BEACON
A SOLO FILM PROJECT
BY ANDREW KNOX
WHAT IS BEACON?
BEACON is a tv-spot length action sci-fi film created as a challenge to see if one person is capable of producing a solo sci-fi short film project that meets the production value standards usually seen on the big screen. The short focuses on a lone survivor trying to understand and defeat an aggressive and technologically advanced alien race.
WHERE CAN I SEE IT?
BEACON is complete and is now in the process of being submitted to 2018 film festivals. It may premiere at festivals and after this will be publicly visible.
A PASSION PROJECT
CLOSE TO HOME
BEACON was post-produced in a flat in Edinburgh, the city I was born in and have come full circle to work in as a Marketing Manager.
Filming took place near the village of Drumnadrochit, close to Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. A wilderness I have explored well, since I grew up and went to high school there around 15 years ago. The location was accessible by a 300 meter hike on foot with multiple bags of production gear weighing around 40kg. That hike was repeated 3 times to complete the shoot.
SOLO PROJECT
No one else contributed in any way to the project. This was a self imposed challenge, making it a solo project from start to finish. When there is no one behind the camera, no one to pull focus and no one to collaborate with the simple things taken for granted become complicated and time consuming.
PRODUCTION VALUE
The aim was to match or get as close as possible to the production values commonly seen and heard on the big screen. When the film is available to view it is up to the viewer if I managed to hit that mark.
BUDGET
Under £500. Some costs that come to mind are: A pair of boots, some filled rolls, a few electricity bills, a lot of head scratching and a lot of time.
WHAT NEXT?
BEACON is complete. The film may premiere at festivals and will be visible online at some point during 2018. The film will be available here along with a making of overview video.