The Old Times

PRE-PRODUCTION

1. Synopsis 2. Style guide 3. Storyboard

4^th March 2026

1. Synopsis

A synopsis is a brief summary of a longer work that highlights the main points. What it includes: A summary of the plot and theme. Plot twists and the ending. Character introductions. An overview of major themes. The setting. The genre and style.

Images: left created by Nano Banana and right created with Canva.

“The Big Mistake: Clobbered by the Bible” is a three-part, documentary-style video series exploring how a handful of Bible verses were turned into weapons against queer people and how they can be reclaimed. This idea has evolved – initially I was planning a series of TikTok videos but decided that I was not meeting the project brief to create three interlinked chapters to my story. I have therefore decided to create a series of three short videos told from the perspective of a quiet boy on the back row who loved church and later discovered he was not straight.

Chapter 1 traces the story of the appearance of the word “homosexual” in the Bible (1 Corinthians 6:9) as recently as 1946 – I was amazed to find that this word did not appear before then. It follows the 1946 Revised Standard Version (the RSV) translation decision, highlighted in the documentary ‘1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture’, where the rare Greek terms ‘malakoi’ and ‘arsenokoitai’ were translated as “homosexual” and then preached as God’s verdict on LGBTQ+ people.

Chapter 2 uses context and gentle comedy – but not the parody style of my original idea – to revisit Sodom and Gomorrah and Leviticus’ “abominations”, showing that these texts address violence, injustice and ritual purity, not modern loving queer relationships.

Chapter 3 moves from defence to construction, drawing on Jesus’ radical welcome, Desmond Tutu’s Ubuntu theology, and Rev. Brandan Robertson’s call to “build our own table”. Across the series, the film argues that the real “big mistake” lies in human mistranslation and bad theology, not in queer existence.

• Style guide

A style guide provides guidelines for the way your project should be presented from a graphic, moving/still image, audio and language perspective. The purpose of a style guide is to make sure that your project reflects the message and consistency of its narrative and storytelling style.

Here’s a concise style guide for The Big Mistake: Clobbered by the Bible. Though it may have a feel of making it up as I go along because my ambition will be driven by my ability to use the technical tools.

I created this design on Canva using the prompt: “ I’d like a logo for a serious and informative video documentary which will be called : “The Big Mistake: Clobbered by the Bible”. The story refers to the mistranslation of the Bible which has led to the demonisation of LGBTQ+ people.” I will use this for the main title pages (I think) and intend to use a similar look and feel throughout the video where text and titles are required.

• Visual / Graphic Style: Overall look is warm, safe, intimate; “thoughtful living room”, not debate stage.
  • Colour: Soft cream, warm beige, light grey.
  • Typography: The main text is in ‘Playfair Display’ font and the chapter titles use ‘Fraunces’ for the biblical text, I have used ‘Special Elite’ which has a look and feel of a 1950s typewriter.
  • Logo: “The Big Mistake” larger, “Unclobbering Faith” smaller subtitle. Example is above.Moving & Still Images: Mostly medium and close‑up shots of me in an armchair or wandering if I can find suitable locations, eye‑level camera. Some Bible close‑ups, hands holding props, symbolic table items. I’ll be using my phone camera. Static or very gentle movement.
  • Audio Style: Calm, warm, conversational; me as minister/pastor/guide, not prosecutor.
  • Recording: Lapel mic – used outdoor and inside.
  • Music: I’d like to use music but I am not sure whether I will be able to do so well.
  • Adobe Premiere Pro: I have never used it before and it has become a bit of a demon for me so I am going to move out of my comfort zone to try to create a video with this software.

• Storyboards

A storyboard is a visual representation of a project. It is a visual outline of a story that uses images and captions to map out the sequence of events. Often used for media projects from marketing, film and animation and other audio/visual forms. It’s a series of panels that break down a story or project into individual tasks/shots for planning and analysis. 

Storyboard for The Big Mistake: Clobbered by the Bible as a 3‑chapter story which fits the project brief: “A ethical and engaging digital content piece staged over 3 interlinked chapters”.

Plan is to write one on each Post‑it and stick them to the wall:

Images: From Module Miro board

Chapter 1 – The Big Mistake: The Weapon and the Word

1. Me in chair: intro + “quiet boy in the back pew”, realisation of queerness, hearing the “homosexuals” line.
2. Explain 1946, RSV, “homosexuals” first appears in 1 Cor 6:9.
3. Close‑up of Bible: 1 Cor 6:9, voiceover about 1946 documentary.
4. Me: unpack the “true‑crime theology” of the mistranslation.
5. Me, zoomed in: quick Greek lesson – malakoi & arsenokoitai.
6. Me: meeting 1946 director + Brandan Robertson, “TikTok Pastor”.
7. Final close‑up: “Bible became a weapon by human mistake, not God’s hatred” → end card to Chapter 2.

Chapter 2 – Sodom, Shellfish & Clobber Codes

8. Me, same chair, new mug: recap + “Sodom and ‘abomination’ started earlier.”
9. Me: Sodom is about mob, rape, inhospitality – not queer love.
10. Close‑up Bible: Genesis 19 headline, voiceover.
11. Me: Ezekiel 16:49 – Sodom’s real sins (pride, neglect).
12. Me: introduce Leviticus 18–20 “abomination” in holiness code.
13. Me, hands on props: shellfish, mixed fibres, beard corners – everyone ignores these.
14. Me, zoomed: explain toʿevah = ritual taboo, not identity attack.
15. Me calm: Sodom = injustice, Leviticus = ritual code, neither about modern queer relationships → end card to Chapter 3.

Chapter 3 – Building the Table: Ubuntu & Radical Welcome

16. Me, warmer light: “Now that bad arguments are gone, what faith do we build?”
17. Me: Jesus’ silence on homosexuality, loud on justice & the poor.
18. Close‑up Bible: Luke 4:18–19 or Matthew 25, voiceover.
19. Me: Ubuntu – “I am because we are”, Tutu, homophobia harms the whole church.
20. Me: meeting Brandan Robertson, “build our own table” quote.
21. Table shot: I lay down mug, cross, Pride badge, candle – “queer joy, faith, community, welcome”.
22. Close‑up, to camera: “You are not a problem to be solved by a verse. You never were. Welcome to the table.”