Short film and documentary

IN BETWEEN

Log line

A teenage boy named Bobby must choose between pursuing his dream and his mother’s happiness.

Synopsis

A lively birthday party was hosted by 17 year old Bobby and his mother, Mrs. Chan to celebrate Mr. Chan’s 55th birthday. Mr. Chan announces that he is looking forward to retirement after his last service/duty tomorrow to his fellow friends and family. He continues to tease his only son Bobby, on being the next pilot in the family. The next day, Mrs. Chan’s sister, Lily comes over to the house for lunch, Mrs. Chan gets a call saying that Mr. Chan was in a tragic accident while Bobby and Lily were chatting happily in another room. After knowing Mr. Chan has passed away, Bobby keeps himself in his room and stares at an aero plane poster on his wall. A few months later, one of his mother's friends asks him what is his ambition because he got straight As in SPM. When Mrs. Chan heard Bobby said he wants to be a pilot, she feels upset and goes to her room. Bobby wants to console his mother but Mrs. Chan tells him that she does not allow him to be pilot. An argument starts. The next morning, Mrs. Chan finds a note in Bobby’s room saying that he has gone to a friend’s house to stay there. Mrs. Chan was alone in her room sitting in front of her husband’s pilot hat and a family portrait. She feels lonely and cries after she has a conversation with her husband. At the same time, Bobby was at the park with his friend, Patrick throwing the paper planes and watching them fly. Bobby was telling him about his mother disagreeing with his decision to be a pilot. Patrick tells him to consider his mother’s point of view. Back at home, when Mrs. Chan goes into Bobby’s room to put away his laundry, she finds out a secret that will help her in making her decision for Bobby.

Treatment

Scene 1- day

Bobby, a 30 year old boy, is making a lot of paper planes and writing something on each one of them. When he is done, he stands at one of the recreational facilities at the park and starts throwing the paper planes. He watches them fly, hoping that the messages on the paper planes would reach his father.

Scene 2 - evening

There is laughter coming from the house. Bobby and his mother, Mrs. Chan, have hosted a party for Mr. Chan’s 55th birthday. Close friends and family members are sitting around, sharing stories and enjoying the food. Mr. Chan stands up holding a glass of wine and announces that he is looking forward to retirement after his last service/duty tomorrow. He continues to tease his only son Bobby, on being the next pilot in the family. Mr. Chan places his pilot hat on Bobby’s head and teases him even more. The whole party laughs and raises a toast to Mr. Chan’s retirement.

Scene 3 - day

At the house, Mrs. Chan’s sister, Lily, has come over for lunch. She apologizes for not being able to make it to the party yesterday. Bobby tells his aunt that it is alright because she came for the best part of the celebration - when his father comes home from his last service/duty. Mrs. Chan’s hand phone rings. She excuses herself and takes the call in the living room. Bobby continues to expresses how happy he is that he gets to spend more time with his father after his retirement, telling Lily the plans they have already made for the coming weekend. Mrs. Chan silently walks back to the dining area, hand phone still in her hand. She is in shock and tears are rolling down her eyes. She tells them that Mr. Chan was in a tragic accident.

Scene 4 - day

Bobby is alone in his room staring at the aero plane poster on his wall. Mrs. Chan knocks on the door and asks him to come out and eat. Bobby does not respond. He goes to his bed and lies down, covering his head with a pillow. He starts to cry.

Scene 5 - evening

A few months later, Bobby’s close family comes to the house to celebrate his flying colours in his recent SPM examination. One of his mother's friends asks him what is his ambition. Bobby becomes nervous and hesitates when he tells them he wants to be a pilot. Mrs. Chan, who is sitting in the same room as them, is clearly upset at her son's answer. She immediately excuses herself and goes to her room. The guests could see that she was upset and feel awkward. Mrs. Chan cries on the way to her room.

Scene 6 - evening

Bobby enters Mrs. Chan's room and tries to console her. Bobby thinks that she is upset because it reminded her of his father. Mrs. Chan then tells him that she is not allowing him to be a pilot. Bobby becomes angry at his mother for stopping him from doing what he loves. Mrs. Chan reasons with him, saying that he does not want him to have the same fate as his father and she does not want to be alone. Bobby accuses her of being selfish and leaves the room.

Scene 7 - day

Mrs. Chan knocks on Bobby’s room door. There is no respond. She opens the door to find that Bobby is not there. She sees a note on his bed, saying that he has gone to stay over at his friend Patrick’s house.

Scene 8 - night

Mrs. Chan is alone in her room, sitting in front of her husband’s pilot hat and a family portrait. She is thinking of old memories. She starts to have a conversation with her husband, talking about her feelings and how it is his fault that Bobby wants to be a pilot too. She tells her husband that she does not want Bobby to go so soon. She will be lonely. She cries at the thought of it.

Scene 9 - day

Bobby is at the park with his friend, Patrick. They are throwing paper planes and watching them fly. Patrick asks when is Bobby going to go back home. Bobby tells him that he is not sure. He tells him that his mother is stupid, and every mum would wish for their chance to say that their son is a pilot. Patrick tells him that those mums probably would not have to say that their husband died on duty too. Bobby remains silent and continues throwing paper planes. He then responds that his father would have wanted him to be a pilot anyway.

 Scene 10 - day

Mrs. Chan enters Bobby’s room carrying a basket. She wants to put away his laundry. At this moment, the posters on the wall slides down because of the tape holding the poster gave way. Mother picks the poster up and notices something is written on the backside of the poster. It was about Bobby’s set up his dream to be a pilot since young. Mother now knowing that how much loves her son his dream.

Scene 11-day

Mrs. Chan comes to pick Bobby up from his friend's house, holding the pilot hat his father gave him in her hands. Bobby sees this and hugs his mother.

Film reference/mood

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FUND RAISING

10 ways to contact DOP

• -          Google
• -          Production house
• -          TV station
• -          Malaysian short films’ DOP
• -          Facebook page
• -          Rental house
• -          Ask round
• -          Announcement in colleges

-           

10 fund raising ideas

• -          Sponsorship (Nandoos, mum company- insurance, 
• -          Freelance job
• -          Bake sale
• -          Donation from close family and friends
• -          Create demo reel for cast/crew as token (instead of fees)
• -          Enter competitions that give prize money
• -          Put up advertisement in schools/universities for cast/crew members and borrowing equipment
• -          Contact brand managers for possible product placement