Is it a movie? Is it a death metal album by an unnamed band whose members used to be in Dethklok? Galaktikon: Nightmare is both.
“Nightmare is a love letter to all the filmmakers in the ‘70s and ‘80s that helped inform the creativity in my childhood,” says Brendon Small, musician, director, writer, actor, and comedian. “Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Tobe Hooper, Roger Corman, Dino De Laurentiis…”
Nightmare originated with the 2017 album, Galaktikon II: Become the Storm, and its accompanying 6-part comic book series. The live-action short film took over a year to create using practical effects. Small was inspired by Roger Corman circa 1982: only techniques that Corman had access to by then were used. Shot with anamorphic lenses to get a big cinematic feel, all of the props and scenery in Nightmare were built with the early ‘80s in mind. Aquariums filled with different densities of ink and colorful liquid form the Flash Gordon style skies. Brendon and his brother, special effects wizard Jeff Small built sea creatures, robots, and space suits. They were able to locate and shoot on a James Cameron set from the early ‘90s. “…I’m happy to report,” says Small, “the results are incredibly cool.”
The film was produced by Small and Funny Or Die. Issues 1 – 4 of the accompanying 6-part Galaktikon comic book series are available now from Galaktikon.com.
