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Diabolus Ex Machina - A Horror Short Film

We need your help to create our vision, a film based on the terrifying arcade legend of Polybius.

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Diabolus Ex Machina - A Horror Short Film

Diabolus Ex Machina - A Horror Short Film

Diabolus Ex Machina - A Horror Short Film

Diabolus Ex Machina - A Horror Short Film

Diabolus Ex Machina - A Horror Short Film

We need your help to create our vision, a film based on the terrifying arcade legend of Polybius.

We need your help to create our vision, a film based on the terrifying arcade legend of Polybius.

We need your help to create our vision, a film based on the terrifying arcade legend of Polybius.

We need your help to create our vision, a film based on the terrifying arcade legend of Polybius.

Josh Wright
Josh Wright
Josh Wright
Josh Wright
1 Campaign |
Charlotte, United States
$961 USD 13 backers
6% of $15,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Overview
We at Cinester Dark Films are preparing to shoot a short film centered around the arcade urban legend of "Polybius." The idea arose when we started to ask ourselves, "What if someone were to happen upon one of these machines now?" This will not be another "Did It Exist" video, but one that aims to examine our culture and its susceptibility to all forms of media. We want to create this story because of our undying passion for not only film making and horror, but also for gaming.
 
Hi, I am Josh Wright, the co-director of Diabolus Ex Machina and I wanted to personally thank you for taking the time to consider contributing to our campaign. I, along with my brother/co-director Bryan Wright and long-time friend/co-creator Julian Safrit, started Cinester Dark Films to bring our horrifying vision to life. With over 20 years of experience between us, with your help, we can create the film we envisioned as it should be. 
 
 

In the summer of 1981, a rather plain gaming cabinet crept into the arcades of Portland, Oregon, almost undetected. The cabinet is described as having no logos or artwork other than the teal words on the lighted marquee that read "Polybius." Game-play was described as a shoot-em-up with space travel and puzzle elements. It was your basic arcade game, that is, until you reached level 10. Once you reached the 10th level, various subliminal messages buried deep within the game's coding began to reveal themselves to the game's player. Men dressed in black suits would have the arcades closed while they collecting data from ports located on the back of the machines.

Reports of people having migraines, loss of time, nose bleeds, night terrors, and even suicidal thoughts made there way through the whispers of the arcades. There was only one common link between these reports: they have all played Polybius.

Just before news broke of the game, every Polybius cabinet disappeared. Seemingly overnight, they vanished. No explanation.

It was as if they never existed.

 

From renting cameras and lenses to building lighting rigs and finding the perfect talent, making a professional-quality movie is extremely expensive. We have prepared a chart below to show exactly how your funds will be allocated.

 

 

 

Our passion and determination will drive us to make our film regardless of the outcome of this campaign. Even with the limited gear that we currently have, we can still deliver an exciting and entertaining short film even if we are unable to make our goal. However, the more supporters who join us on the journey to make Diabolus Ex Machina, the closer we can get to having the final product look and sound as top-notch and terrifying as possible.
 
 
 

Sharing your excitement about our film is every bit as important as choosing a perk. We value any and all support you are willing to give, even if you choose not to contribute financially to our film.

Below are just a few ways you can spread the message of Diabolus Ex Machina. We hope that even if you do buy a perk, you still want to tell your friends all about it!

 

Share this campaign

"Like" our Facebook page (linked below)

Follow us Instagram (especially if you want cool behind the scenes photos)

 

And if you decide to would like to contribute to the film, but prefer not to receive any of the associated perks, we also welcome donations to our PayPal.

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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Choose your Perk

The Odyssey Package

The Odyssey Package

$5 USD
The Odyssey, the video game console that started it all. Fitting that we use its name to kick-off our perks. With this package, we will send you a personalized email thanking you for your contribution to the film.
Included Items
  • Thank You Email
Estimated Shipping
April 2019
0 claimed
The Tempest Package

The Tempest Package

$10 USD
The game-play of Tempest is described by Folklorists as having the most similarities with Polybius. Fast paced vector graphics with elements of shoot-em-up. We will send you an arcade token* that was used in the film, your name during the end credits of the film, as well as a personalized thank you email from us. *Delivery subject to change
Included Items
  • Thank You Email
  • Credit in Film
  • Screen Used Token (Generic)
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
1 claimed
Ships to United States of America
The Bosconian Package

The Bosconian Package

$25 USD
For the Bosconian Perk, we are adding on a digital copy of Diabolus Ex Machina and a digital copy of the original score for your listening pleasure. Delivery dates are subject to change.
Included Items
  • Thank You Email
  • Credit in Film
  • Screen Used Token (Generic)
  • Digital Copy of the Film
  • Digital Copy of Original Score
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
2 claimed
Ships to United States of America
The "Konami" Code Package

The "Konami" Code Package

$50 USD
With this package we are adding a signed copy of the script as well as a Malibu Grand Prix arcade token. Malibu Grand Prix is where the legend of Polybius began. *Delivery dates are subject to change.
Included Items
  • Thank You Email
  • Credit in Film
  • Digital Copy of the Film
  • Digital Copy of Original Score
  • Signed copy of the script
  • Malibu Grand Prix Token
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
3 out of 50 of claimed
Ships to United States of America
The Berzerk Package

The Berzerk Package

$100 USD
With the Berzerk package, we are adding on an official invitation to the film's premier (transportation not provided) as well as a Diabolus Ex Machina T-Shirt. Dates subject to change
Included Items
  • Thank You Email
  • Credit in Film
  • Digital Copy of the Film
  • Digital Copy of Original Score
  • Signed copy of the script
  • Malibu Grand Prix Token
  • Diabolus Ex Machina T-Shirt
  • Invitation to premier of film
  • Signed Poster
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
3 out of 50 of claimed
Ships to United States of America
The Koopa Troopa Package

The Koopa Troopa Package

$500 USD
With The Koopa Troopa package, we have decided to invite you to a night of vintage video games with the creators of the film as well as reserved VIP seating at the premier of the film. Transportation not provided
Included Items
  • Credit in Film
  • Digital Copy of the Film
  • Digital Copy of Original Score
  • Signed copy of the script
  • Malibu Grand Prix Token
  • Diabolus Ex Machina T-Shirt
  • Video Game Night
  • VIP Seating at Premier
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
0 out of 10 of claimed
Ships to United States of America
"It's Dangerous To Go Alone"

"It's Dangerous To Go Alone"

$1,000 USD
With the "It's Dangerous to Go Alone" package, we are giving you the option to become an extra in Diabolus Ex Machina (must be present on day of filming on location, transportation not provided) as well as the original Galaga marquee that was removed from our cabinet when it was converted into Polybius for filming.
Included Items
  • Credit in Film
  • Digital Copy of the Film
  • Digital Copy of Original Score
  • Signed copy of the script
  • Diabolus Ex Machina T-Shirt
  • Signed Poster
  • Video Game Night
  • VIP Seating at Premier
  • Be and Extra in the Film
  • Original Marquee from Polybius
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to United States of America
"It's Dangerous To Go Alone"

"It's Dangerous To Go Alone"

$1,000 USD
With the "It's Dangerous to Go Alone" package, we are giving you the option to become an extra in Diabolus Ex Machina (must be present on day of filming on location, transportation not provided) as well as the original Galaga Coin Input mechanism that was removed from our cabinet when it was converted into Polybius for filming.
Included Items
  • Digital Copy of the Film
  • Digital Copy of Original Score
  • Signed copy of the script
  • Malibu Grand Prix Token
  • Diabolus Ex Machina T-Shirt
  • Signed Poster
  • Video Game Night
  • VIP Seating at Premier
  • Be and Extra in the Film
  • Original Coin Slots
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
0 out of 1 of claimed
The MKUltra Package

The MKUltra Package

$10,000 USD
This is it, the perk of perks. You are Sydney Gottlieb as you head-up your own MKUltra project. After filming, we will give you THE Polybius machine from the movie. This is not a functioning cabinet, but can be converted into one if you decide. You are also an Executive Producer for the film. You're responsible for pickup and/or shipping
Included Items
  • Digital Copy of the Film
  • Digital Copy of Original Score
  • Signed copy of the script
  • Malibu Grand Prix Token
  • Diabolus Ex Machina T-Shirt
  • Signed Poster
  • Video Game Night
  • VIP Seating at Premier
  • Be and Extra in the Film
  • The Polybius Cabinet
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships to United States of America

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