outline of our initial ideas

1. Emily and Kayyah

2.  The female protagonist is identified as terminally ill. Although
this will show signs of female weakness , we feel that we can
develop her character to show how the illness will not keep
her from being a normal teenage girl . The girl is portrayed to
have feelings for a boy at her school, this would contradict the
usual narrative of a man wanting to peruse a relationship with
a woman. However, we also are made aware that the feeling is
mutual and the boy has intentions to ask the girl to prom.
Although, the girl does want to go to prom she feels restricted
by her illness and the ending will show how she conquers her
inner obstacles to attend the prom, inferring to be a stronger
female character. Amongst all of the action there is a continous
conflict between father and daughter . The girls father is a
widower and feels very protective over his ill daughter
however is seen to not be coping well with the fact she is ill.
He pushes the boy away when he tries to help the girl.

3. • Ellie is the female protagonist, she is the character
who tells the story from her point of view and
reveals the most information to the audience , as she
is the one who is in the situation.
• She has developed a strand of cancer
• She is sixteen years old and so still a teenager. Ellie
still attends school and is more than likely at the
independent studying stage.
• Although a typical teen, she has a terminal illness
that restricts her from day to day activities as the
film progresses and she reveals she would give
anything to go to the prom .
• In love with character Sam Anderson.

4. • ‘Dave’ is just like another other father, caring supportive
and just wants the best for his child, however doesn’t
seem to be coping well as a widower to help his ill child.
• Dave is abrupt towards Sam when he tries to offer his
help. When Sam eventually comes into the house , he
sees bills everywhere , empty bottles of alcohol and
eviction threat letters on the table.
• Dave realises that his daughter is not getting any better
and help would be beneficial for them both. But he feels
like its his duty with the absence of his wife to take care
of Vanessa.
• He decorates the lounge knowing that Ellie’s dreams of
going to the prom and invites Sam over showing his true
caring a paternal nature .

5. • Sam is Ellie’s knowing date to the prom . He
arrives at the end of the film with flowers
and dressed in a tuxedo.
• Selfless, he sacrifices his prom night to
spend it with Nessa.
• Also 16, and still in school.

6. Ellie and Dave’s household, this will be a combination of
rooms from two different houses. Ellie’s bedroom will be
Emily’s bedroom because it’s a south facing bedroom which
allows more natural light in. The other household locations
will be in Kayyah’s house i.e. the living room because its more
family friendly which will show how a family used to be happy
together and how the illness destroyed the family unit.
• Consequently we will use the woods for symbolic shots of
winter deteriorating life .
• We will also use Titus salt school for the locker scene in
which we establish Sam’s loyalty towards Ellie and the hash
reality that she will not be attending prom.
• To use these locations, in advance we will contact the
establishment leader. For example for the school shots we
will ask for permission from the head teacher to avoid any
possible trespassing claims.

7. • The Fault In Our Stars is a mainstream film that we got some
inspiration from because they share the same target audience .
We liked the idea of a young innocent love developing between an
illness and how the illness would effect it in a short period of
time.
• Short film, I Miss You- This is based on the breakup between a
boy and girl . It begins with the ‘honeymoon period’ and the
deterioration of their relationship. We thought their idea of using
an email as though to talk to another character would be effective
and show a modern approach.
• Short film, The Most Beautiful Thing – Also a short film, this
narrative is based on how a lonely boy’s life is fulfilled by the
presence of a girl , proving to us how our teenage characters are
more than likely in need of an innocent romance to show their
age.
• A monster calls is a novel based upon a young boys nightmare
who becomes a reality while coping with his ill mother. This
novel has influenced our short film as the father is surrounded
by the harsh reality that his daughter is going to die.

8. Book trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8-psqOON-Y

9. • Traditional fixed camera and tripod – this
will ensure that we create a steady and
sophisticated looking shot.
• Using a dolly track will add suspense to
particular shots.
• Natural lighting will allow us to establish a
certain time of day , however using artificial
light will be more dependable than natural
light.

10. • 12 BBFC rating as our short film contains material that
is not generally suitable for children aged under 12 due
to distressing scenes and inappropriate content.
• Our audience will typically be female because of the
young romance in the storyline however it could also
appeal to a male audience due to the importance of the
male characters. The age of our audience is aimed
towards 13+ because of the prom and the affection from
the boy can be related to a typical teenage girl due to
social appearance as well as the idea of going to prom.
• Our target audience interests will be similar to our main
characters therefore they can relate to their personality.

11. • Non diegetic music –shows emotion to the
audience rather than just a background
sound.
• Dialogue throughout, including voice over
from Ellie.
• Lucy Brownnutt singing : ‘Fight song’ by
Rachel Platten while Matthew Baldwin
plays the instrumental version to avoid any
copyright issues.

12. Scene 1 – Shots of daughter and father
Scene 2 – Father goes upstairs speaks to daughter notifies her that he’s
going to shop ‘but I’ll be back for your injection at 3 o’clock’
Scene 3- Girl in bedroom, looking on the internet ‘how to deal with cancer’
Scene 4 – Boy comes around
Scene 5 – The next shot is used to clarify her illness somewhere in the
proceeding, he says ‘id like to take you to the prom’ to which she reply's ‘I
cant even promise I’ll be here’.
Scene 6 – He leaves awkwardly.
Scene 7 – Dad returns: see’s the cup the boy has used, goes mental about
infections ‘If he has a cold..’. She takes him being OTT
Scene 8 – Another day, passing of time.
Scene 9- The girl gets a text/call from the boy saying he would like to come
see her (hasn’t seen her in a week) Girl really pleased.
Scene 10 – Boy turns up at the house with flowers. Dad turns him away
angrily ‘Just leave her alone’.
Scene 11 - Girl comes down, confronts her father and has an argument.
Father says ‘I’m here to protect you’ but her key line is ‘You don’t understand’
repeated quietly. ‘He asks what’ tension raises. She reply's ‘ In a months time
I could be dead without ever having felt someone touch my face. I could go
through the whole of my life without feeling the love you and mum shared’.
Scene 12- Girl cries upstairs

13. Scene 13 – Dad sobbing downstairs
Scene 14- Time passes. Shot of boy chatting to 2 girls by lockers
Scene 15- Kayyah (Slang) asks boy to the prom. Boy says no I’m still waiting
to her from Abi. Kayyah says meanly ‘no ones heard anything from her in 3
weeks there isn't much chance she’ll be going to the prom’
Scene 16- Boy meets dad by chance in the park/shops. Has a conversation
which ends with the boy saying ‘If there’s anything I can do..’ Dad says ‘No
there's nothing you can do’ Turns away, turns back ‘Actually there is
something you can do’
Scene 17 – Dad goes upstairs asks Abi how she is. ‘ It would be your prom
tonight wouldn’t It’ the father asks, Abi reply's ‘Yep’ . Father encourages her
to put her dress on. Abi reply's ‘no’ Father says ‘please just for one photo’.
Scene 18 – Abi comes down the stairs, father takes her into the decorated
room and speaks to her suggesting he could be dealing with things better.
Father says ‘all you need now is a dance partner’
Scene 19 – Door bell rings, Boy comes in smart wear.
Scene 20- Father leaves looking back once and shutting the door.