Sci-Fi Short Film: "The Emissary" | DUST

[@Action_Tan]

Hey everyone, thanks for watching! I am the writer, director of The Emissary and the guy crazy enough to build the space ship set in my parent's basement. Filmmakers love feedback, so let me know what you thought of our film, or if you've got any questions!

[@andrewbarnett84]

Wonderful ship. Likeable actor.

[@mrstaceyjackson]

pretty good overall, great set, great actor.

[@russellstarr9111]

Now that's a cliffhanger. Will there be more forthcoming?

[@Dan.a.k.a.bradpitt]

looks solid so far , need more !!!

[@Action_Tan]

@@russellstarr9111 I hope so, one day. It will take a lot more resources to tell the full story than what we had available to do this short.

[@LadyDi0514]

So hard to believe the ship was built in a basement. Beautifully made and acted. I truly felt her isolation and hopefulness on this journey. You’re very good at this!!!

[@Action_Tan]

Thank you, Diane!

[@LadyDi0514]

@@Action_Tan you’re welcome Bryan, really enjoyed it!!! Happy new year!!🎈

[@21gioni]

Very well orchestrated, look forward to more.

[@reidripley1221]

No huge explosions. Nothing flashy. Just thoughtful intimate sci-fi that we definitely need to see more of right now. Great job!

[@Action_Tan]

Thanks Reid! That's what we were after. Sci-fi doesn't always have to be laser beams and alien invasions. (Although that stuff's great too! )

[@ncmartinez_his]

We need less thoughtful quiet science fiction and more booms.

[@scetchport]

Sometimes i wonder why i keep watching these shorts....most ,like this one are excellent, but i feel smashed when the ending is non existent...a man or woman standing in the opened doorway wouldve been enough, either smiling or not....i guess I'm addicted.

[@EscapeCondition]

better to leave it to your imagination how different those humans look from us, especially with budget limitations.

[@jasmineflootman9574]

Yeah the ending :(

[@MADRE-GUY]

Your casting of the actor-actress made your film .. also the sound~ music design was well done. Here’s hoping she gets a good company for representation.. She deserves a chance to show her range

[@alphaxneo]

I am no fan of open endings unless they're similar to this. You got juuust enough info to imagine what happened and the things that could happen. Her journey was so well portrayed and I loved the dialog bits between her and her SO. Beautifully shot as well!

[@Action_Tan]

Thank you!

[@Kriswixx]

This would make a good pilot episode for sure. Really like the process it can take, many avenues of outcome.

[@Kriswixx]

also, she needs a small robot companion or screen to bounce dialog to, maybe something prototyped, small, etc..

[@thaska6106]

Far from being boring, The Emissary was published years ago and became a KZbin classic for all of us who struggle to fall asleep or reconcile life and dream of long interstellar trips, where the discovery of the exterior and interior is the engine that makes our imagination lift off. The introduction, development and ending are executed with masterful rhythm. Awakening from the tranquility and oneirism throbbing emotions of hopelessness and hope through the failed and not so failed attempts at communication, at meeting. The special effects are extraordinary and the performance is excellent. Many thanks to Bryan Tan and his team for their work and gratitude, but most of all for the result. Now we are set above the stars ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Many thanks to the DUST channel for this library of dreams that will outlive us.

[@Action_Tan]

I too dream of long interstellar voyages. Thank you!

[@thaska6106]

@@Action_Tan Congratulations and Happy New year 🙂

[@WilliamKinsey-dx2dn]

This is the thought provoking science fiction we used to write.

[@JonathanFrost]

In a short like this an open ending sets the little grey cells in motion. Awesome work. More please!

[@flyergowest]

Love this. Excellent production values. Great example of blending outer space challenges with inner space. Of course I wanted more but it’s a Dust slice of life story.

[@msteelefinley]

I’m so excited to see this on Dust!!!! I love the tone, art direction, and even pace of this film. A great short with so much to theorize about. Love this!!!!

[@Action_Tan]

Thanks Matt!

[@markmuldoon805]

The quality of the material on DUST consistently puts the major studios to shame for story telling and quality of acting. This yet another example of that quality. Well done.

[@TENDRIL77]

One of the best shorts I have seen so far! Awesome job! I can't believe the set was done in a basement! Outstanding!

[@jeffreykemblowski5515]

I really felt for Liv and her courage to proceed with the mission. I shed tears with her as she broke down. Left me yearning for more. More please?!! A short that I could imagine being a two hour premiere. Bryan, that rocked and I personally would enjoy tuning into the continuation of this flick. Love ya Liv. Great sci-fi. All I can ask is for more, please....

[@Action_Tan]

I hope I can do that some day. Thanks for sharing!

[@djs1ms]

Brian, great movie. Great cinematography. The stillness, the atmosphere. Definitely got me on the hook. I want to see what's next and hope there's a big and unexpected twist waiting for us. Well done! Please continue providing us with sci-fi goodness.

[@ronjon7942]

Sigh. I started watching Dust around 3pm with every intention of one or two episodes and then going to the gym. It’s now 1030pm and I’m still at the “ok, just one more” stage. I suppose the gym IS open 24h - but just one more. I love the profound statement at 3:48 of ‘I have no original thoughts…’. It can be used or said or told in so many different ways; I never took it negatively, as in or if no one is truly unique. Instead it gives me comfort that humanity has so much in common with itself - we love, protect, learn, organize ourselves justly, care, do not want to be alone. And I’m human.

[@thetalkingshrimp5683]

This was beautifully done, bravo. Now, if you fled tyranny, then that same tyranny sent an emissary to find you, claiming to be one of the good guys, would you respond or play possum? Our own history tells us that that tyranny always follows you if they know where you are.

[@empathic_light]

Wow. Just got on my list of favorites

[@michaelsmithers9961]

NO! you can not end it there! More, please.

[@theicecavalier342]

As a young boy 50 years ago, my friends and I had many space missions in our basements. Well done sir. Hopefully we see part 2 soon.

[@michaelhendricks5449]

Give this team a budget

[@woodstoney]

Everything you portrayed here was expertly done. I felt her desolation and desperation. One fine actress beautifully emoting her parts perfectly. You have a brilliant future. Keep going forward!!

[@technowey]

This was extremely well written, well acted, and had great camera work, audio, and special effects. It's moving and both about science and the human condition. Congratulations to the people who made this. Everyone involved deserves an award. The actress who played Dr. Liz was especially good. Thank you for posting this.

[@Action_Tan]

Thanks for watching!

[@rgg765]

This was so good!! But seriously, who wakes up from hypersleep, or even regular sleep, without looking rumpled - LOL! You gotta make part 2. This is an excellent opening to what could be a very good movie.

[@Comicsluvr]

The writing was tense and meaningful. The actress was top-notch. The set was even great.

[@loneyukon-mw]

why is the exit sign the only bilingual labeling on the whole ship?

[@stylex19]

I really appreciate how Viviana Chavez's performance is so organic and human instead of an overplayed caricature like so many others in this genre. Especially in short films. Even her bit part in The Accountant is noteworthy.

[@billmurray7473]

This hearkens back to 60s sci-fi. More thoughtful and inspiring, relying more on atmosphere, writing, and dialogue; not so much CGI. Rod Serling would be proud.

[@richdempsey7988]

Yup. Agree. It has the dimension and weight of a 30 minute Twilight Zone episode. (Not a compliment in 2023)

[@barrahart]

Art lives on in these daring, independent projects. Much love to the creative team from a fellow sci-fi storyteller 🤍

[@mysmirandam.6618]

Wow I'm blown away at the quality and feel

[@Dakiraun]

Very good - sets up so well to the encounter. It's a great setup to a great story, now you just need 2 more hours to tell it!

[@PeterBerghold]

I find it hilarious that I see fixtures in this film that were old in 1979 when I saw the same fixture on my ship while I was in the Navy

[@Action_Tan]

Yep, we were going for a retro-spaceship design more inspired by the Apollo Era, than the sleek touchscreens we see on the modern Crew Dragon.

[@PeterBerghold]

@@Action_Tan now I won't feel guilty for putting Cathode Ray Tube displays and sound powered phone systems in my Blender models of starship interiors. 😀

[@Action_Tan]

@@PeterBerghold What's old is new again :)

[@johnathancorgan3994]

@@PeterBerghold Mag amps. Good memories.

[@spacecowgurl57]

Allow a person who worked at NASA in the 70s. Nothing ever looked like this. 👍

[@deweycollins8354]

I cannot count high enuff the amount of shorts that would make excellent full length features!! ROCK ON!!!

[@handlemonium]

Man is this one of the most heartfelt and heart-led plots I've ever immersed myself here on Dust! I could easily see myself trave the same lonely, anticipant journey. I would rate this right next to Arrival. ❤️👌

[@ozymandiasnullifidian5590]

Next to Arrival?? I understand that you want to give a compliment, but that is just insane, to compare this to Arrival... What have we seen? Some girl, a cosmonaut judging by Russian writing to the door, an emissary, is going to some planet 100 lights away (???), by the way, they lost the war, but they can send an emissary, and just a part where she searches for some human beings and...nothing more... Are the human at all? Were they friendly or not? I have seen many of those short movies, and this one is not of the best of them.

[@gagarinone]

@@ozymandiasnullifidian5590 You can win a war with weapons, but lose it morally.

[@ericchild8845]

Damn, it was just getting good and then it suddenly ended!!! More please!

[@heymichaelvsaucehere9944]

Emissary; Envoy..... diplomacy..... I like what you've done here...

[@mikedollinger6132]

As a 69yrs young sci fi fan, that was beautifully scripted & well done.

[@mzinns]

Great story! This production was excellent. I would love to see part 2!

[@ljg6979]

Loved it. Fantastic job. Great set design on a limited budget. Great Art direction and cinematography. Just perfect story telling. I'm also in love with the actress who portrayed Liv. Sorry just had to get that out there. Hope to see more of her. Great job guys!

[@davidhenderson3400]

I wanted to see what they looked like. Were that still human or were they ever human in the first place?

[@laniakeas92]

Maybe some new evolutionary type of people? Genetically modified, best of the best? Scientists, researchers That could explain the war, people fight when face differencies in others.

[@williebrown3941]

Beautiful! Exquisitely written, directed, and performed! Thank you!

[@Andrewjenkin-kt7jq]

These dust things keep ending on cliffhangers every time. They remind me of old-time TV pilots.

[@nicovilalta]

There are so much reasons to lave earth… everyone fights everyone… everyone poisons everyone… it is so sad what is happening. These films make hope and shows us other sites of humanity. Thank you for this little peace of civilisation

[@keithhays2837]

Excellent film, and beautifully executed! I very much want to see an expanded version of this. I want to know what happened 40 years ago on earth, why Liv felt so personally motivated to take on the mission--and why her partner was so accepting in the end--what does she expect the outcome to be, and what happens next.

[@donm5354]

Well done - the only bad thing its a Cliffhanger ending! I want to know what happens next.

[@monro2159]

Quite simply this was a brilliant piece of film making. Evocative, atmospheric, excellent direction and cinematography, great lead performace and a dam good story. The pace was perfect, and you were immersed in her dogged search and shared the general feeling of the anxiety of expectation of what would be found. Very entertaining.

[@selkieboat]

At last real SciFi, not a Monster movie, fantasy, or something so weird that it's unbelievable. The set looks real and well thought out. The story is brilliant and very well acted. You get the feeling of distance, time and isolation. I truly appreciate and enjoy what you have created! I'll be looking for more. Thank you!!!!

[@norb6492]

Sweetly done.

[@paulroscoe264]

Perfect. This is what I feel a short story should be; drop in without really knowing what is going on before and be left not knowing what’s next. If you had shown a face / suit / anything more, then it would have gone too far. It was perfect embodiment of a short sci fi story. Thank you @Bryan . Top notch. Great choice of music too.

[@stevenwagner6247]

Just a footnote, Bryan you have a lot of people who really like your work, keep it up my friend

[@TheTommybongos]

Some very talented people involved in this from the writer to the two actors, extremely well done guys, perfect tone and feeling of hope and isolation. What a beautiful thought that we have settled in another part of the galaxy, irrespective of the reasons why.

[@frankceleiroblaya2605]

Ho my god, the guion, the special effects, BRAVO!!!

[@earlharvey7659]

Thank you Bryan Tan! Quite possibly the best short I've ever seen on Dust! You will have a storied career in this industry; I'm sure you gained a great deal of attention with this! I loved the open (use your imagination, viewers!) approach to the ending! I look forward to whatever projects you have going on!

[@GySgtRay]

OK...............I really loved this!! The actors did a superb job! I also reeeeally wish there would be a very soon upcoming part two, rather than, leaving us wondering who was opening the door! LOL! I look forward to part two!! Well done folks!!

[@xAzuras62x]

this was great, awesome and mindstrucking. Thank you so much for making this!

[@charlessimons1692]

great job! it's been awhile since I've seen something on DUST that I like. I'm more 2001 than Star Trek.

[@DaveH001]

Incredibly well done! I loved the details of the spaceship which looked absolutely nothing like the Star Trek reboot - I mean push pins holding up sheets of paper on a bulletin board in space for God's sake! Not a single camera flare to be seen. Unlike many of the commenters I love the quick hit of the short form. Short stories have always been my personal favorites in science fiction. I'd much rather watch 10 or 15 or 20 minutes of an intense story with an ambiguous ending than 2 or 3 hours of endless drivel trying to make a point and failing. I don't know the economics of making shorts and I hope for financial success for all the film makers, but pretty please keep making these short films.

[@gagarinone]

I agree! 🙂

[@xw591]

This is what Sci-fi was made for. Truly incredible.

[@darrenmay4818]

Was watching and hoping to see beyond the door at the end............ Bryan, someone should pick this up and run with it... loved it. Big love from Japan mate.

[@heleneminard6648]

This is one of those DUST videos I wish were a full-length feature film, as the ending in these cases always leaves you hungry for more....disappointing to have it end so short; but Well Done, Bryan!! Thanks, please make more....Emissary II ?

[@scottjones1426]

Honesty, Compassion, and Hope. Well done!

[@jeffreypedigo7419]

I think the simple messages of hope, mercy, understanding are often lost in visions of the future. This movie captures them.

[@believeinpeace]

Oh my! That was really excellent! Thank you!!

[@Ghost_Recon_Actual]

Wonderful storyline, great set design. You did well portraying the passenger of a one-person self-contained spacecraft needed to travel hundreds of lightyears to its destination. A well-written script portraying the need for traveling to a distant system to make amends with a class of people that were forced to flee from earth to survive. A great cliffhanger ending as well, very much left me wanting more.

[@Action_Tan]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate your thoughts.

[@maruiscordier2042]

What is there not to love? This is certainly a gem in the DUST treasure trove. The acting was superb. I loved the retro look in the cabin, I think that was what won me over. Great story line. Well done⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@Action_Tan]

Thanks Maruis, yes I was tired of all the sleek lines all the time in Sci-Fi as well.

[@shauljonah6955]

Multi purpose consoles compact and yet well laid out plans I loved it. She was great 👍.

[@richdempsey7988]

@@shauljonah6955 Yeah a mock-up of an ancient Boeing 707 cockpit. Also unimpressed with hanging paper and post-it notes on ship.

[@ziggruna]

the entourage of the spaceship turned out very beautiful. And in general the whole film turned out beautiful and stunning. I was also pleased with how you were able to show the gas giant and its exoplanets

[@mrbigguns5694]

The fact that there isn't a part two KILLS me!! Well done!

[@livingforhim9624]

Looking forward to the next "episode", good story line. Fairly original.

[@sanjitdaniel4588]

Wow! Enjoyed it! Thanks! A Sequel perhaps?

[@ipadista]

At 7:07 The planet is lit on the side facing away from the star :) Correction it seems to be consistent throughout the film, is there a reason for this, or did it just "look cool" during editing?

[@staceydeller2881]

wowser this is an amazing short film. It is a powerful film, holding you to see and understand her and her motives. Would love to see more from you.

[@Ezikeal]

I was enthralled with this production, from story to set. Finish Many blessing

[@10to1imjokin]

That was a very immersive and suspenseful story. At the end, as she was losing hope of any contact, when she woke up to chatter on the airwaves, and zeroed in on the signal, I was so looking forward to her meeting the people after all this time. What a way to end this short! Brilliant! And the actress is brilliant also! I was right on board that ship with her, feeling her every emotion.

[@Action_Tan]

Thanks for watching!

[@jenesisjones6706]

Now THIS is a sci fi short film! Exactly how it should be! Thank you!

[@mrnexus8seven949]

DUST films should be in the cinema or something, they are exemplary!

[@sunsetta9496]

Incredible!, the amount of effort that went into making this film, from the storyline, effects, set design and acting. Thank you very much😄

[@RJKhey]

Amazing work and a very human story. The cinematography and special effects were amazing, without being distracting.

[@BruceDavidKellock]

Totally wonderful piece. Loved the feel and thoughtful movement of time. Excellent work.

[@meesha_dreaming]

Wow, just wow... And it couldn't be a more appropriate time... I have imagined such a scenario, where some of us are forced to flee. Beautiful story. Thank you!

[@michaeldorrence9387]

thought this was going to be another bleak, hopeless, failure ending, how refreshing! beautifully done, all the way around. definately left a lot of possibilities open for future episodes, or this could be the prequel to a full length feature that the audience would be there for. Fantastic!!!!

[@grammybear4226]

🐼 Big Bear Hugs from a 68 yr old grandma in Kirby, Texas, USA 🐼 ❤ 🎀 ❤ HAPPY NEW YEAR !

[@TamTran-vw7zm]

Well done, you! All boxes ticked, and me in tears, and I didn't even wish to be. Well crafted. Well acted. Well constructed as a short story (ie, everything needed to understand--but subtly presented) and I'm a writer/teacher of creative writing! And then there are the tears. So much better then the usual incontinence from Hollywood! Nice, nice,nice.

[@veronicakalma5138]

What an intimate, provocative film. Beautifully done!!!

[@Slogdawg]

Dang, I loved the old avionicson on the dashboard!!! Beautiful choice! The camera angles, pan shots and transitions were absolutely perfect! The plot kept me guessing and the actress kept me glued. (The over-eating in the early shots was a bit overdone. But, I'm on a diet). So wanted to see... well, I better not spoil it for those who read the comments before watching.....

[@rauldempaire5330]

After all those years the response was: "Please show a negative PCR test and proof of vaccination".... Great work!!! .. So Space 2001flavor .... looking forward to watch more from Liv....

[@CUSTODIAN70]

Smooth scenario,beautifully acted,peaceful story telling,yet very interesting.Great work!

[@alexj.6356]

Son muy pocas las películas así.. Las que se tratan de la buena fe y el perdón que realmente hacen a la humanidad. Necesitamos más de estas, ahora más que nunca ya que estamos viendo tanto odio y tanta propaganda de guerra en las noticias... Hermoso trabajo y una demostración más de que no son los efectos sino el contenido que hace la ciencia ficción Grande. ¡Muchísimas gracias! Espectacular.

[@Drukendru]

Good to see Hamilton Beach still being around in the future ;)

[@TheKmpec]

I really liked the set, the tone and setting. However, I would have loved to get a "twist" at the ending, which would have made this more memoriable. Nonetheless, great work and I enjoyed watching it!

[@xavierjmj]

For a moment there was no distance between us. 👫 Now the sun's light will not reach you in a lifetime. ☀👵 You are sent to restore the broken bond. 🛠 You shatter another. 💔 Your hand was given unto me. 💍 Now you are set above the stars. 🚀✨

[@ChrisTommasi]

Did you really needed to do it so beautiful? Man, I'm speechless... 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@blakesutton4287]

Fantastic. I wanted SO BADLY for this one to keep going. Bravo

[@karlireland7771]

The production designer who did this has a great future!

[@shawnhowell156]

Needs to be made as a series!!! Wonderful!!!

[@karlireland7771]

Very well done! I felt like i was on her journey while watching it!

[@royothebuzz]

Yeah! This had my attention from begining to end. Well done.

[@danielhanawalt4998]

Nice work. Good job on the space ship. Quite believable all the way round.

[@happymoonshadow9657]

At first I was like why am I still watching this. But it didn't take long before I could not turn away. Great job.

[@terryoquinn8199]

All in all it was an excellent effort ! Great graphics , great story line , great actors . I don’t like being left hanging , there needs to be more of an ending for me . I still liked it a lot , kudos to everyone involved !

[@mjordan812]

Interesting choice in names - "Laika". I remember another Laika that went into space.

[@MAILLADY2010]

This is a fantastic short. I guess that is why this has popped up 6 times as new.

[@berjo77]

My third time in. I felt different each time. Really beautiful story telling, all the right marks. Thanks for your work, your sharing.