3D printers are more accessible now than they have ever been and the reality is that to make a gun is as simple as the click of a button.
‘Billy Boys’ takes us to an eerily realistic problem we are going to have in the near future, if it’s not already happening in the underground scenes. Director Fraser Rigg doesn’t think we really truly realise the power of technology, where 3D printers are more accessible now than they have ever been and the reality is that to make a gun is as simple as the click of a button. ‘Billy Boys’ is a stylistic thrilling film about the underground world shifting to the digital age.
Welcome to the digital age you old bastard
My close friend and collaborator Mike Wilson and I had just finished shooting our first short film “Repetition” which I wrote and Directed. We were looking for our next project, and I had this idea for a story on 3D printed guns, so I wrote a draft of the script which was half of the idea. I then passed it on to Mike who is a much more talented writer than I am and he came up with the great twist at the end and final punch line of ‘welcome to the digital age you old bastard!’. Thats when our producer Andy Surry became attached, Mike organised a meeting where we pitched him the idea and he got interested in the project. After that it was just a case of finding the right cast, costumes, props and locations.
Composed with a great ballad of acting and a simply stirring and colorful cinematography, the story is driven by rhythm from the impeccable soundtrack by Chris Wilson.
The whole reason of the project was to show what we could do for little money, in total ‘Billy Boys’ cost us £4,000 which we self funded. I also wanted to show off stylistically what I could achieve as director, in my eyes ‘Billy Boys’ is a sci-fi and after ‘Repetition’ I had the urge to shoot something that look sci-fi. Worryingly though, is that the technology already exists to create guns with 3D printers.
Turn up the speakers and fill up your screen to enter the digital age!