Filming Blog- (Wasn't Able to Film)

    On Thursday, February 13th, I was finished with my storyboard and was technically ready to begin filming. My plan was to begin my filming process over the long weekend that we had. However, I ran into a few obstacles that inhibited my chances to film. My plan was to begin filming on Saturday, after work. I usually get off of work around 5 pm, therefore I could still get many opening shots filmed. So, I went to work, like normal, and planned to head straight home after work to begin filming. However, instead of clocking out of work at my normal 5 pm time, I was told that I needed to stay a couple more hours. Additionally, once I did manage to get out of work, it was raining heavily in the area near my house. This obstructed my filming plan by a day, as for one, I needed to film outside, without rain. Also, a lot of my shots do take place during the daytime, and by the time I was actually in the correct wardrobe and ready to film, it was dark outside. Therefore, I wouldn't have had optimal lighting for my scenes that needed to be filmed.

    On Sunday, February 16th, I planned on finally filming. I did have work again, but I was sure that I would be out of work in an efficient manner and at my normal clock-out time. This did, in fact, happen, but like the previous day, it was pouring rain once I got home from work. I did film a couple of shots inside my house, which take place towards the beginning of the opening sequence. However, I was not able to film any other vital scenes over this first weekend of filming. What this has taught me is that filmmakers and producers do run into obstacles during their work, but they have to adapt and overcome. Although I wasn't able to film a lot of my shots, I did manage to knock out a couple shots. Additionally, this weekend gave me more time to plan on when and how I would shoot future scenes. I plan to film again this week and next weekend as well. Hopefully, the weather can work with me for once and I can successfully shoot a good chunk of my project.

 

Planning Blog: Storyboard

This is my slide presentation for my storyboard for the final project in AICE Media Studies. The storyboard creation process was very fun, but time-consuming at the same point. I spread out the days that I did my storyboard because it took more than a few hours to create. The storyboard is essentially a drawn version of what the shots in the movie will look like. Additionally, the text is included to describe the scenes. Moreover, I described the shots, angles, and movements that will be used for each scene in my production. Although the storyboard doesn't do great justice for what the actual film will look like, it is a good indication of where I am headed in the process of filming. Once this is submitted, I will be able to begin filming my clips. This storyboard will be useful as I will be able to go back to it and see how I broke down each scene to the single shot-by-shot. I am very excited to start filming and I hope that my project continues to run smoothly!

Planning Blog: Title Design

    In this slide presentation, I discuss everything that is needed to be known about the titles I will use in my opening sequence of my film. I hope that I can make the titles seamlessly blend with the shots in the title sequence. Audiences should be able to read who was involved in the production, so I need to make sure that the titles are clear and effective. I will be able to do this by using correct spacing, as well as fonts that go well with my film. Moreover, I decided to use "spooky" fonts, if you will, in my opening sequence to fall in line with common horror/thriller film conventions. 

    As I am limited to three various fonts for the opening sequence, I plan to use one font for the title/position of who was involved, for example, "Directed By." I will use a different font for the actual person who filled that position, like my name. And,  I will use a separate font for the title of the movie, 'Experiment 1217.' I also discuss how titles will appear on-screen once the scenes begin. Finally, I talk about how long each title will appear on the screen; I don't want them to be on-screen for too long as we are only given a two-minute slot for our project. Titles are very crucial to a film, as they give credit to everyone who was involved. Therefore, I want to make the opening sequence as effective, and informative, as it can be! 

Planning Blog: Location, Schedule, Participants, H&S

This slide presentation discusses everything outside of dialogue, shots, angles, etc. Firstly, I explain where I am going to film. For the majority of the opening sequence of my project, I am filming in or outside of two houses. These houses I will be shooting at are my house and my cousins' as he is the second character in my film. Next, I made a preview of my whole schedule, which includes the time frame for shooting and editing. This is essential as it helps me stay on track to finish my project in enough time to submit it. Additionally, I talked about the participants in my film. These were very limited, as I am basically completing this entire project on my own. Other than my cousin, who co-stars in the film, I am directing and producing the film, as well as starring in it. Finally, I reviewed the safety precautions that I will take during the shooting process. As there will most likely be adults on standby, while we are filming, I don't have any worries that anything should go wrong. Plus, I do have the resources to call anyone if needed.

Planning Blog: Sound Script

I created this slide as my "sound script" for my final project/film. Unlike the shooting script I created, this script focusses more on sounds and dialogue within the film. I discuss the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds within the film, such as background noises that will be heard throughout the opening sequence. These include, in my case, birds chirping, doors closing, and footsteps. Sound within a film is as important, if not more important than the actual shots in the film. Especially in horror/thriller movies where the sound is a character on its own, it is used to establish suspense, pace, and action. Within the last minute of my opening sequence, the audience is already catapulted straight into the action of the film. Music plays a huge role, especially towards the end of my opening sequence. Along with the final shot, the music creates a cliffhanger. This will hopefully leave viewers wanting to see the eventual fate of my characters.

Planning Blog: Shooting Script

    This is my shooting script for my final project. Within this slide presentation, I discuss everything that will take place in the film, other than dialogue and sounds. I explain shot by shot angles, movements, etc. This is essential, as this will help me copy exactly what I envision my actual film to look like. I tried to follow the conventions of horror/thriller movies as best as I could, but I wanted to make it original.

    While I created this slide presentation, I learned that the script process is actually much more involved than what I expected. I needed to learn how to break down, not only each scene but each shot as well. I did this by incorporating every angle and movement that would take place during the filming process. My project consists of 11 total scenes, which will vary in length, but I hope to fit it within the allotted 2 minute time period we are given. Unlike many thriller/horror movies, my film jumps into the action pretty quickly, as I place the characters into the main part of the film promptly. 

Title Research: The Conjuring 2

    As a fan of the director, James Wan, and his films, I was very excited to see the second entry of The Conjuring series. The first film was very good and to this day, I still place it in my top 10 horror movies of all time. Both films claim to be based on a true story and for this reason, many people go to see the films and decide whether the story could be real.

    How many titles are displayed during the opening of the sequence to the film?

     In total, the opening sequence consists of 34 titles. These include the director, producers, screenplay, etc. Compared to the previous two title sequences I reviewed, this has more titles.

    What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?

     Although this film has more titles introduced in the opening sequence, the producers used them nicely. As the titles appear on the screen, photos of the family the story is based on appear next to shots in the actual film. I found this to be very creative and exactly why I along with many others enjoy these movies. They do a very good job of almost re-creating the actual events of the story.

    What connotations do the images carry?

     Well, the images make the audience feel that the film is authentic. It shows that the story, which they claim to be real, is that exactly, REAL. The shots of the "possessed" child next to the shot of the actor in the same position are almost jaw-dropping. It shows the audience that the movie will most likely be pretty disturbing and that they should ready themselves.

    How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?

     Clearly, the horror genre is reinforced, as the title sequence is disturbing and creepy in itself. The photos of the actual events of the storyline appear onscreen, as a slow-building, ominous score plays behind it. The images are very bleak and low contrast, making them look even more realistic.

    How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?

     The title sequence of the film doesn't give away too much of the story. Instead, the audience is left wondering what will happen to the main characters of the story and whether what happens in the story could be true. Additionally, the photos of the actual event next to the stills of the film aren't too much of a spoiler as they are just still shots.

    What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?

     The film uses a creepy score to go along with the stills of the actual event. The target audience, in this case, would mainly consist of the people who went to see the first film. They were drawn in during the title sequence because of the real images of the case of the Warrens. The audience knows that The Conjuring series is based on a true story going into the viewing of the film, and therefore were more encaptured when they saw the stills displayed with the titles in the opening sequence.

    How has technology been used effectively?

     The title sequence used technology in a number of ways, believe it or not. First, the producers went able to track down real photos of the case that the Warrens were involved in. This in itself is amazing. Additionally, titles during the opening sequence faded-in and out during the sequence. Over the titles appearing a score plays as well. The transitions between photos in the title sequence are very smooth as they almost seamlessly fade into one another.