Media Studies A2 Project

1. THE PITCH PRESENTATION

3. FIRST DRAFT TREATMENT
Synopsis
A murder has been committed. A serial killer has killed
Alena, a famous film star, cold-bloodedly, and
mysteriously she is left dead with her nails painted
pink.
Two detectives need to find out the reason behind the
murder. The only culprit: Her husband. But
mysteriously, he disappears.
The detectives would look for him, finding in the way
the real reason why Alena was killed, in a puzzle of lies
and deceptions, twisted as Alena’s heart.
Film Title: “Alena”
Alena
Serial Killer
Detective Foreman
Paul (Alena’s husband)
Detective Murray

4. Target Audience Breakdown
Due to this film trailer being based around a murder,
the demographic we are targeting are between 18-
35. This age group is really wide due to the appeal
and ages of the actors themselves. From what
we’ve seen in recent years, thriller films is all about
suspense, and especially nowadays there’s a lot of
blood & violence included.
That’s why I have to discard the audience below 18.
But on the other side, this genre is usually attractive
to the adult audience, and it can clearly engage a
wider number of spectators to see a film of this
type.
This is from the BFI, it shows how the Thriller genre
is more appealing to audiences of male’s age
between 25-34, but second is 15-24. That’s why we
aim for people with an age of 18-35, both genres, to
cover a wide range of audience.

5. FEEDBACK

6. FEEDBACK

7. FEEDBACK ANALYSIS
From what I’ve seen, many of the people we asked through a video or via survey had a similar answer when talking about their first
thoughts of the idea. In general, they all thought the first idea was good. They liked the plot as well as the mystery of the disappearance of
the husband and the mysterious nails painted in pink. Then, we asked them if they had other thoughts. I would like to look into the best
ones. Mr. Mackney told us that the film idea was good, really interesting, and from his point of view, it seemed like the film had some
enigma codes that would perfectly engage the audience. Another person told us that the idea was a total cliché, showing how the husband
disappeared after his wife died. That’s why two of the people we asked for their opinions thought it was too obvious that the killer was the
husband. So they thought an improvement we need to do is to make it more mysterious. We need to make the audience think the husband
is not the real killer. Or is he?
Then, the two famous detectives that always need to find the truth behind the murder. Also, some of the audience gave us ideas of how
the characters should like. Characters should have a 1940-50’s style. Alena needs to be an elegant, but dead women, while the detectives
should have the characteristic trench coats. Finally, we asked what exactly are the parts we need to improve from our principal idea as well
as what parts would be more interesting to see in the film trailer.
Some said the story should be more adventurous, others thought the husband was clearly the killer, as mentioned earlier, while others said
they thought the idea didn’t need any improvement. Now, let’s talk about the trailer:
Obviously, everyone asked for the same. Best pieces and also the intriguing ones. That’s the purpose of a trailer: To show the best of the
film, but at the same time, the most interesting and unexpected moments need to be shown as it’s our main purpose to engage as many
people as possible to see the film. Those parts are the killing the women, the story of the husband, the detectives looking for clues, a chase
between the detectives and the killer, and many things…
And like someone said: “I almost forgot. The nails. Don’t forget to put the nails in pink.”

9. FINAL TREATMENT

10. LOCATION RISK ASSESMENT
Ravenscourt Park Alena’s department Empty House
(Room) Attic
RISK ASSESSMENT:
First, we will need very subtle light, using darkness and shadows. In most places, it will be filmed almost without
people, on empty spaces. Obviously, if needed, we will ask for permission to the Borough to film on their
respective street/s. At all moment, we’ve tried to find places combining the class and glamour with the sordid
murder to make a contrast. That’s why these locations are the best for the trailer.
We’ll be using lights only on interiors, while we’ll use the natural night in the exteriors, on sunset and dawn, not
by night.

11. CHARACTERS
ALENA
Even though the story starts with the death of this character,
her past is full of twists and secrets linking her to the serial
killer. As the detectives investigate the murder, they uncover
more of Alena’s past. They discover many things she did to
climb the ladder to become the world’s re-owned actress she is
know as now.
Alena is the biggest star on the planet right now. She’s
incredibly wealthy and she’s worth a lot. When she died, the air
was filled with screaming fans demanding answer of who
caused the death of their beloved star.
Alena’s attitude is sassy and diva like. She walks around in big
fur coats and red lipstick, and she’s intimidating to anyone
around her due to her high social status. The police uncover
her dark past: How Alena double crossed people and even
killed a woman. And she did all this because she was looking
for fame, recognition.
She wanted her name in the lights of the world.

12. CHARACTERS
DETECTIVE FOREMAN
This character is one of the two main detectives.
He’s clever and pragmatic and never lets anyone
get away. His friendly personality and smiley face
makes him very popular in the city.
DETECTIVE MURRAY
The other detective is much quieter and mysterious. His
heart needs justice and he wants his kids to grow up in a
safe world. Although he is more aggressive, Murray stops
criminals right in their tracks and never lets anyone get
away.

13. CHARACTERS
Paul is a loving husband and he’s devastated when he hears for the first time the
death of his wife Alena. His grief is something shown throughout the film, and
also how he deals with the death. We see him constantly in denial, and not
wanting to move on. Finally, he flees the country to start again, but the two
detectives come after him, as it seems all evidence points to him.
Paul is first suspect the two detectives believe is the man behind all these
terrible murders. We always see him in denial about his wife death, causing him
to act weird. He looks suspicious at all moment, even though he loved Alena. He
has always been a quiet person who is not very social able.
All these characteristics makes him the first suspect of the case. Being so close
to himself and not socializing with people, it seems he is hiding a big secret from
the world.
PAUL (ALENA’S HUSBAND) (The one in the back)

14. CHARACTERS
This character stay mysterious throughout the trailer, we
don’t see his face or what he looks like, but he is causing
the chaos in the city and needs to be stopped. His
character treads carefully and covers his tracks, he paints
his victims’ nails pink before flying away into the darkness
of the city.
We mostly just see his hands and his body. The character
is very quiet and mysterious, so we won’t know who he is
until the very end. His hands look strong and firm; his
voice is deep.
He carries with him a bottle of nail polish to paint his
victim’s nails pink because when he was younger his
parents did not let him express himself. This character is
the antagonist of the story and everyone works together to
figure out who he is and stop him.
SERIAL KILLER

15. ALENA TITLE

16. FILM COMPANY

17. DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
First, I think that “New Line cinema” is the best option to continue
our project at the best level, as it is one major American
distribution companies for many independent films in the world.
We decided to choose the company because we think it can sell the
film very well.
By choosing this company we think it can sell the film very well.
Another good point to look at is how the influence that the
company has already in the film industry can give an excellent
reputation to the film, and also producing posters, making events &
interviews so we can advertise the movie to the audience. Basically,
as you may know, distribution is a business, and distributors don’t
care if you’ve made the greatest film of the past 20 years. What
they care about is if it will make them money.
Also, we want to work with “New Line Cinema” company as
nowadays they work with new directors who produce independent
films, so we have better chances to be accepted by them, as they
have a market, which is eager to buy this kind of films.

18. STORYBOARD AND SCRIPT
• 1. Wide Shot: Boys sitting in woods.
2. Close up: A boy tells the story.
3. Medium wide S.: People listening.
4. Wide S.: People laughing having fun at a pool.
5. Close up: Friends laughing in a pool.
6. Medium wide S.: Something dark roaming around.
7. Wide S.: A girl at night planning tennis, finishing up.
8. Medium Wide S.: Something dark roams in front of the camera.
9. Close up: Girl’s face scared.
10. Shaky camera shot of dark figure roaming about.
11. Close up: A boy has drowned in swimming pool.
12. Close up: Boy’s nails painted pink.
13. Wide S.: A girl killed in the park.
14. Close up: The girl has also the nails pink.
15. Close up: Poster of missing person.
16. Cuts to the title credits. Production Company Name appears.
17. The city is dark and filled with lights.
18. Extreme wide Shot of Alena’s Name on a billboard.
19. Close-ups: Alena getting ready in the actress dressing room.
20. Medium Wide S.: The husband comes in to wish her luck.
21. Close up: She looks herself in the mirror.
22. Something in the background.
23. Cuts to black.
24. Birdseye View: Alena dead on the ground (Reverse Tracking shot).
25. Close up: Alena’s blood on the floor.
26. Detectives looking down onto her.
27. Close up: Detective’s investigation board at the office.
28. Detective aggressively interviewing the husband.
29. Close up: Detective’s face.
30. Close up: Fish slamming table.
31. Detective smoking under the bridge.
32. Close up: Detective Foreman analyzing the dressing room.
33. Detectives interviewing people.
34. Wide Shot: Detective digging up the grave.
35. Detectives trying to work out what’s going on.
36. People crying because of Alena’s death.
37. Husband crying and being sad.
38. Detective points a gun at his head.
39. Husband tied up.
40. Close up: Detective destroys the investigation board.
41. Body underwater.
42. Wide Shot: Detective looking around.
43. Wide S.: Detectives kicking the door.
44. Close up: Detective Murray pointing at the killer.
45. Cuts to the titles.

19. PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

20. SOUNDTRACK
SOUNDTRACK 1
This track is really ambient and quiet, with very little
noise. It creates a dark dystopian atmosphere; its slow
tempo and deep vocals are a clear convention of a
“horror” genre. I like this track, however I don’t think it
would suit our trailer, as our trailer has to create
excitement, thrill and suspense. This track is just too
ambient.
SOUNDTRACK 2
This track is more fast paces and rough, however I don’t
think it goes well for a Thriller Trailer. It seems to be
more suited for a chase scene of some sort. The track
starts very quick and the beats are consistent throughout
the track which is something I really like about it.
SOUNDTRACK 3
This track is very dramatic and builds a lot of tension. It’s very “
conventional” for a Thriller. I like how the track changes from being very
fast paced to very slow. There’s a lot of variety to play around with and
use in the trailer for our film. In our trailer, we will cut together quickly
action scenes. This track has elements, which are fast beats that would
fit in with this, to help us build up tension. We also have many shots
showing characters thinking and looking around. The track keeps level
and creates a mysterious eerie atmosphere.
The chosen music will be a mix of the second and the third one as we
think we can create a great combination from both, keeping the
dramatic and slow pace music with the rapid beats of the second one.
We chose it to confuse and make the audience feel tension with it.
That’s the plan!