Sci-Fi Short Film “The Adept" | DUST

A scientist with a passion for magic gets more than he bargains for when performing a new card trick.
"The Adept" by Adam Stern
#DUST #scifi #shortfilm
More About The Adept:
The Adept is a sci-fi short that explores the connections between science, magic, and our understanding of reality.
About DUST:
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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Sci-Fi Short Film “The Adept" | DUST
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[@karensauve3791]

OMG are you kidding me. That was like a trailer for an amazing movie. I can't believe it just ended. Please please please make this a longer story. WOW!

[@fredflintstone2958]

Ditto!

[@eduardo6380]

Who is going to finance this longer story?

[@ladymercy5275]

I'm so glad it ended where it did. It's perfect.

[@apna_divyam]

+1

[@adamalikhan1357]

With the budget they has They can only do this honey

[@vacume4144]

The have ascended to a higher Mathematical plane, Basically The full power of Bleem

[@Veronica-yy2or]

Loved that one too ;)

[@anouarkrassimovich7481]

@@Veronica-yy2or indeed. watched this video for the bleemth time

[@3volvedb3ing]

😭😭😭😭😭

[@alison4316]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who binges these 😊

[@anoopsharma9453]

Yes, the bleem between 3 & 4 😂

[@barrycrowder]

Nice writing, acting, and overall execution. It's hard to set up the premise, develop it, then move into conflict without seeming awkward or forced, but you did a great job. I agree with the other comments that I'd like to see more.

[@AdamStern]

Thanks - hope to make more.

[@Dizassder]

That's because they didn't write most of that.

[@enveloreal]

Should totally have been titled "Mathemagician."

[@RuralTowner]

Brings to mind "The Prestige"

[@tydrickgay4917]

Nice✔

[@classiql]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@classiql]

MKe this a movie please

[@davidanthrope6084]

@@RuralTowner an outstanding movie i just watched two days ago (for the 47th time!)

[@Testsubject276]

“Your ancestors called it magic, but you call it science, I come from a land where they are one and the same.”

[@LaurenLinguist]

Thanks, Thor 😊

[@tatyannahoney3358]

Interesting..where is that🤓

[@renikurniadewi9846]

Are you Iron Man?

[@kylekyle7386]

This was perfect. No over done romance or sexual encounter, just good story and action and awesome special effects. This is now my FAVORITE sci-fi video through Dust.

[@markgearing]

FFS! I’ve spent COVID isolation going through the first ten minutes of most of Netflix, saying nope, nope, nope, not worth my time. FINALLY I find something I want to watch a full season of and only 8 minutes of it exists.

[@davidbouknight3293]

Please tell me you’re working on a sequel! This was incredible!

[@yawningkitty457]

this was one of the best shorts I have ever watched, I was completely hooked after 2 minutes, could easily sit and watch a full movie of this caliber

[@MichealWhiteetihWlaehciM]

Now this is why I watch this channel 😍😍😍

[@geraldhemmer1763]

This one was absolutely fantastic. In less than eight minutes, a real relationship, a crazy and believable situation, great special effects. This was gold.

[@diy_nailsby_heidi_r3889]

I agree with both of you.

[@AnthonyMiyazaki]

Another excellent one DUST, but please provide us with the full credits in the description or in full screen and not rushed.

[@rageagainstmyhairline5574]

I loved this. If any producer reads this, please give these people the money to make this feature-length!!!

[@scottconwell2146]

This one deserves more development! I would pay, either on-line or in a theater, just to see more on this!

[@georgeboole3836]

Why would they warn him on the phone?

[@kevinlane1219]

Maybe because they only wanted to help him.

[@jajajuju6708]

I think that he psychically precipitated that event

[@shahannagrey8427]

If these others knew he was doing these ‘tricks’, the process he’s using must be traceable. Maybe he’s disrupting or damaging something by using the ‘power’? They may be the Math Police??

[@kevinlane1219]

@@shahannagrey8427 Possible.

[@shahannagrey8427]

Kevin Lane , trying to break down his door is going to make him feel threatened. Why not just talk to him?

[@leannaerickson9745]

I've viewed this short film several times. It's one of my favorites. Each time I find something new to appreciate: actors who underplay their roles, tense musical soundtrack, the set, scientific gobbledegook, no unnecessary explanation or dialogue. Short, minimal, perfect1 Thanks.

[@MrMongo321]

great story, please do a follow-up

[@ascetic3312]

This short came out in 2015. While it would definitely be interesting to see what happens after the events of this video, I doubt it'll happen at this point.

[@AdamStern]

Ascetic You never know. :)

[@ubuibme.rev.davidlee]

A genuine "pearl" of an idea that could well turn into a glorious day of infinite realistic possibilities rather than medeocrity of the norm, indeed, string them well.

[@DrianTheGuy]

They never do

[@leetness13]

There is no follow-up, he failed his spell and turned them into cards.

[@miketurner8624]

Very good film! Great storyline, acting, f/x, everything! Just too damn short! Desperately need a sequel for this one, DUST!

[@spooks77]

Love it! Only complaint is the after stuff u put into these latest shorts, promoting anothers short movie which overlaps the credits and i can barely see who made THIS one..

[@Bisqwit]

Yeah, it is for that reason alone that I like Omeleto channel better. Content-wise they are extremely similar, but Omeleto does not replace the ending music.

[@craigpark6626]

Adam Stern directed this

[@AnthonyMiyazaki]

I agree. If you want to promote something else, do it and then give us the full credits in full screen. A great number of us will watch until the end. And/or put the full credits in the description section. It's kind to give credit where credit is due. :)

[@SirRebrl]

@David Lamb That girl was Sophie and was nowhere in the credits for this film, so if you really thought she was pointing you in the direction of knowing who worked on this film, I don't know what you were smoking.

[@SammY-ue4yv]

what happened to them? are they dead?

[@UnsuspectingCommenterPassingBy]

I would seriously watch a movie version of this, the characters were perfectly casted and the premise is awesome!

[@love.6312]

"Let me do the dishes." "Now you want to do them!" 😂

[@arthurharris9428]

Outstanding!! Keep them coming. Would love this as a feature film!!!

[@AdamStern]

So would I! :)

[@ascetic3312]

This short came out in 2015. While it would definitely be interesting to see what happens after the events of this video, I doubt it'll happen at this point.

[@arthurharris9428]

Ascetic thank you for the information. We can only hope that it is/was not canned.

[@JurijFedorov]

@@AdamStern Have you written it already? If it's done you can get reviews on it and improve it. It can become good enough for a feature if you just work a bit at it.

[@1FatLittleMonkey]

The rest of the film already exists, many times over. It's a trope; that's how we (and I guess the characters too) knew that the phone call was from bad guys even before they started bashing the door down. Everything from Jumper to Lucy to The Island to Payday to Total Recall and a million others. Same basic formula. Protagonist scientist/nerd/average-joe innocently discovers Thing. Conspiracy knows he knows about Thing, which cannot be allowed. Protagonist quickly realises that the Conspiracy controls the System and no-one can help him, so he/she is forced to go on the run. Agents of Conspiracy keep finding him, but, in a series of set pieces, he uses knowledge of Thing help just barely escape and stay ahead of them. Eventually Protagonist is cornered by the Big Bad, but is suddenly so good at Thing he is able to stand against the Big Bad and win the day. The Power was in him all along, he just had to Trust In Himself (or trust in Thing) Secondary trope, Protagonist has a girlfriend (or ends up on the run with someone new) who is somehow used against him. Either serving as the damsel in distress to force the final confrontation, or (gasp, twist!) turns out to be one of Them. Tertiary trope, Protagonist is the Chosen One and meets up with a group of Believers opposing Conspiracy, who try to help him, but are actually depending on him to help them, which is a responsibility he never asked for, dammit! Alternatively, the protagonist is an Ordinary Protector who ends up caring for the Chosen One who is a pretty young woman (see secondary trope) or a Mysterious Child. (Dark variant, Protagonist becomes consumed by Thing and (twist!) becomes the Antagonist. Big Bad is actually a necessary evil and girlfriend/Believers have to team up with Big Bad to stop Protagonist from becoming the Dark One.) If you want to finish the story, just pick your preferred story direction. You've seen it so many times, you can write your own in your head. This short was a very nice variant on the set-up intro, but unless the film-maker has something genuinely new, I don't think we need to see the rest.

[@zeckwiz]

Travellers fans.... What if this is the origin story of grace and the Director! MIND=BLOWN 😯😯

[@AMPATL]

Massive Travelers fan here. Very first second I saw here: GRACE!!

[@702akuma]

god i miss that show when i saw her i was like ohhh its grace!!!

[@weirdredpanda]

Loved it. Good acting and nice build up of tension near the end. Also love the phrase "think disappeary thoughts". And there could at least be a second part to this. Would like to see more.

[@Paul_Ironwolf]

This needs to be a series, please make it a series SOOOO GOOOD !!!!

[@petera.schneider2140]

Excellent dialogue, excellent acting. Very convincing. A joy to watch. Oh, and the knock on the door was probably an agent from the Laundry with an offer they could not reject ;-).

[@sarahrosewerner7554]

This film reminded me of a classic science fiction short story. It said just enough to convey a sense of wonder.

[@coomdoon]

I love this actress, she was in Travellers. Great sci-fi show.

[@VonSpud]

That was incredible 👏 The acting the effects, the storyline... wow!

[@KrzysztofSzufla]

Film is the essence of my life. I'm crying at this movie with tears of happiness :) Film jest esencją mojego życia. Płaczę przy tym filmie łzami szczęścia :)

[@pierre630]

very good, that good be the basis of a full movie. The actress was in Stargate Universe.

[@primepebble2464]

she was also in travellers

[@pierre630]

That's right! How i could forgot?! :)

[@laramaaike3050]

Yes, I seen her before, but forgot where. I love her.

[@marcjtdc]

yes, that good be

[@mnmb3640]

Prime Pebble Yep- she was one of my favorite characters on that show!! At first I thought the guy actor was the guy from Travelers also lol

[@andrewseville8278]

Will there be a follow up to this? This was amazing. Love that you incorporated that they were physicists into this!

[@AdamStern]

Working on more! Thanks.

[@dcxtheslasher9543]

Some big blockbusters even aren't really good or innovative! You had me in the first second! Would love to see this as a full movie!

[@AdamStern]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'd love to see that as well.

[@stevenjack23331]

I love these shorts also. Would love to see them all as full length movies. I would buy every movie. I love SciFi especially outter space and Aliens👽

[@nini1957]

Again...another winner! Thank you so much for great shorts and trusted consistency!

[@PoojaryPawan]

Are there any plans for a sequel? This was Amazing!

[@RammatRamzi]

If it's in the cards.

[@g-paru7937]

YES! EXCELLENT!! I WANT THE REST OF THIS STORY NOW!!!

[@livelifetoday6086]

Always been a big fan of Jennifer Spence. It was a awesome surprise to see her in this!!

[@jorgesilvadias6306]

Sounds like the power from The Virtual Adepts, of Mage: The Ascension. Cool AF!

[@markgearing]

Oh my God, this is great. It really stands apart from the crowd. If someone picks this up and runs with it I'm already a diehard fan, and it's not even made yet.

[@markgearing]

Casting; perfect. Pacing; perfect. Ending; I liked the cliffhanger ending of the zip out of existence than I did the cards fluttering down in a forest - that just makes me think they're about to join the cards. I want to wonder "*what's happening*" rather than thinking "okay, at least they can play snap while they hide behind the trees".

[@TragerM]

Agreed with most here. With the reaction that this is getting, in a short time, surely this is traction enough to move forward to a few longer shorts , if not flushing out the premise for a series

[@Mad1943Anthony]

Wow. Just wow! Make another. Make a feature. That was too good to just stop. And I really, really want that condo!!!!!

[@plucas9324]

Enjoyed this a lot. The ending would have had more impact without the road, as it would make us wonder about WHEN they were traveling to, as well as WHERE they were going.

[@AdamStern]

BOTH are still a valid question :)

[@plucas9324]

@@AdamStern The road tells us a lot. It's well traveled (no plant life) and well maintained (no ruts or washouts) and shows no signs of hoofs or wagon wheels, and thus holds out the promise of a time and likely civilization similar to now. They clearly would not find themselves in a tactless wilderness far far from anything. Interesting things about the reappearance of the cards: it's daytime, not night, they fell from a considerable height (doesn't bode well for the people) and it doesn't seem as though they're all there (also not good news for the humans).

[@jimpatterson5524]

Hey, that was the available set.

[@CanisAnubis]

An unaware Virtual Adept awakens, and the Technocracy attempts to stop him. But unbeknownst to them, he's a virtual prodigal son. Time 1, Matter 3, Life 2, Entropy 2, Correspondence 4, Prime 2, Energy 2, Arete 6. Sadly, the Paradox spirits don't care, and begin hinting their displeasure at his Vulgar Magic by making the cards freeze in air, then the dish shatter, and the plant wilt. Finally, as he teleports his loved one and himself out of harm's way, they really manifest. His portal is thrown askew and sundered to the 4 corners, with only his cards reemerging to show any sign he was there. Great film, and while I don't actually think it was a modern DUST take on Mage: The Ascention by White Wolf Studios, I still like how fun the story is!

[@coreylarkin5328]

I wish they made this into a full-length film I mean I feel like you could very easily make a full script for this idea.

[@16fanlakers19]

One of the best and original films I have seen short or long. Excellent !!

[@teresafields-pena3373]

Holy crap im 48 and your films leave me wanting more and more ty God bless you

[@bendia77]

This was so intriguing!! Bravo!! Great movement from reality of the couple to the possibility of scientific breakthrough!

[@wayde947]

This needs to be a theatrical release. Bravo

[@Havanacuba1985]

Absolutely outstanding, I hope they follow the cards and appear in the forest ,need to see more of this

[@emiliebova]

Interesting and fast paced! I have seen the ending forest view from ground up in too many dust movies though. Maybe another angled view of the forest.

[@tamarasmith9060]

Another great one with no middle or ending though! It needs to be turned into a full tv episode or movie.

[@botanicalyuuchan]

I love the story! This was amazing. He probably could have fixed the broken plate too.

[@chrisfayte8482]

Ending on a cliffhanger? We need more!

[@RedLegBlazer]

I love that DUST made a movie. Now they need a TV studio to make series our of the top rated short films.

[@lawoull.6581]

Look forward to working with you on the next step... proud of you guys.. $$$$

[@animedeafmusic7870]

I loved that wish there was a part two

[@Ipanophis]

Great opening to a longer film.

[@ironsightsemo786]

She made a point of saying don't mess with a living organism.The plant wilted instantly.Dont need a follow up they're toast.

[@jv-lk7bc]

instantly, after a huge energy drain (growing too fast) and his attention turned away.

[@maverickrider4591]

Yea man, a cut above. Love it when every so often someone can do the original!

[@wadelakey4690]

I have watched this video multiple times! I don’t comment much, but this video is worth expanding! Great story with wonderful effects and on spot sound (background and special effects) I hope you all go far with this one!

[@brotherjohn00]

This felt/looked like what a Sons of Eather Awakening would be like in the Old World of Darkness Mage game.

[@thomasbardoux1692]

Or a virtual adepte's one as well

[@donaldccook8899]

This is brilliant ! ! ! I'd love to see this expanded and developed further.

[@taurianferguson]

These stories leave me wanting a full movie

[@cherten1]

We only us 10% of our brain just imagine. This needs to be a series!!

[@avival66]

Espectacular....muy buen cortometraje...buena actuación y buen tema🌼💐🌸💞

[@jaylamb218]

WOW!!!! Can’t believe you’re just going to leave us hanging like that!!! 😱😱😱This was awesome and we know there’s more to the story to!!! By the way, great casting on the actors!! Love the story and directing too!!! Feel free to get us more to the story, I’ll be waiting!!! 😗😗😗Great Job!!

[@arnoldsherrill6305]

Can you imagine shim Lim developing this type of talent on top of what he already knows

[@mischake]

This was really good, awesome concept, great actors (I really liked the female actress in SGU and Travelers but I can't remember her name) One gripe: a discovery like this would probably elicid a gigantic mind blow, even in these two characters. Before they could even replicate it they'd have to wrap their heads around it for a day or two. They just gloss over the fact they knowing is doing and the new real becomes normal like instantly.

[@edbailey7533]

Oh yeah! That was a good one! I think there's a feature film that could be made from this story; make it happen, DUST!

[@AdamStern]

Glad you liked it - I think there's a feature here too :)

[@edbailey7533]

@@AdamStern I hope you can make it happen! I'll be keeping an eager eye out ... :-)

[@seanthomasrauchert1695]

If you make it we will watch!

[@mrstoesz]

This really needs to be the start of a movie/tv series/book!

[@cobbetlprogrammer1344]

Holey Hannah! This was Freaking Awesome! The couple was adorable! And the Storyline / dialogue was dead on! I'd SUBSCRIBED Just to see more of this show!

[@TheRealArkness]

this was so awesome, i wish there was more. MAKE ANOTHER VIDEO, ONLY LONGER! or even make it like a long series. this is too good to be just 8 minutes.. MORE MORE!!

[@AzMedic]

WOW! That was fantastic!

[@goldenmatthews3039]

Hello and thank you for sharing. I would love to see this short clip turned into a series that comes on maybe for 30 minutes about twice a week. Would be right there watching and waiting for the next episode.

[@FelizyEficaz]

Humanity discovers we are living in a Virtual Reality developed by ... AI? Aliens? Us? Future us? I loved it! Keep them coming! Excellent job!

[@rickbailey7183]

Check out "Plato's Cave". The easiest way to understand this awesome philosophical dissertation is to watch an animation on KZbin.

[@mistervoodoo7862]

FE. Read my mind. While I can't do anything like in the short I have experienced freaky coincidences that have me questioning 'reality'. Sometimes preconditions even.

[@Anton0915]

Sounds very MATRIX-ish.

[@markgearing]

I SO want to watch the rest of this series.

[@philipmeckley5154]

This is why I watch this channel.

[@patrickp4384]

Excellent , acting was great we need a full length movie. Keep up the good work.

[@JohmathanBSwift]

*Please make this into a short series*

[@ApproximatelyCee]

Oooh! How intriguing.

[@trevorwilliams3501]

That was fun. Soundtrack really helped set a good tone. Congrats to whoever did it. This could've come across dark without it. Instead, the soundtrack gave things a feel like "Parallels". The movie with the dimension hopping building. Sort of light-hearted adventure.

[@trevorwilliams3501]

Good job on the ending too. Signifying they were okay by showing where the cards ended up - just a few feet off the ground on a dirt road in peaceful woods - instead of showing the characters again which would've called for something a bit more. Another kiss. Fear. Maybe, "What now?" The cards got the message across and avoided all of that.

[@mrdodoking4474]

Awesome !!!

[@mitotianiMartin]

Amazingly professional! Awesome acting! Thanks

[@Stasiaflonase]

Beautifully done!!!

[@josephroman8425]

This should be a show or movie, fantastic.

[@lwc2009]

absolutely brilliant!!!! this is one that truly needs to be developed to its full potential !!!

[@sorshadeanin]

This is great! I hope you will do a sequel.

[@WillPrather]

Mathematics as a super power! What a fantastic idea!

[@ffisk100]

Was there any doubt 😀

[@lakelady8544]

I want more...please continue!!!

[@drunkenroundtable]

This totally needs to be made into a feature length movie

[@DigitalJesuit]

The last time I saw that actress was in Stargate Universe. Loved her character!

[@eaglebride]

Inconclusive yet mind bending wherever they ended up. 👍🏻

[@woswasdenni1914]

"...disapeary thoughts..." good one

[@CroshVine]

Soo cool!

[@marissaslick9927]

That was awesome!! I loved this!!

[@janicehales2958]

More! I need more!!

[@TheFLaNative]

wow! This is great stuff!

[@txbluesguy]

More please!

[@asa.edleah]

omg, I LOVE this.

[@imagin64]

This is the most INSPIRING THING I've ever seen ...I want to EXPERIENCE this ! I need it so much I want to fly away from insecurity and failure

[@zan5051]

More please, with the same actors. Please. I need it. its MATHEMATICAL!!

[@lordfancourt2879]

Now THAT was a great little piece of sci-fi!