My chosen format for the project is short film. I have chosen this because I feel as though out of the 3 that would be the most creative to work with. I have already done a short film for Level 2 FMP so I feel as though I now have the experience to create the film how I would like.
The topic/subject of my story is a TV presenter named Dexter Manning. He is very eccentric and says many unhinged things. The story will start with him opening the news and then going into him getting mad because his producer wants him to read from the autocue. This sends him into a rage where he starts screaming and shouting at people in the crew, specifically the producer. They get into a massive argument and Dexter ends up fighting the producer which in result gets him sacked.
I have decided that this will be a comedy film, and it’s a reflection of my strengths and preferences as a filmmaker. I feel as though I have a strong sense of humor and making people laugh. This personal preference towards humor makes it easier for me to craft comedic situations, writing witty dialogue and showing the lighter side of life, even when the films topic is more serious than funny. I also believe that comedy has a universal appeal and that when done well, it can connect with a wide audience, as everyone enjoys a good laugh. I also chose this for my own personal fulfillment, making people laugh and brightening their day makes me happy and is what I want to do with my projects.
I would say he is heavily based on Ricky Gervais’ character “Tony” from the show AfterLife. The character loses his wife to cancer which sends him into a deep depression where he doesn’t care about anyone and just goes around doing what he wants. This is the type of energy I am wanting Dexter to have.
I would say Dexter’s character as well as the whole film itself is based off Steve Coogan’s popular character, Alan Partridge. I have been a fan of the series for a long time and I love the situations he gets into. I love the idea of TV and radio going wrong, like mistakes from presenters/crew or even Emergency alerts. They are both such heavily moderated and scheduled things and it’s run so perfectly when you see them little mishaps come through it feels like something really special. I get that sense from Alan partridge, especially the film “Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa” where he gets taken hostage but continues to broadcast on the radio. This is what I wanted from Dexters character, very comedic and shows someone who knows how to broadcast but is too ego fuelled to do anything.
Dexter is also based on the character Roy Kent from the show “Ted Lasso”. Kent is an Ex-Footballer known for his aggression and I wanted Dexter to have this same sort of anger that Roy has. From Roy, it inspired me to make Dexter more assertive when arguing with his producer and I believe this added more depth and complexity to my character, making him more relatable and engaging for my audience.
I feel like it’s important to add that the character traits I borrow from these character are integrated seamlessly into Dexter’s character, keeping in mind the context and storyline of my film.
Plot
The plot is basically the narrative of the story. It includes the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and conclusion. In my film, the plot follows the life of Dexter, a angry television presenter, as he argues with his producer. This story will show how Dexter is aggressive by following the story of him being under fire for allegations of abuse and then showing him arguing with his producer which results in him getting fired.
Characters
- Dexter Manning – The eccentric and unhinged TV presenter who is the main character.
- The Producer – The person responsible for running Dexter’s show and ensuring everything goes smoothly.
Characters drive the story. Well developed characters tend to have distinct personalities, motivations and arcs.
Setting
The story is set in a television studio where Dexter Manning hosts a news segment. The setting is crucial as it adds tension to the conflict and allows for the inclusion of the crew members who bear witness to the drama.
Purpose
The purpose of the story is to explore the consequences of Dexter’s erratic behaviour, highlighting the difference of his obvious anger issues and the demands of producing a professional TV show. It also delves into the effects of unchecked anger and how it can lead to the downfall of a character.
Conflict
The conflict in the story comes from the clash between Dexter’s anger and the producer’s demand for him to read off the auto-cue. Dexter’s refusal to the producer’s commands leads to a heated argument and eventually a physical altercation between him and the producer. This conflict is not only personal but also professional, as it ends Dexter’s career.
Resolution
The story’s resolution would be Dexter’s downfall, being fired from his position as a TV presenter. The resolution servers as a conclusion to the conflict and provides a sense of closure to the story.