Spore

It's been a few years since I last watched 'Spore,' but taking some time to indulge once more - it has not lost its edge. This is smart, well-written, and chilling, and all the more impressive for the simple measures taken to produce it.

Language is a uniquely powerful construct; much can be conveyed in few words. At no point in this short is it clearly, objectively stated what happened on Earth, but there's no mistaking it was something awful. We're told in the form of an apparent video log that protagonist Perry Spore is excited to see Earth, and conduct a bit of scientific investigation, providing background and setting in a manner that cleverly ducks around the awkward exposition trope of having actors almost break character to explain plot points.

When an emergency of uncertain origin disrupts Spore's communication, she awakens to new, terrifying surroundings. And that's when the real fun begins, as lead Mary Kate Wiles shifts from a simple, casual delivery to then deftly express Spore's fright and confusion. It's a delightfully entertaining reversal relative to other roles Wiles have taken on that have commonly been more conventionally dramatic or comedic, if not also low-key by comparison. This goes as well for co-star Ashley Clements, whose turn here as Cal is deeply, convincingly unsettling - she sells the part so well, and is clearly having a blast doing it. Wiles and Clements have a strong history of friendship, and working together in various projects, and they play so well off each other - Spore, scared and bewildered, and Cal, curious and disturbed. I have enjoyed everything I've seen them in, and especially as a fan of both actresses, 'Spore' is exquisite.

To watch making-of videos details the work that went into producing this short, and it is witty and impressive how cast and crew worked with so little to give us so much. Lighting in the first couple minutes is soft and warm, and Wiles' make-up beautiful and charming, as Spore clues in her contact (and we viewers) to the setting. When the scene changes, Spore and Cal are in a very dimly lit room with a scuffed and well-used table. The make-up illustrates very well that they have both been through a great deal, and their very basic garments portend, in this dire setting, something terrible afoot.

The music is very suitable, but it's more so the pointed use of the loud buzzer sound, in particular, that greatly furthers the grim atmosphere and tension. Consider, at last, the capstone - Spore's last line, and the closing shot of Cal: For such a small, simple production, and such quick duration, this short presents a remarkably creepy and immersive story.

That the Internet enables anyone to produce and release content is a double-edged sword, but for every dimwitted YouTuber spewing ignorant bigotry, there are still more thoughtful, skilled actors and filmmakers finding ways to tell their stories. 'Spore' is a swell example of the best promise of the web - that individuals with little reach and star power are nonetheless able to craft such a great story, and turn it into such a well-made short film.

We can only hope that Wiles, Clements, and the crew involved with 'Spore' have great futures ahead of them in film-making, because along with everything else they've made so far, this is a fantastic, fascinating piece that deserves to be seen by a much larger audience.