Suspended Fear

The short film is about a space freighter named "Nightstalker" captained by Jason O'Malley. Jason is trying to contact rescue control but the transmitter is malfunctioning and the onboard emergency AI assistant system called EVA is the only communication source. The ship was hit by a solar discharge which has affected all major systems, including the fusion drive which is damaged. The AI detects a loss in cabin pressure caused by a micro-meteor during the meteor shower. The earliest time for a rescue is expected in 1,6 years and the only way for Jason to survive is to induce suspended hibernation deep stasis. Which Jason is reluctant to do, since there is no other way to sustain his vital activities as the oxygen will be depleted soon and there is no time to waist and Jason has to get passed his fears of hibernation sleep in control of an AI system.

  • Vital Butinar
    Director
  • Vital Butinar
    Writer
  • Leya Marinčič
    Cinematographer
  • Vital Butinar
    Producer
  • Leya Marinčič
    Producer
  • Vital Butinar
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 5, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    Slovenia
  • Country of Filming:
    Slovenia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Vital Butinar

Even in early years Vital had a fondness for filmmaking when together with one of his friends who's father was a filmmaker himself got Vital interested in filmmaking when they made their first action packed film on a mutual friends birthday party. After that when Vital's father bought his first video camera Vital was immediately hooked on filmmaking and started trying to make films with his friends. But of course with the limited resources as children they were not able to produce any real films. After some years as Vital studied graphic design at university firstly discovered photography and later on filmmaking all reminded him how he wanted to be a filmmaker as a child. Unfortunately without access to any kind of filmmaking equipment his interest for filmmaking was kept at bay for another few years. Until while occupied with his other interest dancing, Vital got a chance to act in a commercial as a dancer. Being on a real filming set reminded him of how much he had wanted to be a filmmaker when he was younger and with help and encouragement from his partner he decided to get back into filmmaking. At first trying to get acquainted with the craft and learning as much as he could so he tried to find work as an extra on filming sets where he could observe the workings of a production and also reading books on filmmaking. After some time Vital decided that he had to start putting his theory into practice and together with his partner they decided to film their own dance video since they were both dancers and interested in filmmaking. Together they learned how to approach a project like that. Soon after completing his first project Vital was contacted by some friends who also wanted a dance video and after that things took of and together with his partner they formed Mirror 2 Mirror Productions. Recently Vital has directed and produced many music videos, a few short films and had begun development of his first feature psychological thriller with a US based producer. Together with his team he has also recently been working on two tv series pilots and developing a comedy feature film. But still the desire to create narrated films has gotten even stronger.

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Director Statement

This short film was imagined as a sort of experiment on many levels. How to write a scene and use AI to create different character personalities. How to use simple stuff to create a sci fi environment that would look good and convincing on camera. Everything was shot in the middle of a living room with a black tarp and a projector. Finally it meant as a kind of visual homage to films like 2001 Odyssey and other films from that era. Also it was a chance to try and create a neo noir color grade and feel. It started out as a camera experiment and became a short film.