PREMISE

Shot entirely in slow motion from a birds eye view, the film takes place above a body of water. Vivid colour and movement fill the frame throughout, people are floating in the water - some desperate, some serene, some angry and arguing. Visually, it is highly stylised and hyperreal, but it focuses on the strong performances from the characters. It is a film which demonstrates human emotions in a desperate situation.

ACTION

A group of figures have crashed down into the water, as if they have dropped out of the sky. Entering a drowned world, each figure looks as though they have been caught in the middle of an action; they are shocked, surprised, complacent, distressed, fearful, ecstatic, bored, hopeful…. The characters are realistic but also extreme- they are all captured in the same apocalyptic moment, each dealing with the situation in a different way. The people range from a hairy biker, to a chef, to a classical musician, to a couple of scrapping bridesmaids; it is as if a cruise liner has capsized and dropped people from all walks of life down into the water. In this situation, everyone is equal, vulnerable and exposed. 

CHARACTER EXAMPLES

Representing feelings and ideas of love, greed, desperation, selfishness, kindness.

• A business man in a suit tries to float on his briefcase, whilst shouting into a hands free headset. Documents with charts on float away from him.
• Two people circle a chef in chequered trousers brandishing a knife, defending the fruit and vegetables clutched in his arms.
• Two bridesmaids swim towards a bouquet of flowers, grabbing and wrestling each other.
• A man in a dinner jacket desparately tries to hold a drink out of the water, grasping a wine bottle in the other.
• A young woman in a pretty dress clings to a small dog (name tag - Lucky), screaming violently and crying.
• Two burly men fight each other, murderously dunking the other under the water.
• An old woman floats serenely, holding onto her hat with dignity. Hand in hand with a tattooed man, trying to paddle them both away with his iPad.

CAMERA

Starting with a wide and in the midst of the action, there is an overview of the whole scene. Then we focus in on details of each character and scene, as if studying a complex photograph or painting. Shot on a high speed camera, it will exaggerate every movement and distort expressions as they look up directly into the sky. We see close-ups of wide mouths screaming and eyes popping, water splashing up into faces, heads being plunged under the surface; is chaotic, violent and striking.

MOOD & LIGHTING

The mood is heightened by stark and dramatic lighting effects, like big lightening flashes, suggesting a storm. This kicks in with the beat, adding to the energy of the film. A truly distinct and memorable style, the film will use perfect timing and choreography, sharp acting and a crescendo in the edit to match the driving pace of the track.