UNDERWATER FILMING UNIT: PITCH & WRITTEN PROPOSAL NOTES

As a filmmaker you need to have a clearly defined INTENT of the film you want
to make.
ALL GROUPS ARE TO SUBMIT A 1-PAGE PROPOSAL THAT INCLUDES THE
AREAS COVERED IN THE PITCH (AS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION). THIS
IS SUBMITTED TO PROJECT TUTORS DURING THE PITCH SESSION.
Project/Film Title:
Logline:
Writing a logline is a vital part of the screenwriting process and one of the most
effective ways of selling your idea/concept/script. A logline is the essence of your
screenplay (character, want, and obstacle) written in a clear, concise and creative
way - ideally between 20-30 words.
Synopsis:
Based on your pitch content, this is a written summary of the project/film ideally
200-400 words max.
PITCH NOTES:
All groups will need to present for 5-10 mins to the Project Tutors.
The pitch should cover the following key points:
1. Log Line
2. Synopsis of STORY / CONCEPT
3. What are the key THEMES you want to explore?
4. What is your working HYPOTHESIS or POSITION as the filmmaker (informed by
your research process)?
5. Who are your PEOPLE or CHARACTERS & why should we CARE about them?
(contributors/social actors or dramatic characters)?
6. What FORM & STYLE (use of camera/sound/editing) do you intend to adopt what
element of the film is UNDERWATER?
7. Where is the DRAMA or CONFLICT in your story?
You need to focus your pitch so the audience can VISUALISE your film and
understand your INTENTION and approach as the filmmakers.
LOG LINE EXAMPLE:

FICTION FILM - Where The Wild Things Are, Directed by Spike Jonze
Let the wild rumpus start! Nine-year-old Max runs away from home and sails across
the sea to become king of a wondrous realm of gigantic funny monsters but being
king may not be as carefree as it looks. Filmmaker Spike Jonze directs a magical,
visually astonishing version of Maurice Sendaks celebrated classic exploring the
joyous and wild rumpus of the time and the place we call childhood.
In just one short paragraph, the writer has established a sense of adventure,
excitement and conflict. We know that because of Maxs age, hes vulnerable when
he leaves home, and we also know that hes going to become king of monsters that
are four times his size. Theres already two points of conflict there. Will Max be ok?
How will he get home?

DOCUMENTARY FILM - The Road, Directed by Mark Isaacs

The latest film from acclaimed documentarian Marc Isaacs follows a main
immigration route into the UK the A5 one of Britains longest and oldest roads,
which starts at the Welsh ferry port of Holyhead and ends at Londons Marble Arch.
Isaacs introduces a number of characters who live and work along the road, who
have made their way to London from all over the world. Theres a young Irish
woman who dreams of becoming a singer, who takes a job pulling pints in a pub in
Cricklewood, serving the generations of Irish people who came over before her; a
man from Kashmir working in a hotel, trying to earn enough money so his wife can
join him; an elderly Jewish woman who fled Vienna when Hitler was in power; and a
retired German air stewardess living with her estranged husband. A study of
immigration that deliberately avoids being critical or instructive, and featuring
voices that generally remain unheard, The Road offers a fascinating and valuable
insight into how life is for people who have come to this country from elsewhere.
Short Film Clichs - to avoid! (BY FILM STUDENTS):
Daily routine montage
Student life smoking, drinking excessively
Domesticity (as seen by a 20-year-old) middle class privilege
Parents - a stay at home mum a businessman father (usually banker)
A neglected child/cherubic children (victims)
Drug use or references to drugs
High drama: relationship breakups, murder, suicide.
Moral high ground black or white (lawyers, office workers etc.)

What we rarely see:

 Transgender characters
Identity issues
Race related stories or non white characters
Male victims
Grey morality
Challenging ambiguity
Disability enabling rather than disabling
Sexuality / sexual identity this could be a spectrum of exciting definitions.
Religion and issues of faith how do they filter down to you?
Mental Health issues raised and explored (other than plot devices)
An under researched and underwritten idea becomes very familiar cliches that will
impede the scope of your audience! Dont be afraid to try something new and try to
be original!

Ben Thompson 2016