Machotaildrop

Take the 1971 Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, set it at the enigmatic headquarters of the world’s most famous skateboard conglomerate, imbue it with the off-kilter humour of Wes Anderson and the fantastical surrealism of Terry Gilliam and Michel Gondry, and you have Machotaildrop.

Walter Rhum dreams of escaping his boring, small town existence and becoming a professional skateboarder.  He sends a golden highlight reel to the world-famous Machotaildrop skateboard company and is chosen to come to their headquarters, a remote country estate with a half-pipe sitting on a lake, to study under its eccentric leader, The Baron, and ride alongside his idol, Blair Stanley.  At first, everything seems normal for Walter.  He has his own room, is fed roast goose in bed, provided with a custom wardrobe and groomed for stardom.  His bashful personality is a hit, launching his new signature skateboard to massive sales.

In a case of being careful what you wish for, Walter soon learns that success doesn’t come without a price.  Behind the magazine covers, merchandise and glory lies a dark, sinister edge.  Competitive jealousy from Blair takes some of the fun away, and what’s the story with those pills they made him take when he arrived?  He probably should also have asked what happens to the lifetime contract he signed once he can’t skate any longer.  And then there’s the Man Wolfs, a gang of skate rebels straight out of The Warriors, living in the woods nearby. 

Along with Machotaildrop’s gallery of assorted obsessives and freaks, Walter uncovers the company’s secrets and mysteries, and learns that blindly chasing fame and fortune can easily lead to poor choices and exploitation.  Winners of Fuel TV’s million dollar short film contest, Corey Adams and Alex Craig have created a satirical indictment of our logo-laden, consumerist culture which is equal parts comedy and fable, and 100% just plain weird.