Draft of Synopsis

Synopsis

The project will be a short film running for up to 10 minutes. There will be a main video sequence combining animation, still images (miniatures, photos of locations) and live video. The premise involves the main character performing a ritual in front of a megalith. A secondary sequence will convey the back-story explaining the motives behind the protagonist’s actions. This sequence may be entirely animated or a montage combining animation imposed over filmed video or images.

There are two possible plots:

Idea #1

As a child Gigh was enraptured by his grandfather’s tales about a mystical culture he practiced in youth. He spoke of rituals he performed in front a gigantic stone which enabled him to achieve miraculous feats.

Before the grandfather dies he bestows his staff upon Gigh telling him it leads to wonders. Eventually Gigh becomes an adult and his grandfather’s tales seem like mere fallacies. While cleaning the attic he discovers a chest full of his grandfather’s belongings, including a manuscript instructing how to perform a ritual. Excited yet unsure of what it does Gigh decides to attempt the ritual.

He visits the gigantic stone and follows the manuscript’s procedure which causes his grandfather’s staff to become a living plant, though it is short lived when he becomes self conscious and loses concentration. Within an instant everything is undone, the staff returns to normal and the giant stone is now a mere pebble. Gigh leaves wondering if his loss of concentration caused this to happen or whether it was all in his imagination.

Idea #2

Yet again Gigh fails to repay his financial dept to Mr Trollins who becomes furious and murders him. Panache, Gigh’s dearly beloved discovers the tragedy and is grief-stricken. She consults a shaman who informs her of reincarnation ritual to be preformed at the sacred site hidden in the valley. The shaman gives Panache a staff and instructs her to plant it in the soil before stone. She must then sprinkle Gigh’s ashes at its base and them with a tear.

Panache cremates Gigh and retrieves some of his ashes before heading to the stone in the valley. She follows the shaman’s instructions causing the staff to grow foliage, it continues to miraculously grow into Gigh. Reunited the Panache and Gigh leave the valley.