Simone

Work Title: Simone
Medium: Film
Episode Title:
Year: 2002
Writer(s): Andrew Niccol
"Original" Writer: Yes Own work?: No
Summary:

The career of a disillusioned producer, who is desperate for a hit, is endangered when his star walks off the film set. Forced to think fast, the producer decides to digitally create an actress "Simone" to sub for the star--the first totally believable synthetic actress. The "actress" becomes an overnight sensation, with a major singing career as well, and everyone thinks she's a real person. However, as Simone's fame skyrockets, he cannot bear to admit his fraud to himself or the world. Summary written by Sujit R. Varma from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258153/plotsummary

Era/Year of Portrayal: present_day
Distinctive characteristics of the world in portrayal:

Present day 2002.

Technology

  • Name of portrayed presence-evoking technology: Simone
  • Description of the technology: Simone (s1m one) is a computer generated woman. She is extremely realistic and beautiful. She was created by a man named Hank, who gives her to film director Viktor Taransky. She interacts with people though media - she is in films, does press, etc. Everyone thinks she is real. She has a very realistic personlaity, and beomes a pop superstar.
  • Nature of task or activity: She communicates through media - on the phone, on TV, in films, and through music. Everyone who sees her thinks she is real, although she is not.
  • Performance of the Technology: Works very well.
  • Description of creator(s): Hank is a white man in his 30's or 40's, seems crazy, is obsessed with Viktor Taransky. He dies from an inoperable brain tumor.
  • Major goal(s) of creator(s): To help Viktor Taransky make the perfect movie.
  • Description of users of technology: Everyone who watches movies, listens to music, and generally consumes media.
  • Type(s) of presence experience in the portrayal: social_presence
  • Description of presence experience: The presence expereience is pleasent, everyone loves Simone, except for Viktor Taransky by the end. Her fame has eclisped him - everyone thinks she used him for stardom, when really he used her.
  • User awareness of technology during experience: No, and when told, no one believes it.
  • Valence of experience: Very pleasant/
  • Specific responses: Simone is a star - everyone worships and is in awe of her. Also, people seem to think they have had personal experiencse with her when they haven't. But they may be lying to make themselves feel important.
Long-term consequences:

Viktor Taransky tries to kill her off - she never really existed. But, no one beleives him and he is jailed for her murder. However, his daughter figures it out and brings Simone back. They then plan to use her fame for future political change.

Other:

Everyone interacts with her and has no idea she is not real.

Coder name: Amanda Scheiner
Coder email: amandags@temple.edu
Coder affiliation: Temple University