In the near future, the world is so dependent on digital technology it’s as essential as air, and Arknight Industries controls all because they possess only an unhackable code.
It is up to a group of motocross riders called the Moto Nostra, lead by their spiritual leader A-Hole X, who need to spread the gospel that the analog life is a more truthful one, and to lead an uprising to get people to disconnect from digital and reconnect with humanity.
“GR224” is a world building initial series that previews the larger universe. A-Hole X seeded a rumor that ancient digital devices scattered in areas where technology mysteriously do not work, and then disappeared. Bearclaw, a devoted over-the-hill ex-rider made it his mission to find them all and reset humanity. Meanwhile, Arknight also launches an elite division to find the artifacts, as they need a source of new ideas find new ideas for technology and to solve the mystery of realistic A.I.
When I was developing an action sports universe, I took an approach of launching multiple shows in different genres and wanted to explore a sci-fi series around a group of Motocross riders from my pilot. One day I realized I was relying on technology to make so many decisions for me, from Google Maps telling me where to go, and Yelp telling me where to eat. Yes, the algorithm was taking over.
You know who would hate algorithms? Action Sports athletes. They are not going to let “AI” tell them what to do. What if they were the anti-heroes and the villain was a computer company that had unhackable tech?
Initially, Moto Nostra was conceived as a series with CG-like cut scenes from a PS4 game but as an emerging writer/director I want to work on my craft through a live-action.
By focusing on a “side story”, I was able to seed the Moto Nostra world and explorie themes of what it means to be human, starting with the nature of fear. What is remarkable is how the serie’s themes are are so relevant, as we slowly creep towards a future where computers think more and more for us on a daily basis, and there is “analog” resistence.
I premiered at two festivals as a feature and it was exciting to see all the hard work of the cast and crew on the big screen. Technology is not evil, I used to to help bring my vision to life. We can’t let it become and addiction or be too dependent on it.
