This document provides a proposal and pitch for a short science fiction film about a man who creates a computer virus. The proposal includes an outline of the story, descriptions of the characters and their motivations, proposed shooting locations, required resources and equipment, casting requirements, a proposed budget and schedule, and pitches the filmmaker as the best person to tell this story. Key details include that the main character gets sucked into his computer while confronting the virus he created, and must escape the virus inside the computer system. The film is targeted towards a generally male science fiction audience aged 27-39.

1. PRODUCTION
MANAGEMENT
STAGE 2
PROPOSAL
& PITCHBENEDICT TERRY
YOU SHOULD USE THIS TO STRUCTURE YOUR STAGE 1
RESPONSE. ADD SLIDES WHERE NECESSARY AND
ILLUSTRATIONS. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CLICK ON THE BOX
UNDER THE QUESTION/INFO!

2. PROPOSAL AND PITCH
This template is to allow you to structure your proposal and
pitch. You should be using the work from Stage 1 to help you
to complete Stage 2. As such your proposal should be a
summary of the info collected in your research.
It is important you provide as much product information as
possible (content outline, target audience, resources, cast
and crew requirements, budget, project schedule, market fit).
This template constitutes your proposal, it will be the basis
of your Video Pitch/Presentation.

3. OUTLINE
Synopsis of your proposal – what is your film about? What
happens in it?
An internet bot and virus technician ends up sucked into his
computer. Confronted with the virus he has created, he has to
escape the computer to escape the danger of the virus. In the
twisting labyrinth of the computer, can he escape?

4. MARKET FIT
How does your film fit within it’s market/genre?
Consider your research and justify your position
As it is technically science-fiction, it will need to follow certain
traits to make it easily identifiable by this genre. One existing
feature my film offers to fit its genre is an inside look at
technology, either existing or fictional. The presence of a monster
(a category which my virus falls under technically) would also
appeal to my already generally male target audience.
While I am aware of their existence and potential importance of
knowing their content, I have never seen the likes of “The Matrix”
or “Tron”. While this would help with ideas, I feel I would come up
with better ideas from my own basic knowledge of the films.

5. RIP-O-MATIC
Create a 15-25 second rip-o-matic trailer for your film from
existing footage/sound/photos
This should provide a look and feel for the film

6. CHARACTERS
Details on characters, their motivations, backstory, etc.
My lead character, currently nameless, intends to send a worldwide
virus at the start of the film. However, due to the events of the film, he
immediately resigns having realised the consequence of his actions.
His boss, also nameless, has motivations similar to that of the lead
excepting that he retains it for the entire film. As well as getting the
virus out, he wants to keep his business controlling the world.
The virus is only programmed for a single purpose, to warp every
computer database worldwide into what the technical centre wants to
see. Anything that shows strong resistance is to be targeted and
destroyed.

7. TARGET AUDIENCE
Who is you film aimed at? You could
summarise your research and use this
to justify your choice of audience. How
does you film fit/target this audience?
Science fiction is generally seen as having
a mostly male fanbase under 50, usually
over 30. However, I am aware there are
female fanbases as well.
The best comparison for my short film’s
story and topic is the 1999 sci-fi action film
“The Matrix”. According to YouGov, the
average fan is male aged 27-39 in ABC1
social class.

8. LOCATIONS
Details on proposed shooting locations and images from
recces and research. For extra detail explain how you intend
to use the environment, where are you going to put the
camera, consider time fo day for shooting and practical
considerations [is it busy? Do you need to book it? Are there
any legal restrictions/permissions to consider?].
I intend to use the classroom as the office, which makes it ideal
for extras.
The green screen room, I will have to book for a considerable
amount of time.
Location of the street scenes is still debated. Most likely option
outside college with keying and masking. Public roads, I will have
to get permission from the council.

9. RESOURCES
What resources do you need/intend to use for you production? How do
you intend to obtain these
To create the virus and the computer environment, I will need 3D animation
software. This is already in my possession, so this would save me some
considerable costs had I had a budget.
For the graphics in the animation software, I will use Adobe Photoshop for the
convenience of recognisability and the presence of a timeline to create
animated graphics. I will also use Premiere to bring the finished product
together. Both software are available to me both at home and at college in
different versions, but I am most likely to use the college version.
As my film requires a significant amount of special effects, I will also require
some specialist software. After Effects fits the bill effectively. It is available to
me at college only, which will help me balance out the lack of work on the
sets during college.
Physical equipment will need booking. This equipment consists of a camera
and a green screen room. I am still debating on whether I will need a
microphone, though it would create a higher quality sound than the
microphone in the camera.

10. CAST REQUIREMENTS
Who are going to play the characters in your film? Explain
you decisions, how have you overcome issues with getting
them? Do you have a backup?
I intend to take the role of the boss.
Arran Bull as the lead character.
May need extras for the office scene.

11. CREW
REQUIREMENTS
Details on requirements for production team and any specific
skills needed. Who are you going to use?
Shots that do not have me in them, I shall use the camera. When I
am in shot, Shahzaib Yaqoob will operate the camera.
The 3D animation will be developed by me during my spare time.
2D graphics can be undertaken at college, especially when
requiring the timeline to animate them.

12. BUDGET
A breakdown of how much intend to spend making the film, this
should consider travel, consumables, equipment booking, fees,
etc. Your total should also have a 10% contingency for problems,
etc. Your main currency for equipment from college and facilities
[green screen, lighting, studio, etc] is our cryptocurrency [G-
Units?].
No travelling, no travel costs
Camera, lighting, green screen room rental = £55 + £60 + £60 = £175
+VAT (20%) = £35 = £210
Food costs, £4 x 3 = £12
Hire computer lab for reality scene = £67 x 6 hours = 60 x 6 = 360
7 x 6 = 42
360 + 42 = £402

13. SCHEDULE
You have a rough schedule already in place due to the
college calendar. How do you intend to use this time? How
are you going to keep track of this?
Return to college on 9th April, start within the first two weeks
Term ends on 6th July, aim to finish weeks before then if possible
Develop a timetable to keep track of work progress, add blank
slots and rearrange if necessary

14. Why are you the best person to make this movie? What is the reason that you
decided to tell this particular story? Share your enthusiasm and your empathy for
your characters in your pitch.
Having been thinking about it for at least the past four months, it gave me time to
properly develop it into something relevant, with the recent Twitter-bot and data hacking
scandals making the film more relatable to the times.
It also gave me consideration for the story to be about one of the people behind it all
having a revelation of sorts and quitting the business having realized how wrong they
were for joining.
I have significant experience with 3D animation software, so I can effectively pull off
bringing a virtual virus to film provided that I start doing it at the correct time.

15. What is the heart of the story? What is the central conflict?
The main conflict is a moral decision, enhanced significantly as a life and death situation,
as the main character has to somehow destroy a virus in order to save his life.
Why did you choose these characters? What makes them compelling? Speak
about the personal connection you have as a filmmaker with the characters.
Like the vast majority of people, I have a genuine distain for bot developers and data
swiping groups like Cambridge Analytica. It is for this reason that I have decided to
portray those kind of people as inhumane as possible while my main protagonist is forced
to work for them and is caught in a life and death situation because of this. By having him
actively reject the business when before he had followed the plans for fear of punishment
for failing to follow orders, it will allow the audience to sympathize with him more easily.

16. How will your film be different than others on the same topic? Find a way to make
your film stand out.
I have decided that, to make the film as relatable as possible, I should relate to current
events, that being the Russian bot and Cambridge Analytica data swiping scandals.
Your pitch should not explain your trailer, but add more details about your film and
process.
I intend to combine live-action actors with CGI sets. This will require a chroma key effect
with the green screen room and CGI animation software. Because I understand the
basics of modelling in CGI, I am likely the most ideal person for this kind of film-making.