Abstract

Unstable is a film about a music-driven, psychedelic journey of reality slipping into a frenzy of madness. It explores bringing music to life with emphasis placed on music pacing, mood, and my own simultaneous, involuntary experience of color when listening to music. The film tells the story of a trapped, creepy, skeletal character escaping his shackles and causing mayhem. He bends reality and experiences several transformations as the music becomes increasingly aggressive. The story is primarily narrative with experimental features, including abstract backgrounds, varying art styles, and unexpected transitions. The main character goes through painful, physical changes and eventually reaches a state of total madness. Only in this total state of madness does the character gain the most power over reality. He has broken his body to reach this state and appears to have even died along the way. He continues to damage his body in this state of insanity but appears to be more lively than he ever has been. While this state does not last long, it is clear at the end of the film that he has seriously hurt himself to reach that point; but whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is up to a viewer’s perspective. One possible outlook on the ending is to ask yourself if reaching a state of madness is not all that bad if it makes you feel free. However, the real question would be whether the consequences of literally losing yourself and badly hurting yourself are worth it.

Publication Date

12-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Film and Animation (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

Film and Animation, School of

College

College of Art and Design

Advisor

Jonathan Seligson

Advisor/Committee Member

Christine Banna

Advisor/Committee Member

Meghdad Asadi

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Download

Share

COinS