Experiencing Interruptions?

Litmus

Armed with a briefcase, a watch, and an earpiece; a man traverses his way through something beyond nightmares and memories, guided by a mysterious voice who promises to protect him.

  • Travis Darkow
    Director
    Tales From Town Z: The King In Yellow, Tales From Town Z: Synesthesia, Elliot, Goodbye Tomorrow, Roadside, A Pursuit Most Putrid, REZZUREKT, Bad Blood, Deadcember, Elizabeth, Silence in the Aftermath, Snow Blind, Synapse, October Scout, The Shape of Evil, The Denier - REEL 1: Fun in the Sun, The Denier - REEL 2: Show Stopper, The Denier - REEL 3: House Call, The Denier - REEL 4: Day at the Beach, The Denier - REEL 5: Yard Work, The Denier - REEL 6: Beddy Bye, Bunny Boy, Maladroit, Elizabeth II, The Shape of Evil II, The Keeping Cost, August In Remission
  • Travis Darkow
    Writer
    Tales From Town Z: The King In Yellow, Tales From Town Z: Synesthesia, Elliot, Goodbye Tomorrow, Roadside, A Pursuit Most Putrid, REZZUREKT, Bad Blood, Deadcember, Elizabeth, Silence in the Aftermath, Snow Blind, Synapse, October Scout, The Shape of Evil, The Denier - REEL 1: Fun in the Sun, The Denier - REEL 2: Show Stopper, The Denier - REEL 3: House Call, The Denier - REEL 4: Day at the Beach, The Denier - REEL 5: Yard Work, The Denier - REEL 6: Beddy Bye, Bunny Boy, Maladroit, Elizabeth II, The Shape of Evil II, The Keeping Cost, August In Remission
  • Travis Darkow
    Producer
    Tales From Town Z: The King In Yellow, Tales From Town Z: Synesthesia, Elliot, Goodbye Tomorrow, Roadside, A Pursuit Most Putrid, REZZUREKT, Bad Blood, Deadcember, Elizabeth, Silence in the Aftermath, Snow Blind, Synapse, October Scout, The Shape of Evil, The Denier - REEL 1: Fun in the Sun, The Denier - REEL 2: Show Stopper, The Denier - REEL 3: House Call, The Denier - REEL 4: Day at the Beach, The Denier - REEL 5: Yard Work, The Denier - REEL 6: Beddy Bye, Bunny Boy, Maladroit, Elizabeth II, The Shape of Evil II, The Keeping Cost, August In Remission
  • Chris Isaacson
    Producer
  • Travis Darkow
    Key Cast
    "Subject 17/18/19"
    Tales From Town Z: The King In Yellow, Tales From Town Z: Synesthesia, Elliot, Goodbye Tomorrow, Roadside, A Pursuit Most Putrid, REZZUREKT, Bad Blood, Deadcember, Elizabeth, Silence in the Aftermath, Snow Blind, Synapse, October Scout, The Shape of Evil, The Denier - REEL 1: Fun in the Sun, The Denier - REEL 2: Show Stopper, The Denier - REEL 3: House Call, The Denier - REEL 4: Day at the Beach, The Denier - REEL 5: Yard Work, The Denier - REEL 6: Beddy Bye, Bunny Boy, Maladroit, Elizabeth II, The Shape of Evil II, The Keeping Cost, August In Remission
  • Corum Szathmary
    Key Cast
    "SERVILE Program Doctor"
  • Travis Darkow
    Video Editing and Color Grading
    Tales From Town Z: The King In Yellow, Tales From Town Z: Synesthesia, Elliot, Goodbye Tomorrow, Roadside, A Pursuit Most Putrid, REZZUREKT, Bad Blood, Deadcember, Elizabeth, Silence in the Aftermath, Snow Blind, Synapse, October Scout, The Shape of Evil, The Denier - REEL 1: Fun in the Sun, The Denier - REEL 2: Show Stopper, The Denier - REEL 3: House Call, The Denier - REEL 4: Day at the Beach, The Denier - REEL 5: Yard Work, The Denier - REEL 6: Beddy Bye, Bunny Boy, Maladroit, Elizabeth II, The Shape of Evil II, The Keeping Cost, August In Remission
  • Travis Darkow
    Sound Editing and Design
    Tales From Town Z: The King In Yellow, Tales From Town Z: Synesthesia, Elliot, Goodbye Tomorrow, Roadside, A Pursuit Most Putrid, REZZUREKT, Bad Blood, Deadcember, Elizabeth, Silence in the Aftermath, Snow Blind, Synapse, October Scout, The Shape of Evil, The Denier - REEL 1: Fun in the Sun, The Denier - REEL 2: Show Stopper, The Denier - REEL 3: House Call, The Denier - REEL 4: Day at the Beach, The Denier - REEL 5: Yard Work, The Denier - REEL 6: Beddy Bye, Bunny Boy, Maladroit, Elizabeth II, The Shape of Evil II, The Keeping Cost, August In Remission
  • Chris Isaacson
    Cinematography and Steadicam
  • Travis Darkow
    Cinematography and Steadicam
    Tales From Town Z: The King In Yellow, Tales From Town Z: Synesthesia, Elliot, Goodbye Tomorrow, Roadside, A Pursuit Most Putrid, REZZUREKT, Bad Blood, Deadcember, Elizabeth, Silence in the Aftermath, Snow Blind, Synapse, October Scout, The Shape of Evil, The Denier - REEL 1: Fun in the Sun, The Denier - REEL 2: Show Stopper, The Denier - REEL 3: House Call, The Denier - REEL 4: Day at the Beach, The Denier - REEL 5: Yard Work, The Denier - REEL 6: Beddy Bye, Bunny Boy, Maladroit, Elizabeth II, The Shape of Evil II, The Keeping Cost, August In Remission
  • Kelsey Darkow
    Wardrobe
  • Travis Darkow
    Continuity
    Tales From Town Z: The King In Yellow, Tales From Town Z: Synesthesia, Elliot, Goodbye Tomorrow, Roadside, A Pursuit Most Putrid, REZZUREKT, Bad Blood, Deadcember, Elizabeth, Silence in the Aftermath, Snow Blind, Synapse, October Scout, The Shape of Evil, The Denier - REEL 1: Fun in the Sun, The Denier - REEL 2: Show Stopper, The Denier - REEL 3: House Call, The Denier - REEL 4: Day at the Beach, The Denier - REEL 5: Yard Work, The Denier - REEL 6: Beddy Bye, Bunny Boy, Maladroit, Elizabeth II, The Shape of Evil II, The Keeping Cost, August In Remission
  • Travis Darkow
    Set Decoration
    Tales From Town Z: The King In Yellow, Tales From Town Z: Synesthesia, Elliot, Goodbye Tomorrow, Roadside, A Pursuit Most Putrid, REZZUREKT, Bad Blood, Deadcember, Elizabeth, Silence in the Aftermath, Snow Blind, Synapse, October Scout, The Shape of Evil, The Denier - REEL 1: Fun in the Sun, The Denier - REEL 2: Show Stopper, The Denier - REEL 3: House Call, The Denier - REEL 4: Day at the Beach, The Denier - REEL 5: Yard Work, The Denier - REEL 6: Beddy Bye, Bunny Boy, Maladroit, Elizabeth II, The Shape of Evil II, The Keeping Cost, August In Remission
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Drama, Horror, indie
  • Runtime:
    28 minutes 14 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 24, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    100 USD
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Madras Independent Film Festival
    Chennai
    India
    August 24, 2021
    Award Winner - Best Short Film
  • Direct Monthly Online Film Festival
    Canton, Michigan
    United States
    September 1, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Accord Cine Fest
    Online Event
    September 3, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Hollywood Blood Horror Festival
    Hollywood, California
    United States
    August 31, 2021
    Award Winner - Best Sci-Fi Film
  • Accord Cine Fest
    Online Event
    September 3, 2021
    Finalist
  • Oregon Scream Week Horror Film Festival
    Portland, Oregon
    United States
    October 14, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Vesuvius International Film Festival

    Italy
    September 30, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Vesuvius International Film Festival

    Italy
    September 30, 2021
    Finalist
  • Oregon Scream Week Horror Film Festival
    Portland, Oregon
    United States
    October 14, 2021
    Finalist
  • MonsterFlix Awards
    Online Event
    United States
    October 7, 2021
    Semi-Finalist
  • Direct Monthly Online Film Festival
    Canton, Michigan
    United States
    September 1, 2021
    Award Winner - Best Short Sci-Fi Film of the Month
  • Oregon Short Film Festival
    Portland, Oregon
    United States
    November 6, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Paradox International Short Film Festival
    Maharashtra
    India
    October 29, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Oregon Short Film Festival
    Portland. Oregon
    United States
    November 6, 2021
    Finalist
  • Thrills And Chills Film Awards
    Online Event
    United States
    October 31, 2021
    Award Nominee - Best Sci-Fi Film
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    January 9, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    January 9, 2022
    Finalist
  • Paradox International Short Film Festival

    October 29, 2021
    Finalist
  • Seattle Movie Awards
    Seattle, Washington
    United States
    April 30, 2022
    Semi-Finalist
  • West Sound Film Festival
    Bremerton, Washington
    United States
    August 5, 2022
    Official Selection - Screened at the Historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Bremerton, Washington
  • Honor Film Festival
    Online Event
    August 31, 2022
    Official Selection
  • The Foreman Empire Productions TV & Movie Awards
    Atlanta, Georgia
    United States
    August 13, 2022
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Travis Darkow

My name is Travis Darkow, I was born in Bremerton, Washington, where I currently live with my wife and our two dogs, Jax and Laika. I have had a passion for writing and creating since I was very young. I was always writing stories, usually about aliens or monsters, or making my own little comic books. As I got older I never stopped writing, all through school I took as many writing courses as I could and my passion only grew over the years. I enjoy all aspects of writing. I write poetry, I love writing and playing music, and have written fifty to a hundred original songs. I have about a dozen or so children's books that I have written as well. My greatest passion though is film. I absolutely fell in love with movies when I was a kid, and found that my absolute favorite thing in the world is writing and directing films. I've written, directed and edited around two dozen short films since the seventh grade, and in June 2019 I completed my first feature length horror/sci-fi film called Goodbye Tomorrow. I am currently writing and directing short and feature length original films, as well as developing an ever expanding list of original pilots and feature length screenplays that I have been hard at work writing. Crafting stories and creating whole new worlds that didn't exist before has always brought me much joy. It is truly my favorite thing in the world and I will never stop creating.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Horror and science fiction has been my passion for as much of my life as I remember. I recall watching the original House on Haunted Hill and Humanoids From the Deep with my grandpa when I was about 7 years old, and something clicked in my young brain at that point. A feeling that I had found something that spoke to me on a different level than anything else has ever done since. Creating horror, to me, is creating a terrifying environment where you can run around this disturbing playground, and by the end of it, feel relieved. Maybe relieved to just be done with the creepy visuals and sounds of a horror film. But also relief from releasing fears you have built up inside yourself, in a safe and engaging way. My favorite horror films are the ones that straddle the line between horror/science fiction, and psychological thriller or mystery. I love nothing more than leaving a theater, or sitting through the credits of a movie at home, and not being able to get what you just saw out of your head. Movies that make you think deeply about the world, and our relationships to the horrors and tragedies that occur here I find to be absolutely fascinating. These are the types of films I hope to craft as I continue my journey of writing and directing horror based films. I put a lot of thought and energy into crafting worlds full of foreshadowing and blink and you'll miss it details, and I strive to keep growing and pushing forward in my pursuit of my true passion.