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★★★★
Directed by: #AaronZomback
Written by: #AaronZomback
Starring: #RodneyFerrer, #RobertBella, #TomislavNevistic, #RobertONeill, #AnniePisapia
The Experience comes from the mind of a true creator; a person who has the ability to explore all areas of creativity – this ‘true creator’ is writer and director of the short film, Aaron Zomback.
Starting off this piece of writing with a synopsis seems almost useless when talking about this film and the style it holds, it is also incredibly difficult to do so. This is not a downfall, it is far from a weak point in any sense. Not being able to collectively summarise the plot and the intension of the content perfectly shows how wonderfully complex this short film actually is. It is very open to interpretation and can be viewed from many perspectives by its audience, extending its sophisticated nature. As a viewer, you are lead directly to witness an experience unlike any other, a journey that will leave your eyes blinded but your mind knocked open.
This film heavily links with the use of digital technology and the impact of social media, adding a sense of relevancy even through its intense scenes. The main character, credited as TFM_CEO - TheFinalMan (portrayed by Rodney Ferrer,) depicts an underlying thirst for validation and global attraction through social media. This is hinted at throughout the film’s duration and then clarified eventually. He visits extreme ideas to quench his thirst, acting upon them with a slight artistic and ‘professional businessman’ approach.
The evolution of technology is never ending, digital devices are gaining more knowledge and abilities with each update, meaning that the need for verification of worth and existence through social media can only increase with each update too. Towards the end of the film, it struck me that the content presented somehow plays with the phrase ‘quality over quality’ by swapping the two words and applying it to levels of recognition. The more the merrier when partying at a friend’s house, but the more the messier when dealing with the impacts of mass social media statistics.
Rodney Ferrer gives an astounding performance, immediately pulling the audience into his grasp from the first moment he appears onscreen. His character is mysterious, viewers lack almost no knowledge of who he truly is and what life he leads. This is a captivating element and is definitely one of the greatest aspects of the film; the character leaves the audience begging for more information, holding their complete attention throughout. Ferrer speaks with a soft yet darkened tone of voice which is incredibly enticing. I felt intimidated by him as he spoke and I knew that this intimidation was exactly how I was supposed to feel – his personality may be mysterious but the surrounding energy of Ferrer is definitely not. The only obvious component of the character that a viewer can solidify from the start is that he is domineering. Most of this character’s appearances onscreen are not of his face but of his hypnotic hands instead, so I was truly amazed by how much characterisation was built simply through voice. I really cannot speak highly enough of Rodney Ferrer’s performance in this short film.
Overall, one of my favourite details of this film is the cinematography (also by Aaron Zomback.) Each shot is beautiful in its own right, the chosen placing of the camera for each scene presents a distinct atmosphere that perfectly matches with the eerie content of the script. However, in particular, the camera angles change frequently throughout the film to create a ‘viewer’ point of view; the audience suddenly become the character as the camera is placed facing the landscape that said person was once seen facing themselves. Some viewers may find scenes in this film disturbing or unnerving, indicating that the course of events unfolding are primarily set to be immersive, but this technique used within the photography makes the film even more mesmeric than it already was set to be.
The Experience is frankly an experience in itself. It is like a puzzle that you find joy in while piecing together to reveal its core. To entirely grasp the concept of this short film, one must pay close attention and live within the characters’ bodies when given the chance. The cast and crew show great dedication and ambition through this project and Aaron Zomback as an individual is a multitalented, powerful addition within filmmaking; I would love to see more work from him.
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