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

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@kurtweiand7086]

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

[@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 ❤

[@Curtainclimber]

Now THAT was grand.

[@neglectedloves]

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

[@lisanidog8178]

I love Westerns. Ride Maddog, ride!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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! 🧡

[@RoundprismMedia]

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

[@ronin47-ThorstenFrank]

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

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thanks very much :)

[@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!

[@TheGreenNewSteal2025]

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

[@tomdecuca3627]

Why can't these be made into movies? They are better written than just about any new sci Fi I have seen in the last 10 yrs or so.

[@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

[@arranali765]

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

[@noneofyourbusiness5326]

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

[@redpillcommando]

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

[@bobwilson7684]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@dbaider9467]

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

[@deepindapoo]

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

[@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.

[@cindykurneck]

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

[@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

[@ky42]

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

[@MrKim-kv2vv]

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

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thank you!

[@Rudomest]

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

[@alvaroomine]

Love, love, love!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@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!

[@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!

[@eddie.cainen]

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

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Cheers Eddie! Greatly appreciated :)

[@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!!!

[@jamesmccourt9782]

Very good! One of the best in a while!

[@trippgarcia926]

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

[@beautifulsmall]

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

[@apistosig4173]

Quirky, Clever & well put together - loved it 🙂

[@Primosete]

Absolutely brilliant! What an amazing film!!!

[@AcapulKero]

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

[@kensimon5129]

Perfect in every sense, great film.

[@WICKD1]

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

[@user-tp9pr1jm6w]

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

[@lisanidog8178]

She and the boy made a great team.

[@lisanidog8178]

Well done!

[@lonecrusaider]

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

[@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. ♪

[@AnotherCG]

Quinn for the WIN.

[@carlcox5169]

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

[@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!

[@rudevalve]

Certified Gold!!!!!

[@mechelle176]

Beautiful! Thank you

[@talquinbiker]

Look you can't forget the whiskey, LoL.

[@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 :)

[@7fnaum273]

Nice one!!! Keep on going!!!!

[@nicohaab9967]

agree!!

[@aktab9]

Plz give us a season. We beg you.

[@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.

[@perkins1439]

Very entertaining 👍

[@TappingtheMatrix]

Incredibly impressive visuals! Great story too.

[@sottozen]

Loved this so much! Masterpiece!

[@coreydemarce4652]

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

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thank you :) More on the way

[@nicholasguymer3471]

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

[@Reaper4367]

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

[@kathrynstewart-mcdonald]

Best of the best!

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Thank you ❤

[@tomtom7955]

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

[@rodneyschmidt3652]

That was outstanding... really excellent!

[@MrYfrank14]

Did you remember the whiskey? Priorities.

[@eduardoleva9842]

Muy buen trabajo. Tiene acción, sorpresa y humor. Postapocaliptic western.

[@LittleDragonPictures]

Gracias!

[@otakarknoflik8478]

Just excellent! Big respect and greetings from Czechia.

[@jpbaley2016]

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

[@pipersall6761]

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

[@warrenmalpas9875]

Quality!!

[@scetchport]

Best yet !!

[@nicohaab9967]

agree!

[@terryoquinn8199]

Loved it . Maddog O’Quinn

[@rolandmeyer3729]

Better than 99% of anything I've watched in 2023.

[@azzedinekaouachi9639]

That's great! We need other adventures from Maddog

[@LittleDragonPictures]

More to come!

[@redbone7040]

Excellent👌💯💯💯💯🇺🇸

[@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.

[@SIRCAM73]

Brilliant just brilliant!!

[@bilza2023]

I am surprised that people will 100 million budget can not make such movies. I wish you can get a full movie made

[@johnblais2065]

Whiskey;:: oh?! That's another story,,,, good show

[@mookinbabysealfurmittens]

Fantastic! Cheers!

[@jessebob325]

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