Experiencing Interruptions?

THE TRENT SAUCER

Synopsis: THE TRENT SAUCER examines two photographs of a silver disc hovering over a farm in rural Oregon. Controversy ensues.

Tagline: We may never know

The year was 1950. The camera used was a Kodak Roamer. But were the negatives altered? And what did President Harry Truman say about UFOs at that time - just three years after the Roswell incident? His reaction is included in this five minute documentary.

TRAILER SPOOF: Starship Enterprise investigates the Trent case...

* Official selection * McMinnville Short Film Festival 2022
* Best documentary on history * Sydney Film Festival, Australia
* Best short film * Feedback Under 5 Minutes Film Festival

  • Wes Skotko
    Director
    YAPHET, The Invisible Hobby, Zodiac Killer From Beyond The Grave, Maury Island UFO
  • Dave Paull
    Writer
    YAPHET, Wizardry At The Con, Zodiac Killer From Beyond The Grave
  • Dave Paull
    Key Cast
    "Narrator"
  • Brian Trotter
    Producer
    Van 59, Zodiac Killer From Beyond The Grave, The Invisible Hobby
  • Wes Skotko
    Movie poster design
  • Dave Paull
    Narrator
  • Clyde Lewis
    Historic photographs researcher
    Wordspeaker
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Documentay, Sci-Fi
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 15, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    150 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • McMinnville Short Film Festival
    McMinville, Oregon
    United States
    February 9, 2019
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • NW Flying Saucer Film Fest
    Chehalis, Washington
    United States
    September 13, 2024
    Official Selection #1
  • Feedback Under Five Minutes Festival
    Online
    United States
    January 31, 2024
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Wes Skotko

Wes Skotko studied digital film and video at the Art Institute of Portland, where he earned his BFA degree. He works as an audio/video producer for Ground Zero With Clyde Lewis, a national radio show based in Portland, Oregon.

Skotko's mantra while filming is - 'fix it NOW - we can't always fix it in post.'

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Reasons to consider screening this G-rated film:

1) The Trent Saucer is a five minute locally-produced Oregon documentary. It is set against a backdrop of the 'flying saucer scare' in Northwest and national history in the early 1950s.

2) It has a tight through-line, professionally written and narrated, with black & white archival material.

3) It concerns a topic that is being investigated by Congress, with ample curiosity shown by the general public.

It was a treat working with writer/narrator Dave Paull on this informative, true story. I kid Dave that he is 'old school' because, well -- he is!

We are an intergenerational team - me in my mid-30s and Dave in his late 70s. The mix of viewpoints, both young and old, helps to strengthen our short film to make it truly worth watching.