Brainstorming #4 feat. Jennifer Rose

Hi friends,

Here with a quick back-to-back with the last of these before I make sure to take more meticulous forms of record keeping (I've even begun doing this for shoots that might not wind up coming to fruition)! However, there is a decent amount of stuff in these ones, for the most part!

Anyways, I love working with Jennifer Rose and I'm always super thankful whenever I have the opportunity to do so. Not sure for how long I'll be able to since she becomes busier and busier by the year, but we are in the talks for one more shoot at the very least! 

Sometimes these tidbits are a little bit difficult to contextualize, but what you're often seeing is the process after I've sent over a long list of ideas, and whoever I'm working with has picked or highlighted different ones they're interested in pursuing, or have added feedback for (in other words, there's already been a baseline of back-and-forth that is missing). Sometimes these conversations are incomplete too, if I was rambling or if we were discussing an idea we never shot, because those ideas might come to fruition later!

Pest Control B-Side

GQ: Cleaning/mistaking the people for bugs.

JR: Could be a short easy one. Maybe I go on a cleaning frenzy, spraying bug killer, setting up glue traps or fly strips. A little series of cleaning and killing. This could be a fun easy one. Maybe I put in earbuds, can't hear them scream. I sweep, I vacuum, clean a sink or pantry, etc. Possibly at the end I could notice I accidentally killed them? And just sweep them into the trash. Or I never even notice.

GQ: This one should be relatively easy. However, I think it would be cooler if it balanced going from unaware to aware, as opposed to just picking one or the other. That is, perhaps when you are cleaning in the beginning, you don't notice anything at all as you are getting rid of them, but then it moves towards being intentional (up to you if you want to first mistake them as bugs and then kill them as tiny ppl, or if you just want to kill them as tiny ppl, since I'm not sure if that is redundant or interesting lol). Regardless, I'm not sure how you want to discover that they're just tiny people, as a group/individual, picking one up? This might be fun because it could appear as if maybe you're going to help them now that you've recognized what they are, but then it subverts? It could go into a more methodical/intentional cleaning/killing after that. Maybe you even know where they are usually coming from, and you go destroy their "nest" outside lol.

JR: Yeah I think at first I think they're bugs and I have my earphones in, maybe I take my earphones out and I hear screams from an individual person and I pick them up and there's this moment of oh no she had no idea, but then I kill them anyway, and then I clean/kill the rest with intent. Maybe I knew the whole time what I was doing but it appears or feels like I don't bc I couldn't hear them/see them. Yeah the nest idea could show that well, that I knew where they all were from the beginning.

Livestream B-Side

GQ: Maybe people pay you for your time. Or conversely, like we discussed previously, you could be live-streaming and getting paid to do things to the people. It could even start with you not wanting to harm them initially, but getting paid an obscene amount of money to do something with them, and ultimately going along with it?

JR: I kinda dig this, like a youtube show or something but it's like a life stream. It's common I have these tiny people and other people pay to watch me interact with them but someone now wants me to be violent. It's kind of a nice moral ambiguity. Yeah, I like the live streaming idea, like as if they're an exotic pet. It's not shocking that I have them, but people pay to see them and watch me interact. Then someone pays for something violent and maybe I put it off at first, but decide later to go through with it for the money.

GQ: I really like the streaming idea, but I'm not sure what the underlying/guiding premise should be, in the terms of, what is the stream initially in the beginning? As well as what is your relation to the people? Is it that you're streaming for something random, and someone notices people (your pets? something?) in the background, and slowly asks you about them until having you take them out? Or does the stream's premise involve the people? Are they pets, friends, strangers, something different? Is it that you've just found them or they've been with you for awhile, etc. What I think could work for this one, is if it's like a chat, where you don't even have to be talking that much, but I could make some text bubbles and we could figure out the general gist of what is being said beforehand. Idk, I think it could be kind of cool if you're resistant to the idea initially, but then the money increases to some absurd degree that it's a legitimate consideration. Maybe the person even uses a moral argument to guilt you by insinuating that you've killed people in the past, etc., intentionally or unintentionally so why would this be any different, blah blah haha. Also, we should end the video with you making the Eighth Grade hand gesture and saying, "Gucci."

JR: *HAHA yes lets do "Gucci" at the end. a very weird low key reference. Well originally I thought maybe I stream the people as if they're exotic pets, but maybe it's more casual and someone notices their cage or something and asks about them? If so, i guess i could just be vlogging, a day in my life or what i ate today, idk something mundane and when someone notices them i sort of play along "oh these things?" type of reaction. and then it progress from there to the point of violence to the tiny people for a lot of money. And i think i comply after some resistance. If I do normally stream the people, maybe I accidentally hurt them in the past? And someone brings that up as if to make it okay to do it again. I think this one could be medium length*

GQ: So I think the hardest part about this idea is just figuring out what type of streaming you are doing in the beginning, because presumably it is live. Are you talking to the camera, or are you just typing like a chatroom with a video option, or are people watching you do something else entirely? I think that both the exotic pet idea that you had, as well as the casual noticing in the background that I suggested would work, but each would require something different. Mainly like, what is your relationship to the people? How did you get them? How long have you had them? Were they given to you? Did you find them? Did you capture them from out somewhere? Did you buy them? Did they come to you? What do you keep them in? A house or a cage? How does the rest of this made up world treat tiny people?

If we do the exotic pets one, I'm guessing it would start out kind of nice/cute, but then an avalanche of people start requesting things, how would you wanna break your morality in this?

If we do the casual noticing one, what I think could be interesting, is that it could start out being more benign and then get darker. For instance, it could start with someone noticing them and wanting to see them, so then maybe you stop what you're doing and you take them out, talk about them, etc. And then the person could ask you for a private chat with them, and then that's where it goes down? Maybe the person asks you more about them/your relation to them, and then says they'll pay you $(insert wild amount here) for each person that you eat/swallow? You resist initially but then they keep suggesting more and more money? I think eating could work, because presumably in this world, you would have eaten some at some point, so maybe the only distinction is your pets vs your food? It could also work via webcam because it would give a reason for both the camera and the viewer to see a person in your mouth (in this way, maybe it's not with food, just on their own). After each person, the money appears (he is not scamming ya).

Then, regardless of idea, it's up to you in terms of how you want to feel after you are done. Unfazed, sad, etc.

JR: Yeah the more casual noticing is better. And just for simplicity sake, I think if I am actually talking to the camera that would be better. I like the chat room concept but idk how easy that would be to show. Maybe I'm waiting for someone to private chat me? Like people are typing to me casually, how was your day, what are you doing, blah blah. And I'm sort of answering out loud and someone asks about the pets and I'm still casual and I'm like oh yeah they're cool I got them a year ago blah blah and I bring them closer and then immediately someone wants a private chat. So I agree and all this person wants to do is talk about and see the pets. So at first I'm like oh this will be easy and then they ask if I've ever crushed one or something odd. And then they say like oh this amount to take one out and this amount to crush it and then the big finale is eating one. I think I am hesitant but the money is crazy good so I ultimately agree. And I think afterward I'm looking at the empty aquarium and I do feel bad. Sort of guilty and was that worth it type of reaction.

Housesitting B-Side

GQ: I wonder if we could do one where you are house-sitting or enlisted to take care of someone else’s tiny pets, but you think it’s sort of ridiculous that anyone keeps them as pets, and you either fuck with them directly, or do things in front of them for them to see. Idk, I was trying to think of ideas beyond size that could produce you being mean, and I think some sort of entitled/rich character might be able to add an extra layer.

JR: I like the watching someone else’s pets idea. And if my character is entitled and rich maybe she's doing it as a favor not for money, so she doesn't really care. I think maybe she finds them annoying or gross? Like she's the opposite of a dog person lol. So maybe she has to clean or feed them and she just doesn't feel like it so she drops one on purpose and realizes they are really easy to kill and just goes from there? Maybe she buys new people at the end to cover it up?

GQ: Perhaps this one could start with you crossing out a list and getting to the task that involves feeding/cleaning out the cage/terrarium of the people's home. If you're going to talk to the owner, maybe you're also on the phone with someone else throughout the video as well, and it goes kinda back and forth? I'm not sure which should come first, but I'm thinking the dynamic could sorta be like you complaining and shit-talking the people to someone on the phone, and then maybe being nicer but also slightly annoyed at the owner and the tasks? I think that could be a fun way to display the power dynamic, if you're in the same room with the people and simultaneously ragging on their existence haha.

JR: Oh thats good and keeps the story moving in a fun way. Talking to a friend and then talking to the owners.

GQ: Maybe you ask about feeding them and what not, and like you said before, you get grossed out and don't want to touch them, so you put their cage on the floor and tell them to get out, but then they all start to run away? Or, when you go back to get them food, they've all ran away and you can't find them. Then you could call the other person, and maybe in a similar vein, the attitude is still disgusted, where you are worried they're going to crawl on you while you're sleeping or get into your stuff?

JR: Yeah and I'm complaining and actually saying in what ways I dislike them.

GQ: On the one hand, it could be a little frantic, but I also think that it calms down? Like, maybe initially you're worried but then you realize they couldn't have gone too far and can't really hide that well, so when you're hunting them down it's back to being sorta superior? Does that make sense? Haha. Like maybe you're back on the phone talking about how you're just going to buy new ones or something. Maybe you're teasing them to come out, or you're just taking your time, idk!

JR: At first I freak, but I think after talking to the friend they calm me down and I have a 'whatever' attitude again and say I'm gonna buy new ones. So I start killing them as I find them just so they won't appear when the owners come home and tell on me.

The Tourists

GQ: Maybe people pay to tour your house while you are gone, and then you forget they are there, accidentally kill someone, and then have to hunt down people so you won't get in trouble.

JR: Yeah, this one is interesting and I think fairly easy to show. This is fun, yeah I think that's a solid idea. I come back thinking they would be gone already or something and it's basically murder, so I try to kill the rest/hide the evidence.

GQ: Originally when I suggested the tour guide option, I was going to have it be those super small people I found online, however, they are so small that I don't think I could reasonably stand them up haha. Nonetheless, I think this one could be low-key interesting depending on how you communicate...whether it's on the phone or through text. For instance, when you come back, they could either be stuck or in trouble, or you could just have forgotten and accidentally wind up killing a few. Then it could either be that you are getting phone calls or texts but miss them/aren't checking, or you could discover a car or an item that reminds you they are still there. It could play out like, when they inform you that you've killed some people (when you've finally made contact with the survivors), you are worried that they are lying, or they could be accusatory and claim that they are going to get you in trouble? Depending on that, it could either be that you are coercing them into coming out and then killing them, or you are hunting them down. I sorta like the idea of thinking it's over, and then getting a phone call from one or two of them who are still left, threatening you with evidence, and then you finding them and killing em?

JR: Yeah I like this one and the sort of twist ending is a nice touch. I let people rent my house or take a tour because I'm selling it. And I don't see the text that they're still there, I accidentally kill a few and don't even realize. Then I shower or cook or do something else before I finally check my phone and see the missed text and then another text "we know what you did type thing," I feel guilty but scared so I convince them to come out and when they do I just kill them to cover my tracks. I think it's all done with and then I get a phone call that they have clear evidence now that I was always trying to kill them, and they are gonna go to the cops etc. so then i hunt them down or it's left open ended? A sort of cliff hanger? This could be medium length or long length depending*

GQ: After re-reading your email, I realized this scenario could take on two different endings, depending on which we think will turn out better (I am leaning towards the second, the one that you suggested).

But first, what each will need haha. I think the beginning should start with you leaving, but I'm not sure if the people should be there or not (I'm leaning towards not). It might work better if you are texting them as you leave, with the time that you will be gone/when the house will be available, maybe with instructions for the viewing, payment, potential things to know/be careful of, or something (maybe they break the rules)? Then, while you're gone, the people explore and document stuff. As the people are documenting your house, you arrive home much earlier than you were supposed to, and some of the people get caught in your way. The most obvious death, first and foremost, as you open the door in your immediate path. However, like the healthy millennial you are, you put down your phone (or bring it with you but don't check it) so you cannot see them trying to get your attention. For the next part, to demonstrate time passing, you mentioned showering or cooking, and I think that whatever we do, the movement/action should involve a few more people getting in the way. I don't have any great ideas for what that action should be, but either way, maybe people are either already there and are in the way, or they are trying to get your attention and wind up getting in the way.

When you return to your phone and see the texts, I think your reaction should be embedded within the context of knowing that you might be being watched, and that you don't want to get in trouble? Like internally, you are sort of trying to weigh your options for what you should do. Maybe they even start to call you as you are looking at your phone. Maybe you start texting back, but stop when you realize it could become evidence, so instead you call them from an encrypted app or something lol. The conversation could go a few ways, depending on if they broke a rule and you blame them for their predicament, or depending on how mad vs scared they are, and if you are more sympathetic? Either way, you take responsibility and convince them to all meet you at some place in your house (maybe you put an object next to where they should go), and tell them to call you when they get there.

After they call you to let you know they are there, and you find them, here is where the ending could differ in two ways. First, it could be that when you go to kill them, they all scatter, but you know that they are recording you, so you have to kill them/hunt them down while pretending like you're doing it by accident. Or second, when you go to kill them, they all scatter, but you are chasing them all down intentionally (could have some cool horror-ish vibes if it involves you having to get through some small obstacles in order to grab them). After you have killed them all, you go back to doing something (could be interesting to see how affected/unaffected you are), and eventually receive a text like you said in the email (we know what you did last summer type of deal). Now that you know they have evidence (do they send it to you?), I think it shouldn't end on the cliffhanger, but rather, should involve you attempting to find him. Maybe you go to where the camera angle was while recording the evidence he sent? Or maybe evidence wasn't sent, and you're just on a mad hunt looking for him? What do you want to do with him after finally finding him? Let me know how you envision this end going down haha. I think I like the second idea better personally, but I am cool with both of them!

JR: I think the first death entering the door is great and then more in the kitchen, I make a snack or something and kill off some in the process. And then I kill a few more setting my luggage down in my room, then I see the text. I worry and panic etc. call them to meet, I try to kill them and they scatter so I quickly try to eliminate them all. And then yeah, I think the sole survivor sends either video or photo evidence when they threaten me and I trace the camera angle, that feels like a more solid ending. And then lastly I find that one and kill him. Maybe he's not there. I crush the camera set up and check but he was making a run for the entrance or something? So I quickly look and sort of track him and get him before they escape.

Don't Go Anywhere

GQ: Since we have mostly done ones with food or eating that revolve around being ignored, I think it would be cool to do one that was much more conscious and involved having to speak/talk on some level. Although it can be difficult to come up with an idea that produces discourse, I was thinking maybe it could start with you either eating something that has been left out for awhile, or grabbing something from the fridge (or elsewhere), and at first not realizing there are people inside (or on top, whatever lol). However, eventually you realize there are people inside your food, and maybe you feign concern? Maybe you pretend to be sorry for eating anyone, or ask them how they even got there, or aggravatingly question why they thought this was a good idea, etc. Maybe you even ask if there are any others, so that you can make sure that they are safe, then you go and grab them, bringing them back to the food. Then it could take a darker turn, perhaps condescendingly, ending with you eating them. Alternatively, instead of grabbing their friends, you could always go the fridge or somewhere to grab people you are already keeping for food to bring back. Idk, the ending is sorta up for grabs, and I could use your expertise in making the end sorta evil haha.

JR: I like the idea of finding food that's been left out and not realizing there are people in it. And when I realize I pretend to be sorry, so I am actually surprised but truly not sorry at all. I think I ask how they got there/where others are so I don't "hurt" them as well. Then I could find the others and add them to the food maybe in a very "oopsie" fashion. And I could scold them for being in my house in the first place and eat them all in the end. I think this one should play out as evil from the jump, even if I'm pretending to feel bad.

GQ: What sorta food do you want to be left out? Is it like a desperate snack where you have nothing in your house, or are you more like being sketchy and eating something questionable that people might judge you for if they saw LOL?

JR: I think old food or something questionable is kind of funny and a little more interesting. Maybe something people find gross, like oatmeal or cottage cheese? Some people hate those textures lol.

GQ: Okay, so the way this one is designed currently reads something like this. JR walks into the kitchen, maybe looks around for food but doesn't find anything interesting, so she grabs whatever was left out? OR JR wakes up/walks into a room where there is food already left out (on a table or by a couch or a nightstand?)?

JR: I think maybe I walk into the kitchen and don't find anything/want anything in there. So then I check on food that was left out in another room, maybe by a couch on a coffee table.

GQ: She takes the food into a different room or eats it there? She is eating it and perhaps notices that it is chewy or a little bit off (unknowingly eating people), so she kinda pauses and looks down into the food, and notices there are people there. She is apologetic but maybe also slightly mad, like a "why would you do that" type of vibe? Maybe she talks to a person who she was about to eat, and seems concerned, asking if there are others she should know about, to keep safe, etc.

JR: Yep exactly, she is sorry but annoyed and talks to a person one on one.

GQ: Does she keep the person in her hand while looking for the other people? Or does she never take them out of the food?

JR: As a power move she never actually takes them out of the food. Maybe she lifts a spoon up to talk with the people but never actually helps them.

GQ: Maybe the other group is in or near some other type of food item in the kitchen? (Alternatively, if it needs to be more evil, she could also just grab people she has as food from the fridge to add).

JR: I think they are in another nearby room.

GQ: When does her attitude shift? In other words, once she finds the other group of people, does she change, or does she keep up the act of innocence? I think a subtle way to imply to the viewer that something is not quite right, is if she goes to grab a drink or does something casual after or before finding the other group? So it's like the sense of urgency of looking for the people is undercut by her making herself a drink? That way the viewer gets a hint that things are about to be fucked up?

JR: I like that, and maybe while she gets the drink you actually see other people in her fridge? Or if that's over the top, just the drink works well too.

GQ: JR acts as if the people are falling into the food as she places them in, acting like it's an accident or an "oops." What should the attitude be after this moment? I know you mentioned scolding for being in your house, so maybe that could work with some digs about them hiding in food in the first place.

JR: Sure, yeah I think all the blame is on them. So whether it looks realistic or not when I "drop" them, I get mad at them for being in my food.

GQ: I think rather than having that be the end of your interactions with the people (that's how we ended a previous one from the first shoot), we should find some ways to have instances of direct acknowledgment while eating, some subtle teasing or cruelty. Like maybe you're still talking to them? Or you notice a person yelling so you listen to them and you respond? I think it would be sorta fun if you actually responded in earnest to a "please don't eat me" type of comment lol.

JR: I like that and it's more torturous. Responding to them and then eating them one by one or very methodically.

GQ: Could end either with a shot of more people somewhere in the kitchen? Or you leaving more food out (trying to catch more or something)? Or it could end with you finishing and then just like going about your day.

JR: Leaving more food out is good and ties it all together, that it was a trap all along.

Unreleased/In Progress

GQ: At some point, I would really love to do one outside. It might be cool if you're looking for something in the woods for whatever reason: could be more like a "treasure" find, or it could be that you're looking for the people for some type of purpose, or you stumble upon people accidentally. Depending on why you're there, it could go a few different ways. Maybe the item you were looking for isn't that great, or is being hidden by them, or they have damaged and destroyed it in some way, or maybe they even produce the item. Or it could start out more innocent and get darker, where you happen upon them but then take them with you for some nefarious purpose. Or maybe there is some other motivation that leads you to want to get rid of them. I'm not sure if we'll be able to get something like this ready by the weekend, but doing one outdoors would be super cool!

JR: Agreed, especially with all the leaves/foliage. I like the idea of geocaching, maybe she is really out looking for "treasure" but instead finds the people. Maybe it turns out they are using the geocache object as a structure or they just like it? I don't think she's evil but maybe she tries to take the object regardless and ends up killing some people in the process and realizing whats shes done she kills the rest so no one will find out.

GQ: Geocaching is great! I was thinking something similar. I was thinking that this one could be almost like a bait and switch. The beginning could focus on you sorta intently looking for your item, maybe getting confused or lost or even slightly frustrated not being able to find it. Perhaps there are some unaware crushes while this is happening. Then maybe the faked big moment is the viewer thinking that you've found the people, but really all you care about is the geotag box, and you see the people more as like a nuisance to get out of the way for you getting to the box? Maybe you sorta clear their stuff out of the way and wreak havoc just so that you can add your stamp, and collect yours.

JR: That's great haha I like that a lot. I'm just a geocaching nerd.

GQ: Then maybe you go to hide it again and clear out more space? Crushing their hideaway to make better space for hiding the box? Or maybe you don't do that, but instead take something with you? Like a house/car/people? I'm not sure how to end this, but I feel like it needs some type of action, even if it's not necessarily "evil." A fleeting fascination could be kinda cool, like if at some point you pick up a person like you're initially intrigued, but then toss them aside? I'm wondering maybe if it works better that the killing is more casual and detached, just more like you clearing space for the box to be put back. Let me know if you have any ideas or alternatives, even if it adds a scene!

JR: Agreed, I think more detached and accidental is the way to go. I don't think I really consider the people at all, except maybe a moment of looking at one "what is this?" and tossing it aside like "huh, weird." I think taking a car or something could be good, and goes along with the geocache theme.

VR Ideas

GQ: A food one is definitely the easiest, depending on how intentional/unintentional you want to be. Could either be within a piece of food that you're preparing, or could be inside a takeout bag or something.

JR: Oo the takeout bag is kinda fucked up. I like that, that I actually purposely bought a meal containing tiny people. We could do the taking out of the bag and opening up the containers etc and then eating.

GQ: You could find a person and keep them as a pet or servant or something? Really just depends on how nice or mean you'd want to be. If you still have a dollhouse, we could use that, or if you wanna keep them in more of a cage or a terrarium we could also do that. Could find them within your house, outside, or could start with them in your bag and you taking them out. Maybe you hide them, or maybe you keep them out in the open for all to see. These could all go in a bunch of directions.

JR: Hmmm. Yeah it could go lots of different ways. I like finding them outside, like when you find a frog and want to keep it. I do have a dollhouse, maybe I put them in there but it's obviously not really suited for someone that size. I also think keeping them hidden is interesting like in a dark closet or cabinet and take them out when I want to play with them or examine them. Idk if I should kill any in this? Maybe I do by accident? This one feels more harmless.

GQ: We could also do some more direct ones where you find someone and step on them, or are unaware of them the entire time.

JR: Sure, we could do an unaware one of me doing something on floor, like working out? Haha idk I'm trying to think of a contained one where I step on them, lay on them, put a yoga mat or medicine ball down on them, etc. I think working out could work well and have a lot of different pov shots/death shots.

GQ: (Feel free to add any...the only guiding principle is that it has to make sense that the viewer wouldn't move...either being trapped inside of something, cornered, or being moved/directed by you). These ideas are very basic and rough, we might be able to discuss them while we're doing them, but it also helps to have beginnings or endings too! VR scenarios are probably where we can best experiment with the dynamics of you interacting with one person, so maybe we do one where you buy a pet. You could even be using the person for social media clout, almost like an instagram pet, and you make them do stuff while taking pictures/videos on your phone.

JR: I like this! And it could be the quick cuts and moments of me happily taking pictures or videos or me getting annoyed if they wont do what I ask.