While technology is evolving it seems like people's ability to communicate and connect is devolving. failYr 2 ComuNiK8 explores what happens to a friendship when one guy is constantly frustrated by his buddy's misuse of technology to reach out and touch someone.
The challenge I was given with this project was to explore the very broad subject of technology's role in communication and focus in on some small aspect of the topic. People shared personal examples of the pluses and minuses of technology but in the end they always seemed most fascinated by the incident featured in the video which is very loosely based on a friend of mine and me.
If you mouse over the photographs below you can learn a bit about the process of creating failYr 2 ComuNiK8.
I've had the pleasure of acting with Kayvon Khoshkam in another student's project at VFS (Vancouver Film School).
When it was time to cast my video I knew he was the first person I should call.
VFS does not allow students to use anything that is seen or heard on screen unless we have the right clearances and releases. In the case of the e-mail inbox it was easier for me to just create and animate my own version of the screenshots I needed.
I also needed to create a brand name and logo for the fictional social media website featured in the last scene.
In addition to the logo I designed and animated the Bunch of Sheep chat screen windows.
My project mentor and I decided that since Richard communicates mostly through e-mail, text and chat we should minimize our view of him until the final payoff of this reaction shot. Thanks to Joel Bernbaum for giving 100% to this under appreciated role.
The screen shots were all animated and playing back live so the actors didn't have to actually type while we were filming each scene. Ultimately though most of views of the computer were replaced by tighter closeup shots of the animations in post production.
Also critical to the success of this video was finding the right actress. Marianne Mandrusiak did a fabulous job of capturing the moment when her character suddenly realizes the sacrifices she has made to stay with Richard.
Kayvon was very consistent from take to take which made the editing process much easier for me. However one of the best takes came when he improvised a very nice emotional moment when he finally realizes that his friend is being an idiot.
I am proud of myself for keeping shooting day moving smoothly because as a performer myself I know how tiring an unorganized shoot can be for the actors. I really appreciated the sense of playfulness and laughter that all of the actors brought to this project.
Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to thank James Filbry who was my project mentor. He was a great sounding board to bounce around ideas and his professional expertise was very much appreciated in helping to shape the final look of failYr 2 ComuNiK8.
