SCRIPT [updated 14:09 08/05/2020]
OST – On-screen text
INTRO
A red dot grows in size into an approximate visual of a coronavirus particle. Cut to title. Resume coronavirus visual that morphs into a droplet.
Cut to red splotches spreading over the world map symbolizing fear brought by the pandemic.
END INTRO
OST One day in Hong Kong, under the fear and terror of the COVID-19
SCENE 1
Protagonist walking along street, heading to his apartment building. The surroundings appear to be dingy. He walks up a stairwell. Cut to protagonist entering apartment.
Protagonist heads towards the fridge. Close shot of retrieving noodle package from fridge, then close shot of boiling the noodles.
END SCENE 1
SCENE 2
Protagonist walks up to his bed in his small apartment. Close shot of protagonist checking his email while he eats his dinner. Close shot of his eyes reading the email, then eyes widening. Cut to close shot of the phone, where a red fluid is oozing out of the screen.
Cut to protagonist with his head in his hands. As he looks towards the window, there is red oozing down the exterior of the windows as well. Zoom in on protagonist’s face as his breathing becomes more panicked.
Cut to protagonist turning his head away from the window and down. It is night-time already.
END SCENE 2
TRANSITION The outside of his apartment becomes brighter. It is the morning of the next day.
SCENE 3
Protagonist is sleeping in the bed. Close shot of protagonist waking up. He sleepily sees red fluid oozing out of the bottom of the door.
Cut to protagonist running from his bathroom to his front door, with a rag in hand.
Cut to first person view of protagonist wiping down the red fluid from the ground.
END SCENE 3
TRANSITION Protagonist taking a shower with his head drooping. He appears to be exhausted by the chain of events
SCENE 4
Protagonist sitting on his bed after showering. His blankets are over his head as a bodily expression of seeking comfort from fear. Close shot of protagonist scrolling through his phone. Close shot of protagonist’s eyes reading then widening in fear. Close shot of the phone with red coronavirus particles on a post. The particles morph into a red fluid and fill the screen. Close shot of protagonist closing his eyes in frustration and fear combined. Full body shot of protagonist putting down his phone and lowering his head in defeat.
END SCENE 4
For the following scenes, selected key sequences were put together in repetition and increasing clip speed. Selections include: water boiling on the stove, eyes darting around, red fluid oozing down the windows, protagonist with his head in his hands, transition from day to night and vice versa, red fluid oozing from the front door, first person view of protagonist wiping down the red fluid from the door, protagonist showering, phone screen filling up with red fluid. Towards the climax, select only scenes with red fluid and eyes.
[whooshing sound]
[Phone ring]
SCENE 5
Protagonist answers the phone call.
P – Protagonist
F – Friend
OST (P) Hello?
Full body shot of protagonist. The greyscale and darkness gradually fade. Start playing end theme.
OST (F) Just checking in on my homie. How are you doing?
Cut to the sink. Dirty dishes are piled up.
OST (P) Um, I…
OST (F) Don’t tell me you’re fine. I know you’re not.
OST (P) Yeah, uh, my mental health isn’t doing so well.
Cut to coloured scene of exterior of apartment. The window is open
OST (P) I haven’t been able to get out either. I don’t have masks.
Fade to black.
END CREDITS
All sound effects: freesound.org
End theme: Orpheus Odyssey, Legends on strings – First Piece: The Old Bachelor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8cicQYzYaA&t=32s
References:
Epps, H. H., Kaya, N., Relationship between color and emotion: A study of college students, (2004), The H W Wilson Company
Brooks, S.K., Webster, R.K., Smith, L.E., et al., The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it: rapid review of the evidence, (2020), The Lancelet https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2820%2930460-8/fulltext
Sharon Kirkley, What a coronavirus quarantine could do to your mental health, March 13 2020, National Post https://nationalpost.com/health/coronavirus-covid-19-quarantine-self-isolation
Centres for disease control and prevention: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Stress and coping https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
Lau Cin Man Anais 3035695438
I really like the approach of using animation. The artstyle and colours are spot on in creating a grim and distressing atmosphere, complemented by the editing where people’s daily routines appear to be an endless loop of sorrow and paranoia, as we read about the recent developments of the virus whilst fearing infection ourselves. However, as the title suggests, these emotions are oversaturated; whilst we are shrouded by an uncertain future, the little things in life, as simple as a phonecall or text from friends brings light to our lives, as reflected by the strong contrast shown at the end of the video.
Hi Anais. The combination of dull colours and red is a brilliant choice. The tone is so dark and the flashing really triggers me. The red liquid coming from everywhere matches the theme Oversaturation well. Whatever the guy does, he just cannot get away from the fear and terror. And the flow of the story is so smooth and convincing! It’s hard to imagine how much you have made to devote to the animations but I’m your efforts will pay off!
Firstly, I love your presentation using animation and grey colors. It’s a splendid way to present the situation and attract viewers as it highlights the fear viewers or people around them might have experienced. I also think the design of using a close-up shot of the protagonist’s face as separation of scenes of flashing pictures to follow is clever to show the increasing fear or nervousness.
What makes this essay attractive at first sight is its defiance to real-life storytelling. As literal as an allegory could be, the video showcased a strong sense of fear and loneliness which is self-explanatory with only the slightest needs of textual descriptions. There are also great attempts on trying out editing techniques such as rapid jump cuts that go back and forth with a continuous quick rhythm, extreme close up on the eye area that conveys mental emotions as well as multiple POV for enhances a diverse perspective. Exaggerating the idea of crisis through a bath of blooded flooding across the city is an interesting way to render the current pandemic. There’s a lot that overlooked the problem of mental illness provoked by the sense of isolation, with your title that contrasts to the mere monochrome sequence, the “red” is essentially the element that over saturates the screen and fills in the gap. I wonder if there’s an extra move to highlight this idea by amplifying the red to the inner mental of the protagonist, which is essentially a pandemic within ourselves.