Cyberpunk Studios

THE STAINLESS STEEL SOUL [SHORT] (2022)

THE STAINLESS STEEL SOUL (2022)

Philip K. Dick meets the Spaghetti Western in this unique short film.

In a world without empathy, an isolated trader comes face to face with a dark stranger.

This short was directed by Cyberpunk Studios' Rory Joscelyne, but was written and produced by Chris Powell.

Based in a future where empathy has become a commodity, two strangers are brought together to trade between empathy and life.

Rory Joscelyne and cinematographer Daniel Keeble created a cyberpunk vision far beyond the pages. Rory Joscelyne read the script and realised it's cold and wild atmosphere matched the genre of the Spaghetti Western - but did not wish to recreate a Mad Max style desert scene. Instead he worked with Daniel Keeble to discuss filling the scene with retro technology and using the tech to "paint with light" akin to Blade Runner, rather than relying on post-processing colour effects to achieve a similar (but flatter) look.

Daniel Keeble created the bold lighting choices seen on screen, and came up with the solution for the tungsten-yellow bulb - to hang it in front of actor Darren Kent's face as part of the scenery. This choice added such depth to the scene and allowed several shots with the bulb that sold elements of the narrative which would otherwise not have been as effective.

Performed by the late (and great) Darren Kent, and introducing the magnetic Thobile Peat - giving powerhouse performances in a cold future. Darren Kent being more skittish and moveable despite being locked behind the counter adds a level of nervousness to the conclusion of the plot. Thobile's very still nature despite having the entire room to move around in adds to the threat and potential malevolence of her character during the exchange. Darren's character testing his luck several times, and Thobile pushing back with suggested threats via body language alone.

Shot in a single day (with an additional day to build the set), this was a challenging project, however it remains a great visual showcase of what Cyberpunk Studios and the connected crew are capable of creating in our upcoming feature titles, and a great chance to work with the late Darren Kent.