Experience 'MEGAN,' The Stunning Unofficial 'Cloverfield' Sci-Fi Short & Proof Of Concept Film

When J.J. Abrams’ Cloverfield made its theatrical debut in 2008, no one could have predicted his creature feature would spawn a cinematic universe currently spanning three movies with a rumored fourth planned.

Enter the award-winning sci-fi short film MEGAN, co-written and directed by visual effects (VFX) master Greg Strasz.

Strasz, who was VFX supervisor for Independence Day: Resurgence and VFX art director for White House Down, conceived the short as an unofficial adjunct to J.J. Abrams’ “Cloververse.”

MEGAN stars Matilda Lutz as the same character referred to but never seen in the film 10 Cloverfield Lane. She is the daughter of character Howard Stampler (John Goodman), a troubled man obsessed by conspiracy theories involving the end of the world.

In the short film, Megan is aboard a military Black Hawk helicopter sent to investigate a strange phenomenon affecting her city. Onboard with her is Ganu Yoshida (Garret Sato), a mysterious civilian observer.

Matilda Lutz as Megan.

When her helicopter crashes, Megan discovers she and Yoshida may be the only survivors. When another enigmatic figure (Ralf Moeller) arrives at the crash site, she realizes a global conspiracy is at work.

In attempting to describe MEGAN, two adjectives come to mind: cinematic and spectacular. This short looks as good as the Cloverfield movies it pays homage to.

Given the pedigree of its production team, this is not surprising.

‘MEGAN’ director Greg Strasz (center) on set.

Director and co-writer Greg Strasz has an illustrious career in the VFX industry, having worked on many notable television series and films, such as 2012 and The Triangle.

Co-written by Strasz, Giuseppe Mercadante, and Jean de Meuron, the short’s brief narrative is tightly woven and laced with mystery, tension, and nods to the Cloverfield universe.

Director of Photography Markus Förderer in collaboration with VFX Supervisors Olcun Tan and Strasz bring their distinct visions to bear on the project - resulting in making you feel the world of MEGAN has enveloped you and snatched you along on its journey.

The music score by Iris Wallner and kinetic editing of Zimo Huang combine with the rest of the exemplary production team’s efforts to create a vivid and darkly alluring world.

It’s important to note, VFX studio Gradient Effects - the firm behind effects for Stranger Things and Thor: Ragnarok - used the latest in cutting-edge software to make the short 8K resolution ready.

This also accounts for why MEGAN is such a singular viewing experience.

Please check out our interview with director and co-writer Greg Strasz, and watch MEGAN in all its stunning spectacle here…

MEGAN is a filmmaking achievement and J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot production house should consider folding it into official Cloverfield canon.

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'Cloverfield' Sci-Fi Short 'MEGAN' Director Greg Strasz Discusses His Blockbuster Take On The 'Cloververse'

Greg Strasz is a talented and respected visual effects (VFX) artist and supervisor who has worked in film and television for over 17 years. His impressive list of credits include serving as VFX supervisor on the film Independence Day: Resurgence and VFX art director for White House Down.

Strasz’s latest project has him taking on a new role: that of director.

Left: MEGAN director & VFX artist Greg Strasz Right: MEGAN cast member Ralf Moeller

In the stunning sci-fi short film MEGAN, which Strasz also co-wrote, he pays homage to J.J. Abrams’ Cloverfield universe with an unofficial story centering on the titular character referred to but not seen onscreen in the film 10 Cloverfield Lane.

In our interview, Strasz shares what inspired him to explore his own version of the Cloverfield universe, what were some of his biggest challenges during production, and what films inspired him to pursue a career in VFX.

T7M: You directed and co-supervised the visual effects (VFX) for the short film MEGAN, which is an unofficial story set in J.J. Abrams' Cloverfied cinematic universe. What is the short film about?

GS: Megan is an homage to the Cloverfield franchise. The short film tells the story of Megan Paulson, the estranged daughter of Howard Stambler who is portrayed by John Goodman in 10 Cloverfield Lane. Accompanied by the elite Delta Force team, Megan investigates a mysterious attack on Downtown Los Angeles. What’s perceived as a terrorist gas attack on the city at first, turns out to be something out of this world—quite literally. We hint to this in the opening credits, reminding the viewer about Tagruato’s deep-sea drilling operation that has unleashed forces unknown onto our world. This is, of course, straight from the Cloververse playbook.

T7M: What is it about the Cloverfield mythology that enticed you to do your own exploration of that world?

GS: Once you take a deep dive into the Cloververse, you see this world is complex and smart, and it presents many storytelling possibilities. It’s enticing and it lends itself to further exploration. First of all, what a great idea it is in general: a modern mythology with its own world - [including an] Alternate Reality Game (ARG) complete with companies, people, news, documents, hints, websites, products, and “treasure hunts.” Secondly, it’s simply a great story. Aliens/creatures/monsters are on the surface; on the deeper level, it’s a story about good vs. evil, humans vs. monsters, corporate greed vs. society—it is as profound, as it is entertaining. While this is a “sandbox” that is not ours—we do not own the IP— we wanted to play in it. And play we did.

T7M: The short's titular protagonist is based on the daughter of character Howard Stambler (John Goodman) from 10 Cloverfield Lane. Why was her character chosen to be the protagonist of the short film?

GS: We wanted our film to fall squarely between Cloverfield and 10 Cloverfield Lane, like a piece of jigsaw puzzle connecting the universe created by these two fantastic films. It began almost like a game: who could our protagonist be? Then I realized that there is a character who’s briefly mentioned in 10 Cloverfield Lane: the daughter of Howard Stumbler—Megan. We started discussing who is she? Where would she be at the same time as the events of 10 Cloverfield Lane? This discussion ultimately turned into the script and Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz became our first choice to portray Megan. I was always a great fan of the Cloverfield universe ever since the first movie came out and it wasn’t yet a franchise. The film itself was so different compared to anything we have seen in the movies at that time. MEGAN intends to stay true within the genre—a monster movie—while also having a unique creative aspect to it.

T7M: During your illustrious career as a VFX artist and supervisor, you have worked on numerous high-profile and prestigious projects including Independence Day: Resurgence and White House Down. Why did you feel compelled to take on the role of director for MEGAN?

GS: Why do any of us create? It’s all about the stories we want to tell. I felt that at this time in my life, at this time in my career, I was ready to take the next step—tell stories of my own. In-depth knowledge of the technical and creative capabilities of visual effects allowed me to be more efficient as a director. I understand budgetary limitations and the shortcuts I can take on the VFX side to save money. I know what needs to be “real” on set and what can be enhanced, or created in post-production. I have worked in VFX for over 17 years, and 7 of them with Centropolis Entertainment. In my line of work at Centropolis, I was exposed to all aspects of film making, from pre-production, through production, to post. Centropolis has always allowed me unprecedented access. I learned a lot, and for that I am very grateful to Ute and Roland Emmerich, Marco Shepherd and Harald Kloser from Street Entertainment. Now this knowledge allows me to take the next steps and venture out into directing.

T7M: What was the biggest challenge you faced as director during MEGAN's production?

GS: Biggest challenge was to go back to basics after years on sets of major motion pictures, I think. This was a small budget short film, shot in mere 2, 5 days. On the last day, our crew was only 6 people.

I had an incredible team that was supporting my vision and I was surprised how well we put this together. We all wore multiple hats. This was not work for money, this was a film made by a group of friends.

One of the physical challenges was to create a realistic Black Hawk crash. We shot the actual scene in the Helinet hangar inside an operational Black Hawk. I have not worked with the LED video playback technology before MEGAN, but I was aware of it and very much interested in testing it. I could not wait to put my hands on it.

With the help of our Director of Photography Markus Förderer, we were able to make a case for PRG to become our partner on this film. Their LED wall provided us with background as well as interactive lighting for the scene inside the helicopter. This way we are not using green screen and then matching the lighting to moving images of the city we would add in post. In this scenario, the city would indeed be moving, but the unmoving lighting would be creating a visual dissonance.

With [the] PRG LED wall, we were getting real time interactive moving lighting on actors’ faces as the helicopter [was] “flying” above Los Angeles. But the most important words about the technology came from one of our actors Edwin Modlin II. He said that at one point in the scene, he looked out of the helicopter window and felt like the machine was really in the air. This is very important for me as a director, because the LED walls allow talent to interact with the backgrounds. Also, the reflections in actors’ eyes are real, not static light. This is a new level of storytelling. For future projects, whenever possible, I will always recommend using the LED wall instead of green or blue screens.

I am also very thankful to Gradient Effects for support and believing in my vision. The VFX Company had impressive infrastructure for handling the 8K [resolution] workflow of MEGAN. This included a high-speed network, clustered storage and a core engine that engineers could upgrade and tweak whenever a new insight came into play.

T7M: What was one of your proudest moments during production?

GS: My job was to stimulate and manage different kinds of creative work under intense budget and time pressure. Looking around and seeing a team of dedicated professionals, friends, filmmakers, and dreamers creating magic together. This is what filmmaking is all about: people coming together to create something new and meaningful, to tell a story that will touch the audience. I am very proud of my team.

T7M: What were some of the movies that influenced you to become a VFX professional and filmmaker?

GS: Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore. Magical movie about love, loss, hope, dreams and memories. Young Sherlock Holmes by Barry Levinson. One of the first CGI character generated in movie industry. Independence Day by Roland Emmerich. Incredible scale and vision.

T7M: As of this writing, MEGAN has garnered over one million views on YouTube. What are your hopes for MEGAN in terms of future development?

GS: It’s been quite the journey since Megan was released online. I am very grateful for the opportunities Megan presented to me as the director, and for all the attention it received, first and foremost from fans of the Cloverfield franchise. Whether Megan will or will not become part of this franchise… well, we have to wait and see!

T7M: What are you working on now?

GS: I signed with Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner & Klein as my Legal Representative, and with ROAR as my management company, and we are working on developing multiple projects (Science Fiction, Drama and Action genres) for me to direct.  I'm also working with Brian Gow and Robert Mitas on a thriller which we want to film in Johannesburg, Africa. The movie is about a captive lion trophy hunt. With a producer in Poland, I'm working on a story about two children in Warsaw Ghetto during WWII. It is a very passionate project based on true events.

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Read The 7th Matrix review of MEGAN.

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The production team of MEGAN conducted an interview with cast member German-American actor Ralf Moeller, and Mr. Strasz shared it with us. We have included it as a special bonus.

Ralf Moeller

Mr. Moeller is a former Mr. Universe and has been acting onscreen since 1988. In this interview, he shares his thoughts on his experience working on MEGAN.

The movie Megan has generated over a million views on YouTube in a very short time and has also won several international film festivals. Did you expect such a success?

RM: Although the movie MEGAN was just a short film, I was surprised from the beginning about Greg's professional approach. He created for every scene a storyboard and a very impressive lookbook.
I knew it's going to be a great project, and the team behind it was as talented as it was passionate. We were focused on making the film. But, as they say, no film is complete without the audience, and the reviews it received was just astonishing. I am very humbled by all the attention the film garnered from both the “Cloververse” fans and the media, and grateful to our viewers. This is just amazing.

I hardly know an actor with such positive energy and charisma. What is your secret?

RM: Thank you for the compliment. I get up every morning at 6am and have a healthy breakfast. At 6.30am Arnold and I are already sitting on our bicycles on the way to Gold's Gym.
Healthy and active lifestyle, fulfilling work, doing what you love, and great friends--stick to these, and you will no doubt have a positive energy too. As for charisma, for me it's hard to judge that, ask my friends :)

You play the bodyguard of Ganu Yoshida in the movie. Could the "punch" "knock out" Ralf Moeller?

RM: We never know what happens to Yoshida's Bodyguard once we cut to the title, right? I'd like to say, you should have seen the other guy or the alien in this case. (Smiles)

You've already worked with directors like Ridley Scott, Roland Emmerich and Marcus Nispel. How was the collaboration with Greg Strasz? What motivated you to participate?

RM: Greg came to me with a great pitch; I was 100% on board. He has a strong vision, knows what he wants as a director, yet he is very collaborative with the actors. He listens. This is very important and I really appreciate it. I was motivated by Greg's direction, his desire to collaborate, and just the sheer daring enterprise of making this film.

Are more projects planned with Greg?

RM: Yes, we have a project in development. It is a great collaboration and I hope that many more projects will follow. We are exploring with our partners in US and in Europe different options at this moment.

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Experience our official podcast Eye On Sci-Fi. Join host and The 7th Matrix founder Rod T. Faulkner as he spotlights terrific indie SFF short films and web series.

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In The Epic Sci-Fi Short 'THE SHAMAN,' Mystics Are Powerful Weapons In A World Engulfed In A Never-Ending War

THE SHAMAN is a sci-fi short film bursting from the seams with cinematic spectacle.

Set in the year 2204, the short tells the dark story of a world devastated by 73 years of continuous war.

In midst of war, a spiritual dogma is rediscovered centering on the belief that everyone and every object has a soul.

A sect of mystics known as shamans have the ability to spirituality enter a “Netherworld” where they can affect the souls of people or objects.

During the war, shamans use their powers to cross into the Netherworld to convert the souls of the enemy’s massive war machines.

Danny Shaylar as The Shaman

The short centers on a shaman (Danny Shaylar) who is attempting to subvert the soul of a war machine threatening his people. Unfortunately, he is wrestling with a tragic secret from his past - one the enemy is aware of.

When he attempts to conquer the soul of the machine, he discovers his foe is prepared and waiting.

Bottom line: THE SHAMAN looks as though a Hollywood studio spent millions to create the latest sci-fi blockbuster.

In just under 17 minutes, you are given a passport to an outrageously realized world where skyscraper-tall, A.I.-controlled, mobile machines wage an incessant war on humanity.

Writer and director Marco Kalantari deserves the too-often-used moniker visionary.

Every element of production, including the cast, production design, visual effects, sound design, and musical score fuse together to create a remarkable sci-fi short film enormously ambitious in scale and scope.

The short was released online in 2015 and frankly, it boggles my mind as to why some Hollywood studio, network, or major streaming platform has yet to snap up this short film for further development.

I know I want to know more about this intriguing world and the people caught up in its dramatic conflict.

Experience the gripping world of THE SHAMAN…

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Experience our official podcast Eye On Sci-Fi. Join host and The 7th Matrix founder Rod T. Faulkner as he spotlights terrific indie SFF short films and web series.

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In The Sci-Fi Short Film 'AERANGER,' A Scout On A Critical Mission For Her People Crashes On An Alien World

The sci-fi short film AERANGER begins with a spaceship crashing into the side of a mountain.

The only survivor is Kallelle (Bobbie Breckenridge), an elfish-like being.

Critically wounded, Kallelle desperately searches for and retrieves a precious piece of cargo from the ship's wreckage.

This cargo is vital to Kallelle completing a mysterious mission of enormous importance to her people.

Watch AERANGER here…

AERANGER is the latest project by filmmaker Anthony Ferraro, whose award-winning sci-fi comedy web series GALACTIC GALAXY is a favorite we covered here on The 7th Matrix.

With AERANGER, Ferraro changes tones and creates a compelling, straight-up sci-fi adventure.

This story about a wounded ranger who is determined to succeed in her mission out of love for her family and her people is resonant and brimming with emotional sophistication.

Breckenridge laces her affecting performance as Kallelle with steely determination and aching vulnerability. As a viewer, you become immediately invested in her.

AERANGER is gorgeous. Its scenic setting serves as another character in the story.

Written, produced, and directed by Ferraro, the filmmaker is also responsible for the visual effects and props.

This impressive multi-tasking is a testament to Ferraro's skill as a filmmaker and deep love for the genre.

I would be remiss if I did not call out this micro-budgeted short's terrific production and costume design, special effects makeup, and music score, which all combine to give AERANGER a polish comparable to projects with much larger budgets.

Incidentally, Ferraro shares his filmmaking techniques and experiences on his CREATE SCI-FI YouTube channel. There, he covers the filmmaking process from scriptwriting to providing advice on crowdfunding.

Aspiring filmmakers - or anyone interested in the filmmaking process - should check out the treasure trove of information contained in Ferraro's extensive video tutorials.

AERANGER is a solid, straightforward sci-fi adventure story with a beating heart.

Listen to our interview with AERANGER writer, producer, and director Anthony Ferraro on our EYE ON SCI-FI podcast!

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Experience our official podcast Eye On Sci-Fi. Join host and The 7th Matrix founder Rod T. Faulkner as he spotlights terrific indie SFF short films and web series.

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An Astronaut's Last Night On Earth Powers The Life-Affirming Sci-Fi Short 'ODESSA' By Cidney Hue

Sometimes we are late to the party.

With so many sci-fi short gems floating out in the ether, we occasionally discover one years after its initial release.

But better late than never is our unofficial motto and the sci-fi short ODESSA, by writer-director Cidney Hue, possesses an evergreen charm.

The short chronicles the last night on earth for astronaut Shannon (Cat Walleck). She is about to embark on a historic space flight to a nearby exoplanet scientists believe is capable of sustaining life.

The journey to the exoplanet will take 67. 5 years each way. Shannon will be placed in suspended animation on the trip to and from the exoplanet. It also means she will be returning to an earth drastically changed and bereft of everyone she knows.

Desiring a quiet and contemplative last night on earth, Shannon has a very awkward meeting with a stranger (Ken Fuller) at a local bar, resulting in the pair experiencing a mini-odyssey on the streets of New York City. Their adventure reveals the inexorable power and magic of human connection.

Oh yeah, there is also a great nod to The Wizard Of Oz apropos to the theme of the short.

ODESSA is gorgeously shot and beautifully acted with an emotional intelligence highlighted by the adroit writing and direction of Cidney Hue.

Watch ODESSA here…

Listen to our EYE ON SCI-FI podcast interview with ODESSA writer and director, Cidney Hue!

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Experience our official podcast Eye On Sci-Fi. Join host and The 7th Matrix founder Rod T. Faulkner as he spotlights terrific indie SFF short films and web series.

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Human-Mimicking Aliens Invade Earth In The Sci-Fi Short Film 'CHAMELEON'

What if you could not trust the person you love most in the world?

This disturbing premise powers the sci-fi short film CHAMELEON.

Based on the novel by late author Colin Harvey, CHAMELEON is set several months after aliens have invaded the earth.

In their battle with these hostile extraterrestrials, the military discovers the aliens have the ability to impersonate human beings.

After a top army officer (James C. Burns) is captured by the aliens and then mysteriously reappears several weeks later, his distraught wife (Lucy Rayner) is brought in to verify his identity.

Is he who he says he is?

Adapted for the screen and directed by Sam Lemberg, CHAMELEON creates taut drama with a running time clocking in at just under six minutes.

Watch and enjoy CHAMELEON here…

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Experience our official podcast Eye On Sci-Fi. Join host and The 7th Matrix founder Rod T. Faulkner as he spotlights terrific indie SFF short films and web series.

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We are proud of the fact The 7th Matrix has been operating AD-FREE since its inception in 2013.  Please help us continue.  Thank you!

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