Research-film idea and genre (video opening project)

  Final Title: Ellis is Alone

Genre: Coming of age drama

 

Log Line

Ellis and Sofia are childhood friends who have done everything together since they were young. When one of them gets into college and the other doesn’t, they are forced to confront their lives without each other and where they stand alone.

 

Opening Description

The film opens with Ellis daydreaming as she is waiting at the mailbox for the mailman in a wide, Scott Pilgrim-style shot. The mail eventually arrives and she takes out a letter, the college application results she was waiting for. It transitions into Sofia doing the same thing, then we see a split screen montage of the two girls making their way towards their meeting spot where they agreed to open their letters together. The whole time, Ellis is stressing out over her results while Sofia is just cruising through life. To make matters worse, Ellis runs into several obstacles almost preventing her from opening the letter. When they meet, they open their letters as they see their results.

 

Use of media language

• Split screen edit to show the difference between both characters
• Wipe transitions to lead in between shots
• Closeups to reveal emotion before showing the decision letters
• High-key lighting