“SALIENT MINUS TEN–the new sci-fi/horror short film from award-winning filmmaker Emma Dark–is a cerebral foray into the darker, more disturbing side of science fiction. Adam Harper (Alan Austen, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back) is an average man. And on an average day he suddenly finds himself catapulted into the strangest reality-changing game–a game of time and chance, where the stakes are a matter of life and death.” Salient Minus Ten has already won an impressive list of awards at numerous film festivals around the world (see the list below). Now, it’s coming to YouTube for a streaming premiere and watch-party event, complete with a live, post-movie question-and-answer session with Emma!
Alan Austin (as Adam Harper) in Salient Minus Ten
Emma Dark is a director, producer and writer of horror/sci-fi short films, well-recognized at Space Jockey Reviews. One of her previous features, Seize the Night, was reviewed at SJR, scoring an easy, full-fueled payload on the rocket meter! Emma also stars in Salient Minus Ten, as “The Woman.” In the trailer, she is a dark-haired beauty on a beach, pensive against an overcast sky and gentle wind; content, she seems, with something ominous in mind (something she knows). Who is “The Woman”? How does she connect to Adam Harper’s horror? Who is the man walking toward Adam in the woods? A doppelganger, perhaps? Does the title somehow give us clues? (A title that creates a mystery is always a great beginning!) Salient as an adjective means “most noticeable or important”; as a noun it denotes “(of an angle) pointing outward.” What does this tell us about Salient Minus Ten? We shall see soon enough–May 27, on YouTube!
“Instead of relying on gore or cheap jump scares to get under your skin, this is a film which asks you to think and connect the dots yourself, and you almost feel as though you want to thank it for that.” – Dread Central
Join director Emma Dark for the digital/YouTube premiere of her award-winning sci-fi/horror short film SALIENT MINUS TEN. Also posted on Facebook, it’s an invitation to all: “Bring drinks, snacks and watch the film, as it streams live for the first time. Interact with Emma, as she fields questions in a YouTube live-chat window. Watch [the movie] here at 7:30 p.m. sharp (GMT, London), 2:30 p.m. (EST, US), May 27 at https://youtu.be/ofOfwr2rrF4.” Yes! It’s an open invitation, so spread the word! What’s better is the bonus of a live-chat session with Emma, after the film, in real time! An out-of-this-world experience, as SJR likes to say! Here, in more ways than one!
Emma Dark (as “The Woman”) in Salient Minus Ten
Along with Alan Austen (as Adam Harper) and Emma Dark (as “The Woman”), the cast of Salient Minus Ten also includes “Commuter/Automaton” (Chris Hampshire), “Commuter” (Beric Read), and another “Commuter” (Samantha Oci).
For those who would like to purchase a copy of Salient Minus Ten, autographed, BBFC 15-rated, professionally-manufactured, region-free DVDs are exclusively available to buy in Emma’s Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EmmaDarkOfficial.
SALIENT MINUS TEN AWARDS (SO FAR, WITH MORE LIKELY TO COME!):
- WINNER “Best Actor” (Alan Austen), WINNER “Best Cinematography” (Philip Bloom), WINNER “Best Editing” (Emma Dark), Nominated “Best Short,” “Best Music/Sound” (Eric Elick & Chris Collier), “Outstanding Female Filmmaker” (Emma Dark) – Stormy Weather Horror Fest Summer 2019
- WINNER “Albert Pyun Inspiration Award” (Emma Dark), Nominated “Best Short Film,” Audience Choice,” “Best Cinematography” (Philip Bloom) – The Yellow Fever Independent Film Festival (Northern Irish Premiere, The Hub, Bangor, October 2018)
- Nominated “Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy” – Snake Alley Festival of Film (Regional Premiere – Iowa, USA, Capitol Theater, Burlington, June 2018)
- Nominated “Best Horror/Sci-Fi” – 2nd Annual Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival (Regional Premiere – Pennsylvania, USA (East Coast), Mauch Chunk Opera House, April 2018)
- WINNER “Best Director” (Emma Dark) – Starburst Magazine’s Media City Film Festival (Regional Premiere – Greater Manchester, The Landing, March 2018)
- Nominated “Best Short Film” – The British Horror Film Festival (World Premiere, Cineworld, Leicester Square, November 2017)
Chris Hampshire (as “Commuter/Automaton”) in Salient Minus Ten
CREDITS: Edited, Produced, Written, and Directed by Emma Dark, Original Music by Eric Elick, Director of Photography Philip Bloom, Sound Design by Chris Collier
For a full list of cast and crew credits, and to find out more, please visit the official film sites on IMDb, Facebook at facebook.com/SalientMinusTen, and Twitter at twitter.com/SalientMinusTen. Copyright © 2017 Emma Dark. All Rights Reserved.
Visit and “Like” Emma Dark’s official Facebook page at Facebook.com/EmmaDarkOfficial!
For all the latest, check out Emma’s official website at EmmaDark.com!
While waiting for the YouTube premiere, here’s the official teaser trailer to get the countdown started! It’s 33 seconds of suspense, sure to make you want it all! At SJR, we’re already counting on the launchpad: SALIENT MINUS 10…9…8…
Chris Rennirt is a movie critic and writer in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as editor in chief at Space Jockey Reviews. He has been a judge at many film festivals, including Macabre Faire Film Festival and Crimson Screen Film Fest, and he attends horror and sci-fi conventions often. Chris’ movie reviews, articles, and interviews are published regularly on Space Jockey Reviews and in Effective Magazine. His mission statement (describing his goals as a movie critic and philosophy for review writing) can be found on the “Mission” page, here at SJR. For more information about Chris Rennirt (including contact details, publicity photos, and more), click here.
