Sunday's Child Synopsis. . .

Waltonbury, a small and secluded rural village on the outskirts of Hertfordshire, has always been recognised for its close knit community where everybody knew everyone and secrets were unheard of.

That is until the first child went missing…

She’s young. She’s beautiful. Her corpse, laid bare in the bypass betrays no secrets, that is except for strange numbers seared onto the inside of her cold lifeless hand.

The first body was a warning.

When Molly, a teenage girl living in the village discovers that her sister goes missing, terror spreads through the isolated town. Molly begins to fear that a brutal serial killer is stalking the village streets; a shadowy madman without mercy or apparent motive. How could this be happening in a place so serene?

The final body…might be hers.

With the death toll rising, Molly races to expose a deadly conspiracy and the sadistic killer at its heart, and every move she makes could be her last.

Sunday's Child Film Plot. . .

• Opens with a young girl running from an un-seen threat and eventually getting brutally killed by a hooded character.
• Credit Sequence
• Few months later, the village (the girl killed was from) are throwing a fete.
• Little girl goes missing
• Police are investigating, forensic science teams, etc. But they cannot trace the girls’ whereabouts or the killers.
• Girls’ parents begin arguing more and more and the mother has turned to drinking.
• Girls older sister can’t stand problems at home anymore and as police cant find anything she begins to create her own investigation.
• Girl begins to investigate around the village, asking citizens what they saw happen at the fete, where they were etc. Uses microphone to record investigation
• Other incidents begin to occur- a small group of children (all similar in age to the previous) go missing from the village playground.
• Police get nowhere with investigation.
• Molly finds security in her boyfriend, her parents disapprove of her having a boyfriend, arguments occur between parents and molly, they blame her for daughters’ disappearance.
• Whilst investigating one day, few days after playground incident, molly is walking down a road in the village and senses someone/ something watching her, making her insecure, when she turns to see what’s there she sees no one. As she turns back she bumps into the village priest. He apologises and comments on molly’s sisters’ disappearance and how he hasn't seen them both in church for several months. Molly smiles and carries on walking.
• Molly arrives at the playground and looks around for any signs of evidence. She can’t find anything. As she goes to leave she notices a large adult size shoe print of some mud on the path. She quickly takes a photo and returns home.
• Whilst looking at the shoe print image on the computer, struggling to find any clues of suspects from it, she sits back in stress. As she does so, she notices a pattern of mud on a flyer in a pile on her desk. She suspiciously picks up the flyer, for it to reveal the same footprint as the image. Unaware of the priest watching her outside the window (masked)
• Flashback- when molly bumped into the priest dropped some flyers and the priest accidentally stepped on one.
• Molly quickly grabs her bag and microphone and runs out of the house (night time).
• Molly runs to the village church, the lights are on inside unusually and the door is unlocked.
• Molly creeps in quickly, looking around for children and the priest.
• Suddenly as she walks round the corner and into the main church hall a horrible smell hits molly and she sees all the missing children, all dead in the church pews, etc.- ‘Sunday school’ style.
• Molly runs to her sister to see if she is alive- she doesn't move suggesting she's dead.
• As she stands in the church, breathing deeply and beginning to cry, the priest appears from shadows and begins to loudly preach and pray, cornering molly.
• As the priest leans into her, raising his blood-stained hands, molly takes out a bible from behind her back and smacks the priest around the head.
• As the priest crouches in pain, molly pushes past him and begins to run for the door.
• Just as molly is about to reach the door, it swings open and a crowd of the village adults swarm in.
• Molly is relieved and quickly reveals how the priest is the killer and they have found him, however, the adults all ignore her and continue to walk towards her, forcing her back into the church, whilst chanting prayers.
• Molly begins to panic and scream- “what's wrong with you?”, “he killed them all!”, “he’s right there! Why won’t you help me?”
• Adults all crowd around molly and the priest leans in and sedates her, she screams and then blacks out.
• As she wakes up, slightly dazed at first, she notices she is outside and all the adults are down below her. Molly looks around and has realises she has been crucified. Molly screams in pain and disbelief of it all.

Target Audience Profile

When selecting a core buyer for our media products, we need to not only consider those who will be interested in the genre, but also, those who will be interested in our particular narrative. We have decided to target those between the ages of 15 and 25; the main reason for theses ages is due to the appeal of the cinema as a frequent social event. To ensure that our productions meet the needs and expectations of our target audience the results of our questionnaire were gathered by those ranging from 15 – 17. Although this is the younger end of the age range, we fill our results are still valid. The reason we made it to 25 is access of a larger target audience, however we feel that are product is one which can be enjoyed by older ages. I have found it difficult to target just one gender. I would expect that males are more interested in the horror aspect of our production, i.e. the blood and violence. Whereas, females are likely to be attracted by the psychological/thriller side of our production. Also, are main protagonist is female so therefore, they may feel more obliged to relate to her and therefore take a keen interest in the narrative of the production. The social class of our core buyer is not particularly important. However, our film is set in a small village, a location which is typically associated with middle to upper classes. Therefore, this is likely to appeal to an audience of this social class as they feel they are able to relate to the characters. In contrast, cinema is an experience typically related with the working class. So therefore, we can provide no primary social class our production aims towards. When taking into account ethnicity it takes no ethnic bias what so ever, we will attempt to demonstrate a range of ethnic groups within are trailer.

Themes of Horror/Thriller

After taking into account my personal experience of our genre I have concluded four main themes that are shown.

·         Torture – An example of this is shown consistently throughout the Saw movies. The main protagonist Jigsaw inflicts a frequent pain on the proposed victims in order to teach them a life lesson in order to improve their life. This is also an example of the theme of moral philosophy.

·         Mind games – This is particularly evident in the thriller genre, examples of this is in Batman, here the audience is constantly processing events and predicting later events, the film attempts to make this prediction incorrect.

·         The Supernatural – The most recent example of this film I have recently viewed is Wolfman. The story is about a man who turns into a werewolf once the moon is full.

·         Death and Murder - Chainsaw manicure is a great example of this. However, although it may seem like the character is killing pointlessly. The story reveals that there is reason behind his actions. This can also be related to the area of revenge.

Our Stages of Narrative. . .

After great discussion in our group we have shaped the narrative structure which our moving image production will follow. My previous research into narrative structures demonstrated that most mainstream production follow the five stages of narrative proposed by Todorov. However, my research also highlighted that most horror/thrillers do not follow this structure chronologically although still including if not all, the majority of the stages. As our narrative follows such a structure it conflicts typical narratives although demonstrates the convention of a horror/thriller film. Our narrative should leave the audience in the up most anxiety and show know predictable path.  

Equilibrium
- Rural village establishing a close net community, all is well and normal.
- Traditional social event where the majority of the village attend (families, shop keeper, priest etc).

Disruption
- Suddenly when all seems fine, a little girl disappears inconspicuously.
- The ‘abduction’ becomes known (screams, panic etc).

Recognition of disruption
- A week on and the sister of missing child becomes suspicious of the disappearance (she believes her sister is still alive).
- The investigation begins

Disruption
- During her field investigation molly walks past the park where a group of young children are playing. A young boy goes through tunnel and as he comes out all his friends have disappeared, another abduction has taken place (this time witnessed by the audience)

Attempt to repair
- Molly finds out about the missing boy that evening, and her intuition develops.
- She goes to the scene of the crime, where she finds a symbolic religious cross necklace (boy pulled of priest during taking) “it’s the priest”
- Molly rushes to the church where the door is left slightly ajar.
- Molly looks in fear. Breaths deeply, bell chimes begin.
- Door slams in time with bell, molly gets dragged away into the darkness (a prayer being chanted)
- Revealed to missing children, Sunday school idea.
- The unholy appears on the final chime.

Classification and restrictions. . .

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

I am carrying out this research in order to distinguish my target audience and provide a suitable certificate for my media advertisement campaign. This allows me to develop a greater knowledge and understanding in what we can include and exclude from our teaser trailer.

The company was first established in 1912 and still remains strong to present day. The BBFC can be described as “A highly expert and experienced regulator of the moving image (especially film, video/DVD and video games), and also a service provider for new and developing media.”

The BBFC provides the competent classification of moving images into age and advisory related categories. So therefore, the companies’ main focus is to provide the public with information of whether or not moving image content is appropriate for viewing. They illustrate the significants of protecting those who are vulnerable within society, e.g. young children from unsuitable content such as blood and violence. They also have an influence on the inadvertent breaches of UK law and maintain to provide media industries with security and confidence publicity trusted.

One issue that the company has acknowledged is the change in culture diversity. With this, they have not chosen to simply ignore it but instead embrace change and meet requirements accordingly. A key example of this is the newly developed 12A, allowing the viewing of certain movies for those under 12 as long as accompanied by an adult. Whereas, before if you were not twelve, then you could not view it.

One of the key ambitions of the company is to

• Respond to changing social attitudes

This demonstrates that the company will continue to change and develop and will last meet the needs and expectations of society and be a continuingly trusted company.

List of certifications. . .

U – Suitable for all, more specifically those four and older.

PG – Parental Guidance, here most of the moving image is suitable for children but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.

12A – A cinema certification whereby, viewing is promoted to those over the age of twelve unless accompanied by an adult. It is still not recommended that those under twelve watch the moving image but leaves the decision up to the accompanying adult.

12 – Only suitable for those older then the age of twelve. This is because it contains material that may cause distress to someone younger or what parent may perceive as unsuitable.

15 – Suitable only for those fifteen years and older. In this classification close attention should be paid to the content of; discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex and violence.

Are primary concerns;

·         Horror – Although tough peril and threat is allowed we can not relate these to any forms of sadistic or sexualised behaviour.

·         Imitable behaviour – If we included any form of dangerous behaviour, it should be shown in no great detail. For example, if self harming is shown, do not glamorise the weapon and only show briefly.  

·         Language – Strong language is acceptable but the continuous use of the strongest words will be questioned. Attempt to justify use.  

·         Nudity – Nudity is permitted but not in strong detail.

·         Drugs – Taking of drugs is permitted but in no way should they be encouraged in misuse. The misuse of easily accessible dangerous substances such as aerosols is not acceptable.

·         Violence – This can be strong but not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Any reference of sexual violence must be discreet and be clearly justified.

18 – Suitable only for adults.

R18 – Only shown in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in a licensed sex shop and to adults not less then eighteen years. Usually associated with strong fetish and sex of adults.

www.bbfc.co.uk

Typical narratice structure of my chosen genre and character types

 Propp’s character types

Vladimir Propp (1969) studied 100 tales and as a result developed a character theory that identified 7 broad character types. He argues that these character types could be applied to any other media. He stated that ccharacters have many functions within narratives and each serves a purpose to it.

Propp’s character types -

1.  The villain (struggles against the hero)
2. The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)
3. The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)
4. The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative)
5. The father
6. The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)
7. The hero or victim/seeker hero, reacts to the donor, weds the princess

www.worldlingo.com

After getting to grips with these character types are then watched two horror/thriller films and identified the character types suggested-

Batman the Dark Knight

·         The villain – The Joker and Two Face, these characters work together as they both share the same enemy (Batman), they cause constant disruption.

·         The donor – Alfred the butler, helps batman in the preparation of his quests and supplies him with fighting equipment.

·         The Princess – Rachel Dawes, she prevent Batman from fighting and the villains use her as an asset of Batman in order to get to him.

·         The hero – Batman, constant attempt to overcome the villain(s)

The Hills Have Eyes

·         The villain – The deformed people living within the mountains are attempting to feed on the characters on their territory.

·         The helper – One of these deformed people living within the mountains however, she attempts to help the family by caring and protecting their child.

·         The Hero – the man who attempts to save his family from the villains by going into their homes and kill them.

So it is evident that not all the character types are typically used within horror/thriller movies but more attention should be spent on the villain, hero and helper. I have also noticed that the villains ever just include one character or a group of. These villains have typically experienced trouble events themselves and show no real reason for their evil. The helper often only plays a minor role in the scheme of things, however, makes a large difference in the success of the hero. The hero, is often part of a group and is the last to survive and comes close to death themselves until they demonstrate a final stand against the villain.

 Todorov’s Narrative Structure

A story can be described as a sequence of event typically known as a plot. This sequence of events are then put together and become a narrative, all media texts have a narrative. So when identifying the narrative we do not look at the story, but the way in which the story has been put together.

Tzvetan Todorov’s Theory of Narrative is a key theorist in media; he outlined five stages of conventional narratives. This is a typical narrative structure and is evident in many mainstream and independent films.

There are as follows:

1. a state of equilibrium at the outset

2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action

3. a recognition that there has been a disruption

4. an attempt to repair the disruption

5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium

www.longroadmedia.com

I then analysed one the media texts associated with my chosen genre outlining the stages of narratives it follows.

The Hills Have Eyes

The film begins and we are established with a State of equilibrium. The family seem to be on their on the way to a holiday destination in a caravan. A Disruption of the equilibrium then takes place as the car towing the trailer breaks down in an isolated area and the creatures begin to prey on the characters, the young boy is the first to be murdered. This disruption continues for a long period of time as these creatures access the female characters within the caravan. However, there is no real recognition that there has been a disruption instead the male main character attempts to repair the disruption which he assumes is only the broken car as he is not yet aware of the murders some of his family. However, he then reaches a location where these creatures are living and then Attempts to repair the disruption. He realises the threat of these creatures and tries to kill them. There is no Reinstatement of the equilibrium.

So therefore, typical Horror/Thrillers narratives will include the majority of Todorov’s stages of equilibrium. However, disruption of the equilibrium and attempt to repair are likely to make up to majority of the film as this is the stages the build anxiety and excitement to horror films. As shown in this example, reinstatement of the equilibrium is not always apparent. This leaves the audience on a cliff hanger, causing the audience to be left guessing and related to horror it maybe may suggest that the cause of this disruption can’t be stopped and may still be living.

However, in terms of our media production, we are producing a teaser trailer so while we may include elements of these stages they are likely to follow no chronological order in order to not give the plot of the story away.