Rough script, introductory sequence

by Max Miller

Max Miller
EMDA 350
Project Proposal


A working title for your project.
State of Jefferson

A one-sentence description of your project.
A short, fictional film about the formation of a new U.S. state spanning southern Oregon and northern California, called Jefferson.

A one-paragraph description of your project.
Ever since I learned that natives of southern Oregon and northern California have been pushing to secede their own state since the 1900s, I’ve been enthralled with the idea. This short film would explore the world created by the initiation of a new state in this mostly rural, low-income region of America. Growing up in Portland, southern Oregon’s sparse yet beautiful landscape seems like it’s just screaming for me to make a film around it.

A description of your products of study—what you're going to actually produce during the course of your project.
I don’t yet have any script or outline written, so I’ll definitely be producing those as well as a treatment. I’ll make a storyboard to plot out what shots I’ll want, and then eventually have a polished film I edit on final cut.

Visual and/or written research for your project—other people’s work.
Original State of Jefferson Proclamation of Independence, handed out to motorists in the “temporary state capitol” Yreka in 1941: You are now entering Jefferson, the 49th State of the Union. Jefferson is now in patriotic rebellion against the States of California and Oregon. This State has seceded from California and Oregon this Thursday, November 27, 1941. Patriotic Jeffersonians intend to secede each Thursday until further notice. For the next hundred miles as you drive along Highway 99, you are traveling parallel to the greatest copper belt in the far West, seventy-five miles west of here…
With this film, I also want to draw from the style of the recent Sundance release Jess + Moss. I really liked the way the film focused on small vignettes of country life, using long still shots and voiceover narration.

Treatment visuals for your project—your own work.
Nothing yet, treatment and outline to come.

A self-assessment. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
Right now, my largest video strength is in editing, so I’m really looking forward to diving into the pre-production process in outlining and writing a script, things I haven’t done much of yet. I’m still a sophomore and I’ve taken a handful of video classes (as I am a Film major) but I’m looking forward to expanding my skills through this project. My plan is to collaborate with others in similar majors to help shoot the film so a lot of people can gain some experience.

A set of goals for your project. What are you trying to achieve, where do you hope to be when the project is done?
I want this to be my first real, serious short film. As a kid I always made silly short movies just for fun, but I’m looking for this to be a real film. It doesn’t have to be long or extensive, but I want to make a film I am proud of and that I believe has a unique style.

A written description of specific technical and research issues you will need to address during the course of your project, and how you plan to address these issues.
I’m sure I’ll need to rent equipment out from the DMC, as well as historical research to make sure I don’t convolute any facts about the state of Jefferson. Although this will be a fictional story, I want to have it rooted in historical fact.

A timeline of your project. When you will be doing all of this good stuff. You must include specific deadlines (for example: "May 17th", not "some time in May."
April 1-30: Pre production; treatment; outline; script; storyboard; etc.
May 3: Begin shooting, continue on weekends until May 19
May 20-June 10: Post production; editing; special effects (if needed)