Cindy Johnson is the 17-year-old protagonist who is still affected by her father's disappearance 7 years ago. She listens to music on her iPod to tune out the world. She also carries a pocket knife that her father gave her for protection. Her 11-year-old sister Nancy is outgoing but struggles with confidence following their father leaving. Their youngest brother Brad is 6 years old and cared for by his mother and two sisters after their father's disappearance.

1. IPod & earphones:
We wanted to ensure that the
character of Cindy came across as the
type of girl who kept to herself and
simply got on with her life, avoiding
conflict and confrontation with anyone
and staying out of trouble. It is
recognised that many teenagers thrive
of the energy that music gives them
and hence constantly listen to music on
pieces of technology such as an iPod or
MP3. We wanted to portray Cindy as
one of these typical teenagers who are
absorbed by what they listen to on a
daily basis. With this, Cindy is shown
listening to music through her
earphones on her IPod; oblivious to
what is going on around her, drawn in
to her music. Additionally, this prop is
one of the most important within our
first two minutes as it merely sums up
Cindy’s personality and how she gets
on with her everyday life, indicating
that this prop is one of very few things
she owns herself and can say is hers.
Pocket Knife:
In having Cindy always obtaining
her pocket knife it implies how she
is always prepared for the worst
and is ready to defend herself.
Additionally showing how
protective she is over both herself
and her family. Cindy is presented
playing with the pocket knife whilst
sat alone; this could suggest her
attempt in trying to retain
memories of her father – as he is the
one that gave it to her. Possibly,
reminiscing in when he had given
the pocket knife to her and before
he left. By having this pocket knife
on her at all times it reveals the idea
that Cindy wants to step up to the
mark that her father didn’t and
protect her family and ensure that
at all times they are safe. Hence, she
isn’t afraid to defend herself and
stand up and fight.
Mobile Phone:
We chose to have Cindy own a
phone to accompany her iPod and
earphones. Cindy does use her
phone that much as she doesn’t
have that many contacts that she
talks to, considering her shy
character when at college and
outside of her home. However, out
in public she acts as if she uses her
mobile constantly, with this she sits
and simply fiddles with it. Cindy
has the desire to come across as
your typical teenage girl and tries
to ensure that no one knows what
has really happened. Additionally,
with this she is very apprehensive in
creating any forms of relationships
with anyone outside of her family.
PROPS

2. Home: The only shots set at our own homes were
incorporated within the flashbacks to employ the fact
that Cindy and her family did have a home before
everything happened. By filming the flashbacks at
home it indicated the family’s happiness beforehand
and the idea that they felt comfortable and safe in
their own home. We were able to film in different
rooms including, the living room and bedroom.
Lighting was high key within these shots suggesting
the relaxed and happy nature of the scene, further
juxtaposing the reality of what has since happened.
Harlington train station: The train station was an ideal
place for us to introduce our main protagonist, Cindy.
The station was substantially empty due to the time
frame for when we wanted to film – evening. We chose
to film at this time at the station because it gave the
sense that Cindy was alone as well as the idea that the
dark lighting and sounds from trains passing gave this
hostile feel. The stairs and bridge at the train station
enabled us to take advantage of the levels and have
diversity in the shots we used, ranging from low angle
shots to wide shots. In showing an establishing shot of
the station and Cindy walking through it shows the
fact she has to use public transport and gives the
initial impression that she is fending for herself.
LOCATION

3. Name: Elise Johnson
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Nationality: American
Occupation: Social Worker
Height: 5’6
Physical Appearance: Black
hair, brown eyes, pale skin
and tall.
Clothing: Contemporary, modern costume to reinstate the current
setting of the film being in 2013.
Elise wears black jeans and a top throughout the flashbacks. The
flashbacks show the family happy together enjoying time with one
another, contradicting the following flashbacks that show the horrific
memories of what happened. So hence wears ordinary clothing.
Make up: Elise wears some make up in order to feel better about herself.
The little make up she does wear includes: foundation, mascara and eye
shadow. She cares about the way she looks because she wants others to
see her as a strong, independent woman who has been able to deal with
what has happened instead of the widowed woman she is inside who is
slowly deteriorating through this struggle.
Personality: Elise is a well-rounded, polite and helpful woman who cares
very much for others. Hence is as to why she adores her job – social
worker. Elise spends her spare time reading and doing the typical
conventional things a housewife does. A lot of her time is taken up by
the work she does in supporting and caring for other people, meaning a
lot of the time her oldest daughter, Cindy, is left in charge. She is a
loving and very genuine woman who is popular within the community.
History: At the age of 4,
Elise lost her dad and was
left alone with just her
mother. She grew up
without a father figure and
promised to herself that the
day she has her own family
she will not allow for her
children to grow up
without either parent.
Married to her husband for
12 years, they had 3
children; Cindy, Nancy and
Brad. With no warning or
notice her husband, Peter
Johnson, left one night and
disappeared leaving his
family heartbroken. Elise
has a hunch that her
husband has left for a
reason to join a cult but
refuses to have her children
know. With this she tries to
pull herself together and
get on with her life, looking
after her kids.
THE DEUTERAGONIST
& VILLIAN
PLAYED BY: JACKIE PENDER

4. Name: Cindy Johnson
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Nationality: American
Occupation: Waitress
Height: 5’2
Physical Appearance:
Brown hair, hazel eyes,
olive skin and small.
Clothing: Contemporary, modern costume to reinstate the current
setting of the film being in 2013.
Jeans, plain top and leather jacket when sitting on train
reminiscing in these bad thoughts and flashbacks. This up-to-date
costume indicates Cindy’s possible interest in fashion and desire in
keeping up with trends and fashions. The darker colour of her
clothing links to the emotion and mood of the current scene.
Make up: Cindy doesn’t wear a lot of make up as she is the kind of
person who makes little effort into her appearance and the way she
looks. However, the minimal make-up she does wear includes:
foundation, eyeliner and mascara. She has her hair up in a messy
ponytail, out of her face, overall appearing quite natural. By
wearing minimal make up it connotes Cindy’s little self-confidence
and also the idea she is considered quite a ‘tom boy.’
Personality: Cindy has a reserved persona and not many friends
because of her minimal interaction when at college. She indulges
herself in current news that involves killings and disappearances;
this is because of what happened to her father. She always keeps a
pocket knife on her, just in case. She works very hard and is
fascinated by what she studies at college.
History: Cindy grew up in a
loving family and they were
comfortable in their own
home. However at the age
of 10 her father suddenly
disappeared leaving no
trace as to where he had
gone. Cindy was the closest,
out of the three, to her
father, what you might call
a ‘daddy’s girl’. For when
she found out her father
had just neglected them she
was heartbroken. From this
time onwards Cindy grew
to be a strong, independent
young girl who trusted
close to no one other than
her sister, brother and
mother. Before her father
had disappeared Cindy had
a nice group of friends,
however once everything
happened and when she
was in need of such support
her friends simply
abandoned her.
THE PROTAGONIST
& HERO
PLAYED BY: JOSEPHINA GOULD

5. Name: Nancy Johnson
Age: 11
Gender: Female
Nationality: American
Occupation: N/A
Height: 4’10
Physical Appearance:
brown hair, brown eyes,
olive skin and small.
Clothing: Contemporary, modern costume to reinstate the current
setting of the film being in 2013.
She wears trousers, a top and coat when in the flashbacks. The
flashbacks show the family happy together enjoying time with one
another, contradicting the following flashbacks that show the
horrific memories of what happened. So hence wears ordinary
clothing.
Make up: No make-up due to her young age. Additionally, by
wearing no make-up implies Nancy’s innocence and the idea she is
young and has no strict knowledge of what has previously
happened.
Personality Nancy is a loud character and very outgoing, however only
recently she has come out of her shell and began to interact with others.
She works tremendously hard at school and tries to be involved in as
many cross curriculum activities – clubs and sport. The majority of her
school life so far she has struggled with her confidence and self-esteem.
She’s very creative and loves to write and make up her own stories.
Nancy is very close with her older sister, Cindy, as always goes to her for
guidance or support.
History: Nancy was
just 4 when her father
disappeared so didn’t
entirely understand
what had actually
happened. Through
growing up the
majority of her life
with just her mother
as her guardian she
grew to forget her
father and soon at the
age of around 9
became oblivious to
him even existing. Due
to her mother being at
work a lot of the time,
Nancy goes to Cindy
for all support and
guidance.
THE VICTIM
PLAYED BY: AMELIA GOULD

6. Name: Brad Johnson
Age: 6
Gender: Male
Nationality: American
Occupation: N/A
Height: 3’10
Physical Appearance:
brown hair, blue eyes, pale
skin and very small.
Clothing: Contemporary, modern costume to reinstate the current
setting of the film being in 2013.
Brad wears jeans and a top with a coat whilst in flashbacks. Modern,
up-to-date clothing to suggest he is well looked after and cared for by his
sisters and mother. The flashbacks show the family happy together
enjoying time with one another, contradicting the following flashbacks
that show the horrific memories of what happened. So hence wears
ordinary clothing.
Make up: No make-up.
Personality: Brad is a quiet boy and doesn’t talk much. He enjoys
going to school and plays football regularly. His room is where he
spends most of his time playing with his toys. He cares largely for
his sisters and mother and in being young he tries to protect them
as if older. He doesn’t fully understand as to why he doesn’t have a
father and regularly compares this idea to his friends, sometimes
wishing he had that father figure in his life.
History: Brad wasn’t
born when his father
had disappeared so
therefore he retained
no memories or
thoughts in association
with having a father.
Without a father
figure in his life he
relies completely on
his mother and in
being surrounded by
females he has
developed a very
sentimental, caring
side. Furthermore,
wanting to be able to
protect his sisters and
mother when he is old
enough.
THE VICTIM
PLAYED BY: CHARLIE DICKENS