Treatment Draft - 19th Feb

Nicole Hoskins

12B

19/02/15

TREATMENT

TITLE: 

Social media 

Mental Media

TOPIC INTRODUCTION:

The following production design is for a short film about the negative effects that social media has on the behavioural and psychological health of youth in Australian today. The film will entail a director who explores the world of social media and exposes out the hard facts. There will be interviews of people who are educated in this area, for example, a psychologist.

SYNOPSIS:

Blackness. 5 shots are rapidly shown in the space of 1 second of social media on phones and laptops, and close ups of people’s eyes glued to the screen. Meanwhile, buzzing/crackling noises are heard. Then immediate blackness and silence. Another 5 shots again. Blackness. A medium close up shot of the directors face at the beach, as she says “Social Media.” These words are typed over her face. Blackness. “An online platform that has been increasingly taking storm over the past decade.” Various shots of people on Facebook, Instagram, etc. in public, during social gatherings and in school. “Predominantly used for connecting people around the globe, allowing various forms of interaction between people, and creating, sharing and exchanging information. But while Social Media can be really convenient and helpful to our modern lives, there are many aspects of it that can be extremely harmful to… HUMAN BEHAVIOURAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH.” The words appear white and bold on the screen. A long shot fades in of narrator walking along the beach towards the camera, sharing negative statistics of social media and its effects on teen mental health.

Mid shot of a psychologist fades in talking about how social media can negatively effect behaviour and the habits of the brain. This question will be asked; “Social media is a major part of the lives of our youth today. How can social media have a negative effect on people’s mental health?” Psychologist will also talk about how social media can be linked to depression and anxiety within youth today. Fade to black. Mid eye-level shot of narrator sitting down at a desk with various forms of technology, all open to different social media sites. The room is slightly dark and the screens of the technology are bright. “Did you know that the average person spends 4 years of their lives looking down at their mobile phones? Statistics have shown that nowadays the average person now spends more time on their devices each day than they do sleeping each night.” Narrator talks about teens and youth constantly seeking for other people’s attention and approval which is shown by getting a certain number of likes on social media. Narrator begins to stand up, shot cuts to a higher angle and the narrator is seen standing up into eye-level of the shot. Narrator then speaks about young people constantly becoming addicted to their technology devices and this is one of the reasons why ADHD , depression and anxiety statistics are on the rise. While they are speaking, there will be various statistical graphs and charts to assist with the dialogue. Narrator then begins to turn their body to the right. Shot immediately cuts to the right side of the narrator as they turn to face the camera. Narrator then concludes. “And so we have it. Social media is one of the many causes of mental illnesses in today’s youth. Think twice before you let yourself become addicted.” Narrator walks off to the right. Fade to black. Credits appear, closing the  film.

RESOURCES:

Settings

The Beach

Public Places

Psychologists consultation room

Bedroom

People

Psychologist

Narrator/Director

People in the general public

Props

Mobile Phones

Laptops

iPads

JUSTIFICATION:

I am making a film highlighting the negative effects of social media on youth today in regards to mental health. Showing an interview with a psychologist can make my message more powerful and more believable having consult a professional on the topic matter. Constantly showing numerous amounts of videos of youth intently being on social media backs up my point of social media being addictive and a bad influence on this generation. Statistics constantly being shown makes the information seem more reliable and more real to the audience.