What is this all about?

The Kingdom of Ants is a feature length drama screenplay that is the creative component of my PhD research which investigates how written language can be utilised to represent and express the cinematic soundscape. The screenplay itself is an exploration of experimental literary techniques that provide different ways for the ‘writing of sound’ so that will hopefully allow the reader to perceive the sound as part of the screenplay reading experience outside of the limited tools available for 'the ‘writing of sound’ in the generally accepted screenplay format.

The PhD investigates experimental writing techniques and sound writing experimentation from a wide variety of sources, including particularly techniques from Fillipo Marinetti the founder of Futurism and the notion of “Words in Freedom”, Sound Symbolism, William S. Burroughs’ and Brion Gysin’s Cut-Up Technique (with a nod to Tristan Tzara & DADA), the use of onomatopoeia (sound words) in comics and graphic novels, and poetry and literature in general.

The ‘writing of sound’ in the screenplay utilises experimentation with spacing, grammar, punctuation and syntax, as well with the graphical ‘look’ of letters, words and sentences based on the ideas and experimentations of the sources briefly outlined above. That means for example that loud sounds have big letters (both font and size), that the decrease and increase of sound is represented through increase and decrease of font size and letter opacity, and that noise is represented through graphically distressed lettering and fonts.

What I Want You To Do

Step 1: If you want, click the button below to access the Participant Information Sheet

Step 2: If you want, contact me if you have any questions about the research, the questionnaire, or your participation in the research.

Step 3: Read ‘The Kingdom of Ants” Excerpt. The PDF will open in a new window, where you can also download it if you wish.

Step 3: Agree to the consent form, and proceed to answer a short questionnaire. The data from the questionnaire will hopefully provide insight from industry professionals and others connected to the screen industry as to the functionality, validity and quality of the experimental ‘writing of sound’ techniques utilised as part of my screenwriting practice.

The questionnaire collects no personal data (no names, age, gender, etc.) just professional accreditation (screen industry role and/or connection) and your level of experience with the reading of screenplays. The questionnaire can only be completed online from the link below.

PLEASE READ THE CONSENT FORM BELOW CAREFULLY

Consent Form:

I have received information regarding this research and had an opportunity to ask questions. I believe I understand the purpose, extent and possible risks of my involvement in this project and I voluntarily consent to take part.

I understand that my participation in this research is voluntary, I am free to refuse to participate and I am free to withdraw from the research at any time.

By clicking on the ‘CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE’ button I am indicating my consent to the data collected from my participation to be used for thesis, and possibly journal publication.

IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS, PLEASE PROCEED TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE

Thank you so much for your time and for helping me out - it is really appreciated!

If you have any further questions or want to know more please feel free to contact me. You can also scroll down for more resources.

But Wait … There’s More!

The Kingdom of Ants ‘Character Bio & Synopsis’ and the full screenplay can be downloaded below, there are some links for more information on the research project itself, as well as a playlist of music tracks to play while you read at the bottom of the post.

Track List

Lotus Eaters. (2002). Untitled 3 [Song]. On Mind Control for Infants.

Von Bingen, H. (n/a). O gloriosissimi lux [recorded by Sequentia]. On Celestial Hierarchy (2013).

Loop Guru. (1996). Plane Shift [Song]. On Amrita … All These and the Japanese Soup Warriors

John Oswald/Grateful Dead. (2003). Fault Forces [Song]. On Grayfolded - Transitive Axis

Tinariwen. (2014). Imidiwan Ma Tennam [Song]. On Tisali.

Aethenor. (2006). I [Song]. On Deep in Ocean Sunk the Lamp of Light.

Taj Mahal Travellers: “Side A Excerpt” August 1974 (1974).

Ahab. (2001). Of the Monstrous Picture of Whales [Song]. On The Call of the Wretched Sea.

Taj Mahal Travellers: “Side D Excerpt” August 1974 (1974)

Mountains. (2011). Live at the Triple Door [Song]. On Air Museum.

Sunn O))) & Ulver. (2104). Western Horn [Song]. On Terrestrials.

Hedningarna: Skamgrepet [Remix] (2018)

Alice Coltrane. (1972). Andromeda’s Suffering [Song]. On Lord of Lords.

22-Pistepirkko. (1987). I’m Staying Now [Song]. OnThe Kings of Hong Kong.