Flying Cards

Lighting and music continue an atmosphere of unease as the librarian stands at a small desk to complete an entry in a log book. Still, she is alone. The music pauses before a lone whistle is heard as she makes her way down another aisle. Coincidentally (or not?), the lone whistle is similar to the theme music to The X-Files, a mid-1990’s TV-show about paranormal investigators. As the librarian continues about her work, on one side there are tall, heavy book shelves, on the other, smaller wooden filing drawers. Suddenly, one of the drawers of the smaller cabinet begins to open by itself, revealing a tray full of library index cards. The music becomes more urgent as the cards begin to blow out and scatter. Almost in unison, another drawer opens and the same happens again, until a third and a fourth…

The angle switches to face Alice Drummond’s librarian, whose expression quickly morphs from worry to fear as she turns to witness the unusual activity. Frightened, she lets out a weakened scream and begins to run away.

Once again, the invention of in-camera, practical illusions contribute to a feeling of more organic movie-making, something that is celebrated and pined-for in the today’s ‘more advanced’ digital age.

Trivia: The bank of smaller cabinets is a false wall. Behind the cabinets, special effects technicians pushed the drawers open and blew air through to disperse the cards.

Words by Gareth Rhodes.

Floating Books

As the librarian enters the dimly downlit basement with an armful of books, an ominous oboe gives way to the sound of the theremin as the camera prowls behind a lone Alice Drummond. This gives us the unsettling sense of her being followed to an isolated place, which increases her vulnerability and heightens tension. The corridors of the basement are maze-like and there are no other people around. As she turns one of the many tight corners to return a book, the camera halts as she moves further down the aisle. Then, unknown to her but witnessed by the audience, two or three books begin to float from shelf-to-shelf. At once, she glances to her side, seemingly having caught half-sight of something in her peripherial field of vision, but returns to her work. It’s a simple, but effective use of practical effects to thicken the sense of danger and intrigue.

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Trivia: The library basement scenes were filmed at the Los Angeles public library.

Words by Gareth Rhodes.