Proposal

Idea Summary

Our idea is both concept and narrative based, alternating between a room in which the protagonist
is trapped and flashbacks to the memories with which the room is filled.

Genre

The genre of our production is romance, on the basis that the storyline is centred around a
relationship. Conventions of this genre, however, are generally opposed. This can be, in the first
instance, seen through the use of a same sex couple romance music videos typically feature
heterosexual couples in order to maximise audience appeal. Likewise, the preferred reading (Hall) of
our product does not match that of the convention. Where the focus is generally on finding
happiness in an idealistic relationship, our music video intends to portray the message that this is
not needed, but rather acceptance of loss and independence are of greater value. In spite of this, we
will feature conventional romantic iconography through the use of props for example,
photographs, roses, gifts or cards/letters in order to emphasise the apparent idealism felt by the
protagonist in their former relationship. However, though the presence of this allows our product to
fit the romance genre, it serves as a reinforcement of an atypical message.

Storyline/Themes

Our production will be of a multi-strand narrative style, following the protagonist in both their past
and present situation. With regard to the present, they appear to be trapped within a single room,
reflective of the lyric pacing round empty rooms in my head within our chosen track. The room,
rather than being empty, will be covered entirely in memories from the characters relationship
hence each time they look at/pick up one of these items, viewers are transported to a flashback of
the memory with which it correlates. The narrative eventually progresses to show the relationship
coming to a close, accompanied by a growing frustration within the protagonists present state.
When this anger proves ineffectual they are led to eventual acceptance, as reflected through the
action of placing all memories covering the room into a single cardboard box. Once the room (a
conceptual representation of the characters mind) is emptied of the past relationship, the
protagonist is able to leave and close the door behind them hence they have accepted their loss
and are able to move one.

The main theme, therefore, is of acceptance and moving on. This is, as previously mentioned,
unconventional of conventional romance narratives, wherein there is a primary focus on the
relationship as a whole rather than the characters as individual beings. Furthermore, the sexuality of
the characters is not to be a central theme within our piece. Though its presence aims to represent
an otherwise underrepresented demographic, it is intended to be almost interchangeable with a
heterosexual couple (whilst not overlooking any aspects which are distinct to LGBT relationships).

Locations

Our piece will be divided between two primary locations (or sets of locations) the room, and the
setting of the flashbacks. The latter may consist of the following:

The houses of one/both characters memories could include cooking in the kitchen, eating
together in the dining room, watching TV in the living room, lying in bed (listening to music
together?) or showing up at the front door
 A public park here the characters could be shown walking/playing with a dog, holding
hands, eating ice cream, having a picnic, lying down to watch clouds etc
A school/sixth form typical iconography could include classrooms/lockers, both of which
connote to youth and can be used as a setting for where the couple first meet
Prom here the characters could be shown getting ready together (i.e adjusting ties, taking
photos) and walking into a building (perhaps with a Year 13 Prom banner hung over it)
together

Costumes/Props

Though the costumes of the characters would otherwise be of a casual, conventionally masculine (in
order to oppose stereotypes of sexuality) nature, exceptions may include the following:

Smart clothing (i.e a shirt/trousers) to be worn in sixth form scenes

Additional formal clothing (in this case, a shirt and tie) to be worn for the prom scene

In terms of props, there are a number of items which would be used to decorate the room in which
the protagonist is stuck, including:

Photographs for example, the picture taken before prom, pictures taken of one another in
the house, selfies taken together
A rose, now dying this would be given from one character to another prior to prom
A birthday card/ribbon these would be brought to the protagonists front door by their
partner, with the ribbon being wrapped around a present
A postcard/picture this would come through the protagonists letterbox, written from their
lover when on holiday
A picnic blanket this would be used only during one scene in the park, wherein the
characters are shown to be having a picnic/looking at clouds
A CD the CD used in this instance would be the same as that which the characters are
listening to (though perhaps on a phone) in one flashback

In addition to this, the room would have various other props which would not be explored in detail
(i.e a teddy bear, books, items of clothing), however would imply further depth and experiences
within the relationship. All of these serve as a connection between the past and present, hence
driving the narrative and adding sentiment to the piece.

Visual Style

We intend to create a piece which feels simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary. This will
primarily be achieved through the use of a faded, desaturated colour scheme, in order to set a
sombre tone which preserves verisimilitude. The construction of this is essential to the
communication of our preferred reading/message, wherein audience identification is required (or, if
not identification, at least an ability to empathise with on-screen events). Furthermore, this
enhances our intended representation of sexuality if heterosexual viewers are able to identify with
the sentiment expressed within the piece, the stereotypical binary opposition between hetero and
homosexuality is eroded.