THE FILTERED LIGHT
by Baizhen [Isaac] Pan
The research is an exploration into the power dynamics and ethical implications of media rating systems in shaping public perception, trust, and global narratives.
Film Logline: In a world where an AI-driven institution dictates media credibility, a data analyst stumbles upon a government-backed cover-up. As he races to expose the truth, he faces a brutal choice; unveil corruption and risk chaos or stay silent and let deception shape reality.
The research explores the year 2035 where the world is gripped by a new form of media governance—Prism. An international organisation responsible for rating the credibility of news sources. Governments, corporations, and media outlets either rise or fall based on Prism’s scoring system. While Prism was originally created to combat misinformation, it has become a powerful force that decides what the public perceives as truth. As public trust in Prism begins to fracture, journalist Mark Jensen stumbles upon a shocking revelation—Prism has been quietly manipulating ratings to favor influential nations and corporations, suppressing critical environmental crises and political scandals. The research manifests spatially as Prism itself; a single investigation to a-systemic critique of media power, influence, and corruption which integrates public distrust, internal Prism conflicts, and environmental concerns, with multi-dimensional spatial outcomes.