The Pitch - planning for 'Anonymous Lead'

During the early phases of planning, we devised ideas based around the aspect of Crime Thrillers, alongside some of the conventions of a Film Noir and eventually formulated the pitch of:

A criminal couple is hunted down by an investigator who depends on anonymous calls from a hidden persona.

My initial thoughts as to where the genres and sub-genres fit in with this idea would be through the secrecy of a particular character who seems to be a major contributor and catalyst of the opening. Also, the main characters; the investigator being the protagonist and the criminal couple portraying the 'obvious' antagonists, in a sort of natural way (generally criminals are not perceived as people who comply to morals of the law), help reinforce the selection of the genres and themes chosen for this project. It also seems that the general story line has a dark plot behind it.

The storyboard - 'Anonymous Lead'

This storyboard contains approximately two-minutes worth of shots which will be used for 'Anonymous Lead'.

The script/screenplay - 'Anonymous Lead'

BEGIN TITLES

As the title sequence begins, the ringing of a phone from a phone box dominates the scene. Someone picks up the phone, ending the constant ringing. The receiver is Investigator JEREMY FISHER and he is curious as to who is calling. The caller is ANONYMOUS, hinting the FISHER’S curiosity is growing.

A silence is held after the phone is picked up.

ANONYMOUS

You’re Investigator Jeremy Fisher, aren’t you?

FISHER

Yes. Speaking is…?

ANONYMOUS doesn’t answer to FISHER’S question; just continues.

ANONYMOUS

I have some information regarding Dean and Alison Atkinson.

DEAN and ALISON ATKINSON are the criminal couple who are at large after committing a bank robbery.

FISHER

How do you know about the–

ANONYMOUS interrupt FISHER blatantly.

ANONYMOUS

They’re at [Address]. Better swim, Fisher.

Abruptly, ANONYMOUS hangs up the phone.

CUT FROM BLACK SCREEN:

EXT. PHONE BOX – NIGHT

FISHER’S footsteps are heard as he makes his way to [Address], leaving the phone dangling from its holder. The ‘Interrupted Call’ tone drones in the background.

INT. AN APARTMENT

DEAN is anxious. He paces about the room questioning to himself what to do next.

DEAN

We’ve got to go. They’ve found out.

DEAN slams a suitcase onto the table, filling it with belongings and supplies.

ALISON

Why did we wait so long?

DEAN, with a packed suitcase, places his gun inside. The loading of the bullets sounds out. DEAN slams the suitcase shut. As the suitcase is closing, the screen cuts to black, revealing the title ‘Anonymous Lead’. The droning sound of a dialling tone raises in volume.

Plot synopsis - 'Anonymous Lead'

This is the plot summary of what takes place during what will be shown in the opening two minutes and in the rest of what would be the full film.

Anonymous Lead

Dean and Alison Atkinson; a criminal couple escape a bank robbery gone wrong. Investigator Jeremy Fisher is assigned to the case.  Fisher receives a call from an anonymous profile, in which Fisher gains vital information on the couple’s whereabouts. Without catching them in time, Fisher must follow them. This began during a shootout and escape; where two of the couple’s gang members were killed. Flash forward event occurs; the couple commit another two crimes: Dean, stealing a car in order to escape further and Alison killing the owner. Fisher is informed by the unknown caller on what they have done and where they are. The couple have made their way to an ex-gang member who eventually gets killed whilst defending the culprits in their hiding. The couple manage to escape the action and head for a nearby airfield, the police following after them. As they flee the area, Alison betrays Dean, shooting him in the leg as she makes a getaway onto a plane, only saving herself.

Mindmap of initial ideas - 'Anonymous Lead'

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