Sci-Fi Short Film: "How Is This The World" | DUST

A mother befriends a burnt-out hacker to help search for her son in virtual reality.
"How Is This The World" by Sadie Rogers
Connect with the Filmmakers:
/ howisthistheworld
sadpigs?hl=en
/ _grace_period_
/ sadieinvalinor
"How Is This The World" Credits:
Written & Directed by Sadie Rogers
Produced by Grace Hahn & Sadie Rogers
Associate Producers
Anneliese Blanchard
Mike McNamara
Breeden Morrison
Nancie & Bill Rogers
Director of Photography Eon Mora
1st AC Thomas Molash
Gaffer Christian Mejia
Addt’l Gaffer Tony Santiago
BTS Photography Greg Stephen Reigh
Production Designer Amanda Brinton
Set Dresser Linda Wyatt
Costume Designer Kate Grube
Costumers Kirrah Perkins
Maddie Tollner
& Umnia Khan
Hair & Makeup Tiffany Anderson
Choreography Maureen Janson
1st AD Grace Hahn
Unit Production Manager Kara Kittel
Key PA Jack Birdsall
PA Charley Guptill
PA Brian Daniher
Editor John Sawyer
Post Production Supervisor Troy Lewis
Visual Effects JSF Post Production
Additional Visual Effects Troy Lewis
Location Sound Mixer & Sound Mixer
Rob Davis
***
Starring
Hanna Dworkin as Elise
Matt DeCaro as Bernie
Hunter Bryant as Raj
Raven Whitley as Zoe
Sadie Rogers as Chloe
Mari Marroquin as B
Eva Marie McDermott as Nancy
with
Maggie Suma
Anne Sites
Maris Wimmer
Malic White
Molly Hewitt
Xavier Lagunas
Javi Aya
Gaby Labotka
and
Annika Demarte
Eli Demarte
Claire Ivey
Lily McCartney
JJ McNeal
Kommodore
Brandon Partner
Zoe Mateja
Katie Mateja
Anthony Johnson
Sarah Serabian
Caitlin Kusack
Julia Skeggs
Alexa Ulrich
Malice Aforethought
Sybil Lestrange
***
Music
Forest Music
Composed by Carolyn O’Neill
WABDMYC
Written & Performed by No Men
Accidental Effigies
Written & Performed by WINGTIPS
Dungeon
Composed by Sadie Rogers & Carolyn O’Neill
Mixed by Adam Stilson at Decade Music Studios
Analogue
Written & Performed by Born Days
Color Correction Services provided by Company 3
Colorist Tyler Roth
CO3 Producer Mario Castro
Assistant Colorist Liz Fornago
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[@watchdust]

Love the music? You're not alone. Here are the songs featured in "How Is This The World" kzbin.info/aero/PLjh2Pvs-leU7K3gsSXQUEGzDT7Q3N4wu8 open.spotify.com/playlist/6iB593u0pwUNgYrO07cUtv?si=6373ca43d5054504

[@edrozenrozen9600]

It was beautiful

[@pontram]

I love the song deeply and nearly come to tears (like with 'Through the Atmosphere' from Final Space), but the mix/mastering I think is (very) bad here. The drums on the climax/dancing part are really overcompressed/limited/ducked to a nearly destructing level, there is also compressor breathing that makes the sound flow very edgy. The original mix is much better, but still may need some professional mastering.

[@mushishi9684]

The Music AWESOME The film AWESOME ✨🌟✨ Great work, thank U ☀️ Greetings from Belgrade 🌼 Serbia

[@catbertz]

Absolutely loved the mom actress. She delivered the emotional arc and humanity that sold the whole idea. Great short!

[@believeinpeace]

I agree with you.

[@sophial.6633]

Virtual reality is the new drug. A way to escape a fragile and sometimes disappointing world. People in the future will literally try to get high on life. A very poignant and relevant concept. Good job.

[@jasonudall8614]

And like any "drug " or "escape". Books ,games, films, music. The come down is ....disappointing.

[@tinfoilhatter]

'smart-dust' is just too dangerous! this dust is-juuuuust-right! ha ha [juuust kidding, this stuff is the best, because it's *fresh*, yes-yes?]

[@iamgroot4706]

The down side of VR will be the loss of our health and spiritual wellbeing.

[@davekiely2912]

And just like opium dens in ages past .. humanity will lose people to the addiction. Opioids are not the end of the poison that we will inject into our lives.

[@stevenmorris3181]

Record your dreams? Just around the corner.

[@davedogge2280]

2021: "Hi Bethesda, my name is Mary Salthouse, I lost my son playing one of your games Skyrim, he hasn't left his bedroom in 48 hours.".

[@bleakdestiny6095]

He's fine! We go on quests together all the time. He's kick a$$ with magic, took down a couple of dragons yesterday. 😉

[@stevenmorris3181]

He's almost to Rifton, about a tenth of the way through.... Rule number one: Never-ever allow food or drink in their room. Go figure

[@timeparadox180]

loooool

[@lunaokittens9574]

Alduwina the dragon ate him... he won't be back... 😭😭😭

[@beyourself7428]

@@friedmule5403 I'd love for that to happen. However given the exaggerated negative emotions/expressions seen in even today's non-immersion online world, I wonder what's gonna happen if this tech comes true...

[@billmurray7473]

This lady looks like a candidate for Mother Of The Year. Her kid does all the work while she slacks off watching VR.

[@billyandrew]

Gaining weight, through obvious lack of exercise, resulting in her early death, further traumatising the girl.

[@dirtrusty7228]

Lighten up Francis. It's just a fictional short film.

[@jasbails9857]

I hope he realises how important his mother is before she's gone for good.

[@ionia23]

He won't. Reflection of the damage done to the current generation. In connecting the world we disconnected from each other, and they never connected in the first place. Much as I miss the hairline, I am so glad I'm not a teenager now.

[@cyohe8643]

There has been a great disconnect between parents & children; with the gap only becoming wider as time goes on. Most children spend the majority of their days away from their parents, have no parents, or their parents are in pursuit of the Great Dream (whatever that may be), & ignore the opportunity to spend time with their children. It is very sad.

[@billyandrew]

*Jas Bails* Sadly, the fact she didn't even know his physical location spoke volumes, so he'll only appreciate her, even if then, when she's no longer around.

[@billyandrew]

@@cyohe8643 Ever get the feeling this is by design with the lockdowns exacerbating and accelerating this negative process?

[@ardinarizka7447]

Yeah, mom and family are important. So parent use to build the family feel comfort.. 🙁

[@AnexoRialto]

This would make an interesting idea for Netflix-type series. The VR flop houses like opium dens in the 19th century.

[@kassiopiajudkins2722]

The movie "Ready Player One" is similar to what you're suggesting. It's pretty entertaining, you should check it out if you haven't already seen it. Have a great week!🙂

[@jackzed2020]

@@kassiopiajudkins2722 The movie was actually pretty terrible compared to the book and audiobook. I recommend those since they got more into detail.

[@kassiopiajudkins2722]

@@jackzed2020 I had no idea it was based on a book. Thanks for letting me know, I'm definitely going to check it out. It doesn't surprise me that the book would be better than the movie, books usually are! I can't think of a single case where I ended up preferring the movie over the book! Anyway, thanks again! I hope you have a great week!🙂

[@jackzed2020]

@@kassiopiajudkins2722 filth. Both movie and book are great, mostly because the movie adaption was distinguishing different in its approach. They were vastly different in their method to depict the story with the abilities of their respective media. Good actors helped, too. I recommend that, too. For ready player one, this is.. Sadly not the case. Its a jerk fest for CGI, naturally, but it lacks vital aspects to suit the relatively short time a movie has to tell the story compared to a book. And this leaves out many aspects of the world building and the homage to the classic and great homage to the 70s and 80s escapism method - roleplay. That topic is almost entirely ignored by the movie and kills most of style. You'll learn alot about DnD and arcade games, by the way

[@JodiMcClure]

@@jackzed2020 And the book Snow Crash while they're at it...since Neal Stephenson went there first. :)

[@kaylaw.6582]

Omg this should seriously continue. I know it's only a short, but THERE'S A WHOLE WORLD were this could go! Love it!

[@lendleasereit6797]

Try the movie "ready player one"

[@the11382]

This could be a cool series, especially with this execution of the concept.

[@tamielynne7374]

@@lendleasereit6797 "ready player one" is nothing like this short! Besides they're both about people escaping to a VR world, nothing alike at all. Not even the same plot!

[@HandgunSafe]

Sadie Rogers, I liked this film a lot, but I love the music you did. If I'm reading the credits correctly, that last tune is your work. That was freak'n amazing. I can hear Cocteau Twins in there, and a lot other influences. You've obviously been studying the greats. Now I want to listen to everything else you've done.

[@fiftycalguru]

Absolutely one of the best concepts and deliveries I’ve seen on dust in a while. I was engrossed in that story and the ending left the perfect amount unsaid.

[@rogerssadietube]

Thank you!

[@walterhicks3990]

You have to be joking? let me guess,....you or someone you know was in it?

[@fiftycalguru]

@@walterhicks3990 no, I liked it.

[@jroberts1734]

@@fiftycalguru me 2

[@fiftycalguru]

I find with these dust shorts when they have an open ending I feel like the story isn’t quite finished. But this one was nicely done.

[@rogerssadietube]

Hello! Thanks for watching! We are so excited to be on Dust. Hit us up with any thoughts or questions. Cheers. - Sadie

[@junior007a7]

Oh sweet thank you so much 😊😁👍 you are awesome 🖖

[@tinfoilhatter]

hey, do i know you? which one are you? do i need to watch it again? gimme a clue!! [aoops! the teeny, tiny picture was very small, see?]

[@tinfoilhatter]

@@wesleyrodgers886 many 'seeds' get planted, but very few actually 'take root' and get anywhere...one must be serious about one's bidness!

[@702akuma]

great story youtold and the song you had at the end made that scene! everything was perfect for the end thank you for a great short

[@tinfoilhatter]

@@702akuma yes! and what a haircut! fab!!

[@kento7899]

Wow. Mom, the hacker guy and the VR guide/mom were so well acted. Bravo. What a strange world. Mom wanted to see her son, but didn't seem all that concerned about how his body was being cared for. How is this the world, indeed.

[@seanhoare7639]

This film reminds me of the Arthur C Clark novel 'The Lion of Commarre' where the protagonist discovers the 'sleepers'...

[@lloydrobert6182]

Using the songs as potent narrative was genius! Enthralling story, so poignant and beautiful!

[@tallkevin01]

Want your kid back? Just turn the WiFi off.

[@yahyahyah99]

You won’t be able to in the future, google is working on that now

[@jsmith8457]

Underrated comment lol 😂

[@herbthegreat5226]

@@yahyahyah99 is that why Google keeps crashing 🤔🤔

[@geosobservations9496]

Depends on the age... now they just pick their bookbag up and go to a friends house... you try to stop them and you are holding them unlawfully against their will and suppressing their freedom of expression and squashing their career path as a professional fortnite player... as long as they go to school they are not a missing person...

[@jsmith8457]

George Chapman lol, wtf 😭

[@bleakdestiny6095]

Hey, I would get lost too if this were real. Great vid. Would make a very interesting series.

[@mx_lei]

Agree. I'd watch a series. It'd be mindblowing 🤯

[@gracehahn5657]

I always thought it would make a cool series like Maniac or something....

[@cyohe8643]

It was intense.

[@rachelstratman1405]

My thoughts exactly....alot more sly than Westworld......I'd totally watch it...

[@jclowe735]

Dust is one of the best channels that I've subscribed to.

[@TheTech660]

Same!

[@rembvanrijn]

one of the few genuinely original pieces of work from the ‘Dust’ stable:very easy to imagine this scenario as a reality in 20-30 years, maybe less.

[@Pfirtzer]

It's already here,

[@rem145]

I was thinking about 10

[@mimerthebeamer1]

Scared me that this could become a reality for the next generation. Parents please pull the plug.. and let your kids play outside and develop their own imagination 🙏🏼💫

[@Dayvit78]

Impossible. Their friends are doing it - they have to be with their friends, or they'll be an outcast. Have to think of another solution.

[@JoJoGranum]

@dayvit78 is right . It’s nearly impossible if their friends are in it . And with covid and all it’s going to be worse because we probably will be in a virtual world for many of us to work . There are some benefits . Think of the elderly in a virtual world living out their last days this way . Also benefits for therapeutic uses. It just has to be used the right way .

[@flymypg]

Wow, that was so beautifully done. The music was an in-front character. The camera work, staging and lighting was just so "there", so clever without going over the top. I loved every one of the people. The simple script gave the actors room to act. I'll watch this again and again.

[@fritz1586]

Yeet!!! 😀The song at the end got me!!!! ❤️

[@davidbatusek1098]

What is the name of it?

[@DJG24_7]

Same, it gave me Cirque du Soleil vibes.

[@chadschwartz4307]

Same.

[@emergencydelirium5505]

Dungeon - Sadie and the stark

[@davidbatusek1098]

@@emergencydelirium5505 thanks

[@aperson9375]

Just seen how a society can become addicted to its own destruction.

[@Iamvictoriachris]

Sounds like drugs too

[@cyohe8643]

It's already in the works. "A nation divided against itself cannot stand." (don't remember whose quote this is. A. Lincoln maybe?)

[@billyandrew]

@@Iamvictoriachris Both activate the same pleasure receptors in the brain, releasing dopamine.

[@billyandrew]

@@ChickensAndGardening He was stupid enough to publicly threaten the *legal* owners, telling them he would give it all back to the slaves, who still, for the most part, remain ignorant of their legal status. As to the fall, I disagree. It began in 1871, with the secret enactment of the 2nd Constitution, US Inc, but the plan must have begun the moment Europeans began to colonise the continent and drew the avaricious attention of the tribe.

[@monkeyman321]

Better than war, genocide and all the crazy stuff our ancestors did on a regular basis.

[@nicolebogda1482]

Seeing the look on the mother’s face. She was lost knowing how happy and in love her son was, and why ruin such beauty with the horrors of the outside world? She understood. Her acting with her face alone had a “Bill Murray” type moment. I thought it was beautiful.

[@Kiinell]

"Check the water on 5" is probably what I'll be hearing when they put me in a home in a few years. Getting on a bit.

[@billyandrew]

They'll likely put me on H2o IV, for the purposes of hydration and dilution, as I'm partial to a booze binge. 😂

[@berjo77]

This beats out monsters, vampires, child abduction for a fear level of 10.0. With four daughters, I can imagine the terror I’d feel knowing my child was trapped by the likes of this kind of tech. Very provocative, well done.

[@jbirdmax]

One of the many aspects of this art that seems often overlooked is sound design. This film so effortlessly captures the importance in good sound design. The casting was perfect, the acting was ether really really good or it’s just a byproduct of the fantastic directing. The lighting was also phenomenal. To everyone involved from the janitor to all the actors and actresses to the director to DUST: Bravo 👏

[@gracehahn5657]

As the producer, I AGREE!!! Some very talented people on this one. All following a unique & rad vision.

[@jbirdmax]

@@gracehahn5657 indeed. It strikes a cord with me as I grew up in the 80’s and the arcades were a huge part of my life. I have literally spent days in arcades with my friends. It was about so much more than the games. The arcade itself was like a beacon of light where geeks could all congregate and enjoy one another’s fantastic company. I miss it dearly.

[@jbirdmax]

@@gracehahn5657 Thank You for producing this film. It is cherished and will be shared amongst my peers. Again, BRAVO.

[@arnoldsherrill6305]

What's so brilliant and scary about this as I can see how people would want to get lost in this ., and not want to find their way back out, or even worse want to have a way out and can't find it. So for me it goes both ways. Bravo ladies and gentlemen Bravo!!! Dust getting your mojo back, and it's about time!

[@jroberts1734]

Well said Mr. Jbirdmax..

[@Z-Diode]

A striking production with a tremendous amount of depth and a wonderful song beginning at 9:25.

[@G.D.Traveller]

The best suicide machine ever. Get lost in VR and never come out, exit the 'real' world in bliss.

[@philipdeath2472]

Sadie, wow, you made me feel, and smile, and teary eyed... thank you so much.

[@marksimmons1193]

The music reminded me of an old movie called Twin Peaks Fire Walk with Me. There's a bar scene in the middle of the movie and a girl singing this sad haunting song mimicking Laura Palmers emotions at the time. Eerie and beautiful at the same time. Nice short 👍

[@allisonjames2923]

I could see the attraction of this idea. So many people do drugs or drink or sleep to escape their reality. Being able to escape to whole new worlds in immersive VR would be incredible.

[@kirtywright1974]

The song 🎵 Dungeon... absolutely beautiful ❤️x I watched it over and over, just to see and hear the end of this short.

[@farfromperfect2253]

The song is called dungeon by whom?

[@rikulappi9664]

COOL! I mean, first of all the film but even more so the actors, cutting, filming and directing.... who made the original story alive! Remember, it always starts with a good story.

[@ligaleja739]

Remember, it always starts with a good story. I agree.

[@karinriver9502]

The most human handling of the subjects it touches, that I've ever witnessed. Oh how I felt the music in my body. And I knew what the mother knew, a moment before she discovered it herself. So many beautiful tears, even now. Thank you to all those who created this lovely and insightful gift 💜

[@butterflykisses8586]

The song at the end really got to me especially the last part of the lyrics

[@leeg2787]

The song was brilliant

[@MichaelChampagneLMT]

That ending hit the heart

[@shelikestuff]

LOL the little girl connecting 02 tubing to a sealed fluids bag kinda bothered me but only because I’m a nurse .. otherwise stunning

[@jodrew1845]

Yes, that responsibility left in the hands of a young child is quite twisted.

[@baldviking1970]

Some of the Iv bags were labeled H2O 🤔 Infusing water and not NaCl would have killed them..

[@jv-lk7bc]

not only because you're a nurse. because you're a human being.

[@billyandrew]

See, that's why I love comments. Not only does the film maker learn new stuff to make any future projects more realistic, but I pick up stuff, too and can pass it on. Plus it gives me the opportunity to vent my spleen on occasion. Did you see what I did there for you medically knowledgeable folk? 🤔😯😜😂😂😂

[@Snowymae]

I didn’t notice until you said something, but yah how would you pierce the bag

[@michielbuse4386]

Depth of story, creating countless worlds, to be told with silent whispers in ancient unknown tongue spoken in awe and silence, in order to touch the heart, and spark with joy and understanding between generation and cultures! Just loving it!

[@ksunofficial]

This is ESO (Elder Scrolls Online) in these current times. 10/10 Great short film as always.

[@brucemonkhouse6698]

Congratulations to you Sadie and your colleagues..brilliant concept and frighteningly close to what the future could very well look like..

[@SynthoidSounds]

Awesome story, but the music is what really sent this production over the top, especially that last performance. Of all the productions curated by DUST, and I've seen almost all of them for years, this one stands out in its own category. Everyone fit their part perfectly. A lot of work must have gone into creating this, but it all comes together in its own way. It's a bit unclear if she actually "saw" her son in there, but she still had quite the experience venturing into that parallel universe virtual world.

[@karibennett5847]

I forgot that I was watching a short! Well done.

[@psychicrenegade]

LOVED the AI tour guide!

[@ramandhingra3764]

one of the best from dust.

[@nikkilynn5932]

I always come back to this video..

[@zolambithi5786]

That song towards the end was just beautiful

[@lindabishop8738]

Sadie you are so rockin. I watch this every day. It is haunting and beautiful. Brilliant. Sad. Way above most vids.

[@PaulCHarris]

How could anybody give this a thumbs down? This is one of the best shorts I’ve seen on dust in a while. It actually amounts to some thing and the editing is awesome. I also love the original song. Whoever wrote, edited and shot this, kudos! Keep doing it.

[@billyandrew]

Different folks, different strokes. I seldom give films a thumbs down, usually it's because it's blatantly rubbish and insulting my intelligence, but many folk, nowadays, will unthinking give a thumbs down for the simple reason it isn't to their taste without a second thought. Personally, this wasn't entirely to my taste, as I don't generally like musicals, which I quickly guessed this to be, but I enjoyed the scifi aspect, so I saw no reason, whatsoever, to diss it.

[@correlfreehand9454]

hey!! not fair...did she even talk to him, etc etc...that was an evil ending!...well done.

[@VS-rv4tr]

My take: She realized he was truly happy there and left him there.

[@correlfreehand9454]

@@VS-rv4tr still was not a proper conclusion or resolution to the story, them talking should have been the final scene, closure at least...but i do understand they left it open for each of us, still evil ending left way to many endings to happen....lol

[@kingk4934]

I swear if the virtual world become so realistic my mom is going to lose me to

[@Random-rt5ec]

I'm an old guy spent my childhood swimming in cranberry bog ditches laced with DDT in the 1960's - VR looks much safer

[@davidhollyfield5148]

Beautiful film. LOVED the music in this short!

[@seeniebear3234]

That song was really good I listened a few times

[@nautcious]

this is beautiful

[@anjiharrell6175]

Beautiful song Dungeon. 💕

[@Saunders7]

Sad this becoming a reality.

[@jv-lk7bc]

becoming? look around you

[@martindixon4773]

Excellent. Loved "Dungeon".

[@bigfootwalker5399]

I love dust, and 👍 to everyone who didn't say First.

[@sparkymist]

We don’t do that here

[@cookee888]

🤭

[@MyAcara]

😍 beautifully filmed. and that soundtrack🌞

[@jv-lk7bc]

theres always a girl. so genius this line was said by a mother.

[@luziferianer4040]

The voice of the secong singing woman is so awesome. she touched my heart

[@mikeheffernan]

Excellent. Definitely a quick taste of the future.

[@brendal.5968]

This reminds me a little of Caprica. The idea of being in the virtual to hang out. Great short film.

[@rl4195]

This is one of my favorite one, the last song wow the performer was great.

[@fredfry4756]

I told myself that he'd somehow wooed the sophisticated AI that operated the system and that the "other tenants" inside of the VR revered the two of them as some form of romantic royalty. And that the mother saw that, at the end, and let the magic of the scenario bring her some measure of solace. A romance between an AI and a strong protoganist is a pretty good plot device these days.

[@billyandrew]

Same as happened between the creator and Chloe, which was why he was so knowledgeable in describing the situation to the mother and, if he survived the experience, there's optimistic hope for the boy. No two cases are alike, but, well...😊

[@jayfredrickson8632]

The song Chloe sings just blows me away.

[@schwags1969]

Wow, great story and cinematography.

[@annajim3749]

I saw Raj in the woods and the first thing I thought was "NOOOOO he stole my swiss camouflage jacket !!! " 😱

[@amandadonegan2137]

Scarily prophetic... Really got me!

[@elizabethhollen7791]

Beautiful movie. 😍 I love it

[@believeinpeace]

Absolutely an excellent movie, the acting was perfect. I thought the beginning was so ingenious.

[@brianjay9811]

It's an age old question whether to burn the candle of life fast and bright or slowly and measured. We all make that choice, though I have to say that those truly living such a virtual world would still eventually grow tired of their situation, not to mention the painful bed sores their real bodies would soon be feeling...

[@jv-lk7bc]

...and the bed sores would drive them back in deeper, just as the DTs do now. just another drug, nothing really new.

[@hookbeak2321]

Stylish & colourful.

[@brucemoyle7610]

Sadie, thank you for that simply gorgeous song!

[@user-rn5kw9iz3s]

Love the song at the end. Gorgeous ending.

[@bimbumbamdolievori]

Creepy and beautiful greatly orchestrated , outstanding suits, sirens like songs

[@imlost..ineedhelpfromyoulord]

"we come from the dust we go to the dust"

[@ImBaBaloo]

Surreal!!

[@nancybillias303]

Beautiful song!

[@LuckyBadger]

All a mother really wants, is to know that her child is happy and loved. When they grow up and move away, we have to be content with our memories and let them go on their own way. The heartbreak of parenting is that you teach your kids to be independent and make their own choices - and then they do.

[@abnormal700]

Sadie...Absolutely beautiful music and great story!

[@jimlarson777ify]

Really great short! Had to rewatch a couple of times to really appreciate some of the small details. Music was awesome, Sadie you have a great voice! This is the type of short that I love finding on Dust!

[@carycoller3140]

Raj ain't about to give up his white computer program girlfriend. Not gonna happen 🤣. You go boy 💪.

[@eagleining2844]

SciFi twist gentleman,future:not me

[@earthman6700]

That's one fine song you have there. Jeez, blows my socks off! Beth Hart standard.

[@kalynaq7720]

This feels like home. I don't know what's who or who's supposed to represent what but this feels real and... hopeful or welcoming or something. On top of appreciating cinema i'm practiced at watching post-modern cyberpunk mindfreak brain trip stuff but even that one usually watches from the perspective of The Viewer. This, though, i just watched as me and i can't thank you enough.

[@nayanchandhembram]

Oh man! Why so many dislikes? 😫 Everything doesn't have to be explained,it only gets you.. By the way be motivated 'Team Dust'. We love your content ❤

[@niozella1041]

Who wouldn't want the ability to create their own reality & be a God there? It is more intoxicating than any drug. Power, it is what humans have been fighting for since the beginning.

[@publiclyshamed5383]

@Sadie Rogers i enjoyed this very much it had a great david lynch vibe and your performance of dungeon was haunting and nearly brought me to tears thank you for sharing this with us

[@rogerssadietube]

Thank you!

[@kobrakommandar8370]

Yeah The Dungeon song sounded like the late Julee Cruise on one of Lynches projects. Totally had that vibe and the hacker's tiki lounge house has a very Twin Peaks feel to it!.

[@zimriel]

as the world falls down i'll be there for you

[@Ambushbug]

4th wall break this is beautiful @sadieRogers @DUST

[@thomasklugh4345]

"It's just like sleeping, but you're awake."

[@dmknight08]

So unique. I love that ending song! That was fantastic!

[@EarlOfMaladyCrescent]

I like this one, (just like with most Dust shorts). There a couple of things that have confused me a bit though. Firstly, that opening scene, where the Mum has the VR visor on & is laughing. I'm not sure how it relates to the story, since she spends most of the time trying to get her son out of that world. Secondly, Raj is a different race to her, so I don't see how he can be her son. Strange casting choice. Overall, cool short though. 👍 & that song @ the end is brilliant! 😁 "Dungeon" by Sadie and the Stark. I'm thinking of buying it in the near future.

[@farfromperfect2253]

Music really played a big part with this short film tear dropper

[@b1blancer1]

"They lose sight of eternity in here." I can understand that. Why would you even want to return to reality if you can live in what, for you, is a perfect world? Unfortunately, there are consequences to that. There must be a normally functioning brain to interpret virtual reality, which also means a functioning body. Neglect either one long enough and the consequences are catastrophic. "He'll die here when he dies there." It really opens up a larger philosophical question, though. Our bodies furnish our brains with multiple stimuli which our brains interpret as "reality." But if you replace the stimuli from the body with similar stimuli from an artificial source, to the brain it will be an equally legitimate reality. It won't know the difference. So which is the real one? How do you even define "reality" in that case?

[@rpscorp9457]

A problem for future generations to be sure. Ive pretty much watched everything like Sword Art Online, including all the SOA content itself.....there are going to massive amounts of people that prefer the AR to their "mundane" reality, especially when it reaches the level of whats shown here.

[@the11382]

Sounds like criticism to Descartes to me.

[@rem145]

This type of situation is probably only 10 years or so away for real. I’ve had a very disappointing personal life but it is a bit better than 2 years ago. Still, something like this could make social media’s impact to society look like the tip of the iceberg

[@marcd1981]

This was well done, and the ending song was fantastic.

[@etype-dad]

Compelling. Thanks for creating!