The Unknown

A curious boy rides his bike to the local school garden to take pictures for a photography project. He stumbles upon a series of mysterious messages. Should he investigate these clues any further? Perhaps some things are better left unknown.

  • Lucas Pierce
    Writer
    Lost
  • Lucas Pierce
    Director
    Lost
  • JJ Pierce
    Key Cast
    "Boy"
    Lost
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 48 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 29, 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:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Earl Warren Middle School
  • Boston International Kids Film Festival
    Boston, Massachusetts
    United States
    November 19, 2021
    Official Selection
  • San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
    San Luis Obispo, California
    United States
    May 1, 2022
    Best Film Made in Middle School
  • Showcase of the Arts - Pacific Ridge School
    Carlsbad, California
    United States
    March 26, 2022
  • Cranford Film Festival
    Cranford
    United States
    April 30, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Nassau Film Festival
    Princeton, New Jersey
    Honorable Mention
Director Biography - Lucas Pierce

Lucas Pierce is a high school student filmmaker who lives in Del Mar, California. He attends Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, CA and is in the class of 2025. Lucas has written and directed several short films as well as a music video which have screened at multiple film festivals. His short film “The Unknown” was awarded Best Film Made in Middle School at the 2022 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival and received Honorable Mention at the 20022 Nasau Film Festival in Princeton, New Jersey. Lucas has also directed and filmed social media video ads for surf companies including Xcel wetsuits, Future Fins, and Sister Betsy's Surf Wax. In his free time, Lucas enjoys surfing and skateboarding and he plays ice hockey and lacrosse for his high school.

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Director Statement

I started developing an interest in filmmaking during the Covid-19 pandemic. During the beginning of the pandemic, I was unable to play on my ice hockey team. This gave me extra time to explore this new interest. I first started making short films with a few neighborhood friends using my iPhone. Eventually, I made enough money by giving surf lessons to buy a mirrorless camera and a 22mm lens which helped me get wider angles and clearer shots at night for this film. I was most inspired by the work of The Twilight Zone series during this project. I was very fortunate to be able to work with my younger brother on this film because he was very supportive, and we discovered he had a natural talent for acting. This film I made will help me with projects in the future because it taught me how to work with actors, how to manage film equipment, and how to write and direct a story.