Treatment: Presentation 2

1^st Pitch

1. Author Name: Alexander William Beale

2. Title of Show: “A Slice of Life” (Working Title)

3. Format of Show: Travel Documentary Series

4. Target Audience: 14 to 60 year olds, Malaysians and Malaysian Expatriates

5. Opportunity or Problem Addressed: Lack of racial harmony and patriotism, lack of historical or modern day knowledge regarding Kuala Lumpur.

6. Desired Response: At least 2 seasons running on an international Travel Channel. Hopefully, this show will also create interest in Malaysians to find out more about their own city.

7. Logline: We follow 4 individuals who call Kuala Lumpur home, finding out their daily lifestyles, as well as what the city has to offer locals and travelers alike.

8. Treatment Synopsis:

A city is very different, according to the people you spend it with, the places you go to and the cultures you experience along the way. That’s why “A Slice of Life” aims to show the viewers 4 very different sides of Kuala Lumpur, giving them a chance to experience an abundance of people and places that few ever see.

The show begins with an introduction of the four Malaysians, or semi-Malaysians, as we interview them, finding out their opinions on the city and tips for travelers, or locals who have never taken the time to know their city.

The four of them take us through a typical day of theirs, whether it be with friends at their favourite coffee shop or restaurant, or a busy day at their workplace or school. Throughout this time, we learn more about these individuals, as well as the city they live in and the people they interact with.

The hustle and bustle of a busy metropolis can sometimes be overwhelming. So let us make life simpler, and come experience a different slice of life.

9. Episode Outline:

1^st EPISODE: 4 people- Celebrity Working Adult (Malay), High School (Chinese), College (Indian), Senior (Expat). The Celebrity Working Adult takes us around a day on set, as we meet a number of famous Malaysians. At night, he/she can take us to a fancy restaurant, or a famous tourist destination. The Chinese High School student can teach us more about studying in a local school, the Indian girl/guy in college can take us around his college where we will meet his friends and lecturers,

2^nd EPISODE: 4 people- Following the same format, but with the races, genders and ages/classes changed to create a more dynamic and different story.

3^rd EPISODE: 4 people- Following the same format, but with the races, genders and ages/classes changed to create a more dynamic and different story.

2^nd Pitch

1. Author Name: Alexander William Beale

2. Title of Show: “Connected” (Working Title)

3. Format of Show: TV Drama Series

4. Target Audience: Ages 16 to 30, Malaysians.

5. Opportunity or Problem Addressed: Lack of racial harmony and patriotism between Malaysians.

6. Desired Response: At least 2 seasons running on a local Astro Channel. Hopefully, this show will also enlighten viewers on the cultures of other Malaysians.

7. Logline: A series that plays on the idea that Malaysians are very connected to each other, through a great number of friends, despite having contrary cultures and backgrounds. This series follows characters through their lives as they make these connections everyday, without ever realizing it.

8. Treatment Synopsis:

Friendships, relationships and even the passing of strangers are connections that few of us take the time to appreciate. “Connected” is the story of two family’s and the many friends in between.

The show prominently deals with things like racism, or racial misunderstanding, to better inform the public and portray racial and cultural equality in a positive manner. All this will be done in a subtle approach, with friends and family of different descent becoming close to one another, with many cultures creating the melting pot that is Malaysia. “Connected” will also use comedy and drama simultaneously, as a way of keeping things fresh, because drama by itself can “turn-off” some viewers.

This drama series will also play on "story tangents", with each episode focusing on a singular character or a pair of friends. This makes each episode different from the others, with flashbacks and present day synched to further the storytelling of the show, as well as the character development.

9. Episode Outline:

1^st EPISODE: Introduce the two families in a comical manner, and establish the drama or problems between families and friends. The main emphasis, however, is on the group of friends who are from both families and stay united through the years.

2^nd EPISODE: The drama and problems that were established in the pilot are expanded upon, with old fights or arguments bubbling to the surface, whereupon we see that not all is perfect in this group of people.

3^rd EPISODE: Confrontation between the families begins, with friends quarreling over certain issues. At the end of the episode, something drastic happens, like someone getting sent to the hospital over a feud. Close with a cliffhanger ending to create more hype for further episodes.

3^rd Pitch

1. Author Name: Alexander William Beale

2. Title of Show: “Malaysia Through The Ages” (Working Title)

3. Format of Show: Educational Documentary Series

4. Target Audience: Ages 14 to 60, Malaysians only.

5. Opportunity or Problem Addressed: Lack of racial harmony and patriotism, lack of historical knowledge regarding Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia.

6. Desired Response: At least 1 season running on an international History & Culture Channel.

7. Logline: Ever thought about what life used to be like for your ancestors and family growing up in the jungles and cities of Malaysia? Now’s your chance to find out more about Malaysia through the ages.

8. Treatment Synopsis:

A wise man once said that we must look back to our past, to understand and know our future. How well can you say that you know your city, or your country, for that matter? Have you ever wondered what life was like for your ancestors in the many era’s that Malaysia has gone through?

See how life has changed, with the coming of technology, with the flocking of international experts, through the untold stories of families and dealings from the past, and see how the past affects the present and future in a very real way.

A combination of travel and interviews, this TV show bridges the gap between our old culture and our new culture to create a drastic change in the way we see our seniors, and the way we see ourselves.

9. Episode Outline:

1^st EPISODE: Explore Melaka with two seniors as they take us into the past, where we learn about how Malaysia has changed, for the better or worse. Full of nostalgia for seniors and well kept secrets for the younger demographic, each episode explores new decades and new places.

2^nd EPISODE: Same format, except different places, such as Penang or Kuala Lumpur.

3^rd EPISODE: Same format, except different places, such as Johor Bahru or Kota Kinabalu.

- Will Beale

Presentation 1: Research Component

1. Introduction:

The city in which we live is a multifaceted thing, different for every person. For some, it may be the home that we will never tire of, while for others it may be a pit stop onto the next destination. Whatever it may be, the city of Kuala Lumpur is the main star of this Television show, but while that may be, it’s the 4 people that we interview and follow each episode that makes this Documentary/TV Series different. With each of the 4 people coming from very different social structures and because of the difference in race and culture, the idea of following these 4 exciting people as they show us their side of their city is one that will interest Malaysians and travelers alike.

The topic, “Society and Culture” means that the show, currently titled “A Slice of Life”, will explore the social/cultural side of these people and their city, while also teaching about what it is like to live in Malaysia. It’s an interesting take on a Travel/Documentary that also teaches us about life as a Student, a Housewife, a Working Adult and a Senior Citizen.

The problem that I wish to address with this series is that of racism and tension or misunderstanding between cultures. Especially within such a multi-cultural society as Malaysia, racial harmony is a very important thing. By learning more about these 4 people’s lives and the way that they see Kuala Lumpur, we hope to rid people of their stereotypes or previous misgivings they may have had.

Getting back to the targeted audience of “A Slice of Life”, I hope to capture a wide audience of Malaysians, and foreigners living within Malaysia; specifically, those living within Kuala Lumpur. However, because of the different races, ages and social structures involved, it would be incredibly hard to cater to a specific age or race, as the majority of them will be represented, creating interest for them.

Looking at this audience of Malaysians and Expatriates in the format of a Demographic and Psychographic study (which is defined as “the study of personality, values, attitudes, interests, and lifestyles"), we can classify the audience as:

Demographics:
- Between the ages of 16 to 45 years old.
- Malaysians (Malay/Chinese/Indian etc) and KL Expatriates.

Psychographics:
- Active, outgoing people who wish to explore KL.
- Malaysians who may be history buffs.
- People who enjoy traveling or trying new things.


2. Problem Statement
The Problem Statement of the topic, as mentioned before, is the lack of racial harmony within Malaysia, as well as a lack of understanding between social levels or hierarchies. For a simple example, a middle-age Father who keeps very busy with his career would not quite understand what is going on in the life of his teenage daughter who, while still studying, still has a life of her own. Likewise, men and women brought up in a Chinese household have a very different background to that of an Indian or Malay household. Thus, further insight into the life of any of these races would cause understanding that could make way for a common livelihood.

This content needs to be created so as to create understanding and awareness of the many races and cultures within Malaysia, as well as a feeling of patriotism for Malaysia, their home. The Documentary may attract others who wish to visit Malaysia, however, as it shows a side of Asia that one does not see on packages or tours; the real side of Kuala Lumpur.


3. Purpose of the content

The purpose of this TV Show is to:
- Entertain and Inform the audience.
- To bring Malaysians together under a common homeland.
- To show where some people frequent in KL, what they might do; essentially showing their life in Kuala Lumpur as well as their perspective on their own city.
- To display Kuala Lumpur as a possible tourist destination.
- To reveal Kuala Lumpur's less-well-known locations for fun etc.



4. Review of Content

Similar Work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6nXQSSNBCQ
The above link is “Kuala Lumpur My City”, a look at Kuala Lumpur which almost advertises the city to possible businessmen. Thus, it is quite different in its aim and message. However, it may act as a possibility or example to follow.

There are also many countless Travel shows that deal with South East Asia. However, either the hosts are the center of the show, or the message is different. This TV Series that I'm presenting, however, deals with Kuala Lumpur and it's people directly, in a non-scripted format that ensures for a much more "real" feeling from the audience.


5. Research Questions (sample)
- Should “hate speech” or racism be tolerated?
- Do working parents harm children?
- Does day care harm children?
- What are the effects of living in different neighbourhoods?
- How can racism be overcome?
- What is the most interesting part of a person?
- Where are the most interesting locations within Kuala Lumpur?
- Where is your favourite place to eat?


6. Examples of work to watch:
First Example: The Concept and Interviewing, Travelling side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guM-lTjiN2Y

Second Example: Cinematography, Editing Style and Music are all excellent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFwmMFq_xlc