Brief Synopsis: Rob Pattinson is a struggling young actor looking to make it big in Hollywood. To try and achieve this, he enlists the help of an established Hollywood publicist. Together, they hatch a cunning plan to gain access to some of Hollywood’s most powerful and connected people. As part of their plan, they decide to make a short film about the cosmos and the wonders of outer space. The entire shoot, from pre-production to post-production, takes place within the confines of a luxury yacht. In this article, we will discuss the making of this stunning film, the inspiration behind it, and whether or not you should see it. So sit back, relax, and get ready to explore deep space with us.
Making Of The Film
Rob Pattinson is a well-known Hollywood heartthrob. With Twilight and the subsequent wave of vampire fiction, the handsome Englishman found his fame. Indeed, his face is so recognizable that he even has a paparazzi group, called the RPattz, dedicated to taking his photos and keeping tabs on his every move. He’s known for being a clean-living individual who loves to fish and hunt. In stark contrast to this wholesome image are his numerous tattoos, which were likely inspired by his admiration for Hell’s Angels. In the past, he’s spoken in interviews about his desire to work with Guy Ritchie on a movie version of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Hens. And if that wasn’t enough, he even has a star on the Hollywood walk of fame for being the face of Forrester Cosmetics.
Now 24 years old, he’s still trying to establish himself in Hollywood. However, his biggest obstacle is that he doesn’t have the contacts most actors do. Enter Angela Christian, an established publicist and film producer who’s heard of Rob and decides to help him out. She forms a cunning plan to get him some big name directors and producers to help him make his dream come true. Christian knows just the person she needs to connect him with: J.J. Abrams. The mastermind behind Alias, Lost, and Flat Stanley, Abrams is the go-to guy for all things pop culture. He’ll be the perfect person to bring young Rob into the fold. Not only will he help him get his foot in the door, but he’ll also help him get his hands on some of the most advanced equipment money can buy. Christian quickly assembles a stellar team of Hollywood professionals to help Rob make his film. She enlists the help of her friend, cinematographer Alex Coletti, to capture all the spectacular images; special makeup effects artist Dylan Gobeil to help bring his characters to life; Steve Schneider, an Oscar-winning editor; and music supervisor Tim Bevan to help bring the wonders of the cosmos to life with some incredible music.
The Inspiration For The Film
Christian and Rob initially met while working on a film called The Ledge. It’s a thriller inspired by the story of John Hinckley, who attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan in 1981. One of Christian’s close friends was friends with Reagan, who she convinced to participate in the film as the President of the United States. Unfortunately, the film tanked at the box office, likely due to many people not knowing who Reagan was during that time period (Reagan was not well-known for being an actor). Nonetheless, the experience was a valuable one for Christian, who gained priceless connections that helped her launch a career in Hollywood. She decides to use this as the basis for her latest venture, a sci-fi spectacular aptly named S.S. Space Film.
The Visual Appeal
The entire shooting of S.S. Space Film takes place on a luxurious yacht called the M/Y ALADDIN. It’s one of the most luxurious yachts in the world and was built in 2010. The boat was originally commissioned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Merezhkovski, who purchased it for his superyacht collection. The boat’s owner, Steven Madden, a fashion designer who co-founded the clothing brand Merezhkovski Brothers Ltd in 1985 with his brothers, has a fantastic eye for interior decoration and knows how to give a stunning display of opulence. Even the filming itself is a splendid event, as the team use his yacht’s sundecks as a backlot and bring in extra boats and helicopters to create more scenes as needed. This being a sci-fi spectacular, they’ll also need to bring in some green screen technology to simulate spaceship battles and other scenes involving alien creatures. The boat’s owner, Steven Madden, has a fantastic eye for interior decoration and knows how to give a stunning display of opulence.
The Soundtrack
The film’s composer, Hans Zimmer, is one of the most renowned film score composers of all time. His impressive credits include some of the highest-grossing films of all time, such as Gladiator, The Dark Knight, and Inception. The music supervisor, Tim Bevan, is also well-known for his work with Zimmer, having collaborated on dozens of his scores. Together, they create a breathtaking soundtrack that perfectly matches the film’s stunning visuals. It’s no wonder that Zimmer and Bevan were chosen for this project. Many of the film’s greatest moments are scored to an incredible extent, including the film’s opening sequence, which is very similar to the one from Gladiator. The Twilight soundtrack composer, Nicholas Hooper, also created a theme for the film that was inspired by one of Zimmer’s favorite films, 2001: A Space Odyssey. It was the first of Zimmer’s films to be released after the composer’s 80th birthday.
First Impressions
When S.S. Space Film opens, you are presented with an incredibly pretty and feminine character named Victoria. She’s a graduate student at the University of Edinburgh, doing her Masters in astrophysics. She’s bright, articulate, and passionate about her work. She’s also very, very shy. She initially feels intimidated by the vast majority of the men in her chosen profession, astrophysics (specifically, cosmology), until she realizes that she isn’t alone in her passion for astronomy. She finds support in the form of a group of dedicated students who provide her with invaluable guidance and help her become the best possible version of herself. We, as an audience, are then presented with a stark contrast to this wholesome image. We encounter Alex, a man-eating alien, and get a first glimpse at the grotesque creatures that he and his kind may inhabit. We also meet Alex’s sadistic boss, who proceeds to torture, murder, and eat his enemies. Essentially, a very violent and bloody film. The trailer teases many more surprises as Alex uncovers a plot by a nefarious government agency to capture and eliminate all life on Earth. However, the most stunning aspect of this film is its jaw-dropping visuals. You’ll see many memorable scenes involving creatures from the deep black, such as jellyfish-like beings, immense squid, and the occasional alien, which is quite literally breathtaking. When the trailer was first released, people in the comments section expressed their surprise at seeing real-life humans depicted as aliens. Many have said that they didn’t think that human beings could look that good as monsters.
Overall Impression
Not many film critics manage to remain objective and give a balanced review. After all, it’s not everyday that you see such a cinematic masterpiece. S.S. Space Film is one of the best sci-fi films ever made. Sure, it does contain the occasional giggle-inducing moment, but that’s what makes it so special. The film raises some interesting questions about what exactly is human and sets it apart from other films of its ilk. However, the most compelling narrative is definitely that of Victoria, who finds strength in numbers and decides to embrace the love that she feels for astronomy and the people who share her passion. It’s also a story of determination and resilience, traits that many movie lovers can relate to. Ultimately, if you’re a fan of intelligent, well-crafted cinema, then S.S. Space Film is a film that you’ll want to see.