Documentary Proposal

Filmmaker:John Smith
Producer:John Smith
Director: John Smith
Writer of proposal:Sally Sue
Writer of film: John Smith

“Jean the Baker”

(working title)

Logline:
A baker moved from France to NYC when he was 17 to pursue his love for
baking. Inspired by his grandmother, he took her old recipes and twisted them
to make them his own. Now, he has one of the best bakeries in NYC, known for
his croissants.

Genre:
Lifestyle Documentary

Time Length:
10-12 minutes

Purpose:
I (the filmmaker) walked into Jean’s bakery one day because I heard
about these amazing croissants. Also, he has an inspiring story behind the
bakery and why he came to NYC to pursue his love for baking.
In the documentary it will discuss how he became a successful business
owner. This includes the love of baking with his grandmother that turned him
into owning his own business and being successful. We wonder why people choose
the path they choose, and what inspired them to.
Our call to action, again, is how others inspire others in finding their
dreams and knowing different paths to take. This is a simple, heart-warming
story that will touch the hearts of many. ....(adding more here when needed).
Summary:
 We follow a baker as he continues to pursue his dream in NYC as a
professional baker, known for his craft. Jean only goes by his first name,
that is how famous he is.
He always baked with his grandma when he was a child, and then he
started to re-create her recipes in his teens.(this needs to be a few more
paragraphs in order to be complete)

A Story:

Exploration of Jean’s bakery in NYC.

B Story:

Inspired by a family member (grandma) to create the bakery.

Acts I-III:

ACT I
-Introduction:

ACT II
-

-
 -Climax:

ACT III
-

-Outro:

-Credits:

Subjects:

Jean the Baker

-He is 35 years old and has lived in NYC for 19 years. Originally
from France. He likes to play the piano in his free time. Works at the
bakery from 4am-4pm every day. The shop is opened from Wednesday to
Sunday. He catches up on sleep on Monday and Tuesday. The store has been
open for 7 years. He is the head baker and has two other assistant
bakers. Very close to his family. He is happy there is such thing as
FaceTime. Likes to listen to jazz with his fellow Europeans on the
weekends. This is the main subject of the film.

Nancy Martin
-This is Jean’s fiance. She is 33 years old and works as a restate
agent in SoHo. They live together in NYC. They met at the bakery when
after trying the croissants, wanted to meet the baker. She is also
originally from France. They love baking together in the evenings and
coming up with new recipes.

Grandma Thomas
-This is Jean’s grandmother. She was born and raised in Cannes,
France. She never moved out of Cannes, but does love traveling and that
is where she would get ideas for her recipes.

Assistant Baker Sally and Fred Williams

 -They are a couple who moved from England and wanted to be apart
of the baking culture in NYC. Both have online businesses, so working at
the bakery is more for fun than for the money. They met Jean about 10
years ago at a Jazz Festival. Jean discussed about owning a bakery and
both decided to help, but then decided to permanently work with him
because they enjoy him and his company. Sally and Fred are both 34 years
old.

Interview Questions:

Jean

When did you move to America?

When did you open your bakery?
What is your favorite item to make?
What do you value most about your business?
Who inspires you the most?
What inspired you to open up the bakery?
When did you first start baking?
What was the first item you learned how to bake?
Why open a french bakery in NYC?
ETC.

Nancy Martin

Write the questions here.

Grandma Thomas

Write the questions here.

Assistant Bakers

Write the questions here.

B-roll:
 -Footage of the crossissants being made.
-Family photos.
-Photos of Jean baking.
-Footage of Jean walking around central park.
-Footage of Jean walking to the hot dog cart.
-Photos of Jean’s childhood.
-Photos of Jean in France.
-Photos of the bakery.
-Footage of him in the bakery.
-Footage of Sally and Fred making pastries.
-Footage of Nancy and Jean together.

Extras:

Locations:
-Central Park
-The Bakery
-Jean’s favorite hot dog cart

Budgets:
-How much things will cost? Usually a treatment writer would
not write this out.
-things to add to this would be, crew fees, location fees,
food supply, camera gear, travel, etc.

Legal Stuff:
-Music
-locations
-etc.