Week 14 H/W - Task I, II & III

After reading the brief and viewing the playlist of short films recommended on the blog I have come to the decision that I will produce a Thriller, genre short film. This will include a single-strand  appearance in  the production and a non-linear narrative, with mostly flashbacks to reveal the the plot of the film while an event is taking place which will create great suspense. It would also, be realistic as I plan to make slightly a psychological thriller.

Mood Board:

This will be my pitch for the one minute short film.
The genre of this film will be a Thriller which will include a tense plot.
The name of my short film is called "Trippy".
There will be two characters: Josh and Creepy man.
It will take place in the present day, at daytime and in a busy public environment - preferably Waterloo as it is nice area filled with a busy environment, but there is also, slightly deserted environments to record certain scenes that require a lack people.
The key pointer of the film will be the effects of drug abuse.
Josh, 17 will be the male who decides to experiment with a new drug and will suffer the consequences of a crazy delusion.
The Creepy man, age unknown will be the unreal killer in Josh's dream chasing him down and trying kill him.
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The production will begin with a master shot showing the environment in which the plot takes place in, it will also have Josh and the drug dealer included in the scene. Josh will take the drug (a small pill - sweet) and question the dealer with a 'confirmation-needing' voice: "You're sure this isn't too strong?" To which the dealer replies "Of course not man, they will just make you feel... err... alive!" As soon as the dealer replies to Josh with that answer, he falls upon the ground as the effect of the drug kicks in and takes its toll on him. A rapid heartbeat sound will then play on account to this action (this effect will be added using final cut and creates a sense of thrill to the audience). The screen then fades to a black screen (this is to show that time has passed by as he has fell unconscious due to the powerful drug).

Josh awakes - the black screen ends. He's looking scruffy and is standing in the middle of a busy plaza/walk way (in Waterloo, London). He feels strange and begins to quickly examine his body while still standing in the middle of the busy environment with people walking past him not caring at all. Josh then begins to look around as he doesn't know what to do with the strange feel he has. He's also confused as to where he is and what's going. This is until he spots a creepy looking figure a few meters away from him starring directly at him (the male will have a creepy mask on his face and will be dressed in a smart suit).

The Creepy man then begins to walk to Josh, which makes him feel endangered, so he begins to run for his life meanwhile the Creepy man picks up pace and begins to chase him to death. As a short running scene takes place of Josh trying to escape the reach of the Creepy man he trips up and the Creepy man pulls out a weapon an gets ready to to attack terrified, Josh. Just as the weapon is about to strike Josh. The scene swiftly cuts back to a previous scene. *IT WAS ALL A VISION (FLASH FORWARD*. Josh is about to take the drug from the dealer. But after the vision of the terrifying hallucinogen he declines the drug and walks away.

TWIST: As Josh walks away with his back to the dealer the dealer appears to be the Creepy man in the scene (electrifying, eerie tune plays). End.
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Target Audience (Research):

The research I have indulged in has lead me to believe that Thrillers are targeted at young adults (male and female) and of any demographic of people. Perhaps, this is because young ages of people seek to be energized by a thrilling plot and amazed by suspense/mystery. Psychological thrillers are most enjoyed over other types of Thrillers which is why my production will include this type of genre. Also, during my target audience research I noticed that from the short horror film playlist, the Thriller genre of short films generate and attract a larger audience than the horror genres. This is revealed in the large number of views and likes in the short film, The Black Hole | Future Shots. For this reason I am creating a Thriller. Thrillers and Horrors share the same conventions: sinister music, electrifying music, low key lighting, suspense and mystery. However, many of the viewer’s of horror productions commented the same complaint; that the script of a horror film is much more intense and interesting than the actual film of it. This is in contrast to Thrillers as a visual interpretation of a script is highly electrifying as the audience can easily imagine themselves in the same situation as the character(s). The key factors of making a horror is to scare the audience, if this objective is failed the reviewer may dislike the production, whereas thrillers seek to create suspense and drama for the audience – thriller seem much more easier to perform through alternative techniques like non-linear structure.

Pre-production requirements:

Finance - For my production I will not need much money at all (little to nothing) as my sixth form has materials and production essentials already provided for it's students. Also, travelling will not cost me and my team a penny as we will have a free bus pass ready for our use.

Timescale - Scheduling for production shoot will be planned carefully by my team and I around our availability. Moreover, it will mostly be done after school when some of us have time to do so. We will be strict with managing our time keeping as it is very important to meet deadlines. 

Personnel - I will need director to make sure the production goes to plan and in the vision it was set to be like. Also, a cameraman to shoot the production. An editor to add style, add interesting effects and improve the footage to my liking. (I will participate in the roles previously listed). Also, actors/talent would be chosen from the drama department in my sixth form. I will most probably need 1-2 actors. 

Materials - I will not need much materials as my sixth form will provide me with most of what I need: camera, lights, tri-pod, final cut and logic pro. 

Location: I will not need clearance from authority to film in public location as my film, plot takes place in a college (sixth form). It will be in a classroom. I will have to alert teachers and students that I will be using the room after school.