DOM.RIA
THE MARTINI SHOT PRESENTS
DIRECTOR'S TREATMENT
by Tomi Gacs
HELLO!

Thank you very much for sending over this great pitch! This film of yours point exactly in that direction I love, therefore I'm excited to share this first draft of ideas with you. Hoping that these notes will provide you with sufficient insight on how I see this story coming to life in the most entertaining and memorable of ways. No need to be humble here - ideally this project is going to turn into a memorable piece, visually is going to be very different from all the other TVC's you normally see.
FILMIC INTENTIONS
Our intention is to create a visually stunning journey that via the use of a breathtakingly fluid camera effect invites the spectator into the world(s) of DOM.RIA.
Our camera movements will be always linear enabling us to dive into ever new exciting environments with a visual twist. Throughout the films the idea is to form an engaging climactic visual crescendo that starts of a bit more minimalistic but then progressively adds elements to it thereby providing our audience with an ever surprising journey through the taste different interiors and spaces of different target groups. Visually - scene by scene - these worlds will become enriched regarding the overall texture and dimension thanks to an increased human presence. This way we'll also be able to naturally place emphasis on the correlation in-between our heroes spaces and their strong "social" component. Further our catchy, rhythmic musical and tone of the voice over will help us to emphasise each situations distinctive energy and atmosphere.
Camera will be keep moving, but not from left to the right, not sideways, but keep going forward. I would avoid moving in all directions, just like in the reference film, because that requires studio sets or heavy post production at the end. Also if we only keep moving forward we can create "panels" from each scene. This way we will be free to mix and edit every scenes in different orders. This will give us a lot more freedom when we will be making different cut backs for different versions.

Since in our story lighting is the main hero as the metaphor of truth it will always serve us as a perfect transition point in between scenes. We will be playing around with lighting as is dims up and down or for example the fire in the dish in the kitchen can illuminate the scene and will also serve as an extra visual element in the story. The point is the create a warm tonality throughout the whole film, meanwhile keeping acting credible. I want overly commercialized smiles and acting. The situations will have to create the right mood for the given the situation. We will be dealing with artificial staged camera movement, but acting has to be the perfect counter balance to create the perfect fluid universe of the satisfied clients of DOM.RIA.

Please, take a look at these reference videos, I think it will be obvious what I'm talking about.
This is just a perfect reference for camera movement and acting. Meanwhile the camera is in a continuous fluid movement, all actions looks real and human.
This is a good reference for the panel system. I just finished this shooting couple of days ago so this only the rough cut. Please handle it with confidence!
Using the avatar is tricky and I wouldn't call it avatar. We can use graphic elements from the website to display the feedback panel, but I would avoid using avatars instead of the protagonists own faces. Let's keep the circle around our heroes face and motion track the whole "feedback panel" or chat box to their move. This way we will not loose emotions and impressions which is super important for credible acting and story telling. We will be getting the same result with real feelings.
Please look at this reference I've made quite a few years ago. This is a good example for motion tracking animation. It can be done in various styles and design.
PLOT
I didn't touch the original concept, because I like them as is. I only made changes in the set ups, especially in the pre rolls, because I did not want our hero always to be standing in the hallway or staying in bed so I created other situations where He or She can use the phone. Also I think we had too many romantic moments with chandeliers around the table so I created a few different romantic situations to keep the stories different. These are only my first ideas so let's discuss it later which one you like and which one should be changed in case you don't.

1: The key turns in the key hole. The camera flies through it into a dark space.

- Hello, comfortable planning!
2: We see a couple in the hall as they is taking off there coats with a satisfied smile on their face. (additional idea it could be winter with snowy boots, etc.) We can clearly tell they just arrived. they turns on the light. At the same time a the comment box appears around the man's head: The entrance zone is 12 meters.

The light dims down quickly.
3: As camera comes out from the dark it keeps going forward, but now we are sideways. We passing through a balcony as camera is going down it's passing by a girl who is watering her plans. The light from the room illuminates her outside.

The box around her head saying: Balcony where you can dance.

- Hello, big balcony!
4: As camera keeps flying it appears from the dark. it's outside of a tall building. It just flies into a woman's bedroom. She is reading a book. The box appears around her head saying: : 25 floor – it's so cool!

- Hello, panoramic view!
5: Camera keeps moving forward. Suddenly the light turns on. The illumination comes from above the stove from the extractor fan. We are in the middle of the night. A dad with a baby on his shoulder (could be twins) trying to make his baby go back to sleep as he starts making some night snack for himself.

- Hello, big kitchen!

The box appear around his head: You can put 3 refrigerators here!
7: Camera keeps moving forward. We arrive to a fancy bathroom. The lights are dimmed down, nearly illuminating the space. We see a woman in the bath tub covered in foams. Suddenly lights illuminating her face as she is reading on hes phone.

- Hello, new plumbing!

At the same time box appears around his head saying: the bathroom of high quality!
8: As camera goes through the wall it arrives at a dinner table. The lights slowly comes up automatically (additional idea it could be xmas dinner in case for the holiday season, with xmas lights) The camera flies above the table, above all the food in between the people, whom are sitting around. As they taking pieces from different plates they almost always interact with camera.

- Hello , new apartment!
9: The camera flies out of the window. as it's moving further away comment appears around each windows. We see a luminous area, city, country.

There is a special magic when you meet your new apartment. Let other people feel it. Share the truth with others about real estate in DOM.RIA.
Packshot.
DOM.RIA. Hello, the truth!

PREROLS
1
  • 1
    The camera flies through the key hole and falls into a dark space.
  • 2
    A man is laying on his bed in the dark bedroom reading his phone. At the same time he flicks with his fingers and the light comes up (voice guided light switch).
  • 3
    Close up on the phone's screen he taps on the application icons.
  • 4
    Medium on him as he is saying with a smile on his face:

    - Hello, wilderness of verified apartments!
  • 5
    Camera is flying through a balcony from outside. On the balcony there's a couple getting ready for a romantic dinner. The husband turns on the chandelier on the top of the table. At the same time the text box appears around the wires head saying: The information in the ad is true.

    - Hello, verified realtors!
  • 6
    As camera moves forward now we are in an office. A man in his jacket just sits down, turns on the light on the table and opens his laptop. At the same time text box appears around his head: The realtor is always in touch.

    - Hello, DOM.RIA!
  • 7
    Camera keeps moving forward in a dimmed down hallway. As our heroes appears their dog brings them the flash light. The dog is also wearing a flashing collar. One of the hero takes the flashlight from the dog and turns it on. As the flash light turns on it will create a lens flare in camera as transition point.
  • 8
    Camera flies out from a lighted window of an apartment. We move away and we see the lighted facade of the house, district, city, country.
  • 9
    Pack shot.
  • 10
    Cut back. We see from above as the dog and our hero walking on the street. As the hero keeps playing with the flashlight the dog keeps chasing the light beam on the ground.
2
  • 1
    The camera flies through the key hole and falls into a dark space.
  • 2
    A man is in the kitchen. With his left hand he steering a pot with a spoon. He has a phone in his right hand reading with a smile not even looking at the pot. Boiling food is running out.

    You check the reviews of real people and happily say:
    - Hello, true comments!
  • 3
    A man turns on the light in the bathroom around the mirror He shaving with an electric shave. As camera keeps moving the text box appears around his head:the bathroom of high quality!

    - Hi, king size bed!
  • 4
    As camera moves on we see a young couple. sitting on the bed wearing pijamas. The is playing the guitar, they having fun. The text box appears around the girls head: Comfortable planning.

    - Hello, time for yourself!
  • 5
    Mom and son is getting dressed in the hallway. Behind them there's a blackboard full of childish doodles. The text box appears around mom's head as she buttons up the kids coat: Kindergarten is near the house.
  • 6
    Camera flies out from a lighted window of an apartment. We move away and we see the lighted facade of the house, district, city, country.
  • 7
    Pack shot.
  • 8
    Cut back. Mom is sleeping on the sofa meanwhile the boy behind her drawing childish doodles on the wall. she looks up an goes back to sleep right away.
3
  • 1
    The camera flies through the key hole and falls into a dark space.
  • 2
    The hero turns on the light in the garage. He is looking for some tools on his service table In the background there's a motorcycle. He is taking out the phone from his pocket.
  • 3
    Close up on the phone's screen
    Just imagine how you are falling in love with an apartment in the ads at the first sight. You call the realtor and enthusiastically say:

    - Hello, verified realtors!
  • 4
    Camera keeps moving forward we are in a fridge. As our hero guy opens the door the light comes up. He is taking some food out meanwhile talking on the phone, The box appears around his head: : The realtor was in touch even late at night.

    - Hello, the true price!
  • 5
    Camera keeps moving forward we are on a huge balcony. Husband is making BBQ. Suddenly the fire illuminates the whole space. Wife just arrives and a text box appears around his head: : Market price.

    - Hello, space for my brother!
  • 6
    Camera keeps moving forward passing next to pregnant mom in a child's room. In the middle of the room there's a tent. As camera enters into the tent we see a little girls reading a book with a flashlight in her hand.
  • 7
    Camera flies out from a lighted window of an apartment. We move away and we see the lighted facade of the house, district, city, country.
  • 8
    Pack shot.
  • 9
    Cut back: Interface of DOM.RIA. The rating of the heroine's avatar increases (the flashlight lights up). Avatar winks.
4
  • 1
    The camera flies through the key hole and falls into a dark space.
  • 2
    As camera keeps moving forward we see our heroine walking on a running machine in the middle of the living room. She is fully dressed for fitness, but she is only doing a lazy walk having a phone her in her hand
    Just imagine this joyful premonition when realtor opens the door of your dream apartment. You see everything with your own eyes and enthusiastically say:

    - Hello, kitchen, like in the movies!
  • 3
    Camera keeps moving forward we arrive to a kitchen. A lonely man is just lighting up some candles and making the last a touches on a romantic set up. You can tell he is waiting for someone. The tex box appears around his head: There is the space for romance.

    - Hello, panoramic view!
  • 4
    Camera keeps moving forward. Husband and wife having dinner at a spacious balcony. Behind them the's a lake. As the sun goes down in the background turns the scene into orange. The last ray of lights create a lens flare in camera.

    - Hello, second bath!
  • 5
    As camera keeps moving forward we a see a girl as she is sitting on a chair painting her fingernails on her foot.
  • 6
    Camera flies out from a lighted window of an apartment. We move away and we see the lighted facade of the house, district, city, country.
  • 7
    Pack shot.
  • 8
    Cut back: Interface of DOM.RIA. The rating of the heroine's avatar increases (the flashlight lights up). Avatar winks.
5
  • 1
    The camera flies through the key hole and falls into a dark space.
  • 2
    As camera keeps moving forward we find our here as he sitting on the toilet, scrolling on his phone.
    Just remember how you hold your breath when you open the door of your new apartment. You turn on the light and say happily:

    - Hello, my home!
  • 3
    Camera keeps moving forward. A young couple is playing a kinetic video game together in front of the TV. (or they can do yoga or whatever)
    Meanwhile they jumping around and having fun the boy appears around the guys head: This apartment is just fun!

    - Hello, cozy street!
  • 4
    Husband and wife hugging each other front of the window and looking out. City light filters in from the street. The box appears around the woman head: : Bikers aren't heard.

    - Hello, prestigious area!
  • 5
    A man is walking with his dog on the street. As they passing by the lights the lights are keeps coming up after another and whole street gets lighted. Meanwhile the boy appears around the man's head: : It's safe to walk at night.
  • 6
    Camera flies out from a lighted window of an apartment. We move away and we see the lighted facade of the house, district, city, country.
  • 7
    Pack shot.
  • 8
    Cut back: We see from above as the dog and our hero walking on the street. As the hero keeps playing with the flashlight the dog keeps chasing the light beam on the ground.
6
  • 1
    The camera flies through the key hole and falls into a dark space.
  • 2
    Camera keeps moving forward. We are on a plane on a night flight on business class. One light comes up suddenly. As camera arrives we see our hero he is scrolling on his meanwhile the stewardess serving a drink for him.
    Just imagine this pleasure when you managed to sell an apartment quickly.
  • 3
    Close up on the phone's screen the DOM.RIA. app is open.

    You go to the Maldives and enthusiastically say:
    - Hello, money in the account!
  • 4
    Camera keeps moving forward: Ah he enters the apartment the light turns on and he just jumps on the bed. During the jump we go slow motion and a box appears around his head: I sold my property faster than expected.

    - Hello, a lot of vends!
  • 5
    Camera keeps going forward. we are on the beach it's sunset, he is getting his cocktail served in a small pop up cocktail bar on the beach. The same time the the small fairy-lamps illuminated in the bar and the text box appears around his head: More checks - more calls.

    -Hello new customers!
  • 6
    Camera keeps going forward. A tanned realtor in Hawaiian shirt turns on a table lamp in his office. Near - a young family with a child. He gives the child a flashlight keychain and the family - the keys. box appears around his head: : New Year in the Seychelles.
  • 7
    Camera flies out from a lighted window of an apartment. We move away and we see the lighted facade of the house, district, city, country.
  • 8
    Pack shot.
  • 9
    Interface of DOM.RIA. The rating of the realtor's avatar increases (the flashlight lights up). The color of the Hawaiian shirt keeps changing on him.
LOCATIONS
Set design and casting will go hand in hand. Our heroes will fit perfectly to their spaces. The key world for both is keep every location different from each other, but at the same time I want the spot to feel one unit. We are stylish and conceptual but not over stylized. Everything is up to date, modern with a good taste but we do not have to over emphasize design, because our storytelling and our visual world so unusual. We over 30 different locations at the moment so I believe we should be looking for four-five different houses or apartments which we can dress up to our own needs. The only exceptions are the plane scene, the bungalow and the beach. These are have to be build in studio. The lake background from the window is an easy task. Any window will do we just have to use green screen and add some matte paint. this way we can be where ever we want to be.
CASTING&STYLING
I don't want our films talent to come across as too over thetop - it's imperative to avoid caricature. Instead we would encourage us to root the humour within subtle but cool casting choices and sensitive acting -working with the kind of people that are able to provide the perfect human detail which is able to make even the most ordinary of situations fascinating. If we intelligently sketch out and define the characters - their eccentricities will come across as natural and therefore even more entertaining.

Our talents are charismatic and attractive but in a relatable way, not too slick or overtly commercial. And of course they need to feel Local ,as our target audience needs to be able to identify with the talent. I want people with the right age range who have a natural outgoin genergy, and feel comfortable being themselves in front of the lens tha talso have the acting chops to dig deep emotionally when required. In general I like to place our cast into a scene, and then roll without a lot of action and cut, so that they can sink into the moments and just be their natural selves. It's this approach that will allow us to discover that unexpected magic. We'll go into the shoot knowing what we need as our foundation in terms of performance, and then capture a bounty of versions that go beyond that, so we'll have plenty of great options to choose from in the edit.
As always wardrobe and styling will play an equally important part of establishing & defining our protagonists personalities. Thereforewe'd suggest to collaborate with an accomplished stylist that not only understands the particular outfit requirements of the region but that can also live up to our expectations in regards to fully capturing the trends of the moment.
SOUND
Music always plays a very important role, but in our scenario we want to create a magic universe where are story tellers VO. underlines all the actions. I imagine classical cinematic music touch with a strong, characteristic and matured male voice. Let's not talk about, please take a look at these references, I believe these are just perfect!
OUTRO
I'm thrilled and thankful to be invited to this project! If there is anything specific you would like to see in the film, please feel free to let me know so I can incorporate your feedback and ideas. I hope to work together to bring this fun concept to life!

Cheers,
Tomi