Sci-Fi Short Film - "Lancer 21"

After an incident with an unknown vessel a group of fighter pilots get more than they bargained for when they are ordered to investigate another signal inside the restricted area.
Check out the VFX Breakdown video HERE:
• VFX Breakdown - "Lance...
Starring: Michael Forsch, Taylor Kilgore, & John Dimarco
Directed/VFX by: Dan Ciraulo
Cinematography by: John Dimarco @DiMarco3

[@jonnoble5624]

The perfect example of why "show, don't tell" needs to become the filmmakers' mantra again. I could go on and on but I'm afraid I wouldn't do it justice. It's a six-minute masterclass really.

[@DarkPathVFX]

Absolutely flattered by your high praise. Thank you for taking the time to give it a watch!

[@nicholassmith7730]

Show what? Some text slowly teletyping onto a CRT while bleeping on "advanced spacecraft"? Engine noises in the vacuum of space? Manned fighters? Fighters that for some reason have to roll to bank in space like they are using flight surfaces in atmosphere? This is 90's SciFi with 2000's CGI. (No offence @TheDarkpathfilms) I love this and subscribed but I love this for what it is and what it is isn't a "masterclass". It's good, old fashioned, SciFi.... But my microwave has better tech than your spacecrafts UX. =P

[@jonnoble5624]

Immediately after the creator says how flattered they are, your instinct is to tear into my comment? Very well. Everything in this short film is accomplished with establishing shots and atmosphere. There’s no unnecessary dialogue, exposition, or text scrawl. The tension is established and story told wholly through the visuals, showing the creator understands their craft. I did not NEED complex visuals made with bleeding edge technology to fulfill its goals nor to prove its value. It accomplished exactly what it set out to do and did so perfectly. I’m not going to argue with you over anything other than the ill-considered placement and timing of your comment. The creator was obviously very happy with my comment and your attempt to ruin that “shows” a great deal about you as well. If there was a masterclass for etiquette and manners that I was aware of, I’d direct you there immediately.

[@nascar33car]

Do tou know what "show don't tell" means? Or did you never finish basic English?

[@TheRyujinLP]

@@nicholassmith7730 Why not maned fighters? Despite the hype (and that's all it is, hype) AI isn't going to replace humans in high skill areas like that any time soon if ever. All AI does is effectively really high end copy/pasta. It's not thinking, it's not plotting. It's not even aware of what it's doing.

[@gabe9125]

"Heat level critical, shutdown sequence initiated" We got some Mechwarrior/Battletech fans in this house, folks

[@AdamStephens]

I noticed that too. As soon as I heard that I thought "Ruh roh, I'm in danger!"

[@JamesNeave1978]

Critical Hit too

[@daspolecat]

I miss the days of FASA - Clan Wolf, Clan Jade Falcon, Clan Wolverine - the unnamed clan

[@JettMann8]

Right here, I thought the SAME THING

[@JamesNeave1978]

@@daspolecat Smoke Jag-waaaaaaaaaaaR

[@Scarletlord]

He actually always survives and always dies, the perfect loop. A prison until the end of all things, that's my kind of horror.

[@michaelbarnard8529]

No, he dies in a personal time loop, and the rest of the universe goes on without him.

[@everrybody]

Its always cool to see the top comment is a major spoiler

[@Scarletlord]

@@everrybody So get in the habit of watching before reading. 😘

[@Kohlenstoffkarbid]

He does just one round in this loop and it ends for him when he dies. So just a normal one time death for him.

[@everrybody]

@@Scarletlord the chat box is visible before the video even starts

[@aieeegrunt]

“Set Condition One”, the helmet lights and shape, the blocky build of the Athena, so much BSG style and I love it

[@loadtoad]

This would have made a GREAT Battlestar: Galactica episode! Absolutely loved it!!! RIBBIT!

[@markphillip4512]

Bsg is being rebooted as we watch this

[@loadtoad]

@@markphillip4512 OUTSTANDING NEWS!!! Thanks so much!

[@DarkPathVFX]

Thanks! That means alot! Absolutely love BSG

[@timisoutdoors]

@@markphillip4512 Whaaaaaaaaaaaa!?

[@EduardoRamosMontijo]

That was my thought too! Could definitely feel the BSG world vibe in this! Loved it

[@CammieRacing]

Finally, an intelligently written sci-fi that doesn't need to feed us hand to mouth with what's going on and simply allows the viewer to be engaged.

[@jennaskylark]

@@jonlittle5032Are you really that oblivious that you have to ask such an incredibly ignorant question?

[@Ralampos]

@@jennaskylark Of course he is, it's too Dumb of a Concept to Understand. Who begins with thinking, oh yeah, Temporal Storm. Temporal Anomalies Do not exist, because there is no such thing as an Anomaly.

[@GySgtRay]

The acting and graphics were SPOT-ON.....well done! I'd love to see more of your work!!

[@DarkPathVFX]

Really appreciate the compliment and thank you for taking the time to give our little film a watch! We're hard at work on another Sci-Fi short!

[@RadoslavNedyalkov]

That was one intense opening sequence and MindF story arc for 6:26 minutes, most Hollywood "masterpice" need at least 3 hours to tell the story you told...just saying. Epic shor ❤

[@DarkPathVFX]

Thank you so much! Really glad you enjoyed it!

[@Shorts11327]

I thought the opening credits was great. Maybe next time they could list the names a bit slower and maybe try to make the credits account for 75% of the next short film. That was the best part

[@BensPokePlace]

That Voice - Unmistakable. The Computer Female Voice from MechWarrior 2. All systems nominal.

[@Nicholas_Chen_]

This is absolutely stunning. The nods to other scifi masterpieces are brilliant and you captured the desolation, mystery and claustrophobia in deep space very well. ❤

[@DarkPathVFX]

Thank you! The piece is definitely an homage to many Sci-Fi classics that have influenced us. Really appreciate you giving it a watch!

[@gapjunction11]

@@DarkPathVFX Are the dangling chains in the hangar a nod to "Alien"?

[@nymalous3428]

The computerized voice sounds like it comes from Mechwarrior 2 (4:36 "Autopilot engaged," 4:46 "Heat level critical," 4:48 "Shut down sequence initiated," 4:52 "Shut down sequence aborted"). Nicely made.

[@goatfish480]

Yep! i'm glad other people got that. Makes me feel old though now too

[@user-pl4iq3sb6v]

That was definatley bitching betty

[@lukasvrana6388]

Noticed this as well. And got some Freespace 2 feelings too :D

[@goatfish480]

@@lukasvrana6388 that game was amazing and so so hard

[@goatfish480]

My personal favorite was wing commander 2.

[@crissscoot2128]

This video is top notch and the twist was perfect. I started laughing at the exact moment the pilot also started at the end. I freaking love it!

[@DarkPathVFX]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for giving it a watch!

[@thalon1]

an amazing short film with nods to Battlestar Galactica, and amazing special effects well done

[@DarkPathVFX]

Thank you! We definitely tried to pay homage to BSG

[@st6jimslayer341]

by the looks of it to harlock space pirate as well, from the carrier/battleship design@@DarkPathVFX

[@ToddWaid1]

Very nicely done. I love the creepy storm. Gave me major Event Horizon vibes.

[@davidstanleyblake923]

Speaking of which , Event Horizon was such a great movie

[@GiovanniV69]

yes! Great reference! It does have that feel.

[@Jasey357]

Great short! Thanks, I even spotted the Mechwarrior voice effects. Made me smile 😉👍👍

[@nymalous3428]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who recognized that. Brings back memories. :)

[@Takenmynameandmycat]

Bitchin’ Betty rides again…

[@MorteWulfe]

@@nymalous3428 hehe I recognized it too!

[@dorianfilippits2339]

Absolutely incredible Story telling, have not seen something this high qualitry in a long time I cant find the words to properly describe how well made this short film really is

[@Orion40000]

I...I think I might need to go have a lay down after this. I can't imagine what that man was thinking when the realisation set in. Bravo, guys. Bravo.

[@kinghamsterswarren653]

I love that you used soundbytes from the game, MechWarrior 2, for the female AI voice. I played that game so much, I know the dialogues. It was a nostalgia trip for me. The film was interesting too!

[@killerbees1199]

I knew I recognized the Athena voice!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Great work on all levels. Well done! Nice and engaging.

[@rogerlau4932]

Ship designs are credible, what you'd expect them to look like. The plot generated a mild sense of tension, but there was nothing drawn out enough to sustain or build on it. The mystery of the "unknown signal" didn't have any buildup after its initial detection. So the viewer is just left waiting around in the rain. This left things too bland emotionally until our hero's ship gets slammed by something unknown. Then the tension is typical "my ships's in trouble" until the ending sequence where you find out our "hero" is the source of the unknown signal. A good time-loop idea, and good initial try, but needed more beef in the plot and mood of the film.

[@roberthoward5015]

Agreed. The story needs to be bigger and stronger and longer but still fit in the 6ish minute box

[@Wolfgang-Schnaufer]

I also agree. This looked stunning, but...,

[@Spaceman719]

… and less head shaking in the cockpit we could do without 🫨

[@Zeta_Reticulum]

Well, but still better than 95% of the short videos on YT For that reason: 15K views per day, for a 4 min. clip

[@DarkAssassin274]

Very well done short film.. It just drove me nuts how he was rocking through the ENTIRE thing... Straight and level flight up to the storm did NOT need it.

[@EvolvedTactical]

Very well done! Also, the Sidewinder tone for missile lock was a nice touch.

[@DarkPathVFX]

Thank you - thought we'd slip that little sound effect in there =)

[@fleepflorp2347]

Really interesting, can’t wait to see more.

[@DarkPathVFX]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@RealBLAlley]

Very well done, with a level of verisimilitude we rarely see these days, especially in SciFi.

[@robdead4550]

Reminds me of the sort of short stories comics like 2000AD used to do. Really great work, I was engaged every second.

[@CharlesHuse]

Wing commander: I know you just shot yourself down. You still coming to work tomorrow, right??

[@DarkPathVFX]

Brilliant! lol

[@syrhassan116]

Nice job... Why do I want to play Mech Warrior now?

[@jennaskylark]

That was not terrible. So I take it the "storm" was some kind of temporal disruption and Lancer 21 ended up shooting himself... right? Well, that's what I got from this. Subbed cuz I want to see what else you guys can do.

[@DarkPathVFX]

You nailed it! We appreciate you giving it a watch!

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

@@DarkPathVFX For a roughly 6min clip, very well done and a nice quick mind trip that closed very well.

[@philmcclenaghan7056]

​@@Athanasius1964lol how could you not

[@MattU4970]

Yup. The whole "Interstellar" movie in 6 minutes.

[@Telyzan]

THE PUBLIC DEMANDS MORE!!! Excellent job!

[@fbi9009]

feels like smth that could be straight out of warhammer really put into perspective how chaotic the warp is (pun intended)

[@blacklion8208]

Loved the laugh at the end by Lancer 21 when he saw himself on the screen. It connected to the laugh right at the beginning of the vid... Great short (loop), thanks for posting.

[@ashemgold]

Yes, haunting.

[@pseudonym5872]

Gotta love the MechWarrior "Bitchin' Betty" cockpit warnings near the end...

[@GiovanniV69]

Apache pilot? Great reference to MW though. I also got a Space: Above and Beyond vibe.

[@cpt_kenzo]

Absolutely perfect story telling. Expertly done!

[@mycroft16]

Masterfully told! That was a lot of fun. And a cool twist. I love a good infinite loop story. Great visuals. The Athena is awesome looking.

[@deliriumarts]

Oh wow. Atmosphere and suspense, absolutely! Very well-constructed and leaves you wanting more!"

[@fachkraftemangel8463]

Crisp, rough, love it. Congrats.

[@TheExperimentalFreak]

Loved this, wow! The outcome gets more terrifying the more you think about it

[@livingchutoy5422]

Ok. Can I say something? The Athena? Just the design of of, the way she crept into the light, the sheer aesthetic of the ship? I s*** you not. I felt a disturbance in the Force. Like every, single, solitary Star Destroyer in the whole of the SW universe just collectively crapped their pants and turned tail for Alderan crying "Not It!". I love this ship!

[@stulliboy4422]

classic timelap and tempural circut. Nicely done

[@DadrickOriginal]

Love the Mechwarrior sound effects.

[@n1vg]

Came to see if anyone else noticed that. It's been 28 years and those sound still do something to my brain. I can hear "target is beyond inspection radius" playing in my head, too.

[@Ahdtsjjjtdyhjryik]

>>HEAT LEVEL CRITICALSHUTDOWN SEQUENCE INITIATEDSHUTDOWN SEQUENCE ABORTED

[@micksmith7867]

That calm voice. My first pc game back in 95. I wish they would release it for the modern pc

[@kn1ght722]

Who could forget the best betty this side of the Inner Sphere lmao

[@Murrminator]

That was excellent, the plot twist at the end was completely unexpected and the visual effects were superb. I would love to see a full length movie from ya’ll. Bravo!

[@DarkPathVFX]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TelekinesisStudios]

GREAT idea. Superb technical execution.

[@thrutheturnstyles]

This is incredible. Absolutely well done!

[@coolerman_13]

I stumbled upon a few other VFX studios doing these short films and it led me here. great work.

[@actuallyrealcover]

This deserves unlimited budget. I'd love to see it as a movie.

[@stormwing9123]

That was Bitching Betty as the cockpit controls. Mechwarrior. Fuck yeah.

[@soumyamty]

Great movie and very deep message: Never be too quick to attack a friendly target That's instant Karma right there Very disturbing but amazing movie

[@DarkPathVFX]

Glad you enjoyed the short. Appreciate the high praise!

[@ryry187]

MechWarrior 2 betty computer voice Nice 👌👌

[@rosecrown8837]

Absolutely fantastic. More sci-if like this please

[@Cybertop110]

For those of you wondering about why the pin-up image at 2:43 , pay close attention at 1:48 ;)

[@Mayflower-Yev]

Love how they actually use modern fighter combat instead of the basic Sci-Fi tactics of dogfighting. Most of space warfare is definitely going to be missiles and LONG range arty either way basically pretty much nothing for short range.

[@richardede9594]

Great stuff. If this was a full-length feature about the time-rift it'd be great. Well done all involved.

[@GiovanniV69]

Space: Above and Beyond feeling, or BattleStar Galactica. Excellent. Well done.

[@MissionReloadedGaming]

hahaha love the battlechatter and various alarms from all my favorite shows and games. XD

[@vukasinpetrovic2412]

Just found out this short, and i like it! Great work and please make more!

[@Unther]

"Action stations, action stations - set condition 1 throughout the ship!" Oh, it felt great hearing this again...

[@sydnarevocram5649]

Does anybody else notice Pink Floyd’s Welcome to the Machine sample? The similar Brain Damage maniacal laughter?

[@kenji214245]

Nails the most important parts of making a good scene. Sound and Visuals are working togheter Show don't tell without overuse and allowing the viewer to fill in the gaps on their own while still adding enough details to help clarify Stay simple don't complicate it if you don't have too. Attention to details without hyperfixating.

[@necroticism]

Glad you gave love to the classic MW3 bitchin' betty SFX.

[@BlueJay-ip5yk]

Gotta love a good ol' time loop, only thing I gotta say bothers me is the amount of flames in space. While its not necessarily impossible for there to be flames, it just wouldn't really be a decent amount of it.

[@st.patrickiv1238]

the Mechwarrior 2 audio samples used were an awesome touch. Well done !

[@WarbirdPhoenix]

The laugh coming out of the storm was creepy enough,but knowing the origin was even creepier. No monsters,no hostile aliens,just a never ending loop of being killed by yourself as you go insane.

[@LabRatWarfare]

What a total trip, a friggin MASTERPIECE. This is one of the greatest videos I've ever watched on YT!! 🙌 Loved everything about this! Sci-Fi Horror at its finest! Excellent work to all involved, this is absolutely INCREDIBLE!! Easy and instant sub from the Rats, lol, cannot wait to see what comes next! 🐀

[@androssthered1157]

Great stuff. Loved the MechWarrior heat levels Easter egg.

[@huskyfrank9058]

What makes this better are the voiceovers taken directly from the legendary Mechwarrior 2 PC game.

[@pondafarr]

I love how the "critical hit", "overheat warning" and "shutdown overridden" sound effects were cribbed from Battletech games lol

[@Flobinton]

Haven't heard that Bitchin' Betty in a long time.

[@williamdrake1535]

I wonder the light blob at 0:59 is real footage or CGI, if it is CGI, it is one of the best I have ever seen

[@kn1ght722]

Really cool yall used the Mechwarrior 2 computer voice in some parts. Well done!

[@andrewgoldin675]

that dude with a motorcycle helmet, in the beginning, is DEFINITELY rocking side-to-side while sitting on a swivel chair

[@RiGz_Nz]

Fantastic peace of Art Work !... WOW ! 10/10 no doubt bout that.

[@chrillechrillesson6045]

Wow. This is so freaky! Nicely done!

[@calebweigt732]

Beautiful!

[@petescott]

If I hadn't of guessed the twist in the first minute, it would have been the best Dust movie yet haha.

[@Speedbob2438]

I'd recognize that Bitchin' Betty anywhere. Great show, Dark Path

[@theraynestorm]

I like the MechWarrior audio clips. Haven't heard that in years!

[@hoorayforhawksbills]

It was those damn Jade Falcons wasn't it? A Dezgra state of affairs. 😛

[@SpinDizzy-fr8bc]

Well crafted story! I don't know why but it has reminded me of Ray Bradbury. This, novelized, would have fit right into "The Illustrated Man". Not to mention the CGI was outstanding. Well done!

[@canadadelendaest8687]

The music nails this

[@DarkPathVFX]

Glad you liked it!

[@droopy0266]

First comment: absolutely brilliant and I love the nod to Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica in your ship designs. Good job.

[@DarkPathVFX]

Thank you so much 😀

[@GOLDESCAFLOWNE]

Unbelievable! Brilliant.😊

[@rintintinman9223]

That was Excellent,,,, the mood was dark,, and remained that way,, till a little enlightenment,,, then it got REAL Dark.

[@MoruganKodi]

feels like BSG 2004 all over again. I love it.

[@butch821]

Perfect! Great sound too! Bravo!

[@gilbertdarisse4705]

This has more story to it than some blockbuster movies released by major studios now a days! Great job!

[@johnprezioso270]

Story was neat, but what sold it was the great atmosphere.

[@BlackOpzPenguin]

Absolutely stellar!

[@jessicameow614]

If he hadn't immediately fired before having a visual then they would have discovered the paradox within the EMP field.

[@brunozeigerts6379]

Superbly done! Did not see that ending coming! (would have been a hoot if the bogey turned out to be Santa Claus.)

[@niemand777]

Loved it. Very cool indeed and look forward to ro seeing more! I was wondering was it average debris lodged in the windshield from the explosion or was it even more significant, like something identifable from lancer 21?

[@wwiiinplastic4712]

The debris they fly into is from 21; they show the pin-up postcard floating by at 2:44 that is shown earlier at 1:49 in the cockpit.

[@frigginmustardtiger7740]

That was great!

[@CybershamanX]

Love the use of the Mechwarrior 2 "bitchin' Betty" voice. Fun little short! Bravo! 😎🤘☮

[@TurinAlexander]

Reasonably well made, but honestly, saw that ending coming a mile away. I was really hoping I was wrong about it, but nope.

[@sarahstarchild8495]

Whoever did the sound really liked Mechwarrior XD

[@Shplump52]

Incredible!!!

[@letsgetserious4048]

Better than the last 3 Star Wars Movies.. Well done

[@russellwillingham1536]

Outstandingly great short

[@2NangMan]

...That heat level critical and shutdown warning is ripped straight from MechWarrior 2... And I dont mind at all!

[@baahcusegamer4530]

Very nice. I recognize that Mechwarrior 2 computer voice ;). Film has a nice BSG/Expanse feel to it. Very well executed.

[@vaporition]

this was really good.... had a feeling though. Soon as he let it fly i was thinking that was a bad idea