The Final Treatment

Pitch Feedback When we pitched our product to our class/audience, we asked for some feedback into ways in

which we could improve our idea and make it approachable for our target audience while also

being able to draw in other audience’s. After pitching our idea, the general feedback was very

positive as many of our class thought that it was a good idea with a solid base to which we

could expand on and add to. One of the points that the class particularly liked was our detail in

our characters as we had come up with most aspects of our characters lives. Another positive

that came back was that the class was very pleased with our general plot as we they felt that

we have a plot that will be able to convey the Comedy Horror genre. The institutions that we

chose were also well received as they both linked in with our task in the sense that we needed

studios that produced low budget films and we have achieved that by having our own studio in

Above Average Productions and having a low budget distributor like Film 4.

Although we had almost overall positive feedback there were a few clear points that the class

felt that we needed to clarify. One of these, was the similarity to Shawn of the Dead. We

clarified this as our idea is a homage to SOTD rather than a mirror image of this, also our

characters are have a different perspective on the narrative and are different personality types.

Another issue was the location and extras within in the film as the class thought we needed an

authentic location which we believe we have found by using a suburban area. For extras, the

class thought it would be good to have a couple of zombies displayed to show the extent of the

outbreak, we have now taken this into account and added to our product. Overall our pitch was

a success.

Synopsis

After due consideration from the feedback here is our final synopsis:

The basic plot of our film revolves around an infectious outbreak that

causes people to lose control of their mind and attack others. The

outbreak has been caused by a never before seen case of rabies

which started with infected dogs around the UK. The plot will pick up

just after the outbreak has now become to infect humans. The plot

will follow and focus on two main characters ,who are housemates in

the story, Owen and Richard. The two will have to battle the outbreak

while battling there differences. The two characters will also be the

source of comedy for the audience while also being a chance to

connect with them. These two characters will have to battle

everything they come across during the course of the film and there

are a lot of ups and downs for these characters which will test just

how much there friendship can within stand.

Actors & Characters

After taking feedback from our pitch we have come up with our final

characters and our final actors for our product. Our characters will still be

Owen Hollingberry and Richard Painns as we still feel and from the

feedback they felt that these characters had strong enough personality’s

to create the comedic elements in the film while still being able to get the

audience to connect with these characters.

For Actors, Matt and Brad will portray Richard and Owen like before as

they came up with the characters and so we feel that they are the best

placed to act out there mannerisms and they characteristics. In order to

convey the horror element we will also be showing one of the infected

beings which will be portrayed by Josh.

Locations

As mentioned in the feedback, the locations of

are film needed to be more authentic and

correspond with the film’s narrative, we wanted a

suburban, yet town-like filming area. So we have

finalised the idea of setting the scenes around

the area of Burntwood.

We will be using the Chase Terrace College site

for the first scene as it can be represented as a

workplace for the character of Owen. This is also

link with his personality of a workaholic and bland

lifestyle. Also, when showing the location of the

character’s home, we have permission of an

associate of Above Average Products for us to

use their house for filming, which is ideal as it is

set in a close, suburban area.

Props

Props are a fundamental aspect in all films, and it a

feature that we, as a group, have took some time to

think about. The props that we are going to use have to

relate to how the character acts/ behaves. For Owen we

are going to show him with large spreadsheet

documents and business documents, this is show the

audience can clearly see his obsession with being in

control of everything (even his work), as well we will be

using a car for when the title sequence is showing on

screen because it will show the transaction of location

and time. As for Richard we are going to use props such

as half-eaten/ empty pizza boxes, old magazines and

newspaper, empty alcohol bottles which will be shown in

the front room, where he spend most his day on his

game console. We will be using props as effects when

he show the infected as there are most likely to be

covered in blood and their skin tone will be much darker

then usual.

Soundtrack/ Music

From feedback and copyright restrictions, we have chosen a

copyright free soundtrack of Bad Moon Rising as the backing-

track which will be play during the title sequence, we chose this

track because it have been used in comedy films such as An

American Werewolf in London; My Fellow Americans, My Girl,

Man of the House, The Big Chill & Shaun of the Dead. We think

the use of this soundtrack will suit well with the films genre and it

may interest some audiences with the link to other comedy horror

films.

The Opening Sequence Pt.1

The opening sequence is our main focus of this project, and we

have spend several hours planning out the opening to our film.

Acting on the feedback we have finalised the opening sequence.

It will start with a short scene of a dog with foam around the

mouth drinking the tea of a unknown man, this is to indicate the

source of the infection and add the comedy element of it all

starting from a dog. We will then jump a few days ahead where

we shown Owen leaving work, whilst leaving the audience will be

able to see his personality by showing him in smart clothes and

with a lot of work in his car. Here we will have a radio broadcast

that tells about the infection outbreak, this is to link the narrative

with the shown character. Owen will then dismiss the idea of an

outbreak in his small suburban town and drive home. Whilst

driving home the film’s title sequence will start which will show

the institutions involve along with actors and benefactors.

The Opening Sequence Pt.2

The car will then reach the destination of Owen's home, where

the time is set at late afternoon. Owen will then start sorting

through his work when a womanly scream will be heard, this is to

scare the audience and add horror suspense to the film. As

Owen runs to enter the house, the suspense will be stopped as

his trips off the screen and then hops back up in a comical aspect

of the genre. Owen then bursts through the house, leaving the

front door open which the camera will focus on, and in entering

the lounge the audience will be shown Richard, the source of the

womanly scream. We will then have a conversation between the

2 of them, using shot-reverse-shot, in-order to show how the 2

character contrast and allow for the audience to connect with

them. Owen will then leave the room so he can do common

house work and leave Richard to his gaming, at this point a

unknown, discoloured hand will pry the door open.

The Opening Sequence Pt.3

In the last scenes of the opening, we will see the infected person

entre the house will neither of the character’s noticing and enter

the lounge and sit next to Richard. The camera will be focusing

on Richard until he leans back and reveals the infected, in which

Richard will respond by screaming, alerting Owen to rush in and

also scream. The character will run out of the house and proceed

towards the top of the driveway until Owen stops them both

demanding he goes back and saves his spreadsheets, this is to

add comedy to the film. When he returns, the 2 will continue to

runaway but is stop by a group of infected that are blocking the

drive. At this moment the 2 character will converse on how to

proceed in which they retreat to the car where the screen will

fade ending our opening scene and completing our project.