Story Sketch: Lantern and Torch

By: Job Bedford

Elevator Pitch:

“You cannot desire what you already possess”

This is a story of an overzealous LanternBot content in its it everyday operations, until it struck with an object of its desire, ‘Torch’ (a lamp), and thus strives viciously to obtain the Torch it WANTS. After finally possessing Torch, the desire for it dies. The dis-amusing possession soon becomes a chore/burden/undesirable. Torch leaves Lanternbot, and LanternBot returns to everyday operation until it is consumed with WANT again.

Character Relationships:

LanternBot is symbolic of people’s own desire to have something, though upon obtain it ceases to be as valued or treasured.

LaternBot: pursuer.  Torch: the pursued.

• The World/Universe: LaternBot is consumed with desire, and enraged cause it can’t possess something.

• Other Characters: Torch the lamp is pursued to join LanternBot, but is unwilling but eventually concedes. Lantern does not know why it wants Torch, but mindlessly pursues it as if invaluable. Background illumination cycles through steady loops of color, symbolizing objective and status que.
• The Environment: Lantern mimics actively cycled background colors to blend in and illuminate as is his purpose and operation.
• The Audience:  LanternBot is a relatable character, who brings about his own demise.

Story Beats:

Beat 1: Lantern proceed with normal illumination operations

Beat 2: Torch enters scene performs operation. Lantern wants Torch next to it.

Beat 3: Day 1: Lantern tries to obtain Torch, is rejected. Night 1: Lantern frustrated.

Beat 4: Day 2: Lantern tries to obtain Torch, is rejected. Night 2: Lantern even more frustrated.

Beat 5: Day 3: Lantern tries to obtain Torch, is accepted. Torch next to Lantern.

Beat 6: Day 4: Lantern and Torch proceed operations. Lantern delighted. Time progresses.

Beat 7: Lantern is disillusioned and bored, doesn’t want Torch. Lantern angry at Torch.

Beat 8: Torch leaves. Normal Operations proceed.

Beat 9: Lantern consumed with want again for Torch.

Notes on Realization:

• Prime language will assume the actuations of LIGHT and GESTURE, maybe simplistic SOUNDs (BLIPs and BEEPs) too.

• Symbolic gesture and  accompanied LED color.

• Performance beings with normalcy. Background illumination play a huge role in tempo and regularity. Transition between beats showcased by fading of background to black (Day vs Night) (deliberate cues)

• Machines: Three individually programmed machines. (Lantern, Torch, and Background illumination)

• Lantern: 3DOF RRR (Roll-Pitch-Pitch Arm), all Pneumatically driven, Range: 120-120-90. 5ft tall. Links covered in Lantern material, illuminated with RGB LED strips. Can be on rollers where arm pushes its with end-effector or statically mounted. Lightweight as possible.

• Torch: A suspended lantern on a long fishing pole like rod. 2DOF Lantern roll and rod pitch at base. Rod pitch move lantern a dynamic range across set (2-3 meter), pneumatically drive. Lantern roll servo driven to show face and direction.

• Background: Simple Multicolored LED Strips against a wall of diffusive material. Encompasses three sides, very vibrant and illuminates a large area.

• No Major props beside actors

Evaluation:

• Can the piece convey the message of “desire vs possession” to the audience.  
• Does the audience relate the the LanternBot?
• Is the Audience Entertained?

ScratchWork and Resource Evaluation: