Sci-Fi Short Film: "TERMINAL" | DUST

In the future, through The Terminal technology, the population are physically reconfigured from the nervous system up to fit their next job.
"TERMINAL" by Cal O'Connell
Connect with the Filmmakers:
/ caloconnell
ropicturesuk.com/
/ @ropictures
More About "TERMINAL":
Total equality; Any job can be done by anyone.
In the future, through The Terminal technology, the population are physically reconfigured from the nervous system up to fit their next job.
Start the day a male lumberjack, end the day a mother. With the Terminal we are all truly equal…or are we?
Kim, a young job centre employee, is beginning to question how fair the system is when her co-worker Jay is prevented from being with the person they love when they are dying.
But can there be love in a society where people’s physical appearance constantly changes? And how far is Kim willing to go to help Jay?
"TERMINAL" Credits:
Director, Producer, Cinematography, Editing, Visual Effects / Cal O'Connell
Writer, Producer / Max Gee
Cast
"Kim" / Michaela Longden
"Jay" / Samantha Mesagno
"Sam" / Jason Deer
"Alex" / Natalie-Clare Brimiconmbe
"Alex" / Tom Barry
Music Written and Performed / Benjamin Symons
Producer / Julia Munder
Producer, Production Design / Natalie Roe
Cinematography / Richard Oaks
1st AD / Stewart Sparke
Sound Recording / Jack Hobbs
Sound Editing / Waqar Shah
Make-up / India-Josephine Stone
Additional Make-up / Emily Brookes
Props / Kev Brookes
Production Assistant / Daniel Thrace
Production Assistant / Edward Whyte
Production Assistant / Matt Durrant
BTS Photography / Samantha Jayne Roxanne Fawcett
Pre-production Photography / Sven Eselgroth
Additional Voices / Leanne Live Rivers
Executive Producer / Philip Hopkinson
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DUST presents thought-provoking science fiction content, exploring the future of humanity through the lens of science and technology. From timeless classics to cutting-edge movies, series, short films, and podcasts, DUST acquires, produces and distributes all content types.
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"
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[@ROPictures]

Hi everyone, Cal O'Connell here, Director of "Terminal". We're really thrilled be able to share our film via DUST, with you all. I really hope you enjoy it. If you have any questions about the film, feel free to ask!

[@christianroper4172]

@Alexander videos can be posted privately before being made public.

[@VernonZumhagen]

Hey, great job tackling a very delicate and controversial topic. Great acting, camera work, writing, etc. Looking forward to seeing if this project progresses.

[@dougwhiddon8227]

Was this posted somewhere else before? I can swear I have seen this before.

[@marek5823]

One thing annoys me that there are no publicly available subtitles 😵 ...

[@ROPictures]

@Alexander Magic DUST

[@Rouge_7]

"Humans don't know how to be equal". prophetically true.

[@tablescissors67]

Actually. Mother nature doesn't. Because life doesn't work that way. not even for the galaxies in outer space.

[@livingforhim9624]

@@tablescissors67 "mother nature?" HUMAN nature is the source of all evil.

[@BeneGesseritSaya]

Humans are a disease

[@tablescissors67]

Equality of outcome is "equity" And it's being peddled hard To control, not empower Fear is the opposite of freedom

[@DXMKNA]

This is the "everyone belongs to everyone else" of Huxley's Brave New World combined with disillusionment of Winston, of 1984.

[@joenoneoyobinnes4727]

That's an excellent observation. Something about The Terminal brings to mind Zamyatin's We: I could easily see everyone in this world, except for Jay and others who still remain human, happily living in transparent 'apartments', following their instructions like good little cogs.

[@reeblesnarfle4519]

@@joenoneoyobinnes4727 🙄

[@masterofreality926]

@@joenoneoyobinnes4727 And I thought I was the only one on the internet who remembers Zamyatin. Cheers.

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

Job Assignment officer #5 "Kim" (Actress Michaela Longdin) is one beautiful woman indeed. A Terrific cast and story Cal O'Connell ... Well Done sir

[@elsauceyelviento8054]

"Humans do not know how to be equal, It is not in our nature" min 10:40. WOW!

[@tablescissors67]

For we are a product of mother nature and physics, which equally suffer from a lack of "equality" (or equity).

[@coreym162]

@@tablescissors67 The reason robotics and A.I will be the great equalizer. That way Humans can lead an unequal life based on merit and effort and the robots can focus on business where equality is necessary to improve in results for humanity instead of leaving "perfection" to the sole responsibility of humanity. Utopia is possible. You just won't get there using and punishing people to further the goals of the few. I believe A.I is the answer.

[@tablescissors67]

Corey M: darling...whom exactly do you think would be making the A.I. in THEIR image? The very same creature that consistently failed at "utopia". And your rant regarding sin and utopia makes little sense here. [returns the soapbox]

[@donm5354]

Well done. In a world like that Id just check out. People became just like upgradable pieces of machinery, continually retooled as cogs in the TERMINAL. The crazy thing is there are probably alot of people who would love to live in a world like that.

[@icelinx]

They THINK, it would be a great world for them ... but if Ideology becomes reality .... 😉

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

@@ottodidakt3069 And here is the conspiracy theorist with no facts, just the usual BS that CT dribble all the time. Really, get educated. mRNA can not do anything to your DNA.

[@H3LLS4NG3L]

@@ottodidakt3069 Imagine being completely ignorant about the way biology works.

[@scottbutler2343]

@@icelinx I say this all the time...these fools believe ideology is reality and when they get too close to the edge of the bubble, they riot and scream it's someone else's fault.

[@icelinx]

@@scottbutler2343 : There's a proverb (I don't know if it's common in English) "The revolution will eat their children first" .... that's what ideologists can expect, if their dream comes true ... ;-)

[@mikeyh0]

Very good - A real Black Mirror vibe. Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is Strength War is Peace Diversity is Unity Equality is Perfection.

[@donsylvester2372]

Just swiped that from Orwell and took it in the other direction, didn't you.

[@mikeyh0]

@@donsylvester2372 Yep.

[@scottbutler2343]

This is very insightful and an eye opener for anyone that understands what we're headed for if government becomes more important than the people it governs.

[@spockjones4166]

Canada is already becoming like that. It's sad.

[@etherraichu]

If that's what you got out of this, you missed something. There's more to the ocean than the surface.

[@thestanman751]

We already live in this type of society. Replace woke fascists with conservative capitalists and you have our current REALITY. Wake up bro.

[@henryrollins9177]

Pure BS. And of course that the government is more important than the people it governs.

[@scottconlon5124]

Get out of the burners and walk or your a killer just like me

[@joenoneoyobinnes4727]

"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the future of HR" ~Catbert

[@scottrauth8219]

Great acting on your lead’s role! She was wonderful. I’m an avid sci-if/fantasy fan and this storyline reminds me of several novels I’ve enjoyed. Bravo 👏

[@DblOSmith]

Great context. It's so true that not all people are created equal. The best we can do as humans is let people decide which direction to go in their lives.

[@156viewer]

Good film. Warns of the dystopia that a handful of people want to impose, and it shows that even in the darkest of times humanity shines through.

[@DaveCarterAL]

re : "It shows that even in the darkest of times humanity shines through" But this is Fiction, it reality history shows us it doesn't, that's why it's so important to press the bubble so we will not forget.

[@Pfirtzer]

I am afraid you are to optimistic, there are 2 kind of people: Evil beyond evil and lesser evil.

[@156viewer]

@@Pfirtzer There are a few good people. Admittedly few and far between, eg Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

[@johnbiggscr]

@@156viewer mother Theresa was awful. You need to look more into her actions.

[@simonhunter834]

Yeah! Like in the UK. I mean which fascist came up with Universal Credit.

[@antagonizerr]

Fantastic. Good story with a subtle message and a solid conclusion to give you some closure but with plenty of wiggle room to leave you wanting more. I'd watch this if it was a series.

[@ROPictures]

Thank you!

[@sevengiablakey2184]

Me too

[@mikeb6433]

This is just equality without individuality.

[@travelerseeker512]

I reckon George Orwell would have been impressed (and happy that his works are still providing inspiritaion)

[@bryanwest6138]

Love the opening quote, pure gold. It sets the foundation for the rest of this wonderful short film. Well done creators.

[@ROPictures]

Many thank to you!

[@IdleWorker]

It's a pretty dumb quote meant to suppress any strives towards a more equal society. Noone is advocating for equality of outcome.

[@bryanwest6138]

@@IdleWorker lmao you can't be serious

[@IdleWorker]

@@bryanwest6138 Since Im not politically oblivious: Yes. Quite serious.

[@bryanwest6138]

@@IdleWorker It certainly is an issue in Australia and obviously an issue for the film makers where ever they are based. Perhaps you are politically oblivious to social commentary beyond your geographical nation? Just a thought.

[@reychop]

Captivating. First Fempire and now this. What a chilling watch for sure. Makes you think about how pandering to the extremes can spiral a utopian ideal into a dystopian one.

[@jamiepatterson1214]

Freedom of choice removed, along with emotions that make humans, human. Being told what job to take, even which gender to be, rather hypocritical of that system which purposes freedom. But freedom defined their own way. Fine short that is extremely thought provoking.

[@vysharra]

Those things happen everyday in “free” countries. It’s happening right now.

[@brettmciver432]

It's what's happening in commie fornia, Canada (illegal to use the "wrong" pronouns etc). Capitalism is unequal spreading of blessing but socialism is the equal sharing of misery, they guys at the bottom are miserable because the guys at the top are miserable pricks

[@TheMC1102]

This film sends a simple, but powerful message. What good is equality if people can't even decide for themselves?

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

I only have one complaint, 24 minutes was not long enough!!!!! It was brilliant and a great storyline, had me engrossed all the way. Acting was good, effects were good, script was good, all round an excellent short that should become a full length, or even a series. Would make for a good series I think. Well done to all involved with this Film.

[@jazzew]

Wow, that's really interesting! I've been re-watching The Outer Limits (old one) with my mother, and this episode definitely reminds me of the show! I love the atmosphere, the interactions, and that feeling of, "I hope so 'n' so doesn't get caught!"

[@AlmightyDxR]

“Humans don’t know how to be equal “ realest shit I ever heard.

[@timothybryson6967]

I loved it. The message is, sadly, all too true.

[@chuckandmax7313]

This would make an excellent full length feature film or an amazing series. I really got into the feelings of the characters and enjoyed the feel of the world created. I would like to see more of the storylines come to fruition, the series could be based on Kim assigning different roles each episode then you would watch the reassignment process and follow the path of each new person, but the kick is that Kim has placed the packet she was given on her bracelet and is now choosing the assignments at her own will going against the machine, the machine doesn’t know it’s been infected because Kim has reassigned the machine into another job and placed herself in its position. There could be conflict in the machine trying to convince everyone that there’s an error and try to uprise against Kim but nobody listens to it and by now Kim is too powerful to stop. Just an idea

[@user-vl2zh6bj6x]

Great plot ideas I liked reading it. Hopefully the director notices,🤔🧐

[@lamaquinaludica9816]

Everything was great. What I like the most is that this has a conclusion. But also leaves the door open for the next chapter. Most Dust shorts have no ending.

[@Alexandria197]

DUST just keeps the good stories coming. It's just outstanding and thank you that one too!

[@ROPictures]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@coreym162]

@@ROPictures I enjoyed it too. I really resonated with me. Nice job! :)

[@charlessomerset9754]

Congratulations to the film maker for tackling a tough subject. This is one of the best things about science fiction, it allows us to speculate about societal issues which can inform us now.

[@FastEddy396]

We already live in a sick version of this

[@TimmyMoza]

‘Resistance is futile’ …The Borg Great short. Really enjoyed all the different levels… had to watch it a second time.. more like it please…

[@sevengiablakey2184]

We need more of this one. 🙌 I've watched it 3 or 4 times. It's exquisite. ✍ writing, 🎬 acting, pacing, the reveal is like a slow bullet to the head. Beginning- middle- End. Perfect! 🥰

[@alexanderwademd]

That is going to be SO awesome! The future looks great! Super quick job reassignments, and changing your body to suit your work, that's going to be so great! Right?

[@vmwindustries]

LMFAO! The kids that teach kids are working on it. I mean the youth that teach grades jk k 1 2 3 and 4. They really are the blind destroying the blind.

[@coreym162]

EEEhhh!! No! I'd rather robots take over the job market than, have any more drama about feeling inadequate with current social norms but, then have it in the workforce too? No thanks. I'm preparing for next level End A.I. currently in development.

[@norasheffield8036]

This short is prophetic. Needs to be a full length feature film.

[@drgeoffangel5422]

Another brilliant film, could'nt take my eyes off of it! what a mezmerizing plot and cast! well done and thank you!

[@mindscraftsman]

Super Film. Unsere grüne Zukunft. Danke für diese Zukunftswahrheit. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@williammcintyre1054]

Perhaps we're already there and our souls are the terminus

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Your film shows us what the future will be like if we continue of the current path, lost of freedoms, individuality and who we really are all in the name of "equality"

[@vysharra]

It’s just sci-fi conversion therapy and being secretly gay. It’s already happening, just to people you don’t care about.

[@livingforhim9624]

In the US public schools, ELEMENTARY aged students are being told that the gender they are born as is not permanent. It's ok to identify as a kitten or a puppy, unicorn, etc . even wear the associated hat or costume. I see it every day..... any wonder why the suicide rate has skyrocketed in the youth? Any wonder why the councilors offices are packed with kids? Any wonder why prescription "mood stabilizers" are at an all time high??? THIS is progressive Utopia?????

[@leroyj3627]

This is quite literally the stated goal of communism.

[@edwardhoulton8725]

This feels disturbingly accurate for the future.

[@LTPXQ]

This would make a great series.

[@ROPictures]

Thanks Bob - there's certainly a lot more story to tell!

[@EnderWiggins]

4:00 hold the phone wait what!!!!! 4 mins in and im like ok I'm in bc I'm already stunned. Bro I was shouting at this point in disbelief 😂🙈 this is so good already I had to comment.

[@kepler186f4]

"We are all individuals!" "We're all different!" "I'm not." - Life of Brian

[@ComputerBladet]

Once again a Dust movie, where I feel it's like a 2-hour movie and just being present in 24 minutes in the middle.

[@michiganmagneto]

Screw that! I'll go live out in the woods somewhere.

[@stevelux9854]

A short movie version of a Jordan Peterson warning concerning equity of outcome.

[@endokrin7897]

Interesting opening quote on equality, considering DUST just published an anthology of "Black Voices in SciFi" in February 2022.

[@reezlaw]

Those things are not mutually exclusive. Read that quote again

[@mvo489]

Ever notice when those who talk about, what comes around goes around seem to avoid speaking about the pivot and or get to the point to sew peace into the fabric of our compassion for each others complexity. In a great many lives, there are as many ways to feel grateful however humbled I feel sincerely as a good human & well being. Thank you for this video challenge, nice.

[@gothicprincess52]

Wow! Really enjoyed that. Would make a great series. Loved the story and the actors were great.

[@ROPictures]

Thanks very much!

[@jeffsmith8197]

This is elegantly simple and thought provoking. Well done!

[@davidellismartin9619]

Wow, most excellent work!!! Visionary and thought-provoking; I very much enjoyed this one. 💯

[@ROPictures]

Thanks David!

[@dnisey64]

Good one. Could be a good series

[@donjohnson24]

Interesting and attention-holding. I enjoyed it, but noted that Bobby Pins were still in use in this future world.

[@Jester-Riddle]

... and aluminium cans ...

[@MoxyFoxtrot]

they're so simple and elegant, I can't imagine not having them in 50 years (when I will be in my late 80s)

[@amandafaulks2515]

Actually things very similar to bobby pins have been used for thousands of years! Gotta love the way they can either keep the stray hairs neat or help a messy up do look great for hours 😊

[@Petch_ActOnThis]

Huge congratulations to all involved - such a wonderful film, brilliantly written, acted, directed and edited! I hope there is more to come!!!!

[@proberts34]

The ultimate in planned, centralized societies. And yet, human nature still isn't completely suppressed. A very good story. Thanks for posting it.

[@thetalkingshrimp5683]

I absolutely loved this! Truly a dystopian world. This isn't the only movie where you could wake up one day and have a new job assigned to you, Code 46 was another movie that touched on this though that was not the main topic. But I loved this!

[@screamingiraffe]

Thoroughly enjoyed this film, nice work, more please. Thank you

[@67kemo]

This one was pretty amazing. Very well acted, and the storyline is both scary and believable. Well, with the exception of the whole DNA reconfiguration bit; but, even that doesn't seem impossible. Great job by everyone, and a lot more enjoyable than I was originally expecting.

[@michaelnixda8143]

Wow! That much story in these few minutes. Thanks!

[@tablescissors67]

It felt long to me

[@sjalana1]

They should make more movies like this one.

[@Jerbies_Kimmers]

Wow.. that was crazy. Great film🙂

[@rudevalve]

Certified Gold!!!!!

[@IvanIvanov-ho6rz]

Well, people have to choose unwanted jobs right now, without that "equality".

[@vysharra]

Not to mention people sell their bodies and fertility right now.

[@mr.stargazer9835]

A logical end to the movement of equity when it must finally meet reality. It will brake the individual to make equality and Equity the same.

[@derrickgriswold7504]

Talk about a Great Reset. Very much enjoyed your film in every aspect. Although the request and how it unfolds seems a bit forced, it is completely understood given the 23 min time frame. I only wish this could have been longer. Great work!

[@lsporter88]

Fascinating, and disturbing. Fabulous presentation.

[@ericchild8845]

This has been posted previously. It is still good and interesting, but popped up in my Unwatched list even though I have already seen it. That part bugs me, but not the quality of the film, which was quite well done.

[@BeneGesseritSaya]

That bugs you? Life is too short dear.

[@Jonny_The_Organism]

Very reasonable future londonscape…admiration! I’m a wilderness forestscape!

[@chriscr21]

WOW.... Fantastic Short film, very eye-opening and thought-provoking with hints and messages abound. Thank you, I really enjoyed this.

[@rodbihari8799]

Thumbs up for this one. I have read material about a future where biology, things like gender, were all up to the individual. Very interesting subject.

[@kurkspetterson3557]

Bravo !!! Great Job, DUST keeps that high quality of short films for us

[@TheLotionInTheBasket]

actually the first dust movie i really enjoyed.

[@bambibrosemer1597]

Wow! Truly original concept and thinking absolutely wonderful wonderfully done written and just completely wow!

[@timjoyce8636]

This is a wow. Very well done, guys.

[@ROPictures]

Thank you!

[@comcastjohn]

I bet that one day our future system will have a part like that in it.

[@oldvet7547]

This hits awful close to home these days.

[@jiggerinokobalis609]

"Our faithfulness shows a distinct lack of equality." True diversity, equality, and inclusion will be a brave new world, indeed.

[@OtDawn]

This was great, take note creators if you want views this is how a short film should be done . Kudos to the crew who put all this together. 👍

[@MarcusBadi]

Hueheuheuheuheue, gostei muito. Bem semelhante com o estamos vivendo... em certo nível.

[@C-M-E]

These are exactly the concepts great sci-fi was envisioned to explore, but Hollywood too safe to take a risk and give it the green light. A truly innovative concept embodies this work, and as all great sci-fi propels, comes with a powerful warning when humankind strives to be privy to our own perfection. I applaud the film makers for taking the risk and having the drive to complete it as such, for it would make at least a fantastic one-off show of a memorable anthology series with potential to become a small, independent series given proper funding.

[@douglasw.moriarity4386]

These Dust episodes are very good at times.

[@PaulDaveyJsy]

Nothing surpries me any more about the way life continues

[@airforcemax]

*¡enjoying at 8:15 pm Pacific Standard Time on Saturday, 19 February 2022 Common Era or CE formerly known as Ano Domini or AD!*

[@magnumopus9631]

shes gonna burn it all down,great short thx you

[@AndreiChrisso]

ur short movie it's amazing :)

[@mauricemitchell4053]

Excellent!!!

[@benitabeattie-mesa8964]

This was cool. Crazy, But what if our future really turns out this way. Quite the dystopia.

[@vysharra]

It won’t.

[@chapatiou]

Hello, I just disovered you channel and I am truly amazed, This is all I love, dystopian realities with a real point of view, thank you so much to show some kind of resitance..

[@Razor_R6]

finally, there is a translation into Russian, thank you for the content, you make very cool films, but without translation you don’t always want to watch them

[@tosvarsan5727]

spectacular

[@emilymcknight9740]

FANTASTIC!!!!

[@vmwindustries]

What an amazing 👏 short movie! Absolutely amazing!

[@tararutland9482]

The way it's going sadly .great film 🙏

[@MrGrayGarden]

It's amazing

[@michaelbeavis2632]

Great movie! Felt like a Black Mirror episode.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you for moving my heart and compelling my attention.

[@MasterKingSirPlease]

Second only to Atropa. INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!

[@jpgriffiths878]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you.

[@spike178]

Have a good day Alex yeah right sounds like a nightmare 😂

[@2btpatch]

Excellent story portraying a possible future.

[@smcanalbell]

Amazing

[@NiMareQ]

Wow! I want to see part two