Experiencing Interruptions?

My Dad Was Contacted By Aliens

What happens when your hero believes in something you can't?

Father and son relationships are notoriously complex, but what if your father claimed he was contacted by aliens?

This true story explores how a distant dad’s encounter with aliens in 1986 tested a son’s patience and a father’s patriarchy.

Shot and edited by Niklaus Lange. Original art created by James Zucco and an original score assists in telling the extra terrestrial story.

  • Niklaus Lange
    Director
    Niklaus Lange worked as a TV and film actor in Los Angeles for over 15 years. He appeared in Legally Blonde, Dawson's Creek and other culture defining programs. He transitioned to behind the camera to begin directing and producing digital content for Disney (DigiSynd). Niklaus moved on to create, direct and run the production department for theAudience, a multi-platform social media publishing company. Niklaus now heads the production company Tough Town with his partner, Mike Damus. He has directed several broadcast TV commercials and has directed music videos for Grammy award winning artists like The Chainsmokers and Lil Wayne. Tough Town has created content for brands including OnStar, American Express, HTC and Sphero and have worked with some of the industry's top social media influencers.
  • James Zucco
    Art
    For years, James has created award-winning work as an art director in advertising. Working closely with copywriting partners, he invented concepts and guided creative talent, including film directors, photographers, illustrators and designers. He has three commercials in the permanent collection at MoMA, an Emmy nomination and other industry honors. In 2015, James traded full-time agency life for freelance, shifting his focus and passion to fine art. He is now in the studio daily, emphasizing drawing and painting across a variety of mediums. He's shown his work at home in the U.S. and abroad. James has also created editorial illustrations, most notably for The New York Times Magazine. His work is in private collections around the world from Seattle, Washington, to Amman, Jordan.
  • Alfred Montejano
    Music
    From 2007 - 2015 Alfred worked with The Walt Disney Company as a composer, arranger & producer. Born and raised in Southern California, Alfred began studying music when he was 8-years-old, and was writing original compositions by the time he was 12. As a teenager, he became interested in composition for film and television. Having mentored under legends, Alfred is mostly in his element when collaborating with true artists of every type. Conventional or unconventional. The Blue Studio is his creative space in Los Angeles, California.
  • Helmut Lange
    Key Cast
    Helmut and his family came from Germany in 1951 when he was 8 years old. He grew up in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota. For two years Helmut taught high school German and then for 20 years was in the retail business. During that period and thereafter he traveled extensively throughout the world as an importer and designer of products which were sent to the US. Helmut is now retired and living in San Diego, CA.
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Family, UFO, Aliens, Documentary, Short, Love, Contact, Interview, alien, dad, son, shortdoc, science fiction, father and son, illustration, black and white, documentary short, micro budget
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 12 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 25, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    17 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Marina Del Rey Film Festival
    Marina Del Rey
    United States
    October 21, 2018
    Los Angeles Premiere
    Grand Prize Best Documentary Short
Director Biography - Niklaus Lange

Niklaus Lange is a director, producer and actor.

Lange co founded Tough Town with Mike Damus. Tough Town is a production company that specializes in creating fresh branded content including TV commercials and music videos.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I made this personal short film because I wanted to explore relationships and what happens when your hero (my dad) believes in something you can't. Father and son relationships are notoriously complex. It gets even more complicated when you're 12 years old and your father claims he was contacted by aliens. This true story explores how my divorced dad’s late night encounter with aliens in 1986 tested my patience and his patriarchy.

I shot and edited the film. The location was my father's secluded property. My girlfriend asked most of my dad's questions, because my routine reaction would have colored his responses. I was very lucky to obtain custom illustrations created by my childhood friend and acclaimed artist, James Zucco and an original score by composer, Alfred Montejano.

This film is a success, because of how my father and I shared the experience. Our relationship has grown stronger because of it.