Script Proposal

Script proposal

My proposed script for a 2 part BBC drama over two nights entitled “Tricked” and the concept is inspired by the 2006 Christopher Nolan film “the prestige”.  I thought that having a narrative following two magicians which compete to outdo each other; similar to the film, would be an interesting idea to play around with, and also be different to that of anyone else’s in the class. My script though having a similar narrative does differ from the film to great extent showing that I am not just directly copying the film. Within my narrative the two protagonists are both brothers and once worked together on stage as a magician double act, they fall out due to ego and fame and from there on out compete to be the best. At the end of the 2 part programme the two battle it out at a big competition and the audience think this is part of the show and applaud them on their ability, they then reunite with a new premise for their act.

My target demographic for the programme would primarily be young males of a working to middle class as the characters would be in their early 20’s making it relatable. However the secondary demographic would younger females due to the male cast being attractive. I do think that it would appeal to other audiences, for example those interested in the arts and magic to be more specific.

Another big influence to how I want to show to look and feel I took from the previous BBC drama ‘hustle’, which follows a group of con artists, I think that this programme is show beautifully, especially how they reveal the twists at the end; and that would be something I would like to use within my proposed script as I think it would also help to draw in more audience.

I think that the unique selling point of my proposed script is that thought there are programmes with magicians on television at the moment, ITV’s ‘Penn & Teller – Fool Us’ and BBC’s ‘The Magicians’ they are both reality shows in which magicians perform onstage to an audience and they are filmed doing so, whereas my proposed idea is a fictional programme that follows the story of two brothers, showing behind the scenes also.

The two main characters are a pair of bothers Johnny and Tommy Trix who are a sibling magic double act known as “the Trix bros”. Johnny Trix is the younger of the two brothers at 20 years old and has also loved magic from a young age, growing up watching his father who created magic tricks for illusionists. He loves the entertainment side of magic, performing for the enjoyment of the crowd and likes to do more light-hearted and humorous tricks.

Tommy is 22 years old and is the oldest of the two, he also grew up watching his father perform tricks but unlike his brother he learnt to try and show off to his father and out do his brother, trying to be the best in the household. He is into the darker illusions, obsessed with fire and try’s to both scare and show off to impress the audience with his abilities, always striving to do more dangerous tricks.

The role of the two characters do have some requirements in the they should look to be in their early 20’s, of similar appearance and be attractive. They will need a knowledge of magic and stage performing.



Synopsis

The show follows two brothers both up and coming magicians and illusionists, and their feud when trying to make the big time. When the two young talents striving to become magicians, get an offer to perform in a show they dispute on who should do what and problems occur causing them to fall out and they then become rivals, trying to outdo each other.

It starts off with the two brothers working together as magical double act, when they are approached for a successful show they soon fall out over who does what and who gets the credit. Wanting to outdo each other for the praise of the audience the show goes horribly wrong and they both go their separate ways blaming the other.

Their hatred for each other grows over time and they continue to try and outdo each other with bigger more spectacular tricks. News is brought to them of a talent competition and they work harder than ever to create the perfect trick for the show to show up the other person and prove that they are the better magician once and for all.

After getting through all the rounds the competition they both make it through to the final.   The show starts and they are both in the final when a battle of sleight of hand and pure skill kicks of between the two, the audience assume that it’s all part of the show and praise the two on their ability and they then join back together with this new premis.