Short film, Uplifting Drama
Synopsis:
“The Champions” is a film about reconciliation, renewal, and the difficulties of navigating childhood. Blake, a rambunctious neighborhood bully with dreams of motocross races and Hollywood stunts, learns the meaning of friendship from an unlikely source: a ghost his own age. In a burst of supernatural energy, the spirit of Justin, an LGBTQ boy who in life was bullied by Blake, infiltrates and then controls Blake’s right side.
The matchup is not easy at first because the pair often don’t agree—when Blake wants to run Justin wants to jump. They beat the odds, however, and eventually learn to work together. Justin helps Blake navigate interactions with other neighborhood kids, his counselor, and even his alcoholic father. He then helps Blake prepare for his most dangerous stunt yet—a four bicycle jump. Blake surprises everyone when the big show doesn’t go as planned.
Director: Henrik A. Meyer
Screenwriter: Henrik A. Meyer
Production Company: Henrik A. Meyer Productions
Running Time: 20 minutes Budget $45K
Year: 2021
Language: English Format: 2:34, 4K
NOMINATIONS
CREATOR HENRIK A. MEYER'S THOUGHTS
The seed for this story was actually planted during my own childhood. When I was ten, there was a boy in my class who was relentlessly bullied. I felt I should reach out to him, so I one day asked him to play a game (which was the inspiration for fantasy in the film). I purposefully used the game as a vehicle for helping him stand up for himself. The other kids soon took notice of the fun we were having, including the bullies, and asked if they could play along. After that shared experience in a fantasy world, my classmate was never bullied again. The majority of plot elements in “The Champions” were inspired from this one childhood memory.
I deeply believe that we're in a time now where words are much stronger than muscles, and therefore we can teach our kids that it's not okay to bully other kids just because they are different. We must teach our kids to stand up for themselves and help each other.
CINEMATIC LOOK - LOCATIONS
STYLE
This film is in an expression of magical realist style in which the very real problem of childhood bullying is portrayed alongside novel visual cues (such as the pink wheel on Blake’s golden bicycle) and elements of fantasy (Justin invading the right side of Blake’s body).
Magical realism also helps evoke feelings of ‘contrast’ and ‘tension’. First, the central narrative of the neighborhood bully is contrasted with his idyllic, all-American community. This wholesomeness is reflected in the choice to film in summer, which allows for warm light and bright colors. It is also evident in set props like vintage bicycles, that evoke a feeling of warm nostalgia in contrast to a painful reality.
A more overt contrast will be achieved through character-related special effects and camera work. A green screen will be used to create the otherworldly scene when Justin enters Blake’s body. Once Justin and Blake are joined, camera focusing techniques alert the audiences to each boy’s perspective. For example, when we hear the voice of Justin, who has settled into the right side of Blake’s body, we will focus on the right side of the actor’s profile. When we hear from Blake himself, who maintains the left side of his body, we will focus on the left side of the actor’s profile.
The camera movement will also evoke contrast and contribute to the narrative arc. When the characters fight or when the action is fast, shooting will be in a handheld style. When scenes are relaxed, the camera will be more static and any movements steady. Also, in the beginning, the camera perspective is third-person, but as we learn about and feel more with Blake and Justin, shots get tighter and closer. This framing choice represents progression from distance to intimacy with the main characters. In a similar way, the adults are always portrayed as ‘distanced’ from the kids, an exaggerated device that shows how child bullying often goes unnoticed by adults.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
BLAKE — 12, male. Grungy and rambunctious, a boy who loves to ride bikes and dreams of becoming a stuntman. This actor should be comfortable on a bike.
JUSTIN — 12, male. LGBTQ, soft, frail, feminine. Sensitive and gets bullied. This actor also needs to be able to play Justin-as-possessed-by-Blake, and switch back between the two as they fight over the two sides of his body.
ASHLEY — 11, female, tomboy, has the same dream as Blake, to become a Champion.
SHIRLEY — Late 40s, female, warm-hearted woman who takes pride in her job as a social worker.
HARRY — 40s, male. Lean, worn-out, a mean alcoholic whose life seems to pass by.
DIRECTOR - SCREENWRITER - STORY
Henrik A. Meyer found himself drawn to the camera at the age of 10 when he first started taking pictures, which turned into a lifelong passion for photography. Mr. Meyer took his first cinematography course at age 21, and he loved it so much that he moved to the USA in 1996, where he worked at Panavision LA and completed further cinematography courses. In 2010, he graduated from film school in New York City and received a diploma in Cinematography.
Mr. Meyer has collaborated closely with some of the most talented, award-winning cinematographers and directors in Denmark. In over 15 years as a 1st AC, he has worked on three International Emmy® Award-winning series, including UNIT 1 and FORSVAR with acclaimed director Niels Arden Oplev (director of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, Swedish version). His extensive experience as a 1st AC allowed him to learn many skills that he holds today as a director of photography.
At present, Mr. Meyer has been steadily adding to his body of work as a director. He directed his short film THE BLUE CAR (see link below), which was shown in the D.C. Shorts Festival, as well as the Oxford Film Festival. With three more films currently underway, he hopes to continue his storytelling journey in this new role in addition to his lifelong passion as a cinematographer.
Henrik A. Meyer's showreel: www.henrikameyer.com
PRODUCER
Gema is an independent film, TV, video producer and editor splitting her time between Los Angeles, California and New York City. She has produced award winning films and has worked with the production teams of shows distributed by studios and platforms like Netflix, NBC, FOX and ABC. As an editor, she has cut music documentaries, specials and other content that has aired on networks such as CBS, PBS, DisneyXD and TCM UK.
Gema is originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala; a nature rich country with social inequalities that has influenced her to work on projects following environmental, cultural and social issues.
EDITOR
Lars Wissing is a Copenhagen based editor with more than 15 years of experience.
Lars has edited several feature films, as well as award winning short films - including the Academy Award winner Helium.
His work includes award winning television series The Killing and The Protectors.
He is currently editing the feature film I Kill Giants starring Madison Wolfe and Zoe Saldana.
THE BLUE CAR
A film by Henrik A. Meyer
Send me an email for password.
Directed, Produced, Cinematography and Set builder by Henrik A. Meyer.