Video: Back in 2011, an award-winning sci-fi short called Cockpit: The Rule of Engagement premiered online. Fast-forward to now, and not only does Cockpit — about space pilots battling aliens who use mind control as a powerful weapon — have nearly 800,000 views on YouTube, it’s becoming a feature film.
Writer-director Jesse Griffith, who made the effects-heavy short for only $US3000 ($3953), has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the feature. Check out the Kickstarter video (it contains a glimpse at a sci-fi film Griffith made when he was seven years old), re-watch the short and help Cockpit reach its minimum goal — $US95,000 ($125,190) is still a very teeny budget for any film, much less one set in outer space, but there’s no limit to the power of green screen and a lifelong dream.