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ENLIGHTENMENT
2019
Capstone Project
A distressed sister fears her inability to protect her autistic brother from stigma and harassment.
The discussion of having a disabled family member is common among those who have had the experience firsthand. A lack of personal attachment, however, can generate ignorance because it is easier to be unaware than be enlightened.
Being empathetic is understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. It is fascinating to explore because you cannot tell someone how to feel (about what they are watching). The short film does not deal with empathy as a means of pity but to enlighten the viewer on a heavy topic.
The target issues of this short include respective portrayal, subjectivity, film structure (in correlation to emotions) and the stylization of 2D and 3D integration.
We are often asked to interpret our surroundings in an emotional sense. This increases the chances of eliciting emotion and generates a predisposition for us to feel something. Using a range of stimuli through association, I incorporated perceptual cues to evoke empathy.
During the ending scene, Tulip is sitting alone on a bench but encased amongst a warm sunset. She becomes the centre of attention but is still profoundly small in comparison to the environment. This provides an emotional cue to the audience that not only is she devastated but also alienated on a hill that was once her sanctuary.
The ending scene where Tulip is alone directly parallelled the opening. In the beginning, we are encouraged to stress as we watch Tulip unintentionally ignore her brother. She pushes him away by focusing on what she deems a priority (at the time). In this case, it was the stigma surrounding autism. As a protective sibling, her instinct is to eliminate the negativities and threats towards her brother. We can see this as she is fully attentive to unravelling the knots.
Sunflower is absorbed in his world, which is common in individuals with Kanner’s Syndrome (Classic Autistic Disorder). He worries little about the fears that Tulip has, simply because he does not see the world that way. This is implied by the ribbon colours on his left eye and his transparent joy while blowing bubbles. That simple innocence becomes bliss for Sunflower as he is sheltered from the unforgiving world. In comparison, Tulip bears that burden instead because she unconditionally loves him.
To increase the chances of implementing the mood predisposition, I incorporated a narrative that introduced diegetic goals and barriers. Tulip focuses on untangling a ribbon that represents the stigma surrounding autism.
The ribbon utilises the commonly represented colours of blue, red and yellow to further imply the presence and spectrum of the disorder. The knots represent the constant forming of opinions and negativity that is unavoidable. Tulip tears through a few ludicrous articles and begins to unravel the ribbon, hoping to remove the stigma. This showcases her overprotectiveness as a sister but in return, she ignores Sunflower. He does not see the same issues that she faces on his behalf and he tries to engage Tulip with bubbles.
When the short ends, a sombre tone is used to juxtapose that same setting but with Sunflower now gone. To advance the hollowness of the scene, a sunset takes over the hill, indicating that time has passed. It is gutting to see Tulip do all this in hopes of protecting her brother but results in losing him instead.
The topic of autism within this remains a portrayal that was hard to communicate digitally.
Nevertheless, my incentive to explore empathy in regard to a sister’s perspective would hopefully provide enlightenment to the viewer.
Further development would require more refinement in animation and overall presence. I feel that the short is emotionally fuelled but has room for enhancements in technical aspects and flow. With the chance, I hope to become more capable of handling such a big project that emphasises emotional storytelling.
Even with the difficulties I encountered, it became a positive suggestion in a directional turn for my future. My interests in creative works about disabilities, health and mental well-being were heightened throughout this project and will continue to advance my curiosity for further research.
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