Proposal

Idea Summary:
Our production idea is innovative, engaging and relevant, particularly to our
target audience. The narrative follows a young boy named Alex, who, as an
aspiring artist, is currently studying at an art school. When Alex was a child, his
brother was imprisoned as a result of physical violent an incident which has
remained with Alex. He becomes increasingly concerned with his brother both as
a person, and in relation to himself, and expresses these thoughts through art.
His drawings consist of haunting images regarding his fears surrounding his
brother, which soon start happening in reality. The events which he draws begin
to negatively affect both his life, as well as the life of his best friend, Sophie. As a
result, he grows torn between the idea of being a good and bad person,
questioning what this means and the self-identity surrounding the labels. Alex
obsesses over these ideas, creating a sense of moral conflict which drives the
movie forward and produces psychological themes. Conflict surrounding identity
is not only highly relevant towards young people; however the theme of moral
questioning throughout the narrative provokes thought amongst audiences,
attracting those in search or innovative and engaging material. As demonstrated
by Steve Neales theory of repetition and difference, our production will remain
conventional to the thriller genre, however will inevitably incorporate elements of
individuality and unique style.
Group Roles:
I am working alongside three team members to produce this film as a result,
we have each undertaken individual and specific roles. I will be directing the
production; Bailee Brooks will be producing it; Chris Wotton will be operating the
camera and Miles Capp will be the editor. These roles have been allocated based
upon individual strengths and skills, allowing us to create the highest quality
production possible.
Characters:
We believe that characters hold immense power within all stories, often acting as
a force which drives the narrative from its initial equilibrium, through to its
disruption and finally to its new equilibrium (as dictated by Todrovs theory). Our
production will feature three leading characters Alex, his best friend Sophie,
and his brother.
Alex is the protagonist of the story, arguably making him the hero (Propp
theory). His character is incredibly gentle, compassionate and thoughtful, as is
demonstrated through the nature of his art. As previously mentioned, he is an
artist of age 16, who uses drawing as a form of self-expression and escape from
fear (conveyed through drawings of his fears, generally surrounding his brother).
He has been best friends with Sophie (an aspiring scientist of the same age) for
almost the entirety of his life hence she has an understanding of his situation
and thoughts. The pair arguably represent a binary opposition through

personality where Alex appears weak, gentle and reliant on his friends support,
Sophie is strong-minded, independent and often brutal. This is, however, a
reversal of the conventional binary opposition between men and women;
wherein men are stereotypically depicted as strong and powerful, as opposed to
the stereotypical nave and emotional nature of women. The reversal of this
twists audience expectations surrounding the characters and their actions;
however will continue to prompt audience identification either with characters
of the same gender, or of a different gender. Furthermore, this opposition to
stereotypes acts as a method of breaking stigma surrounding male emotion.
Despite Alex being a character of intense emotion and thought, he continues to
persevere and display strength in forms other than physical power. Sophie,
despite not being the protagonist, can be deemed the Propp hero due to her
possession of common heroic traits, as well as her joint effort with Alex to resolve
the disruption of equilibrium. Women, therefore, are represented in a manner
which is unconventional of gender, but conventional of character traits within
thriller movies (this being an example of Steve Neales repetition and difference
theory).
The final character is that of Alexs brother. His identity is generally clouded by
enigma, relating to Barthes enigma code, in which it is stated that this element
of mystery engages audiences and drives the narrative forwards. Alexs brother
is in prison, and often features in Alexs drawings his actions lead Alex to
question if he too is like his brother. As a result, the character also features
within the main narrative, upon Alexs drawings happening in reality. In terms of
representation, Alexs brother does not fit the stereotype of a criminal. He
appears mundane and ordinary, seemingly blending in amongst other boys his
age. This is used in order to heighten Alexs sense of distortion surrounding his
identity in association with his brothers, and the possibility that anyone (even
himself) can be a bad person a line of thought which may be reflected upon
the audience, if they too are able to identify with Alexs brother. Furthermore,
this blurs the distinction between hero and villain or good and bad,
therefore establishing themes of moral conflict within the narrative.
Locations:
Within the opening sequence, only three main locations will be used an art
room, Alexs house and an alleyway. The setting of an art room is used during the
title sequence, in which Alexs drawings are displayed, surrounding by various art
supplies. This allows connotations to theme, character and narrative to be drawn
and established, therefore making it an effective setting to open with movie with.
The location of Alexs house (primarily his bedroom) is vital to establishing
character, whilst also providing the audience with a more personal and intimate
insight into his life. His room appears mundane and conventional to that of a
teenage boy (thus prompting audience identification amongst the target
audience of young males); however is also decorated with his drawings, this
creating an element of unique identity surrounding his character. The final
location is that of an alleyway, in which the kidnapping scene drawn by Alex will
occur in reality. This location is highly conventional of the thriller genre, therefore

fitting with audience expectations of the narrative. This audience expectation will
allow tension and suspense to be built, making viewers feel as though something
is about to happen, and keeping them on the edge of their seats thus serving
the purpose of a thriller film.
Costume/Props:
The costume for most characters will appear incredibly mundane and ordinary,
thus making it identifiable with the audience. Alex and Sophie will both wear
clothing which is relevant and appropriate to young people of their age, again
prompting audience identification and making the characters appear more real
and human. Both characters, however, will wear elements of black clothing in
order to provoke a sense of enigma, as well as foreshadow darker themes
surrounding both their character and the narrative as a whole for example, Alex
will wear a hat to suggest a sense of concealed identity. Alexs brother will be
dressed entirely in black, therefore making him a more conventional villain
within the opening sequence, allowing viewers to recognise his intentions
surrounding Alex and Sophie within the kidnapping scene. Ideally, his entire body
and faced will be covered in black clothing, thus entirely concealing his identity.
This creates enigma within the audience (again relating to Barthes enigma
code), however also establishes a sense of unknowing and mystery amongst the
characters despite Alex mentioning his brother in conversation and through his
art, it is not made directly clear that he is initiating this kidnapping, but is instead
only implied. This lack of definite identity again heightens enigma, encouraging
audiences to continue watching beyond the opening sequence (thus making it
effective).
Soundtrack:
The main soundtrack for the production will be played during the title sequence,
in which images of Alexs drawings are displayed on screen. Despite the contents
of these drawings being dark and haunting, the theme of art has no direct
connotations to the thriller genre hence why a thrilling soundtrack is required.
The audio clip would ideally be match the tone of the drawings, thus being dark
and eerie, communicating twisted and psychological themes within the movie.
A vast majority of the opening sequence, however, will be taken up by the
conversation between Alex and Sophie. This conversation should contain minimal
background noise, as the absence of a musical soundtrack can often be used by
producers in order to twist audience expectations and imply that an unexpected
event is about to occur. Upon the end of this conversation and the introduction of
a final scene, however, I think that some form of audio would be required in
order to pick up on this tension, and further build on it. This could potentially
increase in pace until the end of the scene is reached, constantly building
audience anticipation and, as a result, keeping them engaged with the film (this
being the purpose of an opening sequence).
Effects:

Our production will likely include minimal effects, in order to make it feel as real
as possible. We will use an editing software to animate the titles when displayed
on Alexs drawings, however, other than this, I do not think that special effects
would be required within the opening sequence.