Major Project - Treatment

TREATMENT

Working title: Follow Your Dreams

Length: 5-10 Mins

Format: Documentary

Short synopsis:

What is the film about?

  ‘Follow your dreams’ documents the life in the day of a tattoo studio in Sheffield. It highlights the importance of getting a tattoo that is right for you, as well as focusing on main artists such as ‘Tacho’, whom has travelled the world doing this profession.

Mid-Length synopsis/outline (250 words):

What is the core subject matter of your film? How will the story unfold? What are the themes/issues/arguments you are trying to uncover? Who are the key contributors? What makes them interesting? What will we learn about them? Use visual language the aim is to bring the story alive and the characters off the page.

  The underlining subject matter of the film is the way in which a tattoo can be a piece of art, and portray something meaningful to you. Rather than focusing on why people have tattoos, the 10 minute documentary will focus more on how they are created, following the process through from conception to having one done. The story will unfold through using various interesting images and editing techniques, such as time lapses that demonstrate the day in a life of the ‘Follow Your Dreams’ tattoo studio.

  The core arguments we plan to uncover, is to represent the reasoning behind people having a tattoo, and how it can make them feel. Often, it can give a person confidence, or remind them of a loved one.  The owner of the studio, Tacho Franch, will be a main feature of the film, concentrating on his experience in the field and the way he tattoos. 

  The audience will learn about Tacho Franch’s way of tattooing, through specific interviews, planned to take place whilst he does so. This will demonstrate his method to this form of artwork, and present to the audience something that they may not have personally seen before. Franch’s background in the business is also a key subject, as his 15 years in the field is interesting and establishes his experience. 

  A relaxed and friendly atmosphere that is present from within the studio, will allow the contributors to stand out to the audience, along with the vivid colours and imagery on screen.

Analysis of approach (500 words):

How will you make this film? What will it look and sound like? What is its style? What are the techniques used? What works were inspirational to the film? What works does it resemble? What is its mood? Its ambience?  Demonstrate enthusiasm and a distinctive visual/aural voice here. Include references to TWO films that you have watched as research.

  We will be making this film in a quite close and intimate style where the artists can be closely viewed by the audience and it will give the audience a better chance of connecting with them on an emotional level. The film will look quite bright and natural so that the audience will feel as if they are seeing it from their own point of view, in a similar style to Sign Language – Anthony Gurner (http://vimeo.com/9573920).  This film has a close style and is fun and relatable. 

  As for the sound in the piece, atmos tracks of within the studio will be a predominant aspect, as well as the background music from this space. I also plan to include elements of tracks I feel fit, probably modern music that go with the design of the studio.

  The film will have a relaxed and friendly mood, combined with a fairly edgy atmosphere. Jump cuts will be used to fit with the character and tone of the piece. Vivid colours will help demonstrate the style of tattoos the studio tends to design, as well as form a visually pleasing look for the audience. 

  ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’ by Banksy, is a good example for the relatively gritty style to the film. Hand-held footage is used a lot within this particular piece and I think that this is something that will work well in our own. It’s interesting and memorable ending shot of the wall being knocked down provides a good metaphor for Banksy’s thoughts on Mister Brainwash’s artwork. I think that the subtle humor in this film keeps it light-hearted and easy to watch - something that I think is essential for our film.

  The ‘characters’ in our film will be what entertains the audience and keep them involved in the film. Tacho Franch is an interesting character that has been through a journey as part of his career, where he has visited many countries. Interviews with him will expand on this and inform the audience on his travels.

Filmmaker biography (50-100 words) :

What kind of documentary maker or filmmaker are you? What are the themes in your work? How do you approach work? Do you have any awards?

As a film maker I want these documentaries to be quite light hearted and approachable for the audience but not pointless… they should have a serious undertone but approached in an easily digestible and un offensive manner. Themes in my work include a lot of handheld as I like the close personal feel of it as the audience can feel as if they are actually there and not just watching from a camera fixed to a tripod. Audience engagement is very important to me in every film I make, even documentaries. I approach work in quite a relaxed manner and try to make the entire cast/crew feel comfortable as being too serious can intimidate people and stifle them when we go to film.