#1
Since last year both me and Benj worked in different groups and have discussed together that we felt those groups could have been more organised, this year we are getting a head-start. This means that we are already trying to throw ideas for the film around (somewhat unsuccessfully at the moment) but spirits are high and we are steadily getting there as well as becoming more and more understanding that the story must make sense and be a basic idea that we can pad out to make it a great one. So, one idea that came to me after flicking through countless Youtube five minute shorts, was a film about domestic violence. I don't know how it came to me but the more I thought about it the more I thought it could work if it was developed properly and not a half-hearted effort. For example there is the avenue of showing the character attempting to lead a normal life whilst keeping this massive secret, as well as showing the actual cruelty of a relationship controlled by domestic violence. It would be a risky option to choose as it would have to be pulled off proper and made to look realistic, but it seems like an interesting base subject and perfect for a five minute short that would be a drama. Perhaps the advantage of having Benj's new software to use as well as better equipment and knowledge would help to make it realistic. Hopefully we may be able to develop this further, I would certainly like too. See what the group says.
Thanks for reading.
Benjamin Squires
#1
A fairly young man is seen at work, depressed, bored and lonely. He constantly watches the clock until the day ends and he can head home. He hates his job and is bored of his routine life. This can be shown through a very quick cutting scene of his average day. On one of his routine trips home he heads through his local park and sees a woman. They begin to talk and bond over a coffee in a local cafe. Through montage, we see the two getting closer and closer before their relationship dies. The man returns to his usual routine life. The addition to this story that makes it different is that the pair both carry different coloured balloons both with drawn faces throughout their relationship. The emotions drawn onto the balloon represent their relationship, and toward the end of the relationship they pop each others balloons. During the final scenes the man is back at work, bored, when his popped balloon rises behind him outside the building (as seen through the window) with a plaster.
Inspirations -
The simple look of the balloon with the man is almost iconic.
I really like the idea that the girls paper bag constantly represents her emotions in response to each new event.
The mans routine of work is shown very well, with long shots of the characters despondent expression that give us a connection to the character and make his life comparable to ours. The couples chemistry is also developed very well, it's length of 12 minutes is disheartening though, hopefully we don't develop such a connection because of the length of the film, rather the personality of the characters.
