Working Title: Times Changing
TIMES CHANGING
Synopsis
This multi screen film features a character who on one screen symbolises repression and manipulation, in an Orwellian artificial bureaucratic setting. On the other screen we see the character expressing themselves freely in a setting in which anything is possible, exposed to a place of freedom and creativity, symbolised by the use of different filming locations or ways to create different settings, such as the place the character first enters; an alleyway.
Treatment/Shot list
Screen 1: A middle aged male character wearing dark plain neutral attire is seen in a office, sat at a desk, staring outwards. A dead plant sits in the corner of the room. The sound of a clock ticking can be heard and the character’s hand can be seen, typing at a computer. Everything about the scene is dull and dystopian.. Lont takes from different angles of the man and his unimpressed expression could be used to see the bland expression throughout all aspects of the character, from facial expression to body language. During moments of this screen story will be cut to a plain white wall, where the paint is drying. Another way to show this is the idea of watching paint dry, which can be interpreted by the shot of the wall, alternatively by the same wall with a ‘Wet paint - Do not touch’ sign; symbolising the idea that reality being as dull as watching paint dry. The phrase ‘Do not touch’ shows authority and that reality features a dictated and controlled society in which pressure dictates individuals choices. There could also be shots of a clock as it ticks, showing a source, different separated shots of the clock could show time progressing faster than it actually is, along with continuing tick of the clock which is steady and unchanging, representing the unchanging and repetitive aspect of life in this reality. The shots of the character could also pan outwards to show a want for this kind of reality to fade away, making room for a reality of freedom and change as well as the idea of living in a reality like this is to fade out of history, not making any sort of change.
Screen 2: On a separate screen at different times but sometimes overlapping, another reality will be shown. This reality starts out dark and unknowing and would be a first person point of view shot, as if looking for a way out, for change, freedom and a new way to live. This secondary screen transgresses the first screens themes. The character stumbles upon an alleyway which as a stereotype is often a dangerous place. However, in this reality he has freedom and the second screen explores the alleyway, because they can be whatever the character wants them to be. Therefore as we journey down the alley with this character we find all kinds of fun and crazy things that challenge the stereotype of a typical alley, which then becomes their escape, their reality, their creativity and their freedom; their imagination. Things that will be able to be seen in the alleyway will include vibrantly coloured lights and additional characters which will be doing all kinds of crazy things, wearing whatever they want and doing things that we may consider normal and or fun, yet in a confined and suppressed reality of control these things are considered wrong, representing a transgression and showing the character to be rebelling. One of these acts could be something as simple as using silly string or party poppers to represent an aspect of celebrating life and freedom but also giving a childlike aspect that shows that the character is lashing, wanting to be free, also represented by the bright colours, with all of these aspects also challenging stereotypes. As the character continues to progress the setting could possibly change and we can represent the idea of transgression and the thought process of the character through the use of colour, time as well as the structure of the film. The film will end by reaching a conclusion, a point that the character reaches in which they have fulfilled their goal of transgressing, and challenging the society and reality that we see them in through the first screen. This can be shown through time seeming to go a lot faster, showing that things are changing, only for everything to stop and for the character seen in the first screen to stand up and walk out of the room as if finally deciding to do something about that way of life and that reality, in a way seeming like everything shown on the first screen was a dream or the thoughts, wants and desires of the character, also implied by how bizarre everything seemingly is in this alternate reality which through this can symbolise a society in which freedom is celebrated but also the thoughts of a person living within the first reality.
The ideas behind this film are inspired by both the world around us, as well as an idea, a way that society could be. Not only this but also the thoughts of someone who desires freedom and/or change.
Hera are some inspirational videos we've looked at that have inspired us:
Hera are some inspirational videos we've looked at that have inspired us:
How to recognize a dystopia - Alex Gendler
What makes something "Kafkaesque"? - Noah Tavlin
What "Orwellian" really means - Noah Tavlin
Mind Control corporate espionage, Directed by Vincenzo Natali.
Equilibrium, Directed by Kurt Wimmer, 2002.
This intense, unsettling film draws heavily from George Orwell's classic, 1984. Writer/director Kurt Wimmer substitutes "Big Brother" for "Father," whose voice and features are projected across Libria on enormous television screens, constantly reminding people of the dangers of the natural human state and the devastation it had led to in earlier, less sophisticated societies. Where Orwell has "thought police," Wimmer has "sense police." States in Orwell's world subdue their populations by the need to maintain their war efforts, while Libria's justifies the abuse of its people through the notion of sustaining peace.
-Nell Minow, Common sense media.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a6kbU88wu0\
-What makes something "Kafkaesque"? - Noah Tavlin:
-What "Orwellian" really means - Noah Tavlin
-Mind Control scene from Cypher directed by Vincenzo Natali, 2002 :
-Equilibrium, Directed by Kurt Wimmer, 2002 :
