The Logline

Life has brought some new developments in the technological discussion sphere that I find myself drawn to add to the second draft of the HERCULES screenplay. I feel this pull with the same aggression as ants are drawn to spilled honey. So, join me as I discuss the real-world technologies that will make an appearance in HERCULES.

First is AI. This is one of the most obvious real-world technologies being included, and is the vessel through which I communicate one of the most significant messages of the screenplay. Much like the real-world AI, HERCULES is only acting on algorithmic and logical decisions in response to the orders coded into it by its creator. It just so happens to also be programmed to control a small army of androids that give it hands to enforce its programmer’s will.

Second is planned obsolescence (not a technology but an important honorable mention). Citizens of the HERCULES (HERC) Cities must constantly receive and accept the latest technology or else they will be locked out of their bank accounts, lose their identification, and even risk being accused of being anti-tech, which can result in violent consequences. All technological updates are given freely to citizens, however, cities that have been cut off from HERCULES no longer receive updates tech. In spite of this, the potential to be arrested (if they don’t starve first) is not amended in response to the inability to even receive new tech. One of the most outstanding parts of HERCULES’ programming, is the order that people who are anti-tech are extremely dangerous, even if they are no longer being given up to date tech.

Third is digital ID and banking. Everything is accessed through technology. Grocery purchases, bank withdrawals, cars/cabs, subways, etc. All means of legal identification are also only accessible through technology. No technology means no life and potential criminal charges. Not even facial scans alone are enough; up to date technology must be on hand at all times.

Fourth are data centers. In the story, these are crucial means for HERCULES to store all its data, however, their aggressive consumption has resulted in certain areas becoming deserts. For many of the HERC Cities farther away from the main city, the self-destruction of data centers due to a lack of water to power them, is why the cities have become cut off from new tech and will eventually die out. The only benefit for such cities, is that once the data centers are fully inactive, the androids are recalled from drought cities to the nearest functioning city, leaving the people to decide among themselves how to survive.

These are all aspects that I had included in the original story. But my social media feed has granted me the gift of two more dystopian technological concerns that will make great (and logical) additions to the story. So, I will be adding Covey Cameras (the security cameras the group must evade that report back to HERCULES) and HERC Trackers.

First are the HERC world’s Covey Cameras. Fun fact, a covey refers to a flock of game animals. Ironically, Flock cameras are not a new invention, but somehow I didn’t know they exist until people started to complain on social media about being wrongfully accused or even stalked using the cameras. Sounds like a perfect addition to a dystopian society, and a better, more complex concern for the characters to grapple with in the dying cities. Especially given that they essentially kidnap someone with the ability to be recognized by the cameras without suspicion.

Second, over in the UK, there are talks of microchipping prisoners. Do I think they really would…well, I couldn’t say. This concept may not play a very active role in the story, but I think it could make for some good backstory, given that Matilda is actively running from the law and has the potential for having been arrested in one of the cities at some point. This concept may or may not make the final cut, but I can see it appearing in the future, since I see this story world needing a sequel to fully expand on how to fix everything beyond dismantling HERCULES. But that’s big dreamer talk.

I recently took a class on modern technology and predictions for the technological future. Multiple times, we were expected to discuss utopian and dystopian futures. In the end, it always boiled down to every utopian future, regardless of what kind of tech was available, hinged on the good behavior of people. Every dystopian society results in the evil and selfish use of the technology. The printing press made books accessible to the masses; it also resulted in the hierarchal, exclusive publishing industry. Advancements in medicine and understanding of germs and body function are valuable, but are also the result of unethical experimentation on often unwilling or unwitting test subjects. So my exploration of a dystopian society with “dystopian” technology is more a statement on how human nature and humans are responsible for the dystopia that forms than technology becoming sentient.

But I’m just a girl writing a sci-fi movie…

Thanks for reading and find me on social media as thelogline!