Raff's Brain #116: Riffin' with Raff feat. NICK TUCKER and his Epic Short Film, “Decommissioned!”

Filmmaker and techno-optimist Nick Tucker joins Riffin’ with Raff to talk about Decommissioned, his ambitious new sci-fi short exploring the future of warfare, drone technology, and human connection. Rob and Nick dig into the creative process behind launching a successful Seed&Spark campaign, what it takes to bring practical effects and dystopian visions to life, and why stories like these matter in an age of rapid technological acceleration.

Nick also shares behind-the-scenes tales from his work at Freethink, his popular show Hard Reset, and how speculative fiction can serve as a tool for “rapid prototyping the future.” Whether you're a fan of Black Mirror, thoughtful sci-fi, or just love seeing indie creators swing big, this episode is for you.

🎥 Support the film, follow the journey, and help bring Decommissioned to life!
Seed&Spark and Instagram

Check out more of Nick's work on Hard Reset and FreeThink!
Learn more about the Moving Picture Institute (MPI)!

📞 Call the Raff’s Brain Hotline! Pick a topic, make a statement, ask a question: 571-408-8058

SHOW OUTLINE:

• Welcome & intro to the “Riffin’ with Raff” interview stream
• How Rob & Nick met (Moving Picture Institute origin story)
• Nick’s background in film, documentaries, and creative media
• What inspired Decommissioned and its dark near-future setting
• Sci-fi as both warning and blueprint
• The challenges of crowdfunding and community-building
• Why this short is a proof of concept for a larger feature
• Shoutout to collaborators: puppeteer Brandon Johnson, DP Tim Sessler
• Using physical effects to bring originality back to sci-fi
• Hard Reset, Brian Johnson, and Nick’s DIY health journey
• Sleepwalking, sleep paralysis, and wearable sleep tech
• Filmmaking, friendship, and following your instincts
• Call to action for supporters and sci-fi fans