Today my group and I discussed what individual film ideas we have produced over the October half-term following codes and conventions of horror genre and virus sub-genre. Each group member was required to produce a script treatment that covered the three part narrative structure (set-up, conflict and resolution) within each of our narratives as well as to give an overall understanding to the group into events, themes, characters and locations. To accompany the script treatment, a storyboard was created allowing each group member to see a basic visual translation into the order of events within each of our virus sub-genre films.
Dean Fisher's 'Town Of The Dead'
Dean was the first group member to pitch his film idea. 'Town Of The Dead' revolves around 'Amy' who wakes within the comfort of her own home to find that she has no recollection of the night before. After preparing herself for the day ahead, she leaves the house only to find that her environment has changed overnight; blood spatters on the pavement and rubbish/debris lying in the road adds to the audiences understanding of the disorder and disorganisation Amy faces. Whilst Amy is trying to locate any injured victims, she hears screams/cries for help in the distance. Amy runs towards the source of screaming.
Eventually, she finds herself at the town's petrol station; this location is where Amy witnesses her first infected victim. The victim is aged around 9 to 12 years of age and is seen feasting on the corpse of a middle-aged man. Amy screams in reaction to what she has scene which gains the infected girl's attention. Amy begins to run away from the infected individual and finds sanctuary in a treehouse after losing the infected individuals attention. Introduce 'Jessica'. Amy begins to ask Jessica questions about the events that have happened and the town's sudden overnight deterioration. Jessica is reserved within conversation.
Eventually, Amy befriends Jessica and convinces her to leave the tree house in order to find help. Along the way, Jessica and Amy meet a group of mainly male individuals all uninfected. Introduce Dan. Amy and Dan make a connection. Amy, Jessica and Dan along with the other uninfected individuals search for potential transportation. They come across an operational boat big enough to carry the entire group. Possible discourse time to show group repair and improvement of boat. When all individuals feel satisfied with their project, they push the boat out to sea. Unfortunately, there was a part of the boat unrepaired. This means that the group gain the infected individuals attention. Fortunately, Protagonist Amy, Jessica and Dan escape the attack.
When all three individuals think they have escaped, Amy gets bitten. Amy self-sacrifices herself to save Jessica and Dan. Jessica and Dan live on to start their own journey.
The application of traditional code and conventions of the horror genre within the narrative. The everyday locations within the narrative means filming locations would be easily accessible to my group and I. Moreover, realistic locations (small seaside town, petrol station etc.) imply that this could easily happen in an environment near us (the audience).
What I think I would consider altering would be the presentation of initial equilibrium as I would want the audience to understand the normal state of affairs Amy is used to living by. As well as this, a clear transformation between everyday life and life involving the infected would give the audience a greater understanding into the chaotic situation the protagonist finds herself in. Also consideration of the deterioration period the infection takes to gain control over individuals.
Jasmine Rosser's 'Silence'
Jasmine's narrative idea revolves around student 'Lisa’. A new day begins and Lisa prepares herself for the day ahead (equilibrium is established and protagonist is introduced to the audience). No other family members are in the house. Lisa searches for an explanation (note, voice message, text) as to why she is alone; she comes to the conclusion that her Mother and Father have headed to work early. Unable to carry out the usual daily tasks (due to no power), Lisa heads to school.
She notices that her parent’s cars are still parked outside with no sign of ever leaving. Lisa goes to call her Mother but her phone is receiving no signal. Bins haven't been collected and skid marks on the roads can be seen in her street suggesting a car has made efforts to swerve away from someone or something. Located at the top of her hill, two figures can be seen. She begins to walk towards the school. Lisa confronts the individuals thinking that they possibly are fellow class mates. They are not. They show signs of an accident; grazed knees, bleeding foreheads, cut cheekbones etc. Lisa asks if they require help. They do not answer. Lisa notices that both their eyes are dilated and they seem to be struggling to walk.
Lisa changes course of direction. Collides with classmate. Introduce Jim. Jim explains the situation. Town residents have become infected with a virus due to a contaminated water supply. Dan has knowledge about the situation due to his Father informing him who is an employee for the water supplier.
Lisa and Jim decided to still continue heading towards an environment they are familiar with (the school). A few dozen infected individuals are seen roaming the school grounds. Signs are placed around the school stating that those uninfected can find supplies and sanctuary at the local castle. Lisa and Jim head towards there. Upon arrival, Lisa sees her Aunt. Lisa’s Aunt explains that Lisa’s Mother, Father and Sister have all become infected. Jasmine is still undecided when it comes to resolution to her three part narrative therefore, there is no definite conclusion to her narrative.
Similarly to Dean’s ‘Town Of The Dead’, the virus’s domination of the town and the transformation from everyday equilibrium to disruption (disequilibrium) happens overnight. What I like about this is the fact that the protagonist is left seeking the same answers the audience do; this supports Barthes’ Enigma theory.
Jasmine's narrative idea revolves around student 'Lisa’. A new day begins and Lisa prepares herself for the day ahead (equilibrium is established and protagonist is introduced to the audience). No other family members are in the house. Lisa searches for an explanation (note, voice message, text) as to why she is alone; she comes to the conclusion that her Mother and Father have headed to work early. Unable to carry out the usual daily tasks (due to no power), Lisa heads to school.
She notices that her parent’s cars are still parked outside with no sign of ever leaving. Lisa goes to call her Mother but her phone is receiving no signal. Bins haven't been collected and skid marks on the roads can be seen in her street suggesting a car has made efforts to swerve away from someone or something. Located at the top of her hill, two figures can be seen. She begins to walk towards the school. Lisa confronts the individuals thinking that they possibly are fellow class mates. They are not. They show signs of an accident; grazed knees, bleeding foreheads, cut cheekbones etc. Lisa asks if they require help. They do not answer. Lisa notices that both their eyes are dilated and they seem to be struggling to walk.
Lisa changes course of direction. Collides with classmate. Introduce Jim. Jim explains the situation. Town residents have become infected with a virus due to a contaminated water supply. Dan has knowledge about the situation due to his Father informing him who is an employee for the water supplier.
Lisa and Jim decided to still continue heading towards an environment they are familiar with (the school). A few dozen infected individuals are seen roaming the school grounds. Signs are placed around the school stating that those uninfected can find supplies and sanctuary at the local castle. Lisa and Jim head towards there. Upon arrival, Lisa sees her Aunt. Lisa’s Aunt explains that Lisa’s Mother, Father and Sister have all become infected. Jasmine is still undecided when it comes to resolution to her three part narrative therefore, there is no definite conclusion to her narrative.
Similarly to Dean’s ‘Town Of The Dead’, the virus’s domination of the town and the transformation from everyday equilibrium to disruption (disequilibrium) happens overnight. What I like about this is the fact that the protagonist is left seeking the same answers the audience do; this supports Barthes’ Enigma theory.
