Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Professional Pre-Production: Episode Synopses Developments

After discussing my initial episodes synopses with my tutor, he came to the conclusion that the show didn't currently have a proper story arc, or end goal, a fact I agreed with, so I have redeveloped the synopses.

EPISODE SYNOPSES DEVELOPMENTS

These are the changes I have made:
- The show now focuses on the characters as they try to save the park from redevelopment. The local council want to turn Pleasure Park into a brand new shopping mall in the hopes that it will bring more people to Fairwood. Frank and his team will need to try their hardest to save the park.
- Frank and Jimmy are now old buddies, and although Jimmy doesn't like what Frank has done to the park, he still wants to help Frank save it.
- During episode 3 Daniel now stars in the new advert, which helps bring him to the attention of his crush Emily.
- Episode 4 is now about a really famous guy, instead of a really fat guy. I felt the fat customer story was maybe too far, and revealed a bit too much about how ride operators feel about larger customers in real life. It may have been too offensive. The entire episode has been rewritten to include a story about a really famous guy who must have a good day at the park, but doesn't because of a series of events.
- During episode 5, Frank and Debbie now visit the council offices, instead of going on their honeymoon.
- Episode 6 now ends with a cliffhanger where Frank is offered an investment from a mysterious caller. Will he expect the offer?
- Episode 6 also has a couple of small changes in terms of the Daniel and Emily storyline. They are now left at the top of the Big Wheel, rather than being locked in a closet. I feel the Big Wheel story will work better for the show, and be visually more interesting.

So now that these changes have been made, these are the new episode synopses:

EPISODE 1- THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER

Frank and Debbie are determined to make this summer season the best one ever, but a letter from the local council informs them that they want to close the park and redevelop the land as a brand-new, state of the art shopping centre. They don’t let this prevent them from opening the park for the summer, but it does concern them. It’s newbie Daniels first day and he struggles to fit in until he meets Harry, who introduces him to Emily, the girl everyone has a crush on. Regular customer Reggie is at the front of the non-existent queue eager to be the first person through the gates, but he can’t find his tickets. The opening day doesn’t go very smoothly. Frank calls a team meeting to tell everyone the bad news.

EPISODE 2- THE INSPECTION

A surprise health and safety inspection causes chaos across the park as Ned tries his hardest to make sure the park passes. Sara does her best to ensure every member of staff is up to standard. A failure could give the council a good reason to instantly close the park, which is what they want. Frank enlists the help of Jimmy, and the two of them visit the council offices to try and convince them to keep the park open. Daniel tries to make a move on Emily, but Jake gets in the way, and Lucy’s gossiping doesn’t help.

EPISODE 3- THE BRAND-NEW ADVERT

Frank receives another letter informing him that the council have set up a meeting to decide the fate of Pleasure Park. In a last bid chance to keep it open, he and Debbie commission ‘professional’ filmmakers to create a brand-new advert. They put teacher's pet Freddie in charge of the advert, who struggles to work with the two difficult directors. Popular ride op Oscar is asked to star in the advert, but gets nervous at the last minute, so Daniel steps in. Sophie begins to think her sister Katie is trying to steal her crush Jake, but that is not the case.

EPISODE 4- THE REALLY FAMOUS GUY

After the new advert fails to bring in any new customers, Pleasure Park is getting closer to closure. The last thing they need is bad reviews. A really famous guy visits the park with his children, and Debbie is in charge of keeping him happy in the hopes he will give it a good review. Unfortunately, he ends up having an awful day because regular customer Reggie won’t leave him alone, and Jake has no idea who he is. Harry acts as a wingman to Daniel as he tries to ask Emily out again, but rumours about her past put him off.

EPISODE 5- THE MYSTERIOUS BOX

Frank and Debbie are called to the council offices to discuss the future of Pleasure Park. Whilst they’re away, a mysteriously large box with their names on it is delivered to the park. Everyone wants to know what’s inside, but Freddie won’t let anyone near it. Taking advantage of Frank not being there, Jimmy makes some changes in the hope of improving the park. Ned decides he has no future at Pleasure Park, especially with its impending closure. Sara does her best to convince him to stay, and she realises her feelings for him.

EPISODE 6- THE AWARDS NIGHT

It’s the end of the summer season, and judgement day for the park. Despite the possibility of closure, Frank and Debbie continue as normal and throw their annual Pleasure Awards. A series of events caused by Jake lead to Daniel and Emily being left at the top of the big wheel, where Daniel soon finds out the truth about her past. A nervous Sara gets drunk and kisses Ned. Jake turns down Sophie, who turns to her sister Katie for comfort. Jimmy and Oscar win most of the awards which irritates Freddie. The local council turn up at the awards night to deliver the verdict. Seconds before their fate is revealed, Frank receives a phone call from an unknown person. They tell Frank that they’ve seen the advert online, and they want to invest money in the park. Will Frank accept the offer, or will the park close forever?

I feel these changes to the synopses will improve the show, and allow for better story and character development.

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