Adverse Effects
Narrative Feature
Project Type: Narrative Feature
Project Status: Development
Director: Michael Carnick
Co-Producers: Artak Pictures
Producer: Kirk Roos, Chelsea Fenton
Project Email: artakpictures@gmail.com
LOGLINE
A disabled man discovers he’s being tested like a lab rat by the Pharma company he works for and decides to take down a rogue Doctor with a dark secret in order to save more people like him.
SYNOPSIS
Wes and his fiancé, Kelly, meet an ex employee, Jonathan, also confined to a wheelchair. Jonathan uses a ventilator and can't speak except through a computer speech box (like Stephen Hawking). Jonathan meets with Wes privately and types “HELP ME,” but the words are quickly erased and replaced with a common greeting. Someone is overwriting his voice.
Later, Wes discovers secret archival security camera footage of the company testing drugs on unwilling subjects, including Dr. Byron's own son. Wes is next. Desperate, but determined, Wes discovers evidence in Dr. Bryon’s files that points back to Nazi research nearly a century old... as Wes tries to escape, he is knocked out.
Wes is disabled man who uses a wheelchair and wins a dream job at a pharmaceutical company. When Wes arrives at Pharmagen, he’s assigned a huge ADA compliant office. His coworkers are helpful but he’s creeped out by their obsessive tolerance of his disability. His boss, Dr. Byron, is a seemingly well-meaning man, but Wes soon discovers his ulterior motives.
Wes wakes up on a surgical table. Dr. Byron is about to cut him open, as part of his research on human genomic purity, as in Nazi-Germany, and he sees disabled people as a burden to society. Including his own son. Dr. Byron believes he’s creating a “healthier” society and thanks Wes for his support in this research. After all, they are changing humanity for the better.
Just as Wes is about to be sliced open, he is saved by his fiancé Kelly. Now, they must try to free the other disabled people. Will they be able to escape Dr. Bryon in time
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
Seven years ago, I underwent a routine jaw surgery. They cut into my flesh while I was still awake, and I could feel the knife. I was put on a ventilator as a result of surgical complications.
I could not breathe, eat, or drink without help, but the most frightening thing is I could not speak. Doctors put words in my mouth. I couldn't tell them I was in pain.
They blamed the ADVERSE EFFECTS on my disability. An unfortunate reality. When surgeons botch an operation, it's easier to write off a human with a pre-existing condition. They said I'd never speak again. I proved them wrong.
The story of Adverse Effect exposes the truth in a system where disabled people are used as a novelty or as marketing props by doctors and big corporations. This creeping thriller taps into our fear of losing autonomy. It’s about finding your voice in a world that makes us all feel small.
Michael Carnick
Director
In 2018, Michael wrote and directed the independent TV pilot “Manny Fantasma”, which premiered at the Santa Monica Film Festival that year, garnering the Emerging Director Award. It has since screened at over a dozen festivals worldwide, picking up several awards, including the Los Angeles Film Awards' Best Web/TV Pilot. The following year, Michael directed the feature length drama “The Forbidden Wish", starring Sammi Rotibi (Django Unchained) and Johnny Berchtold (Gaslit). It was distributed by Conduit Now in 2021, available on Amazon and other major streaming platforms.
Michael was born with a rare physical disability which confines him to an electric wheelchair. His work is often centered around the themes of disability awareness and the human experience of being a minority. He often highlights disability, LGBTQ+, and race inequality using empathy and deep self reflection of the human spirit.
Kirk Roos
Producer
Originally from North Dakota, Kirk has been working in film and TV for 25 years, starting as an actor, then writing and producing. He has a passion for finding unique NEW VOICES. Roos is the founder of Northern Lights Films, Badlands Features and Heartstrings Media Capital (HMC) and newly launched, Streamline Pictures.
At HMC, Roos is part of a team building a library of independent content. He recently produced/acted in SANTA’S COUSIN (Eric Roberts and Jonathan Stoddard), which shot in New Mexico, where he plans to film ADVERSE EFFECT. Some of HMC’s other titles coming soon include: GUARDIANS (Eric Roberts), HISTORY OF WESTERN SWING and BREWMANCE.
Some of his past producing credits include: 3 DAYS WITH DAD (Brian Dennehy, Tom Arnold, Lesley Ann Warren and JK Simmons), THE BRASS TEAPOT (Juno Temple and Michael Angarano), directed by Ramaa Mosley, Voltage Picture’s BEDEVILED, (Saxon Sharbino), directed by Nicholl Fellow winners, The Vang Brothers, HIGH ROAD, (Dylan O’Brien, Ed Helms and Lizzy Caplan), and A BETTER YOU, (Brian Huskey and Erinn Hayes), both directed by actor Matt Walsh, PAINKILLERS (Colm Feore), which Roos also co-wrote. Roos is also actively writing and developing new materials of his own and for clients. He is also acting in BREWMANCE this spring, directed by Keagan Karnes. Kirk has directed documentaries AMERICAN HERRO (PBS) and GOLD BLOODED (Amazon), and was a Co-EP on Discovery Channel’s GOLD RUSH: WHITE WATER and BROTHERS IN BLUES: JIMMIE AND STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN, distributed by HMC/Heartstrings.
Chelsea Fenton
Producer
Chelsea is a Canadian-American Producer and Line Producer. A member of the Producers Guild of America, Chelsea was born in Toronto, raised in Dubai, and is now based in Los Angeles.
To date, Chelsea has produced nine feature films, multiple short films, music videos, and branded content, with budgets ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000. She has successfully navigated production logistics such as working with a bear, cast/crews of 200+ people, aerial filming with helicopters, and working within various states to acquire tax credits and rebates towards production. In addition to producing, she has an extensive background in production management and support.
Her feature film credits include “Namaslay” currently in production, the documentary feature “Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story”, which premiered on Hulu in February 2024 (Hulu Original/ESPN+), upcoming narrative feature “Grizzly Night” starring Brec Bassinger, Charles Esten and Jack Griffo, “The Mattachine Family” starring Nico Tortorella, Emily Hampshire and Heather Matarazzo (Outfest, Seattle International Film Festival, Frameline), along with “MFA” (SXSW World Premiere) starring Francesca Eastwood and Clifton Collins Jr., and “Café Americano” (Virginia Film Festival). She has multiple features currently in development.
Chelsea has also produced for companies such as BuzzFeed, Funny or Die, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not, in addition to production managing for Annapurna Interactive’s “Telling Lies”, who’s leading actor Logan Marshall-Green received a BAFTA Nomination. Chelsea has also worked on multiple music videos, including “Run It” with DJ Snake, Rick Ross and Rich Brian, which was released in tandem with Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Chelsea continues to champion projects that capture unique perspectives through a lens of entertainment.
ARTAK PICTURES
Co-Producers
ARTAK PICTURES is a collective and a production company owned and managed by women working in entertainment. The founders, Floriane, Marianne, Yessi and Nina started the company in 2021. Coming from France, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg, they represent the young and innovative European Generation.
The company bridges continents by developing projects that resonate globally, fostering connections between the United States and Europe. Founded on the belief that diversity and inclusivity are essential for creating impactful and compelling stories, the company was born from a collective desire to empower and amplify the voices of women in the film industry. They are committed to championing female filmmakers, storytellers, and artists and pave the way for a more comprehensive and diverse cinematic landscape.
Their latest work includes the feature film "Wish You Were Here" distributed by Universal and directed by Julia Stiles, and "I Live Here Now" distributed by Utopia and directed by Julie Pacino.