BEHIND THE SCENES
The making of Unknown User.
Pre-Production
Pre-production
color palettes
Used both in our project pitch and to define the visual language of the film, stills were taken from test footage and existing cinema.
Lighting tests
Various lighting rigs were set up in our university production lab to test the dramatic lighting of our film’s finale.
The Imagen Software team
ID cards designed as props for use in both the film and the team photo that appears on the desk of the quantum terminal.
Script-to-screen:
Opening sequence
See the evolution of the opening to Unknown User from the script to the screen.
Real production shot list examples
Shot lists were used to outline each shot’s framing, what would be happening in the script for each shot, and what kind of angle/movement would be needed. Shot lists would be sent to cast & crew before each shoot day.
Principal Production
Our main set
Located in just one room, our set was made up of a library chair, a library desk, and—of course—Gia. Our table was decorated with a free hand-me-down monitor and keyboard, some e-waste from the library, and our microphone prop.
The ARS
The key location in Unknown User is the Santa Clara University Library’s Automated Retrieval System (ARS), which represented Imagen Software’s quantum computer processor. Covering 8,260 square feet, the ARS is the library’s robotic storage facility.
Our team was lucky to work with the university library to obtain unprecedented student access to the ARS, which was invaluable in bringing the location to life on the big screen.
“Seeing the lights turn on and the ARS start to move was a defining moment in the process. I felt the project come to life in that moment.”
— Blake Peterson, Lead Gaffer / Grip
Weekly progress recap videos
Made during production, these recaps summarized each week’s progress.
Danaher’s desk…
The fully functional LensShell quantum communications terminal was built as an interactive website by Sayan Jain.
… that stupid, stupid desk
One of its four wheel locks was broken, meaning someone had to manually hold the tab (above the wheel) up every time it was moved, or else a horrible screech would occur.
“Least Favorite memory? Hmm. Probably that screaming desk.”
— JT Taga-Anderson, Producer
Production, in numbers.
Post-Production
Project timeline
Edited in DaVinci Resolve, Unknown User was brought to life in a free, subscription-less software anyone can use.
The power of color grading
Through LOG capture and extensive color grading, we gave Unknown User the signature Five Watt Lights look—making it look better than it has any right to.
The value of ADR
All of our dialogue was re-dubbed with Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR), meaning every line had to be lip-synced and re-recorded for audio quality. While challenging, the resulting clean audio speaks for itself.
“Not a single sound recorded on set made it to the Final Cut; all of the final audio was either done through foley, sound effects, or ADR work. That was… a pain.”
— Evan Fine, Director, Editor
Post, in numbers.
