Treatment 2: Dark room

This treatment is used to depict the final details of our film "Dark room". The length of which we must keep to is 5 minutes or below but as close as possible, this will be reference to ensure that we do not run over and ensures that we cut aspects of the story that may feel like filler.

Title

Dark Room

Film Length

The duration of the picture is 4 minutes and 49 seconds, this categorises us within the short film category which is wanted by our specification, it also allows us to stay under the necessary time limit of 5 minutes. This timing does include both title sequence and credits as well as a memorial for a group member who had moved on.

Audience

The target demographic for our film will be the niche audience of males and females from the ages of 16 to 30, this allows mature audiences to decide whether they wish to see the short film but also supports some of the more mature themes such as disappearance. The film itself would be suitable for audiences 12 plus due to the lack of horror, foul language or gore. We have decided this to be the target audience as it allows us to make use of many mysteries surrounding the story and provide an enigma that maybe more mature audiences would be more involved in. We also feel that the target audience, although for both genders, is predominantly male due to the use of a male main character.

Certificate

We believe, through our research and knowledge of BBFC guidelines, that the film would receive the certificate of a 12, this is based upon many fact including that of the film having deeper themes of stranger danger whilst also having little to no foul language or imitable behaviour that would further it to the higher classifications. Although its themes may be darker, this provides for an enigma to be created that would more benefit a slightly more mature audience than younger but the film itself does not include anything a younger child may not understand if they to watch the film.
One key aspect of a film that would gain a 15 certificate is that it includes "threats and horrors that are strong" obviously this is opinionated and would be subject to viewing but would show that film does not reach this certificate due to it not dwelling or poviding any strong threats except that of disappearance.

Distributors 

The distributor chosen was Warp Films, we decided that these would be a suitable audience due to their link with many large companies and larger niche communities whilst also providing a knack for ingenious and unusual film concepts that keep people coming back for more,  they embrace the unusual. Due to this, we feel that they are likely to accept our film due to its unique nature and are more likely to accept it due to the appeal to more new or upcoming members in the media industry. We also feel that due to their interest in the unusual our film would suit them well whist also benefiting us with the ability to put our film online and meet our target audience whilst also giving us the option for DVD release if we wanted.

Digital distribution was an important factor as that allowed us to offer the ability of online streaming or VoD (video on demand) and allow our film to be viewed by more modern audiences.

Synopsis

The film starts with an unusual cut of clips of an old fashioned camera featuring a voice over from Roman, he is setting the scene, that they were moving from Scotland when everything started, the film then cuts to the title sequence of a family within a car driving through highlands moving.

We then cut to the main character walking up some stairs to the loft, moving boxes around and opening one, it reveals something.

The following day Roman is scene heading out side to take some photos, a flower, then a woman, she disappears.

a few days later we see roman walking along a footpath within a park, he sees a missing poster and proceeds to have an almost flashback like experience, he proceeds to throw this poster on the floor trying to forget about the unusual missing situation.

We then see him walking down an unusually clinical hall into a room filled with red light, he is scene hanging and developing photos. after a while he turns as though the photos are moving or watching him, he then proceeds to clean up the developing chemicals and wash his hands. One by one he takes down each photo making sure to un-peg each one carefully, he is almost professional in his skills. He picks up his camera, something is off, a flash then a smash, the camera falls leading to Roman stumbling around the flash has stained his retina burning the images and events from the film within the back of his eyes, these appear a faded montage over the top of the film. He stumbles more, each movement almost glitching apart showing his slow collapse from reality until the door closes, shutting off his life and symbolising an almost death like experience.  The film then fades to the Specshot logo, then cutting to the credit scene, with each name appearing a flash, as though the photo had just been taken,each one fading into frame. the screen fades to black and a tribute to Specshot's lost crew member. 

Suggested elements

The film has many unique selling points that has allowed it to create an enigma for all audiences to enjoy, this includes playing with may techniques including that of the mystery and neo-noir aspects of the filming industry. This includes the use of masks and colours to signify important parts of the film in a subtle way. We also feel that we have used some unique techniques such as fades and masks to make the film seem more professional and flow better, this can be seen within the end credit scene and the use of masks of the flower and Keighley's hair. We also make use of the old style teleshopping adverts and create a montage of angles and views of the camera and main object within the film.
One major aspect of the film that we are proud of as a selling point is that of the use of black and white to give the film a uniqueness and unusual view that further develops the films plot and only thickens the enigma of the story providing something that audiences wish to find out that is deeper than just watching the showing of the film.