Treatment - The First Two Minutes

Title:
Duration: 2 minutes
Audience: 15-35, mostly aimed at the male gender but it may attract both.
Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Synopsis (summary): The film opens to a news report showing a news reporter standing inside science department of a government building. They explain where they are (the place where Markov sealed a weapons deal with privatised scientists). They are talking about how a former peacemaker and his allies have declared war on another country who has it's own set of allies. During the report, a montage of shots containing pictures of Markov shaking hands with important people over the top of the reporters voice. The last shot is a still of him shaking hands with a man in a lab coat and then the news report cuts back to the reporter. There is a rumbling sound in the distance. The room starts to shake and the reporter says, "what was that?" The screen goes black and the title of the film comes up. this then fades and a title saying '3 years later' is along the bottom. An army of five or six people run through a forest/field towards a building. They run up to the top floor but one person is told to stay and keep guard on a lower floor. When the soldier is alone, they are ambushed by enemy soldiers. It looks as though they have no chance of escape. Suddenly, their eyes begin glow.
Suggested Elements: Special effects for super powers.

Individual analysis: Iron man 3

For this task I chose to analyse Iron man 3 as it has some similar components/ features to our film:




Plot (from imdb.com)
"The events of Loki's attack on New York City has left Tony Stark a completely changed man. Now saddled with a severe case of insomnia and post traumatic stress disorder, Tony spends his sleepless nights the only way he knows how - coming up with new prototypes for the Iron Man suit. But now new events require that Tony suit up again. A villainous mad man known only as the Mandarin has staged a horrible attack on the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, and is coming for Tony. An angry Tony wants to confront the Mandarin face to face, who proceeds to stage an attack on Tony's Malibu mansion and leaves him with absolutely nothing - no Pepper, no toys except for a defunct Iron Man prototype called the MK42, and he's stranded in the middle of Tennessee. Tony believes the attack on the Chinese Theater and an attack on a small town in Tennessee are related. As he puts the pieces together and tries to get the MK42 working, he discovers far more sinister forces at work greater than the Mandarin himself. But how does an event from Tony's past fit in with the events of the present?"


Some of the cast include:

• Robert Downey Jr.
• Gwyneth Paltrow
• Guy Pearce 
• Ben Knightsley
• Don Cheadle
• Jon Favreau
• Rebecca Hall 
• James Badge Dale 
• Stan Lee

Details:

• Walt Disney studios 
• Science fiction, action, fantasy film, Adventure film.

Analysis:

The start of the film starts with Tony Stark (iron man) saying a famous quote; "we create our own demons" 

This scene opens with a long shot which shows Iron Mans suits, and goes on to them exploding this connotes that they are the demons he is talking about in the opening of the scene in the non-diegetic dialogue along with the non-diegetic sound of sad slow music.

  

The scene then stops and the marvel logo appears. This is very common for the beginning of the film as it is showing the production company logo which helps produce the film. This occurs quite often. 

The distribution company of the film is then also showed, this is also a common feature to an opening of a film.

From the distribution company logo the film moves cuts to a black screen where the the date "1999" appears denoting that we are about to see what happened in the past (having a flashback) this is a common convention for a sci-fi film. We then see scenery of a building in Switzerland fade in, this is an establishing shot, therefore it is showing us were the following scenes are taking place, finally the text "Bern, Switzerland appears so that we are able to link the scenery being shown to were the scene is set and what time period it is in. Also The song by Eiffel 65- blue  is being played, this was a popular song for clubs in the 90's and as we are shown Bern at night time we are given the idea that the scene is set at a party. 

We then see that Tony stark is at a new years party where he is being approached by doctors who want to go into business with Tony, the lighting in this seen is fairly dark which is what is expected at a party. The interaction between the doctors and Tony is shown in a close up, by doing this we are able to see that Tony has no interest in what the doctor's have to offer, therefore we are given a full grasp of the situation.We also see Tony with a party hat on whereas the doctors are in full suits, this connotes that they at the party to talk business whereas Tony is there to have a good time.

We then see Tony walking through a crowded hallway with his bodyguard and girlfriend where he is ambushed by the press but one man sticks out and approaches them. This man is shown in a closeup this connotes that he may be an important part of the film later on also because he is the only person that manages to approach them shows that he is important in the plot of the film, this leaves the audience with the enigma who is his man? The lighting in this scene is also a little brighter as they are just walking out of the party into the hotel therefore the lighting supports the environment they are in. The decorations of the hall also show that it has just been christmas as there are still christmas trees up, therefore the props also support the time period of the scene. 

In this seen we see a shot reverse shot as we see Tony talking to the strange man therefore we get both the reaction of the man to what Tony is saying and what Tony's reaction to the man is. We also see how they are positioned as we see Tony stood half out of the lift whilst the man is backed up against it almost in awe of Tony as he speaks. The lighting in this scene is also brighter as they are in a lift/hallway so the lighting reflects the environment. 

The Scene then ends with a low angled shot of the strange man that approached Tony, stood on the top of the roof where Tony had asked him to wait. The low angle shot suggests that the man may be coming into power soon and his shadow suggests it may be a darker side of him that is brought out. The lighting in this shot is dark as it is outside at night, however there is light shining which provides that shadow effect on the wall behind the man.

A new scene Starts with a tilt up to reveal Tony's house, we also see some text saying present day and Malibu, California which fades in this tells us that we are back to the present and the flashback has ended. This shot used is an establishing shot so we aren't just being told where the next scene is set we are shown. 

We are then shown a long shot to so that we can establish that the scene is in Tony's engineering room were lots of high tech equipment is shown. This is a convention/ Symbol of iconography of a sci-fi film. The room is dark this could symbolise danger. Also there is a christmas tree present, this connotes the scene is set near christmas time. 

We are then shown a close up of Tony's arm after he has implanted advanced technology into his arm that will allows his suit to come to him, almost like a sensor, this is an example of iconography in a sci-fi film as advanced technology is being used. 

The mood of the film suddenly changes in this scene as the is distressed, freaky sounding non diegetic sound connoting there is something wrong about what is happening. We are then given a first glimpse of what seems to be the bad guy. we are first shown him walking outside in highly lit conditions to which it is hard to see his face, we are then shown weapons which instantly suggest that he is dangerous. Lastly we see him close up with mirrored sunglasses on, this connotes he want's his identity to be hidden. The lighting again is quite low contrast and highly lit therefore there is some shadowing on his face, this gives the impression that this man is shifty and shouldn't b trusted.

Distributors

After looking at distributors of similar films to our film that I have found I have come to the conclusion that the following distributors would be work well at distributing our film, most of the distributors I have found are mainstream as there aren't many independent film companies that make Sci-Fi films. I think that this is because they don't have the same amount of money that more mainstream companies do to create special effects on the films in order to make them look realistic such as CGI.

20th century fox:
This mainstream company is responsible for the following Sci-Fi films:
Avatar, alien vs. predator, rise of the planet apes, x-men: first class, wolverine, etc. Therefore I thought that this company would be a good distributor as these films have similar elements to them to our film. Also these films use a wide range of special effects that would be good for the effects we need to create in our film.


Paramount pictures:

Paramount are responsible for the distribution of the avengers, the star trek franchise, Iron man 1 and 2 and war of the worlds. All of these films have similar elements to our film therefore I believe that paramount would be a good choice of a distributor as they will be able to help us achieve the special effects we need in our film even though they have a wide range of genres of films that they distribute.


It is hard to find independent company that distribute sci-fi films this may be because they don't have the money to create special effects or the money needed to promote such a film, however one independent company that distributes sci-fi films is Picture House entertainment

Therefore I think that even though independent companies such as picture house entertainment distribute sci-fi films it would be better if our film was distributed by a mainstream company such as Paramount or 20th century fox as then our film would be able to have the resources it needs in order to become a success.

Genre work

Science fiction is defined as a type of genre where the plot of events that take place that are being described are taking place in alternate reality. This could be from a long time ago like in star wars or the present like in terminator, twilight zone, independence day ect. or the plot could be set in the future like in dark star or silent running.
The Oxford dictionary describes Science fiction as fiction based on the imagined future it can include scientific or technological advances with major social or enviromental changes frequently portraying space or time travel as well as life on another planet.
Generic conventions and codes of science fiction:

• Aliens 

• Spaceships

• Rockets

• Vibrant colours

• High advanced technology

• Abstract outfits

• Silver and metal objects

• Futuristic sounds
• Wide range of races and species

• Lasers

• Space setting

Other examples of Sci-Fi include:

Thor 2: The dark world-



This shows another 'realm' in which gods with supernatural powers and abilities come from. 

Star Trek Into Darkness



This film involves time travel, aliens and futuristic weapons such as laser guns


The Amazing Spider-Man



This shows a superhero with super abilities as he was bitten by a radioactive spider.



This film shows, nuclear tests, Nuclear weapons, destruction an army and a mutant villain/ bad guy.

Typical story lines of a Sci-Fi movie include:

• A superhero with superhuman powers that at first is unsure how to control their powers but near to the end of the film uses their powers to save humanity.
• An alien that comes to earth to try and terminate the human race and inhabit it with their species.
• Teleportation- Moving from one place to another or from one fixed point in time to another to solve a problem in time, e.g. to stop the enemy form taking over the world.
• Scientists working to create a super weapon that will destroy the bad guys.
• An alien hiding on Earth from other aliens.
• An alien falls in love with a human

Typical story lines of an action film include:

• Revenge- An enemy (bad guy) has come to seek revenge on the hero (good guy) for putting them in prison.
• Revenge- A hero has set out to attack the bad guy for killing a loved on e.g. their partner.
• Escape/ siege- the hero is trapped in an environment that is almost impossible to escape and has to use their own wit and weapons in order to escape and be alive.
• A hero defends an innocent group of people at any cost in order to keep them from harm.

Typical characters found in a Sci-Fi film:

• A hero who's ability is underestimated by their peers.
• An elderly man that is able to help/ train the hero from their own experiences and knowledge.
• A hero that will sacrifice his life in order to protect the innocent.
• A tough girl that thinks she can beat anyone in a fight that ends up being defeated.
• A religious guy that is slowly losing his faith

Typical iconography of a Sci-Fi film:

Weapons

High tech machinery:

Spaceships:

Time travel:

Typical iconography of an action film:

Weapons:

Bombs:

Military:

Mise-en-scene for a Sci-Fi film:

• Futuristic costumes, clothes that don't look like past or current fashion
• Makeup and prosthetic's often play a big part in transforming actors into realistic looking aliens CGI is also often used to create these effects.
•  Locations e.g. outer space e.g. visual effects to make the location look realistic, also crop fields, ruins from a war, a city e.g. New York.
•  Props such as laser guns, advanced/ alien technology etc. 

Mise-en-scene for a action film:

• Mirrored sunglasses
• Motorbikes/ sports cars/ muscle cars
• Leather jackets
• Army uniform
• Muscles to create a powerful effect e.g. makes the character look undefeatable.

Final Film Idea

A Russian billionaire called Markov managed to get himself into a position of power by branding himself as a peacemaker and gained the trust of the world leaders. He manipulated countries into forming an alliance with one another until the world was split into two sides. It wasn't long before a nuclear war broke out and left Markov to control his new world. However, a small group of politicians were weary of Markov's motives and formed a new independent army. This army survived the nuclear war and fight to destroy Markov and his army. One of the soldiers has a secret that is the army's main chance of success. One soldier is known as a loner but is respected by all of the superior officers. 

After the prologue, the film opens to them infiltrating a building that was vital to Markov's success. One of the officers is told to keep guard when they are ambushed by enemy soldiers. It looks as though they have no chance of escape but then they appear to use some sort of power to defeat the enemies.

Back at the base camp, a new officer call Anderson attempts to joins the higher ranks of the army and is allowed to know the secrets of the war. However, his physical statistics aren't high enough. His Sargent Major allows him to speak to the quiet, yet intimidating solider, Yuri (who happens to be the same soldier that used the power in the previous scene). The soldier checks the statistics again and agrees that they are too low but they are shocked by Anderson's high mental statistics so decides to let him join Level 5. It is clear that is very out of character. The conversation is interrupted by the Sargent, who has a strong dislike toward Yuri. He talks to the Sargent Major and discusses his fears about having Yuri at the camp but the Sargent Major is dismissive and refuses to talk about it any further.

The General of the army is visiting the base camp so all of the soldiers are expected to be on their best behaviour. Anderson is picked by the Sargent Major to be a guide for the General along side the Sargent. Everything is going well up until Yuri storms in holding a piece of paper and starts shouting at the Sargent Major and accusing the Sargent of trying to get them to have a leave of absence. The General shouts over them and, to the surprise of Anderson, begins to be pally with Yuri and offer them a drink. The General undermines the Sargent Major and tears up the paper. Anderson begins to realise the power that Yuri has in the army.

Anderson is given a note telling him that all new Level 5 officers must report to the main training area. When he gets there, the Sargent Major is talking with other Level 5 officers and Yuri. The Sargent Major explains how the war really started and how they know this information. They also explain why these details are hidden from other levels. Yuri notices that Anderson is aware of what the Sargent Major is saying and that he already knows it because he is saying it under his breath before the Sargent Major does. One soldier believes that this isn't the truth, which causes Yuri to get angry and attacks the soldier.

After the incident, Anderson decides to talk to Yuri about the past as it appears that they are the only two people in the army who remember their lives before. Yuri opens up to Anderson about their past, which gives Anderson a greater idea of how powerful Yuri really is.

On a mission to an abandoned warehouse, where Markov's army are said to have been spotted, Yuri senses that something isn't right and believes that they might be walking into a trap. On the wall of one of the rooms, written in red paint, reads "Hello, Yuri". It becomes obvious that Yuri's secret is out and they are in danger.

My storylines.

Idea one: A teenage girl wakes up in her room she walks down the stairs to find herself in another dimension where her family don't exist instead she lives with a foster family and has a completely different name. The girls carries on and gets ready to go to college in hope of finding one of her friends to help her. whilst on her way to college the girl has flashbacks of the night before when she had an argument with her parents. The girl finds her friend and soon discovers them to also be completely different to the people she knows, she begins to ask them about certain factors of her life e.g. what happened to her family, confused the friends start to think that there may be something wrong with the girl, they then call for the college nurse. the girl becomes frustrated and leaves the college site and goes back home. distraught she begins to scream at the foster family and begs for things to go back to the way they were. The girl then wakes up to discover it had all just been a long dream.

Idea two: Three teenage girls are out shopping when they quickly realise they are being followed by an man and a woman dressed in suits. the man and the woman approach the three teenage girls and tell them that they have been carefully selected to become secret FBI agents and that the case they will be working on involves the capture of a mass-murderer. The three girls take on the challenge and are taken to a special unit where they are trained and given uniforms and the equipment they will need to complete this mission. The girls are then given a location and time where they will find the mass-murderer. The girls arrive at the location to find that it is an old factory, they then go into the warehouse and investigate whilst finding the best place to stay and watch for the murderer to arrive. Once the murderer arrives the girls surround him and put up a fight to arrest him and take him back to the base. Once they get back to the base the girls discover that the whole scenario was a hoax and that the 'agents' that recruited them are actually in a gang and have been waiting for the chance to kidnap the man and kill him. The girls then have to work as a team once again and try and protect the man, by trying to keep the gang members away for him at all costs until the police arrive. Whilst trying to protect the man one of the girls shoots a gang member as an act of self defence. When the police arrive they arrest the remaining gang member and question the girls about the whole scenario. The girls are then later awarded for saving the mans life and helping the police catch one of the most notorious gang members in the city.

Genre Research

Science Fiction (also known as Sci-fi) is defined on the Free Dictionary online as being a literary and cinematic genre, in which fantasy based on scientific discoveries/developments, environmental changes, space travel, life on other planets, forms part of the plot or background.

The action Genre is where physical action, including stunts, chases, fights, battles and races all take the precedence in the plot. Action films often revolve around a single hero, facing a difficult goal and is battling against the obstacles and odds that stop them getting to it.

Typical Generic conventions of sci-fi

• Aliens
• Space Travel
• Time Travel
• Futuristic Setting/Alternate History
• Advanced technology
• Dystopia

Typical Generic Conventions of Action

• Guns/Weapons
• Fights
• Goodies vs baddies
• Explosions
• War
• Soldiers

Divergent-

Divergent is set in a Dystopia world.

Star Trek into Darkness-



Star Trek has a a lot of space travel and aliens, using futuristic laser guns.

Doctor Who 50th anniversary trailer-



Doctor Who is about a man who is an Alien who travels through time.

X-men days of future past-



People who have super powers.

Thor: The Dark world-




Thor is about Norse Gods who visit Earth, and one falls in love with a Human woman. Battling with aliens.

Underworld: Awakening-



Battles between Werewolves and Vampires.

The Amazing Spider man-



A man is bitten by a radioactive spider and ends up with super spider powers.

Typical Storylines of sci-fi
Due to the many sub genres there is a range of types of storylines that tend to be used, such as:

• Scientists are working hard to find a cure to a supervirus/develop a weapon to kill bad guys
• An alien comes to Earth and falls in love with a human/is hiding out on Earth from bad aliens that are after them/comes to Earth and defends it even though humanity is scared of it and fears it'll hurt them
• Good Guys travel through time to stop a historical baddie/bad guy travels through time to destroy his nemesis before they are born
• Virtual program is invented, lines between reality/virtual world become confused
• A computer system becomes self aware

Typical Storylines of action

• Normally in a Revenge plot the villain has killed a loved one of the hero, or has left the hero for dead, they then gear up and set out on a rampage
• Escape/Siege plot is when the hero is locked up in a secure compound, and only wits and a lot of bullets will mean their escape
• A hero or a group of heroes are sent off on an Assassination attempt
• Oppression where the hero defends a innocent group of people against bad guys who opress them
• Kidnap storylines usually involve a loved one of the hero being taken and they have to do everything possible to rescue them before they are killed

Typical Characters

• The main character tends to be underestimated 
• An elderly guy that is the trainer/gives advice to the hero
• A group of misfits that end up coming together to save the world
• A noble leader who will sacrifice for others

Iconography of Sci-Fi
Spaceships

Laser weapons

Time travel

Any means of breaking the laws of physics

Technology (robots and computers)

Iconography of Action
Guns

Battle

Soldiers

Military groups

Mise-en-scene for sci-fi

• The costumes for the futuristic/dystopian films always tend to have been made to look very different to clothes from our past and those we wear currently so they suit the time period that they come from. Often include miliatary type uniforms, where all the characters look the same. 
• Make up is always a big part in films which involve aliens in order to make actors/actresses' look more like realistic aliens, especially if CGI is too expensive
• Settings tend to range from other planets, space ships, a town kept away from the rest of the world by a wall/fence, ruins of a city and an average city setting but with supernatural occurrences.
• Props include laser guns, alien technology and just general weapons.

Mise-en-scene for Action

• Massive muscles which make the heroes look powerful
• Leather jackets
• Motorbikes
• Sunglasses