Colourbond treatment v3

COLORBOND PAUL MIDDLEDITCH

1

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER

COLORBOND LOVE This really is a smart idea. I love how Andy’s creative application of Colorbond allows us to cleverly showcase all the usual practical applications of the product, while also being totally unexpected and entertaining.

For it’s so true that when someone’s hobby (or little obsession) becomes fanatical, they make a blip on our ‘oddly intriguing’ radar. Andy is that guy. But what makes him so very endearing (and amusing) is his self-belief. He and his family openly celebrate his unabashed passion for Colorbond. In fact they’re delighted to show the world his unique take on this product.

What also excites me is how perfect this script is for taking a mockumentary approach. Since making my Snoop Dogg MTV film, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this to create a charming, comedy portrait that sets out to totally suspend viewers’ disbelief.

Think along the lines of cult classics like Best In Show or The Office and imagine our Andy with his crazy Colorbond fetish being so darned convincing that he steals our hearts as we laugh, genuinely wondering if this guy is for real.

1

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER

MAKING A MOCKUMENTARY Why I think the mockumentary genre will work so well here is that it offers a wonderful license to indulge Andy’s character - within the realms of reality. To me, this will make him more believable, funnier, less expected and crucially, really engaging.

Essentially we invite (or dupe) the viewer to observe Andy in a way that openly suggests he might really exist. And in riding a line where fact and fiction muddily merge, we create intrigue.

After all, we know that people like Andy really do exist out there, so the potential for this being based on truth is pretty tantalizing.

While a mockumentary may seem loose and very real, it actually demands a distinctive and cleverly crafted shooting style. My “Welcome Snoop” MTV film adhered to the mockumentary disciplines, and while the way we shot captured the vibe of it being a small crew on the run with him; it was still a highly considered and cinematic take on reality.

Casting believable actors is crucial. In Snoop’s case we surrounded him with skilled cast chosen for how well they owned their roles. And while it was openly an exaggerated pastiche, because Snoop was just being Snoop and the others were so authentic, it rides a line that leaves audiences wondering if there’s an element of truth to it all.

The same applies to Andy and his family. To seem utterly plausible involves first-rate actors who can effortlessly pull off believable performances, with apt body language and camera awareness befitting a doco. At no point will a reaction or a scene seem scripted – even when it is.

In my experience, approaching the script in a loose rather than rigid way is best. If we allow the actors a little latitude to tweak their dialogue and reactions organically, the performances come across as more authentic and spontaneous.

1

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER

1

Also I’ve often found that success arises out of early creative collaboration, and a little adlibbing on the day. Another benefit of working a bit fluidly is that we will end up with additional coverage that in turn provides choices in the edit, and extra content for all our other versions/ cuts.

How about the idea that Andy has made a portrait of her out of Colorbond, a indistinguishable mash of colour and shape that is overall - pretty crap and nothing like her. She stands before it showing us. Head cocked thoughtfully, she says something like, “I love how he’s really captured…me. (pause) Don’t you think?”

Also in keeping with the mockumentary style is that we consider having a few cutaways. For instance I can imagine his wife not only reclining on the lounger with a magazine, but perhaps she also mouths the word “genius” at one camera as Andy wanders by. Or picture a quick cutaway to her happily (but with difficulty) ironing Andy’s business shirt on a Colorbond ironing board.

And picture at one point a cutaway of Andy’s rigid clattering Colorbond thongs as he trips up stubbing a toe that causes him to limp thereafter… not that he minds.

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER

1

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER

SHOOTING STYLE The shooting style is key. As a mockumentary, this must emulate the organic feel of a doco. This involves a small two-camera crew (for coverage) who are highly responsive to the subject, and a camera aware cast. So once we’ve introduced Andy, I see him leading us on a journey through his home as we shoot him showing off his Colorbond artefacts while telling us his story.

Although by nature this style is designed to present an honest reality, visually it need not be lacklustre. While it will feel organic, the look is crafted with each moment caught from its most alluring, cinematic aspect. We literally block out the script to give it a spontaneous sensibility, yet each time we effectively land the camera(s) in the best possible spot for light, with the subject artfully framed.

Of course I have in mind a superb DOP skilled in this style of shooting. One flexible enough to roll with a little adlibbing on the day, but still have the spot feel totally cohesive and looking great.

1

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER

WHAT MAKES ANDY SO SPECIAL It’s as if Colorbond has unleashed Andy’s creative side. He’s the kind of guy who, were it not for his passion and its awakening, would be living in obscurity – he’s the kind of guy you read about that prior to indulging his passion was unheard of. He approaches his craft seriously - like the artist he believes he is.

As mentioned earlier, it’s Andy’s self-confidence that makes him so unusually compelling. His barefaced love of Colorbond flags him as a viable subject for a doco or in this case, a mock doco.

We need to cast Andy carefully. Go too far with how he looks and we turn him into a caricature. The same could also happen if he’s played too theatrically.

Ideally we’re looking for a brilliant, comedy actor who has the appearance of a very ordinary 30 something suburban guy, who will become Andy and bring him to life. I imagine he’s got a friendly face and intensity to him – something we see in his eyes.

When Andy is creating or talking about his Colorbond creations, we hear the passion in his voice. Perhaps we cutaway at one point to see him fashioning a new object…or it could be a quick flashback to him making the BBQ. Welding torch in hand and an image of a BBQ on the pin board, we see him poised and focused ready to embark on creating.

What’s important is that he’s endearing. Sure he’s suburban, but in no way are we patronizing or making a fool of him.

No, we love that Andy is so enamoured with Colorbond. His audacious celebration of it actually makes him really cool!

And because his confidence is fuelled by passion, it never tips into a conceited place.

Timing and delivery is everything, and while Andy is certainly enthusiastic, it might be interesting to have him go a little quiet occasionally. As if he’s in awe of Colorbond, he reverently pauses here and there.

For instance, when he says, “…Grew up with it,” he could be a little misty eyed. Or before saying, “…Still working on that one,” he takes quite a long pause gazing at the table as if he’s thinking the solution through.

1

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER

HIS FAMILY Like Andy, his wife and son are also great actors. I like the idea that they love his Colorbond fixation. They’re deeply proud of his achievements and while some of the creations are a bit problematic, they always stand by Andy’s vision.

His wife is appropriately doting, an attractive warm character that just loves her Andy and his cleverness. She’s happy the crew are there and takes the opportunity to let us know (with little asides) how much of a genius her man is and how lucky she feels.

The same goes for his son. He could be really young on the slippery dip like you’ve suggested…or perhaps he’s older like aged 11 or 12 - an age when his dad’s hobby could be embarrassing - but the fact that he’s not embarrassed at all – no, what’s brilliant is that he’s genuinely chuffed with his Colorbond skateboard!

1

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER

COLORBOND IDEAS This is all about how useful and versatile Colorbond can be. So while Andy’s Colorbond objects are sculptural stars in our story, they’re living amongst normal Colorbond things that we’d expect - like fencing, a water tank and of course the roof. Effectively his creations enable us to explore and celebrate these more typical things in a totally fresh and memorable way. Throughout we will include stunning shots like a high angle of the roof, along the Colorbond fence, the commanding tank and so on.

And as the camera seeks out all the various applications of Colorbond (both practical or strange), we beautifully art direct so that the colourful layers compliment and pull off one another from the foreground through to background.

I love the Colorbond ideas that you’ve already suggested. Without cluttering the place, I just want to add a few more that we can discuss at the next stage…

For example, we cut to or have the camera sweep around the house (or outside) picking out one Colorbond thing after another. Like a cup holder, a cat/dog bed, an entertainment unit, bar stools and a fly swat. Maybe he’s created pure art like the portrait of his wife I suggested earlier. Let’s explore wonderfully weird things that only Andy would think of for his family to enjoy.

1

And while the objects will appear handmade, and might not be altogether practical, they aren’t totally crap either. They’ve been put together well, considering leaving the impression that Colorbond really is a great and versatile product.

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER

SETTING

As important as Andy and his family is the stage in which we are setting our films. And the centre of Andy’s world is his fabulous house with Colorbond roofing. It has a contemporary and stylish feel without being over the top - it has a familiar architecture that exudes a sense of pride. It is certainly a home that anyone would want to live in.

It perfectly displays all the Colorbond attributes, and is perfect for the aspirational quality of the commercial. It’s stylish and friendly. Imagine adding a Colorbond welcome mat or a swing near a tree house. At a glance, the Colorbond objects are what make this house standout – maybe it’s worth considering that we see this in the context of other houses via a wide shot at one point.

Certainly the eccentricity of the family comes through in their personalities - while the setting of the house is very much grounded in real Australia and has tremendous potential for all aspects of the scripts.

FINALLY…

I’m really excited by this idea and hope that like me, you see the mockumentary approach as a superb way to bring it to life. The process is a collaborative one and if you are into it, I’d love to get together to explore the entertaining ways that we can champion Colorbond via Andy’s odd, but very charming little obsession. Speak soon and many thanks, Paul Middleditch

1

PAUL MIDDLEDITCH l LET THERE BE BEER