New sci-fi idea

In my exam pre-release we were given three ideas to base our pitch on. I chose a film with the working title The Last Day. It's supposed to be set of a post-apocalyptic Earth, about an experiment to make the planet safe for human life that's gone badly wrong, resulting in the scientists having to battle to save the Earth.

My idea

The world has just suffered through a nuclear catastrophe, resulting in the entirety of Earth looking like a deserted wasteland. Scientist fear that the radiation can harm people, so experiment in an attempt to make the planet safe again. Unfortunately the experiment is tested on Dr Terry Jay, who ends up severely ill from an illness they decide to call Hyphergonia, as it has side effects that begin to show after a month. The side effects include isolating yourself, pale skin, red eyes, and eventually insanity. The insanity is so severe that it triggers violence- hence why Angie, Lara and James attempt to battle the insane to save the Earth from complete chaos, and working on trying to find another cure. The insane team up, with a leader controlling their attacks- the first person to go insane. He gets cured when he goes to harm his son and realises he can't bring himself to hurt his family. The rest of the insane are cured when Dr Terry Jay works on the cure. 
The reason it's a 12A instead of a PG like most family films, is because it contains moderate violence unsuitable for very young children. To watch the film under the age of 12, parental guidance is required so they can ensure the movie is suitable for their child to watch. The weapons used will be of the fiction genre, as weapons easily accessible to children can not displayed for my chosen age rating. There will be no use of excessive rude or discriminatory language.
My narrative structure will be a basic linear structure, with a simple and straightforward storyline so as not to confuse my younger audience. It will contain a basic binary opposite- good vs. evil (sane vs. insane). 
The pre-release asks for:-

• Gripping narrative: the audience will be eager to find out how the insane are stopped, whether the insane will break into the lab or not. Important to fit in the U&G theory that a need that should be fulfilled by media products is the idea of entertainment and diversion. For this to be achieved, the audience need to be enticed in the storyline. 
• Convincing characters: important to fit into the U&G Theory that one need that should be fulfilled by a media product is the idea of personal companionship (feeling close to the characters, connecting with them), and the need of personal identity (the ability for the audience to put themselves in the shoes of the characters). 
• Convincing mise-en-scene: U&G theory surveillance and information (finding out about new things and places, scientific possibilites etc.)
• Amazing CGI: futuristic technologies etc. (important for those in the psychographic of social climbers and explorers) 

Toderov's Theory

Equilibrium- humankind has just survived a nuclear war and scientists are attempting to make Earth safe again.

Disruption- those who tested out the experiment become insane.

Recognition of disruption- James realises his father has changed.

Attempt to repair- Angie and Lara begin working on a cure. James and his friends attempt to keep the insane at bay.

Resolution- Terry recognises his son and calms down enough to call off the attack, and a cure is eventually developed.

Sub-genres and Hybrids

A sub-genre is a smaller group within a main genre- in my case, sci-fi. My film fits into the sub-genres of nuclear disaster and mutated/genetically engineered creatures (the insane).

Hybrids are mix of more than one main genre. Mine's a mixture of sci-fi and action-adventure. This is because the action sequences give the film excitement, and the adventure conventions give my film a plot. 

Enigma Codes

Enigma codes are the hooks or mysteries that keep the audience watching the film. Trailers find a balance between enigma codes and giving information about the plot- we need enough of both to decide to watch the film. There are usually a lot at the start of the movie, all of which get solved at the end (unless the movie may have a sequel). 

Characters

• Main protagonist- James Jay. The son of Angie and Terry (to help my movie appeal to a younger audience). On a mission to save his father. [Asa Butterfield]
• Scientist team- Dr Lara Tab. 30 african american female (for diversity) with brown eyes and curly hair. Best friend of Angie. 
• Sidekick- Dr Angie Jay. 28 white caucasian female with blue eyes and long blonde hair. Lead scientist in developing the cure. [Jennifer Lawrence]
• Antagonist- Dr Terry Jay. The first human to go insane, the husband of Angie. Tall (6"2), dark brown hair and eyes. [Tom Cruise]