BEACON - Animated Scifi Horror Short Film

A freak accident leaves a mechanic fighting for his life on a desolate ice planet.
Beacon is the senior film I directed at my final year of SCAD. Without the support of my fantastic crew, friends, and family this film would not have been possible. Thank you to the animation class of 2022 for voting for my pitch to go forward. Beacon would not exist without your votes. Thank you to all those involved who made this film possible. We couldn't have done it without you!
Big shout out to Michael Boggs who helped me in setting up a comp pipeline for the film the whole crew could use! Contact him here! / mikeboggsy
Contact the team here!
[e-mail]
/ beaconfilm2022
Art of Beacon Book in the works. Follow our twitter for updates!
Tell us how we did on letterboxd! boxd.it/ClZ0
Thank you to the film festivals we submitted to for their incredible support and allowing us to be shown on the big screen. We hope you enjoy Beacon!
Happy Halloween!
CREDITS LIST AND CONTACT
VOICE ACTORS
Heath Martin / heathmartinvo
Sarah Tyndal
MAIN CREW
SOUND AND SCORE
Chad Gutierrez
DIRECTOR
Andrew Stadler / animatrocities
PRODUCER, STORY, 2D ANIMATOR, 2D EFFECTS, CLEANUP, COMPOSITOR
Simon Ardoin / sighmonk
STORY, 2D ANIMATOR, CLEANUP, COMPOSITOR
Patrick Sholar / sholarscribbles
VISDEV, LAYOUT, COMPOSITOR
Casper Symons [e-mail]
3D MODELER, 3D ANIMATOR
Kass Augustyniak [e-mail]
ArtStation.com/kassaugie
3D MODELER, 3D ANIMATOR, VFX
Holo Gass [e-mail]
3D MODELER, ANIMATOR, COMPOSITOR
Emily Fulp [e-mail]
emilyfulp.com
SUPPORT CREW
2D ANIMATOR
Noah Cheruk / rocketsockit
2D EFFECTS
Husain Untoro / wolfd_untoro
3D MODELER
Alex Rocca / roccaflock
3D MODELER
Darcy Leeman
3D MODELER
Mason Matutina
3D MODELER
Jonathan Gibney
CLEAN UP
Camile (Luna) Barneiu / xxlunawarriorxx
CLEAN UP
Jay Maclennan / vijaylante
CLEAN UP
Kian Sherritt / kipkune
CLEAN UP
Morgan Stemm
#animation #shortfilm #scfi #horrorstory #horrorstory #horrorshorts #scififilms #scifishort #awardwinning #monstermovies #creaturefeature #creaturefeatures #animated #animatedvideo #studentfilmmakers #studentfilm #studentfilms #disaster #disastermovie #anthology #indie #indieshortfilm #indieshorts #action #actionmovie #animals #kaiju #suspense #suspensefulstory #thriller #scifithriller #lovedeathandrobots #lovecraft #hplovecraft #eldritch #ancient #dystopianfiction #dystopian #dystopianfuture #alien #aliens #offworld #planet #planets #iceplanet #beacon #indieanimation #indie #indiefilm #indiefilmmaker #indiefilmmakers #death #beacons #space #spacefilm #scifihorrorfilm #sci-fi #monsters #monster #monstermedia #monsterfilm #horrorfilm #horrorfilmfestival #alienplanet #horroranthology #2danimation #2d #2d3d #2d3danimation #ferocious #dinosaurs #geese #horrorbird #birdhorror #iceocean

[@animatrocities]

Hi Yall! I just wanted to say thanks so much for getting Beacon to over a million views. It's honestly a huge milestone for me. I started this channel nearly a decade ago and I always wanted to make films but it took nearly a decade to get there. So thank you so much! If you'd like to support future films I have a patreon here! www.patreon.com/animatrocities Hoping to get you guys films every 1-2 months. Some longer or shorter than others. There's a mythos to Beacon I'd like to continue with and as much as I've slipped hints and elaborated on things I'll just have to let the story develop its self. Almost 10 years of stories in the making I started in High School will start to take shape. In the meantime I can't wait to show you the anthology F3ROCIOU5. Thank you for watching it's first kick off entry and again thanks for taking interest in Beacon! We have such sights to show you...

[@DGBomber]

Congrats and very well deserved!

[@HeathMartinVO]

thank you for letting me tag along! you are so damn talented ! can't wait for more! 🎉 congrats on the million views!

[@animatrocities]

@@James-to7piso on top of all the other school work we had we started animation in October I wanna say and finished animation around late March/early April with our main crew of 3 people

[@larubric]

What I really like about this is how quiet the protagonist is. A lot of shows have the MC constantly talking while they're alone cos they don't trust the audience to pay attention all the time. For this it works super well; it makes when the character does speak extremely valuable and also benefits the dread. It emphasises how alone the protagonist is, how vacant the planet is, and how vulnerable any survivors are when they're always being watched by the rabid wildlife.

[@HeathMartinVO]

thank you for noticing! I did alot of crying and panting 🙃

[@dbboy2133]

This is increadible! It gives me some serious Primal vibes

[@WeirdFaden]

I have a tendency to talk to myself when I'm alone as a processing mechanism, I wish that element was played with more because as it stands it is mostly an attempt to keep audience attention rather than really adding anything to the character themselves, which overall really hurts the mood and experience. My attention becomes sharper when I actively verbalize the voices in my head and I become aware of details in the environment that I overlooked before hand, which could also be a great way to build tension in a piece like this, but it's rarely ever used as such in media XC

[@allimaleada270]

@@WeirdFaden hehe same, talking to myself everytime I'm alone specially for a long time,, This show how vacant mind the main character is, or at least for me

[@poggersdude1067]

I agree with DBoy. gives off big primal vibes.

[@zombiepopi]

Real sucker for the gore, but also the fact that it's acknowledged and then ignored for the horrors of the monsters and being abandoned, fantastic animation, i'd kill to have a longform series with the concept

[@shardinhand1243]

hell yeah same. could be done like the primal series where all the cast ether speak a different language or cant speak at all. that kind of story done well is timeless and unbound by things like cultural language barriars... awesome.

[@semi9316]

Have you seen love, death, robots? It's a bunch of short films and there's at least one of the episodes in there matches what you're looking for in 3rd season titled jibaro. The overall vibe of the series also matches this animation.

[@Gracie-rr4ut]

This is a senior film? This is clean as hell, everyone who worked on it should be so proud!

[@Zanzabarchocolate]

Stellaris Player: "Oh, so THAT'S where my science ship went! Alright, time to build another one."

[@shitonabrik13times]

Average Stellaris playthrough

[@slunky6269]

Yeah I don't think I should have sent my science ship to the system with a 12k power entity, not my best choice

[@fearsomejinn2807]

This looks like something on par with Love, Death and Robots. both in tone and animation style. well done.

[@opposumness3107]

Better even than many episodes

[@kris-wx9cs]

@@opposumness3107 I wouldn't say better than many but rather, it would fit in perfectly.

[@shardinhand1243]

damn, your right.

[@bradpotts1747]

i was just gonna rant about this being better than dlr. but i really gotta know why do you like that show. i obviously dont but theres gotta be something there that YOU do, so would fill me in cause im in the dark here.

[@fearsomejinn2807]

@@bradpotts1747 I don't like every episode of ldr but the ones I do like is really down to personal preference. But the episode of Sonnies edge is what got me curious enough to watch the other episode.

[@rrk8779]

I like how he gives up in the end unlike other videos or movies where the mc is injured and their only means of escaping is gone but still think there's hope, but in this the mc knows it's over and chooses to end his suffering quickly

[@CosmicFlora]

Absolutely beautiful in its bleakness. I love sci-fi/horror concepts where the antagonist is just nature in all its brutal indifference. The terrain and ruins all serve to make the viewer feel very small. Phenomenal work! If you ever consider a Kickstarter or something to take this project further, I’ll be the first to sign up.

[@pipipupu5104]

Can you please suggest more such movies please

[@petalpotionsart]

The sense of pure dread this gives is amazing. What a genuinely great animation!

[@cinemartin3530]

I completely agree with you, after watching, you involuntarily get into the feelings that the main character is experiencing, and you sit for a long time under the impression of this masterpiece. It's amazing how a short animated film could be made better than many full-length projects! It seems like a lot of people and a budget are not the main thing at all, the main thing is talent and enthusiasm, and knowledge of how to evoke the right feelings and thoughts in the viewer.

[@HeathMartinVO]

I love what you all did with this film! it was a great joy for me to be a part of it! p.s. I'd be cool with continuing this story or making a prequel. - The Survivor

[@animatrocities]

Was a pleasure working with you Heath. We'll be in touch :D

[@ir1334]

you sound EXACTLY like Dave Bautista lol, great work!

[@HeathMartinVO]

@@ir1334 I love Bautista! thanks.!

[@user-op4ft4yh5f]

Soldier poor :)

[@user-op4ft4yh5f]

Soldier poor OK :D

[@elementblue780]

When your wrist thingy says stay in the pod, STAY IN THE DAMN POD. I agree with everyone about the amazing animation, but I also wanted to mention how great the sound is. Those were some top notch effects! Awesome job!

[@pannik_lucas]

"Next time, stay in the car".

[@pedrorecomenda]

If he had stayed at the pod instead of disturbing the monster or trying to be a hero he would have served

[@dand1253]

Beautifully animated. The survivor of the Archimedes ultimately getting himself and a rescue team killed seeking pointless vengeance on the local wildlife is... frustrating, but believable.

[@ImperialKnight770]

You know that "last crew" that's always mentioned in space horror games? This is them.

[@jinx373]

6:51 i love the little detail of him ever so slightly being pushed back due to the firearm

[@mcswaggermcmuffin69]

Morale of the story: The more you fuck around, the more you find out

[@StarkSpider24]

And the more you’ll wish you hadn’t…

[@finalfroggitapproaches6418]

Damn dude.. This was really, really good! Terrifying, yet gorgeous- my favorite kind of media. That shot of him looking down through the ice was so choice! And the sound design.. Good Lord did that ever tie the visuals and the story together! Not to mention some nice gore, and a protagonist that I want to root for despite seeing so little of him, and a freaking great concept. Nature is.. Kinda twisted. Foreign planet nature when you’re all alone? THAT is true, unfathomable horror. Amazing job to everyone involved. Absolutely incredible!

[@minnion2871]

And this is probably why you're not supposed to leave the rescue pod, moving around tends to attract unwanted attention...

[@camilaalmiron5588]

@@minnion2871 yes...

[@wongmatthew7215]

even if they don't leave the pod, the creatures will find them

[@dalaanibombina8822]

You only had to wait a day and a half for the rescue ship; why tf would you leave the pod? 😑

[@krazykuz13cmc]

Vengeance dummy

[@joeysonofjohn]

Im seeing this a year later and I gotta agree. Wtf did he try and rescue other people for when he himself needed rescue as well.

[@NoahCheruk]

The strength of the overall tone is so impressive in this film, and feels so fresh! This film paves the way for a sense of atmosphere that is rarely touched on in animation. Congrats to all the crew involved! Was a pleasure to help out on this film even if only a little bit, and inspiring to work alongside you night after night for the college film grind. Looking forward to what you make next!

[@CougarMacDowall]

Dude this came out awesome!

[@andrewler13theundeadwarrio51]

Wow It really u

[@BerzklTheDragon]

We're you also binging animations?

[@C.A.M584]

It's very good so many things are here that lots of animation studios could use talents like this.

[@SearTheo]

The hopeless struggle of cold and survival that this film evokes is very well done. I like how the film is bookended by both explosions of the two different ships. Definitely a very good film to have special effects shine- which they do. I love the take on horror and suspense in animation.

[@temporaryalien5573]

This was a great work on a dreadful experience of being stranded on a alien world with the character trying to gain hope in finding others he only finds more fear in his own surroundings only to react unreasonably when approached with such strangeness on this world.

[@animatrocities]

Apologies yall! Working on getting subtitles into the video. Been extremely busy. Thank you for your patience and the response. It's been incredible! There are a multitude of projects in the works and they all relate to Beacon. Stick around. We're just getting started.

[@CryptTheNecromancer]

You wouldn't happen to be looking for any 3d animators would you? I think it'd be cool to help work on a project like this!

[@animatrocities]

​@@CryptTheNecromancer Not looking for character animators quite yet but modeling, definitely!

[@CryptTheNecromancer]

@@animatrocities where do I apply?

[@CryptTheNecromancer]

@@animatrocities I'm an animator, but I can model as well. How do I contact you for an application?

[@animatrocities]

@@CryptTheNecromancer you can send an email to [e-mail] or [e-mail]. We'll be making a project specific email soon.

[@MagnanimousEntropy]

Talk about a bad day at work. An excellent animated short. It would fit nicely in a series like Love, Death and Robots.

[@leonefurlan137]

True

[@ianfleischer3532]

This is absolutely incredible, the storytelling is on point and the animation is really the standout. Every single background is detailed, each scene is perfectly colored, the character movements are completely fluid .... just amazing. Excellent work, and wether you to continue working in animation or not, know that you should be proud of this

[@DagobahResident]

Reminds me of a Carl Sagan quote: "Extinction is the rule, survival is the exception." I feel like if we ever achieve interplanetary travel and exploration, that mantra will become painfully familiar...

[@animatrocities]

Definitely the basis for this short and other shorts that may or not be connected ;)

[@clairesholar2208]

Beautiful animation!! All nine minutes felt like a held breath in the best way possible. Great job to the crew :)

[@shardscale2934]

DUDE- the sheer magnitude of talent put into every single frame of this is jaw dropping!! unbelievable job everyone involved!

[@oneframesam]

You can genuinely feel the fear and all of his emotions. I love the beginning where he’s taking the rock out of his eye, like he’s hyping himself up and I immediately could feel my hands sweat. Really awesome

[@JD_comicotaku]

Noice lovecraft monster and the dreaded existentialism of being left alone on an hostile world can do to someone

[@jacobpeterson4071]

The monster at the end like "Dude, what happened to your arm! That looks like some nasty business let me take care of that for you. " *boop*

[@jailcatjones3250]

What I love about sci-fi horror is the complete unknown, never know what's out there

[@Hazmat2977]

We can feel and see the fear in the eyes of the protagonist when the last survivor die, when the rescue ship explode and when at the end the giant alien prepare to kill him.

[@HeathMartinVO]

it was one thing after another! how much is one man to endure? -the Survivor

[@inputusername4763]

holy crap it’s so detailed it even showed him getting pushed back from the recoil of his rifle

[@Commissar_Eiven]

Imagine if this was a whole series like primal or we see this character explore this desolate ice planet with thousands of hostile creatures and this short film was more fleshed out as a series I would pay for that

[@camilaalmiron5588]

Yes, very great

[@namvo3013]

Made in abyss but space haha

[@Kalinel_]

The atmosphere is amazing and super immersive! The feeling of the mc losing all hope as his last chance of survival is blown up in front of him hits really well. Fantastic job!

[@spandexspleen]

I like how this film brings a sense of despair and make the protagonist appear powerless against these titanic, ravenous alien lifeforms.

[@TheMightyN]

Desolate frigid Tundra with a Cthulu night crawler. Just another reason to never swim towards the light.

[@vinny8589]

very Dead Space vibe to this. I dig it. This would totally make for a cool PC or Xbox indie game.

[@Bonewerkz]

I had an accident with the left eye. If you have so strong pain in one eye,you can't open the another eye, you are practically blind. My left eye healed about 90%, i was no blinded.

[@Acatpiestuff]

YEAAAAHHH BEACON'S FINALLY RELEASED!!! It was so cool seeing this at senior showcase for the first time! Yall deserve everything and more for how hard you guys worked on this. - a person who worked on Celestial Transits

[@doggodingus3555]

I love how much emotion you can get from the film with so little words.

[@zebedeebones8685]

As a jaded old sod when it comes to media and modern animation, I must say I’m genuinely impressed by this. I’m a fan of old school sci fi horror and lovecraft too, so this felt like a trip down memory lane and a love letter for such fans all in one.

[@EMShelley]

"STAY IN THE HOUSE, CARL!"

[@kdeathwing]

Can we all take a moment to appreciate the sheer balls on this guy for even attempting a rescue after hearing those screams.

[@cindyrose5306]

THIS IS SO GOOD

[@dwarvishwarrior7339]

He really should have stayed with the ship… fantastic work on this by the way very well made!!!!

[@kevinwlee1]

Jesus, watching the dude in the first sequence rip out that shrapnel and I am just sitting here going..."Dude, you are NOT supposed to do that!"

[@jamesmorgan1063]

The theme is defiance, despite unavoidable doom. I liked it.

[@Nomadith]

Holy shit, it's ICE SPACE SWANS I hate how amazingly you and your team have done this, if I didn't love it so much I'd ask for the planet to be glassed to keep those monsters away from all sentient life

[@otterpoet]

_Heavy Metal_ meets _The Europa Project_ - love it.

[@animatrocities]

Love love love that comparison, thank you!

[@PepeGomezAnimation]

This gives Love Death & Robots a run for its money!

[@dantrun457]

This place looks like the planet Tau Volantis. I love that

[@2D_Stranger]

could easily be included in love, death,& robots

[@WeirdFaden]

He killed everyone!! Stay in the pod means stay in the pod!!!! Lol great work really clean animation. Would love to see more of this

[@livvidity]

oh my god this is better than some billion dollar movies

[@ferrumbellatorwarsmith3342]

Now this is sci-fi horror

[@johnlang2293]

Dude must have a robot arm, it was sliding off when he kneeled down? This is an amazing short film, Outstanding !!! I loved it !

[@thepalaeo3830]

This might be my sci-fi bias speaking, probably is, but this has to be the best short film I've seen in ages. The visual effects were wonderfully executed, the creature design was solid, and the sound design was equally so. The minimization of dialogue made it a lot more interesting, because it was dialogue that conveyed what the protagonist was feeling.

[@ryanbigg7389]

still watching it, but an absolute beautifully done moment was when the transmission reconnected to a roar and scream. absolutely top

[@Crimsomreaf5555]

Damn now I want a whole TV show

[@londonlekhula8730]

This gives me Love,death and robot vibes. The story is impactful and excellent

[@NameName2.0]

The second it reconnected I was like "Nope, not goin out there, sorry lady, yer on yer own."

[@TheJ3llyboy]

For some reason... I felt that same wonder and helplessness watching this as when I saw the Gears of War ad featuring Mad World by Gary Jules.

[@2andri]

This really needs more views and attention.This is so incredible!

[@ijlayugan4149]

This is NEEDS more attention! Its so beautiful ohmygod and the story-! So much hours and work must be put into this Yall should be proud!

[@kwinter2541]

people keep having these dreams of liminal spaces . great ruins of conference halls and imagery of the escape shuttle leading to woe .

[@gsurveil1]

Brilliant! Had me on the edge of my seat!!

[@xboxplzfixme]

This 100% deserves to be on Love Death Robots!

[@animatrocities]

:D

[@Kuweiyo]

This is nothing less than a masterpiece of horror. My jaw was on the floor the whole time. I really hope there's more to this!

[@whittybench5788]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I LOVE THIS SO MCUH I HOPE THERE'S MORE TO IT

[@adamantbrandob7188]

Damn latest season of love death and robots looking wild

[@trevorlooney6674]

Well done! Fits in with Love Death Robots, very alien meets Cthulhu vibes! Fantastic job!

[@CryptTheNecromancer]

I love the art direction you went with this. I don't know what it is about sci-fi and horror, something about those 2 genres just blend so well! But the color pallette is just amazing! I know it mustve taken forever to make this. But please make more! I love the story too! The whole aspect of hopelessness within the main characters situation is just too good. I mean really, the guy can't seem to catch a break!

[@OTKNG]

Getting some real strong love,death and robot vibes from this

[@vincentgonzalesb1728]

I love the attention with the adrenaline! Dude forgot bout the pain at the sight of being truly alone.

[@YourBoss_CORP]

Meteor shower destroying ship? Stuck in an ice planet that somehow you can breathe and dont die by microbes? An eldritch monster that lives in the depths of the water that kills anything that looks alive? Must be a thursday!

[@thaimolpiyas]

this is absolutely beautiful, i especially love the enviroment this takes place in. its very well painted and the character belongs so well

[@emmanueljoseej8220]

DAMNNNNNNN LIKE WOAH, THIS SHOULD BE LOVE DEATH AND ROBOTS IN NETFLIX, like bruhhhhhhhhhhh this is dome good s-tier animation

[@Harbinger_of_Doom146]

I love that they had the opportunities to use simple jump scares and chose not to, it makes the tension more… tense for lack of a better term because we get these half glimpses that only deepen the mystery and horror. Good job, loved it!

[@TopsyTriceratops]

Dude you have no idea how EXCITED I was to see this get released! Your works are just so amazing! And that body sent chills right up my spine, especially the eye staring us down even though she was dead long before. And the monsters beneath the ice, man that was terrifying! I love your designs and attention to detail, like morbid candy to the eyes!

[@Breaker_Of_Sieges]

I don't know why, but something about THAT shot just... Haunts me. I've watched this three times and the split second horror of it just captivates me. I've slowed it and paused on the frame and lord, it's - it's utterly horrifying for such a small detail in the whole animation. Something about her eye just... Makes it so I can't look away. Amazing job on this. Incredible attention to detail. I really hope that we get maybe a sequel or prequel or something. Or just another animation in general.

[@patrick247two]

Sweet cosmic horror.

[@williamwarg6882]

Oh wow, this one is better than whole second season of "Love, Death + Robots"

[@tiredman99]

Man this was amazing. Would be cool to get a full series out of this. Glad to see more independent animation

[@lmfao275]

Absolutely gut wrenching, something rare for me, especially a short 9 min film. Absolute masterpiece

[@InterfectorFactory]

Great work overall by the whole team! I could really tell from the explosions alone that you were involved, amazing to see how far you've come. Keep it up!

[@Nikua13]

Better than hollywood products. I was invested and enjoyed the story, as short and simple as it was.

[@trenchlord6986]

Now this, this is sci-fi eldritch horror done properly

[@vezoth6055]

Holy shit, I want more. This was fabulously done

[@Joepiez]

i loved every single bit of it! noticed there was a lot of attention to detail to the ice, phenomenal!

[@guyfawkes4963]

I don't think there is ever going to be enough praise for the absolutely gorgeous environments that were made for this. I would absolutely love to buy a book featuring just those backgrounds alone. Absolutely a worthy project rival for the first animated Dead Space movie. Crisp, simple and effective character design, good feeling of weight and realism in the movement, and unbelievable wreckage and planet.

[@pipecleanermaster]

absoulutley legendary.

[@indiemedley1209]

This was absolutely absurdly fantastic, an amazing ride from start to end. This was spectacular!

[@AliAsif303]

Simply incredible work. How you managed to pull off such a Hollywood-level production in this project is remarkable. I hope you make more like this. And it would be really cool to see a continuation or a prequel to this if possible.

[@Velossitee]

I thought at the end... "The last thing you see on this planet before you die... pure MADNESS..." due to it being a cthulu creature. The animation is beautiful and fluid and the emotion in his voice are excellent. You are a great artist.

[@HeathMartinVO]

thank you! - The Survivor

[@shitavl]

That was mad! You guys rock!

[@Jigensama]

This is great! Really love the background designs as well as the character/creature designs.

[@MrKajithecat]

Uplifting. A great positive message

[@HeathMartinVO]

that's what I was thinking too! - the Survivor

[@1Eddie4u]

Give us More Please!!!, that was completely awesome.

[@Scp-hi2ev]

Good work, human