Sci-Fi Short Film "Wakener" | DUST | Online Premiere

A broken and haunted ship technician and an ambitious young officer's paths collide when ordered to investigate a Ghost Ship secretly. The two become compelled to fulfill an ancient destiny.
"Wakener" by Anthony Ferraro
Watch Anthony's other film, "Aeranger" also on DUST: • Sci-Fi Short Film “Aer...
Connect with the Filmmaker:
/ @createscifi
/ createscifi
/ zenamerican
createscifi.com/
More About "Wakener":
Wakener is a Sci-Fi Horror film that follows a broken and haunted ship technician and a young, honorable military officer. Their paths collide when a ghost ship powered by tech outlawed centuries ago mysteriously appears at Point Station. The station's chief officer orders the ship secretly investigated for nefarious reasons. As a result, the Technician and Officer are compelled to fulfill an ancient and catastrophic destiny.
"Wakener" Credits:
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
ANTHONY FERRARO
STARRING:
RHOMEYN JOHNSON
FEATURING:
SAPNA GANDHI
ANTHONY DI PETRO
AND
JONATHAN CASTILE
CINEMATOGRAPHER:
JON SCHWEIGART
SOUND DESIGN:
MARTIN CARRILLO
ORIGINAL SCORE:
MATTHEW PATTERSON CURRY
OLIVER CHAPOY
VISUAL EFFECTS:
JAMES BONNER
CLINT CARNEY
EDITOR:
ANTHONY FERRARO
PRODUCERS:
CLINT CARNEY
ERIC MICHAEL KOCHMER
ANTHONY FERRARO
KEY MAKEUP - KRISTEN PICKRELL
STATION EXTRAS - JULIA HORVATH & JOSH GIBSON
GAFFER - JAKE MACPHERSON
FIRST AC - NOAH FRASSETTO
SOUND RECORDIST - ALEX ANIKIN & ALEKSII LAPTEV
SCRIPT SUPERVISOR - CHRISTINA GRAY & JULIA HORVATH
PRODUCTION DESIGNER - ANTHONY FERRARO
CREATURE CREATION - JAMES BONNER
SPACE SHIP MODELS - MUKLIS SADEWO
COSTUME & PROPS - ANTHONY FERRARO
OFFICER ONI BODY ARMOR - JIM LOGAN
KEY PRODUCTION ASSISTANT - JULIA HORVATH
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT - JOSH GIBSON
CATERER - IT CATERING
BTS PHOTOGRAPHER - ROSS KOLTON
LOCATION - JLFX STUDIOS, BURBANK CA
SPECIAL THANKS:
MATTHEW SULTAN, GERALDINE FERRARO, ANTHONY FERRARO SR.,
FELIX SOLIS, ANTHONY DI PETRO, DAVID YHOE, WMM & JIM LOGAN
THE STORY, ALL NAMES, CHARACTERS, AND INCIDENTS PORTRAYED IN THIS PRODUCTION ARE FICTITIOUS. NO IDENTIFICATION WITH ACTUAL PERSONS (LIVING OR DECEASED), PLACES, BUILDINGS, AND PRODUCTS IS INTENDED OR SHOULD BE INFERRED.
THIS MOTION PICTURE IS PROTECTED UNDER THE COPYRIGHT LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. COUNTRY OF FIRST PUBLICATION: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ANY UNAUTHORIZED EXHIBITION, DISTRIBUTION, OR COPYING OF THIS FILM OR ANY PART THEREOF (INCLUDING SOUNDTRACK) MAY RESULT IN CIVIL LIABILITY AND CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
Subscribe to the DUST and ALTER newsletter: eepurl.com/dChYXb
Subscribe to DUST on KZbin: bit.ly/2aqc5vh
#DUST #scifi #shortfilm
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.
DUST is also available on Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, AppleTV, Fubo, IMDBTV, iOS, Peacock, Roku, Redbox, Samsung TV, Sling, STIRR, Tivo, Vizio, Xumo and 7Plus. On our OTT platforms, we offer cutting-edge and classic feature films, series, podcasts, and our entire shorts library. #TheFutureAwaits
"
Connect with DUST
Website: www.watchdust.com
Sign-up for DUST newsletter: eepurl.com/b_SKAz
Watch DUST on your TV: Available on Roku, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Android TV...and more
Watch more on KZbin: bit.ly/2amTSen
Follow Us on Facebook: bit.ly/2aqYgtZ
Follow Us on Instagram: bit.ly/2amAhRt
Listen to the DUST podcast:
Apple: bit.ly/DUST-Audio
Spotify: bit.ly/DUST-Spo...
Stitcher: bit.ly/DUST-Sti...
Castbox: bit.ly/DUST-Cas...
iHeart: bit.ly/DUST-iHeart
About Gunpowder + Sky:
Creating content that resonates and impacts pop culture conversation, by empowering creators to take risks and experiment relentlessly in the pursuit of novel stories and formats.
/ watchdust
Subscribe to the DUST and ALTER newsletter: eepurl.com/dChYXb

[@createscifi]

Hello everyone, Anthony Ferraro here, [ @createscifi ] writer/director of WAKENER. Thank you for taking the time to watch our film, it is an honor to be on DUST. As a sci-fi filmmaker being included on this channel among these films is our zenith. I look forward to hearing from you. ~ Anthony

[@williammatthews2948]

Very well done.

[@Fido-vm9zi]

Very interesting. I was glued the whole time watching! Thank you & team for sharing your awesome mind!

[@JasonW.]

Thank you for the film, subtle clues about the ending were enjoyed.

[@MobileFilmmaking]

I knew this was yours the moment I saw the spray painted trays. GOOD SHIT!! But the acting, camera work and lighting were all just top notch. Very inspiring for me.

[@jollyyeholiver1599]

It's like Doctor strange love, just with aliens and a few thousand years.

[@MaidenAriana]

We have confirmation that far into the future people will still mispronounce nuclear. 🤦‍♀😉Love this short film!

[@anthonyferraro2695]

yup :)

[@DrWhoRocks333]

Heh. Glad I'm not the only one.

[@wafikiri_]

No clear.

[@hilaryc3203]

.........and smoke

[@justinfarnell2284]

"Nucular, it's nucular!" - Homer J Simpson

[@markwarrensprawson]

I believe that's the first time I've ever seen Cthulhu looking so dapper, awake and not submerged waiting for the stars to right themselves.

[@createscifi]

love me some cthulu

[@olddecimal2736]

Preach

[@michaellee6489]

Cool little short film. " you are not cleared for heroic action!" Loved it!

[@createscifi]

thx!

[@battshytkrazy156]

dats gold gerry ...G O L D‼️❕⚠️

[@donkenmuir9504]

Exelent very good well done

[@quitequiet5281]

Social engineering was alive and dysfunctional in that reality’s future... Leaving them with no future ... Seems to be a historically accurate pattern.

[@sydneyperry8703]

I loved that this centered around Cthulhu! Also love the telepathy scenes and sticking to the mythology and liked this fresh take on a ranking/level system. I think I was more sad about the mechanic doing the “heroic action” than I was about the entire earth being destroyed/taken. I’d watch a full movie on this story, great job.

[@createscifi]

thanks for the feedback !

[@jessiehoolahoopsmcgee]

"Levelism will not provoke me." 🙌🏽

[@ZomgRAWR93]

Z was without a doubt the best actor here, along with the captain of the station.

[@vancenichols9490]

I agree!!!

[@anthonyferraro2695]

they will be happy to hear that

[@Anuclano]

I think they all acted very well.

[@CleoCat75]

yay, a Dust movie with an actual plot and an ending that you don't have to go searching thru the comments to understand!!

[@createscifi]

LOL true that

[@pseudonayme7717]

😄Totally agree. I don't have to read a bible to understand it, but apparently some Lovecraft would have been useful🤔

[@TheSCPStudio]

Must be frustrating to have such a simple mind.

[@CleoCat75]

@@TheSCPStudioI'll bet!

[@andrewhopkins886]

@@TheSCPStudio ironic

[@ronin47-ThorstenFrank]

Very cool - didn´t expect it going in this particular direction. We see this kind of cosmic horror far to rarely.

[@anthonyferraro2695]

glad to hear that

[@eggchin9721]

Too*

[@SENTINEL2086]

These short films put hollywood to shame.

[@createscifi]

thx

[@lostcat9lives322]

Best Duster I've watched in a long time. It reminds of Heavy Metal magazine from a few decades ago.

[@createscifi]

right on !

[@thelazy0ne]

Personal ambition and incompetence are a cataclysmic combo. 😁👍

[@anthonyferraro2695]

copy that

[@ronjon7942]

Welcome to DIE

[@onemancinema4642]

This could easily be a part of a Dead Space type series or film. Well done.

[@createscifi]

thanks

[@PuellaMagiHomuraAkemi]

Too less action for Dead Space, more like Event Horizon

[@jamiepatterson1214]

What a great short video. Those playing the characters on the station did an excellent job showing the fallacy of bueaucratic bs and micro managing. The two on the ship were also excellent in making their characters seem real. Given that they mentioned a battle, that ship was sent to enact revenge on Earth. And what a revenge it turned out to be. The destruction of Earth rests on the station commander for not following procedures. It's unlikely anyone is left to care how it happened.

[@darrenbulmer9292]

I don’t know what people are complaining about. This was quite good. Well done.

[@Itharl]

Really well done; the entire cast did a great job and the cinematography and effects were excellent. Z was a standout character for sure, Rhomeyn Johnson was excellent.

[@createscifi]

I will tell him !

[@PeterQuentercrimsonbamboo]

Why is the lady in the control room so full of suffering struggle with every sentence she utters ? Not to diminish the impressive fact that some people were able to get together and accomplish producing a creative pursuit like this at all ! … I haven’t ever -

[@createscifi]

copy

[@morenofranco9235]

Wow! Anthony and Team. This is a great and unexpected story twist. Excellent

[@createscifi]

Thx

[@ericchild8845]

That was great!! I could easily watch a lot more of that story be developed. Thanks for sharing. You and your team definitely have the skills to do great things in your film making. Best of luck to ya!

[@anthonyferraro2695]

thank you for saying

[@crhanks01]

tech·ni·cian Zivai - Is Awesome!

[@TheWorldBelow360]

Levelism!? Heroic Action Clarance!? Grief Action Clearance!? That will not Track!? All Levels Salute You!? Awesome! But it’s seems the Extra Curricular Adventures of The Disciples of Cthulhu will have to wait another week! Great Spoof!

[@createscifi]

right on

[@undertoe2609]

A most unique feature and I couldn’t stop watching it. Wish it was much longer

[@createscifi]

Right on

[@robertwilson973]

Honestly I didn't care for it but I will always give credit to someone pursuing an artistic life. I've just seen something like this 1001 times before done in a better way.

[@createscifi]

copy that

[@Z-add]

Post links to one of those 1001 times

[@fredneecher1746]

@@Z-add . . . and that's an order!

[@CannonRanger-1]

Great Old Ones in the future. Brilliant! 👍

[@andya857]

Been watching Dust a long time, This one really knocked my socks off ....Kudos Team..👽

[@createscifi]

thank you

[@AcapulKero]

Wow, this 16 minutes changed life of Earth. We all need to see more. Great short!

[@createscifi]

right on !

[@zimriel]

the Elder Gods have arisen and the living envy the dead

[@broadley207]

Well done! Great story, casting, acting, special effects and cinematography. A+++

[@createscifi]

thank you

[@CochinKerala]

Love the washing machine drain pipe framing the computer screen. 😄

[@anthonyferraro2695]

actually a computer cable harness :)

[@CochinKerala]

@@anthonyferraro2695 😄 Perfect! But the climax animation deserve nothing but praise. Absolutely stunning!

[@chriscr21]

Great short film, can't wait to see more of your creations!!! Suspenseful and intriguing!!!

[@createscifi]

thx

[@chriscr21]

@@createscifi You're welcome!

[@ArriGaffer]

Woot! Like many other here have said; Great job by everyone from script to credits. Stellar job. Personal highlight however, even besides the outstanding actors, thanks so much for closing out the storyline so nicely. So many shorts these days leave too much hanging. Best luck on your projects. Thanks. AG

[@createscifi]

thanks Arri

[@pirated8557]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏼🏴‍☠️✌🏼

[@createscifi]

thx for leaving a comment

[@Disciple0fWu_36]

Has like a polished 90s feel to it and I'm all for that!

[@createscifi]

me too !

[@greenaum]

Wasn't expecting ol' Uncle Tentacles to appear there, came out of the blue a bit.

[@m118lr]

The ‘lacks’ attitude in SAFETY protocol AND enthusiasm..WHEN A CENTURIES-OLD ship strays in, is profound. “I’ll send 1 tech and 1 officer”..? Hmm..highly unlikely I’d think. Edited to ADD: “Heroic Action-level CLEARANCE”?! Ha ha ha.

[@darkcastleambience]

Fantastic sci-fi! Great characters, strong acting. Top notch entertainment.

[@createscifi]

thx

[@d.jeanelledrake7311]

“I don’t understand helmet”😂 Rhomeyn Johnson

[@createscifi]

I love that line

[@ronjon7942]

“I bet she gives great helmet.” Dark Helmet & Colonel Sanders

[@mattlong4102]

hell yeah I want a sequel. love this, my favorite dust in a while.

[@vancenichols9490]

Oh wow! This was intense AND good! Awesome acting herein makes me wish for the "full" version! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

[@anthonyferraro2695]

thank you

[@pauld205]

Totally engrossing and enjoyable. I expected the two crewmen to commandeer the ship and escape the caste system. There was a plausible shift in power dynamics once the disgruntled crew and commanders realized what the ship was capable of.

[@createscifi]

right on thx

[@Beachy1955]

Loved it! Scared the crap out of me but we created that danger so it was only right we suffer it’s wrath!

[@markwuest]

It took a bit to get passed (hehe) the malapropisms (possibility) and other funkiness (smoking, lol) at first. Then, I was actually disappoint when "nuclear" was initially pronounced correctly, but later remedied. And good old Cthulu got a mention. Very nice.

[@createscifi]

lol had to look up malapropisms :) right on

[@daevydjae]

With help from the closed captions, they say the Cthulhu chant: "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn", translated to "In his house at R'lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming". H.P. Lovecraft would be proud.

[@createscifi]

yeah :)

[@filmcourage]

Rhomeyn! That's our guy!

[@createscifi]

He is amazing!

[@noomoon2833]

Very enjoyable! Part 2 or mini-movie would be great! Thanks. 😁

[@anthonyferraro2695]

right on

[@mathswithgarry7104]

Part 2??? They already destroyed Earth, whats next?

[@createscifi]

@@mathswithgarry7104 Saturn

[@daviderwin4705]

The Pacing is tight and tense. The set design, cinematography and lighting are on target( hehe) for the overall mood. The acting is great. The plot is novel. A lot of information about the society these people live in is conveyed with minimal exposition or dialogue. This is a good short film.

[@createscifi]

thank you for saying

[@deweycollins8354]

Scify fantasy??? GREAT combo!!!!

[@anthonyferraro2695]

thanks for saying :)

[@MsGorteck]

Am I the only one who does not understand the ending especially, but really the whole thing?

[@createscifi]

you are not alone :)

[@osmia]

Thanks for having CC enabled

[@createscifi]

copy

[@kevinth66]

It's got a plot. It's got effects. It's set in the (a) future. There are characters. The characters move and recite lines. There is a beginning AND an ending, and bits in between. If I were to add some adjectives, and maybe the odd adverb, my description could depict this film as a sci-fi masterpiece. And yet, for some reason, I haven't done that.

[@createscifi]

thx

[@johnhodges2760]

You know, I was going through all the comments, absolutely dumbfounded at all the praise gushing forth, wondering whether everyone else watched the same film that I did. Your comment gave me a great laugh, so thanks for that.

[@ieatcaribou7852]

Finally a Dust short with an actual plot that was explained! 95% of the shorts on this channel are a lazy, jumbled mess. This was not in that 95%.

[@doctor02new]

Superb indeed!

[@dscott333]

Keep you eye on Nova Scotia Canada!! (CANSO TOWN) THE NEW GATEWAY TO SPACE WILL START IN CANSO!!.. LETS TAKE OFF INTO SPACE TOGETHER.... CANSO CANADA ... CANADA'S SPACE PORT...

[@createscifi]

willdo

[@danieljames5423]

Did not expect that. So deep :! Nice shorth btw.

[@anthonyferraro2695]

thank you

[@Sovreign071]

As over-the top this is, and as overused Cthulu can be to some people, I think this short really has potential! You have an over-regulated dystopian society, to the point of parody! ("You are not cleared for Heroic Action." Love it!) And then straight out of left field comes eldritch nightmares! This feels like a prequel to a series! That said, Final Offer really nails the Eldritch Horror for me, in terms of incomprehensible and unstoppable forces!

[@beforethemast3678]

Anyone else say in their drunken daze “oh my! It’s Anikin Skywalker!”

[@createscifi]

yup

[@bonaanayaga]

Loving it from Africa need more

[@createscifi]

yes!

[@nikodigital]

Loved it! Looking forward to the next episode!!! Hope you continue the story! Love your work!!

[@createscifi]

Thx

[@nomebear]

It was amazing.

[@johnpayne7873]

Top shelf. Tight storyline with layered messages. Can't decide which is the greater horror, fact or fiction.

[@createscifi]

thanks John

[@4D2M0T]

"Readings confirm the core is in fact nu-cu-ler" 😂😂😂 6:12

[@palpalmaro5713]

WOWOWOWOWOW WHAT A CRAZY RIDE!!!!! FRICKIN AWESOME!!!!!!! LOVED IT!!!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!! JUST SAYIN!!!!! THANKS, F.M.V.

[@anthonyferraro2695]

thanks for saying

[@pseudonayme7717]

Dope AF. 15 minutes of pure sci-fi goodness.👌

[@adamplona9438]

It's almost like a short Twilight Zone episode. Low budget but worth a watch. Well done!

[@createscifi]

Thx

[@0Myszka]

Very interesting. I love the way the characters are shown.

[@badgerdash]

Space Cthulhu for the win 👊

[@anthonyferraro2695]

LOL right on

[@DanLemire]

Great Sound!! Love the dark ending. More Please!!

[@canadiandork]

Story was awesome! Loved it. Acting of ALL the actors was sup par (this is being generous).

[@Hillers62]

The Technician guy was the best actor!!! All the other seemed "wooden"...BTW...Cthulhu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@createscifi]

collio

[@barnabyjones8333]

Wow, that was hysterical!

[@nav5801]

Great!!

[@deant6361]

Thanks for sharing this was one of my favourite dust.

[@TheWizardonline]

NICE... rings a few bells

[@createscifi]

ding

[@SistorCarrera]

now that grabbed me from the start ty

[@rodolfobaruch]

Excelente referencia a Lovecraft! 😊

[@createscifi]

H.P. !

[@lisanidog8178]

I have only one word to describe this. WOW!

[@Matt05A]

Wow, really Good. Grim, but very Good. Thank you !

[@createscifi]

thx!

[@RoySATX]

Well, that was refreshingly dismal. No matter how bad your day is, it ain't this!

[@anthonyferraro2695]

copy that

[@SynthoidSounds]

Minor hole in the scenario, technician walks in smoking a cigar, on a spacecraft??? OK, it's supposed to add nuance to the character and all that, but, well . . . Apparently being allowed to attain hero status was below his pay grade, but nothing that some corrupt rule bending can't solve. Sort of a weird mix of 1984 meets cosmic horror. So, laying wait, for years, centuries, for that perfect revenge moment. A matter/anti-matter bomb might have been more realistic. No nuclear device, even a thermonuclear device could ever have enough power to eradicate an entire planet, not even close, but OK, still a fun excursion into a cosmic future.

[@createscifi]

yup :)

[@Helliconia54]

ahhh bringing Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos into science fiction.

[@createscifi]

H.P. !

[@scetchport]

Pretty damn good in my books.

[@createscifi]

right on thx

[@ronjon7942]

Hey! Z’s control stick looks like a Logitech X-52! Sweet HOTAS.

[@VonSpud]

Cool show 😎

[@paulgrant285]

I really enjoyed that! The best in a long time .....

[@anthonyferraro2695]

thx

[@frankshewmake9753]

Great Cuthulu we welcome you.

[@steveo1552]

Smoking? On a spaceship with limited and controlled air supply? Come on....

[@anthonyferraro2695]

copy that

[@RodrigoPalma700]

Thanks.

[@createscifi]

right on

[@FiandMe16]

I loved it! I had a different take. Were you in fact recreating the first sci-fi movies from the 50’s?

[@createscifi]

no on purpose

[@tekmepikcha6830]

The moral of the story is to follow protocol when dangerous objects or devices are spotted.

[@createscifi]

could be could be :)

[@docwilson5384]

Anthony Ferraro great job...Peace

[@createscifi]

thank you so much for saying

[@mattyharkin5787]

I really enjoyed the story, with some decent acting from gunny and excellent special effects.

[@createscifi]

thank you

[@tobydobbs8668]

Really enjoyed it. Great short.

[@createscifi]

Thanks Toby

[@georgejones8026]

Great piece. Guess class systems will continue into the distant future. 😮

[@shawnerz98]

Well done! I enjoyed it!

[@williamfrazier4797]

Very well done indeed!

[@lauraselke242]

Enjoyed this! 🫡

[@awesomatorr]

Love a bit of scifi, good stuff. Technician obv my Dave character

[@createscifi]

right on

[@deormanrobey892]

Quite a ride... A+

[@Iziic06]

Centuries in the future, Black and Mild. XD

[@TheSilmarillian]

An amazing piece of work on so many levels indeed

[@peterruiz6117]

Superb content, dialog, set, and story....Very interesting

[@createscifi]

thx peter

[@craigswanson8026]

Truly great shit! Thanks.

[@createscifi]

thank you !