Filmmaker - Storyteller
Empiricism (2021)
When similarities arise between two subjects' answers in a scientific study, further examination reveals more than either subject can comprehend.
A sci-fi dramatic short film examining the importance of individuality for humans and artificial intelligence alike.
Starring: Niya Wright and CB Mullen
Co-starring: Nate Hapke and Allie Leonard
Written & Directed by Nate Hapke
Produced by Rosie Grace, Nate Hapke, and Julia Armine
DoP Nick Ferreiro
Costume Design by Rosie Grace
Score by Caleb Parker
Production Sound by Eric Tormey
Script Supervisor/DIT Kelli Kuschman
Hair and Make Up by Amanda Walter
Gaffer Eddy Scully
1st AC Edgar Machuca
Key PA Ben Booth
Artist’s Statement:
Empiricism served as my first real attempt at the science fiction genre, adding my own spin to it by grounding the performances and the struggles of the characters in shared emotional trauma that I myself have unpacked over the years. Our two subjects, A and B (the ever talented Niya Wright and CB Mullen respectively) are placed in a small room together, stripped of their identities, and given the task of answering some questions in exchange for money. They both have their reasons for being there, but neither of them expected that there would be an ulterior motive of the doctors conducting the experiment.
I had an amazing time working with Niya Wright and Allie Leonard again, and collaborating with CB Mullen for the first time. I also had a lot of fun portraying one of the curious scientists who gets to examine what I wanted to examine as a writer.
Empiricism was the first of three shorts (including Scene Study and What's Yours is Mine) in our quarantine anthology: a three part series of stand alone shorts that we wrote during quarantine all with the same parameters - one set, less than 4 actors, minimal props, minimal crew, and 1 day of shooting.
If you don't want the through-line of the movie to be spoiled, stop reading here.
This short film served as yet another opportunity for me to examine artifice, this time through artificial intelligence. I've seen movies with the evil scientists who are plotting to take over the world with the AI super-soldiers, and movies where the AI breaks free from what was supposed to be an innocent scientific study only to inflict more damage than could've ever been imagined.
What I wanted to do was to test the insecurities of an AI and examine them on an emotional level. The scientists goal is to not only make the AI pass the Turing test but to also see if real fear of artificial intelligence can be felt by the AI itself.
Film
Theatrical Trailer
Stills
HiTV
The film can also be viewed on HiTV at this link: https://www.watchhitv.com/empiricism
What is HiTV?
"It’s a new smartTV app that is curated with high quality indie films perfect for the audience that enjoys watching TV when they're high. The films are all excellent without getting high, but the niche is that people around the world will be able to go to HiTV when they want to see feel-good films that are hilarious or trippy or visually stunning or just have something special about them."
HiTV is available globally on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, iPhone and Android mobile.
Laurels/Screenings/Awards
Winner - Filmmaker Award - Outstanding Performance, Cast - Science Fiction - Film Invasion Los Angeles 2022 Winner - Audience Award - Best Short Film - Science Fiction - Film Invasion Los Angeles 2022
Nominee - Best Actor - CB Mullen - The Golden Hour Film Festival 2022
Honorable Mention - Nassau Film Festival 2022
Semi-Finalist - Zed Fest Film Festival 2021
Official Selection - YoFi Fest 2022
Official Selection - Highland Park Independent Film Festival 2022
Official Selection - South Dakota Film Festival 2022
Official Selection - Detroit's Trinity International Film Festival 2022
Official Selection - Pasadena International Film Festival 2022
Official Selection - Indy Film Fest 2022
Official Selection - Film Invasion Los Angeles 2022
Official Selection - The Golden Hour Film Festival 2022
Official Selection - New York CineFest 2022
Official Selection - LA Live Film Fest 2021