2. Synopsis
Robbie an awkward 18 year old boy who suffers from Autism. He is left to support himself as the result of
a careless and delinquent mother who is constantly under the influence of prescription drugs. He develops
an interest in narcotics through the view of his bedroom window where he observes the frequent visitors at
a drug den on their estate. Due to his mental impairment, he has a fervent interest of Chemistry, shown by
the abundance of posters in his bedroom and commitment of staying after school in the labs for hours.
After years of intensive research, he breaks into the school and manages to create a drug in the school
science lab. One afternoon whilst walking home he becomes intrigued in a girl he sees often around
school and decides to follow her. In aggressively confronting his behaviour, the drugs drop from his pocket
and she questions him further, appearing interested. They join forces together, him making the drug and
her selling it. As their drug becomes increasingly popular among young people in the area and they begin
to make a lot of money, others involved in the drugs business become aware that there is threat to their
own businesses and money. These gang members set out to destroy their success, forcing the two
teenagers to escape and find refuge in a train station toilet. They then are involved in a police chase, as
the trailer will end ambiguously leaving the audience to the fate of the autistic boy and his accomplice.
3. Trailer Plan
- Panning/Tracking shot establishing the setting, showing an estate tower block.
- Blackout as text on screen reads “PARAMOUNT PICTURES PRESENTS”.... “ELIXIR”
followed by the definition
- Over the shoulder shot establishing the protagonist’s clear suffering from some form
of mild Autism, with a worksheet in front of him on a school desk and sat next to a
teacher/helper.
- Long Shot showing the school to set the scene
- Panning Shot of the school science lab showing protagonist experimenting with
chemicals
5. Key questions
The key questions stem from the trailer and the audience’s intrigue regarding what
will happen next. By using jump cuts and cliffhangers, we merely hint at what the
film has to offer, thus exciting the audience to watch the entire film. Our questions
will be:
- What is the fate of the autistic boy and his accomplice after the police begin to
chase them?
- How does illness affect Robbie’s life and his relationships with people?
- How does Robbie’s dysfunctional relationship with his mum affect him?
- How does he create this drug?
- How does Robbie’s relationship change with the girl he starts working with?
7. Inspiration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O704ld5WQnk
The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time - originally a book, now a highly acclaimed West
End production, about the mind of a boy suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7BFZqQ4ruA
Fish Tank - a film looking at issues surrounding family dynamics and broken homes. Inspired us to look at
ideas about the effects of a broken or insecure home life/family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdoKD4gTQ2c
Kidulthood - a film focused on London gang culture, drug culture, and relationships between young
people.
8. Themes
- Gang culture
- Drugs
- Disabilities (specifically Autism)
- Family dynamics
- Broken homes
- Relationships/love between young adults/teenagers
9. Target Audience and Research
Our target audience will be predominantly young people, with the minimum age of 15, as the substance abuse (drug nature) is only suitable for a
certificate of 15. Therefore, we aim to appeal to the 15-mid 20s market, possibly even older. However, as the majority of the characters will be aged
17/18, it is psychologically proven that those who watch a film with similar aged characters like the film more than those with a generation gap. The
gender would be versatile as the themes of violence, drugs, crime and mental illness are applicable to both girls and boys and affect an array of
people in society.
Our inspiration came from ‘Kidulthood’ which was extremely popular among young people as 158 under 25s saw it, compared to a mere 53 over 25
year olds according to the UK Film Council. The trailer manipulated semantic elements such as knives, drugs and cigarettes to resemble the broader
syntactic elements of the themes of violence, rebellion and youth. The poster is of teenagers, one with a baseball bat, again connoting crime and
juvenile delinquency, which we aim to execute in a similar form. In terms of the website, a low angle shot is used of a young boy with a disapproving
look, portraying intimidation and superiority.
We were also inspired by ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime’ which one of our team members read, gaining insight regarding how to
approach the general topic of mental illness and the specific execution of autism among young people. It also aided our aim to represent family
relationships, in particular ones who are dysfunctional and broken and the effect this has on teenagers with autism.
10. Genre Conventions
CAMERA ANGLES/SHOTS
- Birds Eye/High Angle - Used to show the object or person who is being looked down on seem vulnerable and
powerless.
- Close Up - Used to show reactions, creating suspense/tension/fear/sadness/anger etc.
- Tracking/Panning Shot - Used to show someone being followed or watched, also can be used to set the scene.
- Long shot/Extreme Long Shot - This shot shows surroundings, could show a deserted area, creating thrill and
suspense.
- Low angles - Used to show intimidation or fear.
- Handheld - creates a sense of reality, usually used in thrillers or horrors.
- Over the Shoulder - creates suspense and tension, similar to a point of view shot.
LIGHTING
- Low key lighting: Utilized often to provoke sentiments of tension and negativity.
11. Genre conventions continued
SOUND AND EDITING
- Music is essential in any film to mirror the mood of the characters, hence hint at an emotion. In a thriller it adds
suspense and tension; it will often start at a slow pace and then speed up/crescendo to make the shots more fast-
paced, thus dramatic for the audience.
- Within a drama/thriller, the buildup of tension and suspense is key to conform the codes and conventions of these
genres. Therefore, editing is used as a platform to present this high intensity through fast-paced shots, jump cuts and
possibly a flashback to portray someone who isn’t all who they seem to be.
MISE EN SCENE
- Lack of make-up can reveal a character’s vulnerability and smudged make-up can portray crying within a thriller, and
in terms of a drama, casual clothing is often used in order to emphasise realism.
- Typical background for a thriller or drama would be an eerie location such as a dark alley, or to really express the
emotions within a family, it may be shot in a house/everyday place to really hone in on the relationships between the
characters.
- Proxemics may be close throughout, displaying high-pressure conversations and high intensity ordeals, such as a
drug exchange.
12. Actors/locations
Actors:
Robbie - autistic boy (nerdy)
Natalia - girl accomplice (chav)
Louise - mother (antisocial, irresponsible, addicted to prescription drugs)
Thug 1, 2, 3 and 4, peers at school 1, 2 and 3
Ben - train station guard (curious about girl and boy - one who calls the police)
Mr Lincoln- chemistry teacher (helps Robbie with chemistry fascination)
Miss Phillips - Robbie’s special helper/assistant, mother figure to Robbie
Locations:
- Council estate - White City and Camden Town, view from a roof garden and low angle shot - reveals urban lifestyle, boy follows girl home -
first meeting
- In a home - boys bedroom, interest in Chemistry, living room, revealing relationship with mother, view from boys bedroom window - interest
in drug dealing
13. Costumes/props
Costumes:
- Robbie: glasses, high trousers, t shirt, jacket, backpack, bobble hat.
- Chloe: leggings, crop top, hoodie, trainers, hoop earrings, chain necklace, hair tied up.
- Helper/teacher: shirt with skirt/trousers, work wear shoes, handbag.
- Robbie’s mum: jeans, t shirt, hoop earrings, hair tied up.
- Gang members: tracksuits, hoods.
Props:
- Science equipment
