D.E.V.I.: A short feature on the power of media and technology

• Main Authors: De Guzman, Alaina Lyn J., Pineda, Liezl Angelica E., Tan, Robin Andrew L.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2017
• Subjects: Technology > Social aspects > Drama; Communication
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/9228
• Institution: De La Salle University

D.E.V.I. is a 17-minute minute science-fiction and mystery short feature film inspired by the panopticon theory wherein, when the said concept or theory is applied in reality, an authority with power has the ability to watch over certain or all people, and yet the people themselves do not know when and that they are being watched. This theory is already becoming evident in the society, especially in this generation when media has become one of the most important forms of communication. Media has the power to shape people's perspectives and beliefs, depending on things they see or hear, or more often than not, things the media wants them to see and hear. Therefore, this gives them the sense of being watched or controlled . Meanwhile, technology is a powerful medium being used to show media and just how powerful it can be. The choice of science-fiction as the film's genre is used to present a fictional interpretation of this power of modern technology. Majority of the people who become dependent on media and technology are from Class A-B, mainly because they are the ones who can afford these high-tech products as well as the primary consumers being targeted by companies. Thus, they are the demographic this short feature is targeting as their audience. Apart from them, the film also targets millennials, specifically, as they are the age group born in the generation where media and technology are already highly relevant, and therefore are more familiar with them that others. They are also the ones who are most likely to be more susceptible to the technology being marketed today, as well as most likely to use these products and have more thatn enough knowledge on how to use them. Overall, this short feature film is an exaggerated narrative of reality that aims to show how technology has become powerful and has the capacity of shaping people's lives for the better, and even for the worse. Unconsciously, society has become too dependent on their devices and unaware of the consequences if they become susceptible to whatever it feeds them. This film aims to make the audience realize these consequences that society may face should they ever get too attached to their modern devices and easily believe what they see in the media.