Planning - Pitch

Title:

Genre:

The genre we selected was drama/thriller – we chose this genre because we intended to create an opening which incorporated a suspenseful series of events that would ensure that the audience would immediately be captivated and believe in the continuation of the narrative. Also, we felt that we could include familiar conventions from within our youth targeted audience, as well as conventions which have a direct association to the genre of thriller, in order for the audience to have a clear understanding of narrative and type of film we produced. This therefore would enable us to establish an identity for our main character and potential relationships with the targeted audience.

Form:

The form is a two minute opening to a feature film that will ensure that the audience has a focused interest in the remainder of the film.

Location:

Our opening will include several different locations:

·         A house in which Peter’s family resides.

·         Neighborhood area – streets behind a park, where the scene of the murder is. The reporter will stand by the scene, reporting live.

Time:

The time of day will be preferably late afternoon, when the sky begins to darken. This is to create an atmosphere, which ultimately transmits a darker tone to the film, especially to even act as a representation of the main character’s mental state, which suggests he is becoming detached from his world and beginning to lose himself.

Characters:

·         Ismail Khwaja – Plays the role of the main character: Peter Mulberry

·         main characters wife

·         2 children

·         Main characters friend

·         News reporter –Fraser Harrington?

·         Detective/ police officer – Fraser Harrington?

Plot

The story revolves around the main character, Peter Mulberry, who is an ordinary man, with an ordinary job and has an ordinary loving family. However, the very foundation for his life and what he perceived to be the glue that held his life together is completely destroyed, when Peter learns of the murder of his brother. Peter’s inability to comprehend what he has just learnt and the undeniable fact that he will never know who or why his brother was murdered haunts Peter and ultimately drives Peter to his breaking point. As a result, Peter reaches a stage in his life where he is suffering from a deep depression and must attend frequent sessions with his psychiatrist Mr Smith, but the loss of his brother has formed a scar on his mind, which he cannot overcome.

-       Film opens with a news report on the death of Peter’s brother.

-       As the opening credits appear, the reporter’s speech becomes voice over

-       Then the picture fades and becomes just a pure voice over

-       Whilst the screen is black, sirens can be heard in the background, signifying the recent death

-       Then we see the main character Peter in his home, who then discovers that his friend has been killed as his wife watches the news

-       Peter reacts by running out of the house – piano music plays in the background as he wonders the streets

-       Peter arrives at the scene of the murder, but is moved away from the scene by a police officer (or detective)

-       As Peter walks away, then the title of the film appears

Key Micro Features (camerawork, editing, sound, mise-en-scene)

Editing:

·      - Titles and credits will be included during the editing

-       - The main title of the film will appear during the establishing shot, as it will be positioned above the character

-       - Credits will appear on screen beside characters, when they are first introducing the characters

-      

Mise-en-scene:

·         Reporter – will wear a suit

·         Police office – in traditional uniform OR Detective in a suit (grey)

·         Family members (including main character) will wear casual clothing

·         Television – which will display the live news report

·         The scene of the murder will be near a park

·         The dead body will have been covered with a by white cover with blood stains

·         The scene with the family will take place within a kitchen – typical homely environment

    

      Sound:

·         Piano music

·         Sirens

·         Emphasis on footsteps

Camerawork:

Some of the important shots will include:

·         Point of view shot – this would occur as the main character walks towards the dead body

·         Establishing shot – this would occur in conjunction to the title of the film appearing on screen

·         Mid shot – this would be during the scene when the reporter is delivering the news

Target audience

·         The target audience would be mainly older viewers, from the age range of 18 upwards.

·         Some elements, however may appeal to the teenage bracket of 13-17.

Audience appeal

This would attract our targeted audiences because the story relates to scenarios, which occur in people’s lives, but are not heavily publicised from the perspective of the victims. Therefore, we want to create the foundation of a much more grounded story, which the audiences can identify themselves too.

Influential films

·         The Green Mile – it opens with piano music to create a more suspenseful atmosphere, similar to what we intend to create – we will compose piano music

Unique selling point

It will be a British film, which incorporates more realistic tones that will therefore create a believable experience for the audiences.

Group Roles:
- Co-Written by Ismail Khwaja/Bibianna Fasogbon/Fraser Harrington
- Uploaded by Ismail Khwaja