Planning

Treatment for my short film

Working title: One More Time
Genre: Relationship drama

Plot
  • The film opens with a flashback to Aidan & Lucy's wedding. Jason & Aidan are having an argument about an incident that is yet to be revealed to the audience. Liam stumbles in, drunk and gets involved in the argument. Jason & Aidan reveals that Liam has caused the argument by revealing some secrets which are yet to be revealed. At the end of the argument, they all walk away. Jason narrates at the end of this scene.
  • We move forward 5 years in time. 
  • Jason is sat on the sofa, looking depressed and hearing Aidan & Liam's voices. He confides in his wife, Rosie, about how it has been five years since the argument and how he misses being in contact with them. Jason hints at a secret that is yet to be revealed to the audience about his health. 
  • Rosie helps Jason to contact Aidan & Liam. They are able to find Aidan but they are unable to find Liam. They learn that Aidan & Lucy are still together and are living in London with two children, which surprises Jason. Rosie is intrigued as to why Jason is so surprised but he hints at another secret, which is yet to be revealed to the audience. Jason sends Aidan a message through Rosie's Facebook.
  • We move forward 2 weeks in time.
  • Jason is sat on the sofa, awaiting Aidan & Liam's arrivals, looking nervous.
  • Aidan is astounded to see Jason again after five years estranged. He asks whether Liam is coming but Jason reports that he was unable to contact him.
  • Aidan is intrigued as to why Jason has chosen to contact him again after five years estranged and Jason is very vague with his reasons, hinting at one of his secrets but also trying to avoid the difficult questions, which annoys Aidan.
  • The audience learns that Jason had an affair with Lucy, months before her wedding to Aidan, citing one reason for the argument five years ago. They also learn that Liam discovered the affair on Lucy & Aidan's wedding night, got drunk and exposed the affair. 
  • Aidan & Jason fight over Jason's affair with Lucy, as Liam arrives
  • Jason & Aidan are shocked to see Liam after five years estranged. Liam reveals that the embarrassment of his actions at the wedding led him to fake his own death and flee the country to live in New Zealand with a new wife and daughter under a new name, Adam Harper. Jason & Aidan are sickened by how Liam took such irrational, drastic actions to prevent any further contact with them.
  • Aidan persists for Jason to tell him & Liam the real reason why he called them. Jason avoids the question again by bringing up what caused the argument, to Aidan's dismay. As Jason reveals the secret, Rosie walks in. Aidan uses Rosie as a way of getting Jason to keep quiet.
  • Jason reveals that he & Aidan had a drunken incestuous one night-stand after a night out, a year before Aidan's wedding and that Liam also exposed their one night-stand at the wedding. Jason assures Rosie that he is reformed. 
  • Rosie encourages Jason to tell Aidan & Liam his secret.
  • Jason reveals to Aidan & Liam that he has been diagnosed with terminal testicular cancer and he is dying and that he wanted to settle his differences with his brothers before he dies. Jason, Aidan & Liam agree to put the past behind them for Jason's sake.
  • We move forwards 3 months in time
  • Jason passes away, surrounded by Rosie, Aidan & Liam.
Characters
  • Jason McDonald = Jason is Rosie's 30 year-old husband and Aidan & Liam's younger brother. Terminal illness encourages him to reunite with his brothers, Aidan & Liam, after five years estrangement and solve their rift before he dies.
  • Aidan McDonald = Aidan is Jason & Liam's 31 year-old brother. He is intrigued when he receives Jason's call to reunite but he is very anxious that old secrets may be brought up.
  • Liam McDonald = Liam is Jason & Aidan's 35 year-old brother. After the argument 5 years ago, he disappeared and hasn't been seen or heard from since. However, when he receives Jason's call, he makes an unlikely return with a huge story to tell.
  • Rosie McDonald = Rosie is Jason's 30 year-old wife. When her husband, Jason, is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she actively encourages him to contact Aidan & Liam.
Visual Elements:

Lighting = Spotlights will be used in the studio.

Camera angles = A single camera will be placed in the centre of the studio and focus on either two or three characters.

Editing = Text will be used in the opening sequence to state the names of the cast.

Setting = The setting for my film would be the studio because it would give my film the essence of a live play. 

Props = The props needed for this film would be:-
  • 3 Whisky glasses
  • 1 sofa
Costume
The characters in my film will wear casual clothes because the play is set in the respective homes of my characters.
Audio/Soundtrack
The music to accompany the opening titles would be a song called everything i wanted by Billie Eilish because I feel that it would fit the mood of the play.

Rationale
I chose to create a relationship comedy drama based around a plot line because it is a hybrid genre that I am particularly fascinated and passionate about.

Requirements and Resources

Cast
  • Jason McDonald = Jack Palmer
  • Aidan McDonald = Nathan Burgess-Johnson
  • Liam McDonald = Matt Cooper
  • Rosie McDonald = Sophie Mummery
Crew
  • Producer = Jack Palmer
  • Director = Jack Palmer
  • Cameramen = Morgan Nelson, Sophie Mummery
Technical equipment required
  • 1 camera at a time
  • 1 tripod at a time
Locations
  • Springboard TV Studio - this would be suitable because there is a black curtain and I could control the lighting slightly easier.
Constraints and Contingencys
This idea is feasible because it will be filmed within the confines of the college campus. However, one problem we may encounter is that we may not be able to use the rooms we want. If we are unable to use the studio, we could use the break room.

Legal and Ethical Consideration
To avoid copyright issues, I will make sure I mention that I don't own any of the music I use and that the play is being made for educational purposes only in the description when I upload the final video to YouTube.

Proposed Schedule
The proposed schedule for the production of this project would be:-

Production Documents

Script























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