HISTORY, THEORY & IDEAS
BY RACHEL TAN
Short film
Semiotics & Transient Spaces
Sypnosis
This short film is shot with the aim to depict how Singaporeans make use of a particular transient space. Through semiotics, the film portrays how people interpret transient spaces from different perspectives. Using public bus as a medium, the film surrounds the experiences of different types of commuters who use the bus as their mode of transport to travel around Singapore.
The first scene starts off at a bus interchange, where commuters are doing their own thing such as using their phones, chit chatting, or checking the bus directory while waiting for the bus. When the bus arrives, the commuters boarded the bus, this then brings us to the main idea of the film where the different acts will then take place in the bus. During the bus ride, passenger 1 is going to a place that she is unfamiliar with. (Actress: Rachel) Hence, she is unsure of the way to her destination. She then asked another commuter, Passenger 2, for directions (Actress: Yong Xin) and continued the conversation until they arrived at their destination. This shows how Singaporeans like to know and care about others’ business. The scene ends when Passenger 1 and 2 alight together.
The second scene shows a commuter (Actor: Zheng Yu) who is on his way to the Marina Bay. When he boarded the bus, he was taken aback by how dirty the seats were. There were used tissues and wrappers snuck in the corners of the seats. He proceeds to look for another seat and sat at the one next to it. He then put his legs up on the seat opposite of him. He shook his head in disgust as he did not have a pleasant ride during his journey on the bus. His actions contradict what he expressed. Despite being disgusted by the inconsiderate act of others, he did an action that leads to the same outcome.
The third scene shows a couple sitting at the back of the bus (Actress: Wai Chen and Zeng Ni) being overly attached to each other. This scene intends to portray that some couples are unaware of their actions and words which are deemed unsightly and uncomfortable for other commuters, and is especially inappropriate for children.
The fourth scene is about two students who just ended an inter school basketball competition (Actress: Si Yu and Zeng Ni) being oblivious of how inconsiderate they were to others. This could be seen through their acts of removing off their shoes, pushing and pulling around and talking loudly which caused the other commuters to feel annoyed. The act of them taking off their shoes and talking loudly shows their comfort in settling down during their bus ride, however, it also shows a cause of disruption to other passengers’ bus journey.
The film ends with the remaining commuters alighting at the same stop. The film then questions the audience how they make use of transient spaces in comparison to those in the film.
Short Film
Script
SCENE 1
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Scene 1 Act 1
Passenger 1 & 2 and Couple 1 & 2 are at the interchange waiting for the bus
Couple 1 & 2 chatting, Passenger 1 using her phone
Passenger 2 checking the bus directory
Scene 1 Act 2
Passenger 1 sitting down waiting for the bus Scene 1 Act 3
Passenger 2 checking for which bus to take Scene 1 Act 4
Passenger 2 walking to an open area to wait for the bus
Scene 1 Act 5
* Bus arrives *
Passenger 1 & 2 and Couple 1 & 2 board the bus
Scene 1 Act 6
Passenger 1 and Couple 1 & 2 sitted
Passenger 2 finding a seat
Scene 1 Act 7
Passenger 2 taking a seat behind Passenger 1
Scene 1 Act 8
Passenger 2 looking around and asking passenger 1 for directions then continuing the conversation
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Passenger 2: Hi, sorry, does this bus goes to Gardens by the bay?
Passenger 1: Yes. I’m alighting at that stop also, I will let you know when we reaching.
Passenger 2: Oh ok, thank you!
Passenger 1: Ya, you’re welcome
Passenger 2: Do you live nearby?
Passenger 1: Yes, I came here a few times already. You first time here?
Passenger 2: Ya, That’s why I am a bit confused as I don’t know where to stop.
Passenger 2: Oh I see
​
Scene 1 Act 9
Scenery outside of the bus
Scene 1 Act 10
Passenger 1 turns around to tell passenger 2 that they are reaching soon
Passenger 1: We alighting at this stop.
Passenger 2: Oh ok.
Scene 1 Act 11
Passenger 1 and 2 alighting while Clean freak boards the bus
SCENE 2
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Scene 2 Act 1
Clean freak walks towards the end to find a seat
Scene 2 Act 2
Camera zoom in at the seat to show how dirty the seat is
Scene 2 Act 3
Clean freak shakes his head and shows a disgusted face
Scene 2 Act 4
Clean freak finds a clean seat, puts his bag at the side and places his leg on the seat opposite him
​
Scene 2 Act 5
Clean freak looks at the dirty seats again and shakes his head
SCENE 3
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Scene 3 Act 1
Couple 2 puts her arm over Couple 1’s shoulder and talk about their plans for dinner
Couple 1: Hey babe where are we going for dinner
Couple 2: We're going to Marina Bay Sands
Couple 1: Really? But it’s very expensive *sad face*
Couple 2: It's alright babe. Today’s our first anniversary, so it’s okay.
Couple 1: Thanks babe
Scene 3 Act 2
Couple 1 rest her head on Couple 2’s shoulder, looking contented
Scene 3 Act 3
Clean freak get off the seat and about to alight the bus
* Clean freak and Couple 1 & 2 alight *
Doors close and the bus moves on
SCENE 4
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Scene 4 Act 1
Student 1 & 2 boards the bus
Scene 4 Act 2
Student 1 & 2 found a seat and settles in
Camera zoom in on Student 1 & 2’s shoes
Student 1 & 2 takes off their shoes
Scene 4 Act 3
Student 1 & 2 wiggles their toes
Scene 4 Act 4
Camera zoom in on Student 1 showing a disgusted face
Student 1 complains how Student 2’s shoes are smelly
Student 1: Eeee Your shoes smells damn bad sia. Do you even wash it?
Scene 4 Act 5
Student 2 denies that her shoes are smelly
Student 2: Yaa, I have been washing it all the time. I wash it every week. You want to smell?
Scene 4 Act 6
Student 2 bring her shoe closer to Student 1
Scene 4 Act 7
Student 1 is unamused
Student 1: Eee no, put that down!
Scene 4 Act 8
Student 1 smiled cheekily
Scene 4 Act 9
Camera zoom out to have an overall view of the students and the commuter
Commuter is disturbed by the inconsiderate acts
Scene 4 Act 10
Student 1 & 2 continue with their conversation
Student 1: The game just now was pretty tough uh.
Student 2: Yea. Our opponents are much stronger this year.
Student 1: We could have won though, if only you pass the ball to me.
Student 2: You were too far away. I tried but then just didn't get to you.
Student 1: But still we could have won *sighs* but Anyway, What should we get for Lunch? Student 2: Ummm… Maybe Fish & Chips?
Student 1 nods her head agreeing
​
Commuter is very disturbed by their inconsiderate actions
Scene 4 Act 11
Student 1 & 2 talks very loudly
Commuter puts on her ear piece to isolate herself from the noise
Scene 4 Act 12
Student 1 & 2 are reaching their stop
Student 2 press the bell
Scene 4 Act 13
Student 1 & 2 quickly put on their shoes and prepare to alight
Scene 4 Act 14
* Camera zoom out *
Student 1 & 2 walk pass Commuter
Scene 4 Act 15
Student 2 accidentally hit the Commuter
Scene 4 Act 16
Commuter looked annoyed, moved to the seat beside her
Scene 4 Act 17
Student 1 & 2 alight
Scene 4 Act 18
Commuter watch them leave and shakes her head to show unhappiness about her experience Commuter: kids nowadays.. so inconsiderate (Thinking in her head)
Final Scene
Question: How do YOU use transient spaces?
*Credits*
Storyboard






