Short Film: Pre-Production

Pitch

Inspiration for my film came about watching full feature films like “Fight Club”, “The Libertine” and “Alfie”. The television drama series “Hustle” frequently delves into the world of vice whilst charmingly objectifying what they are doing is not necessarily right. I wanted to create a narrative which looked at the vices and wrong-doings of the main character, in a positive light. These films portray the main character doing something which, in all fairness, is not morally right (fighting and affairs) but in a fashion which looks like it redeems glory, credit and positively.

A topic I am familiar with and have research to death is the world of narcotics. This, to me, meant my film was going to be about drugs. However, no comeuppance would occur to my main character during the course of my film.

I decided on this pitch:
          “A man shows his love for the drug cocaine”

Outline

I visioned the narrative being a one person monologue and breaking the fourth wall. The films I listed above (and clips below) are examples of exactly what I want to do – the narrator breaking the fourth wall to tell the audience what they’re doing is not all that bad.

My outline then became:
          “A man talks about his love of narcotics and briefly states how he ended up in the situation he is in. He does this by speaking directly to the audience and explaining to them how is not a bad person, he just does things a little ‘unorthadox'”

I really wanted to make my character likeable (as opposed to the main character in The Libertine) :

Treatment

I summarised the treatment as follows:

INT Man in room in bed.

Gets out of bed, sits on end. Lights cigarette, starts talking. Breaks fourth wall by talking directly to the audience. Maybe keep very close-up shot to make audience feel uncomfortable.

Flashback in same/similar Room

Drinking then smoking drugs then snorting drugs

Fat person eating fatty burger

A very large person taking a bite out a greasy burger. V.close-up aiming to get burger and slight of mouth (maybe nose) in shot.

Sex Scene

Anonymous couple having sex in bed. Mainly covers moving and noises being heard.

Man seen talking on mobile

Man is chatting away aimlessly to nobody in particular. A type of person who is never NOT using their mobile.

Narrator In ROom

Narrator carries on talking to the camera. A few glances away now and again.

EXT.

Someone in a hoody knocks on Narrators door.

INT.

Man smokes cigarette. Then smirks as he finishes the scene.

Finally some media that influenced me

Alfie (1966)

I love this film! I admit I like the remake better (its more slick and stylish and modern – it just appeals to me) although the original is cheekier. One particular characteristic I found mouth-wateringly amazing, is the way, during a scene, Alfie

Alfie (2004)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Aqq_xbo80

Fight Club (1999)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pGV1MBca6k&feature=related