Lurking in the Dark
A Treatment by Ricky Bibblebop IV
Comic books are often viewed as inferior art. However, comic books are a rich source of American culture and beautiful artistry. Kids and adults all over the world continue to get lost among the hundreds of colorful pages contained in comic books. Perhaps it is because comic books have a striking ability to convey countless emotions and plot points through facial expressions and sparse dialogue[DM1]. Each box in a comic book is like a storyboard panel for an emotionally complex movie. My idea is to take this art and translate it to the screen as astunning silent film. [DM2]
To create the comic book look, every shot in the movie will begin witha lengthy freeze frame accompanied by a voiceover and some bubbles with written dialogue[DM3], mimicking the look of a comic book frame. Since some of the best comic books convey a dark and eerie mood, I will be using as much low-key, film noir style lighting [DM4]that I can attain with household lights. After about ten seconds of the freeze frame and voiceovers, the scene will slowly start in real motion. The story—which features two rival detectives trying to solve the same case[DM5]—will slowly unfold through the freeze frames, close-ups of the characters’ facial expressions, and extreme close-ups of the evidence they are uncovering in a dimly lit, creepy apartment complex.[DM6] Confusion and creepiness—achieved by slow pacing—will dominate the first two minutes of this five minute film, while quickerpacing of the editing and increased movement of the camera will characterize the second half, pulsing towards a riveting climax[DM7]. As the pacing and movement increases, scenes will be crosscut and the original percussion music, composed and performed by my friend SarahMiller III, will beat louder and faster, creating a sense of urgency in the audience[DM8].
In addition to the strong visual character of the story, there will bemany twists and turns, making it a highly dynamic narrative[DM9]. The freeze frames, voiceovers, and mostly wordless scenes will slowly reveal the rivalry between these two competitive detectives providing glimpses into their complicated history[DM10]. By experiencing the still frames, multiple close-ups and extreme close-ups of evidence such as pictures, fingerprints, and potential murder weapons[DM11], the audience’s ability to connect plot points will increase up to the shocking conclusion. After various examples of cross-cutting [DM12]reveal that both detectives are in the same apartment complex and are bitter enemies, the realization that the murderer is also still in the apartment complex will force these two enemies to band together[DM13]. Will these detectives’ bitter history get in the way and spell ultimate doom for them? Or will they put their differences aside in a fight to survive against the murderer? Audiences will find out at the conclusion of the five intense and emotional minutes that make up “Lurking in the Dark[DM14]”.[DM15]
[DM1]Interesting and exciting language is used to give us an introduction to the project
[DM2]The exact project option is named
[DM3]Visual and audio design is discussed… shots, freeze frames, voiceovers
[DM4]Visual design is discussed… lighting, high contrast, film noir
[DM5]The story is described
[DM6]Visual design is discussed
[DM7]Editing, timing, and emotions of the film are discussed
[DM8]The use of music is discussed in exciting language
[DM9]Strong exciting language is used
[DM10]The story is described
[DM11]Visual design is described specifically
[DM12]Editing is described
[DM13]The plot is discussed
[DM14]It is a minimum of 3 paragraphs!
[DM15]Exciting language is used to entice and excite the producer and audience!