Foot In The Door (2004)

Running Time 3 mins (Approx.)

Overview

This film is about the constant deluge of messages we see and hear persuading us to buy things we probably don't need. The deluge leads to a culture where we want to experience everything now, even if we cannot afford it. We feel under immense pressure to listen to the messages, so much so that the immediate benefits seem to outweigh the long-term problems of being in debt. The conclusion is that we will lose everything and have to begin again. The consumers become the consumed. This film serves as a warning; depicting an exaggerated, condensed version of the slow-burning dilemma that is being played out before us.

Synopsis

Ivy (an old lady) is at home when a salesman calls. At first she declines his offers of cut-price goods, but as he becomes more insistent she decides to buy the dinnerware on offer in exchange for him leaving. But instead, the salesman grows more threatening and tries to sell Ivy a dishwasher. She declines weakly and is persuaded to buy. Once again the salesman grows and becomes more grotesque. He tells Ivy she needs a new kitchen for her dishwasher. Despairingly she hands over all of her money. The salesman grows until he fills the hallway. He demands that Ivy upgrade every other room in her house to go with the kitchen. Ivy pleads, explaining she has no money left. The salesman orders her to give him a credit card, which she does. He begins expanding uncontrollably. Ivy runs from the house as the salesman breaches the roof and windows before exploding along with Ivy's house. Ivy picks herself up and begins again, making her new home from the salesman's oversized case.

Production notes

There is no speech in this animation. Both characters make noises which are translated either by physical action or speech bubbles that illustrate what the character means. The main animation is all traditional stop-frame with sets and models. All speech bubbles and the salesman's items are 2D hand-drawn animation.

<Back Page 1 of 7 Next>

Title appears in lower half of screen. Camera zooms in slowly on centre house.

FADE to long shot of Ivy, sitting in chair knitting. A muffled radio plays in the background.

CUT to hallway (low angle shot for sense of foreboding). The doorbell rings.

CLOSE-UP (CU) of Ivy. She moves a hand to her ear as the sound of the doorbell registers.

CUT to hallway. Side shot. Ivy walks carefully towards the front door.

CUT to CU. Ivy looks through spyhole in front door.

CUT to spyhole shot (fish-eye lens). A Salesman with a bowler hat and briefcase is grinning, moving up and down on his toes.

LONG SHOT (LS). Ivy opens door and Salesman steps forward, tipping his hat. As he speaks, a bubble forms with a sun in it.

CUT to MID SHOT (MS). To bubble has changed to depict scissors cutting through pound signs. Salesman's head wobbles as he talks.

CU of Ivy. She closes her eyes and shakes her head, sounding a firm noise as a bubble forms with an 'X' in it.

<Back Page 1 of 7 Next>