My last article is timestamped to almost a year ago. Where have I been? I have been in the throes of a science fiction show that will soon be coming to you, called The D3v1ce.
The premise is about a young genius who invents an incredible brain scanner that allows you to see all the exciting and crazy and mysterious stuff going on inside your head at every firing neuron. As the neuroscientist expects to use it for that purpose, what he did not anticipate by any means were some unusual and extraordinary mental abilities that he is somehow, someway temporarily getting. Initially these experiences are overwhelming, confusing, and scary but will ultimately be advantageous if he plays it just right.
THE SC1ENC3
In terms of the clear imaging that this brain scanner can produce – today, such machines do not exist. Think about going to the dentist and how uncomfortable and ridiculous it is to get a simple scan of your mouth. While we do have fairly effective brain scanners, we are very long way from one that can display the inner workings of visible molecules and defined pathways.
At present, we basically have three major types of scans: 1. computer tomography (CT) that uses X-rays to view our brain structure, 2. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that uses magnetic field radio waves which also allows the view of brain structure, and 3. positive emission tomography (PET) that uses a tracer substance through an IV. And while you’re able to see regional activity, we are only getting a piece of mind. No pun intended.
But just imagine the ability to view the inner space within the gray matter, like a telescope to outer space – every galaxy a cerebral hemisphere, each bright star a neuron, and every meteor a neurotransmitter. The D3v1ce would indeed give us that.
The brain is the frontier we are on a mission to explore now more than ever. Meditation, mindfulness, therapy. LSD, psilocybin, ayuashsca. We are seeking to overcome the traumas of our past. We want to get past what’s blocking our full potential. We are striving to be the best humans that we can be for ourselves and for others, and the stem of that is our mental well-being. Psychological health and physical health are interconnected, especially in terms of chronic illnesses.
As we all know that it is rough, tough and almost impossible to get to where we want to be, at our fullest potential, without significant investment of support and discipline in terms of time, means, effort, and resources. Most of us may never get there even with that. But The D3c1ce would get us there faster and even better. And who knows — maybe life will imitate art, and we will be able to use our brains to its fullest capabilities sooner than we know.
THE SH0W
Speaking of The D3v1ce, it’s brilliant maker is the twenty-something Darren Knight, who started building this machine when he was a young, curious, and independently-minded teenager, right in his bedroom covered with inspiring Star Trek posters and full of clever handmade gadgets.
Oh, and he’s black.
REPR3SENT4TION
I mention that because in this day and age, we are still seeing heaps of protagonists of mostly European descent saving the world and pushing the main plot. People of color do enter big films or shows, however they are in support roles the majority of the times. They are the best friends, the antagonists, or the comedic reliefs. And when black people are the lead, it’s the rappers, slaves, or athletes. But in real life, we are attorneys, doctors, presidents, CEOs, and in Darren Knight’s case, entrepreneurs and scientists. We have to get that onscreen more.
While there has been some progress, it is not nearly enough, which is obvious when we turn on the television and simply observe even the most recent content. Major studios and streamers are over 90% white in the back office, and that affects what gets greenlit and what gets the money to get produced. The lack of diversity within corporate heads also impacts who the producers are, who the writers are, who the directors are — and what we are met with as the final product is not accurate nor representive. It’s not our voice and it’s not our story.
Even after all the conversation and attention to this topic, we still need drastic measures to significantly improve diversity and equity in the film industry.
A diverse film will not scare people away, and two immediate examples are The Fast and The Furious franchise and the Bridgerton series. People want see people who look like them, as outlined in UCLA’s Diversity In Hollywood report which has been the longest and most in-depth study in this area under years of research. The fact is, multicultural shows and movies have a proven track record of being mega-hits. Missing the bottom line is not the issue.
We must break the system — because if we see more of the R1GHT kind of non-stereotypical portrayals on television of the black community, as well as Asian, LGBTQIA+, People with Disabilities, Indian, and others, that will change the way we are perceived at large.
BACK 2 THE SH0W
So that is what I’ve been focused on, alongside with my co-producer and the show’s director, Andrew Lyman-Clarke. We are creating a world that gets us hyped about what the brain can do, and how the people of story from all different communities will be changing the world for the better.
And while this show will carry difficult relationship dynamics, egotistical struggles, ethical dilemmas, and shady situations, it will not be a dystrophic rabbit-hole, something we are constantly bombarded with when we watch shows today. Humanity can seem overly self-destructive, but there is H0PE. We have to believe that, or else, why are we here? And hope is what we will leave with you.
Watch out for this series, about the brain’s beautiful abilities. And if you are interested in learning more and/or would like to become involved, you know where to find me – immersed in positioning the show for all of the world to see.
Follow The D3v1ce on Instagram, and don’t laugh at our followership, as we are filmmakers that are not the best social media people.
