Film Pitch- Declension by Jasmine Lecomber

1. Film Pitch

2. In Brief…
Helena is a girl from an upper class family, but unexpectedly they become
bankrupt due too her father losing his business. They have no other
choice but too move to an estate in South-East London where Helena
mixes in with the wrong crowd. In this group, Tracy is the group leader,
along with other people of the group Dan, Phil and Kylie whom all live of
life of drugs, crime and raving. Throughout the film Helena changes into
the opposite of what she was in the past and her parents try desperately
to reform her but it becomes too late. In the tragic ending she dies from a
drug overdose.
Context
Set in 2012, Nasty Nasty is a modern film reflecting social issues that have
existed for centuries and still exist to this day. The rave scene still exists and
ecstasy is still a popular party drug

3. Narrative explained with Todorov’s Theory
Equilibrium- Helena living a happy and wealthy life in a upper-class family.
Disruption- They become bankrupt due to her father losing her business and have
to adapt to a lower-class lifestyle.
Realisation- Helena mixes in with a new crowd whom take part in drug dealing,
raving and crime. Helena sees potential in them, hoping she can be on their level.
She becomes an unpleasant person, in contrast to what she was once in her
previous life.
Over coming the disruption- Helena's parents attempt to reform her by striving to
find a new place to live. Once they’ve moved, she runs away back to the estate.
New Equilibrium- Tragically, Helena overdoes on drugs which teachers her
Group a vital lesson on what happens when you Dance With The Devil.

4. Setting
Thamesmead council estate is
located in the South-East of London
and is where Declension will mainly
be filmed. The reason for this
location is it’s dull architecture and
grittiness and the way it will fit in
with the idea of poverty. The area is
very spacious and quite large,
meaning there’s plenty of room for
filming and is usually quiet. This
location has been famously used
before in the popular Channel 4
serious misfits.

5. Inspired by..
This is England, by Shane Meadows, is a British
drama film set in 1983 depicting life in England.
The story focuses on young skinheads and how
they adopt a young boy into their group to
become like them. What inspired me about the
film was the theme of social realism and how
it’s very real in terms of what life was like in the
80s. It was produced by Warp Films and
FilmFour Productions and distributed by
Optimum releasing
Fish Tank, by Andrea Arnold, is a British drama film set in Essex.
It’s story focuses on the life of a 15 year old girl living on a
council estate on low income who has a passion for dance. She
becomes attracted to her mums boyfriend and they later
pursue a sexual relationship. What inspired me about the film
was how it depicts reality for young people living in poor areas
and the empathy it creates with the audience. It was produced
by the UK Film Council and Kasander Film Company and was
distributed by IFC Films
Horizontally Integrated

6. FilmFour Productions and Warp Films
I would like Declension to be produced by FilmFour
Productions along with Warp Films. FilmFour is known for
producing many British Films like; East Is East, Submarine
and Slum dog Millionaire (co-productions). The reason for
choosing FilmFour is because of their success with
previous films, and ones that are similar to mine.
Warp Films is a British independent production
company which is based in London and Sheffield. Like
Film Four, it co-produced Submarine. Warp Films gives
opportunities for new film makers and this being the
reason I chose them along with the fact they have
produced films like This Is England which was a big
inspiration for Declension. It’s won the award for Best
Short Film at the 2003 BAFTA Film Awards

7. Director
Andrea Arnold is a British director who has
directed films like Fish Tank, a British social
realist drama. The fact she’s British means she
knows how to make a good British film.

8. Cast
Jaime Winstone- To play Helena.
Winstone has played in films Anuvahood
and KiDULTHOOD, both British dramas,
this is why I believe she’ll be the best for
the role. Her age also fits the role.
Juliet Stevenson- To play Helena’s
mother. Stevenson played Juliette’s
mum in Bend It Like Beckham, a British
Drama. Her age suits the age of Helena’s
mother.
Hugh Bonneville- To play Helena’s
father. Featured in Downton Abbey, a
British drama based on people of an
upper class. Would suit the role of a rich
father.

9. Cast continued..
Yasmin Paige- To play Kylie, one of the
members of the group. Paige has starred
in Submarine, a British Drama film and
recently the TV series glue, another
British drama. Her age also suits her role.
Noel Clarke- To play Dan, one of the
members of the group. Clarke has
appeared in Kidulthood and starred in
the sequel Adulthood, both British
drama films with aspects of social
realism. His young characteristics will
suit the role.
Scarlett Alice Johnson- To play Tracy, the
group leader. Johnson has featured in
Eastenders, a British soap drama, and
Adulthood, a British drama film. Her
previous roles in this appearances make
her a good choice for the role.

10. USP-
Soundtrack
Due to The Prodigy’s comeback,
they will produce the soundtrack
for Nasty Nasty, including their
newest single) Their music is a
mix between electronic and rock,
the tone of the music links to the
grittiness of the film and suits it
really well. Furthermore, due to
them creating the soundtrack,
fans of The Prodigy will hopefully
become interested in the film, this
is what makes it a unique selling
point.

11. Target Audience
Due to it’s characters and plot, Declension is aimed at
British people at the age of 16-25. The film focuses on
youth culture and will be more relatable to those at the
age where drugs and crime are apparent.
The certificate will be 15 as there
are scenes of drug use and violence. Also,
the target audience starts at 16 so this is
appropriate.

12. Budget
The Budget estimated for Declension is around
£1.5 Million. This will cover costs of actors like
Noel Clarke, Yasmin Paige and Juliet Stevenson
who have appeared in big budget films
previously. The setting doesn’t need a big
budget as the estate is already there but a flat
will be needed for the teenagers homes.

13. Release date.
Declension will be released on the 13th of February, the
beginning of February half term. At this point, young
people in education will have a week off and so time to
go too the cinema, once they return to school the hype
of the film will hopefully become ‘word of mouth’.

14. Title Sequence
My title sequence will begin with ‘warp films’
and ‘film four presents’. It will begin with Helena
walking through the estate, and slow motion
shots at random times throughout. It will be a
gritty sequence, with an electronic type of
music. I want to show the context in the film,
the characters and iconography like drugs and
urban buildings.