The largest film in scope can stem from the smallest idea. This is something that is constantly explained in Film 3, that the only “revelation” needed to create a film, is that there isn’t one. A very simple example that was handed around, revolved around the writer watching a fourth grader practice with a soccer ball each afternoon. Whilst it begins as a simple concept, it can then stem into something much bigger. Translating the idea into a short film outline, we now have 10 year old Jim suffering from a form of anxiety, the chaos of school causing him to panic and lose balance in his mind. Now, the soccer ball becomes a form of symbolism, a representation of the escapism for Jack that Leisure can bring from all that suffer instability in their mind.

Inspired by the above story, I decided to consider a small event or occurrence that I’ve seen, and how it would translate into a short film.

Part 1: The Inspiration

It begins with the occurrence that inspires it. For me, it revolves around my step-brother Simon. Recently over dinner, my Dad and Simon were discussing a rather strange event that had occurred in their lives. Whenever Simon was not riding his old and run-down bicycle, he would lock it up in the garage in the front yard. One day, out of nowhere, the bike was changed, with a much newer, shinier, and visually more expensive models. The obvious answers were thrown around. Had Simon stolen the bike? Only to replace the stolen with his own in order to quell his guilt? Had Dad bought Simon a new bike for his birthday 2 weeks ago, and thought he was funny by not mentioning it to anyone? Yet what made the situation even more interesting was that neither Simon, or Dad admit to any interference. Now, we have a mystery, and something that really interested me as a short film idea.

Part 2: The plot draft

Usually when I think of an idea, I like to draft a basic outline of the plot in dot points. Here is what I came up with for the bike situation.

Simon’s birthday -> bike is falling apart -> beats Jim for Soccer captain -> Comes home to find bike replaced -> everyone suspects Dad -> everyone then suspects Jim -> It’s then revealed to be Simon -> twisted to be Simon’s mum.

Part 3: The outline

Starting year 7, Simon celebrates his 13th birthday. He is in desperate need of a new bike, his current one rusted and falling apart, a Brunswick hipsters dream vehicle. Despite a lackluster present from his stepfather, his birthday is going well, having just been announced that he beat jealous Jim for soccer captain. Yet when he returns home, Simon’s bike is stolen, replaced with a much newer, shinier one. Questions are asked, was it Simon’s stepfather? Could it be Jim? Seeing the truth that Jim never committed the act, Simon steps in at the last minute and reveals that he stole the bike, felt guilty, and replaced it with his own. The mystery is over, until we see the front bar of the bike poking out of his mothers wardrobe.

Obviously, this story is stupidly over-the-top. Yet I think it’s a sufficient example of the realm of possibilities that can stem from such a small idea. The class exercise has definitely made me excited to continue to draft these small ideas, inspired by the opportunities for creation from the most mundane of life’s ideas.