In this 15-minute body-horror-drama, a lonely techno DJ questions his mechanical existence as metal begins to break out of his skin after being instructed to employ a sonic algorithm that guarantees success with the crowd... and a ‘supermodel’. 

The organic makes way for the artificial as Dean, a lonely avantgarde techno artist, with nothing more than a duvet to separate himself from his tatty apartment floor, is caught off guard by a vivacious and salacious club owner, Mr Glitter, after being instructed to wear a tin man suit and employ a sonic algorithm that guarantees success and acceptance from the dance floor and the attention of his ‘most prize’ customer, Cleo – a silver-licked supermodel.

Disenchanted, Dean complies with the club’s rules caked in silver as he superfluously twists and turns the jog wheels on his DJ deck, watching over the fragments of busting and grinding bodies shimmering under the cold strobes.

Dean quickly falls under the club’s spell, however, after his new identity, moulded by Mr Glitter, receives caws of ovation from the crowd and Cleo. We follow Dean’s descent into the glittery void as he starts to lose his sense of self as the irreversible, metallic, physiological consequences start to break out of his skin.

Scroll down to learn more about the film, the team behind it and our crowdfunding aims.  

In my formative years, I moved between Canada and England on multiple occasions. From changing primary schools to high schools, my identity has always been in a constant rate of flux as I adapt and readapt in an ever-changing environment; both physically and digitally. Through these culture shifts, I have become extremely hyperaware of both my self, my projected other and its relationship with the immediate environment.

This heightened awareness of my incongruities inspired me to write ‘Welcome To The Machine’; A film that explores the relationship between the self and the other and the effect the capitalist gaze has upon the two.

It challenges the reasons why we might dance to the tune of others; commodifying ourselves; moulding our identity; entering a paradoxical void as we consciously disconnect from self to connect with others in the hope of acquiring a machined idea of success which will, in turn, elicit satisfaction.

When our Canadian-born, writer and director, David Rabin, isn’t boots on the ground directing music videos, editing branded content or writing down whatever ethereal, metaphysical happening he’s most recently experienced on the subway, David can be found troughing through the cinematic archives looking to expand upon his dense knowledge of film to further inform and cement his aesthetic sensibilities as he looks to translate his idiosyncratic life experiences and existential thoughts onto the silver screen in a visceral and transgressive form.

Originally versed in theatre production in Lithuania, Anastasija has traversed the waters into the realm of the UK film industry, with dense extensive experience producing short films, music videos and commercials. With her love of techno music and body-horror filmmakers of the New French Extremity, ‘Welcome To The Machine’ provides the perfect outlet to channel Anastasija’s creative passions as she looks to produce the film in an unflinching manner.

Scarlett is a London-based director of photography. Growing up in Cambridge and moving to London to study film production, Scarlett has enjoyed freelance life as a clapper loader and took the time on set to study the work and process of the DOPs she worked for. Her passion for fine art (particularly painting) and art history, encourages a critical, experimental approach to filmmaking. With a background in ballet, she is very sensitive to visual rhythm, movement and choreography.

Maxence Ewers is a French gaffer working in London. He has experience working on short and long-form projects.

“I'm really excited to join the team of ‘Welcome to the Machine’! It'll be a great opportunity to experiment with the lighting and colours to achieve the intense atmospheres in the film!"

Amber has experience in every aspect of the art department, from production designing TV commercials and music videos to art directing and prop building for narrative features and shorts. She has a tremendous flair for graphic design and has created most of the digital artworks for the film. Amber has an eye for the gritty and dim-lit, and so is currently working on building the world’s largest lampshade collection.

Xanthe is a London-based costume designer. Her passion for film began at an early age and has extensive working experience on long-form feature films in the costume department. Her studies of film production in recent years have opened her eyes to the world of production design and what can be achieved within the eye of the camera.

Shooting in Greenwich in late February 2023, we’re going beyond the nuts and bolts and kicking it up a notch by equipping ourselves with cutting-edge gear such as the Arri Alexa Mini to deliver a stunning, hallucinogenic, experience to the audience.

To amplify the visceral visuals, we are very excited to be working with ‘Brutalist Architecture In The Sun’. The experimental duo, couples industrial and esoteric soundscapes with pessimistic lyricism to cut through the soul of the lurid, concrete-laden, capitalist world we inhabit and its dark effects on the human condition. 

And even when the reel is slick, the gears will continue to tick, as we click into action in submitting the short film to both BAFTA-Qualifying local film festivals and international film festivals in the pursuit of claiming accolades and furthering the exposure of the film.

To make this happen we need your support and would love to invite you to join our journey!

Below, you can find a more comprehensive breakdown of the film's overall budget that encompasses the securing of locations to the payment of actors.

All donations, shares, likes and bags of glittery support are greatly appreciated!