9. Tones/Themes
• I wish to have multiple themes within my
programme. However I wish for my
programme to have an overall tone similar
to the BBC three drama “Being Human.”
However I intend to make the show
appropriate for a pre watershed audience.
I want to aim my programme towards a
working class audience. As such I wish to
include multiple working class characters
much like “Shameless,” and to include sets
and issues that are relevant to people in
the working class, much like “Misfits.” As I
wish to include supernatural elements, in
somewhat of a horror manner. With this in
mind, I intend to liken the treatment of
supernatural elements, much like “Buffy
the vampire slayer.” I intend to couple
these situations with elements of humour
in a similar manner to “Reaper.” Finally I
wasn’t my show to contain continuing
narratives, with multiple characters within
the story, all of whom effect the narrative,
much like “The Walking Dead.”
10. Characters
• The show will mainly focus on one character as the primary protagonist. However
the protagonist will be joined by a group of his own companions. This use of
multiple characters much like in “The Walking Dead.” This use of multiple
characters within the narrative, ultimately helps to make the story more interesting
as it gives different perspectives towards the storyline, and gives way to other sub
plots to be involved, which again enrich the story more so. The group of characters
will all be very distinct and different from one another, but yet have similar traits
that link them together, much like in “The Breakfast Club.” In order to go against
typical conventions, and make the programme stand out somewhat, the main
characters will not be stereotypical. For example, the main protagonist of the show
(Tom) will exhibit behaviour that is not typical of the ‘hero’ of show, much like Tony
Stark from “Iron Man,” who whilst being painted in a positive light, behaves
irresponsibly, and drinks. Furthermore, the ‘sidekick’ of the main character ( Mike)
will be presented as an anti hero, much like “Judge Dredd.” This creates are less
conventional and far more interesting character for the audience to engage with.
The villains of the series will stray also from the more predictable and outward
villains, and have a similar presence to villains like Anton Chigurh of “No Country For
Old Men.” This is as, unpredictable and menacing villains such as this example make
for a more interesting narrative, and greater enigma in the story, this ultimately
leads to more interest from the audience, and a greater sense of escapism and
entertainment for the audience.
11. Costumes
• For the ‘ghost’ characters the
costumes will be kept as a smart
casual outfit, that is entirely grey.
The grey will be representative of
their passing. The mix of casual and
formal clothing indicates that
whilst they have some remnants of
living society (casual side) they are
distant from it ( formal). The cast of
the ‘living’ will wear fairly basic
clothing, of various colours.
Although the colours will not be to
vibrant as to in keep with the
serious, and somewhat gritty tone
of the programme. Furthermore,
the protagonist side of the cast will
be seen in clothing that may be
considered ‘in fashion.’ This
ultimately helps in keeping the
characters relatable to the
audience. Although, the characters
will each have their own signature
outfits, in order to distinguish them
from each other, e.g. a character
might have their own signature
jacket that they always wear.
12. Setting
• The setting for the programme will be either pre
synced. Much like “Misfits,” which makes use of
the already existing community centre to shoot
its programme in. Or the sets will be easily
created on our won premises. Both these
elements keep the budget of the show low, and
can ultimately contribute to the realistic feel of
the programme, which whilst juxtaposing the
supernatural elements within the show, helps to
immerse the audience more so. The two main
settings of the show will be a small café and a
small flat. Both of these sets, due to there
everyday nature, again add to the realistic feel
of the show. Additionally, due to the home
environment (a flat in this scenario) connoting a
persons comfort zone, where they feel safe, it
would be easy to go against these conventions.
By perhaps making the home the more
dangerous place where the characters are
uncomfortable. This would cause the
programme to stand out and be overall more
interesting to the audience. The same effect
could be achieved through the work
environment, by making this the more safe
place of the two.
13. Website
• For the website of the show, conventions of fellow
E4 websites shall be followed, to staple the
programmes identity as an E4 programme. These
conventions include a large central image on the
homepage, a recurring use of the colour purple and
a background image that is relevant to the show in
some manner. Also features like the ability to like
the show on Facebook or follow the show on
twitter will be included in the webpage, as it gives
the audience the impression they can forge a more
personal link to the show and receive “exclusive
information.” Whilst the website will somewhat try
to fit in with the conventions of E4 show websites
such as “Dead Set” and “Skins,” the website shall
have distinctive features of its own, to establish its
own identity. Finally on the webpage, the site shall
try to make use of aspects of synergy, most namely
the 4od feature. This is in order to compete with
other shows, not just on Channel 4 (or its
subsidiaries), but on other broadcasters, as many
now offer the ability to ‘catch up online.’
14. Treatment
Working title: Spectres
Synopsis: Tom works in a café. He was born with the ability to see and communicate
with ghosts. He never told anybody about this. He started to tell people about this
over the internet, and became a small time medium in order to secure more money
for his ill mother. He did this both over the internet and at small pubs and bars. Many
were sceptical of his ability despite his incredible accuracy. One such person was
Mikes best friend Tom. Tom and Mike where in a car when they were hit head on
seemingly by accident by a speeding lorry. Tom survives but remembers very little
from the incident, and Mike dies. Tom loses confidence after this and he too begins to
doubt his own ability as he has somewhat forgotten about how to use it properly, he
begins to ignore it and tell himself that he is just seeing things when it does work. This
continues until exactly 1 year after the accident, when Tom see’s Mike (or the ghost of
Mike) sitting in the café where he works. At first scared, Tom’s confidence is somewhat
reassured by Mike. Mike has spent the year investigating the accident in secret, as he
believes that it was planned, and that someone knew that Tom could actually see
ghosts, Mike sees this as his ‘unfinished’ business and the duo set about trying to
uncover who tried to kill Tom and killed Mike.
15. Treatment
• Format:
-30 minute comedy drama
-High definition (1920x 1080)
-Shot on Nikon D3100
-Edited on Final Cut Pro/Imovie
Distribution:
-online trailer :YouTube and E4’s website
These two methods of distribution will be effective as they are media which appeal to
and are used by the target audience of the show (young people aged 15-35), so as
such, the programme will be marketed to the selected audience and others as much
as possible. Furthermore, the inexpensive nature of these methods of distribution
keep the costs for the programme minimal.
16. Treatment
• Intended audience:
The intended audience for my show is those of social grade C1, C2 and D, (lower
middle class, Skilled working class and Working class), aged 15-35 and of mixed
gender. This is the intended audience, as the characters within the show belong to this
social class, and indeed the settings will also be of this class. This target audience has
been selected due to my research. Through my primary production research (phoning
Clerkenwell Films) I learnt that “Misfits” which is a programme of a similar genre to
mine, purposely tries to have a working class tone, as this proves popular with
audiences. As such, the working class are the target audience for my programme, and
the programmes portrayal of working class characters in a working class environment
will allow the audience to relate to the show more so. Also, members of my group
found that the largest demographic of those who watch programme of a similar genre
(Misfits, Dead set, Skins) was males aged 18-29. taking this into account, whilst still
trying to appeal to a much wider audience, the programme will intentionally contain
elements that will specifically appeal to this demographic, as they are the largest
chunk of the possible audience.
17. • Style
Treatment
Overall the programme is intended to be a serious drama with heavy elements of a
supernatural theme. There will also be elements of light horror that will be suitable for a
pre watershed audience. There will also be some comic relief in the show, to somewhat
lighten the tone on occasion. The tone will similar to that of the BBC3 3 “Being Human”, but
will also to deal with real life relatable situation with a supernatural theme as a backdrop,
much like “Buffy the vampire slayer”. The show will also feature working class themes
similar to “Misfits.”
• Rationale:
This product is relevant to the target audience as the protagonists of the show will be of the
same age, social class and generation of the target audience. As such they will deal with the
same kind of issues that many of the target audience may face and dress and act in a similar
way, which benefits the programme as it allows the audience to relate to the show more so
This product is relevant to current media trends due to the supernatural element of the
show. Many shows across many different channels contain supernatural elements that
prove very popular. Such as; Being Human, Misfits, True Blood, Supernatural, The Vampire
Diaries, and American Horror Story. This programme should be commissioned as it fits in
with the current media trend of supernatural theme, so already has a large audience it can
appeal to.
18. Treatment
• Feasibility:
My production will be a workable project firstly due to its locations. The location will
be fairly low key and as such inexpensive, the location will predominantly be a small
café and a small flat. These can be provided through fairly small resources. The flat set
could be created on our own residences, and the café could be created in a small hall,
that could be accessed through a number of contacts. Or we could attempt to film in a
small local cafe, if the owners allow it.
Budget:
Costumes -£30(due to the casual nature, most costumes can be supplied by ourselves
or the actors we choose, this figure is merely just in case there is something we need,
so this money may not be spent).
Locations-£30-60 (estimated due to requirement of café, if we choose to film on a pre
synced location, we may require to pay the owner).
19. Deadlines
• Deadlines: Pre production:21st November-28th November
Production:29th Novermber-21st December
Post Production:30th December-12th January
