Retaliation: A High School Massacre Drama

Emma Fraser
Unit 42 – UK TV
Broadcasting
LO2

Retaliation – P2(a) - Treatment
Name: Retaliation
The name I have chosen for my UK Televised show is ‘Retaliation’. The
name reflects the events that take place within the show as well as
the response to said events. Whenever an attack takes place, the
main response from society is to retaliate against the evil that caused
it, displaying their emotions, often mostly upset and anger towards
the situation.
For example, during the recent attacks in London, stories of heroism
rose of those who did try to retaliate against the attackers to help
others and stand their ground in what most regarded as their home,
this proves that acts of evil often cause people to retaliate, validating
my choice of name for my UK TV show.

Running Time: 5 Part Drama – each episode will be 1-hour long
This running time fits in with the UK TV remit as this is the average
length for an episode of the drama genre. This time length allows us
enough time to include character and storyline development within
each episode. By having each episode an hour long, it allows events
to be shown in depth, making the audience more interested in the
show.
Characters:
Main: - Jamie and Wyatt
Supporting: - Family Members – Parents and siblings
Extras: - Students within the school – Passers-by – Salesperson in gun
shop

Synopsis:
The show will follow two high school boys who despise the way friendships,
reputations and popularity is determined amongst school culture. The boys are
often left out, and though they have a lot to say will refrain from doing so, instead
of talking to others they talk to each other and plot how one day they will avenge
the times of embarrassment and humiliation which was inflicted by others. Jamie
and Wyatt have home lives which are quite different, Jamie’s parents are wealthy
and he lives in a grand house, however his parents are rarely around to monitor his
behaviour or activity, Wyatt’s parents are split and he lives with his mother, his
home is dark and unwelcoming, which leads to him spending a lot of time at
Jamie’s house.
The boys live in Liverpool, where, as of 2017, you are able to carry a firearm openly
without a permit/license, as well as this a ‘a personal firearm, a firearm accessory
or ammunition that is owned or manufactured commercially or privately in Great
Britain and that remains within Great Britain is not subject to any federal law’. In
July 2017, a law was enforced, in America, which enabled schools to allow students
to carry concealed weapons on campus, three months later the same law was
enforced in Great Britain. After the law is now known throughout Britain, Jamie and
Wyatt seek their revenge and carry out an attack on their high school, this results in
a massacre of those they resented so much.

Retaliation – P2(A) - Key Scenes/Episodes:
1. Stressed Out: Within the first episode we see Jamie and Wyatt for the first time, within their
homes and at school, we see them being ignored and humiliated, as well how each boy views
their home life.
2. Polarize: The second episode shows a particularly humiliating incident during lunchtime
involving Jamie, as well as the attempted interception from Wyatt who too gets humiliated in
front of the whole school. The boys are seen together in a class were violence and crime is
being discussed, they are sat at the back joking about who they would be violent towards,
mocking the attempt of the schools ‘no violence’ policy. The scene ends with politicians reading
out the new laws to be enforced a few months later, the announcement is broadcast on
television.
3. Guns for Hands: The third episode begins with Jamie and Wyatt sat in Jamie’s room, Wyatt is
on the computer reading a news article and discovers that it’s now legal/allowed for all students
to carry a firearm on school grounds. The boys joke around about taking guns and explosives
into school and causing havoc, this idea is quick to turn into a plan which will be executed on
the first day the laws are instated. The rest of the episode shows the boys researching on how
to make explosives (talking to their science teachers, online, library, etc.) and skipping lessons to
scout around the school to look for the best place to store the firearms and explosives until they
are ready to carry out the attack. You also see the boys stealing from the science labs and, over
a numerous amount of days, trying to make different explosives and testing them out in
abandoned fields, as well as practising their aim with their newly purchased firearms, which you
see them purchase (even though underage, as they have a fake ID), episode ends the day before
the laws are legal.

Retaliation – P2(A) - Key Scenes/Episodes:
4. Heathens: (1hr 30min special) Episode 4 is the day of the attack, you see the normal routine
of each family and other students throughout the beginning, as well as this we see the meeting
of the two boys to gather all their ‘equipment’ for the day’s task they have planned. You see
them going into school and stashing their weapons away (after openly carrying them through
the school with not being stopped by anyone) in an unused closet, whilst they run over the plan
and where they’re meeting at lunch time to carry out the attack. Once the lunch time bell rings
the boys carry out their plan of meeting and go on to carry out the attack. The attacks are
shown briefly but the conversations they have with the victims are shown, to show the sheer
hatred and evil within the characters.
5. Tear in my Heart: Episode 5 is the aftermath of the shooting, from the day it took place and
months after, it shows the families, as well as the politicians making the decision to revoke the
law and clamp down on the sales and usage of firearms.
The TV show will be based on the shooting that took place at Columbine
High School in Colorado, USA, on April 20th 1999, however most events and
occurrences have been adapted and dramatized for the purpose of the
show.

P2(B) – Suggested Cast
George Mackay as Jamie:
• George Mackay is a 24 year old actor from Hammersmith,
London, England. In one of his most well-known performances
George played the role of Joe, a 20-year-old struggling to come
out in a homophobic Britain in 1984 in the film Pride (a true
story) also starring Bill Nighy.
• George’s unique selling point is that he will be able to portray
the character of Jamie in the way in which I want the audience
to receive the character, George will be capable of taking on a
shy, unstable, mysterious persona, to emphasise the lack of
mental stability of the character. Another unique selling point is
that George was nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award in
2014, those who are nominated for these awards are often
followed by critics and audiences to see what they create next,
this may lead to a wider audience being attracted to the show.

P2(B) – Suggested Cast
Jamie Campbell Bower as Wyatt:
• Jamie Campbell Bower is an English actor, singer, and model. He is best known
for his roles as Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet
Street, Caius in The Twilight Saga, King Arthur in the Starz series Camelot, the
young Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, and
Jace Wayland in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
• Jamie’s unique selling point is that he will be more than capable of portraying
the character that is Wyatt. The character is highly unstable and thrives off
power and control, through his role in The Twilight Saga as Caius, Jamie has
shown that he can portray the dark side of a character to emphasise their
incapability of mental stability. Another unique selling point is that he has a
relatively large twitter following of around 658, 000 followers, this could be used
to promote the show and bring a wide audience to the viewings. As well as this,
whilst working on Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Jamie worked
alongside some of the biggest stars, including Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham
Carter and Alan Rickman, from this experience he will have developed new skills
from those who are successful within the business, as well as learning how to
deal with others who are ‘famous’, which will create calm and understanding
working environment.

Retaliation – P2(C) - Target Audience:
The target audience for my TV Show will be anyone from the ages of 17 and
upwards, the show will be suitable for the majority but may contain some
frightening/disturbing scenes, as well as violence and language that may be
unsuitable for younger ages. As Retaliation is based on true events, this may appeal
to the older audience to gain more knowledge on the events that took place at
Columbine High School, those of a younger age would not find much appeal in this,
hence the target audience is those aged 17 and over.
I came to this conclusion through my results of my questionnaires, although I would
aim the show at adults, many of those who answered the questionnaires were of
ages 17.
I have chosen a BBFC rating of ‘15’ as there may be strong threat and horror, as well
as violence, discrimination, language and imitable behaviour. When the episodes air
on television it will be after the ‘watershed’, this is the point in time after which
programmes with adult content may be broadcast, therefore the episode may air at
around 9pm each night.

Retaliation – P2(d) - Budget:

Retaliation – P2(d) - Budget:
Funding:
To fund my TV Show, I will apply to the BFI (British Film Institute). ‘The BFI’s Production
and Development funding initiatives aim to champion diverse, bold and distinctive
filmmaking across the UK; to nurture new talent; and to back the creation of films that
will enrich UK film culture and define the UK and the stories we tell in the 21st
century’. They ‘welcome applications for film projects in all genres, and are committed
to promoting diversity in the filmmakers we support, the stories they tell and the
audiences they reach’.
The BFI’s funding is set to be raised to £30 million, to allow them to give more creators
opportunities to produce and release their films or tv shows. The BFI Fund provides
development support for many media projects at varying levels of progress, from the
treatment stage through to pre-production. The BFI also support projects from
emerging and established filmmakers, priority is given to projects and filmmaking
teams that demonstrate a bold vision and creative excellence, and that are unlikely to
be fully financed by the marketplace.

Retaliation – P2(e) - Production
Schedule:

Week 1—Episode 1 Who is needed Dates and Times Food Location Extra Information
Monday Directors, Producers, Filming Crew
04/09/17
10am-4pm
Food will be provided at
each location for all during
lunch time, between 12pm
to 1pm.
A catering company will be
hired in order to ensure
that everyone's needs are
met, for example, those
who are vegan, vegetarian,
etc.
This will also cut costs,
saving people from going
to different places for
lunch, as well as ensuring
that everyone stays on
location and are ready to
start work again once
lunch ends.
Studio—Liverpool Film Studios (L5
9YJ)
Planning and prepping the scenes for shooting
on Day 3.
As well as reviewing the script and making
changes (mostly to direction) to fit the design of
the studio.
Tuesday Directors, Producers, Filming Crew
05/09/17
10am-4pm
School Location—Deyes High
School
Getting shots for transitions during editing,
planning shooting for Day 4.
Wednesday
Two main characters
Film Crew, Hair and Makeup, Producers
and Directors
06/09/17
From 10am—4pm
9YJ)
Homes for both boys
Half day used to shoot Wyatt’s home scenes,
second half used to shoot Jamie’s home scenes.
Thursday
Main characters
Extras for school shots, e.g. within
classrooms, at lunch time, etc.
and Directors
07/09/17
7am—2pm
School Location— Deyes High
School
Parts of the schools will be cordoned off.
All cast will be present for 7am to avoid rush of
children entering school.
Friday
Make all cast available to finish off shoots
if needed (Contingency)
08/09/17
9YJ)
Or
School
Analyse footage and see if we have everything
we need, if not use Friday to catch up/fix or
refilm any scenes that need to be done.
Emma Fraser - P2(E)

12/09/17
10am-4pm
each location for all
during lunch time,
between 12pm to 1pm.
A catering company will
be hired in order to
ensure that everyone's
needs are met, for
example, those who are
vegan, vegetarian, etc.
lunch, as well as
ensuring that everyone
stays on location and are
ready to start work again
once lunch ends.
Studio—Liverpool Film Studios
(L5 9YJ)
Planning and prepping the scenes for
shooting on Day 4.
changes (mostly to direction) to fit the
design of the studio.
13/09/17
10am-4pm
School
Wednesday
Two main characters
and Directors
14/09/17
7am—2pm
School
All cast will be present for 7am to avoid rush
of children entering school.
Canteen scene shot—with many extras
Thursday
Two main characters
and Directors
15/09/17
7am—2pm
School
Classroom scenes shot—15 other extras to
make up class, including teacher.
Friday
Extras for Politicians to film news scene
announcing the new laws to be
enforced.
Make all cast available to finish off
shoots if needed (Contingency)
16/09/17
10am-4pm
(L5 9YJ) - Definite for shooting
news scene
Or
School (if needed)
Analyse footage and see if we have
everything we need, if not use Friday to
catch up/fix or refilm any scenes that need
to be done.
Emma Fraser - P2(E)

19/09/17
10am-4pm
during lunch time,
needs are met, for
lunch ends.
(L5 9YJ)
shooting on Day 3.
changes (mostly to direction) to fit the design
of the studio.
20/09/17
10am-4pm
School
Wednesday
Two main characters
and Directors
21/09/17
From 10am—4pm
(L5 9YJ)
Homes for both boys
Filming scene in the bedroom where boys
discover the laws have been changed.
Scenes of them talking about attacking their
school.
Thursday
Main characters
and Directors
22/09/17
7am—2pm
School
Filming scenes in different parts of the
school, e.g. Library, Science Labs,
Classrooms, etc.
Friday
23/09/17
(L5 9YJ)
Or
School
catch up/fix or refilm any scenes that need to
be done.
Emma Fraser - P2(E)

26/09/17
10am-4pm
during lunch time,
needs are met, for
lunch ends.
(L5 9YJ)
shooting on Day 3.
of the studio.
27/09/17
10am-4pm
School
Wednesday
All Cast—including both main
characters and additional actors for
family.
and Directors
28/09/17
From 10am—4pm
(L5 9YJ)
Half day used to shoot Wyatts home scenes,
second half used to shoot Jamie’s.
Saturday
Main characters
Extras for school shots—students—
many to flee during attack etc.
and Directors
29/09/17
6am—4pm
School
Massacre scene shot—done on Saturday to
avoid all school children/staff, etc.
Sunday
Make all cast available, as well as some
extras (around 20) to finish off shoots if
needed (Contingency)
30/09/17
(L5 9YJ)
School (if needed)
everything we need, if not use Friday to catch
up/fix or refilm any scenes that need to be
done.
Emma Fraser - P2(E)

02/10/17
10am-4pm
during lunch time,
needs are met, for
lunch ends.
(L5 9YJ)
shooting on Day 3.
of the studio.
Tuesday
All Cast—Family of both boys and Extras
and Directors
03/10/17
10am-4pm
(L5 9YJ)
Homes for both boys
Filming family relationships within the homes
(of both main characters after their death and
homes of the victims)
Wednesday
All Cast—Family of both boys and Extras
and Directors
04/10/17
From 10am—4pm
(L5 9YJ)
School (Outside for memorial)
Others scenes for news shows and scenes
within the homes of the victims. Including
memorial outside of school.
Thursday
05/10/17
10am—4pm
(L5 9YJ)
Or
School
everything we need, if not use Friday to catch
up/fix or refilm any scenes that need to be
done.
Emma Fraser - P2(E)

Contingency Plan: Throughout creating the production, the crew could face some factors that may effect the rate of production, for example, during filming in the school, there may be practise fire
alarm which could cause all of the crew to evacuate the building, this would take up around 30-40 minutes away from the filming time and could result in parts of the production being un-filmed.
Therefore at the end of each week, there is a day set aside to re-film or film any scenes that we didn't get throughout the week. The scenes that will need to be filmed or re-filmed will be figured out
the day before and the crew and cast can be notified on what location to at the next day, for example the school or filming.
Who is needed
Dates and
Times
Food Location Extra Information
Friday
06/10/17
Food will be provided at each
location for all during lunch
time, between 12pm to 1pm.
A catering company will be
hired in order to ensure that
everyone's needs are met, for
This will also cut costs, saving
people from going to different
places for lunch, as well as
ensuring that everyone stays
on location and are ready to
start work again once lunch
ends.
Studio—Liverpool Film Studios (L5 9YJ)
Or
School Location—Deyes High School
to be done.
Friday
Extras for Politicians to film news
scene announcing the new laws to
be enforced.
13/10/17
10am-4pm
Studio—Liverpool Film Studios (L5 9YJ) -
Definite for shooting news scene
Or
School Location—Deyes High School (if
needed)
to be done.
Friday
20/10/17
Or
to be done.
Sunday
Make all cast available, as well as
some extras (around 20) to finish
off shoots if needed (Contingency)
21/10/17
School Location—Deyes High School (if
needed)
to be done.
Thursday
23/10/17
10am—4pm
Or
to be done.
Emma Fraser - P2(E)

Retaliation – P2(E) - Production Dates:
- Pre Production: 01.06.17 – 31.08.17
- Production: 04.09.17 – 23.10.17
- Post Production: 25.10.17 – 20.12.17
- Release Date for Episode 1: 05.01.18
I have chosen the release date for my television show to be January 5th
2018, as it not only provides the producers and editors with some extra
time to ensure that everything is the way it should be within the final
cut, but it is also around the time of the BAFTA’s which take place on
February 18th 2018. Retaliation will finish airing on February 9th after all
5 episodes have been released.

Retaliation – P2(F) - regulations
Ofcom is the communications regulator in the UK, they regulate
the TV, radio and video-on-demand sectors, fixed-line telecoms,
mobiles and postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless
devices operate.
I will have to apply Ofcom’s guidelines to my TV show as it will
include a lot of violence, especially during the last two episodes;
therefore I must ensure that the shows are shown after the
watershed time, which is around 9pm, to ensure that I do not
break any guidelines in which Ofcom have set.
I will also apply their guidelines to my TV show to ensure that the
violence that is shown within the show has a warning before, and
is not behaviour in which will ‘encourage or incite the commission
of crime or lead to a disorder’, as this has been known to upset
viewers previously.

Ofcom is the communications regulator in the UK, they regulate the TV,
radio and video-on-demand sectors, fixed-line telecoms, mobiles and
postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate.
Ofcom Regulations:
- Protecting the under-eighteens
- Harm and offence
- Crime, disorder, hatred and abuse
- Religion
- Due impartiality and due accuracy
- Elections and referendums
- Fairness
- Privacy
- Commercial references on TV
- Commercial communications on radio

Applying the Regulations to my TV show:
Protecting the under-eighteens:
This principle ensure that people under eighteen are protected,
therefore I will show my TV drama after the watershed as well
as placing a warning before it airs.
Harm and offence:
The principle is to ‘ensure that generally accepted standards are
applied to the content of television so as to provide adequate
protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such
services of harmful and/or offensive material.’ I will ensure this
regulation is respected throughout my show as I will ensure that
limited violence is shown were it is necessary, this can be
tailored through the editing of the show, as well as showing a
warning before its aired.

Crime, disorder, hatred and abuse:
The principle is to ensure that material likely to encourage or to incite the
commission of crime or lead to disorder is not included in television. This
will mean that standard violence can be shown throughout the drama but
anything extreme must not be shown to the viewers.
Religion:
• The principles include to ensure that broadcasters exercise the proper
degree of responsibility with respect to the content of programmes
which are religious programmes.
• To ensure that religious programmes do not involve any improper
exploitation of any susceptibilities of the audience for such a
programme.
• To ensure that religious programmes do not involve any abusive
treatment of the religious views and beliefs of those belonging to a
particular religion or religious denomination.
To ensure I comply with these regulations, I will leave religion out of my TV
drama, especially with the show being based around violence, to ensure
that I don’t offend any of the audiences.

Due impartiality and due accuracy:
The principles include:
• To ensure that news, in whatever form, is reported with due
accuracy and presented with due impartiality.
• To ensure that the special impartiality requirements of the Act are
complied with.
I will ensure throughout my TV show that everyone is treated
equally in order comply with ‘due impartiality’.
Fairness:
The main principle is to ensure that broadcasters avoid unjust or
unfair treatment of individuals or organisations in programmes.
Everyone within the TV show will be treated fairly and respected,
this will ensure that we comply with Ofcom regulations.

Privacy:
The main principle is to ensure that broadcasters avoid any
unwarranted infringement of privacy in programmes and in
connection with obtaining material included in programmes.
When creating the TV show we will make sure that any of the
names or stories used are completely fictional in order to avoid
upsetting any of the viewers, however if we do take some
inspiration for the story or characters from a real person, we will
make sure to ask for their permission thoroughly before using
their name, etc.

Copyright and Royalties:
• Copyright law protects creators work from being used without their
permission. This is an automatic right which occurs whenever an
individual or company creates work. My tv show will have copyright
automatically, which will last 70 years.
• As the creator I am entitled to Royalties, in the tv and film industry
these are known as residuals, and are paid when a tv show or film is
rebroadcast. A large upfront fee will be paid for shows initial
broadcast and are then paid residuals for any subsequent airing,
such as DVD release, and new media use, such as Netflix or channel
player streaming (such as the ITV Hub and BBC iPlayer). The
valuation of the residuals will take into account the amount of time
spent on the production, the type of production and the market in
which the production appears (e.g. TV, DVD, new media).

Ethical Issue:
An ethical issue that may occur after the airing of the show is that
some may feel that the show is supportive of killing if the attacker
thinks it is justified, however we will counteract this by condemning
the attackers in the last episode, showing to the audience that it is not
morally acceptable to kill even if you believe it is justified.
Another ethical issue that may occur is that of representations, many
audience members disagree with traditional roles, and therefore will
want to see more modern roles, such as women going to work and
men helping with housework. This will prevent friction amongst the
audience if they believe that the show is fairly, and non stereotypically,
representing their characters/gender.

Retaliation – P2(G) -Scheduling TIme
There are a number of regulations that I need to acknowledge when airing my tv
show, some of which include protecting the under-eighteens, harm and offence,
crime, disorder, hatred and abuse. Scheduling time will be a key factor in ensuring
that I meet these regulations to prevent criticisms or potential refusal of airing
‘Retaliation’.
The TV show includes a lot of violence, especially during the last two episodes;
therefore I must ensure that the shows are shown after the watershed time, which
is around 9pm, to ensure that I do not break any guidelines in which Ofcom have
set.
Most television dramas, including soap operas, are shown between 7pm and
10pm, those that are shown around 7-9pm include Emmerdale, EastEnders and
Coronation Street, these shows are known for addressing and recreating real life
scenarios, most of which are dramatic yet still suitable for most ages. However
shows that are aired after 9pm include Broadchurch, Scott and Bailey and
Whitechapel, these shows are targeted at an older audience range as they
reference difficult issues, including violence, death, crime, etc., therefore they are
shown at a later time in order to protect those who are younger and more
vulnerable to sensitive material.
Therefore, I will aim to schedule ‘Retaliation’ to be aired at 9pm as it is early
enough to receive a large audience but late enough to discuss more sensitive
topics, as well as include violence and inappropriate language to enhance scenes
within the show.

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