Script first draft

ACT 1 Scene 1
-Medium Shot of narrator in front of a door
'Today, we we will be looking at an indigenous species to many urban areas. This creature is all around us, but rarely gets noticed. They are vital to the advancement of our society and without them... there would probably be no need for fast food. I am talking of the Student'
-Narrator enters a bedroom, match on action as opens door handle. The bedroom is messy with clothes on the floor, blinds closed and minimal natural light
'As you can see, the student has very little qualms about where they take up residence. Some have even been known to live in amongst piles of old food, and are close friends to scavengers such as rats and badgers for this reason. The sleeping patterns of these creatures vary greatly, and some, such as this particular specimen, are near nocturnal'
-Student moves and starts to wake up-
'I think we had better leave, as a tired student has been known to rival the anger of a freshly castrated grizzly bear. We should observe from afar'
-Narrator leaves room, narration is done by voice over from now.
-Student starts to get up slowly and sits up. They reach out and grab the first clothes they can find, grunt and pull them on.
Narrator: 'Now the student is dressed and awake, the fight for food can begin. Often the student will live off scrapings and minimal food, such as last nights left over pizza or the last few crushed up cornflakes.
-Student is shown using the last of a bottle of milk-
Narrator: 'Often food can be scarce and the world will become a hard world where only the fittest will survive'
SCENE 2
-Long shot of student stood outside a college building with friends-
Narrator: 'here we have the student in a social environment. The student is a very social animal, often seen in packs and large groups in grassy areas. In the fast paced world of the student, the student relies on their pack for the latest updates and for security in a harsh environment''
-Show student hugging a girl and then someone laughing at their clothes or something. The students friends then start laughing at them too and the student leaves looking depressed'
Narrator: 'If the students dont keep up to date they risk being rejected and exiled form their pack, left to fend for themselves'
SCENE 3
-Show student entering his home, dressing in nice clothes and putting on aftershave-
'The student, left dejected from his run in with the pack earlier now has to redeem himself. He returns to his den to groom himself and coat himself in the most appealing pheromones to attract the opposite sex'
-Student goes in to bathroom and does his hair'
Narrator: 'Here we have the student assessing his plumage, ensuring every hair is in perfect place to guarantee maximum appeal. Once this is done, he leaves his den, setting out for the home of his mate'
SCENE 4
-Student arrives at girlfriends house and walks in, as he enters there is a repetitive suggestive banging-
'Although sometimes in the cruel, animal world, a mate may be replaced if the replacement is deemed to be better or more suitable, sometimes even older and wiser mates may be selected'
-student opens bedroom door to two bodies under a duvet. At the same time as the duvet is pulled back, the narrator looks in to the camera and says-
'Such as me'

Badinage Logos

Character Profile

Alyx Bolshakov

Age: 17

Gender: Male

Location: Barnsley, SY, UK

Occupation: Student

Interests: Computers, Games, Being a slob, Coming into college late, Not doing his work, Getting shouted at by his teachers ALL the time.

Alyx Bolshakov is a Russian who moved to Barnsley in 2010 with his Mother, she has since moved to Scotland with Alyx's Step-Dad, leaving him to fend for himself in an open world full of violence. 

Like any typical teenager he enjoys all things uncouth, such as not doing his college work and spending more time on the PC than he does sleeping. He is particularly skilled in the field of 'play games 24/7'. Due to this, Alyx is barely seen outside of his room, but an even rarer sight is to see the 17 year old leave his house. 

He is still attending college, well, as much as he wants at least. He missed the occasional lesson and uses the time to smoke cheap Russian cigarettes behind his shed to gain popularity with the cool kids. Because of his truancy, he often finds himself in trouble with his computing teacher, Lin. But of course he is a teenager and he cares little for what she says, ignoring the 'cause for concerns' and going about his usual Russian-Teen business. 

Donvid Artenburg

Age: 20

Gender: Male

Location: London, UK

Occupation: Amateur broadcaster

Interests: Following people, Talking into Cameras, Saying 'marvelous' and 'breath taking', making documentaries.

Donvid Artenburg is a budding 20 year old naturalist and broadcaster, in his spare time he can usually be found making documentaries by following random people he may come across in his local town of Barnsley. Although this does seem innocent, he is often arrested due to several reasons. 

When he isn't out filming his documentaries he will usually hang around his back yard, pottering around in his greenhouse while cultivating his tomatoes. 

Classification Guidelines

(Taken from http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/main-issues/) 

Film classification

Main Issues

Discrimination

Potentially offensive content, relating to such matters as race, gender, religion, disability or sexuality, may arise in a wide range of works, and the classification decision will take account of the strength or impact of its inclusion. The context in which such content may appear also has a bearing on the classification. Works with such content may receive a less restrictive category where discriminatory language and behaviour is implicitly or explicitly criticised; or the work as a whole seeks to challenge such attitudes, or is obviously dated.

Drugs

No work taken as a whole may promote the misuse of drugs and any detailed portrayal of drug misuse likely to promote or glamorise the activity may be cut. Works which show drug misuse while emphasising the dangers may receive less restrictive classifications than works that present drug misuse in a neutral manner. Where smoking, alcohol abuse or substance misuse feature to a significant extent in works which appeal to children, this will normally be indicated in the Consumer Advice and/or Extended Classification Information.

Classification decisions will also take into account any promotion or glamorisation of such activities.

Horror

The use of frightening elements which might scare or unsettle an audience is part of a long tradition of story telling and film making. Many children enjoy the excitement of scary sequences, but, where films are targeted at a younger audience, classification decisions will take into account such factors as the frequency, length and detail of scary scenes as well as horror effects, including music and sound, and whether there is a swift and reassuring outcome.

Older audiences often pay to see horror films because they like being frightened or shocked and such works are classified at an appropriate category to ensure that the young and vulnerable are protected from too intense an experience.

Imitable behaviour

Classification decisions will take into account any detailed portrayal of criminal and violent techniques, and any glamorisation of easily accessible weapons, such as knives. Works which portray anti-social behaviour (for example, bullying) uncritically are likely to receive a more restrictive classification. Works which, taken as a whole, actively promote illegal behaviour will be cut or rejected. Portrayals of potentially dangerous behaviour (especially relating to hanging, suicide and self-harm) which children and young people are likely to copy, will be cut if a more restrictive classification is not appropriate.

Language

Many people are offended, some of them deeply, by bad language. This may include the use of expletives with a sexual, religious or racial association, offensive language about minority groups and commonly understood rude gestures. The extent of that offence may vary according to age, gender, race, background, beliefs and expectations brought by viewers to the work, as well as the context in which the word, expression or gesture is used.

For these reasons, it is impossible to set out comprehensive lists of words, expressions or gestures which are acceptable at each category. The advice at different classification levels, therefore, provides general guidance taking account of the views expressed in public consultation exercises.

Nudity

Natural nudity with no sexual context is acceptable at all classification levels, but will not occur more than occasionally in the lowest category. Nudity with a sexual context will receive a more restrictive classification and strong detail in such a context will only be passed in the adult categories.

Sex

The portrayal of sexual activity can range from kissing and verbal references to ‘making love’, to detail of real sex.  This is reflected in the classification system, in which progressively stronger portrayals are allowed as the categories rise.

Sex works (works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation) are likely to be passed only in the adult categories. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’.  Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. ‘R18’ video works may be supplied only in licensed sex shops which no one under 18 may enter.

‘R18’ films may be shown only in specially licensed cinemas.

These Guidelines will be applied to the same standard regardless of sexual orientation.

Theme

Classification decisions will take into account the theme of a work, but will depend significantly on the treatment of that theme, and especially the sensitivity of its presentation. However, the most problematic themes (for example, drug abuse, sexual violence, paedophilia, incitement to racial hatred or violence) are unlikely to be appropriate at the most junior levels of classification. Correspondingly, there is no reason in principle why most themes, however difficult, could not be presented in a manner which allowed classification at ‘18’ or even ‘15’.

Violence

Violence has always been a feature of entertainment for children and adults. Classification decisions will take account of the degree and nature of any violence in a work.

Works which feature the following are likely to receive more restrictive classifications: portrayal of violence as a normal solution to problems, heroes who inflict pain and injury, callousness towards victims, the encouragement of aggressive attitudes, and content which depicts characters taking pleasure in pain or humiliation.

Sexualised violence or works which glorify or glamorise violence will receive a more restrictive classification and may even be cut.

A strict policy on sexual violence and rape is applied. Content which might eroticise or endorse sexual violence may require cuts at any classification level. This is more likely with video works than film because of the potential for replaying scenes out of context. Any association of sex with non-consensual restraint, pain or humiliation may be cut.

Titles

If the title of a work incites hatred on grounds of race, religion or sexual orientation, or incites other criminal behaviour; or encourages an interest in abusive or illegal sexual activity, changes will be required as a condition of classification.

If the title of a work is likely to cause significant offence to a significant number of people if displayed in a public place, the distributor will be advised to consider carefully the places in which it is likely to be seen and to take appropriate action, for example by obscuring certain words on packaging or marketing materials. (This advice is not given in relation to works classified ‘R18’ as such works can only be supplied or offered for supply in a licensed sex shop.) In extreme cases, assurances on public display of the full title, or changes to the title, may be required as a condition of classification.

Photo or pattern sensitivity, motion sickness and reactions to low frequency sound

A small number of viewers are sensitive to flashing and flickering light, or some shapes and patterns, and may experience seizures or other serious physical effects. In addition, some viewers experience feelings of motion sickness or other symptoms when viewing works which feature hand held or otherwise moving camerawork, or which feature very low frequency sounds.

It is the responsibility of film makers and distributors to identify works in which such issues may arise and to ensure that, when required, appropriate warnings are given to viewers.

Such effects are therefore not normally taken into account when reaching a classification decision. However, if it is obvious during viewing that the work is highly likely to affect a significant number of viewers, the BBFC may advise the distributor of the need to ensure that appropriate warnings are in place. In extreme cases, assurances regarding the display of appropriate warnings may be required as a condition of classification.

Trailers/advertisements

Audiences actively choose to see a full length feature based on expectations of the particular genre at the given classification and on the Consumer Advice and Extended Classification Information provided by the BBFC. In contrast, audiences have no choice about the accompanying trailers or advertisements which may be very different in tone and content to the film the audience has chosen to view. In addition, because trailers and advertisements are short and self-contained, borderline material is less likely to be justified by context and more likely to cause offence.

For these reasons, classification decisions for trailers and advertisements may be more restrictive than for equivalent material in a main feature, for example:

• strong language is not permitted in trailers or advertisements at any category below ‘15’
• only one use of strong language is permitted in a trailer or advertisement at ‘15’ and must be neither threatening nor aggressive.

Advertisements for alcohol of any type can be passed at any category.  However, these may receive a more restrictive classification if there are overt attempts to associate alcohol with sexual prowess and/or a glamorous or successful lifestyle.

Advertisements for tobacco are prohibited by law.

The BBFC is not responsible for the exhibition of cinema trailers and advertisements, including alcohol advertising, and has no involvement in deciding which films they appear before. This process is the responsibility of the cinema.

Public information advertisements/charity advertisements

Where an advertisement is part of a public information campaign or has a charitable purpose, the more restrictive approach set out above will not normally apply. However, potentially shocking or offensive content in such advertisements must not go beyond what is likely to be acceptable to the particular audience.

Video games

Video games are classified under the same Guidelines and using the same categories as ‘linear’ works such as film or DVD.

The BBFC acknowledges the difference between watching a film or DVD and the more interactive experience of playing a game but recognises that, to date, limited research has been done into whether ‘interactivity’ has any significant effect on the potential for harm.

In addition, the interactivity inherent in video games may, in certain contexts, lead to a greater potential for some content to be considered unsuitable for certain age groups. The ability of a game to make a young player complicit in behaviour involving, for example, sex, drugs or realistic violence, may be as important as the level of detail shown, especially where such behaviour forms a major component of the game, and where the level of interactivity is high.

In a video game, the frequency with which an issue occurs is also often difficult to quantify, as it will depend on how the player chooses to play the game, and how many times a particular level is attempted before completion. Where frequency is a category defining issue (for example, with respect to strong language), the BBFC bases its judgement on an assessment of the frequency with which a player is likely to encounter the issue during normal gameplay.

Given the lack of research, especially in relation to harm, and given the rapid developments in the sophistication of video games, the BBFC may take a more cautious approach when a video game lies on the borderline between two categories, or contains material which raises issues of acceptability at the adult categories.

Film Techniques video

We found a video on YouTube that could be helpful towards our final production. It was made by students at a high school and features examples of all kinds of shots, movement, lighting, general rules to follow and even experiments that the students wanted to try which could be adapted.

We thought we could try out some of these techniques, particularly ones we hadn't yet tried in previous filming, such as a tracking shot or POV shots. These could both be useful for adding a better feel to our production

Character Profile - Main 'Subject'

Name: The subject will be referred to as 'subject' or 'teen' throughout to further the idea of a nature documentary.
Age: 17 year old
Occupation: Student
Looks: Must be a standard, generic teen. Jeans, jacket, possible slightly creased and dirty clothes,messy hair/overly gelled hair, student card, college bag, pens etc in pocket Overall a generally messy/dishevelled/not bothered look.
Interests: sleeping, music, drinking, listening to music, attending gigs and social events.
Behaviour: Has a messy bedroom with clothes on floor, empty plates, food packets etc. Extremely lazy and doesn't care about what happens in most of his life, isn't too bothered about his future or most things that happen on a daily basis.

This will be the main person in the production, as whilst they won't have much dialogue, they will be on screen for the majority of the time and are central to the story.
They will be followed by the narrator, who will describe their every movement so everything that is done will be important to the story.

Genre Research - Mockumentary

A mockumentary is a film in which fictitious or false events are presented as fact - a mock documentary. These are typically done to make fun of and comment on current social or political events.

Mockumentarys are typically characterised by a presenter or narrator who is always in a serious frame of mind. This allows for any mocking that is done to be funny, as a false fact told in a serious tone is much more comedic.

Two large mockumentary presenters are Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. The pair often presented Mockumentary sketches during their tv show 'French and Saunders'.
A more recent example of a mockumentary would be the show 'Modern Family'.
Both of these shows often rely on the supposed seriousness of funny events for their comedic value

One particularly notable Mockumentary is 'This Is Spinal Tap' (1984) in which the band Spinal Tap are followed and filmed whilst on tour to show their lives as a documentary, but the bad greatly exaggerate what they get up to and mock the camera men repeatedly. One well-done feature during this mockumentary is dramatic irony - letting the audience know what is happening before the subject does, so it builds up to a reveal and the audience are waiting for the character's reaction.

3 points on mockumentaries (taken from Yahoo.com)

1. Pair up the straight man with a preposterous partner. Basically, this is Sacha Cohen's technique throughout Borat.

2. Use scenery effectively to emphasize the ridiculous. In This Is Spinal Tap the American actors speak with British accents in front of an obviously fake castle.

3. Value minutia. A character's obsessions or peculiar remarks are groundwork for a later twist.

Tips on how to write&film a mockumentary :
 http://www.ehow.com/how_2209814_write-mockumentary.html

Gruppe Photo

The Badinage Production team enjoying a philosophical moment with a friendly Russian.

Treatment

Title:
Duration: ~5 Minutes
Audience: Mainly teenagers as they will find the aspects of the film much more funny as it will be more personal and funny and allow for relation to the film. Could also be aimed at parents, as they will have experienced bringing up a teenager, and at 20-30 year olds as some aspects of current teenage life will be the same as theirs, although some of the humour may be lost.
Synopsis/Summary: The film is centered around a day in the life of a student, but done as a nature documentary. There will be a narrator who is on screen at the beginning and at occasions during the film, but will mostly be done via voice-over. There will be 1 subject who is followed, starting from breakfast time - narrated as 'feeding habits', then followed around college and meeting up with a group of friends for 'social' or 'pack' activities, with commentary on the teenager being a pack animal. The subject will then be humiliated by the group for not having seen the latest tv show/having the latest phone etc, at which point they will leave depressed with a narrator commentary on the 'fast paced life of a teen' and the 'survival of the fittest'. They will then go home where they will prepare to meet their girlfriend (ideally the girlfriend will be identified as a 'mate' during the social scene) where they will change clothes and do their hair called 'plumage' and put on aftershave which is referred to as 'pheromones'. They then leave and arrive at their girlfriends and walk in, with the narrator describing the need for a suitable, older, wiser mate, at which point the teen will walk in to the bedroom and the narrator will be in bed with his girlfriend, and the narrator looks in to the camera and says 'Wiser, older... much like myself'
Suggested Elements: The main element this film will rely on is humour and relating to a wide audience of people. For this reason any aspects of the film must not be too narrow and must be relevant to a majority, if not all students. For example, most students will have experienced the 'teenage heartbreak' and will also be familiar with having to be up to date with current trends. The dressing up will poke fun at most people as it is something they have done, and should be done humorously with un-expected things like plucking eyebrows.
The narrator will be a key element as he is the connection with the viewer that facilitates all the humour. Everything that is done on screen must be narrated in a nature-documentary way and done effectively otherwise the audience will just be watching a student walk round. The narrator must also be effective to allow for the final joke to work well, as the unexpectedness of the narrator being in bed with the teen will be what makes it funny.