Scenes from a Brain
This short film by Jason Poley (you can find his Instagram here) is a quick 1:15 minute film which beautifully illustrates a visual representation of his depression through sleek animation and a powerful melancholy score.
Most of the visuals contain contrast between the light and the dark, and in this sense, represent his constant battle to look towards the light while everything around seems to be void of it. The first setting we’re presented with is a ball of light among a flesh-colored background, with the ground breaking below it. The glowing orb is alone on a spire, with the world crumbling around it.
I really love this image representing the isolation felt with depression. With the world shattering into the void, the negative space on the edges of the frame exacerbates the internal struggle to feel connected to the outside world.
I believe I connected with this visual the most; a sphere, presented with a one-sided mirror, illuminated, clean and bright, with a turbulent internal combustion against a dark back drop. I related this image to being someone who has to project an image of happiness and clarity, while the internal suffering is hidden behind a one-sided mirror.
This image complements the previous one, also exploring this “mask” people must put on in order to hide the real issues beneath. The polished shiny gold mask and the exaggerated smile is shrouded by black smoke where I relate to the most intimate way to connect with another person - through the eyes.
And lastly, a web of spheres in constant motion, and a single sphere breaking from the masses can be interpreted as a longing to break free from the forces that try to pull us back. The sphere is isolated, again, towards the center of frame, approaching the darker side of the frame, potentially towards the unknown and uncertain.
I really enjoyed writing about this very short film as a jumping off point for my blog! If you want to look at more of Jason’s work, his personal website can be found here. I look forward to finding more works that I can analyze and reflect on.
Cheers,
Dylan