I aim to produce a 60-second TV drama chase scene for a show called Lost and Found. This is a fantasy drama about a young girl named Via, who is in her early teenage years, and who has recently been made aware of a prophecy which has been made concerning her. The prophecy in question regards her and the main antagonist Cassiopeia, a power-hungry, ruthless leader who holds the ability to travel between parallel universes, ridding each one of life and asserting dominance with every universe she takes over. Cassiopeia now aspires to take control of the very universe Via resides in, with talks in the air about "her big plan", though what it is nobody knows as of yet. The prophecy states that Via is the one person who has the power to defeat Cassiopeia once and for all, that she is the only one who has what it takes to restore peace and stability and she has abilities in her which Cassiopeia could never dream of and which Via herself has no idea of. But, time is running out. Cassiopeia is expanding her army by the day, people are going missing without any reasonable explanation, there is chaos and mayhem everywhere and all hell has broken loose. Word has gotten out, and Cassiopeia has been relayed the prophecy by one of her most faithful followers, and now Via and her family are in grave, imminent danger. She must flee, in order to keep them safe, to make sure they stay alive - as Cassiopeia has now ordered her army to locate Via, and assassinate anybody who interferes or gets in her way, in order to find and eliminate her so that she can hinder all chances of the prophecy from ever ringing true. So she runs, runs far away where she hopes that nobody will ever find her, seeking refuge within a seemingly remote narrowboat which somebody has left behind. To the rest of the remaining civilisation, Via has simply gotten lost. Except now, she's been found...
Via will be dressed in casual, every-day clothes to further reinforce her young age and to enhance the idea that she is a normal teenage girl just like anybody else - despite her extraordinary qualities and the fact that she is destined for a fate that has never been laid upon anybody else before. Cassiopeia's henchman will be dressed all in black, as it connotes mystery and eeriness - along with displaying use of enigma codes. The chase scene will take place in multiple locations like a path along a canal and an abandoned field and it will exhibit an establishing shot of a desolate train track. I will record the chase scene numerous times from different angles, using a range of camera shots and movements (e.g. medium shots, close-up shots, high and low angles) in order to intensify the scene and to add meaning by creating a dramatic effect, especially when later editing the scenes. There will be uses of both diegetic and non-diegetic sound, to increase the levels of tension and suspense and to captivate the audience, so that they are able to experience audience pleasures like visceral and vicarious pleasure. In terms of Blumler & Katz Uses and Gratifications theory, I also hope to make them feel immersed in what is taking place through diversion/entertainment and I want them to feel a personal connection to my protagonist through relationships, by causing them to be on the edge of their seats, brimming with adrenaline, wondering if Via will be able to make it out.
Script:
EXT. CANAL PATH - DAY
Establishing shots of locations; canal path, river, train tracks, bridge.
Via is running with an abrupt start. As she dashes down the path and through a gap in the bushes, opening into a field, we switch between multiple camera angles, following her movements.
She runs down the path by the field, and movement can be heard not far behind her. She stumbles for a split second but regains her footing, breathing heavily.
[From Via's perspective] Handheld camera movement, rough and quick. Looks down below, then moves from her left to her right, panning movement. Briefly focuses on an ominous black figure in the distance, slowly advancing towards her.
She resumes running, multiple shots of her from the front and behind, and close-ups on her feet as she runs.
Close-up of a different pair of shoes; black in colour, belonging to another.
Via whips her head around, spots the looming figure, gains speed and turns towards a different direction.
Over-the-shoulder shot of Via and the ominous figure sprinting from behind.
[From the henchman's perspective] Handheld camera movement, long shot of Via disappearing around the corner.
Via climbs over a wooden, rickety gate, and jumps down [close-up of her feet hitting the ground].
Via staggers into an empty tunnel, leaning against the wall, panting hard and clutching at her heart.
Medium close-up shot of Via, leaning on the edge of the wall. Creeping up next to her; the black figure.
Via begins to proceed down the tunnel, slowly and quietly.
Long shot displaying Via stopping still, breathing heavily again. Black figure sprints across the wall, then disappears. Via spins her head around, but nothing is to be seen.
Via makes to run again, but a voice rings out from behind, and she stops in her tracks.
HENCHMAN: Stop.
Via very slowly turns her head, eyes widening, backing away.
VIA: I won't go with you. I won't let her win.
HENCHMAN: [sinisterly] Oh, she already has. Cassiopeia always wins. Insolent, little girls like you are no match for her.
VIA: [sarcastically] That's not what that old witch had to say. The one who made the prophecy, I mean, not Cassiopeia. She said I'll be the one to defeat her.
HENCHMAN: The prophecy means nothing! You will never beat Cassiopeia. You are powerless against her.
VIA: [shrugging] Okay. I'll be going now, then.
Via begins to turn away.
HENCHMAN: I'm telling you to stop.
VIA: What, and wait for you to kill me? No thanks, I'm good. Is Cassiopeia too afraid to come here herself, so she sends one of her minions after me instead?
A short pause, then.
HENCHMAN: [mirthless laughter] We've taken your family hostage.
Via freezes, her breathing stops.
VIA: No, you haven't. You're lying--they're safe--I made sure--
HENCHMAN: [smirks] Not sure enough, it seems.
Medium close-up on Via, who is now pale and shaking.
HENCHMAN: Come with me, and I'll make sure they live. If you run, they die, and you shall have to live with that for the rest of your miserable existence. The choice is yours.
Via drops to her knees [close-up as they hit the ground].
VIA: [shakily] I'll do it. I'll come--I'll do whatever you say. Just don't you dare hurt them.
HENCHMAN: [menacingly] Excellent.
Casting:
My preliminary exercise scene will consist of two people, one being a teenage girl (specifically within the age range of 13-15) and another being slightly or even considerably older, to show a clear distinction between age and to present the uses of binary opposition (young vs old, good vs evil).
Locations:
I will film most of my preliminary exercise at Grand Union canal, and the areas surrounding it which includes a vast field, a bridge and a tunnel.
Shot List:
I will use a large variety of different camera angles, shots and movements in order to complete my preliminary exercise. This includes establishing shots to set the scene, long shots and medium close-ups, over-the-shoulder shots and extreme close-ups. For camera angles, I plan to use both high and low angles, to communicate meaning and to convey a sense of superiority and inferiority. I'll also attempt to add an unusual perspective shot to create a sense of danger and make the audience feel alarmed. For camera movements, I'll use pan movements, handheld movements and tilt movements. This will allow my project to meet the expectations I have of it, by making it raw and realistic - with much of it being from both my protagonist and antagonist's point of views.
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