Sci-Fi Short Film "The Ballad of Maddog Quinn" | DUST

An unlikely outlaw wreaks hell across the dusty dystopia of The State on a wild quest to save what is held most dear. But things aren't always what they seem on the desolate wasteland frontier.
"The Ballad of Maddog Quinn" by Matt Inns
Connect with the Filmmakers:
/ littledragonpics
/ @littledragonpictures
More About "The Ballad of Maddog Quinn":
Wanted and on the run, an infamous outlaw is pursued across the steam-powered dystopia of The State by a posse of relentless lawmen. In this desolate land of dust, rust and blood, there's not many problems that a fast horse and a gun can't solve, but things aren't always what they seem on the wild wasteland frontier.
"The Ballad of Maddog Quinn" Credits:
DIRECTOR / WRITER / PRODUCER
Matt Inns
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Steve Barr, Dan Story & Paul Swadel
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS
Chris Hampson, Brett Mills, Bryan Campbell, Ike Hamon
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Marty Williams
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Steven Woller
COSTUME DESIGNER
Terzann Elliott
STUNT CO-ORDINATOR
Ike Hamon
EDITOR
Jonno Woodford-Robinson
COMPOSER
Tane Upjohn-Beatson
SOUND DESIGNER
Michelle Child
VFX SUPERVISOR
Frank Rueter
CAST
Maggie Pirie, Jed Brophy, John Bach, Ben Stewart
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[@LittleDragonPictures]

Hey everyone, Matt here from Little Dragon Pictures. Thanks so much for checking out Maddog - bit of a long road getting this one made, so we're really grateful to be able to share it with you all on DUST. We love hearing your feedback and always happy to chat, so if you have any thoughts, comments or questions about the film, fire away!

[@tims9434]

I take it this is American production?

[@GeryonM]

​@@tims9434apparently you missed all the New Zealand credits at the beginning. Other countries bedside America have guns, or at least had them at one point.

[@tims9434]

Nice action and that surprise around 10 minutes in. Be nice to see more of these.

[@tims9434]

​@@GeryonMI don't watch credits. In that case a voice over introduction would be a good idea. Thanks for commenting

[@simonliu-uw7tl]

why dragons always try to eat or rule people for fun?

[@SteveMccart]

I had forgotten all about the DUST channel. Some of these short films are 100 times better than main stream theatrical releases.

[@MyFatherIsTryingToKillMe]

A mix of a Western, Mad Max & Star Wars. I like it!!!

[@liquidsonly]

You need to watch Firefly.

[@JohnGauntSega32]

@@liquidsonly It definitely gave me Firefly/Serenity vibes.

[@Bone220]

I don't see the star wars but i do like it too. (if you say star wars because of the robot... robots are in so many other films to a point you could say dr.seuss and it would still fit.)

[@mihaiioan8865]

The robot has the personality of C-3PO

[@jordanbabcock9349]

"you need to watch Firefly" - a show so great it lasted 1 season 😂

[@billsummy2412]

You need to make more stories about Maddog Quinn ..... SUPER !🤠👍👍

[@LittleDragonPictures]

That's certainly the plan :)

[@letsreasonthisout2898]

Word.

[@fjdarling]

This is perfect, Mad Max, Steampunk, science Fiction videography. This little film easily competes with some of the best SyFy I've ever seen. It stands shoulder to shoulder with Mad Max, Star Wars, Blade Runner etc. It's too bad that Hollywood or Disney doesn't have the ability anymore to match this story or even the common sense to beg Matt to turn it into a full length film. "Did you remember the Whiskey?" Left be breathless with laughter!!! God bless!!!

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks very much :) All those films you mention were big influences on us as filmmakers

[@tommykawaii]

And some Fallout vibe as well, specially that robot bartender speaking like a Mr. Handy! Outstanding 👏 👏

[@clevertaco328]

Huh... It was good, better than most, but you're laying it on kinda thick bud.

[@fjdarling]

@@clevertaco328 We all don't perceive the things in the world around us the same way. In fact, the world is much more complicated than any one individual can fully appreciate. Perhaps I see stuff in this video from a different perspective than you do. Most of the videos I see on Dust are; in my opinion unmitigated crap. When I do see excellent quality as I do in "The Ballad of Maddog Quinn," I try to praise it heavily. I want to encourage the artists to produce more. I'm not laying down anything other than my own honest opinion. I would be curious to know what you think is good. Do you have the courage to publicly proclaim what you think is an excellent Dust video? I suspect not.

[@AlexA-vd7li]

​@@fjdarlingdidn't know that Blade Runner, Mad Max and Star Wars were Dust projects. Otherwise, the commentator above said everything correctly, you are comparing an excellent but amateur short film with recognized full-length masterpieces. The short film is well-directed, but it does not have any original idea of ​​its own; it is a set of clichés and a collective image of everything that the authors like. But the script is weak, and the final "you brought the wrong thing" plottwist is too hackneyed to be funny, so the climax doesn't work out very well. The film is good, but it cannot be called self-sufficient or a masterpiece.

[@BoGy1980]

what a fantastic piece of art you made here is unbelievable... if this was a full length feature movie you'd be right up there with classics like "the good, the bad and the ugly" and many other western movies, only yours would have Westpunk style and they just be old school westerns... The jokes were well timed, and not overdone, the story great, also give a big thumbs up to the lead actor and the little kid that hunts rabbits... Damn, I could watch your style any day...

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks for the kind words, great to hear you enjoyed it - hopefully more Maddog to come :)

[@martinbrooks4503]

Brillant film. 5 Star. Outstanding attention to detail, cinematography, storyline and characters. The practical effects were awesome. I do hope you are going to continue the series. Did she make it back for the whiskey? 10 years from now does she meet up with the feral kid and go on more adventures together? So many questions to be answered.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thank you sir! More Maddog to come. Great to hear you enjoyed the prac effects too, lots of fun to make

[@Mojothepyrut]

Futuristic ned Kelly ❤

[@mechelle176]

My first thought too and then I thought Maddog or (Maddy) stands all by herself. @@Mojothepyrut

[@TheRealSkeletor]

Firefly meets Fallout meets V for Vendetta? An unexpected pleasure! I really enjoyed this short. Phenomenal direction, production value and solid acting, even if some of the costumes were a bit over-the-top.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks for the awesome feedback, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@johnnym7904]

nothing over the top with this film! Costumes were awesome

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

I can't find the words to say how much I enjoyed this union of old Sergio Leone-style westerns with the world of Mad Max! Magnificent short film. Praise also to the soundtrack that I would love to listen to on Spotify! Now I hope to see the episode about the recovery of the whiskey bottle!

[@leemorrison7240]

"Didyah remember the whiskey?" Brilliant line.

[@marknesselhaus4376]

That last line really made me chuckle and shake my head. Brilliant is right.

[@markrothenberg9867]

This was BY FAR my favorite of all the Dust shorts. I’d pay to see a full length movie of this storyline in the theaters. Thanks for sharing.

[@tims9434]

Excellent cinematography and action sequences. Very realistic and a great story.

[@ThomasPCGuruENGINES]

Yes, as a Kiwi I can confirm we peel roadkill for breakfast when children. And wear metal headgear, etc etc

[@Mantisman6233]

Being shot at by 8 guys and not being killed is NOT realistic. Running away from a machine gunner is not realistic. There wasn't much realism whatsoever.

[@TheRealSkeletor]

@@Mantisman6233She was wearing bulletproof armor on most of her body; only her upper arms were unprotected, and they got hit by bullets multiple times. The machine gunner was very far away and on a moving dirigible, so them being wildly inaccurate is actually very realistic.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

​@ThomasPCGuruENGINES it's pretty much a documentary

[@lukaskubinec9608]

@@Mantisman6233 r/woosh 🥲🥲 not everything has to be realistic...I am sure it was a joke from the OP

[@mikeobaugh8128]

Really enjoyed this one! Would love to see more of this story. Great job.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks very much - we'll be working hard to bring you more of it

[@redpillcommando]

Please expand on this story. This needs to be a feature film.

[@edyak6280]

This was the most exciting short I’ve seen on KZbin for ages. A well crafted piece of work; great story, great costumes, great comedy when needed. I loved the Mad Max/Ned Kelly/Fistful of Dollars vibe. Congratulations to all involved.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks very much ❤

[@neglectedloves]

This was brilliant! Great acting, fantastic cinematography and most of all beyond entertaining! I could watch a full movie like this 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@jayflow7949]

You Could Very Easily Make This into A Full Length Blockbuster Movie I Would Jump At The Chance To Watch it This is Amazing!!!

[@paulboylan6976]

I've read the comments and have nothing to add that hasn't already been said. Fucking brilliant, mates. I'm sending the link to my son. I flew 16 hours with him from Los Angeles to Melbourne just to show him Ned Kelly's armor on display at the State Library of Victoria. He will love this.

[@noneofyourbusiness5326]

The tweet at the end "did you remember the whiskey" made an otherwise predictable film into wonderful comedy.

[@fabled-pilgrim]

Wow, that was insanely good and I didn't want it to end. The set designs, costumes, choreography and camerawork were all top drawer. This was a perfect example of show, don't tell filmmaking. Great job!

[@TheGreenNewSteal2025]

I agree with the people who loved it, so I’m just here to add to the standing ovation!

[@fjdarling]

"Did you remember the Whiskey?" Only a loving daughter could be so indulgent to her Pop's. That young actress is adorably cute. Once again. Good job.

[@mikewilcox8866]

Fantastic. Really good job. Hope to see more! ( Did you remember the whiskey?) Classy.

[@Aurealeus]

That... and "I hope it wasn't too much trouble."

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thank you - hopefully more to come!

[@wesleycurryii3341]

One of the most entertaining, fun, imaginative and original films I have seen in a long time. And so extremely well made in all aspects of production. I am sure you put your heart into this and it is impeccable. Eager for more.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks very much for the kind feedback, we certainly did put our hearts into it, and a fair bit more! 🧡

[@AcapulKero]

I love this short! Wish there were more parts or a full movie.

[@beautifulsmall]

Top notch, did Tim Hunkin supply the barbot. Well acted, well filmed, well written and beautiful scene.

[@bobwilson7684]

the best, the fact that lights shadows and colour are real, that is epic nowadays

[@adamplona9438]

Who knew you could take a welders helmet and make a steam punk old western post apocolyptic ....... and Totally Entertaining short film.... better than I expected. More please.

[@RoundprismMedia]

Production quality, script and acting all up there with the best. Well done!

[@skippylenny7119]

I would say kind of mad max and firefly. Thank uou for taking us to this world for a brief time. Would love to see more.❤

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks for coming to visit! More adventures to come

[@ElAnciano767]

Kudos to you and whoever helped you in this. A really fun production and well imagined.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks very much - really fortunate to work with some super talented creatives!

[@apistosig4173]

Quirky, Clever & well put together - loved it 🙂

[@lisanidog8178]

I love Westerns. Ride Maddog, ride!

[@user-tp9pr1jm6w]

List this as one of the Dust Top Ten Percent. Excellent.

[@ronin47-ThorstenFrank]

Surprisingly good cinematography. Story is great. Well done, LittleDragons!

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks very much :)

[@carlcox5169]

What an absolutely killer short film. Would 100% pay to see a series or a feature length story.

[@ky42]

Awesome to see a good steampunk story! Well done! Need more of Maddog Quinn!

[@arranali765]

Astounding. Unbelievably well made. Well done to all the team.

[@lisanidog8178]

She and the boy made a great team.

[@nicholasguymer3471]

Steam punk Ned Kelly! Awesome idea and great realisation of that idea! More please.

[@WICKD1]

Well done! Bravo to the production team and everyone involved.

[@dbaider9467]

Wonderful production Matt. Effects were seamless and not overdone and the color pallet was great. Great costume design, really interesting vibe there.

[@trippgarcia926]

Near the top of the list for short films. Excellent job. I would love to see more.

[@skypilotace]

Excellent. The best DUST I have seen in a long time.

[@Rudomest]

Wow! I didn't expect that it would be so good!

[@kurtweiand7086]

A new adventure for me and l like it! Did you remember the whiskey? A classic line for me now!❤

[@carlgrainger2669]

Great movie. One of the best short movies I’ve seen. So many clever & humorous touches. Great work, loved the cinematography, music & sparse dialogue. Top notch professional production. Big Thanks for being highly entertained.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thank you sir! Much appreciated

[@eddie.cainen]

Utterly marvellous! Could be the best Western I've ever seen.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Cheers Eddie! Greatly appreciated :)

[@RidingwithStymie]

13:01 "Thanks for scorin' me some dope, son." Lol! But seriously, this is the best short film I've seen lately. VERY WELL DONE. BRAVO!

[@jamesmccourt9782]

Very good! One of the best in a while!

[@TappingtheMatrix]

Incredibly impressive visuals! Great story too.

[@deepindapoo]

Wonderful story, well told and exactly as long as the story took. This is quality stuff Matt, keep it up!

[@ricrandmfx]

This is a fantastic short. I dig the steam-punk Western feel & the cool soundtrack. This has action, suspense & a bit of humor. Even with little dialog, it's a great story. Hope to see more from this crew. Great job!

[@cindykurneck]

LOVED THIS! This is brilliant!!! So much fun!!!! Thank you so much, can't wait to see more from you!

[@Reaper4367]

'did you remember the whisky?' 🤣😂🤣Loved it. Cheers!

[@kensimon5129]

Perfect in every sense, great film.

[@alanpenny437]

Man-o-man, that was 10 times better than any of the shit Disney is poop'in out! Give me more Maddog Quinn!!!!

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks very much. We certainly hope to bring you more Maddog, hang in there :)

[@talquinbiker]

Look you can't forget the whiskey, LoL.

[@gregorytremaine1164]

This is really done well, and is more like Road Warrior, without trying to be Road Warrior, more than some movies who are trying to emulate The Road Warrior. Yet, this is a separate world.

[@justinroach9344]

all I can say is wow. way better than 99% of Hollywood.

[@thomascappelli6851]

This was a Perfect blend of everything and very consistent in the way it all balanced. The story, music/audio, themes, performers; all believable. So very entertaining. It looks to me as though much love was put into this. The environments made me want to play Fallout: New Vegas again because I never finished it. ♪

[@MrKim-kv2vv]

What a great piece of art! Acting, set, cinematography well done! More please🙋🏼

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thank you!

[@otakarknoflik8478]

Just excellent! Big respect and greetings from Czechia.

[@aktab9]

Plz give us a season. We beg you.

[@nilsnyman6767]

After taking an extended break from sci-fi shorts due to the overabundance of heavy love stories with a smidge of sci-fi in them this was amazing! Pure sci-fi! I especially love the attention to detail throughout. Incredible world building and an entire story with insanely little dialogue. Bravo!

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Awesome, great to hear you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@liftedbythewind9002]

Loved it! Thanks Matt, for the perseverance.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Cheers for watching!

[@Primosete]

Absolutely brilliant! What an amazing film!!!

[@gregorylagrange]

This was very good. Good direction, and good production value. And good production value not in the way of money spent but in the good use of money and available resources. This was a polished project that probably didn't take a relatively large amount of money to make. Where other projects that might have a small budget may not be able to escape obvious signs of not having a larger budget to prevent from looking cheap. And the convenience of antagonist having no aiming skills at all with guns was made up for by the clever ending. Extra nod to her subtle use of facial expressions at the end. That's an underappreciated skill.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

thanks very much! We were fortunate to have some very talented people to bring it all to life :)

[@jpbaley2016]

Fantastic little details in a beautiful made and delightful film. Well done Little Dragon, Well done!

[@AenesidemusOZ]

I would love this to turn into a series or a feature-length movie, as long as it keeps the same aesthetic. It's brilliant!

[@trcaggiano]

It was fun, creative nuttery...reminds me of the films by Ian Hubert - Salad Mug / Dynamo Dream!! Excellent Thank you!!

[@immanutt4442]

one of the very few excellent short movies

[@AnotherCG]

Quinn for the WIN.

[@NormSimpson-iw5jr]

Really Good! Fine work and acting. Thank you!

[@enc3342]

Post apocalyptic Ned Kelly! Love it.

[@BQwain]

That? Was, awesome. Well Done, in every aspect!!!

[@darrenw.taylor2084]

Excellent story! I can see this being a major motion picture!

[@cpuuk]

This has so much style- loved it.

[@lisanidog8178]

Well done!

[@The_neutrals]

I am expecting a long webseries from DUST

[@zaubersalz]

Very good story, well filmed and edited! Could be the pilot episode of an interesting series.

[@tomtom7955]

took me about 30 seconds to realize what the plot twist was gonna be but I was entertained none the less, well done.

[@rodneyschmidt3652]

That was outstanding... really excellent!

[@mechelle176]

Beautiful! Thank you

[@alvaroomine]

Love, love, love!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@drgeoffangel5422]

An excellent short film, should be a full length film! Its very Buster Scrugg 'eque', but that no bad thing!

[@coreydemarce4652]

Awesome! Loved it! Better than hollywierd has done in years. More please!

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thank you :) More on the way

[@lonecrusaider]

A loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter... did you remember the whiskey?!

[@user-xh7zj7qj8j]

So obvious, more Maddog, if it's not to be, thanks a bunch for a great story!

[@phildavis1282]

Nedd Kelly rides again. Great , keep it up thanks 👍

[@dougjustdoug6391]

I was wondering if someone would pick up on that body armor influence, seems as though many may not have seen that movie.

[@divyajnana]

New Zealand western steampunk fun; great job, thank you.

[@azzedinekaouachi9639]

That's great! We need other adventures from Maddog

[@LittleDragonPictures]

More to come!

[@glennl70]

I really enjoyed your story. The production ( shots, lighting, props, costumes) was excellent ! Bravo.

[@margaretkennedy7172]

Well Mr DUST, I have only just come across your videos and they are fantastic.

[@pipersall6761]

Well done!! Very enjoyable and engaging, creative and left me wanting more!

[@jessebob325]

Excellent film. I was engaged though out the entire showing. ❤😊

[@RobertPalomoMusic]

Superb musical score elegantly produced. Kudos.

[@robertmcmahonjr.1469]

This is fantastic work. Please more.

[@scotthultin7769]

👍's up DUST thank you for sharing 😊

[@mybestfriendisamonkey173]

Like live action Trigun meets Cowboy Bebop, a little Steampunk, and a hint of Mad Max. Very cool little movie.