Short film: treatment

"Stuck in the Middle"

Two scenes:

-Dinner with parents

-Ellie's bedroom

Treatment: Ellie is a young girl of about 8 years old. She's an only child something she's not happy with as she has always dreamed of having a younger brother. However, this is made to be impossible as she has come to the conclusion that her parents no longer love each other. In fact, it is only her that is keeping them together. But being an 8 year old she doesn't have the sophistication to understand that... That is what her parents expect. One thing they can agree on is that Ellie is too naive to understand the situation in their eyes. But Ellie is anything but. Ellie doesn't really have a lot of friends or in her eyes they are 'bitches', she claims they never share their pencils or let her play with her at playtime. Ellie's only real friend is movies and television, she's not your typical little girl who's obsessed with dolls and teddies but films. Her favourite is Monsters, InC. In fact she actually wishes that a monster would come out of her wardrobe and take her into their monster world so she can feel free and escape the harassing situation of her home.  To the small kitchen where by which she sits at her usual place at the small rounded dining table. Her father is someone who's nice to be around with his friends but on the inside he's anything but, someone who Ellie is somewhat frightened by, she always feels intimidated by his presence. Her mother lays out the dinner on the table and the fake conversation begins. Through his masculinity, Ellie's father is able to confine his true feelings. Ellie's mother on the other hand, does not barrier these feelings and makes it clear to the room that she's distraught. In this time, not only has Ellie noticed but obviously abides by the stereotype where she's playing with her food. To distract her from her emotions, Ellie's mother tells her off for her actions, Ellie refuses and the father is too far indulged in his meal and ignores the situation. Ellie's mother sees this as an opportunity to challenge his fatherhood and begins to ask are you not going to assist in telling our daughter off and a full blown out argument is laid out in front of everyone. The father slams his plate almost Stanley Kowalski like and starts losing his temper by swearing. The adults are too preoccupied by their heated argument that they don't even notice that Ellie has stormed upstairs undisturbed by the intense event that just occurred before her. She tells the audience that she expects them to be in shock by the way she's not even remotely upset but that's because this is a re-occurring thing that she has grown used to. She looks at her wardrobe which is slightly ajar and has been throughout the entirety of the film as she's waiting for the monster to come and get her. She realises the reality of her situation and sits down then a shoulder taps her from out of her wardrobe and grabs her in. Ellie is free and has escaped.

Influences

Narrative and character development- About a Girl
Use of mid shots and close ups- The Stutterer, High Maintenance
Plot Twist- The Gunfighter, About a Girl
Filter (Black and White)- Pitch Black Heist
Main character's personality and manner- Moonee in the Florida Project