Negative Space - Oscar nominated short film by Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata

KIS KIS - keep it short

16 Jul 201905:23

Summary

TLDRThis heartfelt video script narrates a touching tale of a father-son bond, forged through the art of packing luggage. The son recounts learning to pack from his dad, who taught him the meticulous process of organizing clothes and accessories. Their shared passion for efficient packing created cherished memories, with the son's pride evident when his dad's approval came in the form of a simple 'perfect.' Tragically, the script concludes with the father's funeral, where the son reflects on the irony of wasted space in the casket, a poignant reminder of the life lessons and love they packed together.

Takeaways

🧳 The father taught his child how to pack efficiently, including rolling clothes and using space wisely.
👕 Wrinkle-prone items are placed on top of cotton items to prevent creasing.
👖 Pants are used to fill in the bottom of the suitcase for structure.
🧦 Socks and belts are packed in the nooks and crannies, utilizing every bit of space.
👟 Shoes are added on top of the packed clothes, likely to distribute weight and protect them.
👶 The child started learning to pack from a young age, with the father's guidance.
🏀 The father-child bonding was unique, revolving around packing luggage rather than traditional activities.
📦 The child was trusted to pack for the father when he was busy, indicating a high level of skill and trust.
📱 The father's single-word text 'perfect' was a significant form of praise and encouragement.
💔 The father's passing is described, with the child noting the irony of wasted space in the coffin.
😢 The child's emotional response to the father's funeral is highlighted, showing the depth of their bond.

Q & A

What did the narrator's dad teach him about packing luggage?
-The narrator's dad taught him how to pack luggage efficiently by laying out everything, putting wrinkle-prone items on top, utilizing nooks and crannies for socks and belts, and packing heavy items last.
How did the narrator's dad involve him in packing from a young age?
-The narrator's dad involved him in packing by starting when he was little, having him roll up socks, and even putting him in the suitcase as a child.
What was the significance of the word 'dope' in the context of the script?
-In the script, the word 'dope' was used by the narrator's dad to express approval of the narrator's packing job, and it meant a lot to the narrator.
How did the narrator's dad bond with him?
-The narrator's dad bonded with him by teaching him how to pack luggage, which was their unique way of spending time together, as opposed to other father-son activities like shooting hoops.
What was the narrator's mother's role in the packing process?
-The narrator's mother tried to help with packing, but she didn't have the same skill as the father, implying that she wasn't as adept at packing efficiently.
How did the narrator feel about his dad's funeral?
-The narrator found his dad's funeral terrible, and he was struck by the wasted space in the large coffin, which reminded him of his dad's packing techniques.
What is the underlying theme of the script related to luggage and the narrator's father?
-The underlying theme of the script is the bond between the narrator and his father, which was forged through the shared experience of packing luggage, and the lasting impact of that bond after the father's death.
What does the script suggest about the narrator's relationship with his father?
-The script suggests that the narrator had a close and special relationship with his father, which was characterized by their shared interest in efficient packing and the father's mentorship.
How does the script use the metaphor of packing to convey emotions?
-The script uses the metaphor of packing to convey the narrator's feelings of loss and nostalgia, as well as the practical wisdom his father imparted to him.
What is the significance of the music and applause in the script?
-The music and applause in the script serve to punctuate the narrative, adding emotional depth and highlighting the moments of bonding and approval between the narrator and his father.

Outlines

00:00

🧳 Mastering the Art of Packing

The speaker fondly recalls the packing techniques taught by their father, which involved a meticulous process of rolling clothes to minimize wrinkles and efficiently using suitcase space. The father's method included placing wrinkle-prone items on top and utilizing every nook and cranny for smaller items like socks and belts. The speaker reminisces about starting this practice at a young age, with a humorous anecdote of being placed in a suitcase as a child. The father's pride in a well-packed suitcase was a form of bonding and a source of approval, as indicated by his text messages. The narrative takes a poignant turn with the father's passing, where the speaker reflects on the irony of wasted space in the coffin, drawing a parallel to the father's packing philosophy.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Pack

To 'pack' refers to the act of arranging and placing items into a container, such as a suitcase, in a way that is efficient and organized. In the video's context, packing is a skill taught by the father to the narrator, symbolizing a bonding activity and a life lesson. The script mentions 'pack lay out, everything put back half roll things,' indicating a specific method of packing that the father imparted.

💡Roll

In the context of the video, 'roll' is a technique used in packing where clothes are rolled up instead of folded to save space and reduce wrinkles. The script illustrates this with the line 'roll wrinkle prone things on top of, cotton things then pants,' showcasing the father's detailed packing instructions.

💡Cotton

'Cotton' refers to a natural fiber used in clothing and is mentioned in the script as a type of material that should be packed in a specific order. The father's advice to pack cotton items before heavier materials like pants suggests a methodical approach to ensure the suitcase is optimally utilized.

💡Wrinkles

Wrinkles are creases or folds that appear in fabric, often due to folding or pressure. The video script mentions 'wrinkle prone things,' indicating items that are susceptible to creasing. The father's packing advice aims to minimize wrinkles by rolling these items, which is a practical tip for travel.

💡Nooks and Crannies

The term 'nooks and crannies' refers to small recesses or corners, often hidden or hard to reach. In the script, it is used to describe the spaces in a suitcase where small items like socks and belts can be packed: 'nooks and crannies for socks belts.' This demonstrates the father's thorough approach to making the most of every available space.

💡Snakes

In the video, 'snakes' is used metaphorically to describe how belts should be packed around the sides of the suitcase, like snakes winding around. This creative imagery from the script helps to visualize the packing technique and adds a personal touch to the father's instructions.

💡Plastic

The script mentions 'plastic, over that,' which likely refers to using plastic bags to wrap or separate items during packing. This could be for protection against dirt or moisture, illustrating the father's attention to detail and practicality in packing.

💡Heavy Stuff

'Heavy stuff' in the context of the video refers to the heavier items that should be packed towards the bottom of the suitcase to balance the weight. The script says, 'add shoes wear heavy,' suggesting that heavier items are placed after lighter ones, which is a common packing strategy for stability and ease of lifting.

💡Bonding

Bonding is the process of forming a close emotional connection. The video script describes how the father and narrator bond over the activity of packing luggage, which is an unconventional but meaningful way for them to connect. The phrase 'some guys bond with their deaths, shooting hoops we're talking about, Chevrolet's' illustrates the unique nature of their bonding experience.

💡Funeral

A 'funeral' is a ceremony to commemorate the deceased. In the script, the narrator attends their father's funeral, which is a poignant moment that highlights the lasting impact of the father's teachings. The line 'the funeral was terrible, my dad laid out in that big carton' uses the term 'carton' as a metaphor for a coffin, emphasizing the emptiness and the wasted space, which contrasts with the father's efficient packing methods.

💡Space

In the video, 'space' is not only a physical concept but also a metaphorical one. The script mentions 'look at all that wasted space,' which could refer to the unused space in the coffin but also to the void left by the father's passing. This duality adds depth to the narrative, showing how the concept of space is intertwined with the narrator's grief and memories.

Highlights

Learning the art of packing from dad

Method of packing: half roll, wrinkle-prone on top

Cotton items packed before pants

Utilizing nooks and crannies for socks and belts

Packing socks and belts like snakes

Plastic items placed over the packed clothes

Heavy items like shoes are packed last

Bonding with dad over packing luggage

Childhood memory of being packed in a suitcase

Learning packing skills from a young age

Father's pride in a perfectly packed suitcase

The significance of a father's approval

The emotional impact of a father's passing

A funeral's stark reminder of wasted space

The lasting legacy of a father's teachings

The unique father-son bonding over Chevrolet's

The mother's attempt to learn packing but lacking the knack

The father's ability to efficiently pack for work trips