Pitch 2
- Natasha
'The Voices Within'​
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Finalised Film Synopsis:
Following his wife's death, Trevor investigates the causes of her suicide. This is due to her uncharacteristic mental instability, he is convinced that there must have been a catalyst or cause of her death as he cannot understand her sudden mental decline, in addition to her mentioning of being mentally tormented by 'dollies'. Upon investigation, he meets Richard, a retired reporter who is aware of certain past events in conjunction with the similar deaths to that of Jenny, Trevor's Wife. He tells him the story of Catherine, an elderly woman with various mental issues experiences the effects of schizophrenia where she hears voices which she thinks are coming from her china dolls in the house. After being ignored and having no close relatives or friends to talk to, her condition becomes unbearable and drives her to commit suicide. Due to her deranged personality and rage towards others for worsening her state of mind, Richard explains that there is a theory in which her spirit possesses the dolls which were in her house with the intent to make others experience the same pain which she did. As Trevor investigates he believes the story more and more, visiting family members of those who have also died and speaking to those who are believed to be tormented currently. When researching the possession of an object, he learns that in order to contain a spirit when they are utilising something inanimate he must lock it away somewhere, with historical documents of spirits being trapped in iron cases proving to be the most reliable way to stop the haunting. He visits the house where Catherine's suicide takes place, this is where he is targeted by the spirit also. He then experiences the full force of the spirit's wrath, with mysterious voices tormenting him to the point where it is unbearable. After internally fighting in order to stay alive and attempting to flee from the dolls, Trevor manages to capture the doll which he has seen multiple times and lock it in a box, however, this is not effective and days later Trevor dies from the mental torment which he has faced from the spirit. This is because of the multiple doll possessions in addition to having a free moving spirit present, therefore his plan failed.
Character Profiles and Casting
'The Voices Within'
The characters and Actors who play these characters are a fundamental part of what will present the narrative of the trailer and make it effective. In addition, it is key that these characters act effectively in addition to present the character's persona in addition to the tone of the genre. The appearance of the actors must be realistic and follow the character who they are playing's profile.
Catherine Taylor
Antagonist
Catherine was a 65 year old woman, who suffered from mental instability due to her old age and family history of madness. She commits suicide due to the unbearable nature of her condition, with 'voices' tormenting her seemingly coming from her collection of china dolls. Her vengeful spirit uses these dolls for further torment, and seeks revenge upon the people in town who refused to help her when she needed it the most.
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She will be played by Gina Fry, a 68 year old woman with shoulder length blonde hair.
Richard Jones
Protagonist
Richard Jones is a man in his early 20s who's girlfriend has been tormented by the haunting of Catherine Taylor. Due to the uncharacteristic nature of his girlfriend's suicide and after hearing various different unsettling exclamations from her, he decides to investigate into the legend of Catherine Taylor, and with help, he discovers the secret of the dolls and their animate nature.
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He will be played by Chris Briant, an 18 year old with short black hair.
Trevor Williams
Narrator / Secondary Character
Trevor Williams is a retired reporter, aged 77, who is aware of Catherine Taylor's death in addition to the pattern of suicides which have been occurring since. After Richard confronts him asking for information, he tells Catherine's story and the legend which has occurred after her death.
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He will be played by Eric Falce, a 77 year old man who has thin, grey hair.
Jenny Brown
Secondary Character / Protagonist's wife
Jenny Brown is a 20 year old woman who was lead to commit suicide by the haunting of Catherine Taylor. Her husband was Richard Jones.
She will be played by Olivia Fry, an 18 year old with long blonde hair.
Final Pitch
Feedback and Action Plan
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Issues discussed in feedback:
- Chris's age playing trevor. Need someone who could look realistically married.
- The props appearance. The dolls used may appear too pretty and not intimidating enough to be the main pivotal point of the synopsis.
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Action Plan:
- Present how the dolls will be shown to be intimidating and scary in the trailer. Explore the ways in which the tone of the props can be altered, for example, use of the programme After Effects, the use of lighting, costume regarding the dolls etc.
- Find a different actor for use as the main character, someone appearing slightly older and presenting a more believable persona.
- Re-think how the synopsis can focus more on the dolls, ideas include the discovering of the dolls in the attic, seeing the dolls in photographs when viewing them, items being destroyed or moved with the dolls at the scene, the absence of some of the dolls when trying to find them, other occurrences which could be massively representative of the horror genre and fear.
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