LO2: Treatment

TREATMENT

CAPTURED (WORKING TITLE) - STEEL FILMS

The genre of the film will be thriller with a sub-genre of action, as the tense scenes will often have payoff with typical action film tropes (chases, fighting etc.). An outline of the narrative is: 

A passerby finds someone killing someone in an alleyway, and decides to record the action. They are then seen by the killer and a chase ensues, the video makes it to the internet and goes viral, and the film focuses on the killer trying to exact revenge on the passerby.

Most of the shooting will take place in the city centre of Sheffield (specifically Fargate) and surrounding side streets. The target audience will be males aged 15-30 ABC1.

STATEMENT OF NEED

The purpose of this film trailer is to create an exciting atmosphere for the film, which attracts the target audience and generates interest in the whole film. It also serves to give a general, rough outline of the plot and characters without revealing key points of the feature.

PRODUCTION DESCRIPTION

A thriller/action film trailer revolving around the events and aftermath of someone being caught killing someone, and the killer being recorded and posted online.

LOCATION

Fargate and surrounding side streets in the city centre of Sheffield.

EQUIPMENT

Camera with telescopic lens (18-180mm)

Stabiliser

Microphone

Light Reflector

CREW TIMESCALES

Theo - All Shoots

MILESTONES AND DEADLINES

PRE PRODUCTION

Location Planning + Casting

Storyboard + Script

PRODUCTION

Shooting scenes

POST PRODUCTION

Music Acquirement

Full edit

LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

REPRESENTATIONS OF GENDER

Although having the killer as a male (and so in the position of power) could be seen as stereotypical, all cast is intended to also be male so this isn’t the case.

There are stereotypes in the media surrounding males being aggressive, which can be interpreted as such by having the killer as a male. As a result, I won’t draw attention to the fact that the killer is male, ie by identifying them heavily as such, instead trying to make them appear primarily as a killer and nothing else.

COPYRIGHT FOR MUSIC USED

I intend to either use ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ by Dick Cheney or ‘The Wanderer’ by Dion for the music. However, the song is going to be whistled, preferably by the killer, to create effect, which may bypass these laws as it’s a cover.

CONSENT FORMS FOR ACTORS AND LOCATIONS

BUDGET

PROPERTIES AND LOCATION RENTAL/REIMBURSEMENT

None, as only public places/homes will be used

TRAVEL AND FOOD COSTS

Public transport costs for cast and crew approximately £5

As shoots will mostly take place at night, food is unlikely to be an issue. However, approximately £15 will be used just in case.

PRODUCTION COMPANY

Camera operator, sound operator, editor, producer, director - Theo Bebbington

LO1: Mindmap and Synopsis

Idea One - Thriller - Murder from the perspective of the killer
Unspecified city (Sheffield), modern day, night. A man can be seen/heard murdering someone while either 'The Wanderer' by Dion or 'Singin' in the Rain' by Dick Cheney plays in the background, possible being sung by the assumed murdered. The film focuses on the perspective of the murderer, never learning who it is or the motives, but gathering connotations of the type of person they are via mise en scene, subtly introduced throughout. The murderers motif is the song, which is whistled, played on a phone etc before and during the act. Features action tropes such as chases to build suspense.

Strengths
The perspective of the killer is unique in that the protagonist is the antagonist at the same time.
It's also unique in that the killer isn't identified, making them seem almost otherworldly - not as much a character as a device, the intended effect. This is to make the killings more impactful, as the victims have personality (shown through actions such as conversations with friends, actions etc.) while the killer doesn't.

Weaknesses
Could be cliche as it is similar thematically with lots of other thrillers.
Balancing action scenes with suspense will be difficult, as too much action will make the film too close to the action genre, while not enough will make it boring - resulting in the need to carefully balance the action scenes in terms of length, suspense an payoff.

This could also be used as an action film - focusing on the witness chasing the killer (both when being caught and looking out for suspects in town).


Idea Two - Mockumentary - Bird Watching
Yorkshire countryside, modern day, early morning. Father and son go on their traditional bird watching weekend. Both people admit throughout that they hate it to the camera, which becomes obvious throughout the trailer, but neither person says anything as they want the other to enjoy themselves. Enthusiasm is very fake, both characters grimace to the camera when looking away etc.

Strengths
Relatable situation as most people will experience something similar to this, although the context might be different, increasing the likelihood of the audience being engaged and interested in the trailer, and making them laugh.

Weaknesses
Lack of music which is typical in a mockumentary creates a reliance on the script - meaning the dialogue has to be funny and engaging or the trailer won't be effective.
Dependant on factors out of my control - weather, birds etc.