Since my first story post I have developed many ideas through my songs and poetry and so this week I’m writing another story, but this takes a metaphorical approach. The idea for this story was developed from past experiences and that feeling of never knowing if you have made the right choice. The controlling idea is based upon this but questions the moral issues around changing your choices with the photo as a metaphor for life.
The end of the story however sees the main character accepting his present which originates from my firm belief that every choice we make in life is for a reason and that each choice we eventually make will lead us on our paths. The guide in the story is a spiritual belief in spiritual guides, guides who watch over us and help us in making choices, which is why he is led to know he made the right choice. This story was also developed with the help of Kate Howlet who helped me to bounce ideas around and develop the final controlling idea.
The story reflects a film called The Family Man directed by Brett Ratner (2000) in which Nicolas Cage is in his perfect job but then through his guide realises he would rather have the love of his life over his job and money. This goes the other way to my story as he had made a wrong choice and had to be forced to correct it, whereas my character explores the possibility of changing and his guide stops him from changing it in order to get what he wants. The youtube clip highlights the feeling of regret that Nicholas Cage eventually feels in his wrong choice.
The Family Man
The Quiet Photographer
Premise: What if you found a magic camera that captured not only the image but also the moment in time?
Controlling Idea: Take a picture, name it, frame it but never hear the answer to the question, what if I could change it.
Synopsis:
Gary is a small time photographer and is very happy to be able to do a job he is passionate about and come home to his loving wife Julia. Recently however Julia has been acting quite odd as she no longer talks to him about her week’s events and has been very distant. After travelling home late from the city after his last shoot for the day Julia shows her discomfort and after an argument Gary ends up sat in his office and decides its time to clean up.
Whilst poring over countless photos he stumbles across his old camera with a photo album stashed inside that he had forgotten about since he left for university just over 8 years ago. Looking back through the pictures he starts to reminisce over the good old days but then sees a face he had also forgotten about, his past girlfriend Fred who he was dating until he left for university. Upon gazing at the same photo and remembering all those days long since gone everything starts to feel more real, and look more real until it sounds more real as Fred asks ‘are you alright?’ Shocked as his apparent transformation into the photograph Gary panics until he hears a gentle voice.
The room freezes and a man introduces himself as Adam who calms Gary down as all this is far too much for him to understand. Adam informs Gary that the camera he discovered was no ordinary camera and that time itself is captured and so can be reviewed at your leisure and events can be changed.
Gary then lives out the day with Fred and reminisces over the things he missed doing and realises how happy he was back then and compared to now he wishes he never left her. On going home however Gary remembers what day it is, the day before he left when he broke up with Fred. Sure he wants to keep her this time he consults his parents who remind him that he would be distracted by her and wouldn’t concentrate on his work and may never become the photographer he wants to be. Realising this Gary calls for Adam who explains to him that he is happy and made his choice for a reason.
Accepting this Gary breaks up with Fred for the second time and is then transported back to his office. Upset, Gary tears up the photo. Sure at his place in the world Gary goes to find Julia who is stood by the door with a suitcase packed as she has been upset for a while and is divorcing him. Distraught that he may well have made a mistake for the second time Gary heads to bed.
On his way into work the next morning Gary is so upset that he doesn’t see the woman coming round the corner and nocks into her. On helping her up Gary realises who it is, Fred. Shocked at the coincidence Gary asks what she’s doing and it turns out that she is the new employee that everyone has been talking about.
