- K
- J
A sci-fi short about a group of angry women who want revenge on those who abuse their power and position.
In a world where Artificial Intelligence is a dominant force, is anyone who they claim to be? When a murder is committed and the obvious suspect arrested, can we trust what we see? What will it take for a system to crumble?
The funds would be used to access location venues; purchase props and costumes; and support artists working on the piece.
We are aiming to start filming in March 2025
Plot Overview
We are introduced to our protagonist, Ruth, and her best friend Lilian. Despite occupying different strata in this new Edinburgh society, they have become close, and Lillian is often the person buoying Ruth up and not alerting her get depressed about her work and life situation. We learn that she works in a high-end grocery store and has an AI implant that often gets updated with new personality traits to better serve the customers of the establishment. Ruth spends as much time as she can outside of her quite bland apartment, often at a "gentleman's club" nearby. This is where she met Angel, a strip performer who also has an implant. Her implant is much more controlling, and she is resentful at the relative freedom Ruth has, and that she doesn't appear to appreciate it as she should.
There has been a murder at a tech company. It happened late at night under suspicious circumstances. The police in charge of the investigation, Agent Freda and Officer Hoppes feel sure that the crime has been made to seem more complicated than it is, and it is actually very simple. After some investigation they find that Ruth appears to be the lead suspect, having been caught on film with the gun in her hand. She is busy at a bar, watching Angel as she dances.
The next morning Ruth heads to work, where is she is blocked from entering by police officers. She is led away loudly asking what she has done. While in custody she is questioned about her moves from two nights ago. She claims to have been at the bar and that she went home early with a headache. The footage from outside her apartment is suspiciously missing from between when she returned from work and the next morning. She asks them to check her ID card, which shows several payments from the bar on the night in question. She tells them to talk to the staff, they can confirm she was there. When the officers check, there is footage of Ruth sitting at the bar table in the corner. She has an alibi.
This Plot is subject to rewrtites
Characters
Ruth Crowne, 38
Ruth is a small-town girl that moved to the city for greater opportunities, only to find that those opportunities are beyond her reach and ambition. She has worked a menial retail job since she was a teenager and has never been able to move past middle management. She is angry and frustrated with her lack of progress compared to her friends. She is shy, with rare moments of confidence that mostly arise when she sees injustice. However, she feels guilty that she is unable to prevent harm from coming to the people she loves. She is only open and vulnerable with those she considers her best friends, Lillian and Angel.
Lilian Hernandez, 35
Lillian is Ruths best friend. She has a slightly higher position in society and doesn't need as overpowering an AI implant as Ruth. She is a generally cheerful person who tries to see the best in any situation. However, she is also very aware of her privilege and tries to keep Ruth upbeat and upwardly mobile.
Angelique aka "Angel", 28
Angel is a table dancer at a club near Ruth's apartment. She is the favourite of many of the patrons because of her friendly and willing nature - however this is mostly due to her AI implant. In reality she despises her position and what she has been made to do. Her relationship with Ruth is tempestuous: Ruth enjoys her company as both personalities, but Angel resents that Ruth is allowed to separate her two lives in a way in which she isn't allowed to.
Dan Freda, 53
Agent Freda is an experienced police officer, known for taking the “weird” cases. He doesn’t take short cuts and is very by the book. He is also sympathetic to the cause of the ani-AI protestors but tries not to let it interfere with his work.
Jeremy Hoppes, 33
A young sergeant who is relatively new to the job of homicide detection, Officer Hoppes is smart and reliable as a partner to Agent Freda.
Edward Monroe, 55
Tech business billionaire that considered himself a “self-made man” even though his father loaned him the money for his first start up company. Designed the technology that led to the A.I. implants being so prevalent and exploited them for his own gain and pleasure. Is mainly seen through flashbacks.
Why Now?
A.I. is an incredibly hot topic at the current time. From A.I. artworks, music, and games, it is difficult to tell what is “real” and what is not. Elon Musk has made electric vehicles that barely require a driver to function and has even designed bartending robots that can be remotely controlled to serve customers. But his most chilling design is a brain implant that he claims will be able to help patients overcome paralysis and other neurological conditions.
On a different level are those that complain about “A.I. taking our jobs”. Many people are unhappy with self-service checkouts, and the idea that they may eventually take over from human interaction in a service setting. We wanted to explore how these ideas could mix and ultimately cause more problems than they might seem to solve.
Meet the Crew
Owen Maccaffrey: Director
I am incredibly passionate about films and TV and fascinated with the production process. This project exists in a very unique and exciting place, a beautiful medieval city (Edinburgh) on the verge of being drained of it's charm by the influx of government mandated AI influence on it's citizens. AI is a hot button topic and I look forward to exploring it with these characters and bringing this story to the screen in a compelling way!
April Ward: DOP
I am the DOP and I am incredibly excited to be working on this film. I believe the film explores many complex and interesting ideas which will be great to explore visually. I have previously worked as DOP on some Noir influenced films and am looking forward to bring my experience from these projects to Vacuum.
Logan Marr: Camera Op
Hello, I am Logan, and I am the camera operator and gaffer working on this project and I am excited working on it as I feel the project will allow me to experiment with different camera and lighting techniques throughout the project
Michael Smith: Editor, Script Supervisor
I am an aspiring filmmaker, eager to do my part for this project. Editing scripted productions deeply interests me, and being able work on "Vacuum" will be a great experience in making television and working with others.
Lisa Ehl: First AD
Grant Deans: Producer
Oliver Carlton: Sound
Molly Dorward: Hairstylist
Moodboard
Co-organizers3
