GATEKEEPERS REVEALED!
The MAMMers are shooting their film! However, after Professor E.P. poisons the crew, they must depend on the Gatekeepers to finish their film. At the brink of giving up, our MAMMers rely upon their community and reshoot their original film behind the Gatekeeper’s back. Next stop, the Gala!
ON SET OF THE MAMMer’s FILM
Despite all the trials our MAMMers have faced, Principal Photography has begun.
As a treat for a stupendous first week of shooting, Dough-Nut has scheduled KoffeeGATE, a recently famous food truck, to come and serve coffee to the entire cast and crew. The team is abuzz with excitement, however, this joy is short lived when everyone begins to feel queasy and light headed.
Our MAMMers watch in confusion as their crew bends over in agony, as an unknown group approaches. Is that Sir Steamrolla? What’s he doing here? And wait a minute, Typeca$ter too!?
“Hope you liked those bitter treats,” bellows Sir Steamrolla.
“They’re courtesy of our illustrious leader–” crows Typca$ter.
–The side panel of the KoffeeGATE truck collapses revealing: Professor E.P., donning the white Gatekeeper’s mask and bejeweled chain with the letter G.
“I sure hope you enjoyed your poison, with a dash of coffee. Special made by us, the Gatekeepers. Don’t worry dearest MAMMers, our new crew will take great care of your film.”
With no other options, the MAMMers reluctantly agree…
… and to the MAMMer’s dismay, the Gatekeepers finish shooting their movie. And they change everything.
A COUPLE MONTHS LATER at MAMMer MANOR
The film is complete. Now it’s time for the MAMMers and the Gatekeepers to watch “their” film before delivery. As they take their seats, the Gatekeepers jeer at the MAMMers’ downtrodden faces.
Thirty minutes into the screening the Gatekeepers realize something is amiss. “Where is my non-diverse, lackluster story! This isn’t the film I shot?” roars Professor E.P.
The MAMMers turn their frowns upside down, as Opus stands confidently before the projector announcing, “You’re right, it’s not!!”
WEEKS EARLIER at MAMMer MANOR
As they started to edit the footage our MAMMers’s frustration ate away at them. Is it worth compromising their values even if it means disappointing VAFFCity, with this offensive film?
As they were about to give up, a resounding knock was heard at the door. Their old crew had arrived, fresh, healthy and poison-free, ready to complete the original film.
“But we can’t pay, the Gatekeepers used our entire budget.”
“Has that stopped us before? This is a story worth telling, we will find a way,” declared the crew! The crew was right, they were the MAMMers after all and they weren’t about to let someone like Professor E.P. and his dastardly Gatekeepers “steamroll” them.
Everyone pulled together all of their resources, all of their favours, and gathered volunteers from their community, and against all odds, they were able to reshoot the whole movie. For free!
BACK IN PRESENT DAY
The Gatekeepers stand in shock, mouths agape. How could a community pull together so well?
“Impossible!” proclaims Professor E.P. “No crew would ever do that.”
“You can take away our resources, but not our values and passion for our stories. It’s what has allowed us to prevail and protect VAFFCity all these years. This version of the film is screening at the Gala in a few days. Nice try, but you’ve kept your last Gate.
Speechless and defeated, the Gatekeepers leave MAMMer Manor.
POSTSCRIPT
Our heroes have once again snuffed The Gatekeepers and this time hopefully for good! What will the good citizens of VAFFCity think of our MAMMer’s latest film? Find out how the story ends in the epic conclusion at the MAMM18 screening gala and awards presentation, on Saturday, August 26, 2023
Writers:
Jared Yu is a proud Chinese Canadian born in Vancouver, BC and raised in Seattle, WA. As a BSc graduate from UBC’s Biology program, he found solace in writing and creating visual arts during his free time. He enjoys learning new things and values the ability to use photography as a platform for bringing visions to life.
R. Aiden Marsden is a writer known for Eldritch (2018), Facsimile (2017) and The Society (2018).
Graphic Credits: Simon C. Hussey, Photo Credits: Joshua Lam
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