Facebook vs. Your Real Life

The well made Short Film What’s on your mind? premiered on May 20th at The American Pavillion (ampav) Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. On the 2nd of June, Norwegian born Director Shaun Higton made the decision to the skip festival circuit  and choose to release it on the internet. What’s on your mind? became an instant Youtube (8.538.801 views) and Vimeo (379.000 views) hit! What happens when a man decides to embellish his online status? This short film, from director Shaun Higton, is a brilliantly observed glance at the perils of social media and how people can live for the update, rather than for the moment. Higton, who recently signed with Kandidat Oslo and Passion RAW Paris, says of the film; “This was, to begin with, a personal project where I wanted to explore the use of commercial-style editing, framing and pacing to tell a narrative and emotional story. When I got the idea I had a feeling that this had viral potential because of its universal theme and current topic. Like all filmmakers we wanted to give the festival circuit a try first, to garner accolades and awards that could later boost it´s virality and internet buzz. But after our showing at the American Pavilions Emerging Filmmaker showcase, of which we were finalists, the response was amazing. So when I got back to Oslo my brothers and I decided we should bypass the festivals and put it straight out on YouTube.” Shots. Check it out above. Cast: Espen Alknes and Benedicte Westbye. Produced by Andrew Higton, Espen Pettersen and Cinematography by Hans Kristian Riise. Remember Noah?