Essay about Mark Osborn's film More

Theme of More (2002) – The Cost of Overconsumption and the Loss of Humanity In Mark Osborne’s short film More, the protagonist, Elvis, begins as a humble and creative toy maker in a world dominated by drabness, monotony, and industrial production. As the story unfolds, the film delves into the dangerous consequences of unchecked consumerism and the dehumanizing effects of a society that equates value with productivity and material acquisition. The central theme of More explores how the pursuit of wealth and excess leads to the erosion of humanity, creativity, and emotional fulfillment. At the heart of the film is Elvis, a character who initially represents innocence and artistic potential. He lives in a grey, industrial world where people work endlessly without joy or purpose. The bleakness of this environment symbolizes a society where creativity and individuality are suppressed by the demands of mass production. However, Elvis’s discovery of a machine that can mass-produce toys—symbolic of innovation and the potential for progress—marks the beginning of a transformative journey. As he produces more and more toys, he experiences a gradual loss of his own identity, trading his creativity and passion for the empty promise of more wealth and recognition. The central symbol in More is the flower, which plays a pivotal role in illustrating Elvis's internal conflict and the contrast between materialism and human connection. Early in the film, Elvis is shown with a small flower in his workshop—a reminder of nature, beauty, and life outside the cycle of production. This flower represents the simplicity of human joy and the intrinsic value of creation for the sake of creation. However, as Elvis becomes increasingly consumed by his invention and the desire to produce more toys, the flower gradually fades, losing its vibrancy, much like Elvis’s own sense of purpose and self. The once-simple act of creating something for the sake of beauty is replaced by the mechanical, soul-crushing drive to produce for profit and efficiency. The flower’s decline parallels Elvis’s transformation from a hopeful artist to a mere cog in the industrial machine. As he loses sight of the flower and its significance, he also loses his humanity. His world becomes progressively more mechanical and sterile, filled with ever-larger machines and toys, but devoid of meaning or emotional connection. Elvis’s pursuit of "more"—more toys, more wealth, more recognition—ultimately leaves him hollow, consumed by the very system he once hoped to improve. This descent into dehumanization reflects the film’s broader critique of consumerism and capitalism. The cycle of overconsumption that Elvis becomes trapped in mirrors the ways in which societies often prioritize material accumulation over personal well-being, creativity, and human connection. The film suggests that in a world obsessed with “more,” the things that truly nourish the soul—like love, art, and nature—are sacrificed in favor of cold, impersonal progress. The final, haunting images of the film depict Elvis as a shell of his former self. His body is reduced to a lifeless, mechanical form, fully integrated into the machine he created, symbolizing the complete erasure of his individuality. The flower, once a vibrant symbol of life and hope, has withered, underscoring the irreversible toll that his quest for excess has taken on him. By the end, Elvis’s life is defined not by his own desires or creations, but by the relentless demands of the industrial world, highlighting the devastating consequences of prioritizing productivity and material gain over human essence and emotional fulfillment. In conclusion, More presents a powerful commentary on the dangers of overconsumption and the loss of humanity in a society driven by the relentless pursuit of more. Through the character of Elvis and the symbolic use of the flower, the film underscores the tension between artistic creation and mechanized production, ultimately questioning whether the cost of progress is worth the sacrifice of personal identity and happiness. Elvis’s tragic transformation serves as a cautionary tale, urging viewers to reconsider the value of “more” and to seek fulfillment in ways that preserve the humanity and creativity that make life truly meaningful.

Schedule Week of May 10

Tuesday, May 11: Black/White practice 6-8, Blue/Gold 7-9.

Wednesday, May 12: Varsity games at Jordan High school 8 and 9 PM (arrive 7:40). If possible, please attend the Boys' Soccer State Tournament game at Judge at 4 PM. 

Thursday, May 13: Black/White practice 6-8, Blue/Gold 7-9.

Saturday, May 15: Blue/White practice 8:30-10:00 (arrive by 8:15), Varsity game at 11 AM at Jordan. Black/White practice 10-11 AM.

Summit Academy High School Spring Basketball Camp

 

Varsity Schedule May 3-May 8 (Jordan Tournament Schedule)

 Varsity Schedule May 3-May 8

Monday, May 3: Games 6 and 8 PM at Jordan High School South Court vs. Judge Memorial and Mountain RIdge

*All games this week will be played with a 30 second shot clock

Tuesday, May 4: Practice at Summit Academy 7-9; celebrate Star Wars Day in whatever manner you see fit

Wednesday, May 5: Games at 5 and 9 PM at Jordan High School South Court vs. Alta and Grantsville

Thursday, May 6: Practice at Summit Academy 7-9

Friday, May 7: Game at 8 PM at Jordan High School South Court vs. West Jordan

Saturday, May 8: Practice 9-11 AM

*Our Black and White groups will continue their normal schedule this week: Practice Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8 AM, and Saturday from 8-10 AM.

Schedule Update for 4/6 and 4/8

 We will have practice for all players on 4/6 and 4/8 from 7-9 PM this week. Saturday, 4/10, the Black/White group will go from 8-10 and the Blue/Gold group from 9-11. 

Offseason Basketball Information

Thank you to all the boys that came out for our team this offseason. It was a great turnout. There are several important items I want you to know. 

1. The game schedule for all teams will be announced as soon as we have them. Our varsity (Blue) will play in a spring league and a few tournaments in May. Everyone else will play in the following tournaments in June:

-Utah Team Camp June 3, 4, and 5 (assuming the new coach continues it, and the dates stay the same, both of which I anticipate happening)

-Great Western Classic June 9, 10, 11, and 12

-Rocky Mountain Showcase June 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

*Other opportunities may crop up either in June or July for those willing and able to play

2. The offseason fee of $500 must be paid by June 1 in order to play in any games after that date. Current Summit Academy students will pay through ASPIRE. That fee will be added to your account soon. All other players should give a check to Coach Baird payable to Summit Academy with boys' basketball in the memo line. Please see Coach Baird if there is an issue related to finances.

3. We will have a spring basketball camp the last week of April. All incoming 9th graders are invited to attend free of charge as the entrance fee is included in their offseason fee. 

4. We will follow this practice schedule for the duration of the offseason: Tuesdays and Thursdays Summit Academy Black and Summit Academy White will practice from 6:00-8:00 PM (doors will open at 5:50 PM); Summit Academy Blue and Summit Academy Gold will practice from 7:00-9:00 (arrive at 6:40 for ropes, stretching, and goals). On Saturday, Black and White will go from 8:00-10:00 AM (doors open at 7:50 AM); Blue and Gold from 9:00-11:00 AM (arrive at 8:40 AM for ropes, stretching, and goals).

5. Please communicate with Coach Baird as soon as possible if you are going to miss practice. While we are flexible, considering this is the offseason, attendance does impact playing time, as well as improvement. We welcome and support multi-sport athletes and will work to find a balance between the boys' interests. 

6. Questions can be directed to Coach Baird at 801 232 2407 or summitacademybasketball@gmail.com.

7. If you have choosen not to play, please notify Coach Baird ASAP, as that will impact our groupings.

8. Team placement below is subject to change based upon performance or a particular team's need for a particular tournament. Some players may be given the opportunity to play on multiple teams.

Summit Academy Blue:

Kaysen Brown

Maxon Denning

Tyler Jensen

Caleb Knight

Noah Lynch

Bryson Ottley

Jackson Ross

Devin Watson

Summit Academy Gold:

Nathan Brown

Ethan Carlson

Dylan Harris

Peyton Howell

Christian Kindler

Eric Pesci

Cade Swensen

Stuart Woodward

Summit Academy Black and White:

*We have yet to break these up into separate teams. We may end up going to as many as three teams, but multiple factors will impact this decision. We will divide this group up into teams at a later date:

Jace Bingham

Otto Christensen

Dodger Denning

Jett Dille

Tristan Duffin

Garon Dunstin

Brayden Ericson

McKay Franz

Kiean Johnson

Chase LeVar

Logan Lockheart

Kaden McGovern

Chase Mickelson

Jackson Morrill

Josh Morrill

Austin Patterson

Beckham Prince

Eli Paynter

Eric Savage

Off-Season Tryout Information