Synopsis
The Dialog Interchange Program is a mockumentary style film that illustrates our cultures desire for the replacement of traditional communication for digital means. Since the telephone's invention humans have been able to communication over long distances, however as we grow further apart and move around our communication helps to keep us in touch. Unfortunately, we have began to substitute newer means of communication for verbal dialog such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram we ultimately become less personally invested. This film is a statement about the absurdity surrounding these means of communication and how our culture will continue to be come more antisocial as we adapt and accept these substitutions.
Origin
Hardware
Quiet Type was imagined while thinking about how an earlier generation might have though of a technological invention that could improve type and messaging. Morris Code seemed like an obvious direction for this prototype to utilize. The prop was constructed using a Kaypro 2 computer that I borrowed from my friend Ali Sabir and an old slide projector that I purchased at a thrift store. The two paired looked like it might be a match.
Origin
Businessman 2000
The Businessman 2000 prototype was developed from researching video conferencing devices and their early attempts during the 1980s. This period of time had inventions that were ahead of their time and suffered significantly due to the lack of data transmission speeds. The robotic hand addition was an addition that I felt the great doctor would have seen as a "must have" since doing business deals at that time were sealed with a firm handshake.
Origin
Pretext
Research for this prototype started with my passion for brain scanning technology and the innovations that have occurred in the last decade. I also bought a Star Wars Force Levitation toy and though how interesting it would be if a device could just pick up what you are thinking. Due to the timeline of this skit I chose the classic Blackberry as the base for the hardware/software amalgamation.
Origin
Living Profile
The Living Profile was probably one of the first ideas in this script. Since my research had started because of another social media research project, I wanted to explore the idea if one was created but blended with a Tamagotchi like toy. This way the user would be required to attend to their profile or it would die. It would create a bit of emotional investment for the user, much like how social media already effects us emotionally.
Origin
Opticon
Opticon was a take on the new wearable technology making its rounds. Google had the "Google Glass" Apple has their "Apple Watch" and so many others joined the game to make your devices an integral part of your life. I wanted to see how the technology could be integrated but also add a dash of realism based on current operating system experience with pop-ups and ads.
Logline
The Dialog Interchange Program is an ongoing research project started in the 1970s by Dr. Wyczek's visionary idea of crafting an innovative approach for improving social communication.
Minutes of footage
Takes ruined by laughter
Trailer
Film Crew
Writer/Director
Brendan Feltrup-Exum
I wrote this.... and still laugh to this day. There might be something wrong with me.
Brendan Feltrup-Exum has managed his own production company for the last 9 years as a Creative Director at Haywire Studios producing industrial training videos, corporate media, and commercials. He has worked for PBS, on TV shows, and feature films. He recently finished working on Marvel's TV show pilot "The Gifted". This film was his first attempt at comedy in his final year of his master's degree.
Outside Film
Brendan enjoys braiding hair and baking cupcakes. His greatest achievement was a cupcake that was more like an actual cake.
Camera
Michael Carpenter
He is our mastermind of creative cinematography and awesome camera work.
Michael has worked on numerous film and television programs from feature films to TV shows in just about every department. He has a passion for cinematography that is unparalleled. Every frame is scrutinized with tremendous insightfulness due to his photographic background.
Outside film
Michael enjoys crocheting, cross-stitching and coloring books when not working on films. His main passion however is crafting a good pair of jorts.
Sound
Jessica Skuce
She is the sound master blaster making sure every shot sounds crystal clear.
Jessica Skuce is an illustrator and storyteller based in Arlington, TX. Working in a variety of mediums, art as a whole has always appealed to Jessica, including watercolour, pencil, and digital using a Wacom Cintiq. She currently is working on her first children’s book, along with freelance work and personal projects. She has worked on several short films and has helped develop several others.
Outside Film
Jessica enjoys high-wire tightrope and assisting in FBI investigations of cold cases. Some say she can uncover clues others overlook.
Still Photographer
Victoria Skuce
She took so many photos which you can see some of them below, but some were just not right for the internet.
The Cast
Roby McGuen
Roby McGuen has been a long time friend of mine since my early years at the University of Texas at Arlington. I cannot actually remember when we first met, but I knew he was a professor of graphic design and digital arts. He boisterous laugh and staggering figure always made him seem like a jolly grand figure. Searching for a actor who could play the part of Dr. Wyczek posed a trying problem as many of the talent pool did not have the look and voice I saw this man to be. He needed to be someone whom you could believe was passionate about his field and even in the faces of naysayers he would laugh and keep chasing the perfect idea.
Quiet Type
Grant Carpenter
Grant, Michael's father played Dr. Ivan Stevenson the tester of the Quiet Type prototype.
Businessman 2000
Tom Martin
Tom Martin played Philip Anderson, the user of the Businessman 2000.
Businessman 2000
Bruce Feltrup-Exum
Bruce Feltrup-Exum, Brendan's father, played Harrison Eldridge the person on the other end of the Businessman 2000 and destroyer of hands.
Pretext
Danish Athar
Danish Athar played Ahad Bandi, the harassing user of Pretext.
Pretex
Taylor Farmer
Taylor Farmer played Sarah Wilkins, the woman who was subjected to harassment.
Pretext
Stephen Stone
Stephen Stone played Mark Iverson, the witness to the sexual harassment perpetrated by the Pretext user Ahad Bandi.
Living Profile
Jarrod Clegg
Jarrod Clegg played Timothy Upclaw, the rock climbing belay assistant and user of Living Profile who let Henry fall to his death.
Living Profile
Mike Hong
Mike Hong played Henry Jang, the rock climber who was subject to a terrible death because of the Living Profile's demands.
Opticon
Seth Lawrence
Seth Lawrence played Kyle Sinclare the over zealous user and abuser of Opticon.
