Trains of Thought

My primary concern when making “Trains of Thought” was the cinematic portrayal of isolated characters. The four individual sequences are essentially temporal portraits; the characters are seen in the context of their relationship to the passing of time. They neither interact with other characters nor do they encounter consequential narrative events. Rather than using a clearly defined narrative relationship to connect the four episodes, I have employed various formal and thematic devices to unify the separate sequences. The use of shared imagery, common formal techniques such as the variations on fixed camera perspectives and the complementary nature of the various rhythmic soundtracks, aid the viewer in unifying the four scenes presented in the film. My main objective is that the experience of viewing “Trains of Thought,” when juxtaposed with the viewer’s subjective experiences and feelings towards isolation and being alone, will succeed in eliciting an emotional response. (LM)