Motherboard - A Senior Thesis Short Film

Hey, everyone! My name is Derek G! I am a senior at the University of Colorado, Denver and I am directing the thesis film I wrote titled “Motherboard.” Ever since I was a child, I loved telling stories. Whether around the dinner table, in the car, or with friends, I was always telling stories and letting my imagination run wild. Through film, I have found a way to express these stories in a visual medium that I am able to share with others.

Our team is made up of a group of dedicated and hardworking student filmmakers. Our diverse team includes:

Derek G: Director

Tori Dellwardt: Producer

Sean Wada: Director of Photography

Chris Gonzales: Sound Recordist

Grace Wagner: Production Designer

Grace Geraghty: Gaffer

And many other creative and talented individuals.

What is “Motherboard?”

Shortly after the passing of her husband, struggling mother, Cathrine Freeling, tries to keep hold of her family after her son, Alex, is given a computer for his birthday that houses an unknown horror that seeks to corrupt and kill the young boy.

"Motherboard" is a deeply personal story about a small family trying to get by. This drama/horror sees Cathrine Freeling as the head of a household she is struggling to maintain. When her oldest son, Chris, gives her youngest son, Alex, a computer for his birthday, the tight-knit family is strained and pushed apart. The more Alex uses his computer, the more it takes from him. Alex slowly withdrawals from his family, becoming addicted to the computer. This culminates in a horrific finale that sees Cathrine and Chris discovering the true terror lurking within Alex’s computer. Will they be able to stop this unknown entity? Or will it kill the boy?

Why “Motherboard?”

I’ve always been fascinated by the way technology shapes a person’s identity. When my little brother was given his first phone, it completely changed who he was. He became more distant and interested in technology and wanted to spend more and more time online. This divide grew as he became older. Many children undergo a similar transformation under the influence of technology. In the fall of 2020, I had the idea to write a film incorporating these themes with the horror genre. This was the birth of "Motherboard." This film looks to start a conversation about the influence of technology in the lives of our youths.

How will your donation help the film?

Filmmaking can be a challenging and expensive endeavor, but with your support, we will be able to make something truly special to share with everyone. Through our school, we are provided with gear and crew, but in order to cover additional costs, we will need your help.

The majority of our budget goes towards feeding the crew. You can’t make a film on an empty stomach. This is extremely important in making sure the cast and crew members are healthy and happy during the production.

The additional costs would go towards covering our production design, such as props, costumes, make-up, and set decoration; the locations; and an emergency fund to make sure any unforeseen surprises are covered.

By exceeding our goal, we will be able to cover distribution such as submission to film festivals.

What we can do for you?

Your generous donations will be rewarded via social media shoutouts and a special thank you credit on-screen during the film’s end credits.

"Motherboard" begins filming on October 21st!

We will keep you updated with behind-the-scenes and updates on how the shoot is going.

Thank you all so much for your support!