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In the near future, a technology named Cerebra has eliminated the need for verbal communication. Instead, all contact is expressed telepathically–and without error. All those who have opted in to this technology are perfectly understood, 100% of the time: a life without friction. But what do we lose when we find ourselves without the need for discourse?Cerebra salesman Kelvin finds out as he embarks on a journey to convince the members of an old folks home to join this exciting new technology.
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A breakthrough technology, Cerebra, has eliminated the disconnect in communication. A small device, placed behind the ear of the user, connects the user’s brain to the cloud, allowing the user to express all thoughts, emotions, memories, and feelings instantaneously and perfectly with other users.03
{actor comp: Riz Ahmed}a Cerebra salesman. He exists in a safe, monotonous routine: he wakes up with his girlfriend, Penny, goes to work, gets a drink after work, and goes to bed. But when he is assigned to a new demographic to sell to, he begins to seek change.Kelvin
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Kelvin is assigned to pitch Cerebra to old folks at retirement and care facilities. In order to connect with them, Kelvin realizes that he must learn to “downgrade” - i.e., learn to communicate verbally with the old folks (“on their level”). In doing so, he comes up against the frustrations we feel every day at not being understood and realizes that, in fact, he yearns for the conflict and friction that cerebra has erased.
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What does Friction give us that unity can’t?
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A world in which everything is communicated essentially telepathically has no need for signage, for colors, for written direction or ideas. Our world will be dark and drab, lit with muted blues, grays, and yellows.We will feel the contrast of this world starkly when we enter the “Downgrading Room”, the room in which Kelvin will practice communicating verbally. In this room, the walls are adorned with vibrant signage and art, a sharp break from the rest of the world.At the end of the film, as Kelvin finally finds the moment of conflict he’s been seeking, sunlight will finally begin to peek through, and our drab look will turn more vibrant and colorful.
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There are two forces at play in every scene in this short: friction, and fluidity. In the efficient world occupied by Cerebra users, our shots will be still, smooth, and highly choreographed to reflect the seamless existence of those that are “linked in.”As Kelvin pushes himself to communicate verbally, we will use handheld shots and tighter frames to embody the raw intimacy and vulnerability that comes with expressing yourself.
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Cast: $3,100
Crew: $15,000
Art Budget: $2,000
Locations: $3,000
Gear: $1,000
Crafty: $1,400
Total Cost: $25,500Crowdfunding goal: $10,000
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Filmmaking is a team effort. It's impossible to make something good without teammates at every step of the process. As part of the fundraising team making this story possible, your donation goes toward finding the most talented cast, the most dedicated crew, transformative production design, and important production expenses (like making sure everyone is well fed on set). We can’t do it without you. Every dollar makes a difference.about us
Wrong Place Productions
Wrong Place Productions is a Brooklyn-based, independent production company with a focus on scripted sci-fi, horror, and comedy work. Our original works explore themes of isolation, alienation, and the (sometimes painful) humor inherent to those emotions.In addition to our original work, Wrong Place Productions assists as producers, writers, directors, and editors on scripted, documentary, and commercial projects. We believe that everyone has a story tell, and behind that story, a unique identity and vision.Sasha Shapiro
sasha@wrongplaceproductions.comAugustus Childres
augustus@wrongplaceproductions.com