Dot Executable was my big end of year project. It was my last official filmmaking project at the Fundación de la Universidad del Cine de Buenos Aires (FUC). We had been assigned to submit a short film of no longer than 6 minutes in length. This project was meant to be our first opportunity to film on set as it was expected that quarantine measures were to finally soften. With such a hope in mind, we were tasked to prepare our projects to be filmed either in a set or a public space, with actors. My original script had involved three actors and utilized a bar as a public space for the first scene, it was about an internet myth called “semen retention” which thrived on the social media platform known as ‘Reddit’. The story was about a young man that after accepting a bet by his friend would abstain in any sexual activities for a month, the idea behind this was that he had read on the internet that semen retention would grant the user powers unheard of by any man and would grant them a state of near nirvana (read more). This was meant to be a short satirical comedic film, and was approved by the university board, however, the covid-19 restrictions were not alleviated and required everyone to remain on home lockdown.
A wrench had been thrown into my mechanisms and it was back to the drawing board as I felt that doing a project like this without the supporting actors would lose some of it’s comedic value. The module leader then told us we were now allowed to either follow with the original project if possible regarding the restrictions or that we could start from scratch altogether, I chose the latter.
I had recently been consuming content about hackers, be it through video games or videos online, and had been captivated by the idea of an underground hacker utilizing his computer powers in the attempt of achieving something bigger than himself. A complete change to the original story had been taken, but the rush of new ideas as to where I could take this had reinvigorated me after the disappointment of not being able to film my initial project as I had envisioned it.
Dot executable is a short film about a hacker in an abusive relation with his teammate, coming across the files to HARP, a program utilized to control the global environment. The protagonist struggles to bare the weight of this newfound power as he could see the dangerous impact his actions could have by utilizing it. The protagonist decides to confront his teammate and shut down the project, removing their access from the program and reporting him to the corresponding authorities.
My main focus with this film was to try to utilize all the skills I had learnt throughout the year and apply them to a visually enticing film. Utilizing elements such as motion graphics, LUTs and some audio libraries I had picked up along the way, this was meant to be a culmination of learning for me. I’m really pleased with what I was able to do given the bumpy road along the way, however, in retrospect, I can see a lot of room for improvement.
Lessons Learned:
- Flexibility is a double edged sword, it can be very useful but if used in excess it can damage a projects’ outcome.
- Having a project folder containing scripts, storyboards and planning is a powerful tool.
- Editing skills improved. LUTs can completely change the mood of a movie. GFX are useful both as a background element and as a feature. Audio plays a strong factor in pacing.
This project was filmed during the Covid-19 quarantine (2020). All roles were performed by myself. From scripting, acting, directing, editing and GFX, this was completely a one man effort from its conception to its submission.
Here is the original script for the film. As it was made in Argentina for a Spanish speaking audience, the script is in spanish.
Punto Ejecutable 01-INT.-MONOAMBIENTE(ESCRITORIO 1)-DÍA FRANCO (18) escucha música a través de unos auriculares mientras suelda componentes a una placa. En frente suyo tiene una pequeña pantalla en donde se ve un video musical. Cuando termina de soldar aparece una notificación en la pantalla de que alguien se conectó a la llamada. X Dejá lo que estás haciendo y conectate ya. Franco Estoy arreglando mi mouse, Titán, ¿qué pasa? X Conseguí ingreso a la base de datos del ejército. Mirá esto. FRANCO levanta el celular y ve una notificación de una transferencia de un archivo denominado H.A.A.R.P. FRANCO arma su mouse y se sienta en su escritorio. 02-INT.-MONOAMBIENTE(ESCRITORIO 2)-DÍA FRANCO se sienta en su escritorio y se pone unos auriculares inalámbricos. Delante suyo tiene una serie de pantallas, mostrando información. FRANCO Estoy X Abrí lo que te mandé. FRANCO hace un gesto con el celular y el archivo aparece en su monitor, al clickear se abren muchas ventanas con información, entre ellas un mapa mundial mostrando catástrofes climáticos a nivel mundial. FRANCO No entiendo. X H.A.A.R.P. es un programa diseñado por la Fuerza aérea yanqui para controlar el clima. En otras palabras, el que controla esto es Dios. FRANCO ¿Cómo conseguiste acceso a esto? X Eso no te involucra. Necesito que haquees el Sistema. Fijate si hay alguna debilidad y explotalo. FRANCO Ahí veo que puedo hacer. FRANCO pone LED SPIRALS - LE CASTLE VANIA (canción) y empieza a teclear y mover el mouse. Delante suyo se abren ventanas de distintos estilos. Empieza a escribir código y cuando termina la canción consigue acceso al programa. FRANCO Entré. X Ya? FRANCO No era muy difícil, usé una red privada virtual para esconder mi - X No me interesa, fijate si funciona. FRANCO Decime un lugar. X Empezamos tranquilos, probá las amazonas. FRANCO escribe “Amazonas” en el código y presiona un botón. Seguidamente, empiezan a abrir ventanas mostrando al amazonas en llamas. FRANCO Estás viendo esto? X No me lo creo. Tengo que hacer unas llamadas, mañana hablamos. X se desconecta de la llamada. FRANCO se tira atrás en su silla y suspira. 03-INT.-MONOAMBIENTE(ESCRITORIO 1)-DÍA FRANCO se hace unos fideos en pote y se sienta en su escritorio. Cuando empieza a comer salta una notificación de alerta en la pantalla que tiene frente suyo, lo toca y aparece un noticiero reportando los desastres causados por el incendio. 04-INT.-MONOAMBIENTE(ESCRITORIO 2)-DÍA FRANCO está nuevamente en su escritorio, en llamada con X. FRANCO No está bien esto. X ¿Desde cuándo te importan los demás? El mundo se caga en nosotros Franco, Nos ven como ratas. Esta es nuestra Oportunidad de ser algo más. FRANCO Podemos usar esto para bien, imaginate Todo lo que podríamos hacer. X Callate y pasame los archivos. FRANCO No voy a ser parte de esto. X ¿Quién te crees que sos? Sin mi No sos nadie. Todo lo que sos lo sos por mí. Yo te hice, sin mi no sos- FRANCO cierra su laptop, para terminar la llamada. X aparece en otro monitor. X Te pensas que te podes escapar de mi? Estoy en todos lados. FRANCO apaga el monitor. X aparece en otra pantalla. X No te voy a perdonar esta. Te voy a Encontrar y te vas a arrepentir por esto. FRANCO se tira al piso y desenchufa todo. Se levanta y se sienta en su silla y se agarra la cabeza con las manos. Larga un suspiro, agarra su celular y realiza una llamada. FRANCO Hola, si, quiero reportar un ciberterrorista. FIN.
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