Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe travel a dark, twisted path in The Beta Test, a look at the lengths people will go to in service of fulfilling their own desires and preserving their power. But just as fascinating as the film they made is the way that they made it, using crowdfunding to create something that didn’t need to conform to anyone else’s expectations or notes.
I got to speak to this extremely entertaining duo about what inspired them to make this film, how they did it, and what they believe about the future of funding and producing films. You can watch the video below, along with an official summary and where to watch.
The Bata Test Interview with Directors/Stars Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe
Film summary:
A married Hollywood agent receives a mysterious letter for an anonymous sexual encounter and becomes ensnared in a sinister world of lying, murder, and infidelity in this scintillating satire. Written and directed by PJ McCabe and Jim Cummings, THE BETA TEST is a dark satire thriller of Hollywood power dynamics and the vast interconnectivity of digital culture today.
This winding thriller displays the problematic nature of the entertainment industry and humanity’s willingness to jeopardize our happiness in small and constant decisions. It asks the question “In the age of internet consumerism and digital tracking, does anyone truly have privacy?
And can we ever truly rest without having all the answers?”
Here’s the trailer for the film:
The Beta Test premieres Friday, November 5th in select theaters and on-demand.