The DetectiveA2 Media Studies Pitch

By Jonathan Samuroff

Basic DetailsShort film that runs for approximately 5 minutesFits in with the “Film Noir” genreThis will be achieved by conforming to basic codes and conventions of the genre.Also, the film will be shot entirely in black and white (or filmed in colour and transferred to B&W in the editing suite.Will make use of camera shots and character types associated with the genree.g. Low angle shots, heavy use of shadows, tilted angles, corrupt detectives and crime bosses.

Genre, Codes and Conventions

• The film is a Film Noir, so certain codes and conventions need to be displayed to ensure the audience know that they are watching a Noir. Codes and conventions include; Urban settings, mystery, suits and Trilby hats, cigarettes and smoke, isolation, paranoia and corruption.

Synopsis

Ben Dixon plays a deliberately unnamed detective. Many years of policing the streets has left him empty and disillusioned. He has a rendezvous with 2 powerful crime bosses atop an old railway bridge. The gangsters depart with a briefcase full of money, and the corrupt detective goes on his way. Later on, When him and his colleague are investigating a murder (I wonder who could of done it?), the new detective is beginning to unravel his life of deception and double crossing. What would be the result of the public knowing the law upholders are corrupt? How could he possibly react to such an event occurring?

Script• I wrote the script to try and keep in with

the themes and dialogue style of classic 40's & 50's noir (They swore all the time, honest.) This included the bitter characters, and overall themes of misery, bleakness and desperation. After doing my research on the genre, I concluded that most films have these films, and there is rarely a cheerful ending in any Film Noir.

• Also, I hope at least someone has watched The Big Lebowski and picks up on the reference, otherwise I'm going to feel a bit stupid.

Location• The locations I chose for the film is the

Attenborough train station bridge, and a friends house.

• I chose these areas because they are local to the people I need in my film, and was visually suitable for what I was looking for.

• The bridge, in the evening, is a perfect mix of a gritty urban setting, and of rural sophistication.

• The house is right because it has a large window outside looking into the living room. Also, it has a long driveway leading up to the house, and the lighting needed for the indoor shots. This is all I needed to accurately film what I planned.

Starring: Ben Dixon as “The Detective”

Actor: 14 years of age (It's quite embarrassing how much older than me he looks) His hobbies

include listening to, and playing music, acting in youth

theatre groups.

Character: Bitter, regretful and resentful detective, an

archetype of the genre. So disillusioned with the job he is

willing to go corrupt.

Jonathan Watson as “Dave Stoney”

Actor: 17 years old, currently studying at A2 level

(including drama) Hobbies include acting and writing.

Character: New detective. Bright, inquisitive and

eager. Quickly latches on to the fact all is not as it

seems.

Robert Allen & Jon Samuroff as “Crime bosses”

“Actors”:17 and 18 years old respectively. Both attend the

same college. Shared interests include film, music and politics.

Characters: Rob: the “Crime lord” head of a mafia-style crime organisation. Tough, violent

and angry.

Jon: His companion. Portrayed as annoying and unnecessary. Rob's character doesn't think

much of him.

Target Audience

• The target audience for the film is the age range 18 – 40, primarily male, but not exclusively. This is the core audience who regularly watch and enjoy Film Noir. I discovered this by going on sites such as Youtube and IMDB, and looking at the type of people who showed interest in the genre. By targeting this audience, it will be most successful in getting people to watch the film, as they are more likely to enjoy this film, than one from another genre such as Westerns etc.

Certificate• The film will be an 15

certificate. This is due to occasional strong language and violence. Also, my audience will feel better about going to see the film, as they will feel more mature. People younger than 15 will also enjoy this, as they might feel “cool” and “rebellious” by watching it when they’re not legally allowed.

Promotion

• Twitter / Facebook. My target audience frequently use online networking, so this will be an effective method of targeting.

• Viral. This targets internet users who may not use social networking.

• Film festivals. This will attract more “high brow” film fans, who don't use social networking or read mainstream film magazines. They come to festivals to enjoy indie films in the atmosphere they think is right for film viewing, the cinema.

• Posters / trailers. This will ensure my product is known about by a wider audience who might not otherwise use the internet as much.

• Magazine features / interviews. This will entice movie fans who actively research film.

Technology

• As it is a small, college independent film, there are many restrictions and limitations concerned when it comes down to technology used. The whole film will be shot on one portable camcorder and a tripod. The footage will then be uploaded to a Mac, and edited using iMovie.