Hello, everyone! My name is Ben Guevara, and I am the writer and director of "Ersatz". I'm a local Maryland filmmaker with several short films under my belt, and over the past few months, my crew and I have been working toward a goal of bringing a short film to life that will hopefully be a cathartic as it is relevant- And we need your help.

What is Ersatz?

Ersatz is a narrative sci-fi/horror film about an artist named Faiza who finds her life turned upside down when an aberrant clone takes over both her art and her life.

It's a cautionary tale of uncertainty that is meant to reflect a real life entity that has taken a life of its own, formerly out of our imaginations and several of our favorite science fiction novels and films: Artificial Intelligence.

Why Ersatz?

AI and its usage have become growing concerns for many professions, including artists of various communities. It's no longer a faint dream of Terminators and Electric Sheep. The debate over the ethics of AI's employment are constant and crucial in the livelihoods of many, from employment concerns to its environmental impact. As seen in the recent SAG-AFTRA strikes, the rapidly advancing nature of AI leaves a growing uncertainty for the fairness and integrity of art as a profession. My short film aims to be a sincere look at the toll of the risks of AI supplanting artists, and my hope is that we may make a very human film about this ever-present issue.

With your help, we can make this short as cathartic as it is entertaining.

Where will Ersatz go?

Like most short films, we hope that we can premiere this at festivals across Maryland and maybe beyond. But more than that, we want this short out there as a dedication to artists who struggle; artists who face a very real danger employed by the carelessness of corporations and greed. This will be made by local filmmakers and artists, and we want to hold true to their creativity.

Thank you

Thank you for taking the time to read about this project, and for contributing. With your help, we can get this small short off the ground!