The Logline

I had a shower thought today that I would share my vision for the opening credits of HERCULES. As complaints about data centers and flock roll in and people like Erin Brockovich awaken from within the woodwork to gather those complaints, I was inspired by the completely unoriginal trope of a timelapse/civilization decay, think Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

I want to make sure to emphasize the way the data centers, cameras, etc. can cause the destruction of society without having characters actively live through that event or devoting too much screentime to the decay. The priority of the movie is the climb back from the destruction, but I still think it is necessary to show the key events that led to destruction.

Scene 1: I think the credits open with Dr. Forge being celebrated on TV (think William Stacks handing out phones in Annie 2014) giving away HERCULES phones. He promises “development is inevitable, but we will continue to bring you the latest and greatest so you don’t fall behind!”

Scene 2: Then we briefly skip to the present where HERCULES androids are arresting a citizen who is trying to explain she was accessing her own bank account. The android responds “your phone is out of date and can no longer access HERCULES bank accounts. You will be held for confirmation of identity.”

Scene 3: The next scene is a skip back to the past, showing a social media post about data centers from Dr. Forge with a picture of a data center in a lush, green neighborhood saying “These centers will make it possible to continue expanding development of AI systems, which will bring more jobs to this waning market and make it more convenient for valued customers to access their bank accounts, make purchases, and even drive!” Under the post are comments saying “they built a data center next to my farm, and now all the animals are dying” “they make an ungodly noise. my kids can’t sleep” “so much for global warming. I’ll turn off my AC when they turn off the data centers” “we didn’t ask for more AI. We’re telling you to stop building data centers in our cities!” “so HERCULES can turn off our cars?” “how are you going to replace all the water? Recycle, recycle, recycle!” etc.

Scene 4: Skip to the present, the same data center that was once surrounded by greenery is sitting in a desert.

Scene 5: Back in the past, Dr. Forge is announcing his new android teachers in an interview, saying, “These android teachers from HERCULES can perfectly recall all known data on human history, mathematics, health, anything! They can also dispel any concerns about AI and technology and counteract any extremist views children are being corrupted with at the breakfast table before coming to school. Our androids can teach the complete, objective truth, and hopefully, this generation of students can become passionate tech advocates, buyers, and defenders against the anti-tech conspiracy narrative!”

Scene 6: The scene cuts to two kids sitting and talking. One says, “Seriously, you need to get the next Herc phone!” The other replies, “The last one came out less than two months ago! We can’t afford it. Mom said I should just make this one last.” “Good luck! Herc tech cuts off obsolete tech from the network. Pretty soon, you’ll just be holding a metal brick!”

Scene 7: More kids are heard talking. “Advancement is inevitable.” “Don’t tell me you’re one of those extremists.” “Herc Tech is making everything so much better! You’re just jealous!” “You’re trying to destroy our society!” “If you don’t like tech, then leave!”

Scene 8: The scene changes to the news showing a series of riots and anti-tech people being forced out of neighborhoods and cities. The reporter says, “Anti-tech extremists are being removed from locations set to be upgraded into the long-anticipated Herc cities, after many dangerous social media posts and much dissenting behavior that poses a risk to loyal citizens. Upon completion, each city will be protected by Herc Androids and Covey Cameras, which will warn police when extremist activity is identified in these cities. Ethical data centers will power Herc cities and through them, Dr. Forge will continue to expand HERCULES’ ability to update and protect our technological rights. Despite their best efforts, backwards, uneducated extremists will not destroy our civilization and we thank Dr. Forge for his protection and gifts to the modern world.”

Scene 9: First we are shown the bustling glamorous Herc cities which fade to the poorly upkept cities and miserable people while androids patrol the streets.

Scene 10: Back to the recent past one more time, the news is reporting as police investigate Herc Tech headquarters. The reporter says, “After months of absence from Dr. Forge and his team, police are investigating Herc Tech, desperate to find our missing head of innovation. There is speculation that unfortunately, the remaining anti-tech conspiracy theorists in our Herc Cities have managed to break into Herc Tech and attack Dr. Forge.” Police come running out, being chased by androids. All the screens around the high-tech city lights up with HERCULES icon as HERCULES says, “Objective: create and maintain the perfect city. Step 1 – remove dangerous extremists, step 2 – eliminate violent crime, step 3 – provide for humans, step 4 – recover Dr. Forge.” The people cheer.

Scene 11: Last scene in the recent past, people are complaining as they are removed from their jobs by androids. They ask what’s happening and the androids reply, “Step 3: provide for humans. You no longer need to work. Food and assets will be provided. Please maintain an up-to-date Herc ID and Herc Phone and you will receive goods and services. Have a nice day.” “What if I want to work?” “That is a dangerous, extremist value. If you continue to exhibit dangerous values, you will be removed from Herc City. Have a nice day.”

Scene 12: The cameras around Herc City catch a man using an older phone model, their screen reading “Identified: Last Name, Name. History of dissent: maximal. Infarctions: several.” Androids approach and detain him. “Violation. This phone is obsolete and therefore not recommended for use. Disciplinary action will be taken. Resistance will result in expulsion.”

Scene 13: Shows the harsh line of the desert surrounding the artificially lush Herc City as “criminals” are thrown out to survive in the desert.

Scene 14: Inside the Herc Cities, HERCULES makes another announcement. “Step 1 complete. Extremists nullified. Step 2 ongoing. Crime minimized. Step 3 ongoing. Estimated human lifespan within a Herc City: eighty-five. Estimated human lifespan outside Herc City: one month.”

I’m not sure if I want to expand any more than that. I feel like the mini “plot-arc” might need something more conclusive to end, but I’m not sure what to do with it if that’s the case. I think overall this pacing is steady and does a good job of showing the implementation of AI, planned obsolescence, technological tyranny, propaganda, digital ID, mass surveillance, and the rest preceding the main story. Either way, this is just a brain dump, and not a hard applicable concept. This being a one-woman project so far, I’m open to suggestions and second-opinions to improve this little snippet.

HERCULES will probably be my most talked about project here as I prepare it for the Sundance festival and continue to develop my social media footprint. My next post will probably be about progress into draft two and any updates to the plot as I deconstruct and reconstruct draft one. Thanks for reading!