This document contains 10 initial film ideas from Xue Bai for their media studies foundation portfolio. The ideas range from stories about cultural differences, horror, magic, identity swaps, and more. For each idea, pros and cons are listed such as genre appeal, character and location needs, and technical requirements. Production challenges include using CGI, coordinating multiple locations and characters, and reinforcing stereotypes. The best ideas may be ones focused on 1-2 leads with relatable themes but fewer technical demands.
2. Initial Film
Ideas
Idea 1
A heart-warming and funny story about young
brother and sister coming over to a new
country and meeting their parents for the first
time. The story will focus on cultural
differences and expectation from new parents
and children.
Idea 2
A terrifying story of a street balloon seller
who is following and stocking people once
they buy a red balloon from him. People
will face horrific end once their balloon
burst.
Idea 3
This film is inspired by a traditional Chinese
fairy tale called Learning Magic. This story
follows up and down of a young teenager
as he attempts to learn tricks and become
magician.
Idea 4
A suspense thriller about video game
designer and his confusion and inability to
differentiate from real and imaginary cyber
world.
Idea 5
This comedy drama follows a lonely person
with a compulsive and sleeping disorder
who finds that his micro world is constantly
rearranged despite his constant attempts to
keep everything around him in perfect and
desired place.
Idea 6
This humorous tale is inspired by the
teenage insulting jokes that are based on
stereotypes that make fun of family
members. A young girl relives in real life
every joke made by her fellow
classmates about her family.
Idea 7
As the troubled and bullied girl finds
herself only comfortable within her own
room and with her fish aquarium she
starts imagining how life would be much
better and simpler if she is one of the
fishes she is looking after.
Idea 8
This modern take on identity swap is
loosely inspired by the Prince and the
Pauper story. Two teenagers that are
similar in appearance decide to change
places as they are not happy with their
own life and envy the life that other one
lives.
Idea 9
This film explores the issues of mundane and boring
everyday existence that most people experience. The
film is shot in B&W and follows group of random people
from all walks of life as they go about their routine. Once
they encounter world with color they initially experience
the awakening which will have dramatic impact on their
life.
Idea 10
A girl attending boarding school away from her
parents creates stories about her school life
that would please her parents. As she creates
perfect world her parents are shocked to find
out what is really going on after they attend
PTM.
3. Initial Film Ideas Pros & ConsIdea 1
Pros:
• Relevant social and political topic
• Audience can relate to the issue
Cons:
• Difficult to film on busy location
• Too many characters needed
Idea 2
Pros:
• Popular genre
• aimed at teen audience
Cons:
• Difficult to create horror scenes
• CGI needed
Idea 3
Pros:
• only 2 lead characters needed
• Popular adventure genre aimed at
teenager audience
Cons:
• Knowledge of magic tricks
• Magic props
• CGI needed
Idea 4
Pros:
• only 1 main character needed
• Attract tension from audiences
Cons:
• CGI needed
• Combination of animation with film
Idea 5
Pros:
• Slapstick comedy genre
• Appeals to varied audience
• One lead character
Cons:
• Many props needed
• Professional acting and rehearsing the scenes
Idea 6
Pros:
• dark humor
• Wide range of audience can identify with characters
Cons:
• Too many characters
• Complicated plot
• Reinforcing stereotypes
Idea 7
Pros:
• Strange, mysterious
• Talked about psychological problems
Cons:
• Monodrama
• Relying on one character
• CGI needed
Idea 8
Pros:
• differences between two main characters
• the audience can be inspired
• Engaging storyline
Cons:
• Filming on different location
• Twin character or single actor acting
• Costume and props required
Idea 9
Pros:
• Visually interesting and appealing
• Audience can identify with variety of
different characters
Cons:
• too many different characters
• Filming on different locations
• Color adjustment needed during editing
Idea 10
Pros:
• Related to teenage audience
• Creative interpretation of girls lies
Cons:
• Filming on public property
• Difficulty interpreting girl’s stories on
different locations
