Automata tells the story of an alternate 1930’s Prohibition-era New York City, but it’s not liquor that is outlawed but the future production of highly sentient robots known as automatons. Automata follows former NYPD detective turned-private-eye, Sam Regal, and his incredibly smart automaton partner, Carl Swangee, played by Doug Jones (Shape of Water, Hellboy) who brings his recognizable look to his shunned android character. Together, they work to solve the murder of a wealthy businessman’s wife and learn to understand each other in this dystopian America.
DUST exclusively launched the first episode of the sci-fi series, Automata:
Following the premiere, four additional episodes will air every Tuesday.
“Automata” Episode 1 by Van Alan
In an alternate 1930’s Prohibition-era New York City, it’s not liquor that is outlawed but the future production of highly sentient robots known as automatons. Automata follows former NYPD detective turned private eye Sam Regal and his incredibly smart automaton partner, Carl Swangee. Together, they work to solve the case and understand each other in this dystopian America.
Putting a science fiction twist on the classic hard-boiled detective drama, Automata explores a dystopian alternative version of Prohibition-era New York City, similarly shaped by moral panic even though the alcohol flows freely here. In this universe, Prohibition doesn’t ban drinking, but the further production of sapient androids that have become prevalent by the 1920s. As a result, the existing androids, called automatons, are shunned by society, relegated to an untouchable caste of servants despite their near-human thought capability, and are frequently subjected to hatred and violence.
It’s in this oppressive setting that human private detective Sam Regal (Basil Harris, “Grimm”) and his automaton partner Carl Swangee (Doug Jones, The Shape of Water) work together to solve cases for both communities, learning to see humanity in one another while trying to prove that justice is still worth serving.
About Dust
DUST, a division of global content studio Gunpowder & Sky, is the first premium sci-fi entertainment brand that reaches fans across all platforms showcasing thought-provoking stories by giving voice to emerging, diverse and established filmmakers.
From 90 seconds to 90 minutes, DUST creates, acquires, markets and distributes innovative sci-fi content with stunning visions of the future, vivid special effects, complex characters, and captivating plots, unearthing filmmakers poised to be the next Ridley Scott, J.J. Abrams or Steven Spielberg.
Amplifying the voices and visions that will shape the future through imagination, DUST most recently premiered the Zach Strauss directed Bad Peter during Tribeca. Starring Golden-Globe nominated Frankie Shaw (“SMILF”), Bad Peter tells the tale of an expectant mother who is forced into a humiliating birthing regiment by her AI personal assistant, who believes that it knows what is best for her unborn child. DUST has also just announced a partnership with Futurism Studios to produce and distribute “Glimpse”, a first-of-its-kind, eight-part episodic sci-fi original series that explores how technology is shaping the human experience.
Through its partnership with USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, DUST recently premiered the George Lucas 1967 student short, “Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB”, followed by legendary filmmaker Robert Zemeckis’ 1972 student short film “The Lift”.
With more than 1.5M fans, DUST also operates it own channels that are available on multiple platforms including YouTube, Facebook, VRV, Pluto, Xumo.
About Gunpowder & Sky
Gunpowder & Sky is an award-winning independent global studio, dedicated to creating, marketing and distributing video content unrestricted by form, genre or platform. Gunpowder & Sky collaborates with both emerging and established talent to generate premium video content ranging from 90-second to 90-minute stories on all platforms. With in-house development, production, marketing and distribution capabilities, the company operates as a full 360-studio and oversees a library of over 1500 titles.
In 2017, Gunpowder & Sky released numerous films and series, including The Little Hours, starring Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Kate Micucci, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Fred Armisen, Jemima Kirke and Nick Offerman which premiered to sold-out audiences in NY and LA, and nabbed the highest per screen average for its opening weekend. Gunpowder & Sky was also responsible for the Herbalife exposé documentary, Betting on Zero, which debuted as the number one documentary in the iTunes store, Ben Young’s Hounds of Love which won the Overlook Film Festival’s Jury and Audience Awards for Best Feature, and Spotify’s most viewed series Drawn & Recorded. In partnership with HBO and Blumhouse Productions, Gunpowder & Sky also released two horror films, Totem and Like, Share, Follow. Separately, the company also launched DUST, the first premium, digitally-distributed sci-fi brand showcasing thought-provoking visions of the future from both established and emerging filmmakers.
Most recently, during the 2018 Sundance Film Festival the company acquired the North American rights to Brett Haley’s (I’ll See You In My Dreams, The Hero) Hearts Beat Loud, a touching ode to the bonding powers of music, and premiered Summer of ’84, the latest thriller from award-winning directors RKSS. Simultaneously, Trevor Stevens’ directorial debut, Rock Steady Row also premiered and won narrative feature jury and audience awards at the Slamdance Film Festival.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in NY and London, Gunpowder & Sky was founded by Van Toffler, Floris Bauer and Otter Media, a joint venture of AT&T and The Chernin Group.
