AWAKE - scifi short film (2022)

A sci-fi short film about a past-his-prime space probe who suddenly finds himself seeking a new purpose. For those interested in the production details, I shot a puppet model against greenscreen with a Blackmagic Production 4k camera. Space backgrounds and wormhole effects were created and composited with Nuke, and editing was done with Final Cut Pro.
See the making of Awake videos here:
• Making AWAKE - Part 1 ...
• Making AWAKE - Part 2 ...
• Making AWAKE - Part 3 ...
Written & Directed by Greg Derochie www.gregderochie.com
Music and Mix by Glenn Scott Lacey www.glennscottlacey.com
Voice Acting by Richard Brewer
Puppeteering by Geoffrey Donne
Visual Effects by Greg Derochie
Special Thanks to Cindy Troianello
If you're looking for an isolation themed feature film, check out my movie SOLITARY, about a woman trapped in her home by agoraphobic fear. Streaming on Amazon Prime (a.co/cIrLoH8 )
See more of my film work at www.gregderochie.com
Please subscribe and follow me on Facebook: formationfilms/

[@leifjansson8074]

Lovely little movie! I loved how his eyes went like tiny slits when he was travelling very fast! 🙂

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching!

[@UTshaman]

The atmosphere and underlying energy in this are nourishing and uplifting, thank you…

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching!

[@andygorman858]

That was brilliant. Those extra wide shots gave scale to the ‘explorer’ perfectly.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, Andy!

[@jerryjohnston3844]

Hey Greg! Filtered through my experiences and my unique identity this is the most meaningful story I have encountered in a very long time. I, too, tired of asking specific questions and getting vague, meaningless answers. It is ever the correct response to quit asking those that evade and obfuscate, and go have a look for yourself. Whenever any entity demands blind obedience, it is especially important to remember that you are a free and self determining moral and spiritual agent, and would be foolish not to have as good a look as is available to you, before making any decisions. I have no idea if you intended all that, but that is the wonderful thing about good art, oftentimes it says exactly what we need to hear, intended or not! Well done!

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching, Jerry, and I'm glad those ideas came through the film for you.

[@BradfordGuy]

The exact same thing pertains to politics. If more people would look and see for themselves, rather than just accepting what they are told, I think we would do so much better. GOD BLESS!

[@jerryjohnston3844]

@@BradfordGuy, The problem that exists is that one may prove, or disprove, anything one likes or prefers with the overload of information available. Add to that skillful and highly financed spin-doctors, and up becomes whichever direction one wishes it to be, and down becomes blue, and North begins to creep off to the West. Skillful, well financed corporate interests have convinced working people that $7.25 is a fair starting wage, and that it is not in their best interest to have a legally enforceable agreement in place, for instance. Normal people are allowed to choose the facts that they prefer, and that is one of the main reasons that Western Civilization is doomed.

[@patriciahazeltine9986]

The further adventures of Probie!!

[@GregDerochie]

You never know, Patricia...

[@galenicalhoover6508]

Universe: "I am that I am." Proby: "You are?" The ultimate come back. Brilliant!

[@GregDerochie]

Many thanks!

[@fayflurina3382]

did i just get emotionally attached to a spaceship with cute lamp eyes? yes

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching, Fay!

[@2late4most5]

Moral of the story, no matter where you go, that's where you are .

[@GeoffreyMays]

We’ll done! Love the light- heartedness of it. Lot of the sci-fi out there is pretty dark and dystopian. This is cute but also deep. Thanks!

[@GregDerochie]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@StevenDempseyArtist]

Great little film with an epic story. I particularly loved the super wide shot to show how tiny he was in space and also the reveal at the end was very cool. Props to Glenn for what sounds like a big budget score. Well done.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks Steven. Glad you enjoyed it. And you're so right about Glenn's score - it's a big part of the heart and soul of Proby.

[@GregDerochie]

I also just saw some of your pinhole films - awesome stuff, just beautiful!

[@StevenDempseyArtist]

Cheers Greg, I appreciate it.

[@raymondo162]

@@StevenDempseyArtist pinhole films ?? must investigaate that....................

[@dbrxsdgo]

Nice nod to 80's Sci-fi.

[@neilmackenzie4394]

Very good use of limited materials to tackle deep questions. Good show!

[@GregDerochie]

Much appreciated, Neil!

[@MissMarinaCapri]

Clever, this could become a series.

[@GregDerochie]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kangooroo1]

Thank you Greg. That was beautiful.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching!

[@woodstoney]

Welcome to a world of possibilities...

[@GregDerochie]

Indeed... thanks for watching.

[@BradfordGuy]

Fantastic...I really hope to see more productions from you. Can't say what I like more, the cinematography, lighting, sound, special effects...they are all perfect. God bless!

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@hilaryc3203]

That was fun, and very well done.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks Hilary.

[@meltinginmissoula7044]

Then after arriving at the unsuspecting orb teeming with life, the little droid promptly detonated and destroyed the unrepentant denizens without regard as the Spectral Voice chuckled mercilessly with glee.

[@GregDerochie]

Wow... dark turn for the sequel.

[@meltinginmissoula7044]

Yes but completely predicated on the Search and Revenge that so dominates cinema’s need for trilogies and unending Sagas. So Dark is the hour glass that we barely notice Time’s imminent collapse.

[@onepercentile]

Pretty cool. I love the tap everything to get working concepts, and the "I AM what I am" play on religion. It's comical.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks Jordan!

[@planetlando]

Loved it, the sound design: Impeccable. Pacing: Perfect. Vfx: Lovably Jank. 10/10

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, Planet Lando!

[@metaspherz]

Having a nihilist inner voice badgering you after just waking up after 237 years -- before your first cup of coffee -- is really annoying! 😎

[@matthewdenckla6567]

IF only Descartes and Pascal had lived to see this short! They would have enjoyed it with me! Thanks for a joyous little character in a smart short!

[@GregDerochie]

Glad you enjoyed it, Matthew.

[@nhuongdang8224]

The rotary highway to dreamland

[@rbd46684]

that old classic movie vibe warms my heart

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks very much!

[@elliottswanson9307]

Yikes, a flying parking meter!

[@FindLiberty]

Thomas the Tank Engine ...in Space!

[@poppabear6411]

very entertaining, enjoyed every minute.

[@GregDerochie]

Awesome, thank you!

[@thomascollins4325]

Great short!!! Thanks for posting!!!

[@GregDerochie]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CharlesScalfani]

Hey Greg. So cool. I so wish there was more of this. Any chance to see what happens next?

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks. What happens next? Great question! I suppose it depends on what time period Proby finds himself arriving on Earth.

[@CharlesSmith-io9fp]

@@GregDerochie Before or after he left? Or did he originate somewhere else? It sounds like a Universe full of possibilities.

[@GregDerochie]

Indeed!

[@jayfredrickson8632]

Short but sweet! Loved it!

[@GregDerochie]

Glad you liked it!!

[@melanielima9417]

Pero...Como me gustan estos cortos.los miro a todos.

[@carlosmulders2823]

cant wait for the sequel

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnrettig1880]

Who are you ? ? ? I am what I am ...... Popeye ! ! ! Is that you ? ? ?

[@Eidolon1andOnly]

Love the use of practical effects.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks very much!

[@DoubleBarrelDarrell]

This is really cool. Great job, man.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks a lot!

[@jayturner3397]

Looking forward to a series or maybe just part 2..this was really very good

[@GregDerochie]

Thank you, Jay.

[@jimparsons6803]

Fun. The widget version of 'Galaxy Quest?'

[@hemaccabe4292]

Well done. Cute little movie.

[@GregDerochie]

Many thanks!

[@andrewk6870]

Fantastic!! Love everything about it!

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks so much!

[@CaptMike]

We do know who "I AM" is, don't we!

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching!

[@bewell4743]

I found myself feeling the vast aloneness of being lost in the universe. I appreciated how you brought together the ideas of asleep/awake, damaged, must/should/stop, self-examination, self-determination, purpose, the perceptions of hearing the voice we think of as God and the new purpose found in the adventure of discovery. I also love how the unknown was linked to the source of energy and the instant vitality he found in breaking from the voice of the "past" by simply making a decision. I found it interesting that perhaps where he came from was really the same place he returned to, except it occurred to him as totally new because of the new perspective he had aquired after wrestling with "the voice" after being so lost and adrift for so long. I found more of what is important in this 5 minutes than in hours of today's endlessly meaningless content. Thank you and please continue on with the careful, thoughtful, entertaining and brilliant work you do. ✨👍🏼✨ Theme for me is: Heaven and Hell, lost and found, asleep and awake are not a functions of time but rather an inspired state of being. They are separated always and only in two states; by an eternally wide chasm or in a fraction of a milli-second of awareness. This epic movie takes you from your present reality and places you in a space light-years away so you can contend with the infinite and eternal meaningless of you separated from yourself and how quickly you to get back to Life. Thank you.

[@GregDerochie]

Wow, thanks for your thoughtful and kind review, David. Appreciate you watching!

[@pigsymcpigface]

What an engaging piece. Thank you

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, James.

[@SonjaSophie]

GENIUS!

[@GregDerochie]

Many thanks, Sonja.

[@edzejandehaan9265]

Very cool. Lovable little guy, I,'d like to see more of his adventures.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks - you never know!

[@flamindigo]

what a cute little robot

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertacosta6480]

Loved it! Great Job!

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, Robert!

[@Billart]

Great Going Explorer - me too

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks!

[@celticarchie]

Freakin' Awesome Sauce! :D

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks! 😄

[@MackMateCom]

Amazing work thanks

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks!

[@docwilson5384]

Amazing job....Peace

[@b.j.hinote4301]

I really liked that. More please

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks B.J!

[@MrFzzt]

Fun and entertaining! Nice work.

[@GregDerochie]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rogercabe6175]

love it … be cool to make a full movie

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, Roger.

[@colinstables]

Loved it

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, Colin.

[@debbiecunningham4913]

I really liked this!

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching, Debbie!

[@klangerklanger8011]

Nicely done

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks!

[@billylangham2077]

Really good 5 minutes. Well done.

[@GregDerochie]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hemaccabe4292]

and then it became V'ger! :) Keep creating. You have talent.

[@GregDerochie]

Thank you! Will do!

[@hkguitar1984]

I like it, thank you. So many people lack a purpose in life...........maybe this can help some of them.

[@fastgurrrl]

Wow! More! Please.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, Jodie, I'll certainly try!

[@jasonbidwell]

Nice work!

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks!

[@Chris-sx3he]

Well done!

[@GregDerochie]

Many thanks!

[@Fantastic_book_Dimart]

not bad, for a low-budget audience such views. it's worth watching.

[@georgegarcia3894]

This short film was a Excellent Overwhelming Outstanding Piece of Art. Is there a Second film when he the robot drone gets to land on Earth,

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, George! No sequel yet, but you never know - stay tuned.

[@70stunes71]

👍🌠

[@douglaswallace7680]

excellent colors\movement in the worm hole . sequel : pick a date in our history . and prequel : where was "place of origin" ? or was that last image the answer ?

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks Douglas - great questions - time will tell if Proby gets a sequel!

[@raymondo162]

v good. v v good. cool ending

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, Raymond!

[@DARAD-View-now]

Так вот он какой!...

[@noahbawdy3395]

That was cute. Thanks :)

[@GregDerochie]

You're welcome 😊

[@ptonpc]

Aww that was sweet :)

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching!

[@guymyers7505]

Very cool Greg, that was the prop you were building before you moved. You showed to me in the garage one day. Awesome to see it completed and in it's staring role. Hope both you and Cindy are doing well.

[@GregDerochie]

Yup, from vaccum cleaner to movie star!

[@toptohyekoms]

youre johnny no. 5! 2O22

[@MisterG2323]

Cute. I'm guessing the poor thing ended up mashed in a trash compactor or maybe became an abandoned plaything in some kid's backyard.

[@GregDerochie]

I sure hope not, Geoff.

[@MisterG2323]

@@GregDerochie ...")

[@butterflySmiles2]

👁️👁️💯

[@hazardtool3140]

more probie!!!!

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks! You never know...

[@tharsgaard663]

Bender ? Where are you ? :)

[@MobileFilmmaking]

Pretty cool. I just subbed you.

[@GregDerochie]

Awesome thank you!

[@shauljonah6955]

Funny I liked it and he ended up at home go figure a worm hole 🕳 at ftl speeds.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks, Shaul!

[@coreyc47]

Is that why "they're" here?

[@jesus_built_my_hotrod]

Cute

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks!

[@misterjei]

Black Knight satellite orgin story?

[@garyhill9516]

I could read alot into that msg.

[@GregDerochie]

Thanks for watching!

[@glen7228]

Too bad for him that he found earth, because humans will decide he's an enemy and destroy him.

[@GregDerochie]

Perhaps...perhaps.

[@cuzz63]

My take was that Earth was his place of origin. He was damaged going through the wormhole the 1st time. Now he is back home.

[@GregDerochie]

Interesting take, cuzz63!

[@cuzz63]

@@GregDerochie proby didnt appear to have any long range propulsion so his origin point could have been near to the wormhole. When he moved around there were no nearby planets..when he passed through the wormhole the earth was very close. So logic applies.

[@allthingsgumball]

Why is North America SO LARGE?

[@jayfredrickson8632]

Short but sweet! Loved it!

[@GregDerochie]

Glad you liked it!!