Robots Are Illegal in the Tech Noir Web Series ‘Automata’
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Logline:In an alternate Prohibition-Era America, it is not alcohol that’s illegal but rather highly conscious robots known as automatons. “Automata” follows detective Sam Regal and his automaton partner Carl as they work to solve cases in this dystopian America.
Elevator Pitch:“Automata” is a comic property created by Penny Arcade, a Seattle based web-comic conglomerate. It is a serialized science-fiction noir comic set in an alternate 1930’s Prohibition-era New York City. In this alternate history, it is not alcohol that is illegal, but rather the continued manufacturing of highly intelligent robots known as automatons. Former police detective Sam Regal and his robot partner Carl Swangee tackle cases involving the seedy underbelly of New York City. While they work to solve the case, they also work to understand each other in this dystopian America.
Production Team:
VAN ALAN: Van is a Seattle-based filmmaker originally from Houston, TX. He has directed numerous music videos for bands such as The Presidents of the United States of America, Better Than Ezra, and Copeland. He has written and directed four short films and has been selected as a participant in the Texas Filmmakers Showcase in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, Van moved to Seattle to work with Penny Arcade to produce and direct their reality web-series and became the go-to guy to capture PAX conventions and other video projects.
LACEY LEAVITT: Lacey is a Seattle-based producer. She has produced and co-produced many of the best Seattle indie films of the last five years including Colin Trevorrow’s “Safety Not Guaranteed” (Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson), Lynn Shelton’s “Laggies” (Keira Knightley, Sam Rockwell, Chloe Grace Moretz) Megan Griffiths’ “Lucky Them” (Toni Collette, Thomas Haden Church, Johnny Depp), and Todd Rohal’s “The Catechism Cataclysm” (Steve Little, Robert Longstreet). She is a Sundance Creative Producing Lab alum and also co-directed the roller derby documentary “Blood on the Flat Track.”
WILL LUMMUS: Will is an independent film producer originally from Nacogdoches, TX. In 2009, he moved to Seattle and became integrated into the Seattle Independent Film Community, working as a production and location assistant and eventually location coordinating and producing. His recent production credits include films such as “Touchy Feely,” “Laggies,” “You Can’t Win,” “Captain Fantastic” and Ridley Scott’s “The Man In The High Castle.”
About the Film: “Automata” takes two successful genres (Sci-Fi and Detective) and blends them together. It is different than other science fiction shows in its historical 1930’s setting – the cars, the clothes, the slang, the speakeasies, the music, etc. We’ve seen shows about the future; now its time to experience the future in an alternate past. Likewise, we’ve seen detective shows like Sherlock before; but this is Sherlock with robots. The fusion of these genres allows for a dynamic world in which to employ exciting special effects, dynamic cinematography and set design, and tell riveting and exciting human-interest stories.
Current Status:We are currently fundraising on Kickstarter.
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