Treatment – Cross Media Promotion Package (Teaser Trailer)

Film Title; Midnight Messenger Name; Zoe & Elinor

Genre; Horror Sub-Genre; Psychological

Final Plot Synopsis (you may want to submit a separate scene by scene breakdown)

Emily has recently started to sense an odd presence- the feeling that someone is watching her. She sees a suspicious dark figure every midnight. Eventually this strange character appears all the time, wherever she goes. She tells her friends about her experience and the weird encounters but nobody believes her. Messages then begin to appear everywhere, even at her home and all over her room. The messages order her not to tell anyone but Emily feels like she has no choice and reveals everything to her friend Amy who mysteriously goes missing the day after, and is eventually found dead. It soon becomes clear that the mysterious messenger is the cause of her death, a punishment for Emily. Emily then realises she has to face her fear and find out why she is being followed.

Influences

Paranormal activity; SupernaturalScream 4: Ghost face mask and cloak

Structure/Scenes to include

Shot of girl walking to collegeHears whisperingHome shot of her looking out of the window, seeing a figure which then disappears Several different shots edited together of her seeing the figureTelling her friends about it- this will be shown through speechNotes begin to appear Receives many text message ‘We really need to talk’ ‘Don’t tell anyone’ throws phone- close up of the messagesWalking home she hears whispers- runsTelling her friend Amy about the figure and the notes through speech- the music will be quiet in the backgroundAmy is found deadBuries the phone Scream- Last shot is messenger behind her- fades to black

Generic Conventions

Mainly set at midnight- conveyed by clocks and the full moonConvention of a supernatural- the strange figure

Characters/Stereotypes

Main character- Emily- stereotype of girl next door so is final girl (Clover)The messenger Extras Friend: Amy- stereotypically the pretty, un-clever one dies first

Settings/Locations

Main location: CollegeHouse-bedroom, living roomStreetsValley

Props/Costumes

Normal clothes for Amy and Emily as well as extrasCloak for messengerClocks to convey midnightSticky notes for messagesMobile phone which Emily will receive messages onMirror which Emily will see messenger in Cinematography/Lighting

Dark lighting (for night)Normal daylight settingNatural lightLight from torch

Use of Sound

Use of diegetic/non diegetic sounds;Screams/shouts- end sceneFast pace music/heartbeatDoors lockingSplit second of silence- end scene Heavy breathingWhispering

Editing and Effects

Fade to black/white- the end sceneZoom (in/out) - in to characters reactions Close up- messages on phoneCrane shot (high angle) - looking at the messenger outside from the windowLow angle- looking up at Emily in the windowOver the shoulder- characters conversation/ view of phone being buried Tracking shot- Emily running from messenger

Title screens/Typography

Film name will be in shady whiteBlack background with white writing onWhite writing for subheadingsCredits: Agency FB in grey

Target Audience/Uses and Gratifications/Points of Identification

15+ Audience- subgenre of supernatural/psychological is popular with this age group. Also there are scenes of death; however it is not very violentWatch the film for entertainment. The messenger’s intentions aren’t revealed in the trailer so it gives people a reason to watch the film to find out what the messenger wants. The black cloak is a conventional horror prop as it is relatable to Scream. The audience will be able to identify with the age of the characters. It appeals to the audience as it doesn’t have an ending- left on a cliff hanger so the audience will watch it to see what happens.