User:R0ryb0ryalis/Mendacity

Mendacity
Directed by	Rory Corcoran
Written by	Kevin Reynolds
Starring	Cory Williams Rory Corcoran Nick Tranzow Chris Geigle John Aguilar Kevin Reynolds
Cinematography	Nick Tranzow
Edited by	Rory Corcoran
Distributed by	CART
Release dates	March 30, 2006
Running time	7 min. (approx.)
Language	English
Budget	US$0

Mendacity is a 2006 film, produced by six high-school students in the Multimedia Lab at the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART). As an end of the year project, students in the class underwent a six-week process meant to replicate professional filmmaking. From screenwriting to post-production, students developed a storyboard, film poster, website, and compiled a soundtrack; among other requirements for their 5-7 minute movie. The film premiered on the final day of the project, March 30, 2006; and was presented to the class in CART's on-campus theater. It went on to receive multiple awards in CART's annual Angel Awards and in the Fresno County Career Skills Challenge.

Synopsis

Three super-heroes; Durus, Fulsi, and Mentis; fight to protect the city of Clovis, California from the ever-present evil determined to bring it down. After years of constant fighting, it finally seems as though peace has been obtained. This peace is shattered by an explosive attack on the city. The three heroes arrive at the scene to find their arch-nemises, Draedan and Klon, wreaking havoc on a nearby building. As their motives are revealed, so is the truth behind the trio's friendship. Even though they have worked as a team for years, it seems as if mendacity had been there from the beginning...

Characters

• Durus

Age: 17

Special Abilities: Due to living in harsh conditions for most of his life, Durus' skin has adapted by becoming extremely callous, to the point of being comparable to steel. Though he does not know it at the beginning, he also has the ability to create and manipulate fire.

Background: Abandoned in Death Valley at birth, Durus has always been alone. While in the desert, he underwent many hardships, which led to his great strength and durability. At the age of 15, he set out to climb a nearby mountain, a feat he was too young and weak to accomplish before. Upon reaching the peak, he spotted a city in the distance, from which was pouring smoke. Curious as to what was happening, Durus made his way towards the location and before long, found himself in the middle of a battle. Being as powerful as he was, he quickly cleaned up the city and inquired as to what was going on. The inhabitants explained the state of panic the city was in, due to the recent disbanding of their police force and demise of their revered protector, Ignotus. They begged him to stay and rebuild their defenses, to which he happily agreed. After being alone for those many years, Durus found a home, and in time also found friendship.

• Mentis

Age: 17

Special Abilities: Mentis is a telekinetic, a power that he has possessed since birth.

Background: Raised in a broken home, he was a bully in school and never had any friends. In high school, he met Ignotus, another human with strange powers. Jealous of Ignotus' abilities, Mentis fought with him, but due to his lack of control, was hastily defeated. Ignotus told him that he could help him control his powers, if he was willing to accept his teachings. In shame of defeat, Mentis accepted, and became Ignotus' apprentice. Within a year the city began to fall into darkness, and the fighting became more intense. Shortly after this, Ignotus disappeared and was presumed dead. Afraid and alone after his mentor's death, Mentis could no longer handle protecting the city. Soon the hero, Durus, arrived and began to fight for the city's sake. Remembering his mentor's teachings and seeing this hero's bravery, Mentis sought to join him. Thus the two became friends and teammates.

• Fulsi

Age: 18

Special Abilities: Fulsi can gather energy in his palms and release an electric ball capable of dealing a substantial amount of damage to it's target.

Background: Much of Fulsi's background is a mystery. Rumor has it that Fulsi was struck by lightning as a small child, thus activating his electric powers. He first came to be a member of the trio when he unexpectedly appeared to assist Durus and Mentis. From that day he joined their fight and was thought to be a friend.

• Draedan

Age: 18

Special Abilities: Draedan has the ability to teleport a short distance at will. He also carries a large sword, which must require considerable strength to wield.

Background: Not much is known about Draedan's past. It is known that he has always been highly intelligent, though his mind is twisted. When he was 15, he turned his basement into a laboratory, and began conducting questionable experiments. As a result of one such experiment, he created the creature now known as Klon. He also unlocked his ability to teleport through self-experimentation. Draedan and his servant, Klon, soon began attacking the city, but with no real motives, other than finding it fun.

• Klon

Age: 17

Special Abilities: Klon can create exact copies of himself. Because of this ability, Klon has always evaded death by keeping a copy out of harm's way.

Background: The creature known as "Klon" is actually the result of experiments performed by Draedan. He is Draedan's loyal servant and is always seen with him. Klon has been taught by Draedan to always stay one step ahead by leaving a copy of himself in a safe place, so as to avoid death. However, Klon has been known to forget this vital fact at times.

• Ignotus

Age: 18

Special Abilities: Ignotus possesses the power to create and manipulate fire, a power that he later unlocks within Durus.

Background: Born as the mayor of Clovis' son, Ignotus was well-respected and in good hands from the beginning. As he grew older, he realized his ability to create fire, and with much effort, learned to control this. He began using this strange power to protect those he cared for, while trying to avoid unnecessary conflict. Ignotus was considered naive by many, as he often left his opponents alive, and even showed them care after fighting. It is said that because of this, Ignotus met his end. After fighting and befriending Mentis, the two fought for the peace of the city. Soon after, Draedan began his attack on the city. Ignotus and Mentis were seperated by Klon, and Ignotus found himself fighting Draedan alone. Upon learning that Draedan was only doing this for enjoyment, Ignotus became confused, unable to understand the truly evil Draedan. Ignotus was defeated in his confusion, and afterwards fled in fear. Mentis and rest of the city belived him to be dead, and soon the city fell into darkness. After Durus' arrival, Ignotus attempted to contact Mentis, telling him about his situation. He apologized for his weakness and told Mentis that he could no longer fight, but informed him that he would be ready to further train him at any time.

Plot

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The film begins with Draedan and Klon's attack on the city of Clovis. Mentis and Fulsi arrive to confront the two. Mentis questions Draedan and announces that it is his end. Draedan then teleports behind Mentis while Klon attacks Fulsi. Draedan responds to Mentis' earlier announcement by telling him that it is actually his end. In the background appears Durus, who intervenes before Draedan can swing at Mentis. With Draedan distracted, Mentis seizes the opportunity and attempts to attack Draedan, but Draedan teleports both himself and Durus to another location before the blow is landed. As Mentis regains his footing he attempts to search for the enemy, running into two Klons. He quickly defeats them using his telekinetic powers.

Meanwhile, Fulsi and the Klon chasing him come to a stop, and Klon creates multiple copies of himself, surrounding Fulsi. Draedan and Durus have resumed their fight in another location and Draedan appears to have the upperhand. However, with Durus' steel-like body, he cannot seem to land a damaging sword strike. The fight continues with the advantage constantly shifting between the two.

Fulsi defeats the last of the Klons attacking him with his electric powers, and runs off in search of Mentis. Upon finding him, Fulsi asks Mentis to follow him, leading him to a small corridor behind a building. Having fallen behind while following him, Mentis turns into the corridor, but can no longer see Fulsi in front of him. Fulsi then appears and walks out in front of Mentis, holding a ball of electricity. A shocked Mentis comes to a halt as Fulsi releases the energy towards him.

Draedan has knocked Durus to the ground and is about to deal the finishing blow, when a loud noise stops him. Telling Durus that their fight is not over yet, Draedan teleports away. Durus immediately takes off running in the direction of the noise, arriving to find Mentis wounded on the ground. Mentis hands Durus a piece of paper and instructs him to go to his mentor. Without any explanation, Mentis then says that "Fulsi can still be saved" and dies in Durus' arms, leaving him confused and alone. Durus then sets out to locate the mentor that Mentis spoke of.

Arriving at the house described on the piece of paper given to him, Durus knocks on the door, only to find it open. Walking in, he calls out to see if anyone is there. A figure, standing near the back of the house, greets him. Puzzled, Durus questions the person, who is actually Ignotus, and is told that he needs training if he wishes to become a true hero and save his friend.

The two make their way outside and the training begins. One week passes until Ignotus is seen burning a tree with his fire. He then gives Durus a chance, who begins to concentrate. After a short while Durus' eyes begin to glow red and Ignotus informs him that the training is complete. Durus thanks Ignotus and sets out in search of Fulsi.

While running through an alley, a car appears in the distance in front of Durus. Durus stops as the car begins speeding towards him. Easily jumping over the car as it passes, Durus turns around as the car stops to see Fulsi emerge. Taken aback, yet glad to see Fulsi alive, Durus lets him know that he was on his way to save him. Fusli scoffs at Durus' ignorance, revealing to him that it was he who killed Mentis. Fulsi then attacks Durus with his lightning, but Durus repels the blast back at his vehicle, causing it to explode and killing Fulsi. Disheartened and infuriated, Durus sets out to find Draedan.

With all of the hero's now out of commision, it is not hard for Durus to track Draedan by following the path of uinhibited destruction. Finding him and Klon atop a hill on the outskirts of town, admiring their conquered city, Durus challenges them, asking how long Fulsi had been on their side. Draedan's laughs and reveals that Fulsi had been with them from the beginning. This throws Klon into a laughing fit, which is cut short by an enraged Durus' fatal punch. As the Klon disperses and Durus recovers, Draedan remarks that it seems they finally got the last of Klon. As Draedan laughs, Durus asks why it is that he does not even care about his partner's life. Draedan responds that emotions can only get in the way. He then declares that while Durus was searching for him, Draedan had killed Ignotus. A shocked Durus furiously attacks Draedan, knocking his sword from his grasp. A flustered Draedan retrieves his weapon, exclaiming that Durus is a fool and will never be able to defeat him. Durus' eyes begin to glow as he informs Draedan that he may think what he wants, but he will die. At this moment fire surrounds Durus and is thrown forward at a terror-stricken Draedan. This concludes the fight and the city is safe once again, but for how long?

Cast

• Rory Corcoran as Durus

• Cory Williams as Draedan

• Chris Geigle as Mentis

• Kevin Reynolds as Ignotus

• Nick Tranzow as Fulsi

• John Aguilar as Klon

Development

The process began with each member of the group writing a story about a hero. When all six were complete, the group read eachothers and discussed which of them would they best be able to represent in a film. Although only one was chosen, pieces from each were taken to compile the final story. Rory Corcoran's original story Without Warning was chosen, and the group worked on transforming it into what would soon be known as Mendacity. After the story was completed, Kevin Reynolds began writing the screenplay for the film and the hunt for a title began. Because of the elements of deception and treachery within the story, a word encompassing these was desired. The word mendacity (deception, lie, untruth, deceit) was discovered and chosen.

Character Name Origins

The name for each character (with the exception of Draedan) is a latin or greek word corresponding to his own abilities or characteristics.

• Latin

Durus: hard, tough, strong, enduring

Mentis: mind, thought, intention, intellect

Fulsi: to flash, shine, beam

Ignotus: unknown, obscure

• Greek

Klon: twig

• Draedan was a name created by Cory Williams

Production

Mendacity was filmed in Clovis, CA. The opening scene was filmed at Harold L. Woods Elementary School. Cinematographer Nick Tranzow's house was used for Ignotus' hideout and training area. The final battle was filmed in an empty field located behind Clovis Community College. Filming began in January, 2005 and wrapped up the third week of March, 2005.

Post-production

Rory Corcoran edited the film during the final two weeks of the project using Adobe Premiere Pro. The visual effects were done by Rory Corcoran and Cory Williams using Adobe After Effects and Wondertouch's particleIllusion 3.0. Both the editing and visual effects were being worked on up until March 29th, the day before the release of the film. The graphic design for the DVD was done by John Aguilar, Kevin Reynolds, and Nick Tranzow using Adobe Photoshop CS. Music for the film was chosen by Chris Geigle and Rory Corcoran.

Reception and Awards

The film was well-received upon presentation and was even asked to be shown twice. The project received an "A+" from the instructors.

Angel Awards

Mendacity was nominated for eight of twelve Angel Awards, including the Angel Award for Best Drama, Director, Actor, Poster, Special Effects, Cinematography, Website, and Editing. On March 30th, the film won two awards, the Angel Award for Best Drama and Best Special Effects.

Fresno County Career Skills Challenge

The team was asked to place their film in the Fresno County Career Skills Challenge, held annually to find the best students or teams in various career-related fields. Mendacity was placed in the Media - Entertainment category, in which it won 1st place out of over 15 films.