Trapped in his small and dingy apartment, Bryan, a young artist pushes his body to the absolute limit as he subjects himself to a different substance each day. During these trials he lives under red light to see what impact it has on his artwork, with the ultimate goal of creating a perfect piece of art. He believes he hasn’t been pushing himself hard enough to reach his potential and only something as extreme as this will produce art of a high enough level. The intake of drugs quickly becomes more intense as Bryan begins to mix cocktails of substances. Fuelled by chemicals and sheer determination, Bryan now believes he is now on a spiritual pilgrimage to create masterworks of art by delving into new perceptions and realities through his experiments.
This story is loosely based off the experiences of Bryan Lewis Saunders. After discovering his story, I was immediately drawn to its potential for storytelling through experimentation. Experimentation lies at the heart of this project, and we aim for it to be present in every department.
The changing of film format, tonally shifting soundtrack and surreal set design are all elements of experimentation that will come together to strengthen the core concept of this project, a man’s demise through the hands of addiction.
Through this central theme, we aim to show the intricate web of emotions that individuals with addiction deal with. In addition to this, we seek to present a nuanced portrayal of drug culture, delving into both the transcendental highs and the nightmarish lows it can offer.
Overall, our aims with this project are to not only make a visually unique piece of work, but also to raise the question of how far should you push yourself to create something your truly proud of?, something that throughout history has been tested through various creatives. The overall message of Experiments of Substance and Colour is that ultimately the sacrifice for obsession can both be extremely damaging as much as rewarding; in the end, Bryan is finally happy with his creation, but at what cost?
Our talented Cinematography Department is focused on capturing the intricate beauties and horrors of Bryan’s tumultuous journey to create his work. To emphasise Bryan’s self-induced declining health as the film progresses, the films’ shooting formats will also degrade. Beginning with crystal clear cinema camera quality images; continuing to degrade through digital cam-corders, 16mm and Super 8mm.
A crucial component to the look of Experiments of Colour and Substance will be the films distinct colour palette which whilst changing from scene to scene, will most prominently feature deeply saturated monochromatic red light supplemented and toned with sodium vapour undertones. Juxtaposing palettes and techniques will be interjected to imbue certain sequences with a gruelling heightened sense of realism.
Finlay Miller - Writer & Director
Hi, I’m Finlay Miller, the writer/director for Experiments of Colour and Substance. As soon as I came across the story of Bryan Lewis Saunders’ life, I began to visualise how an interpretation of his experiences would look on screen. And being someone who is already very interested in experimental cinema, it seemed that using this concept as the basis for a short film would allow for creative experimentation in many different aspects of a film production. This is my main aim with this project, to create something unique through the means of experimentation, much like how Bryan experimented with his body to create something entirely unique.
From using multiple formats of film both digital and analogue, surreal set design and a tonally shifting soundtrack; I aim to create a film that evokes more feeling and atmosphere rather than presenting a more conventional story. I find the best art can often cause strong emotions within a person without ever explicitly presenting any formal meaning and this abstraction seen throughout Bryan Lewis Saunders’ work is another facet of his influence on this project and another key element.
I believe this project holds significant importance as it has the potential to shed light on an alternative perspective of drug culture prevalent among younger generations. Additionally, delving into an artist's unwavering quest for absolute perfection is an experience that will resonate with many creative individuals and showing both sides of this argument is something that will be key for this film.
Emily-Ann Flower - Producer
Hi! My name is Emily and I’m the Producer of Experiments of Colour and Substance.
From the pitch of this project many months ago I have been so excited for this film so to have the opportunity to produce it alongside such a wonderful team has been amazing.
I am looking forward to getting to the production stage and using various forms of art to experiment as I believe that experimentation in art is so important as there is still so much new media to create.
Will Brown - Director of Photography
Hi, my name is Will and I am the DOP for this film. For me creative exploration is at the heart of both the story and process behind making this film. I’m focused on capturing an honest experience of drug use and abuse, as well as the opportunity to showcase the beauty of other artistic mediums through cinematography, most notably painting.
Jacob Nicholson - Gaffer
Hi, my name is Jacob and I am the Gaffer on this film. What initially captivated my interest in this project were the themes of experimentation and creativity, which are not only evident in the story but also extend to every facet of production, encompassing the proposed performance, sound and set design, as well as cinematography and lighting— a responsibility that falls to me as the Gaffer. Furthermore, the script artfully embraces subjectivity, often immersing the viewer within the perspective of the protagonist. My aspiration is to translate this into the film's lighting design, employing unconventional lighting set ups and cues to further amplify these concepts. Having never worked on a solely experimental production before, I intent on taking what I have learned from more traditional narrative filmmaking and see how it can be utilized or subverted to achieve interesting and thematically resonant imagery. I will also take visual inspiration from films such as Beyond the Black Rainbow and Mandy to achieve a uniquely psychedelic and often otherworldly visual style.
Kai-Lennon Ingram - Production Designer
My name is Kai and I am the Production Designer for Experiments of Colour and Substance. I have always had a passion for filmmaking and fine art and have dedicated my life to improving my craft and finding my way within the creative industry.
I chose to work on this project because I have always been interested in the ideas behind ‘the artist’s pursuit’ and the stakes of acquiring ‘perfection’. How far is too far in this pursuit? And at what point do concerns for the artist’s wellbeing exceed these needs? These are questions that factor into my own life and that I feel I can further explore throughout the production of this film. I plan to construct a setting that highlights the character’s troubled mindset through the set dressing and illustrate his misguided charisma through the paintings that mark his gradual mental deterioration throughout the film.
I feel that this film will act as an important warning for artists in search of the unattainable and through experimentation will detail the nightmarish repercussions of the attempt, highlighting the cost of artistic perfection in the face of irreparable self-destruction
Ollie Quinn - Editor
Hello, I'm Ollie - the editor! In my role on Experiments of Colour and Substance, I hope to act as a steward to the audience. Before me I have a host of great talent in the writing and camera team, and through my oversight in post I aim to show every element of this unconventionally beautiful tapestry. Through surrounding myself in the brilliant works of other experimental filmmakers before me, coupled with my duty to deliver the truest emotions to the audience – I aim to showcase the raw, grainy and poetic matter of this film to the highest degree.
Luke Meaney - Sound
Hiya, I'm Luke! The sound designer for experiments of colour and substance. ‘Experiments of colour and substance’ questions one's own experiences through an audio-visual landscape and as the sound designer I aim to stimulate audiences aural perception of reality through experimental audio language to form something uncomfortably beautiful
Is Hughes - 1st AD
Hi I’m is and I’m the 1st ad I’m super excited to be part of this experiment, I’ve always loved the challenges on a set but especially with this film I’m excited to get stuck in.
Ella McAnuff - Costume Designer
Hi! I'm Ella, I'm the costume designer for Experiments of colour and substance. I have always had a passion for designing and bringing characters to life through their clothes. I think costume is such an important part of film and is crucial to story telling.
I am so excited to be working on this project. It will be fun experimenting with the clothes and techniques I have learnt through my time at uni to dress Bryan through his experience. Although I have never worked on anything like this film before I am ready for the challenge and for the opportunity to work with such a talented group on an incredible film.
Ella Hall - Makeup Artist
Hi I’m Ella and I’m the head makeup artist on Experiments of Colour and Substance.
As soon as I saw the script and proposal I was instantly drawn to the film, I felt like I could really have fun with it and be expressionate, I found the storyline really interesting, also not like anything I’ve heard of before and I’m very excited to get filming with the rest of the crew.
Huge thank you to the amazing Gracie Healey for taking all the crew photos!