Make Your Contribution Today

Logline

In the near future, a technology called 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.

The World

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.

Our Hero

Kelvin, 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.

The Problem

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

The Big Questions

What do we gain from not being understood perfectly by those around us? Should we strive for complete understanding, or should we embrace discord? What happens to love, to compassion, when misunderstanding disappears?

The Look

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.

The Feel

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.

Production Costs

Cast: $3,100
Crew: $15,000
Art Budget: $2,000
Locations: $3,000
Gear: $1,000
Crafty: $1,400

Total Cost: $25,500

Crowdfunding Goal: $10,000

Why We Need Your Help

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.

Join The Team Today

https://www.cerebrashortfilm.com/

Crowdfund: "Cerebra" Short Film

What do we lose when life becomes frictionless?

Team Members