The observation I have chosen focuses on a young boy, his grandmother, and their journey from the country to the city.
The young boy and his grandmother were playing a game of uno on the train. The boy was aged around eight years old and had messy brown hair that fell to his shoulders. He wore an oversized black rain coat with a bright orange shirt underneath. He talked loudly to his grandmother as he explained how to play, often shouting with joy as he slapped down a ‘Draw 4’ or a ‘Skip’. As the train glided farther away from the outer suburbs and the houses started to get closer together, the young boy became distracted from his game. It became clear that this was the boy’s first time to the city. The building’s enclosed themselves around us as the train arrived at the station. The boy abandoned the game altogether as he gasped at their height. His eyes were wide with excitement as he stared out the window, unsure whether he should look out one side or the other. He pointed out all the colourful buildings that stood tall above him to his grandmother, and compared Southern Cross Station to “the station that goes to Hogwarts”. His excitement at experiencing something new was a amusing to witness. Throughout the exchange between the boy and his grandmother, I couldn’t help but wonder why, today of all days, the boy’s grandmother had decided to take him into the city.
To turn this observation into a short film I would like it to be a literal adaptation, reflecting the reality rather than creating something abstract. I’d like the film to focus mostly on the relationship between the boy and his grandmother. It would be a pretty close reenactment of the observation. As time goes on, the boy will become less engaged with teaching his grandmother the game, and distracted by the tall buildings.
On top of this I would like to create a sense of mystery. I would like the audience to wonder about the situation and ask themselves questions such as;‘where are they going? And why are they going there? Where are the boys parents? Why are they going together? To draw some of these questions from the audience, the scenery the boy is staring at towards the end of the film would never actually be shown.
Ideally it would be filmed on a train. Although this would create a few logistical complications it isn’t impossible. Permission to film on a V-Line may be difficult to gain, and maneuvering camera equipment around in such a small area may also be problematic. In any case, the train may also be substituted for another mode of transport. Although the same problems will most likely occur as well.
My goal is that by the finale of the film, the audience would have a sense that the relationship between the boy and his grandmother is fun and playful, while also warm and endearing. They’re almost like a dynamic duo from a cartoon that go on adventures with each other.
Because of this, the authenticity of the relationship is important. It may be best to cast actors who actually have a grandmother/grandson relationship, that reflects the one in the observation.
In the film, they would play a game as they did in the observation . Though what game they play exactly might be dependant on the actors. For example, if neither of them have played uno, it would be difficult for the young boy to teach his grandmother properly, even if they were guided by a script.
Speaking of the script, I believe it would be best used as a guide and not something set in stone. This allows freedom for the actors to communicate and interact as the usually would, and would come across in the film as something more authentic and sincere in their relationship.
It should also be mentioned that the film wouldn’t progress anywhere. It would only need to be 3 minutes long to convey the situation to the viewers. There’s no storyline or character development, Just a boy and his grandmother interacting with each other. What happens after or even before is left entirely to the audience to decide.