Briana Kensi Symonds-Manne

The Last Man is a ten minute long Sci-fi short. It will be Briana Symonds-Manne's Graduating film from the VCA.

Story Synopsis

Humanity has been persecuted by a powerful telepathic alien species called the Wadaii who now fight amongst themselves for control of the empire. The next Wadaii commander; an individual with phenomenal telepathic power, has been prevented from hatching from her egg to start her reign by a group of rebelling Wadaii called the L'nix. After years of reconnaissance a small team of humans have found out it's whereabouts. This Team is the crew of the Space Ship, Defiant, hired by the biological weapons department of the 'United colonies' an organisation dedicated to destroying the Wadaii empire once and for all. A small team has been sent down to the surface to retrieve the egg in the hope it's DNA can be used against its own people.

We follow Remi, the only human survivor on the planet following the bloody battle for the egg. He awaits a rescue that does not seem to be coming; enemies are closing in; and to top it all off, the new commander is finally beginning to hatch.

Themes/ Subject Matter

'The Last Man' sets out to explore, and question the very nature of 'innocence'. We inherit so much when we are born; our identity and history are imprinted on us; permanent and inescapable. "We are born with our heads turned backwards" writes Hugo Hamilton in 'The Sailor in the Wardrobe' (2006). From our first moments in the world we are half buried by the sins of the past and it's often a struggle to strip this off in order to face the future.

The Wadaii egg is an 'innocent' yet it's birthright is to be a Commander; a Conqueror; a killer. This has been done throughout their fictional history. It is expected.

Remi is a child of War; he has had to struggle his whole life to survive in such a hostile world. He is an innocence twisted by his environment. The slow corruption of the Egg through exposure to violence and threat of life mirrors Remi's rediscovery of vulnerability.

Maria; a scientist wanting to use commander DNA against the Wadaii armies is by far the biggest threat to the egg but is herself fighting for innocence. She believes what she is doing is necessary to protect her daughter and other loved ones.

Our Team

PRE-PRODUCTION

• Production Design including Alien plants and insect life.
• Make-up and SFX including full face alien prosthetic and blood sqibs.
• Wardrobe including full body armour for the Wadaii and unique military uniforms for our humans.
• Props including alien weaponry and, of course, the Wadaii egg.

ON SET

• Catering For Our Cast and Crew.
• On Set amenities including generators for power.
• Any permits we may need.
• Kit for Make-up.
• Equipment for lighting, sound, and camera department.

POST-PRODUCTION

• Soud Design by Audio chemistry.

One of the biggest challenges we are facing as a student film is financing, in particular, the financing of art department. We must design and make the Wadaii costumes; including prosthetics, weapons, and uniforms. This involves commissioning concept artists, buying materials, and massive amounts of time and effort by our Wardobe, make-up, and prop departments. We've also the added challenge of designing alien script and symbology as well as insignia's for our human soldiers. With your donations; we may be able to pay artists for their time as well as being able to afford to produce quality and unique outfits for our performers that will add immensely to the production value of the film.