“MAGIC IN THE LITTLE THINGS”
Dubai Asset Management x Meraki Production x Raghav Adhithya
//Message
We have seen the essence of life being summarised in poetry since forever. And as we try to make more sense of life with each passing day, it occurs that LIFE in fact is POETRY in itself. It therefore is only natural to showcase life as poetry.
It has a rhythm, its own ebbs and flows, and we are mere sailors, taking & living this journey, making it our own in our unique ways. We may belong to different races, ethnicities, geographies, generations, but at the core, we are all one and the same, a part of the same Egg, as Andy Weir said. One thing we all look for is a HOME.
And Home isn’t just a place. It’s a feeling!
//concept
A couple is seen enjoying a warm, intimate and soulful evening, sitting by their favourite usual spot by the beach, at sunset. They are grateful for the life they have lived to be where they are and express how this moment feels so comfortable yet special; a feeling so familiar, that they have felt at various moments in their lives. They go on to reminisce about those moments, the memories of the same feeling, the feeling of home.
While they speak of those memories, we show different people from different communities across DAM’s wide range, experiencing the same feeling; experiencing home.
//Director's Interpretation
As I read the script, it calls for a treatment showcasing the human emotions in a “hopelandic” manner, which means to show that human emotions will transcend across space and time, as I personally believe that human emotions are the same, neglecting the differences. The script is simple and soulful, like every human, and I believe that the film should also reflect its nature; being simple and soulful, creating images that speak in layers showcasing that humans come together as one, and Dubai Asset Management provides the core fundamental building blocks that is responsible for creating memories and making it happen. Henceforth the treatment will be organic, authentic and as rooted as possible, embracing that beauty is in the simplest of things in life.
//NARRATIVE FLOW
(Voiceover starts off at the film.)
Sound of the waves crashing, soft breezy winds blowing. A middle-aged couple sitting by the sea on sand, marvelling at the skies, cherishing the moment that’s getting unwinded in front of them, they feel content and overwhelmed.
(Cut to..)
(OPT. 2 – Opening)
Shots of a young lady, sitting by the sea, soaking in the air, unwinding, with the sounds of the waves crashing hitting her ears like music. A feeling of content and comfort dawns over her.
(Cut to..)
Sequence of a baby being born into this world, learning to crawl, fall and take his first step, to a few years later, carefully taking in his hands a baby sibling, filled with awe and excitement.
(Cut to..)
Montage of siblings growing old together, through thick and thin.
(Cut to..)
A kid at a friend’s house on a sleepover, the entire family sitting together singing merrily and playing music. The kid is in awe and feels loved and a part of them
(Cut to..)
A night of barbeque and bon-fire, strangers coming together, helping each other and sharing the warmth and gratitude
(Cut to..)
Shots of scribbled walls with colourful art of little artists and height markings. A little girl comes in and takes her new height measurement, upping her mark, feeling bigger and happy.
(Cut to..)
A mother lovingly cooking food for her kid who is about to leave for school in a rush, serving hot breakfast while packing a box to take with to school.
(Cut to..)
Parents watching old tape recordings of their kid’s childhood and early years of marriage, feeling nostalgic and emotional.
(Cut to..)
A group of friends, enjoying their long car journey, stop for a karak break at a highway shop. They settle down and stretch and chatter while steaming hot cups of karak chai are served with some small bites.
(Cut to..)
A child getting a hair-cut from his dad and getting ready to be tucked in to bed and put to sleep.
(Cut to..)
Transitions across a little child walking around the house wearing extra loose clothes and big shoes/ heels, to a bunch of school kids running in a community park, to a teenager cycling in full speed.
(Cut to..)
Father and son, early at dawn, walk/drive to the pool/ beach. Father teaches his son to swim, slowly getting him comfortable with water.
(Cut to..)
Two kids, get inside their self-made bed sheet tent, their eyes lighting up with the glowing torch, as they giggle and read a storybook together.
(Cut to..)
A girl prepping and stretching for her dance recital, nervous. As she gets on stage, her eyes search for her parents in the crowd. The minute she spots them, her lips break into a big smile and she starts performing with confidence.
(Cut to..)
Kid running into the arms of his mother in a garden, they share a moment.
(Cut to..)
Portrait shots of all the people we have seen so far, looking into the camera as it charges in slowly, cutting across them one after the other.
(Fin.)
//VISUAL TREATMENT
The film in general will be very free flowing and intuitive, shot handheld mostly, to give a feeling of being present in the moment. We will have shots really up-close to the subjects to show the magic and intimacy as well as far wide to show the landscape and comradeship within the communities. The film will be shot in multiple aspect ratios and formats; lensing, subtly indicating the visual time period.
To bring a sense of nostalgia with the memories, we’ll give those moments a 16mm film like look and feel, with grains, while the film overall will have a 35mm film like texture to it.
The grade will enhance the video to have a very atmospheric, naturalistic look and feel with a balance of earthy and vibrant tones.
//LOOK & FEEL
//MUSIC
Music, even if it’s a piece we have never heard before, has the power and ability to resurface our memories. Therefore it is a tool we are going to equally rely on along with the visuals to evoke the right emotions. As is the nature of the visuals, the music for the film as well will be naturalistic soundscapes.
Ambient, atmospheric & post-rock classical, that will symbiosis with sound design, will elevate the narrative of the film, while being cathartic and overwhelming at the same time. Most importantly, the music will go hand-in-hand with the editing of the film, following a poetic rhythm.
//FLOW WITH LOOK & FEEL
THANK YOU for your time!
Dubai Asset Management x Meraki Production x Raghav Adhithya