2. SYNOPSIS
When finding her pet ferret dead, Simone takes old
friend Kate along to burry the animal, during which
the frays of their relationship come to the surface.
3. BASIC INFO
Entitled ‘Ferret’, it displays the relationship of two friends
when success unfolds for one and not the other. It is set in
a small town.
It focuses on themes of jealousy, resentment, out-growing
friendships, success and failure, suicide and animals.
The tone I am to create takes these complex themes and
packages them neatly for the audience by interjecting
moments of humor, both visually and within the dialogue,
acting as a buffer between the heavier themes.
4. WHAT THE STORY IS ABOUT
“we hate it when our friends become successful”
- Morrissey
Simone is an artist paying the bills with her art, Kate is a
play write who’s success has not been forthcoming since
graduating.
I wanted to make a film that deals with the gaps that can
form in friendships due to competitiveness and the
importance put on ‘making it’ in our current landscape.
The film also brushes over suicide as a topic, as well as
looking at animals and how we as humans act similar at
times.
5. WHY MAKE IT?
Films about mid 20-somethings often deal with drugs, crime, love, etc.
Those stories may be exciting as escapism, but in today’s world the
feeling of being left behind the tide seems more prominent and
something that isn’t addressed a great deal in our current movies.
University finishes, some make it, most do not. I wanted to make a film
that addressed this in the context of a relationship, not only one about
young people, but about woman.
Too many short films focus on a Woman as being a figure of desire, or
depict them worrying about men in some way. I wanted this film to
voice female characters who do not mention men, do not mention love.
Success, art and friendship are at its core.
6. INFLUENCE, TONE, STYLE
I set it out as a indie drama for screen written in the vein of Old Joy, Wendy and
Lucy (Kelly Reichardt), Color Wheel (Alex Ross Perry), Margot at the Wedding
(Noah Baumbach).
Using contemporary references, visually I am looking at the personal tight style
in which Rick Alverson applied in ‘The Comedy’ . Mixed with the framing used
in ‘Wendy and Lucy’ by Kelly Reichardt and the long takes ‘Ida’ by Paweł
Pawlikowski.
9. VOICE OVER SEQUENCES
I will have two scenes that Mix cut-aways, black screen and
voice over with images. This was something applied most
recently by Mike Mills in the movie ‘Beginners’ and by Richard
Ayoade in ‘Submarine’.
Here is a test clip of a scene from my film:
11. HOW WILL I DO IT?
Deliberately I’ve written a script easy to produce. We have two main roles, a
few extra’s needed, outside locations apart from the last scene.
Though I have done this because I prefer films like this, I also have done this to
make sure that the film can focus to succeed with performance and
cinematography, so my efforts will go into rehearsals and storyboarding.
I have one professional actress
already lined up to play the role
of Kate. (Picture on next slide of
Kelby Keenan on set on a film with
David Tennent)
For the artwork I will be using an illustrator.
http://hannahpresdee.com/
12.
13. BUDGET, AUDIENCE, SCHEDULE
ETC.
Average cost of one shoot day (subject to change):
• 9 people estimate £27 food per day
• Travel (van) £30 per day
• £15 windfall per day
• Shooting days x 5 = £365 for shooting day costs.
Props List = £176
Maximum budget = £541 + £259 (emergency)
Final = £800 (Initial rough estimate)
14. Audience: Festival goers and panels.
Schedule: (A full breakdown is compiled these are just the
key dates)
Pre-porduction 2nd November – 1st February
Shoot days 2nd – 6th February
Back up shoot days 8th – 11th February
Initial post-production 12th February – 16th March
First Cut 17th March
Final Cut 1st April
15. FUTURE PLANS
I have personal connections at the London Short Film Festival
and the BFI among others due to my job with Picturehouse
Cinemas which will mean this film upon completion will be
entered into the festival circuit.
16. WHAT I NEED
I am looking for a producer, a DoP and a
sound designer/recordist to collaborate with
to make this the best possible film it can be!
Please get in touch with me if you’re
interested!
