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THE DEMON CORE

@thedemoncorefilm

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USC/Sloan Foundation short film by @j.zacharythurman following the infamous criticality incident that led to the tragic death of Louis Slotin

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We are excited to share the official trailer for THE DEMON CORE starring @connorpaolo @thedrewwaters @samabejacobs and @ryanishka

This film is a dramatization of the final days of Louis Alexander Slotin, the physicist who made the ultimate sacrifice to save his colleagues during a criticality incident in 1946 involving a plutonium core known as The Demon Core.

Producing this project has been a deeply meaningful journey. Louis Slotin’s story — one of courage, sacrifice, and profound humanity in the face of immense danger — is a legacy we are proud to bring to life.

We extend our gratitude to the @sloanfoundation and @usccinema for their invaluable support in helping us tell this incredible true story, the cast/crew, and to @chriswest.film for his outstanding work in creating a trailer that encapsulates the essence of this remarkable story.

This is a narrative that needed to be told, and Louis Alexander Slotin’s legacy deserves to be remembered.
#TheDemonCore #LouisSlotin #FilmTrailer #TrueStory #ShortFilm #SciFi #Thriller #IndieFilm #Sacrifice #DirectorsJourney #History #FilmCommunity #Legacy by @thedemoncorefilm

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2 years ago

Get ready to discover the untold story of Louis Alexander Slotin. 🎬 The trailer drops next week—don’t miss it! For now, here’s a little teaser! #ww2 #demoncore #iykyk #history #louisslotin #oppenheimer #losalamos by @thedemoncorefilm

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Check out our campaign video for The Demon Core!

The Demon Core seeks to recapture the final days of Louis Slotin’s life after receiving a fatal dose of radiation during a criticality experiment on May 21, 1946.

This film was lucky enough to have been granted the prestigious Sloan Grant and we’re so excited to bring this story to life! We plan to film it in the visual style of Nolan’s Oppenheimer (2023), the story will follow a narrative structure more akin to that of Villeneuve’s Arrival (2016).

Our goal is to accurately portray the science being conducted at Los Alamos at the time as well as educate audiences on the dangers of nuclear experiments. Protecting and informing viewers of Slotin’s legacy will be the main objective of this film with a special emphasis on Slotin as more than a scientist - a hero that gave the ultimate sacrifice to save his colleagues.

That is why our team is willing to offer our time, hard-work, and money for this film - and why we are asking you to join us in doing so. As Louis gave everything he had into his craft, we will honor his legacy by doing the same to bring his story to life! Our hope for this film is that Louis Slotin becomes a household name and when one thinks of Los Alamos during WW2, you don’t think or only Oppenheimer and his bomb - but also a collective of “cowboy scientists” - brave, young, physicists hell bent on pushing the limits to further all of mankind - no matter the cost!

The link to our Crowdfunding Page is in the bio. We appreciate any and all support!

Crowdfunding video:
Shot by: @toffeeth
Gaffer: @visualeef
Key grip: @lightingladian
Sound: @craiglittleton
Editor: @hallecottle
Makeup: @bianca_musso
Music by: @chriscampbellsound

#thedemoncore #demoncore #wwii #wwiihistory #unsungheros #historical #demoncorefilm #louisslotin #plutonium #rufus #losalamos #radioactive #sloanfoundation #usccinematicarts #oppenheimer #1940s by @thedemoncorefilm

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3 years ago

Check out our promo poster🙌✨

Created by @j.zacharythurman @josephwisedp @visualeef & @hallecottle by @thedemoncorefilm

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2 years ago

Meet one of our Producers and actor for Leslie Groves!

DREW WATERS grew up in Orange, Texas. During his years there he excelled as a high school athlete. After graduation, Drew gave up an athletic scholarship to pursue a career with the US Navy. He rose quickly through the ranks and became responsible for nearly 100 F-14 fighter jets. As he neared the end of his military career, Drew was discovered by a modeling scout. When world-renowned fashion photographer Bruce Weber discovered Drew’s unique talent, he encouraged the young model to try his hand at acting.

With over 80 credits to his name, Drew now has the successful acting career he always dreamed of. His very first television role was as a recurring character on NBC’s “Surface”, which then led to roles on such notable shows as “Chase”, “Victorious”, and AMC’s “Breaking Bad”. Drew then landed the role for which he is still most recognized today, Coach Wade Aikman on NBC’s Emmy® Award winning hit show “Friday Night Lights”. His success on “Friday Night Lights” led to roles on other critically acclaimed shows like “Wire in the Blood” (opposite UK actor Robson Greene), “Breakout Kings”, “Magic City”, “Major Crimes”, and HBO’s “True Detective” opposite Colin Farrell.

Most recently, Drew has guest-starred on hit shows including “The Resident” and “NCIS: LA” and is currently in production on the new David E. Kelly series “Love and Death” for HBO with Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemmons. Drew has also appeared in numerous feature films such as Mad Money with Diane Keaton, Wonderful World with Matthew Broderick, The Hit List with Cuba Gooding, Jr., Cowgirls and Angels with Academy Award Winner James Cromwell, Home Run, The Warrant and Parkland with Paul Giamatti and Marcia Gay Harden. Drew has also commanded the starring role in several films including The Redemption of Henry Meyers, The Ultimate Life co-starring Peter Fonda, and most recently Desperate Riders co-starring Trace Atkins and Tom Berenger.
We are so excited to have him as apart of our team and see him bring Leslie Groves to life!

#demoncore #louisslotin #ww2 #ww2history #losalamos #thedemoncore #history #lesliegroves #drewwaters #rufus by @thedemoncorefilm

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3 years ago

Meet one of our producers, Tino Ciatti!

SABATINO CIATTI JR., a recent graduate of the esteemed University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts, centers his filmmaking philosophy on connecting disparate people through authentic stories that inform and inspire. After earning a B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Film and Media Studies, Sabatino matriculated to his dream school, the University of Southern California, to pursue an MFA in Film and Television Production. While there, he strengthened his skills in Cinematography, Directing, and Producing through working on numerous award-winning films across all genres. In 2021, Sabatino served as the Cinematographer on Morse Code, a short narrative drama about grief in the wake of suicide. The film earned a DGA award and high praises for its visual style. Sabatino added to his growing list of directorial credits with the co-direction of the period feature film, Jack and Lou. The film tells the gripping true story of machine-gun Jack McGurn, and boasts a talented cast including Sebastiano Pigazzi and Linda Hamilton. Sabatino’s dedication to authenticity shines through in his upcoming film, WRESTLE-OFF, which tells the story of a female wrestler dealing with isolation from her team and the grief of losing her father. Currently in post-production, WRESTLE-OFF promises to be a raw and emotional journey that will resonate with wrestling fans and film fans alike.

#thedemoncore #demoncore #wwii #wwiihistory #unsungheros #historical #demoncorefilm #louisslotin #plutonium #rufus #losalamos #radioactive #plutoniumcore by @thedemoncorefilm

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3 years ago

Our prop the “demon core” is in the works!

Thank you so much to the talented Jessee Clarkson at Nascent Perspective Studios for making this incredible replica of the demon core! We can’t wait to see how great this is going to look on screen!✨

#thedemoncore #demoncore #wwii #wwiihistory #unsungheros #historical #demoncorefilm #louisslotin #plutonium #rufus #losalamos #radioactive #plutoniumcore by @thedemoncorefilm

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Check out our shooting location - the Historic Wendover Airfield!

The Wendover Air Force Base is a former United State Air Force Base that is located in Utah. During World War II, it served as a training base for B-17 and B-24 bomber crews, as well as the 509th Composite Group. Once the United States joined World War ll, Wendover Field was the Army Air Force’s largest bombing and gunnery range.

Our team is very lucky to have found a location that resembles the visual aesthetic of Los Alamos in the 1940s! Currently, the existing facilities that have been preserved include most of the original hangers (including the Enola Gay B-29 hanger), most of the hospital complex, and many barracks. The Wendover Field has also been used for various film and television shows including The Philadelphia Experiment (1984), Con Air (1997), Mulholland Falls (1996), Independence Day (1996), and The Core (2003).

Our team can’t wait to shoot at this amazing location and bring our audience back in time to the 1940s! Thank you so much @historicwendoverairfield for making this possible!

#thedemoncore #demoncore #wwii #wwiihistory #unsungheros #historical #demoncorefilm #louisslotin #plutonium #rufus #losalamos #radioactive #wendover #wendoverairfield #history #utah taken in Wendover, Utah by @thedemoncorefilm

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3 years ago

Here’s some BTS of our sfx makeup artist, Patrick Bradberry, taking molds of our actor’s hands for Louis Slotin - Connor Paolo.

After saving the lives of his colleagues, Louis Slotin suffered for 9 days with third-dimensional burns on all major organs, gangrene, and dissolving limbs - specifically his arms and hands. For us to accurately portray Louis’ injuries, we are making multiple custom-made silicone gloves to show the progression of Louis’ condition.

Historical accuracy is very important to our team and to this story and we feel very lucky to have the talented Patrick Bradberry to bring it to life on screen!!

#thedemoncore #demoncore #wwii #wwiihistory #unsungheros #historical #demoncorefilm #louisslotin #plutonium #rufus #losalamos #radioactive #connorpaolo #sfxmakeup by @thedemoncorefilm

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3 years ago

Meet our actress for Betty - Ryan Lucy!

Ryan Lucy is an actress, visual artist, and former professional ballerina based in Los Angeles. Originally from Denver, Colorado, she has been acting since she left her short ballet career to foster more of her artistic interests and has since gone on to star in a range of projects from high budget action/sci-fi to surreal indie period pieces. Ryan has been training with Billy O’Leary Studios since 2017, both privately and in on-going scene study and camera technique, in addition to participating in improv classes at Upright Citizens Brigade.Her latest credits are roles in American Horror Stories and Benjamin Finkel’s feature film Family. In 2021, she had the pleasure of working with Academy Award-winning director Tom Hooper on a holiday short film set in the 1960s. She appeared as a naive Audrey Hepburn wannabe in Richard Corso’s latest film The Switcheroo Room, and as a young ballerina in Aida Gevorgyan’s Iris.

We’re very excited to work with this talented actress!

#thedemoncore #demoncore #wwii #wwiihistory #unsungheros #historical #demoncorefilm #louisslotin #plutonium #rufus #losalamos #radioactive #ryanlucy by @thedemoncorefilm

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Meet our actor for Louis Slotin - Connor Paolo!

Connor is best known for his roles as Eric van der Woodsen in The CW’s teen drama “Gossip Girl” and Declan on ABC’s television series “Revenge”. In 2006, Connor attended the Professional Performing Arts School and then began taking classes at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute. Connor’s motion picture debut was in Clint Eastwood’s Academy Award winning “Mystic River”, in which he played the role of Young Dean, followed by his roles in Oliver Stone films “Alexander” and “World Trade Center”. Connor’s upcoming releases include: Tayarisha Poe’s “The Young Wife”, Vivan Kerr’s “Seance”, Blair Underwood’s “Viral”, and Francis Gallupi’s award-winning debut feature “The Last Stop in Yuma County”.

We are very excited to be working with such a talented actor and can’t wait to see him bring the character of Louis Slotin to life!

#thedemoncore #demoncore #wwii #wwiihistory #unsungheros #historical #demoncorefilm #louisslotin #plutonium #rufus #losalamos #radioactive #connorpaolo by @thedemoncorefilm

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