Research and Planning

Title: PLACEBO

A girl ‘thinks’ she has a mental illness. She goes to see a psychiatrist to help with her problems. He gives her ‘false’ medication to get better and tells her she could be a danger to others and should be isolated. He recommends a ‘safe accommodation’ and for her to go alone, which is strictly for patients and nobody else. He says he’s never been to the accommodation due to the desperate need for the patients to be isolated.

She goes with 2 friends as they refuse to allow her to go alone. The psychiatrist is at the accommodation without her knowing; however he doesn’t know she’s come with friends. He realises, kills them off gradually. The main girl thinks she has killed them driving her to insanity; however it is actually the psychiatrist

She goes to commit suicide as she can’t live with what she’s done. When she’s about to cut her throat she catches a glimpse of a significant item belonging to the psychiatrist. Taking a closer look she realises its caught on a door. She enters the room to find collaged walls of people’s faces with crosses which are all people who he has killed. She sees her face, uncrossed. Panicking she goes to leave the room but he’s there. There’s then a final fight scene where the psychiatrist finally dies, leaving the girl alone in isolation, now mentally ill.

Character profiles:

Psychiatrist- doctor finnley

Male

Appearance: Tall, mid 30’s, Brown gelled comb over, smartly dressed

Mischievous

Troubled 

Serious

Intense

Intelligent

Main girl- (dumb blonde) erin

Female 18

appearance: Blonde, Girly girl, cares about appearance

Too cool for school

Popular

No ambitions

No common sense

Gothic virginal girl- sam

Female 18

appearance: Dark clothing and makeup

Mysterious

Stereotypical appearance

Quiet and sensible

Whore- maddie

Female 18

Appearance: brunette, a lot of makeup, tight clothes- showing skin.

Outgoing

Flirtatious and daring – up for fun

Clever

Likes attention

Settings:

Psychiatrist rehab centre where she’s prescribed the medicine. – doctor’s office e.g. chair, desk.

Rehabilitation area- deserted, isolated, empty, eerie, Large buildings, everything’s very minimalistic- very basic bedroom. Whole area has a very abandoned and run down vibe.

Audience info

Age rating: 15

Target audience: dominantly female targeted however could target males because of the male gaze. Mostly suited for 16 to late 20’s due to the teenage feel of the movie. Social status- targets students and working class.