Orion's Cloud
Orion's Cloud is a 2002 short film about two mentally ill men with rock star aspirations. It is based on characters first created in the Tampa-based sketch comedy show Malixous. The film was written and directed by Mike Balmer who also played the role of Diamond. Also in the film were Mike Skold, who portrayed Greg, and Mike Kofler who played dual roles as the suited man who terrorizes Greg, and as a homeless man who barters for candy corns. Mike Skold won a best acting award at the 2nd Saints and Sinners Film Festival in St. Petersberg, Florida.
Story
The film follows Diamond, played by Mike Balmer, and Greg, played by Mike Skold as two mentally impaired men who are aspiring rock musicians. They face a series of problems starting with Diamond being put into jeopardy of losing his bed at a group home for having missed too many meetings. Having decided that the group home staff is out to get him, Diamond declares that the only way they can prove their worth is by entering a battle of the bands contest. Greg reveals that he has gotten to money to register for the contest through illegal means, namely by stealing from his mother. Diamond encourages Greg to realize his behavior is wrong, but they keep the money anyway.
After fearing that they are being followed, possibly by helicopters, Diamond retreats into a convenience store. Once alone, Greg begins to suffer from an anxiety attack. Using techniques learned in his treatment sessions, Greg leaves his body and roams through the corridors of his mind. This proves to be a more menacing challenge for him, and soon enough Diamond returns in time to teach him a lesson about proper food sanitation - namely why you shouldn't eat food off the ground.
Along their journey, they run-in with a homeless man, played by Mike Kofler, who has acquired Greg's bike through happenstance. The homeless man attempts to barter for possession of the bike, but Diamond decides to attack him with pepper spray. It is here when they cross paths with the mysterious Wrangler Bob, played by Doug McEntee who also helps fulfill Greg's short-term goals.
After the recovery of their bike, they arrive at a music store to register for the battle of the bands, but Diamond instead spends the money on a cheap guitar that he claims is signed by Steve Vai. Though as Greg points out, there is actually no signature at all. While at the music store, they come face-to-face with two other band members, Steele, played by Curt Johnson and Devon, also played by Mike Kofler. The two more talented musicians mock and belittle Diamond and Greg. Here it is revealed that the battle of the bands may just be another one of the duo's fantasies, as Steele and Devon have not heard of it, and are apparently aware that this is just another delusion of Orion's Cloud.
When returning home to take his blue pill, Diamond learns that he has been kicked out of his program. Frustrated, he demands that he live with Greg, who in turn lives with his mother. However, Greg's mom does not want Diamond staying at her house, so Diamond tells Greg that Greg has to move and live on the streets with him. Greg does so on the condition that he can bring his TV and video game system.
Once on the streets, Diamond and Greg finally begin to practice. They are obviously devoid of talent, but this does not stop a passing man (in a dark suit) to mistake them for street musicians, and consequently leave a dollar bill for them. Diamond and Greg stop what they are doing, and look at the money. Then they look at one another and feel more like rock stars than ever before.
Themes
Orion's Cloud deals with mental illness in a way that embraces the challenges that the central characters face. While the movie is presented in a comedic fashion, using, but not limited to irony, and slapstick, unlike other impaired characters such as those Rain Man or Of Mice and Men, the central characters of Orion's Cloud are not commentaries about mental illness. Instead the film focuses on their daily lives, and goals. In this fashion, an audience May Be made to feel they are part of Diamond and Greg's worlds, and not looking at it from the outside. This is emphasized in various ways, such as special effects sequences allowing for point of view shots, and background subtleties such as disappearing characters. Forthmost, the film details how enduring friendships can help individuals overcome adversity and even create their own place in the world.