The Art of Loathing is a short Experimental / Arthouse film with an estimated 8 - 9 minute running time.

SYNOPSIS:
A cynical artist undergoes a psychedelic trance to find a way to save her career. Lux discovers the art of loathing when she realises that needs society just as much as she despises it.

DIRECTORS STATEMENT

In a world with little authenticity left, The Art of Loathing tells a story from the perspective of an artist who

is crippled with these thoughts every day. “I just don’t understand why these people can’t think for

themselves,” or “why are they all dressed the same” – because she’s consumed by these thoughts there’s

little room for her creativity to blossom, she’s at a stop sign and can’t get inspired. Once she meets Dr.

Kouneli he sends her into a psychedelic trance where she’s met by The Sheep Queen and The Sheeple who

are a representation of everything she despises. During her psychedelic trip she discovers her hatred for

humans runs deeper, just as much as she laughs at them for being the same, they laugh at her for being

different. When faced with the option to spill the blood of a “Sheeple” she decides to spill the blood of The

Sheep Queen who represents the antagonist and her memories of being ridiculed. This trance she goes

through is the inspiration for her new body of work that becomes a huge success.

This is a film of little words, so I am aiming for long detailed shots and theatrical expression to get my point

across. I believe people who have similar thoughts will understand the subliminal messages buried

throughout the film, it is also relatable for any kind of artist who has struggled to find inspiration, a feeling of

being stuck and unworthy in your own mind because you can no longer, in that moment do what you love,

create.

MORE THAN FILM...

The Art of Loathing is a collaboration between different types of 'The Arts.'

We have elements of Music, Visual Art, Theatre and Design with a massive production team in all aspects to help make this happen. The Art of Loathing will have it's own original soundtrack with music genres such as opera, psychedelic rock, progressive rock and experimental jazz elements. All of these art types reflect and compliment the tone of the film.

Meet our Head Honchos

Ally Ryan - Director and Writer

Willem Whitfield - Producer

Kellen James - DOP

Karl Redgen - Production Manager

Ghoul Shadows - Mask Master

CHARACTER BRIEF:

LUX

Played by Jina Venice

Lux is an artist who is becoming so blinded by hatred for society, that her recent artworks are suffering from it. As cynical as she is, in her journey through a psychedelic trance, she is met with suppressed memories of being ridiculed by the exact crowd that she loathes. She meets Dr. Kouneli who induces this trip to the underground world of the Sheep Queen and Sheeple, her trip becomes the inspiration she needed to create her best artworks to date.

DR. KOUNELI

Played by Gene Banyard

Dr. Kouneli is a kooky Doctor who Lux accidentally gets booked in with - when she meets him she realises he is not a normal Doctor. A tall man dressed in a woolen jumper and glam rock boots, is barely all there... Lux is uncertain of him but proceeds to accept help from the wacky man anyway.

THE SHEEP QUEEN

Played by Gabby Carbon

The Sheep Queen is the ruler of the herd, the shephard if you will. She represents the "system" the "man" the "influencer"

Throughout the trip she is constantly trying remind Lux how she doesn't fit in and antagonising her to join the other sheeple. She reminds Lux that if she can hurt these sheeple the way they've hurt her, she will unlock the gift of inspiration she's been looking for.

THE SHEEPLE

The Sheeple are a representation of society and a reflection of the clone-like role humans play in society.

Let's get down to budget!

As this is a heavily design based project, we have 15 sheeple masks + The Sheep Queen's head piece - which are all made from scratch by our "Mask Master" Ghoul Shadows!  The cost of actors and locations is our second highest number, special equipment and crew catering coming in at third and fourth is music, post production and contingency. In reality we will end up spending more than $3,000 so we are aiming to raise as much as we can!

Sheeple Masks = $1,382.18

Actors Budget = $600

(LUX, SHEEP QUEEN, DR. KOUNELLI)

Locations Budget = $1,000

(Schonell theatre +  Ad Astra)

Specialised Equipment Hire =$150

(Orbit Dolly x 1 day hire)

Crew and Catering = $200

(To save money we have home cooked meals being made and set up as a buffet for all 3 days)

Music + Post Production = $300

(Professional Mixing Costs)