Synopsis & Storyboard for your Project

Title: A Mother’s Journey

Synopsis of the story

The main character of the story is a female manager named Anna, who returns to work after having a baby. She was highly respected in the company before, but now she finds herself being marginalized. Anna was an important member in the company, and had outstanding performance and leadership. However, as her maternity leave ended and when she went back to work, she found that the colleague's attitude had changed.

While she was on maternity leave, the company handed over the projectshe was working on to other colleagues without notifying her. Anna gradually realized that she was no longer the trusted manager. Her ideas are being listened to less and less. Her boss and colleagues seemed to imply that she was no longer able to work as hard as she once did as a mother.

In addition to the indifference of her boss and colleagues, Anna also discovered  that a young colleague Lily, was gradually replacing her position.. Lily took over Anna's work while she was on maternity leave and was highly praised by superiors for her excellent performance.

What makes Anna unique is that she is not only an outstanding leader, but also a perseverance and intelligent woman. She has shown great resilience in balancing the challenges of career and family. However, facing exclusion in the workplace and the prejudice as a mother, Anna also had to face the reality that her career was being affected.

After that, Anna decides to stop being silent, and actively participates in team meetings, seeks advice, and takes on small projects to show what she can do. She begins communicating with  her boss about her passion for her work and her contribution to the team. At the same time, she also establishes a good relationship with Lily, sharing experience and seeking cooperation. Through persistent hard work, Anna gradually earned the respect of her colleagues and the trust of her superiors, regained her place in the team, and proved that motherhood did not hinder her career.

Who:

- Anna's supervisor: The change in her supervisor's attitude towards Anna reflects the company culture's implicit bias against female staff.

- Colleagues Lily: A young and talented co-worker who takes over Anna's job while she is on maternity leave. Lily does not realize that she has inadvertently become Anna's competitor. She transforms into a supporter after the story.

- Anna's Family: Anna's family was emotionally supportive during her career challenges and encouraged her to return to work and achieve her career goals. Their understanding and support provides Anna with greater confidence.

- Other Colleagues: they may have negative attitudes toward Anna influenced by the company culture.

What:

Logline: A high-potential manager returns to the workplace after having a baby, but finds herself marginalized and ignored as her company implicitly excludes her. This forces her to face the harsh reality that becoming a mother could derail her career aspirations forever.

Story include:

-     Discrimination and gender equality in the workplace

-    Female resilience and growth

-    Balancing family and career

Where:

The story is set in Toronto.

Scenarios include:

-    Office

-    Conference Room

-    Lounge area

-    Character's home

-     Supervisor's office

-    Outside the office building

When:

The story takes place in 2023. In recent years, the issues of gender equality and motherhood protection have been emphasized, and the discussion of women's rights and interests in the   workplace has become more and more widespread globally. Therefore, Anna's story can trigger deep thoughts on these topics.

Why:

Anna's experience exemplifies the prejudice that many recent mothers face when returning to the workplace,revealing the hidden discrimination that is prevalent in the workplace. This  still exists in many companies, prompting a focus on how to create more inclusive work environments. Meanwhile Anna's character challenges society's stereotypes of mothers and demonstrates what mothers are capable of when balancing work and family. Her story encourages women to believe that they can still be successful in the workplace, even if they become a mother.

How:

A 120-minute film about the joy ofpregnancy to the confusion of the workplace, it centers on the growth and challenges of the main character, showing how she deals with her changing identity, the pressures of the workplace, and the balance of her family life.

Target audience:

- Women in the workplace: Many professional women who return to the workplace after giving birth will face many workplace challenges and discrimination. They may resonate with Anna's experience and look for inspiration and strategies to cope with their own workplace dilemmas.

- HR professionals: Those responsible for company culture, recruitment and employee relations. They want to understand the impact of motherhood on women in the workplace and how to create a more inclusive work environment.

- Management and business leaders: Holding managerial positions in companies. They want to learn how to better support the work needs and career development of their employees, especially women, during motherhood.

- Gender equality and motherhood protection advocates: Organizations or individuals concerned about gender equality and women's rights. Hope to use the stories to spark discussion on the rights of mothers in the workplace and promote social change.

- Mental Health Professionals: Psychologists and psychological counselors who are concerned about workplace stress and mental health. Research on the impact of the  workplace environment on women's mental health, as well as strategies to provide support and advice.

- Male partners: To inspire male partners to reflect on their own role in gender equality and supporting their partners through Anna's experience, and to stimulate their thoughts and actions.

Storyboard