I discussed my ideas with a focus group in order to gain feedback on how I can improve my ideas. The main feedback I received was that my crime drama idea is the one people would most like to watch and the other 2 would require more development before becoming a full idea.
Idea 1:
My first idea is a mystery drama series. It will follow two separate storylines, the first one is a teenage boy from a wealthy family who goes missing and they hire an expensive private investigator in order to figure out where he has gone. Alongside this there is a separate storyline where where a teenage girl from a lower class background also goes missing but the family can't afford a full scale investigation. Throughout the show it is slowly explained why the two ran away and at the end it is revealed that the two stories are linked and it turns out they ran away together. The two main characters are the protagonists. They meet online through both of them feeling like outcasts and wanting to escape their lives. Initially the audience would feel as though the parents are the good people however it is slowly revealed that they caused the disappearance of their respective children. The main characters will both be around 17-18 years old, as this is similar to the target audience. The wealthier family will suit the stereotype of being snobs, they will be restrictive of their son and make him feel trapped in their ways. The poorer family will essentially just be the parents of the girl and they neglect her because they are unsuitable to raise a teenage daughter. This show will be suitable for the target audience of 16-18 year olds because many of them will be able to relate to the characters and it covers social issues like isolation and wanting freedom which relates to the typical shows on BBC3. It will also inform the audience on how investigations are carried out and educate on the dangers of meeting people online.
The feedback I received for this idea was it could be more developed in a sense of having more characters with more meaningful back stories as this would allow the viewer to become invested in the story and the different people associated with the two stories.
Idea 2:
My second idea is a coming of age drama about a teenage girl who is a gymnast. She is quite a lonely person, she doesn't want to involve herself in the things that a lot of teenagers choose to do (drugs, alcohol etc.). She is at the stage in her life where she has to decide on her future and the pressure involved in this decision. She struggles with mental health issues such as anxiety, making this decision have an even greater impact. She also struggles with the pressures surrounding gymnastics and body image as a teenage girl. The main character is around 17, she will be in sixth form. She is awkward and often lonely but she finds her inner confidence in gymnastics. Some other characters in the show include her family, she will have a younger brother who acts as her best friend throughout the show, he is young and naïve but he helps her find hope when no one else is there. In general her family are her main supporters. There will also be various teenagers at school and gymnastics who she previously considered her friends but now have changed and treat her as an outcast. I may include a love interest who is similar to the main character. This show is fit for the audience because the age demographic is of similar age and may be going through similar things. Teenagers will find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their experience and this may help them escape the struggles of their daily life. The show covers social issues like mental health and social isolation which matches the theme of shows on BBC3. It will educate on the issues of mental health and how someone should seek the help they need.
The feedback I received for this idea was that I could create a more clear storyline as currently I have focused more on the themes than the actual plot. I could include some storylines around other characters such as the family or the love interest.
Idea 3:
My final idea is a crime drama which follows a teenage boy who is extremely intelligent and he helps the local police solve crimes. He is a criminal but in exchange for helping the police they overlook his crimes. He lives alone because his parents left so he is forced to commit crimes to make a living. Throughout the show he is creating a master plan for the 'perfect crime' whilst he continues to help the police. As the show goes on he becomes less and less invested in the plan. When it comes to the time he plans to commit the crime he begins to carry it out but eventually changes his mind. Most of the police officers are sceptical of him because of his lifestyle but one in particular takes him under his wing and helps him become a good person. The main character is friends with other criminals but he has to decide whether to turn them in to help the police or be loyal to his friends. At one point in the show one of his parents returns to attempt to make peace with him but he is reluctant because of their past. Throughout the show his backstory with his parents and his upbringing are revealed which explains how he ends up where he is. Initially he appears to be the antagonist but slowly he becomes a better person. This show is suitable for the target audience because the main character is a teenager so they can relate to him and the things he goes through in his life will be relatable to some people which will help them to feel recognised instead of excluded. The show will cover social issues such as isolation and growing up alone which enables it to suit the themes of BBC3. It will also fit the aims of BBC3 which are to inform, educate and entertain because it will inform the audience about how the police work. It will educate on living alone as a teenager and how this affects someone’s mental health. Finally it will be entertaining because it will be exciting and allow the audience to escape their ordinary life.
The feedback I received for this idea was I could include more characters so the plot is deeper and more complex. I could also develop some of the existing characters further.
