Elliot Weiss

It’s the winter of 1989 in upstate New York. The temperature is freezing; it’s no more than 20 degrees outside. Arthur Streeter comes home, only to discover that Central Hudson, a New York area gas and electric company, has left him a turn-off notice. Although he has paid his bill, someone from the company is ready to shut everything off unless he can show a proof of payment.

A true story, Streeter’s anger and frustration from this experience inspired a friend, Elliot Weiss, to write a poem the same year entitled “Mr. Electric Bill Collector,” which Weiss read at various venues in New York.

Ten years later, Weiss’ poem influenced Streeter to create “Lights Out,” a film that made its SF State debut at the Little Theatre on April 25.

“I was pissed off,” Streeter said about having to go back to the company and ask for his receipt.

“Lights Out” is a 47-minute window into the life of Sam Plubowski, a typical white-collar worker who has a problem: he can’t—and ultimately decides he won’t—pay his utility bills.

“[He is a man who] has issues with the powers that be,” explained Weiss, a 52-year-old SF State theatre arts major who plays the protagonist, Plubowski.

“Lights Out” takes place in the near future, Streeter explained, where people are complacent and compliant and there is no government. Big businesses and utilities have taken over, forming one almighty entity that tracks humans by surgically implanting chips that control their slightest moves and thoughts.

while Streeter was working as a master control operator for PBS Honolulu. He took advantage of the training on broadcasting techniques and free use of camera equipment to make the film, he said.

The crew consisted of Streeter and four other actors, all of whom helped in the production of the film; the soundtrack was also produced by Weiss and Streeter.

In addition to having a small part in the film, Streeter acted as the film’s director, producer, editor and photography director.

The result is not a tale of redemption or spiritual awakening, he explained, but a hint into what’s coming in the future, which he said “is not looking too bright.”

“Control chips?” Streeter said of the future. “I can see that [happening]. I can see getting licensed to have a child.”

Effective, visceral, evocative and provocative were among some of the adjectives used by viewers to describe their experience after the film.

“I’m surprised that people got me!” Streeter said with a laugh.

Although “Lights Out” was never about making money, Streeter said he hopes that it will one day benefit from a release on DVD. The only problem is finding distributors. According to him, all the film needs is a little push.