This document outlines a proposal for a 2-3 minute opening film sequence for an action/psychological thriller titled "Citizen Erased". The main character, known as Patient 84, has had his identity erased and is experimented on by the secretive H.O.O.D.O.O group. The opening sequence would introduce Patient 84 questioning his identity in a bathroom and being interrogated at a facility. It would crosscut between these two locations and end with Patient 84 stepping out into a world that no longer knows him.
2. The Brief
“Produce the titles and opening of
a new fiction film, to last a
maximum of two/three minutes”
I will be working individually on the
project
3. Genre
I have chosen to produce an action/psychological
thriller. The reason behind this is that during my
market research 60% of those asked stated that their
favourite genre was action. I also decided to add in a
psychological side because I think that movies that
make an audience think and interpret the events in
the movie is very effective.
4. Certificate
The certificate for my film would be a 15.
The reason being that I want the
psychological side of the film to be more
intense and there would be some
violence during the action scenes
I could have made the film a 12a
certificate but I would not be able to
include the above things
5. Target Audience
In relation to the genre and certificate, the
target audience that my sequence is aimed
at is mature young adults and middle aged
adults due to the fact that the certificate is
a 15 and that the film will focus heavily on
action and psychological elements which
are more mature themes. Also through my
market research I found out that a majority
of peoples favourite genre of movie is
action, and that peoples favourite movies
within the genre have certificates of 15 or
above.
6. The Title Of My Film
I have chosen to name my film:
CITIZEN ERASED
I decided on this name based around the story for
my film in that the characters identity is removed
from society and is therefore erased. I also took
some inspiration from a song by the band Muse
which title is the same name whose lyrics revolve
around a person losing touch with themselves and
how it affects those around them. I thought this
was relevant and liked the title of the song so
decided to use it.
7. Film synopsis
In the year 2020 a man awakes in the confines of the
H.O.O.D.O.O group with no recollection of who he is or what
has happened to him. The head of H.O.O.D.O.O simply
refereed to as „the man‟ explains to him that his identity no
longer exists and that the world has forgotten him. He is given
a name „patient 84‟ and is kept within the facility for
experiments for an unknown purpose. Patient 84 must escape
from the facility and discover the truth behind himself and the
events that have unfolded.
Patient 84 discovers a dark and mysterious plot that hoodoo
intend to launch on the world and it is up to him to expose the
truth and save the world along with himself before its too late
and he is erased from society for ever……..
8. Cast
• „Patient 84‟ is being played by Harvey
Brown. He is the main character whose
identity has been erased and has lost all
recollection of his past and of what has
happened to him. His lost memories haunt
him as he uncovers the bigger picture behind
what has happened
• „The Man‟ is being played by Jake Bullman.
He is the head of the company H.O.O.D.O.O.
and is charge of patient 84 processing
through the companies experimentation. He
is extremely malicious and will stop at nothing
to achieve the vision of the company.
9. Locations
My opening sequence will take place in two separate locations, one being the inside of the corporation in
an interrogation room or possibly a warehouse. I have chosen to shoot this scene in my cousins garage
because, it has good atmospheric lighting and looks slightly dark and gritty, which is what I want for the
scene.
(When I film I will clear out the mess so that it does not look like a garage)
10. The second scene in my opening sequence takes place within a house, more
more specifically the bathroom of said house as the main character stares at
himself in the mirror and questions his own identity. The rest of scene involves the
main character preparing to leave and enter the world that no longer knows he exists.
I decide upon using the bathroom and its mirror because it represents how the
character sees nothing but a reflection, nothing that he recognises in himself. The
scene also cross cuts with the one in the facility and the modern, clean look of the
bathroom contrasts the look of the garage.
11. Title integration
I have two ideas for the integration of the titles into my opening sequence. My first
idea involves the credits appearing physically in shot. Part of the sequence
involves „the man‟ looking through 84‟s file which has been/is being crossed out
and deleted. So I would place the credits in the file as if they are part of it and
have them crossed out along with the actual parts of the file.
The second idea involves having the titles appear throughout the beginning of the
scene in the conventional manner (having been edited in) but they are typed as if
on a computer or typewriter and then are deleted.
I have also come up with some distributor titles:
• Uprising pictures
• Identity parade pictures
• Mind game studios
• Shadowplay entertainment
• Mind blow studios
12. Key shots
Opening shot - The opening shot will either be a close-up of the main characters
eyes staring into the mirror or it will be a close-up shot of the barcode mark on the
main characters arm during the scene in the garage. Both of these shots would be
significant as they represent identity, something which the character does not
have.
Closing shot - The closing shot for my sequence will be of the main character
standing in front of the garage door as it opens to reveal the world, this shot is
significant as it represents how he is stepping into a new world that does not know
him.
Other important shots - the shot of the file being placed on the table bearing a
stamp saying „erased‟, mid shot of main character looking into mirror asking
himself questions, first cross cut between two scenes, shot of 84 sitting at his desk
(high angle medium shot)