Film Festivals And The Lifestyle Choices of Dominic

Last week I decided to take some time out from my post-uni routine of sleeping, playing various games on the Playstation and eating out at McDonald's to go to an awards ceremony. That's right, an awards ceremony, with a red carpet and everything. At least I think the carpet was red, the reality was that I went to a Digital Film Production end of year show at Cineworld in Cheltenham. Was I invited because I'm a renowned journalist, who could cast a critical but witty eye over proceedings? No, I was invited by two of my house-mates who are on the course. Still though, that's more that you've done isn't it? ISN'T IT?

Despite it being an evening of entertainment shared with a few friends, and an excuse to look a little more important than I actually am, I was sceptical about going. This was mainly due to the fact that I would have to sit through three hours of short films. It would be fair to say that I have a short attention span. If I watch a short film on youtube, I'm usually twitching to see how long it's got left, or how long I've spent watching it. The thought of doing this for three hours was enough for me to break out in a sweat, which wasn't ideal, because I had only just put on the shirt that I had to spend the rest of the evening wearing. I felt sorry for the people sat around me.

My scepticism was unfounded. By the time I sat down and cracked open a bag of M&Ms, the evening sailed by. The films were a mixture of Drama, Horror, Romantic Comedy and Documentaries. Some of the films were genuinely exceptional, some were less exceptional, and I'm afraid to say that at times the thought of 'I could make something as good as this' entered my mind.

That's the thing with films though, someone's favourite film of all time can so easily be one that someone else will despise up to the point where they start spitting out blood, such is their rage. Some of the films I watched were completely lost on me. While some looked beautiful and professional, I couldn't help but wonder where the story was. With this in mind, I've come up with an idea for a short film of my own. It is obviously all style over substance, but it is very much like modern art, in that there is some sort of plot and context beneath the superficial tosh you are seeing with those fickle little things you call your eyes.


The Lifestyle Choices of Dominic
Synopsis: Dominic is a quiet young man in his late 20s. He leads a typical life in that he works hard, has a close network of friends and socialises whenever he can, often accompanied by Emma, his girlfriend of three years. However, Dominic is heading upon tough times, and today he must make the decision whether to hold on to the inner child who has been part of him since his birth, or let go of it and conquer the world.

This of course means that Dominic wakes up at 7am, gets showered and goes downstairs to the kitchen to make some breakfast. It is at this point when he is hit with the hardest decision of his life - Coco Pops or Corn Flakes? From here the film comprises of 3 and a half minutes of tense close ups, with Dominic's eyes shifting across from one box of cereal to the other. Occasionally you may see his hand reach for one of the boxes only to quickly retract it back to it's original place. Then comes the three minutes of unadulterated weeping, crying, bawling, screaming until Dominic's face is red, his veins are throbbing and his voice is going hoarse. He has collapsed on the floor, and Emma is absolutely powerless to stop him. I don't want to spoil the ending, but lets just say that with Emma's help, Dominic manages to find a happy medium between the full grown adult and his inner child. This will probably come in the form of a box of Frosties or Coco Shreddies, or any sort of other cereal for grown men who can't really face reality.

If anyone would like to make this happen for me, please feel free to contact me. I may even post some more ideas in the next few weeks. I don't want to blow your mind all at once though.