Applied Narrativium 101

July 12, 2011 12:00 PM

Plot Device - A man obtains a device that makes life more like the movies (SLVP)
posted by The Whelk (16 comments total)

Cute, and the behind-the-scenes video is interesting, if awkward in how they force the product placement and say it isn't about selling products.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:19 PM on July 12, 2011

Huh. I heard about this one, but it's more entertaining than I thought it would be from the descriptions of it.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 12:22 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

Predictable, but really well executed. I have a feeling the idea of experimenting with multiple archetypal genres like that is pretty common among new filmmakers.

Reminded me a lot of the Family Guy episode 'Road to the Multiverse," which was one of their best.
posted by ShutterBun at 12:38 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

I made it to about the time the kid used the "plot device" and ended up with soft focus, etc, said "oh, so this is going to be a 'flip through the different Magic Bullet presets' ad," and turned it off. Does it get better or is it just a "look at our presets!" thing all the way through?
posted by Alterscape at 12:44 PM on July 12, 2011

It's more interesting than that. As Shuterbun said, predictable but fun.
posted by dammitjim at 12:47 PM on July 12, 2011

So it's a commercial?
Funny in a few parts. More aptly named Genre Device I would think.
posted by chococat at 12:47 PM on July 12, 2011

This is unrealistic. In order to get access to the Plot device in the first place you would have already needed to use it.
posted by Anything at 1:06 PM on July 12, 2011

This is unrealistic. In order to get access to the Plot device in the first place you would have already needed to use it.

Pay no attention to the labels. Amazon is the plot device.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 1:08 PM on July 12, 2011

I did like how the older police officer had two entirely different guns. That lent it some "we paid almost nothing for this" street cred.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:42 PM on July 12, 2011 [4 favorites]

I liked the JJ Abrams 'completely unnecessary lens flares everywhere' during the sci-fi jaunt.. pretty amusing how simple it is to spoof up a convincing facsimile of his style by doing a few cheesy things and adding a filter.
posted by FatherDagon at 2:17 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]

I started the video buffering, drove into town with my girlfriend, parked at the grocery store, cashed a check, walked across town, bought a bottle of Campari, walked back across town, went grocery shopping, and came home and the video is still only two-thirds loaded. I have DSL.
posted by dunkadunc at 3:37 PM on July 12, 2011

To heck with the software, I just want the Plot Device.
posted by ZeusHumms at 5:18 PM on July 12, 2011

"I think I'm going to tell you I love you."

That part was pretty funny.
posted by meandthebean at 6:13 PM on July 12, 2011 [2 favorites]

I love the part before he uses the plot device where he runs over to the shade next to the car to stop standing barefoot on hot pavement. I do that all the time.
posted by NoraReed at 9:47 PM on July 12, 2011

I LOLed at "Shut up, weirdo, get out of my driveway!"
posted by ook at 6:09 AM on July 13, 2011

I love the part before he uses the plot device where he runs over to the shade next to the car to stop standing barefoot on hot pavement. I do that all the time.

I wish I lived in a place warm enough for pavement to get hot.
posted by Anything at 10:50 AM on July 14, 2011