I have chose to create a short film instead of a newspaper or a movie trailer. My film will be based on drug driving and the consequences that could follow. I chose this because i feel there are too many people around at the moment who are driving whilst under the influence of drugs and they are putting not just their lives at risk but other motorists. I want the film to show how silly choices can lead to big consequences.
The general plot of the film is that a teenager has just passed his driving test and is a cannabis addict. He goes to pick up 3 of his friends, 2 of which also smoke cannabis and the other one doesn't smoke it and always tells his friends to stop smoking it, especially if they are going to be driving about. The boy in the front seat pulls out a joint and lights it and passes it around to the other 2 that also smoke it. After they have that one, they light up another one and the boy that doesn't smoke it asks the driver to take him home because he doesn't want to be in the car when they are smoking it. However the driver doesn't listen and decides it would be funny to pick up the speed and drive stupidly. Soon after he hits a curb at speed and the car spins out of control, rolls over and smashes into a lamp post. Everyone survives apart from the boy who doesn't smoke and wanted to go home. the 3 boys then decide to give up smoking cannabis and try to make up for the loss of their friend but it will never be the same for them again.
Representation
The main representation in my film is teenager drivers who smoke drugs whilst driving. There will be a lot of focus on the driver in the film as he has the most responsibility out of his friends when they are in the car. The representation of peer pressure is also another key issue in my film as the drug takers offer Ben (the character who doesn't take drugs) some cannabis but he refuses. This scene is shot with close ups of the conversations which emphasises the emotions of the characters. Towards the end of the film, consequences and decision making is represented and this is portrayed when the protagonist faces a huge consequence, therefore influencing him to change his life and the choices he makes within that. The change of tempo and genre of music at this scene will reflect the problem that has arisen and it is a very strong part of the film as it is very emotional music and will get the audience either feeling for the protagonist or turning them against him completely.
Ideology
The dominant ideology of my short film is that anyone who chooses to break the law and put themselves and others in danger will risk serious consequences and in most cases, will result in huge consequences and tragedies. Another ideology is that even if you choose to change the way you live your life after a bad incident, the past is not going to change and you will always live with that burden on your shoulder, especially if you played a part in that incident. You can see in the film that the protagonist tries to flush the problem down the toilet but he knows that's not going to make things right as the past can never be changed.
Values
The main technique I am going to be using to portray the message of my film is the music and the emotions of the genres. This will emphasise the emotions the characters are facing and will engage the audience with what's meant to be felt in the film. Another production value I will use is the use of a montage of images of Ben's life which will be on screen as the crash is happening in the background. You won't see the crash but you will be able to hear the sound effects which will be very powerful as the mood of the film will suddenly change. I will use the production value of a close up on the speed dial in the car as the car is speeding up just before the crash and a close up of Ben's face right at the end of the speed dial shot. This will portray to the audience that something bad is going to happen especially when the screen whites out and everything goes silent.
Audience
My target audience will be teenagers from 17 years old up to people aged 21 who are either starting to drive or have been driving for a little bit. My film will be aimed at those who take drugs or have drugs around them in their community either from friends or family. This film will also be aimed at them teenagers who have friends who pressure them into doing illegal things.
Language
Fast paced music has a meaning of action and adventure. The fact that music is being played with a high tempo usually symbolises that it is building up to a climax which could either have a positive ending or on most times, a negative ending. Slow paced music can symbolise love and romance usually parallel to a dance by two couples. Slow music can also be contrapuntal, for example in a high paced scene like fighting with slow music being played over the top. In my film< I will be using slow paced music during the scene of the montage and the scenes of the aftermath. This will be powerful and emotional scenes as the music will be parallel to the picture which is a unfortunate event.
Institution
My film will be a British film as I feel most British films have that sense of reality and truth to them whereas traditional American "Hollywood" films have that glamour feel to them where everyone is happy and if there is any bad consequences, everything always seems to turn out fine in the end. I want my film to show the truth to the story and in a sense, educate people about what dangers there are when driving young and especially taking drugs. The major institution I would use to publish my film would be Film 4. I chose these because channel 4 broadcast a lot of educational and reality documentaries which are very true to the point. This attracts audience because they can compare themselves with what is being shown and many people prefer to see reality and sometimes the doom and gloom of British life instead of the happy lives of "Hollywood" films.
Narrative
My film uses the traditional beginning, middle and end style which works well in what I aim to achieve with my film. At the beginning, you are able to recognise the protagonist and get to know him a bit. In the middle, you get introduced to Ben, who later loses his life and you identify him as the character who doesn't take drugs because he is the one that turns down the drugs when everyone else is taking them.
Genre
The genre of my short film will be drama/thriller because it portrays a group of friends smoking illegal drugs and the protagonist driving whilst under the influence of drugs. The one friend who doesn't take drugs is the unfortunate person who loses his life in the end. It is a drama because the target audience can interact with the story and relate themselves with it either because they have been involved with something similar or they know people who have had experiences like it. Because the character who loses his life is pretty much killed by his own friends in some respect makes it a thriller.
