Merry Christmas, ya'll. To the well behaved: enjoy your cheer. To the rest, the cell phone dilly-dalliers: you can't escape Krampus.
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| Pictured: Krampus and a young Manno twin. Troy? |
The film is life-affirming and sweet without being syrupy; however, it is not without some measure of darkness. The alternate reality presented to George by Clarence the angel is a vulgar, capitalistic wasteland populated by brothels, bars, and the poor. It's Bedford Falls without its George Bailey.
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| Pottersville: Ah, business without ethics. |
It's not much different than the slums in which the Proles reside in in Nineteen-Eighty-Four.
Yup, it's a dystopia: a wholesome town devastated by unmitigated greed.
As Christmas break approaches, we need to began work on our own dystopia films.
The Twilight Zone (Due Mon. Jan 5th)
- To keep you in the proper mindset, please watch all three of the following episodes of The Twilight Zone.
- Select your favorite episode of the three, and describe it in the comment section of this post.
- These are excellent examples of small-scale, low production dystopias.
- They use writing; not CGI.
"The Obsolete Man"
"The Number 12 Looks Just Like You"
"A Thing About Machines"
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi232564505
"Welcome to the Monkey House" (Due Mon. Jan. 5th)
Kurt Vonnegut: "Welcome to the Monkey House"
The questions: Here
Your Films
Each presentation should consist of three general sections supplemented by images and discussion.
"Welcome to the Monkey House" (Due Mon. Jan. 5th)
- Read the Kurt Vonnegut short story, "Welcome to the Monkey House."
- Respond to the accompanying questions.
- Email the responses to me.
Kurt Vonnegut: "Welcome to the Monkey House"
The questions: Here
Your Films
When we return to school on Monday, January 1st, we will be in the library. You and a partner (your choosing) will work to complete a 12 slide treatment for an original dystopia film. The class will vote on the 6 best film pitches (out of 15 groups). 6 groups, led by the two original members, will be randomly generated.
On Friday, January 9th, the 9 slide presentations will be due.
Each presentation should consist of three general sections supplemented by images and discussion.
Characters (3-4 slides)
- Dissenter
- An "O'Brien" figure: an upper-level party member
- A love interest: someone or something that reawakens the humanity in the protagonist
Plot/Conflict (3-4 slides)
- Define the "Party"
- Define the "Proles"
- Explain the conflict--how does the party affect life and in particular, the life of the dissenter
Costumes/Setting (3-4 slides)
- Costume ideas: how does the Party affect dress?
- Setting: don't think too big; keep it small
- Motif, music, symbol, MacGuffin: Incorporate some distinct visual element
As you work, keep Nineteen-Eighty-Four in mind. Your completed film will need to contain an interrogation scene in which the machinations of the Party are explained. Orwell's vision is the most well-defined.
The Twilight Zone provides excellent examples of smaller settings that convey similar themes to Nineteen-Eighty-Four. Remember: Falcon Films are low budget. We have to work within our means. However, setbacks and limitations often spur the most creativity!
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| Couldn't fix Artoo with a computer in '77. |
Kurt Vonnegut is funny. Dystopias can be scary and humorous. However, this is often a delicate line. "Welcome to the Monkey House" also focuses on the repression of human sexuality. This is very Orwellian, and it is something you need to approach delicately in your completed films. Keep it PG.
