The Dreamer
2025 (Runtime 13:25)
Budget: $800
Trailer
About the Film
Logline: Two people in a state of limbo struggle with understanding where they are and how to continue with the Journey. Can these pawns escape the space of the Dreamer or will they be trapped forever?
Synopsis: Noticing the Dreamer in a place they have never been a pawn questions everything. Not knowing who, where, why, and what's next frustrates the Pawn as their companion tries to get them to ignore everything and complete their journey without answers to their questions.
Directors Statement: The Cure instantly inspired me as I read the script by O'Malley. Truly leaning into the unknown I wanted the short to be slightly off. Where things don't always match or make sense within the space in what you see and hear. I was drawn to the script and the many ways it can be interpreted despite what O'Malley wrote the script about. I want the audience to argue with themselves about what happened and what it means as we all go once more into the unknown where there is no wrong answer.
Extras: This film is meant to be an abstract look at the fear of the unknown. How the promise, hope, and
fear of possibility can be both freeing and paralyzing. A reflection on life and death through the eyes of a man who is coming to terms with the next stage of this life.
Over a decade in the making Michael O'Malley has rewritten the script many times until it reached the version you see on screen.
When filming, we were nearing the end of the day and sent the lead actors home for the day, Molly had an idea she wanted to try for the last shot. She had Leo and Kaz pull her along the hallway, while sitting on a blanket, and then she handed the camera off to Cliff to use his height. After a few takes,
we were able to get the final shot you see in the film.
While Dan, the Dreamer, had his contacts in he couldn’t see and had to be led around the set if he
needed to move.
Most of the props you see on screen are actually things that people in the crew own. Including the Pepsi can was borrowed from Dan’s parents to be used for set dressing.
We had longtime poison arrow films crew member Kaz walking back and forth to create the illusion of multiple things/beings behind the door in the background.
The Dreamer is the second biggest short Poison Arrow Films undertook in 2025. Since then it has been nominated at film festivals and is still making it through the festival circuit.
The Dreamer will be screened as part of the Gen Con Film Festival Saturday August 1st at 11am.
The Dreamer will be screened at the Indie Gathering International Film Festival August7th-9th.
Production Stills
Cast and Crew
The Dreamer could not have been possible without the hard work of our cast and crew.
