NUFilm Productions

Present

The Actor
(working title)

An actor is preparing for a glorious performance, but things take an unexpected turn. Will he make it for his star moment?
Rumena

Outline 1/2
An actor (JAKE) is backstage, nervously going through his lines. As he gets more into the role and costume, more actors appear around him (in a montage of shots), preparing themselves for a performance in the comedy variety show taking place. They are interacting with each other, but don't seem to notice our actor - he's not part of the group.
Rebecca

Outline 2/2
As he is about to go on stage, one of the other actors walks right through him. Jake slowly and nervously walks onto the stage. We hear the audience's hustle and buzzing, just before the performance. The house lights go off, the audience gets silent, waiting for the performance to start. The curtains open. The spotlight shines on the actor and he fades away. The last shot is a leaflet for tonights show, which is In Memory of Jake Deschain. Hed died a few days ago.
Rebecca

Character Profile
Name: Jake Deschain Age: 22 years old Bio: Jake is quickly becoming a household name in the theatre world. This show is his make or break shot at the big time.

The only problem with Jake is that he died a few days before the performance. He is determined to do it, but the fact he is a ghost changes his plan.
Seb

Progressing of the character and story

Jake starts out as a nervous, insecure actor, developing through confidence and passion while preparing to get onto the stage. The story starts out with the hustle and bustle in the middle of a comedy theatre night, gradually getting more serious and focused on Jake.
Rumena

Additional characters
There will be a maximum of seven additional characters. This is to represent that the main character (Jake) feels alone and isolated from the group. The integral character however, is the one that walks right through him just before he goes onstage.
Seb

Set and locations

The story is set in a theatre so well be looking for a theatre to film in. The Hippodrome in Birmingham would be the ideal location. Other possible local theatres include: the Belgrade theatre the Warwick Arts Centre. the theatre in Lapworth that Seb is part of.

Gemma

Sourcing the actors

- Seb, Sophie and Rumena have some connections to local actors and will start contacting them. - Also: casting calls in local acting communities.

Focusing on theatre actors as the story is based in a theatre. Not all characters need to be played by experienced actors.
Gemma

Sourcing the costumes and building a believable set

- Old costumes from past performances and parades; stereotypical, easily recognisable costumes magician, ballet performer, etc.

- Well be checking a local warehouse with old costumes, charity shops, as well as the Ellen Terry theatre wardrobe
Rebecca

Shooting style, constructing the film and editing approach

- Lots of panning and camera movement - Montages of the actors backstage
- Mainly mid-shots and close-ups - Wide shots only for setting the scene and / or showing scale.
Rumena

Visual style 1/2

- A look similar to the last scene in Billy Elliot misty / smoky, lots of slow motion when showing performers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uyg24hOiog

Rebecca

Visual style 2/2

- An old school style of the theatre set (maybe having big ropes hanging down to pull the curtain) - Vivid and defined secondary characters (a ballet dancer practicing her stretches or a magician performing the end of his trick). - Lighting dramatic, inspired by the theatre theme
Rebecca

Sound and music treatment. Main style of the film

- Lots of background sound to represent the hustle and bustle of a theatre before and during a show. - Aiming to use mostly orchestral and classical music. - Hoping to have a running theme with the music throughout the whole film.
Sophie

Sound and music treatment. Research and inspiration into film music 1/2
- Main inspiration: Danny Elfman (Edward Scissor Hands)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OEJhgonx4Q
Sophie

Sound and music treatment. Research and inspiration into film music 2/2
Also: - James Horner (Titanic) - Hanz Zimmer - Andrew Lloyd Webber - Enya They are all very classical, dramatic, full, emotional and make good use of the wind, brass, string and piano instruments as well as timing, pitch, rhythm and phrasing for creating the movement and meaning within a film.
Sophie

Kit and equipment needed 1/2

- Planning to film on the JVC cameras for a softer, filmic style, also using their slow motion capabilities - We will aim to use tracks / glidetrack and jib to add movement and give the film a more cinematic feeling.
Rebecca

Kit and equipment needed 2/2

- A big emphasis will be put on lighting. We will use spot lights, for the theatre lighting look as well as glaring light.

- Sound will be captured in camera, plus separately on an audio recorder.

Rebecca

Resources, logistics and budget

- Aiming to find locations and finish the script within the next two weeks so we can start contacting and auditioning actors. - Main expenses: Transport to and from locations (cast and crew), food for the day of filming, costumes hire and location hire if needed
Gemma

Roles within the group

- One person responsible for each area, single point of contact when others have questions or suggestions. - We are working in areas where we have experience or wish to gain more experience as they are likely to be skills and areas we are interested in taking further.
Gemma

Director & Camera Operator

Rumena Zlatkova
Director of Photography & Set Design

Rebecca Jackson
Producer

Gemma English
Scriptwriting & Actors relations

Seb Shaw
Sound, Music & Special effects

Sophie Jane Lees

Sophie