I have something to add as I keep going through ctrl-shift-alt-9’s transcript. I started watching my favorite scene of the film and reading the transcript in a divided screen, and something just clicked.
Simon was obviously not well prior to the beginning of this scene. He was freshly coming out of a breakdown after experiencing the Void, “hallucinating” the Shadowman (his future self), and being told by Ava that he wouldn’t be saved, only to bargain for a slim chance to be rescued by her while everyone else would rather let him rot. So I never questioned that, though he had a chance to survive for the first time in possibly days, his only saving grace was also the cause of his dissociation. His only choice being to return to the caves that had almost trapped him, where Elli first found him and toyed with him, before luring him to the Light.
However! This transcript has truly changed the way I perceive this scene, especially when comparing the audio in the movie and the soundtrack of the scene itself:
There is a heavy rumbling that only appears in the movie, and it appears to be diegetic (aka, that Simon can hear it as well as us). This rumbling is present ever since the scene begins, when Ava is demanding David to pull Jack from medical and weld the SM-14. It almost sounds like metal ripping in slow motion, or perhaps a very low growl.
Furthermore, we either see Simon from a bird’s eye view, reflected on a surface such as the compass, or in the camera’s periphery.
The scene was preparing us for his dissociation. We can assume this from how we stop seeing his face and see him from behind, as if Simon’s own perception of himself becomes a watcher from above (a similar concept as the Eye watching him). Also in the way the film panned from Simon piloting to the picture lighting up “on its own” (something that had been foreshadowed since the Asleep at the Wheel scene). And finally, in the dilation or distortion of diegetic sounds such as the camera whirring. It sounds slowed and eerie the second time, and from the periphery of the frame we see his head snap towards the picture. The picture looks blurred—it casts a halo light on its borders, almost like astigmatism.
Now this is where the transcript comes in. Not only did it catch the whirring of the camera, but also gave the rumbling a name, and identified a screech. We do not know if the rumbling is non-diegetic ambience meant to symbolize his building dissociation and mental chaos, or if it is a diegetic, dilated, endless auditory flashback that led to the rest of the memories spilling from his mind. A flashback of the explosion of Filament Station. Similarly, there’s a screech—and i’m not sure if it’s the shriek of a person, or the screech of tearing, burning metal. It is meant to be ambiguous, but the terror it inspires is the same. Somehow, someway, the stimuli around him that seemed neutral before is making Simon flinch, and perceive something else. Something from the past.
He’d spent most of the film running away from the memories of Filament Station. But now, his mind is splintering from the weight of the trauma he’s endured in the SM-13. Now, the memories have come back to haunt him.
Immediately after, we see Simon from above for the third time, struggling to keep his balance, holding onto the wall as he adjusts his stance, and looking down where he steps. Almost as if dazed, or as if he’d forgotten the puddle of blood where the Eye once reflected back.
This may be the final trigger, because the instant after this frame, we finally see Simon’s face for the first time since his journey to the SM-8 began.
And it is blurred.
And when the camera whirs again, the frame cuts. Time skips. We see him lose time in a way we cannot miss, unlike the camera’s activation without seeing him. The camera has officially become a trigger, cueing his dissociation to a higher degree.
Now, right as we see his face and realize he’s dissociating, we hear one last factor that triggered this scene.
What was the last voice, the last connection to humanity before his new mission, where the rumbling and rattling and screeching intensifies in his isolation? Ava.
What was the first voice he heard in his flashback?
Ava.
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This scene will be perhaps my favorite thing that Mark has ever directed, performed, and edited. I will yap about it and glaze it forever, probably. But because this post is getting long I’m probably gonna make a part 2 where I analyze the rest and use the transcript as a lovely resource and reference. Please go check out ctrl-shift-alt-9’s Master Reference. They’ve worked very hard on all the resources inside of it, and are open to any corrections you guys find as well. We’re building this from the ground up together :D
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Important things I've noticed/realized in living in a late-stage capitalist dystopia:
-The common practice of "exaggerating ridiculously on your resume" is definitely a way that companies ensure that they can keep pushing for a higher and higher level of expertise/years in the service. Unfortunately doing so is the only way to be considered for a job.
-the concept of "there will always be someone else out there who will replace you" should not be another thing we use to put ourselves down/accept lower than living-wage jobs. Instead. Try to think of it as "this company is part of the problem that caused the fact that people are starving/living paycheck to paycheck" because that's the reality.
-Companies that don't have a proper phone number to call when you require customer service are using that as a means to not properly help every customer. A common practice is the 'chatbot': one that gives you a specific set of queries and offers no room for understanding or misinterpretation. Someone who may need help with a product may not be able to identify the problem/issue and not having a representative to speak to is a major red flag! Also note the companies that only link to self-help forums. They are making sure that they cover themselves up by "providing proper support" while not paying any support representatives. Using these forums to find your answer and interacting with them is providing free labor to that company.
-Food Allergens are not taken seriously in the food industry. Most companies just print 'may contain [allergen]' and no further information. They are allowed to do this becausd technically they are warning. They are also allowed to change these labels at any time and provide no warning for people who buy their food/products. Seeing a more thorough allergen label (example: "Made on the same equipment that processes Coconut and Almond") is a good sign! That means that instead of using the term "tree nuts" as a catch all (because many people who are allergic to tree nuts are not allergic to *all* tree nuts) they are actually listing off potential allergens. Unfortunately, this practice isn't common, in fact it's more common to see on overpriced organic foods than it is on your everyday foods. I also want to point out that in the U.S., it is legal for a company to not list all their ingredients if it falls under the category of "spices". Our food industry cares more about potential recipes being copied than individual people who have allergies. Spice allergies can be just as deadly as Tree Nut Allergies.
-The fact that so many people (myself included) rely on college and debt for a roof over their head and food on their table while getting a necissary education (yes. College is necessary. See my first point if you forgot) is a means to keep the poor poor. There is a reason the main things the US Military promotes is 'money for college' and 'housing'- because if you're going to be homeless and starving, they can at least get you to do their slave work for a few years before you burn out or die!
PRO TIPS:
-If you are on some kind of insurance for low-income and you need a prescription- (at least where I am)- if you have a co-pay it is usually around 1$. However, if you can not pay this: (and let me tell you, there are times when 1$ makes a difference) kindly ask if it is possible for them to wave the fee. They wont ask for some kind of excuse, they can see what insurance you are on.
-Always call when you are running late for an appointment. More often than not they are kind and happy you give them a heads up, that way there is no hold-up when you show up 15 minutes late, and everyone is happy.
-Floss your teeth. Look, it sucks and its difficult, but a few dollars a month on floss and a few minutes of your day will keep you from being thousands in debt from dental bills.
-Make a shopping list for groceries, pin it on your fridge and tape a pen on a rubber band if you have to. You will forget something otherwise.
-Don't let dishes pile up. If you *really* need to, make sure you rinse as much food as you can off of it with hot water (or fill the pot with water ad a little dish soap) trust me it will save you. (Side Note: when washing dishes, treat the other sides of plates/bowls the same as the surface you would be eating off of. Odds are you'll be stacking them, so the bottoms will touch the surface of another)
-If you get frequent headaches, drink more water. Invest in a pitcher with a water filter and keep it filled in your fridge. Surprisingly you don't have to replace te filter too often! Just remember if there isn't enough left in it for a full glass to fill it up again!
-Frozen Fruits and Veggies are your friends. Especially if you struggle for whatever reason with preparing food. Oatmeal and boxed pasta are also pretty cheap!
-if you can't afford a toaster or toaster oven: Get a cheap waffle maker. My fiancee and i have been using a pokemon-themed waffle maker for over a year now and it works just as well. Plus, if you want waffles, you have the option!
-keep the bag/box before you throw it out, odds are you're going to need to reference it for instructions.
-buying bulk is good for stuff like sponges, dish soap. Laundry detergent. Thinfs you know you will use. Perishables are a bit iffy, but canned foods can last a while and you'll be set.
-read the chemicals in your cleaning supplies. Keep Bleach away from Lysol, etc.
-Keep a written addressbook with phone numbers. If something happens to your phone. You'll still have your contacts.
-For the love of god invest in an umbrella and keep it in your car. It seems dumb but I didn't bother for years and now I just keep one in my car.
-Wal-mart has 15$ lamps. Good for college dorms/apts. Don't boyher with the "dorm sale" stuff at placez like Target: it's all overpriced.
-Have two pairs of sheets for your bed! If you get sick, the last thing you want is to have to do laundry because your sheets are dirty.
Alright guys! I've seen several recipes for Starbucks "secret menu" drinks on this site, so I dedicated the last three hours hunting down and gathering and then compiling links for this master post for all of you to enjoy at your convenience.
Before we begin, keep in mind that technically there is no such thing as a Starbucks "secret menu", and if you ask one of the baristas for one of these drinks, they will look at you like you are crazy. (Please do not get frustrated with your barista for not knowing the recipe for a drink you saw on the Internet.) However, if you have the ingredients, they will gladly make you absolutely anything you want.
41. Burnt Marshmallow
42. Peach Ring Tea (I know it's alredy on the list)
43. Strawberry Coconut Lemonade
44. Butterbeer (hot) (Again, I know)
45. Butterbeer (cold)
46. Snickers (This will be my last apology)
47. Samoa Cookie Frappuccino
48. Cocoa Puffs Frappuccino
49. Neapolitan Frappuccino
50. Banana Cream Pie Frappuccino
51. The Coldbuster
I really hope you all find this helpful, and I hope you discover a new favorite drink. This is obviously nowhere near all of the drink possibilities. I don't think I even added any lemonades. Anyway, thanks for your time, and always remember to be polite to your baristas!
(If you see any spelling or link errors, feel free to message me.)
