FILMS
"THE SCAMMER"
PRODUCTION BUDGET
£15,000 - 24,000
FORMAT: 4K
GENRE: CYBER THRILLER
PRINCIPLE PHOTOGRAPHY: MAY/JUNE 2024
SYNOPSIS:
Frank, a drunken, down on his luck ex-stock broker, desperately tries to ‘cover his tracks’ with the tax man and the courts as his custody battle and bankruptcy hearing dawns. Addicted to gambling and illicit investments on the dark web, it was only a matter of time before Frank was scammed for the last of it; loosing out on the two hundred thousand dollars he took undeclared before bankruptcy. When Russian Mafia boss, Vasilli, threatens his daughter's life in order to get their money back, Frank has no choice but to pair with an anonymous hacker he has been working with on the deep web; making a bid to extract money from the scammer and split the winning’s fifty, fifty. But complications ensue when Frank is periled into cyber entrapment and looses control of his online activity, as the scammer will stop at nothing to get the money back…
CASTING CALL:
PLEASE INCLUDE AN EMAIL ADDRESS AND LINK TO ANY EXTERNAL WORK WHEN GETTING IN TOUCH. WE ARE HOLDING 'SELF TAPE' AUDITIONS, ALL WORK WILL BE OWNED BY THE INDIVIDUAL AND WILL NOT BE DISPLAYED PUBLICLY ANYWHERE.
PLEASE SEE OUR AVAILABLE ROLES AND CONTACT US TO RECIEVE A MANUSCRIPT FOR THE REQUIRED PART.
CHARACTER'S
FRANK HOPE (LIVE ACTION/PROTAGONIST)
AGE: (47)
BUILD: SLIM/MEDIUM
ETHNICITY: CAUCASIAN
HAIR: FAIRLY SHORT/MESSY/GOING GREY
ACCENT: AMERICAN/NEW YORK
RATE: LOW PAY (NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
CHARACTER: Frank comes across the cynical type, his major flaw is his drinking and illicit habits. Once a successful business man he has now descended into investing in illicit stock investments on the dark web. It is a demanding and emotional role as Frank combats his addictions and faces the consequences, as he looses control of his grip on everything. It is important this character is American or can impersonate a believable American/New York accent and based in the UK.
JOE 'CYPHER' CREED (ONLINE/FRANK'S MAIN ALLY)
AGE: (35)
BUILD: MEDIUM/BULKY
ETHNICITY: CAUCASIAN/(OPEN)
HAIR: SHORT/OPEN TO COLOR (wears a cap and glasses most of the film)
ACCENT: AMERICAN
RATE: LOW PAY (NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
CHARACTER: Joe is the hacker companion to the main character, the second largest role in the film. He is in someway overconfident because of his cyber skills, he knows most things about most people and has definitely met his match. He has known Frank for a few years and has been helping him 'cover' his financial activity online; Joe is Franks sidekick and navigator throughout the main objective. Wears a cap and glasses throughout and his role is completely based online via messaging and video chat.
LIBBY HOPE (ONLINE/V.O./SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGES/SECONDARY CHARACTER/THE GODESS)
AGE :(42)
BUILD: SLIM/MEDIUM
ETHNICITY: CAUCASIAN
HAIR: LONG, BRUNETTE/BLOND
ACCENT: AMERICAN
RATE: LOW PAY (FLAT RATE/NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
CHARACTER: Libby works as a major hurdle blocking Frank's 'want' within the story. Having lost so much to his bad investments she is attempting to withhold his rights to custody with their daughter. She might bring negativity to Frank's situation however we understand her point of view, since; they have lost a lot and it was his fault in the first place. All she is waiting for his for Frank to fix his ways which, now, looks unlikely in current circumstance. Libby despite being a vital character in the production we only ever hear through V.O. and see pictures on social media interacting with her daughter, so it is important her role is in close proximity of the Cast playing Paige so that we can prepare for principle accordingly.
PAIGE HOPE (ONLINE/SOCIAL MEDIA IMAGES/SECONDARY CHARACTER/DAMSEL DISTRESS)
AGE: (11/12)
BUILD: SLIM
ETHNICITY: CAUCASIAN
HAIR: LONG, BRUNNETTE/BLOND
ACCENT: AMERICAN
RATE: LOW PAY (FLAT FEE/NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
CHARACTER: Franks daughter whom fathoms whether to forgive her father throughout the narrative. Ultimately her side of the story is told through social media messages and images. Her main role, takes place solely online via images and video chat, she is the damsel in distress in the climax of the story and bears the weight of Frank's final choices in the climax.
JIMMY MILLER: (LIVE ACTION/V.O./ONLINE/FRANK'S ALLY)
AGE: (LATE 30'S/EARLY 40'S)
BUILD: SLIM
ETHNICITY: CAUCASIAN
HAIR: SHORT/GOING GREY
ACCENT: AMERICAN/BRITISH
RATE: LOW PAY (FLAT FEE/NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
CHARACTER: Frank's lawyer, has known him since the beginning of Frank's rise as a broker and is still there for the fall, always trying to keep him out of trouble. The legitimate working type who is always stretching legal boundaries for Frank due to his untypical generous heart. Jimmy is a major role in the story and is a live action cast member who needs to be based in the UK.
BIG TONY: (ONLINE/SECONDARY CHARACTER/ ALLY)
AGE: (50'S)
ETHNICITY: CAUCASIAN
BUILD: MEDIUM/BULKY
HAIR: (OPEN)
ACCENT: AMERICAN
RATE: LOW PAY (NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
CHARACTER: Big Tony is an illicit accountant who has been tampering with 'the books' helping Frank bring his company into liquidation. Himself, like most people in the story, will do whatever he can to make a quick buck on the side. As Libby/Paige and Joe, Big Tony's part takes place solely online and it is important that he has an office background. Wears a suit, unbuttoned shirt and loose tie throughout the narrative.
LACEY: (ONLINE/SECONDARY CHARACTER/WOMAN AS TEMPTRESS)
AGE: (33)
BUILD: SLIM/GOTHIC TYPE
ETHNICITY: (OPEN)
HAIR: LONG/DARK
ACCENT: AMERICAN
RATE: LOW PAY (NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
CHARACTER: The shapeshifter in the story; seductive in her ways but only to fill her superficial wants which she will have to weigh with her morals towards the resolution. She has a long standing connection with Frank and has been intimate with him in the past, therefore Frank trusts her, but Lacey cannot trust herself in the face of temptation and because of this has fallen victim to the enemy's offer. She will betray Frank's trust but is ultimately 'the key' to Frank's success as she is the with holder of 'the boon/the grail' in the narrative. Lacey is only ever seen online however is a major role to tie the plot together.
VASILLI'S WINGMEN: (LIVE ACTION/SECONDARY CHARACTER'S/VILLIAN'S)
AGE: (25-40)
BUILD: SLIM/STOCKY
ETHNICITY: RUSSIAN
HAIR: (OPEN)
ACCENT: RUSSIAN
RATE: EXPENSES
CHARACTER'S: Vasilli's wingmen, Russian Mafia. These are the mobsters who partake in Vasilli's dirty work, which includes catching up with Frank and giving him the beating he needs as a reminder of his debt. There are two major scenes involving the wingmen, their parts are crucial to plot point one and the climax of the story. They mostly remain in balaclava and are major live action Cast members in the film.
CREW CALL:
PRODUCTION DESIGNER:
RATE: (NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
ROLE: Responsible for the visual look of the film, including set dressing & design in order to help maintain continuity on set.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER:
RATE: (NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
ROLE: Responsible for the graphic artwork & design of 'the cyber world' of the film. Since, a good 75% of the story takes place on the computer this is a 'key' role and all artwork & design must be completed for production by May 2024. The kind of deign required is the creation of fake onion browsers and web pages, along with fake dark web video apps where we can upload our Cast's performances for principle photography. This will be a demanding role as there is a lot of design required before the primary shoot.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY:
RATE: (NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
ROLE: Responsible for the visual tone and feeling of the camera work and lighting; namely the lighting/cameraman. Preferably, we are looking for an individual or a company that can supply there own equipment. If some extra requirements or kit are needed for the production I am sure we can settle an agreement depending on skill level and reliability of candidate.
1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
RATE: (NEGOTIABLE WITHIN BUDGET)
ROLE: To aid with production schedule, budget and execution of prep work and principle photography. Important they are UK based, preferably London, Essex or surrounding areas.
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'THE WRITING ON THE WALL'
THE STORY THAT BECAME REAL FOR IT'S CREATOR...
Every story has a beginning...
'The Writing on the Wall' is a about drug induced psychosis and repairing domestic relationships post bereavement. Jamie, the main character, achieves this through a philosophical quest to determine his true self with a mystical stranger who helps him distinguish the paradox in his own writing.
We open with a candle burning in the darkness of Jamie's present. Only his distorted memories of the writing on the wall hold the key to where he really is and the answer to the question he keeps asking himself; "am I still alive?" He has only until the flame burns out to remember his story.
"THIS IS YOUR WALL..."
THE STORY
Jamie, having fallen out with his alcoholic father whilst grieving over his mother's death is now a homeless graffiti artist on the cusp of crisis. Caught in a web of addiction between rival friends whilst underseeing the biggest break up of his life, he begins a legacy of writing on the wall in an attempt to make sense out of everything. However the writing backfires and spirals out of control, spawning an unstoppable prophecy which begins to manifest into Jamie's life. At the height of panic, he becomes acquainted with a mysterious old man who watches him wander the estates alone.
As Jamie is lured onto a path of retribution by his friends after an underground rave, he finds himself being stalked by a psychotic drug addict named Steve, who is fueling the conspiracy behind the writing on the wall and spinning his world upside down. An urgent quest begins to seek the answers in the writing as he turns to the aid of the mysterious old man that he met in the estates; who must help him decipher the writing on the wall before it is too late. Soon, Jamie realizes that the enigma pinpoints towards his own death and that he must repair the ties he holds with his loved ones in his heart before the final countdown. However, as he gets closer to unraveling the truth behind the writing and himself, he becomes determined to try and change his own fate and that of his friends, abandoning the conquest set by this stranger. Suddenly Jamie realizes that he has fallen into his own entrapment as Steve continues to invade the property where his friends have been cuckooing. Suddenly, without warning, the 'secret enemy' breaks into every corner of Jamie's fragmented mind; the future unfolds as the cataclysmic event that he predicted becomes a reality...
Now, the only hope of breaking free from incarceration and escaping insanity lies in the wisdom passed onto him by the mysterious old man from the estates, who aided him out of panic in the moment his world first began to crumble...
THE THEME
One must trust their true intuition in order to be in control of their reality...
The film debates its theme, reality vs dreams, against the backdrop of psychosis, a place where dreams and nightmares collide with reality. What do we make of this? What are the endless possibilities of the imagination and what is its connection with the real world?
"The answers are in the writing... Your life is the key..."
DIRECTOR'S VISION
The film is designed to be a 'one' story which questions our existence in an urban and very realistic setting. As "The Matrix" left us with a mind opening perplexment that was the key to it's success, "The Writing on the Wall", sets out to break similar grounds but with a difference; it is molded as a psychological thriller, a genre that involves the hero solving a vital puzzle which they happen to be the centerpiece of. It is the journey to solving this enigma that leads them to the edge of reason and sanity itself. The film is also designed to be a story within a story, where the tension lies in diving into the past in order to answer the present dramatic question. An into the moment narrative that the boon of the quest rests in the hero's decent into the rabbit hole of drugs before the story has opened. The film will be a very real take on life as well as explore the deepest and darkest corners of the mind and heart.
The philosophical quest Jamie is on to discover who he really is at his core is something which really sets the story apart from a majority of films out there. It is only human to ask ourselves where our true potential lies and beyond what wall might our destiny be hiding; that is the concept that makes it relatable to audiences worldwide. The drug scene and the nightmare it creates when addiction and ill health pull families apart is another important message that makes a vital contribution to our culture; warning society and future generations to come about the very real risk of drug addiction, psychosis and the dangers of ill being. Although the film plays a big mental health card, Forgiveness, healing & self awareness are a huge part in the films debate. Ultimately we aim to provide an uplift for audiences by our resolution, stating faith in a higher purpose, despite the darkest of all tunnels. There are many visual metaphors in the script, such as the ball of string; the object that represents Jamie's life line and inner entanglement. The burning candle is a strong visual metaphor, representing the dualism of light vs darkness, life vs death; the time trap. The physical web that Jamie is caught in by his delusions and even the wall that stands between Jamie and his loved ones is a metaphor for the boundary that separates the material and spiritual. All metaphors in the script are integral to exploring it's theme in some way.
The style will consist of blurring the window between reality and delusion using slick performances, cinematography, jump editing and edgy sound design. The sound effects will be distorted along with the cut as we dive deeper into the second act, building a very real profile of the nightmare/delusion which he must take control over. The completed music score will be eerie and suspenseful as well as stay true to its memorable resolution melody; boosting the audience towards a triumphant and cinematic climax during the final dream sequence where Jamie tackles the demon from within. The soundtrack will consist of drum and bass and club music to back up the realism of world and youth culture.
MUSIC & SETTING
Set against the backdrop of the UK raving generation. The film creates a very real account of the parties, along with the culture that has influenced lifestyles all over the country and the world, successfully making its mark on modern society.
BE IN THE FILM! PURCHASE A TICKET TO OUR WRAP PARTY AND FINAL PART OF THE SHOOT!
"MEMORY'S"
MC DREAMER
MC Dreamer joins "The Writing on the Wall" hype with "Memory's" which he wrote in loving memory of his father Neal Parsons. "Memory's" is a fresh UK underground Hip-hop single that feeds you food for thought as well as a providing a catchy beat that will stay alive in your mind's ears long after listening.
THE MUSIC SCORE
Demo music score for the resolution of the film. The score was originally composed by Ricky Baxter and will be improved for the final production.
THE SHORT THAT STARTED IT ALL...
"THE CELLMATE"
RUN TIME: 22 mins
GENRE: PSYCHOLOGICAL / DRAMA
Jamie must rekindle the broken connection he holds with his father before his time runs out...
THE HIDDEN QUEST TO FIND THE STORY...
'The Psykosis Diariez', the hidden parables of 'The Writing on the Wall'. A documentary that has been considered to be far too disturbing for the public eye and has remained hidden from view since 2012...
Based on true event's...
"THE PSYKOSIS DIARIEZ"
RUN TIME: 1hr 13mins
GENRE: DOCUMENTARY / EXPERIMENTAL
A disturbed filmmaker ventures to write a script based upon his own experiences against the adversity of mental health...
BEYOND "THE WRITING ON THE WALL"...
Learn more about our future projects currently in development and our odyssey...
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