The Scouts
A little while ago, I got together with some of my closest friends and collaborators to bring together another short film. This has materialized as what we're calling a "Post-Apocalyptic Bromance" roughly titled The Scouts. What began as a simple and fun story to serve as a vessel for Noah and I to finally act together has become a much deeper and necessary piece on my slate. Below is a statement of purpose I wrote to our director.
With a script being penned by Molly Nussbaum and a film directed through the vision of Jonathan Brebner, I couldn't be more excited.
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Statement of Purpose
There is something scary about the direction our society is taking. Be it environmentally, socially, technologically etc. I'm not sure. But it feels dangerous somehow. Post-apocalyptic projects are as big as they've ever been and I feel like there's something bubbling under the surface as to why.
When I watched the short piece "This is Water" I became sort of depressed and didn't really understand why. Everyone else was taking it as inspirational and a way to engage their own lives and be happy. Why was I having such a negative reaction to such a positive video? But then I realized that it was because the message is an idea and a prompt for how to buy into this lifestyle that's been created for us. It tells us "You don't have any say in what happens, so just be happy with yourself and others in a world that is f*cked." (paraphrasing I know) It was a sad thought.
And then the Xbox One was announced. And then we found out that the NSA has access to practically all communication, truly all of our deepest thoughts and feelings. And google glass is arming people with video, sound, and facial recognition and they are willingly, eagerly even, paying for this opportunity. I don't think that there is anything particularly malicious going on (yet). But little by little, we are giving away our privacy. We are letting the world grow smaller. We are allowing a smaller and smaller group of people make very specific decisions for whole populations be it politicians, the "1%," the 6 major media conglomerates etc.
I felt totally on fire after reading all this, as one does when they feel they are standing idly by as potential injustice occurs. I should do something! I should turn this around! But the realization hit me:
When I watched the short piece "This is Water" I became sort of depressed and didn't really understand why. Everyone else was taking it as inspirational and a way to engage their own lives and be happy. Why was I having such a negative reaction to such a positive video? But then I realized that it was because the message is an idea and a prompt for how to buy into this lifestyle that's been created for us. It tells us "You don't have any say in what happens, so just be happy with yourself and others in a world that is f*cked." (paraphrasing I know) It was a sad thought.
And then the Xbox One was announced. And then we found out that the NSA has access to practically all communication, truly all of our deepest thoughts and feelings. And google glass is arming people with video, sound, and facial recognition and they are willingly, eagerly even, paying for this opportunity. I don't think that there is anything particularly malicious going on (yet). But little by little, we are giving away our privacy. We are letting the world grow smaller. We are allowing a smaller and smaller group of people make very specific decisions for whole populations be it politicians, the "1%," the 6 major media conglomerates etc.
I felt totally on fire after reading all this, as one does when they feel they are standing idly by as potential injustice occurs. I should do something! I should turn this around! But the realization hit me:
There is nothing I can do.
Not really. I can write to senators, I can preach on Facebook, I can give up and drink myself into oblivion. Hell I could set myself on fire with a manifesto to the human race and still, the world will carry on its course, barely moved. A track where technological communication is a norm above face to face, where privacy is gone, and one where a few people delude the masses into a quiet, subdued, and safe, but utterly uncreative lifestyle.
And so, with the small frame of "The Scouts" and quiet voice, all I can do is give a world to two characters where they are free from a system that has imploded on itself. The give and take of what they've lost and what they've gained. A world where once again the individual has total autonomy. A place in the company of none but the wind.
And so, with the small frame of "The Scouts" and quiet voice, all I can do is give a world to two characters where they are free from a system that has imploded on itself. The give and take of what they've lost and what they've gained. A world where once again the individual has total autonomy. A place in the company of none but the wind.
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Further Reading:
NY Times Op Editorial about the effect of Technology
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/how-not-to-be-alone.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=general&src=me
Slate.com article about Xbox's capabilities
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/05/28/germany_privacy_chief_peter_schaar_calls_xbox_one_a_twisted_nightmare_for.html
Thought Catalog Post about the 40-hr work week Culture
http://thoughtcatalog.com/2013/your-lifestyle-has-already-been-designed/
Reddit comment about Privacy
http://www.reddit.com/r/changemyview/comments/1fv4r6/i_believe_the_government_should_be_allowed_to/caeb3pl
