Papa Story/Char. Synopsis v.1

---------FOR CASTING CALL -----------------

Papa Story Synopsis: 

Steve and Mindy are two young adults on the date of their life. However, Mindy's guardian angel (who also happens to be her deceased father) is less than enthusiastic about their budding love. Things go south when Papa begins to sabotage their date. Can Papa learn to accept his daughter's new "guardian" before he ruins their relationship?

Mindy:

- Around 24 yrs. old

- Optimistic and Confident

- A bit shaken from father's passing, but moving forward

- Petite and somewhat skinny

Steve:

- Around 24 yrs. old

- Tall and slightly awkward

- Bumbling

- Sincere but somewhat shy

Papa:

- Large and/or muscular build

- Stern/Disapproving

- Conniving

- Sensitive side beneath roughness

Papá is a film about a 

Logline:

A deceased father (now a guardian angel) disapproves of his daughter's date. 

Synopsis:

Steve and Mindy are about to go on the date of their life. Things go south quickly however, when Mindy's guardian angel (who also happens to be her deceased father) doesn't approve of Steve. Can Papá learn to accept his daughter's new "guardian"? Or will Papá's pranks ultimately tear the couple apart?

Plot synopsis:

-As Mindy leaves on her date, she remembers her deceased Father - Papá - and the two have a touching moment as she hugs a photo of him.

-Steve meets Mindy; all seems well, even though both are a bit nervous.
-Papá disapproves of Steve. He decides the best way for his daughter to lose interest in him is to make Steve look foolish, via ghostly 'pranks'.
-Papá's pranking escalates, and as Steve accidentally dumps dinner contents into Mindy's lap, it seems like things might not work out between them. Papá is proud of his 'success'.
-After Mindy cleans up, Steve reveals tickets to a concert, and the two are able to revive their romance - it's as if Papá's pranks had no effect!
-Papá decides to do something drastic - he yanks the tickets from Steve's hand, seperating the couple as Steve chases a rogue ticket on the wind.
-Mindy is heartbroken that her date keeps going wrong; Papá realizes his actions are actually hurting his daughter, not helping her.
-Mindy goes to retrieve the other ticket that has fallen in a nearby puddle in the middle of the road.
-Suddenly, a truck appears, and Papá tries to warn her of the oncoming danger - but being a ghost, nothing seems to work!
-At the last moment, Steve returns and snatches Mindy from the street, the truck narrowly missing her.
-Papá realizes that Steve is the perfect match for his daughter.
-Papá helps bring them together with one last 'prank'.

Animatic v05

Animatic v.03

Raw, still adding in things. 2 Sequences need to be added but couldn't due to files being in different places. Major differences: 2nd dinner gag, post-dinner ticket loss, new ambience/scene transitions.

Rough Story Tension graphs

Plans are to update this with a more precise version later in production, but for now, here are some graphs to know tension levels in the story.

All together: BLUE = Tension in Steve/Mindy's Relationship, RED = Dad's frustration GREEN = The average tension from both...the resulting story arc from the combined tension.

Considering the tension of the film and how your contributions fit into the story arc as a whole will help create a cohesive experience for the audience.

Character Bios v.2

George (50) (Giorgio, in italian):

George is a family man. Next to watching soccer, there is nothing he loves more in the world than supporting his family. This stems from a childhood full of remorse from a broken home.

Childhood:

At age 6, his father left home without an explanation - George never got to say goodbye. George watched as his mother struggled as a single parent to support him. The dark shadow his father’s disappearance hung over he and his mother until one day, in lower secondary school (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Italy), he joined the local football club. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_in_Italy) He also got a job to help support his family.  It was at this point that he stepped into the role of a true protector. 

Through playing football and supporting his family, he quickly learned how to trust himself and protect what matters to him. He became a standout player, going on to be leading scorer and team captain. After graduating from upper secondary school, he hoped to continue his football career.

One day while heading to turn in his college application, George watched as a young girl accidentally crashed her bicycle, sending her sprawling into the middle of the street. He dove to save her, and was injured in the process. The girl he saved was Anna, George’s future wife.

Adulthood:

George’s injury prevented him from getting any kind of scholarships for football, and his mother being poor meant that he would have to hang up his dream of attending college. He married Anna, and found joy in raising a family. Together, they had their first and only child - Mindy.

As he held Mindy in his arms, George vowed to be the best father he could be - everything his own father wasn’t. When unexpected cancer took the life of his wife, George stayed true to his promise - he was the #1 dad, supporter, and “protector” for Mindy. He helped her achieve everything she strove for, and scared away obstacles to her success - mainly young boys - from ever coming between Mindy and himself. He is a simple man who wants to protect what matters to him.

The Twist

One day an unfortunate traffic accident takes his life. Now deceased, he has become the guardian angel of Mindy, determined to continue his “protection”.

Visuals:

George has a literal glow. (Similar to hercules when he comes from the pit - like chef gusteau from Ratatouille, only more opaque and brilliant.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Steve (24) (Stefano, in italian):

Since his childhood, Steve was always one to quietly achieve. He received good grades in school. Although he was quite intelligent and skilled at many things, his lack of self-confidence kept him under the radar most of his life. That is, until he met Mindy.

They shared many of the same classes in college. She was everything he aspired to be - bright, confident, sure of her path in life. Watching her inspired him to move through life and be sure of himself. Now, when setbacks occur, his self-confidence is rattled a bit, but he manages to bumble through these setbacks in a funny way. This awkwardness (or “dorky charm”, as Mindy calls it) is what attracts Mindy and keeps her laughing. He is, in his own reserved way, trying his hardest to do his best – and sometimes looks silly doing it. He finally asked Mindy out (twice!) and a mutual excitement is brewing.

Visuals:  

He appears at first glance to be the opposite of protective/strong. He’s put together, he’s really trying to be in control, but doesn’t have strong self confidence. So, these setbacks (glass tipping over, etc.) rattle him, throw him out of confidence for a moment. For looks, think Andrew Garfield. For personality, think Bernard from both Megamind and rescuers. Reaching for the ticket in the crowd is the epitome of who he is (trying his hardest to do his best & hold on to something great). His rescue of Mindy transforms him into a confident protector. The events in the film are the completion of his character arc. Posture is totally sure, no slouch, almost like a superhero. He’s super smooth now. 

Story Feel/Inspiration - Jacob

I imagine a kind of strange tension/frustration building as more and more things go wrong at dinner, like in this scene between Linguini and Colette:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilPmBOyc3rM

This scene from the vow has a sweetness/innocence feel that the "just saved you from the car" moment could have. (All except the bra part...sorry)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwA57aWOLFc

Animatic v.01

This edit was to determine run-time/sequence length. Keep in mind there are long holds on frames because of acting choices that will take place in the film at that moment.

My proposed breakdown of the film, with current times on animatic:

"A" sequence = 40 sec. Intro + Pickup for date/house scene.

"B" sequence = 1 min. Restaurant dinner scene. 

"C" sequence = 55 sec. Street scene. Dad throws movie tickets, near-fatal car incident. Boy saves girl.

"D" Sequence = 25 sec. Couple walks away together. Dad resolves to change.

I'm predicting +1:00 will be added to film length due to:

-Performance choices that establish character.

-Breathing room for audience between events, establishment of ambience (depends on art direction).

-Setting up jokes/scene changes.

Sequence C will need a bit of stretching for dramatic effect in my opinion.

Working Themes

Film Theme: Protecting what you love requires trust.

Visual Theme: When you give it space, love blooms.

Working Film Titles

Papà (dad, daddy in italian)

Ti amo papà (i love you daddy in italian)

Daddy’s Girl

Daddy Date Night

Chaperon

Guardian

Protector

Overprotected

Dad & Daughter

A Dad and his Daughter

A date to remember

Dinner Rush

A dad, a date, a dinner

...