For the past core assignment, I’ve studied gun control laws and found out about the loopholes and the inconsistency in them making firearms more accessible to the ones who aren’t eligible to purchase a gun. One of the issues is called “the gun show loophole”. Basically, before purchasing a gun it is required that the seller proceed to go through a background check to make sure that the buyers are eligible. However, at a gun show, private sellers aren’t required to abide by the same law. They only conduct a background check if they feel that something is off.
This is how I got my plot for my film. “The Trafficking Ring” is an action/comedy movie about two young adults, Raven and Troy, freshly graduated from college. Like every college graduate they have something in common: debt. They live in a remote area and have big dreams of making it big one day. Working multiple shifts at crappy restaurants, the burden of their debts and receiving emails from corporations like “Sorry, you have not been selected for the position” made them crack one night. They refuse to live a life like this. What’s their next step? They search on Google how to make money. Fast. Their plan is simple. They go to gun shows, purchase cheap firearms and sell it back, for a higher price, to the rich kids uptown, who’ll do all they can to hang out with the big guys. They start to expand their business. That’s when everything goes downhill. They haven’t taken into account their competitors. Ruthless and greedy men. Step into their territory and you’re dead meat.
The movie is meant to criticize the inefficiency of the laws set to protect us from gun violence. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), a federal law enforcement organization, since 1998 more than two million people have been blocked from purchasing a firearm after the sellers proceeded through a background check. However, those two million could easily go to a gun show and purchase a firearm.To make matters worse, the sellers aren’t required to register the identity of the buyer, making it hard for the police to keep track of the flow of guns.
My movie is a combination of action and humour. The action scenes are going to be less intense compared to the traditional action movies. They’ll probably be scenes where they get chased by the bad guys and walk in slow motion while there’s an explosion behind them. The comical aspect will be based on the relationship between our duo. Raven and Troy are going to be the typical pair of comical characters. Raven will be the outgoing and clumsy type and Troy will be the smart sidekick.
The movie is more likely to appeal to teenagers and young adults. The language used and the jokes made will mostly be centered around gen z culture. The storyline will also be relatable to them since Raven and Troy are straight out of college and trying to make a name for themselves. The movie won’t include: substance abuse and strong language, but it will contain violence.
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I love your idea about the film. It serves to teach the populous of something that is crucial for them to know but they do not know much about it. And you also provide steps towards a solution. I am sure that if someone left after watching your movie they would be passionate about the cause and would work towards patching this and other loopholes. It also just seems pretty action-packed, cant wait to see the trailer!
Hello Michealla, it will be very interesting to see your trailer. I wanna see how you can incorporate humor within a topic like gun control. Its insane to see how badly this country struggles to make a clear decision on the topic. I wonder how you will incorporate the music element within your trailer.
Hi Michaella! First, I absolutely love this idea! I think you did a great job in tying your research and topic into an enjoyable movie plot. Reselling guns from a gun show is a great plot point. I can’t wait to see tour trailer.
Hello Michaella, thanks for sharing. Great idea, I think your movie will be popular among teens and male adult. I found action movies usually attract more viewers. Putting action and humor together will make your message less aggressive to those who on the other side of the topic and easier to be accepted by the general public. In recent years I been reading a lot of news of school shooting and shooting in bars and populated areas. It is pathetic that the issue of gun control still doesn’t have an ideal solution. I hope your film will convince more people to join this debate.
This is a very genius idea! I’m getting “Pineapple Express” vibes from this type of movie if it is going to be an action-comedy. But despite the action and comedy, the message that gun control laws are too lax is very real and serious. I like the idea that the characters are in college as well. Many of us are struggling when applying to jobs and only receive rejection emails (I know this all too well). As a result, kids turn to illegal activities to make fast money (I do NOT know about this). Great idea!