Film Treatment research

In this post I will be telling you some information about Film Treatments, here are some questions that I will be answering on the subject.
What is a treatment?
A treatment is the step between scene cards and the first draft of a screenplay which will be used for mainly television program, radio play ECT. It is generally longer and more detailed than a script inculding more detail on the location and what the plot is. 'When you write a treatment it must be written like a short story only written in the present tence and describing the event that actually happen.' example from Wikipedia.


What is the purpose of a treatment?
The purpose of a treatment  is to allow your audience to smell, taste and experience your environment as if its actually happening in the mind (picturing the film) the more detailed the better the film, before creating it of course.


A film treatment (or treatment for short) is a piece of prose, typically the step between scene cards (index cards) and the first draft of a screenplay for a motion picture, television program, or radio play. It is generally longer and more detailed than an outline (or one-page synopsis), and it may include details of directorial style that an outline omits. They read like a short story, except told in the present tense and describing events as they happen. There are two types: the original draft treatment, created during the writing process, and the presentation treatment, created as presentation material. (Wikipedia)

Conventions of Thriller's

I have posted this because I wnat you to know about what conventions are in a thriller.

 Props- mostly masses of weapons from knives to machines gun, even futuristic weapons such as lasers.

Location- very dark and out of the way places such as alleyways. But there are some un-suspecting locations such as fancy hotels, restaurants and parties even cities. Some are even set in the country side in the middle of know where.

Lighting- Very dark locations with a lot of shadows and fires, sometimes lightening and half lit locations to make the killer look more sinister.

Mise-en-scene- Police chases, fires/explosions, the media such as the press, big crowds of people at the scene of the murder or incident and lots of violence.

Characters- Police, good guy, bad guy, detectives, damsel in distress, criminals, stalkers, terrorists, mentally disabled people, prisoners, assassins, and murderers.

Costume- mainly ripped clothes, blood; most likely men are wearing suits and attractive women in dresses.

Music/sound- High pitched violin screeching, very short silences, footsteps, tension building music, loud drums, doors creaking and slamming and creaky floors etc.

Dialogue- Lots of shouting, evil laughs, cackling, scared whispers and arguments.

Shot type- close ups, lots of establishing shots, panning, shot reverse sho, very fast editing and slow motion effects which are added after filming.

Together in our group we discussed how we can use common conventions of thrillers to create a short opening scene to a thriller film. We listed some conventions that we could use, develop and challenge.H ere are the lists we made;

Conventions to use;

High pitched violin screeching.

Dark locations

Smart dress

Violence

Detective (in this case a new school teacher)

Attractive woman

Footsteps

Close up shots

Conventions to Develop;

Using a mix of faster and slower editing to create tension rather than fast editing

Reducing the amount of shot-reverse-shot and have speech. Using short sounds such as loud noise, shouting, crowds etc. Including adding more silence to un-nerve audience.

Conventions to Challenge;

'Bad Guy' (we will be School Children to create a sense of insecurity in the audience.)

Busy city (we will be a School instead.)

Teachers, (normally innocent) will be in control of 'brainwashed' children

School bell (normally good at end of lessons) will be the action to cause Children's trance

(Including no weapons)

Our group's ideas;Treatment Feedback

I have posted this because I want the reader to know our initial ideas that we have presented to the group. Including some of there feedback as well.

Analysis   

2:40- 3:40 Josh highlights the point that we may be straying off thriller grounds and the the idea sounds quite childish because of the 'evil' headmaster, after listening to this as a group we decided that to keep our film as 'Thriller' like as possible we had to ensure that we stuck to as many of the thriller conventions we chose to use as we could. Josh's second point on the childish, 'evil' headmaster idea was later addressed by Sam and Adam  at 4:10 - 4:40. During this, Josh also complimented us on our conventions we had challenged; we are hoping this can make our film more unique and appealing to the audience.

4:40 - 5:36 Sam Beckett questioned us on our timing of our film, asking whether or not we would be able to fit enough important information into a 2 minute film. Lee told Sam of our plan to use the first minute to establish the school and also show that the female teacher is new and then use the second minute to show that the children are not as normal as was first thought, we believe we can make the first 2 minutes of our film look believable. 5:36 - 6:15 Jack gave us good inspiration with his advice on using 'nice' music while the children and head teacher are normal and using dark and suspicious music when they are in their trance-like state, this sound would be non-digetic as Jack pointed out and would really reflect the emotions we are trying to create in these first 2 minutes. 

6:30 - 7:10 Matt developed on one of lee's previous ideas of how to show that the female psychology teacher was new, lee said we could show the teacher talking to another teacher about her first day to show that she was new, but matt advised us that we could show her talking to the head teacher who would be pleasant and sociable, this was good advice from matt as it created a more realistic plot, to show how the teacher was new and how it shows the headteacher to be nice under normal circumstances, we have planned to use Matt's idea in our final film.     

Target Audience

I have posted this because I think that it is important that everybody knows what our target audience is, so when people read this post and watch our film they know why we have done the film in that way.

I think that our film 'Catechize Academy' will be an age rated 15, this is because it is more appealing to that particualr age group and upwards and it is a little bit scary so if the audience was 12 and upwards they would think that this could really happen and would be terrified to go to school, so its aimed at 15 and upwards.

I have used this webiste to find all the different information on the age restriction;

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/r18

Universal; Suitable for all

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should not include the following;

Discrimination

No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.

Drugs

No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.

Horror
Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.

Imitable behaviour
No dangerous behaviour or use of weapons.

Language

The film can only contain mild language like using the word idiot and stupid.

Nudity
only appropriate nudity i.e. shirts come off.

Sex
Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, ‘making love’).

Violence
Mild violence which is only occasional mild threat or menace only.

Parental Guidance

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

Discrimination
language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context.  Discrimination by a character with which children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs
References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must carry a suitable anti-drug message.

Horror
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense.

Imitable behaviour
No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.

Language
Mild bad language only.

Nudity
Natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sex
Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only.

Theme
Where more serious issues are featured (for example, domestic violence).

Violence
Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed.

 

Suitable for 12 years and over

Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.

The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12.

The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Drugs
Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

Horror
Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language
Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language must be infrequent.

Nudity
Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sex
Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Violence
Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.

 

Suitable only for 15 years and over

No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema and no one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language
There may be frequent use of strong language which may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

 

Suitable only for adults

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.
No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence.
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context.
• Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

 

Rated 18

To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas.

The following content is not acceptable:

• any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
• the portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent. Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
• the infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
• any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.

Our group's ideas

I have posted this because these are our groups original thoughts about our film.


At the very start of our task, our group sat down and listed different conventions in a thriller, to which we drew the initial ideas to make our film. Here are some examples of the ideas that we came up with...


Sub-Genre's


Mystery
Conspiracy
Supernatural


Conventions being used in our film


Crowds of people
Good Teacher/Bad Teacher
Brainwashing
Physco people
Day and Night Scene's
Uniformed Personnel (Suits, School Uniform)
Cliffhanger


Conventions being developed in our film


Schizophrenc
Tension building - slow editing and music
Camera work - Panning


Conventions being challenged in our film


Teacher's personalitity changing to bad
Children split personalitity
Challenge school - Nice and safe enviroment - Evil
Using the school bell for bad convention
A Female being Captured

Our group’s creative thoughts

As the title suggest, these are our groups creative ideas, we scratched our heads and pondered for about an hour before the creative juices started to follow, some of the ideas were very good and interesting, but would be difficult to create i.e. Psycho police which was a good idea and although it challenged the idea of the police being good, now bad, we would have the issue of costume. It would be hard to create a police uniform, without it looking the part.
Mental Homeless people which would be a good idea and possible achievable if we had enough time in shooting and the right costumes and a small budget because I doubt that the actors would dirty there clothes to look the part. But some of the creative ideas were very good and easier to make i.e.
School Brainwashing which is a excellent idea because we would already have a location available by using our school. Although using teachers and students, possible acting and availability issues may occur.
Music and Lighting to hypnotize would be a very creative idea to use and it would require the use of several conventions and we could use previous professional films to see how they produce the hypnotized effect. With the short time we have to shoot and edit, creating the effect would be very hard to create and a large amount of camera work would be required.
Using the school bell could be used to challenge or incorporated it into our film as we could record our school bell ringing. If we were to use the school bell, it only rings once every hour except for the end of lunch were it rings 3 times.

3 point lighting, tracking and panning

I have posted this because at the moment our film, 3 point lighting, tracking and panning, is not able to be posted on youtube.

As our group tried to post this short film, 3 point lighting, tracking and panning, on youtube, the screen went into static and we were unable to show it. We have the file saved and is ready to go on to youtube as soon as possible, it might take a while to sort out the clip so that it works on youtube.

Film trailers

I have posted this because I want to show the reader the different film openings that are used to get the viewer interseted in the film, before it starts and we are going to make a 2 minute film opening so we need all of the information on how to create a good opening title as possible.

This is a trailer of the film 'Finding Nemo' which is just a fantastic kids film.
The opening starts towards the end of the film giving you a quick clip which catches your attention and makes you giggle abit when the sea gulls say 'Mine'.
After this, the song 'some where behond the sea' starts, which automatically tells you the film is set under the sea and is a kids film when the title 'Pixar animation' appears, and gives you a quick summary of the films that they have produced.
Half way through the trailer the song 'I come from a land down under' starts, which definatly tells the audience that the clown fish as to travel to Australia to find his son ,Nemo.

The font size for the Walt disney are very large and the castle in the background instantly draws you attention so that you as the audience knows that this is another disney classic. Followed by the infamous Pixar films logo which is in capitals so you know that it is a major corporation but not in bold becuase the corporation is so huge they don't need to tell people who they are. Because the film is shot under water there are lots of bright vibrent colours, which grabs the childrens attention instantly. The use for the different films that Pixar have made is important becuase it tells the audience that they have made some of the best childrens animated films of all time. Finally the use of huge words coming out of the screen tell the children what the film is about by shoving it in their face so they will go to see it when it comes out.




This is a film called 'After Life' which is about a woman who thinks she is alive after an accident and is told that she is dead.
The opening starts off with mortition examing a body and reading out the signs that she is dead, which is when the bodies eye's open and say's 'I'm not dead' which is a start of a weird, yet fantastic pycological Thriller, which questions the womens exictance to be alive or dead.

When the trailer is being shown there are no words or corportations shouting there name at you becuase the film makers want you to enjoy every uninterrupted second becuase this might be a subtle hint that it is a complecated film. A the end of the trailer the words 'AFTER LIFE' appear in a blood red colour with a white background telling the audience that it is a thriller film straight away.




This film is called 'Death at a Funeral' which is a comedy of a funeral which doesn't go to plan.
The opening starts off with touching respectful music, until it gets inside and the son say's 'who is this' and the organiser of the funeral says 'I ask myself that say question who is this man'. when the son say's 'that's not my father' which opens ups the film of a series of funny events which takes place throughout the film.

The trialer starts off with funeral music in the background being played very loundly becuase it instantly tells the audiecne that it is a film about a funeral. As the words 'greif does stastrange thing TO PEOPLE' ON THE on the words TO PEOPLE tthat is a subtle hnt that the film will be ppacked with comedy and humour all of the way becuase funeral's effect people in a different way. The tiltles are very basic because it distracts from the main story line of the film.

Thriller film clips

I have posted this because I want to show the reader what makes a good thriller opening, so we can use this when we are starting our 2 minute film opeing project.

This is a section from 'No Country for Old Men' where the bad guy shooting into a Motel and slowly searches for a cowboy, who is hiding in the opposite room.

The clip starts off with complete silence, which builds the tension of the scene, and a mide-shot of a person walking down a street, then shot then turns into a close up shot of his feet and he is wearing no shoes for added silence. The man is caring a gun and a  gas cylinder which is leaking badly, this adds to the tension and suspence becuase the noise of the gas breaks the silence and I woundered what he was going to do with is cylinder. the man stops outside a room and blows the door handle off with this gas cylinder and shoots a guy sitting on the bad, all of this is fast editing becuase it is a contrast to the man having to quickly blow the door off and kill the first person they so, so that they are caught off guard. Throughout this entire scene there is no music to add suspence just the silence of the night which when put to good use makes one incredible thriller filled scene becuase the music normally tells you what is about to happen but here I had to guess which just terrifed me, becuase I thought that I was actually there and about to be killed like in a real situation.

This is a scene from the film 'The crazies' which is a every scary scene becuase you don't know who the person will stab.
There is a constant high pitched noice in the background which is then sound-matched into a scraping sound going on the floor, this contrabutes to the thriller factor becuase I didn't know what this sound was made by and this wasn't helped by the very dark room with a few beams of light entering the building. The shadow of the person scrapping the tool on the floor soon comes into view, after a sudden blur, and the audience know then that it is a pitch fork, al you can hear is the pitch fork scrapping across the ground. This raises your anxiaty becuase you don't know what this person is going to do. That is until he leans over a bed and jams the pitch fork into the stomach of the person several times until him moves on to the next person, blood splatters very where in this scene and the man's face doesn't change as he is killing people.






This is a famous scene from 'Jaws' when chief Brody suddenly realises that he 'needs a bigger boat'

As soon as the clip starts you can see the Great White Shark spring its self out of the water and lunge its self at the cheif, to which chilling music kicks in, which tells the audience that these 3 people on the boat are going to die becuase the music is very deep and bassy, which in thriller films normally means that the characters you see in the boat are going to die. Also at the start the chief is shoveling blood and guts (chum) into the water to attract the shark, at that moment he looks away and in every thriller situation that is when the audience gets the shock of a life time and so does the chief. Chief brody then backs away as the digectic sounds continues in the background, which still adds to the suspence and the scene. You can see in the chief's eyes as he backs away the shear terror and in his eyes you can see that he has never seen a monster quite like this shark. It is also natural in a thriller that a inexperienced person always sees the monster first and the more experianced people don't believe that he his teling the truth about the shear size of this creature from the line "you're gonna need a bigger boat".