The Demented Computer
| The Demented Computer | |
|---|---|
 Theatrically released poster | |
| Directed by | Zabëlle Skye |
| Written by | Janus Smith Zabëlle Skye |
| Starring | Zabëlle Skye Janus Smith |
| Edited by | Zabëlle Skye |
Release date | 10 November 2017 |
Running time | 13 minutes (12:52) |
| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
The Demented Computer is a 2017 pre-New Eiffel supernatural horror short film produced by Zfilms and released by Z&jProductions. It was directed by Zabëlle Skye, and written by Zabëlle and Janus Smith. The film stars them both. The plot tells about a computer which has been possessed by an evil supernatural spirit which possess unsuspecting people into conducting its bidding. After a teenager named Davos discoverers the computer in his family's attic, it begins to bring havoc upon his family.
The Demented Computer went through development hell from early 2017, having multiple script changes and extensive reshoots, before the final plot was finally decided upon, being loosely based on the concept short The Boy and the Hacked Computer. Filming took place in London, and began on 31 October 2017, just three days after filming wrapped-up for Zabëlle and Janus's previous film Sad Death Day, which was also a supernatural horror. Filming finished on 6 November, making it one of the longest continuous film shoots of any New Eiffelic film. The film was Zfilms' first film. Z&jProductions was hesitant on taking credit for the film due to its poor quality, so they instead decided to only take responsibility for the distribute of it.
The Demented Computer was released on 10 November 2017, and was instantly met with heavy criticism, particularly targeted at its mediocre acting, dark themes, nonsensical plot and lack of character development, with many hailing it as the worst New Eiffelic film ever made. The film was dubbed an unintentional "horror-comedy". The film was a massive disappointment to Zabëlle and Janus, and Z&jProductions as a whole. Janus convinced Zabëlle to attempt to destroy all evidence of its existence, resulting in the majority of footage becoming lost, although some scenes of the middle and ending still exist.
Plot
Davos, a teenager living with his single mother, is having trouble sleeping, and while laying on his bed notices a small crawlspace underneath him, which he has never noticed until now; curious, he decides to crawl under it, which leads him to an attic full of boxes and old electronics and toys. After some searching, he notices the computer, and decides to take it with him. He is about to open it to see if it works when all of a sudden a large scream echos in the room, frightening Davos into running back through the crawlspace bringing the computer with him in a panic. It is morning, and Davos wakes up thinking it was all a dream as the crawlspace is no longer there, and the computer cannot be seen. Then, his friend John walks in with the computer questioning Davos on how he found it. Davos takes the computer back from John, and heads into his living room to charge it and open it. While there, John insistently asks Davos if he can borrow the computer again. Davos gives it to him, and John runs off, smashing the window to run outside. Davos is very weirded out, and decides to follow John, assuming he went to his house. John opens the computer, and is blasted away. Davos finally arrives to only the computer, and angrily asks it where John is. The computer begins speaking a demonic language. John, now frightened again, shuts the computer down and takes it with him with the intent of hiding it back away in the attic he found. He arrives at his room and sees that the wall has been sealed off by buildings during renovations to his house. He smashes the wall open, only to see the crawlspace has also been closed up. The lights in his house begin flashing, and supernatural entities are seen running around his house. (Due to lost footage it is unclear what happened in-between this four day period of filming). John calls his mother to ask if anyone has seen John or the computer, which disappeared after the strange events took place. His mother, possessed by the computer, tells John that the computer is amazing, and convinces him to try to get it back. She hangs up, and blocks John. John starts fearing the worst, and runs downstairs to look for his mother. When he arrives there, a supernatural entity proceeds to chase him, when an agent breaks through the front door and asks John to come with him, which he does.
Cast
- Zabëlle Skye as Davos
- Janus Smith as Davos' mother, John and the Agent
Production
Development
The Demented Computer went through development hell from early 2017. Smith writes that their were originally four different versions of the film that were partially shot, although only makes mention of three; the "morning version", "garage version" and "virus version" (not in any particular order). The morning version included the protagonist waking up and being told by his mother to clean out their self storage unit which they are renting, which is where he would find the computer. In the "garage version" it would start out similarly, with the protagonist being told to go through their garage and look for anything of use, leading him to finding the computer which this time around had a demonic message written with it. The "virus version" was intended to not be a supernatural horror, and instead focus on the computer having a computer virus. A presumably Russian security hacker would install some sort of a virus on the computer, than burry it to discard the evidence of his wrongdoing. Some years later, the protagonist would unintentionally find it while digging. The scene of the Russian burying it was shot at an abandoned tin mine in Cornwall. The current plot was finally settled upon after Zabëlle and Janus Smith took inspiration from a comedic concept short called The Boy and the Hacked Computer.
Filming and post-production
Filming took place in London, and began on 31 October 2017, just three days after filming wrapped-up for Zabëlle and Janus's previous film Sad Death Day, which was also a supernatural horror. Filming finished on 6 November, making it one of the longest continuous film shoots of any New Eiffelic film. The film was edited by Zabëlle in around two days, with occasional slight minor changes made between than and the film's release on 10 November.
Soundtrack
Zabëlle created the song "Sounds of Ugly" which played during the scene where Davos runs back through the crawlspace bringing the computer with him in a panic.
Release and reception
The Demented Computer was distributed by Z&jProductions, and it was released on 10 November 2017. Upon its release the film was instantly met with heavy criticism, particularly targeted at its mediocre acting, dark themes, nonsensical plot and lack of character development, with many hailing it as the worst New Eiffelic film ever made. It is now notorious among New Eiffelic filmgoers and critics alike. Within the month, due to its poor reputation, Janus convinced Zabëlle to attempt to destroy all evidence of its existence, resulting in the majority of footage becoming lost, although some scenes of the middle and ending still exist. The Demented Computer has since never been screened.
Availability
Following its massive criticism, Janus convinced Zabëlle to attempt to destroy all evidence of its existence, resulting in the majority of footage becoming lost, although some scenes of the middle and ending still exist. The surviving footage is only available by Zabëlle, who privately owns the footage. It is believed an edited version for the Z&jProductions' upcoming digital archives may be released, though unlike Sad Death Day which has lost scenes, the film will not be coming to StreamEiffel.