Short Film Treatment

 Ella, Louis & Me: 

The idea for my short film is heavily inspired by whiplash; it has a musical focus, specifically jazz, and the music is a core part in driving the film and portraying key themes. The film will use the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong to convey the sense of a young person being totally and utterly inspired by their heroes, before it is illuded to in the film, not explicitly, that there is a greater connection between our main character and her idols.

Key Themes:

 Determination and Passion- Dahlia must show grit and resilience, conveying the idea of true passion driving someone to achieve their dreams. Youth/Age- the idea of Dahlia being too young to achieve her goals also needs to be touched on, again, showing that she is under-estimated and must try her hardest to make up for that Class- not explicitly mentioned, but the snobby nature of higher education, especially within music which often lags its ever-evolving frontiers, must be portrayed/illuded to, touching on themes of inaccessibility and classism Belonging- Dahlia is a cello player who loves jazz, two things which conventionally don’t mix or fit, however it’s her love for it that hopefully proves that conventions don’t define a person’s ability or success

Plot Summary:

<-- Opening shot

The first scene is set in a living room, introducing us to Dahlia. She is sat playing her cello along to an Ella Fitzgerald track ‘Blue Skies’, immediately setting the tone of the film and showing its key themes. Close ups of Dahlia’s face and her cello whilst playing will show her ‘in the zone’. However, this is then disrupted by a phone alarm buzzing/humming on a nearby table, prompting Dahlia to stop playing and have a sudden wave of realisation... 

We cut to Dahlia running through the gloomy streets of London, bumping into people, through train stations, across roads. Finally, we see a shot of her destination; ‘Glasser Conservatoire of Jazz’ (the EAB/MCT). She finds herself in a lobby, greeted by a sleek gentlewoman with a list of names. After telling the woman her name, Dahlia watches her run her finger down the list before landing on her name. The woman firmly tells Dahlia she has missed her audition, and after some desperate back and forth, Dahlia accepts the fact that she has missed her opportunity at this school. 

Cut to an underwhelmingly normal suburban home, the HQ of ‘Kent Records’. Here, Dahlia is talking to her ‘music agent’-esque character, Wilfred. He asks her how her auditions to the schools and conservatoires are going, and the consensus is not great, not because of her skill, but rather because of the system. Wilfred suggests Dahlia goes down a more conventional cellist route to try and actually make a living rather than chasing fantasy. Dahlia then tells Wilfred that she won’t do what she doesn’t feel drawn towards, as then her music is not truly from her heart. Being impressed by Dahlia’s pure passion and determination, Wilfred offers Dahlia a high-risk gig; a jazz performance filled with critics, that if she performs well could set her up for life, but if she performs poorly, would put a swift end to her musical career. 

<-- Final scene

Cut to a miscellaneous backstage, the frame full of bustling jazz musicians in all black. The band director calls out for them to be ready and the camera focus on Dahlia, looking at a crumpled photo for comfort. End. 

Throughout the film, I want there to be a couple illusions to the idea of Dahlia being the ‘hidden’ grandchild of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, a relationship hidden from the public eye. I would do this through three main points: 

1. When the gentlewoman runs her finger down the list, it lands on ‘Dahlia Armstrong’, which is very briefly in frame. 

2. When Dahlia is talking about her passion to Wilfred, she quotes her grandfather from an interview, and Louis’ own voice can be faintly heard over the top, a sort of audial super imposition 

3. Finally, the photo Dahlia looks at is of her and her grandparents; possible photoshop of the actress into a photo with her grandparents; Ella and Louis