A Lost Soul - Max

Max is the main character within the story of "A Lost Soul" and the narrative is seen through his perspective. Making him the most difficult character to cast as he will be the prime face of the story which audiences will see throughout the entire duration of the short-film. As the writer/director of "A Lost Soul" I envisioned Max as a character who presents himself as the ideal man that we all dream of being but underneath, he is a lost soul with no real clue as to what he's mean to do. People don't understand what is going in in his damaged mind.

What was your inspiration for Max's character?

My inspiration for the character of Max came from two other media products that have character that go deal with the pressure of living up to an expectation created through their jobs and reputation which has brought them nothing but anxiety and the fear of disappointing those around them; I found this to be an interesting factor for a character who is a young adult coping in a time where we are constantly being expected to accomplish greatness as we go on to life after school. 

Inspiration number 1

Tom Hardy plays 'Ivan Locke' a character from the film "Locke". Ivan is a man who has a highly ranked job in the construction business; Ivan also has duties and responsibilities as a father/husband. Within the Story of "Locke" Ivan is faced with a challenge that will harm his name and reputation which will impact his job and family. Ivan must attempt to remain calm throughout his crisis as his colleagues and family communicate to him through it.

This clip shows a moment in the film that truly reflects my thoughts of Ivan as a man coping with the pressure of this job but attempts to remain calm as he seeks comfort by hearing the sound of his son's voice. A powerful implication of the character's emotional vulnerability can be found near the end of the clip as Ivan tells his son the he loves him; but immediately acts as if he never said the words , just when he realised that his son missed the phrase. Suggesting that Ivan is slowly revealing his vulnerability to those who think of him as role model.

The is ultimately why the character of Ivan Locke is a big inspiration towards me creating my character 'Max' as I want him to have him put in a similar situation where his vulnerability slowly breaks.

Inspiration number 2

Matthew Fox plays 'Jack Shepard' a character from the television series "Lost". Jack Shepard is a top surgeon who survives a plane crash and must lead the remaining survivors as they wait to be rescued. The reason as to why Jack is an inspiration for the character 'Max' in my short-film; is because Jack Shepard has been living with a tremendous burden throughout his entire life of never being able to make his father proud, something all child want to do. As well as dealing with the troubling pressure of living up to the responsibilities Jack has as a surgeon and as a leader. Making Jack a compelling and relatable character as he deals with a universally understood phobia; the fear of failure. 

This is a clip showing Jack as a young boy; this scene is about Jack facing his father after he failed to stand up against a bully from punching a schoolboy. This is a relevant clip as it shows the struggle Jack deals with, as he tries to be the man he's expected to be. But unfortunately failing and causing his father to look down on his son's incapability to have what it takes to live up to the man his father wants Jack to be. 

Conclusion

This is all the information that justifies my reasons as to why the character of 'Max' from my short-film is the way I intend him to be; as his characteristics offer interesting opportunities for his character to deal with being locked up in a basement and isolated from the rest of the world. Ultimately causing him to slowly reveal his vulnerability.