The Guest

Two retired women find a dead alien and have to return it to its family.

  • Karen O'Driscoll
    Key Cast
    "Nan"
  • Sarah Shippobotham
    Key Cast
    "Marge"
  • Tina McCaffetery
    Key Cast
    "Poppy"
  • Mike Langer
    Key Cast
    "Ferris"
  • Taylor Mott
    Director, Writer, Producer
  • Chris Anderson
    Director of Photography
  • Meg Cabell
    Production Design
  • Michael Evans
    Lead Alien Artist
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 1, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • F&MAD Spring Showcase
    Salt Lake City
    United States
    May 4, 2019
    F&MAD Spring Showcase
    Best Editing
Director Biography

Taylor Mott graduated from the University of Utah with an Honors Bachelor of Arts in film and animation. She is working professionally in post production, but will continue to make her own weird, yet accessible films. People, travel, cats, and Swiss Army Man (2016) are her favorite sources of inspiration. Other live action works include Stephanie, Wednesday, Close to Home (Jury Special Mention Award), and Tea Time (Best Genre Award).

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The Guest is my senior thesis at the University of Utah. This movie had turned into a two year long process. It is actually a three part project: research on political metaphors in Spanish Cinema and research on family separation at the US / Mexico border, and the application of this research into the film.

Whereas this film has been made with a political context, my goal was to make this piece a consumable and entertaining experience, regardless of having that context. Art reflecting and exploring current issues is fascinating to me.

A big thank you to my cast and crew for being absolute badasses. This was funded by the Ivory Homes Capstone Initiative Fund, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Fund, and Aaron Moura.