Treatment

TREATMENT:

The Boy Who Sailed in an Armchair
By Callam Fellows. Based on the book by Lara Williamson.

WHAT IS THE BRIEF?

WHO IS THE AUDIENCE?

Due to the humour and story, I feel this would be best aimed at a younger audience, perhaps those in late primary school years or starting at secondary school. I suggest this as this is also the age range of the main character and his friends. Since the family is a Dad and two sons, I feel it is better suited for, though not limited to, the male demographic.

 

KEY DATES FOR EACH KEY MILESTONE DEADLINES

EQUIPMENT

Camera equipment is essential for filming. Key pieces of equipment needed are -

*Professional final camera(s).

*Stand/tripod.

*Boom-mic(s).

*Adjustable camera lense.

Different camera angles are required to reflect different atmospheres and emotions for each scene. On top of that, some scenes will need to take place high up or in water, so waterproof cameras and cherry-pickers may be desired for these shots.

PROPS AND MODELS

Props play a big part in telling this story, from the iconic armchair to the hundreds of origami birds that appear throughout the story. Due to the colour scheme used in the story, I image this to be visually stunning and the props and setting to use a brightly coloured pallet, reflecting on the childrens' innocence by making everything look almost cartoon-like. The paper birds should be white, connoting how angelic they appear.

The main actors are children and therefor should be played by a group of talented child actors who are able to deliver their lines clearly and with feeling. In order for an audience to enjoy this, they must feel that they're actually watching a group of interesting and quirky children and not just child actors reading off a script.

Meanwhile, since the children struggle to understand the adults and how weird they can be from time to time, the adults (such as the dad, the teacher, and the neighbour Cat), should be played by the adult actors in an over the top fashion. Their acting should be hammy, but so much that they become unbelievable or annoying, just enough that they come across as strange and some-what awkward.

HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Some scenes involve the two brothers falling into ocean water. These scenes will use dummies and young-looking stunt doubles to stop the child actors being put in any danger.

The father is in an abusive relationship and has his arms scratched in the story. No violence is to be shown and so the actor is in no real risk of being hurt. Violence is only implied.

LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

The father in the story is involved in an abusive relationship. This must be shown respectfully without causing offence. Violence will be implied without being shown.

The two protagonists fall in the water, but are saved though they do come close to drowning. Other characters must stress the danger of this and how this was a life-threatening situation, that way younger audiences will understand the seriousness of the situation.

Many of the main characters are children and it seems only appropriate for these roles to be played by child actors, but this may prompt some child labour laws issues.
A disclaimer may be added, stating that none of  the children involved in filming were injured nor put in any danger.