Him or Gym

Below is the trailer for my film “Him or Gym”

 The main characters are two gay married men. They are 23 and 25 and have just recently married and moved into a house together. While they met at the accounting firm where they worked, due to the COVID 19 crisis, both of them were laid off. Both of them shared a passion for working out. And while in need of a new stream of income they decide to stick with that. As they begin to resell and source weights and gym equipment their business booms due to the massive demand. As time passes by they see their work absorbs them to the point where they cannot distinguish from when they are working, and when they are spending time together. Even though they achieved what they wanted and especially during these trying times, they found themselves more distant from one another. They address the issue and overcome it together. Since they no longer have to worry about financial issues they can focus on each other and their relationship. After some time they realize how they were able to succeed regardless of the events occurring outside while others were not as fortunate. Whether due to the lack of knowledge, opportunity, or putting in the effort. They decide to help those who need it, they start donating parts of their fortune and their base of knowledge to help others achieve what they have achieved. The pandemic has yet to end, and after securing their relationship they decided they wanted to take it a step further. So they adopt a child, which has its own set of difficulties. But just like before, they will get through it together.

The research that was done for this film revolved around the effects of staying at home on interpersonal relationships. Some of the main takeaways were that typically people working from home were more productive. But in addition to this, they were spending more time working in total. Also, there is a lot more freedom in it, for example, a person can set their own hours and will not be tied down by anything. Their work revolves around their schedule, not the opposite way around. This does not come without its downsides, as work and home life become blended. The issues begin to leak into each other until they are virtually indistinguishable. Which can lead to an individual getting sick and tired of both. A study concluded that relationships sometimes require distance, and if individuals are together constantly, many issues will arise that will prove to be very destructive. Nearly every single situation that I was able to find research on featured heterosexual couples and relationships. So I thought it would be an interesting idea to portray a homosexual couple going through this experience. In addition, lots of jobs were lost due to the pandemic, with at one point the unemployment rate being at a record high. All sorts of jobs were lost or digitized. This means a lot of people are going through the same or similar situation. But also due to the pandemic there are a lot of people who are profiting, although some are mischievous, others just saw an opportunity and took it. Whether this be investing or selling or creating services to help the changing world.

This film is at its core a comedy-drama. Which means there will be a lot of serious moments that will be offset by difficult situations. I really want to stress the situation that people are going through, so I want to have a sort of the Walking Dead vibe with the individuals who were not as fortunate during this time. I also want to use references from meme culture and extreme individuals. Such as the toilet paper situation. A good way to think of this film is a recap and a slight projection into the future. Making something that people who experienced the pandemic can relate to. Both successes and failures. I also want to focus on minute details, to stress the way that people’s behavior has changed. Like going to open a door or touch something, then stopping at the last second. Or how initially interacting with other individuals was awkward. One thing I want to keep out of the film is politics, instead of focusing on the actions of individuals during this trying time. Something I also want to do is use camera perspectives to communicate how distant the characters were even while living with each other. I want to do this by instead of going out to talk to each other while they are in their respective rooms, they call each other. This is actually what my family was doing, it was absolutely terrible. I will use a split camera to show them working side by side, when truthfully they are in different rooms, demonstrating how close they are, yet how distant.

The target audience for this film will be all individuals who experienced the pandemic. Since it has been around for a long time already, I suspect it will continue. And having a comedy rendition of it may help soothe the situation for many. However, due to it being a drama it is more likely to be enjoyed by women. Being that comedy is actually an even split in terms of preference. I hope to represent everyone in this film. To bring unity in a sense, between everyone no matter where they stand on any spectrum (Especially politically). Because during these times we need to come together to make it through. I want for people who have been struggling to see the options that they have to make it out, and the people who have succeeded during this time, to see the struggles others can be going through. I will further include all political parties by pushing on the media. How they used this to divide the people. By including comedic moments that are relatable in the work or family environment I hope to bring relief to everyone. Finally, I hope this becomes yet another fantastic blockbuster with gay main characters, to represent those who often do not see others like them on screen.