"We were happy with the surprise that Vessel had a very Alien, Predator feel to it, that we did not intend for, but were able to achieve. I always like telling a different side to a story, giving a different perspective, showing the audience a point of view they wouldn't normally see. It was fun watching this story evolve into this five minute menacing ride that allows you to feel the devastation without even seeing it."
Vessel was shot completely on the GoPro Hero 4. The head mount, chest mount, suction cup, and steadicam were utilized during production.
Vessel originally started as a school project where D.J., Zachary, and Tyler were going to do a film about a guy getting telekinetic powers. But after failed SFX tests, D.J. came up with the nano drone story from pickup footage he had already shot for the project.
Vessel was shot at a high school, soundstage, two different wooded areas, apartment complex, and on major roads.
Lee Chaing Tech was a fictional company that became an inside joke from one of Zachary and D.J.'s Michael Mann style short's during their first months of graduate school.
Writer, Director, Producer
D.J. Rivera
Story By:
D.J. Rivera, Tyler Suggs, Zachary Simon
Associate Producers
Tyler Suggs, Zachary Simon
CAST
Subject Zero Zachary Simon
The Suit D.J. Rivera
Merc David Daudin
PRODUCTION
Cinematography By:
D.J. River & Tyler Suggs
Camera Operator A
Zachary Simon
Camera Operator B
Tyler Suggs
Steadicam Operator
D.J. Rivera
VTR/GoPro Specialist
Tyler Suggs
Production Assistants
Alfredo Orbezo Lara
Matt Griscom
Sound/Boom op
David Daudin
POST PRODUCTION
Editor
D.J. Rivera
Sound Design
D.J. Rivera
VFX artist
D.J. Rivera
VFX artist (city destruction shot)
Roland Athouris III
Colorist
D.J. Rivera
