Macketly Entertainment's Treatment for the film "The Pursuant"

1. Macketly
Entertainment
TREATMENT
FOR ‘THE PURSUANT’

2. ¡ It is proposed that the film “The Pursuant” will be of one and a
half to two Minutes duration. It will be filmed at the following
locations:
-Bangkok: We are using Bangkok for our establishing shots.
One of our group members is going to be visiting over the
holidays so we have the opportunity to get some footage. We
think that using the backdrop of Bangkok will give our film an
edge and it provides a dramatic, exotic background.
-Auckland City: The opening sequence will be filmed in down
town Auckland. The urban environment makes it easy for our
stalker to blend in. It also allows us to use shots from Bangkok
by sticking to the central back drop.
OUTLINE:

3. ¡ Editing: We are using Cross-cutting to establish action and the
location and using Fast-paced editing to build tension. For our
parts of our title sequence we are using computer generated
imagery (CGI). This will appeal to our target audience because
it will create the effect of the images and titles moving
together. This makes in easy and interesting to follow.
¡ Camera Shots: For our establishing shots we are using the
backdrop of Bangkok. This helps to create the dramatic
backdrop that appeals to the audience because of its exotic
look. We are using tracking shots to follow our male lead. We
are using a drone for some of these tracking shots to get a
birds eye view of him. This will capture the attention of our
audience because it gives them a different perspective on the
character. Point of view shots will be use to show the
perspective of our female lead.
THIS FILM WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
CONVENTIONS OF THRILLER FILMS:

4. Sound: Score is a key component in our opening sequence. We are using
the song “Arrival of the Birds”. We believe that it gives the sequence an
airy feeling as well as entices the audience in. From our survey we
discovered that sound was the post entertaining part of thriller openings
for 16-18 year olds. From this we decided that in order to appeal to our
target audience we must focus on sound. We will also be using ambient
sounds to make the scene more realistic.
Ideology: By choosing a female lead who is also a stalker we have tried to
change typical gender representation in film. We thought that this would
appeal to our audience because their generation is interested in the
breaking out of stereotypes. By having a female lead who is the antagonist
we are also using fem-fatal.
Lighting: We are going to be filming outside in parts so it is important for
us to manage our white balance to ensure we portray a low key lit scene.
This will add to the creepy feel of the scene. When we are filming inside
there is going to be contrast between the dark room with white lightening
focusing on important details. This will interest the audience and draw
them in to the important information.

5. Mise en Scene: The first convention we are using from Mise en Scene is
costuming. Costumes are extremely valuable way to show externally the
characters persona. For our antagonist we will have her dressed in dark
colours, black leather jacket and combat boots. We are creating a wall that
is covered in documents and information around the man that is being
stalked. We will place evidence on important details with the use of colour
and lighting to draw in our audience.
Setting: Our establishing shots are going to be of Bangkok so we want to
portray the central city setting through out. We are going to be filming the
rest of opening sequence in central Auckland. We are going to be using
back streets, that are dimly let to try and fit in with the exotic look of
Bangkok.

6. SETTING: BANGKOK

7. SETTING: AUCKALND CITY

8. ¡ The Usual Suspects: We really enjoyed the title sequence in
The Usual Suspects, so we wanted to try and incorporate it
into our sequence. We are taking the idea of the pin board
with all of the information of our characters but also including
motion-tracking titles. This process was made possible
through extremely careful continuity editing. It allows the
audience to follow the idea with out breaking the train of
thought.
¡ Person of Interest: Although it is not a film, the opening for
the TV series Person of Interest appealed to us because it
follows the concept of following someone. We want to try and
incorporate some of the techniques for showing the different
technology that can be used in the stalking of someone.
AFTER WATCHING THE FOLLOWING THRILLER FILMS/
THRILLER OPENINGS I HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY:

9. Lord of War: The opening sequence for Lord of War follows a bullets
journey from production to being used to kill someone. The process of
following a small singular detail creates an effortless way to show an
entire production line and process. We could apply this out sequence by
following the process of the stalker taking a photo of the protagonist to
when it ends up on the stalkers wall. This makes the audience focus on a
particular detail and is a straight forward way to shoe a theme of the film.
This is extremely present in Lord of War because by following the bullet
the audience knows that the film will have something to do
with weaponry.
One Hour Photo: In One Hour photo we really liked the idea of the
narration over top of the sequence. We think that it would be a good way
to introduce some extra information with out having direct dialogue.

10. THE USUAL
SUSPECTS:

11. PERSON OF
INTEREST:

12. LORD OF
WAR

13. ONE HOUR
PHOTO:

14. ¡ One possible problem with our opening sequence is the use of
a drone. With our setting being in the city we are going to
have to be careful where we fly it and ensure that we do not
get in any bodies way. Also our establishing shots are going to
be shot on a different camera in a different country. This
could be an issue with lighting and ensuring consistency
through out the film. We are going to have to shoot at dusk in
both locations so that we can try to keep low-key lighting
through out the film.
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED (LIMITATIONS AND
CONSTRAINTS, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES, HOW
REALISTIC IS YOUR IDEA, ETC.?)

15. Character names and their motivations/representation in the film
We decided that we did not need to establish the characters name in
our film opening. It would seem rushed to introduce specifics on our
characters without adding unnecessary extra plot lines and mise en
scene and as a result we decided against it. However, the two
characters, both the stalker and the victim, both represent the
antagonist and the protagonist and are established in their roles by
the end of our sequence. The stalker, the antagonist, represents
danger and the more sinister side of our plot. The victim, although
only present in camera shots and photos, already begins to represent
the victim of the antagonist.
Themes and motifs:
-Binary Opposites - Good and Bad, Stalking or Stalked
-Obsession
FOR OUR SEQUENCE, WE PLAN ON
INCORPORATING THE FOLLOWING:

16.
Mood and Tone
Due to the opening sequence being for a film in the R16 Thriller Genre, the mood will, in
theory, have a dark, brooding, almost eerie atmosphere for the majority of the
sequence if not all of it. Our plot definitely already incorporates this dark mood, with a
stalker pursuing a victim already establishing the film as a serious, brooding one. We
intend on creating this atmosphere throughout the sequence by also incorporating
suitable editing, sound, lighting and an effective use of camera shots and angles that
will work with the plot in order to achieve this.
Editing
Being specific on our editing ideas is hard this early on in the production process.
However, we plan on incorporating the following editing techniques in order to achieve
our desired effect on the audience throughout the scene:
Fast Editing - Fast Editing is used often in films of the thriller genre in order to add
suspense to a scene and add tension, often between characters. It can also give the
idea of disorientation or dizziness.
No Flashbacks - We decided flashbacks add too much plot and make it both
complicated for the audience to follow and hard to include in such a short timeframe
and for that reason we decided to avoid the incorporation of flashback editing in the
producing of our film.
Cross Cutting - Cross-cutting is a common technique in thriller films, used often in fast-
editing situations to add tension and create suspense in a scene.

17. Camera Shots, Camera Movement/Lighting/Angles, Lighting
In our sequence we plan on using the following shots to achieve certain desired effects
where they are needed:
POV Shot: Adding shots from the stalkers point of view will help the audience imagine
the eerie, stalking atmosphere and will allow the audience to see from the stalkers
point of view.
Establishing Shots: Establishing shots can distinguish isolation, and add suspense to a
scene. One of our group members will be travelling to Thailand (Bangkok) and we intend
to take advantage of this and add originality by filming our establishing shots in
Thailand.
Panning: Panning shots are used in well-planned thriller films to add suspense as the
audience follow the camera with the shot, usually revealing something in the process.
We plan to use panning shots to work alongside establishing shots in creating setting
and establishing the antagonist/main character.
Match On Action: Match on action is a well-known convention in the thriller genre. We
intend to use this shot to add suspense to the scene leading up to the reveal of the
inboard at the end of the scene and into the title sequence.
Birds-Eye-View (Drone): We have access to a drone and plan to use this to our advantage
by adding these birds-eye-view shots into our sequence. In the sequence we will use
these shots to add suspense as the camera follows the stalker walking through the city
to her destination.

18. Sound and music
Score: After extensive research we decided that a suitable score for our thriller opening
would be the piece named “Arrival of the Birds” as we feel it fits our idea nicely and will
definitely add to the idea we are trying to convey.
NB - May be copyrighted so we will have to check this out and reevaluate after further
research.
Arrival of the Birds as performed by the Cinematic Orchestra can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqoANESQ4cQ
Ambient Sound: This will add suspense and add to the inner-city feel of the opening
scene and sequence. We plan to record this whilst filming within the city.
Ideology
By having the antagonist being female we are challenging the existing gender
representation in thriller conventions, predominantly of the stalker (or antagonist) being
primarily a male lead in thriller films. It introduces both feminism into the sequence but
also a spin off of the Femme Fatale ideology, with the deadly woman in fact being
represented with the antagonist herself rather than a supporting character. It also
incorporates ideas of misandry (Though not extreme) and almost voyeuristic underlying
concepts throughout.
- Ideas from One Hour Photo - Robin Williams (Voyeuristic)

19. Use of credits and logos
Our main inspiration for titles we drew from the title sequence of The Usual Suspects.
This sequence fits perfectly with our theme of “pursuance” and we plan on using
techniques from this sequence in our final film opening.
We are also planning on using Motion Tracking software with the Adobe After effects
editing programmed in order to add to the stalking atmosphere.

20. ¡ BEGINNING:
¡ In the beginning, the sequence will begin with a whiteout. The
whiteout will then focus into the establishing shot of the city
(hopefully Bangkok).
¡ The sequence will then cut to the stalker, face hidden, attending
a camera, equipment strewn around her and her paying close
attention through the lens.
¡ THE CONFLICT/TENSION IN THE TRAILER:
¡ The conflict will then be revealed, as the camera cuts to a POV
shot through the lens of the stalker, revealing her ‘spying’ on a
man (Chaz Wakefield) as he walks through the city, oblivious to
the stalking. This will reveal to the audience that the Stalker
(Sophie Nathan) has other motives that are yet to be revealed.
There will be ‘snapshots’ where photos are indicated to be taken.
SUMMARY OF OPENING SEQUENCE

21. MIDDLE:
Man will then walk out of shot (Camera panning). Stalker will stand up and
dissemble/pack away all her camera equipment. Slinging it around her shoulder,
she will start walking, being tracked (tracking shot) as she walks through the city.
Whilst this is happening, a narration performed by the stalker will be playing in the
background.
END:
Stalker will walk down a dark alleyway (low-key lighting) and through a door into a
dingy hallway. She will turn and enter a dark room (Match on Action?). She will turn
a light on, and remove her hood revealing her face to the audience. The camera will
then turn to what she is facing/looking at, which is revealed to be a huge pin board
with pins and pictures of the man strewn strategically through it.
-Cue Title Sequence
FURTHER NOTES BELOW:
- During Stalkers walking sequence, we plan on using a drone to film a birds
eye view shot to add element of difference and build tension.
- Motion Tracking will begin title sequence during her walking sequence
through the city (Using Adobe After-Effects)
- Title Sequence Idea of pin board from “Usual Suspects” Title Sequence.