Se Acabo

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/onebodyproblemshortfilm/

Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13ZlUTTFPwLW_0ug7Fo8u3tYiohVWkXT1?usp=sharing

Critical Reflection

The entire project is based on exploration of the themes of social class and powerlessness. More specifically, it is based on the idea that a working-class individual can be forced into a desperate moral hole due to a rigged system. The main character, Bobert, is a school janitor, which is intended to reflect on the ‘invisible losers’ who normally fade into the background in society. Bobert is unlike conventional thrillers where the hero is working towards some goal, his powerlessness defines him. He is so accustomed to being overlooked that when a body shows up, he does not immediately think to call for help because he is aware that the system already despises him. This brings to light a major social issue, that when you are at the bottom of the food chain, you are the most susceptible person to framing. 

The branding for the project relies heavily on irony involving the "Caution Wet Floor" sign to keep everything connected. This sign is VERY important: Bobert forgets it at the start, which causes the initial trouble but then he later uses it as a weapon in the climax, and it is the final image of the film. Ryan created a logo that looks like the figure on a wet floor sign, but lying motionless to symbolize Bobert's isolation and his low place in the workplace hierarchy. This logo helped connect the film's dark humor and its serious tones. Our branding extended to an Instagram page where we posted blooper reels, skits, and character votes to keep people interested. The visual style on social media used a typewriter font to give it a gritty, school-like feel. We also used a color scheme of neutral tones mixed with "hazardous yellow" and overlays like toilet paper to capture the total absurdity of the plot.

I did a bit of research into thrillers and dark comedies to find out what rules I should be following and which I should be breaking. I used the wife pounding at the door to raise the stakes at the end. For the acting, Ryan told me he wanted some improvisation to lend authenticity to some scenes. This was SUPER evident with the confrontation between Lewis and Bobert. Lewis is a much ‘cooler’ and better janitor who treats Bobert badly, which in turn isolates Bobert further. This was an ongoing joke on Instagram where everyone refers to Bobert as Rob bevause nobody cares enough to remember. I also broke the rule of “smart villain” with the teacher’s wife. Despite killing the teacher herself and framing Bobert from the start, she makes the mistake of addressing Bobert by name before they have had a meeting in person. 

The ending scene of the film, where Bobert places the ‘Caution’ sign again in the hallway after everything that had happened, is supposed to convey a certain message. It reinforces the idea that one should do the right thing even when no one is watching. Bobert goes back to his job despite the teacher’s wife trying to ruin him and Lewis, his ‘cool’ coworker, bullying him. This prompts a change in the thriller ending where the character becomes evil or destroyed completely. Instead, it shows a man who breaks his own moral code even when is treated like he doesn’t matter. This blending of social themes and the aesthetics of a janitor’s world makes One Body Problem both a suspense thriller and a disturbing social commentary on the working class.