Treatment #2: Opening Two minutes of the film

Treatment: 2

This treatment is used to depict many specifics of the opening sequence of our film. The duration of this will be around 2-2.30 minutes long. This will be referred to through filming to keep all information correct and limit any mistakes.

Title

Something In the Shadows

Film Length

The Film duration will be 2 minutes. This will be appropriate as the title sequence as it is only to interest the viewer and set the scene for an actual film. This would also include the title credits, actor’s names, and would provide enough time to allow for anything significant to take place that could set plot.

Audience

The target demographic will be 15+ years old for the main film, however the trailer could be suitable for 12+ audiences if there were only small areas of horror such as jump scares. This also means we are able to have our psychological themes that will still be able to be understood and still represent the film as a whole. The themes of the film can still be represented clearly whilst also adding an atmosphere of mystery to allow for the film to be able to progress. The target demographic is also toward females as the main character is a female, this also creates a more specific audience which allows for another level of relatability.

Certificate

We believe that the films certificate should be a 15 based upon the facts that it will include imitable actions and behaviour such as threatening behaviour, the actions will be almost realistic giving a portrayal to the actions that almost seems imitable. One key convention of a Cert. 15 film includes threats or horrors that a strong or focus on a sadistic threat. Due to the film being a psychological horror it will provide threats and horrors that could seem strong or intense or almost thriller like. Violence or stronger sadistic nature is less likely to be visible however this violence can include verbal in which the film may also be paired with language that is offensive or harmful. There will be visionaries of violence through blood each time something significant happens in the film. This evidence allows us to conclude that the film should belong to a certificate 15 level and be more appropriate for mature audiences. However due to the fine line between this and a Cert. 12 there could be leeway that could affect its certificate and maybe lower it however due to the target age range being 15-25 we can conclude that the Cert. 15 would be the most appropriate. We also believe that the films opening two minutes should be a 12A as its horror will be significantly reduced to what can be showed in a full film. This will also be suitable as a larger age range can then view and assess the horror/ plot of the story, if it is understandable to a 12 year old the plot should be fairly simple to follow and allow for and easier watch.

Distributors

Distributors are companies that will publish the film they seem suitable for commercial use. They are responsible for marketing the film and help provide a suitable response and audience to suit the film. They are normally third party to the production company and are an important piece for getting the film of the ground. For our film we have chosen to go with the independent distributor CreateSpace (An Amazon company) as they offer a more likely chance to accept our film than larger blockbuster conglomerates such as Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox. They also allow for the digital distribution of films and offer the ability to provide online streaming platforms for out film to be viewed by more modern audiences who view media on newer platforms.

Synopsis

The opening sequence starts with Lucy our main character standing on top of a building looking of the edge. she is plagued by whispers that are telling her to jump, as she tries to ignore them, she notices an old friend. She is next seen in a public toilet and as she struggles to turn on the tap she is greeted by the sadistic whispers of her past mistakes. The flashback end as she is seen again back on the same building, her old friend accuses her of her mistakes and tries to urge her to jump. She is then the cause of another horrifying accident.

Suggested elements

The short ability of the clip has allowed for us to create tense moments and allows us to show some character development in a short amount of time but does not tell the audience too much of the plot and does not give away what is actually wrong with Lucy.