Treatment and Planning:

 Treatment and Planning: 

Introduction 

The initial ideas I had for my short film were to work on a thriller/ psychological horror, but I soon realised that I felt as if my idea would not be original enough and not the film I wanted to work on and spend time doing. Not only that, but I was struggling to come up with a general plot line. So, I switched genre and decided that I would like to work on a coming-of-age/teen romance type of film. The film would take place over a party where people are meeting each other for the first time, and stepping into the realm of new friendships.  

Themes 

One of the key themes I want to focus on is on how we communicate with others, and in what ways we make it effective, and the treatment of others when communicating with one another.  

I also want one of the key morals or lessons to take away from the film is that we all have to take risks in order to get what they want, and its okay if we fail, but we should keep on trying  

Links to other short films 

My short film most similarly resembles ‘The Arrival’ in the way that the cinematography catches the very human element and personal nature of the scene.  Outside of the set films, one film which inspired me was the short film ‘Wake’, which presented complex characters that, within the context of the film, do not act on morals and more out of selfishness and what works for them. I really loved the use of colour in the film, especially when reaching the ending, and the handheld, shakiness of the camera when the characters are remembering their deceased friend.  

Brief plot summary 

The story will begin in the back of Sam’s parents’ car. Sam is partially deaf and struggles immensely with communicating with others. His friend decided it would be best for Sam to jump into the deep end and dragged him to a party with some people that he doesn’t quite know so he can meet new people in a (not that Sam completely realises) netted environment. When Sam and his friend get out of the car, Sam is contemplating ditching and stands at the top end of the frame/hill, whilst his friend is at the bottom of the road, but the friend then notices Sam’s behaviour and in a friendly way teases him to come or he’ll share a secret to his dad.  

The next sequence takes place inside the house where a few familiar faces welcome them. Sam will then make his way standing by his friend throughout the party, mostly standing on the outside of groups, but his friend always tries to make him feel included. There is a series of a few cuts of him in different positions around the group sort of standing on the outside. Each cut the setting is slightly different with people in different places or some new people joining the conversation. Eventually there’s enough people they decide to sit down around some chairs and sofas.  

A new character is introduced as she sits down next to Sam on the orange sofa. She comes into frame and drops into a seat. She subtly and kindly checks him out in a friendly and kind manner. She then talks to him in the game, and they both do something to laugh together (ie a dare). When she leaves to gets a drink, the camera pans up to follow her, like how Sam looks at her too.  

~ 

Location plan: 

I have scouted the premise of my house, and I will use my sitting room as the main location of the film. I want to begin my short film outside my house for the first act to introduce what the character Sam is like in a more isolated and quiet moment, with people he feels comfortable with, before he is thrown into the deep end and into a really social setting. I decided to chose outside the house as I think shooting in a car would be too restrictive in terms of movement and also will be quite dark, however only the opening shot will take place in here. As for inside, I am primarily going to use my bookshelves as a focus point as they create interesting lines and backgrounds for the characters 

A car parked on the street AI-generated content may be incorrect.

 

Target audience: 

The films which I have found to be most similar to my idea would be ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’, in the heartfelt, coming of age side of the story, and ‘Scott Pilgrim vs the World’, when thinking about the (slight) comedic elements of my film. Both of those film’s target demographics were to young adults and/or teenagers, only one to cater a slightly more sensitive audience, and the other to the ‘fanboys’ of comics, videogames and other pieces of literature of the sorts. My short is more targeted towards the similar sorts of fans to ‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’ in this regard.

Actors cast/ costumes/ props planned: 

In terms of the lead role, I am looking for a Logan Leerman type of actor who can play awkward well. I have decided to cast Reginald Kenyon as my Sam. In terms of the love interest, I have cast another friend who will get along well with my lead and who can share this awkward, enjoyable chemistry of sorts. I wanted Sam to immediately be noticed with a signature coat of sorts that he later takes off as he tries something new.

As for props, I intend to have a table of party food, like bowls of crisps and soft drinks. 

quietly poignant ...Michael Cera From Giving Up On Acting 


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