Piece of Mind - Vancouver Film School (VFS)

This short film designed by Ori Ben-Shabat is a wonderful representation of Visual Media. Ordi edits the film in such a way that time passes not smoothly, but instead like the ticking-pendulum of a clock. Though time slowly progresses forward, we see a an incremental back and forth movement of time. These movements, which are perfectly dictated in the soundtrack written by Collin Janz, seem to represent the true nature of our perception of time. Though yes it a a smooth, continuous occurrence, it is not without its ever-present grasp - holding us in a moment in the past while simultaneously plunging us a second into the future. Ultimately, our mind works in the past, it works at a moment behind the moment of which we are living.

Not only does this film dictate a creative use of motion, but also a creative use of of tangible, though unreal objects, as metaphoric representation of the main characters mind. The small balls that are following towards him at the beginning, and that follow him as he walks away seem to represent a fluidity, a natural path your life is following. A destiny of sorts that leads the character to whatever path he may take in his life.

The cube machine is directly paralleled to the Rubix cube that the main character is trying to solve. He can control this cube, make choices, make decisions, yet similarly the cube may try to control him - push his interests in varying directions. He seems initially unaware of the cube as tries to force and guide his decisions, though finally he sees its intent, and dislodges it from his mind. The cube was attempting to capture the interest of the man, to convince him what he should want to do, what he should like. Yet upon an epiphany he seems to realize that he in fact is in control of the device, the cube.

The cube seems to be a representation of societal forces on our decisions in life. Yet in realizing its existence, and our ability to control our life's grasp, no longer do we need this device, this box, from which to operate and understand, and function. Ultimately, the man escapes its grasp, and walks freely - wherever his life seems to lead him.

This short film is a representation of beautiful metaphor, wonderful 3d animation, and truly creative pacing and scene transitions. My only qualm with the design is a failed grasp as to the drummer scene. It seems that was to represent the man's desires, or possibly forced desires. Yet it is unclear which.

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