stop motion animation. For client work, I have learned new programs and methods to accomplish specialized looks. Using my skills as an editor, I have seen client projects through post-production, handing off feature films to distributors for release on streaming. However, I have yet to find the time and resources to produce a significant project personal to me.
My love for gothic horror films and sci-fi inspired HAUNTED CIRCUITS, which I’m writing as a feature. The structure of it is such that each segment can work as a short, and I am submitting one such segment for this grant. I love the style and substance of horror films from Universal and Hammer, with archetypal elements such as vampires, zombies, and fog-covered graveyards. To give it a new twist, I’ve created a world where these horror elements exist years after a technological boom changed everything. The development of AI led to a singularity — human minds and computers could merge to become one. But something went wrong, and there was a collapse of society, throwing the world into a new dark age. Those with scientific knowledge in this new world are thought to be alchemists, who use that knowledge for power. Our hero doesn’t want to change the world, just repair his corner of it. To find his father, whose self was uploaded into a synthetic form, and rebuild his family unit.
The story includes elements that will be shot on stage and location with a small cast. Robots will be achieved with a mix of costumes and live puppetry. Creature elements will be done with stop-motion animation, composited into live action plates. I am accustomed to working with special effects and doing post production, including animation compositing.
My business partner John Vincent is an accomplished cinematographer, stop motion animator, and production designer. Last year we worked to provide creature effects work for a werewolf feature called Frenzy Moon. We’re comfortable working at this scale, creating all elements that will appear in frame.
If this grant committee is looking to fund a thought provoking, exciting film with fantastical elements, I can provide that. I have been working in the business as an independent for over 20 years (and I now teach animation to young people and college students). However, I have never directed a feature, and funding this short would be a serious stepping stone on my journey to that goal. I have confidence that HAUNTED CIRCUITS would be a bold, exciting film .
Links to production samples
H. P. LOVECRAFT’S THE OTHER GODS
Animated short film created by Mike Boas under the pseudonym Peter Rhodes. LINK.
UNMASKED
Comedy/crime short film, directed by Mike Boas. LINK.
HERO OF THE UNDERWORLD
Drama feature, co-produced and co-edited by Mike Boas. LINK.
Production timeline Timeline proposal
Short Film Budget
Marketing, audience engagement, festival, and/or distribution goals
I’m very involved with my local film community, so they are my first audience, followed by friends, clients, and film fans I’ve met over the years. (I have about 1300 names on my email list.) I use social media, but I find more engagement with email newsletters and websites like Stage 32. I would love to involve some RIT students and arrange a screening there once the film is complete. I’ll enter horror film festivals such as Fantasia, Fantastic Fest, and Anomaly (local to Rochester, NY). I maintain accounts with Amazon Prime Video Direct and FilmHub for distribution. The ultimate goal is to make this part of a feature or series of episodes that add up to a feature length story.
