The document outlines a proposed opening sequence for a UK drama about a teenage boy named Cavell living in London who is trapped in gang culture after his mother's death. The sequence would show Cavell waking up and meeting with his friend Damien, who also sells drugs. They would witness a drug exchange that turns tense, fleeing when police sirens are heard. The filmmakers drew inspiration from similar UK dramas and planned to shoot the sequence over two days with actors Ben Tedeku as Cavell and Lavell as Damien. They would distribute the film through Revolver Films, known for distributing successful UK films about urban youth.
2. Idea for βOpening Sequenceβ
β’ Genre β UK Drama
β’ We have come up with an idea of an average
London teenage boy that has been trapped in
the life of gang culture. His Mum has recently
passed away and he is living by himself or with
girlfriend in a flat.
3. Character Profiles
Our opening has two main characters, although
others will be in the piece they are not the main
focus. Our characters are Damien and Cavell.
Their profiles are as followsβ¦
4. Cavell
This is the main character and focus in the piece. His mum
passed away of a long-term illness she was battling with. He is
now living with his girlfriend in a flat. Damien is his best friend
more like a brother. Cavell is trapped in the life of gang culture
and goes day by day making money by typically selling drugs. As
well as selling drugs he wants to go to University, so he does an
apprenticeship in Engineering.
5. Damien
This is Cavellβs best friend more like a brother to him. He supports and cares for
Cavell ever since his mum died. He also is trapped in the life of gang culture
and sells drugs like Cavell. He is the older of the two friends. He is quite
talented at football and is at college studying sport.
Both characters want a better life, they are just finding ways to better
themselves.
Our target audience is teenagers/young people aged 16-24. The film opening
will captivate a visual element of the life of one of the many troubled
teenagers that live in the capital
6. Where did we draw inspiration from?
After seeing productions such as
Kidulthood, Gun Rush, Adulthood and Top Boy
we decided that at London based UK youth
drama would be a good choice as this is a very
popular theme within the media industry at the
moment. We also had access to actors that fit
this genre very well.
7. Project Title
We came up with a variety of names for our
prodution, we settled on βThe Fast Laneβ. The following
are the names that made it to the final decision.
β’ The Fast Lane
β’ No WayOut
β’ Only Way Out
β’ Herbs
β’ Mummyβs Boy
β’ Way of Life
β’ Stick Shooters
β’ Ambitious Army
8. Content β The Plan
In this opening sequence we will see him getting ready for what appears to be
just another day. The opening sequence will provide visual elements of the
boy waking up, having a shower and or washing face/brushing teeth, getting
dressed and leaving the house to meet his friend who has come to pick him
up in the car.
There will a short dialogue between the boy and his friend, giving the
audience enough information about the boys situation and to know a little bit
about the storyline before the pair drive off in a car.
Soon after, we will witness a drug exchange between a group of youths, and
the two friends, that were firstly introduced. A disagreement takes place and
a weapon is pulled out, however because of police sirens that are heard, the
groups scatter and our film opening draws to a close.
9. Shots
A lot of our opening sequence doesnβt have
dialogue in it, rather it contains a variety of
camera shot to show action. We incorporated
many different camera techniques such as 180
degree shots and a walk around shot.
10. Main Dialogue
Damien: *looks around and then at Cavell* How you been man.
Cavell: *sighs, shakes and looks out the window*
Damien: *Sits up* Look man I know itβs hard, itβs just a part of life, just gotta keep your chin up and move on.
Cavell: *Remains in silence for a moment and speaks* I just canβt believe she gone man, just wish she was still here ο
Damien: I hear you bro, and Iβm sorry, but thereβs no bringing her back and you know it.
Cavell: *Looks at Damien and back out the windowβ
Damien: We need to be on our job, do what we do best *pauses*β¦β¦β¦β¦β¦.You got the ting/stick.
Cavell: *Pulls out gun and shows it to Damien*
Damien: Nice nice let get going. We got the βmandemβ waiting, time is money
Damien turns on turns on music and starts car, Cavell stares at him and back out the window. The pair zooms of in the
car.
12. Actors
β’ Cavell β Ben Tedeku β Ben is a member of our
group and was therefore an easy choice as an
actor as he knew exactly what was required
β’ Damien β Lavell- Lavell was chosen as he
attends an acting school and we believed he
could play the part effectively.
13. Distributor
β’ Revolver Films was chosen as our film distributor
as it one of the UK & Eireβs leading "All Rights"
distribution & production companies. With a
spirit of pioneering inovation, they have
distributed the world famous UK film productions
including Kidulthood, Adulthood and Anuvahood.
This UK success has influenced our decision in
choosing them as they have the UK market in
their grasp already as a trusted distributor of
quality UK productions