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Example 1 Directors statement
Making Movies 1 (FLTV10010)
University of Melbourne
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TITLE: The Vacation LOG-LINE: “No one expected it, but they did” My film “The Vacation” is highly influenced by the directors David Lynch and Michael Hanake. These directors play with the use of surrealism with a touch of the mundane, which I am undoubtedly interested in. I was inspired by a particular event of a family that killed themselves without telling anybody, everyone was led to believe that they were moving to Australia. Michael Hanake was influenced by this too and developed a film called “The Seventh Continent.” However, my story was influenced by the event, it is not a mimicry of it. Rather it is my own idea of a married couple who in every shot are smiling and showing affection towards each other – the wife circles a particular date on the calendar, the picture on the calendar is a depiction of a yacht upon a harmonious ocean. The couple discuss the suicide in an ambiguous manner which leads the audience to believe they are planning their great vacation upon a desert island. The film consists of controversial topics of suicide and the detrimental role it plays within society. I wish to present a particular ambience within this film that leaves the audience feeling that something is a tad ajar. This will be characterised through the actors themselves, on a personal note I believe that Jack Nicolson and perhaps an unknown female actress with a set of pearly white teeth can play this role. Likewise, Jack Nicolson is notorious for his sinister smile which I believe will play rather well within this film about a married couples days leading up to suicide. Each scene contains ‘Day one,’ ‘Day two,’ to create a sense of suspense within the audience, as to what the days are leading up to – however, I hope the voyeur believes the final day (Day thirty) is when the married couple finally leave for their bucolic vacation amongst the pacific. Before the suicide takes place, the husband is seen ‘resigning’ from his job as a salesman, and warmly shakes his bosses hand with the typical smile. Likewise, following this will be the husband taking a loan from the bank to pay for his vacation plus other expenditure. The storyline itself has no real point of view besides the husband and wife, there is no biased protagonist rather it is shown through both their eyes equally. The world around them encompasses the classic American dream aesthetics, with a white house, red rose beds filed accordingly around their yard, a white picket fence and the stay at home wife accompanied by a corporate man in a suit and tie. The film itself is a rather small and intimate film with a dark meaning behind it, although the world is light and cheerful there is a sinister presence behind the two smiling people. I want the film to be as misleading as ever, however, I also would like the audience to have the benefit of the doubt throughout the film, and console themselves when something doesn’t seem right. The textures within the film will convey this – I wish there to be high levels of contrast and shadows cast upon the characters faces, while juxtaposed against a cheery outside world. I imagined the film to be set in the USA suburbia within the 1950s, my reason for this is simply because I want to convey the message that there is no such thing as the American dream, behind every white picket fence, and beds of blood coloured roses there is an evil lurking around every corner – some choose to ignore it, while others embrace it. At the very start of the film, I would it to be similar to the opening of American Beauty, where Kevin Spacey talks about his banal life and the camera exhibits an establishing shot of suburbia to portray the perfect world he seemingly inhabits. However, differing from American Beauty, my film illustrates how there is suffering behind smiling faces within a sparkling utopia. Moreover, there will be no soundtrack whatsoever, similar to Hanake who uses little to no soundtrack to increase the amount of tension within the film. The only sounds will be diegetic noises of the birds, clanking of pots and pans, and finally the deafening sound of the gun shots. One of the reasons why I choose to do this, is simply because I want to heighten the tension within the film and make it seem like it is not a film at all, instead a documentary of the banality of everyday life. They buy expendable gifts which leads the audience to believe they are rather wealthy and are enjoying their night before their great endeavour. Within the short film the next scene provides the perception that the couple are packing their suitcases for their trip, this is shortly followed by the couple exchanging one last kiss before killing themselves as they reach the door. This is a rather abrupt ending, and I have done so on purpose. I want the audience to be under the perception that the couple are going on a vacation for a lengthy amount of time and the thought that something may happen while they away. The target audience is really at the common man, and mainly the government. This film has an underlying sense of political motivation. It’s a commentary of how the government, your neighbour, your parents, even your best friend influence you to cover your feeling and stretch a smile on your face like you’re an animation, so no one will feel strange about your depression. This is film set on the principle that no matter how rich, social, or perfect your life may seem – depression strikes anyone at any given time, and some kill themselves which is a reality everyone has to face. It may seem out of the blue, however it is not, its one thing after another and another – yet, we are taught to hide it well with an artificial smile like the beds of roses.
Example 1 Directors statement
Course: Making Movies 1 (FLTV10010)
University: University of Melbourne
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