Short film – 12:27 – 2023
Over the course of seven days, the “embodiment of roundness,” symbolized by the Drake Hotel, slowly collapses. The lauded inventor Ezekiel responds by offering his machine Rotubula, whose targeted gusts of wind are used to deflect the Drake’s falling debris. While seen as a savior, Ezekiel’s true motives are tied up in the interests of powerful elites, who intend to dismantle roundness in all its forms. These figures exploit the collapse in order to promote the distant, angular homes of the future—working to move society both aesthetically and morally towards squareness. Aid, who is a blind devotee of the powers, tries to assist in realizing this shift, only to be left confused and abandoned.
The script for Rotubula was written primarily as stream of consciousness. All visual effects were accomplished using standard definition video equipment. The entire process emphasized play and serendipity.
Writing, direction, camera, effects, editing, music score, and the characters Aid and Ezekiel played by Eli Henley.
Cast in order of appearance:
Home – Daniil Zakirzyanov
Aid – Eli Henley
News Anchor – Chris Wilhelm
Ezekiel – Eli Henley; Image by Tahj Sampson
Lead Hugh – Andrew Kane