I honestly did not think making a decision on what to film was going to be so difficult. My group members and I have been brainstorming daily yet cannot seem to agree on one idea. Based off my last experiences in this class, I have realized that we do not have the skill set to make anything we imagine yet. The tough part is not the process of coming up with an idea, rather the means of making it. We have had to shut down many options because of the the slim odds of being able to create it well. For example, we had thought of filming a scene of the action leading up to a bank robbery but realized that we don't have the props necessary to make this scene entertaining nor a "fake" bank to fake rob.
We must decide on an idea quick so that we can begin making it real. I know that once we have that figured out, things will flow easier and faster towards our final goal.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Research
Before beginning to film, it is important to go through a thorough learning process. Since the genre we have chosen is drama, I have done some research as to how to create the right tone, mood, and visuals for our movie opening.
Most of my research has led to camera movements. Given that we have a very limited budget, we will rely on camera movement techniques and editing to add flavor to our opening. When filming, there are no set rules on the techniques one can use. However, there are certain angles and movements that carry specific attributes. For example, a close up of a person's face reveals that person's feelings to the viewer and may even allow the viewer to empathize with the character. Through the use of different techniques, we can create the tone we want without the need to spend a lot of money.
Conveying what a character is feeling is an important part of making a drama film. These two examples do this well through camera movement techniques:
In the opening scene of 8 Mile, the protagonist, Eminem (Marshall Mathers), is shown in an unclean bathroom looking at himself in a mirror. The camera zooms in to his face many times, showing his nervous expression. While the close ups are happening, the camera also has pan movements showing Eminem's reflection in the small, cracked mirror. The panning is quick which enhances the anxiety felt throughout the scene. Lastly, as Eminem looks in the mirror, the camera also pans all the way to the bathroom door and back, showing hands banging on the door telling Eminem to hurry up, putting both his nerves and our desire to see what will happen next to the edge. Neither special effects nor crazy editing had to be used to create this opening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeI8graJ9_M
In the diner scene of Goodfellas, a combination of zoom ins and zoom outs mark Henry Hill's (Ray Liotta) realization that his best friend is going to betray him. During the shot, Henry is shown talking to his friend at a booth. The two friends are shown in the same frame, yet the zooming distorts the spacial relationship between them and the background, visually expressing Henry's disorientation and fear.
"Camera Movement." Film Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.
Most of my research has led to camera movements. Given that we have a very limited budget, we will rely on camera movement techniques and editing to add flavor to our opening. When filming, there are no set rules on the techniques one can use. However, there are certain angles and movements that carry specific attributes. For example, a close up of a person's face reveals that person's feelings to the viewer and may even allow the viewer to empathize with the character. Through the use of different techniques, we can create the tone we want without the need to spend a lot of money.
Conveying what a character is feeling is an important part of making a drama film. These two examples do this well through camera movement techniques:
In the opening scene of 8 Mile, the protagonist, Eminem (Marshall Mathers), is shown in an unclean bathroom looking at himself in a mirror. The camera zooms in to his face many times, showing his nervous expression. While the close ups are happening, the camera also has pan movements showing Eminem's reflection in the small, cracked mirror. The panning is quick which enhances the anxiety felt throughout the scene. Lastly, as Eminem looks in the mirror, the camera also pans all the way to the bathroom door and back, showing hands banging on the door telling Eminem to hurry up, putting both his nerves and our desire to see what will happen next to the edge. Neither special effects nor crazy editing had to be used to create this opening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeI8graJ9_M
In the diner scene of Goodfellas, a combination of zoom ins and zoom outs mark Henry Hill's (Ray Liotta) realization that his best friend is going to betray him. During the shot, Henry is shown talking to his friend at a booth. The two friends are shown in the same frame, yet the zooming distorts the spacial relationship between them and the background, visually expressing Henry's disorientation and fear.
"Camera Movement." Film Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.
Planning
Week One:
- My fellow group members and I will have completed our first blogposts
- Brainstorm
- Genre
Week Two:
- Watch critically acclaimed good and bad film openings
- Outline
- Research on camera movements and angles that relate to specific genre
- Brainstorm
- Create title
Week Three:
- Create shooting schedule
- Write and memorize script
- Get location
- Acquire camera equipment and props
- Start filming
- Production Process
Week Four:
- Complete filming
- Start film editing
- Show final cut to peers for feedback
- Make final changes after feedback
Week Five:
- Make final touches
- Review our work
- Send to Cambridge
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Why Drama?
It really comes down to substance.
A Drama film can be comedic, melancholy, action packed, tragedy based, historical, political, really anything one wants to produce as long as one conveys some sort of meaning, or perhaps even social commentary, through a story. This genre offers a medium through which one can share an idea or a perspective on an issue through real life situations and character development. Drama films tend to be the ones that leave you searching for a deeper meaning.
For the target audience we are trying to engage, "Generation Z" (people born from the mid 1990s to 2000s), narratives of real characters involving modern issues seem most attractive. But our decision to base ourselves off of type of film lies more on the qualities of the genre rather than on solely impressing our audience. We want our film opening to be diverse in ideas, and show different perspectives, something we can best accomplish with the use of multiple characters who the film will be based upon, a unique quality of drama films.
"Drama Films." An Award-winning, Unique Resource of Film Reference Material for Film Buffs and Others, with Reviews of Classic American-Hollywood Films, Academy Awards History, Film Posters. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017.
Buffam, Noelle. The Script Lab. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017.
A Drama film can be comedic, melancholy, action packed, tragedy based, historical, political, really anything one wants to produce as long as one conveys some sort of meaning, or perhaps even social commentary, through a story. This genre offers a medium through which one can share an idea or a perspective on an issue through real life situations and character development. Drama films tend to be the ones that leave you searching for a deeper meaning.
For the target audience we are trying to engage, "Generation Z" (people born from the mid 1990s to 2000s), narratives of real characters involving modern issues seem most attractive. But our decision to base ourselves off of type of film lies more on the qualities of the genre rather than on solely impressing our audience. We want our film opening to be diverse in ideas, and show different perspectives, something we can best accomplish with the use of multiple characters who the film will be based upon, a unique quality of drama films.
"Drama Films." An Award-winning, Unique Resource of Film Reference Material for Film Buffs and Others, with Reviews of Classic American-Hollywood Films, Academy Awards History, Film Posters. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017.
Buffam, Noelle. The Script Lab. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017.
Organizing 4 Dummies
Here is our group of legends:
-"Novice Tech Master" Joaquin Pacheco
-"Movie Freak Weirdo" Juan Jinete
-"Have-Never-Worked-With-Him-So-I-Can't-Say-Much-But-Nevertheless-Cool-Guy" Miguel Rocha
-"Wannabe Editor" Me
Though at first glance it may seem, given our polished qualities, that our success in this project is inevitable, we truly need preparation. Of course, our attributes go a little further than that––for example––Joaquin has a camera (very useful) and I have a tripod. But there is one significant, not-so-perfect, attribute we all share: lack of organization.
In all honesty, we need to plan, and do so efficiently. We all have our own distinct extra curricular responsibilities, so we must find times when we can convene and create as a whole. Our teacher understands this well as she gives us the opportunity to work together in class every day. However, our ideas do not always come as easy in a class room as they do outside of it, where we can take inspiration from different environments.
Our plan is to meet up at least twice during the weekdays and once during the weekends every week before the deadline to submission. In class, we will make sure that we are all on the same page with what we publish in our blogs and will share our individual ideas. Outside of class, we will dedicate time to brainstorming, creating, and producing. I believe three days a week, plus the hours we will have during class, will be enough to make something great. I hope the plan works out, stay tuned.
-"Novice Tech Master" Joaquin Pacheco
-"Movie Freak Weirdo" Juan Jinete
-"Have-Never-Worked-With-Him-So-I-Can't-Say-Much-But-Nevertheless-Cool-Guy" Miguel Rocha
-"Wannabe Editor" Me
Though at first glance it may seem, given our polished qualities, that our success in this project is inevitable, we truly need preparation. Of course, our attributes go a little further than that––for example––Joaquin has a camera (very useful) and I have a tripod. But there is one significant, not-so-perfect, attribute we all share: lack of organization.
In all honesty, we need to plan, and do so efficiently. We all have our own distinct extra curricular responsibilities, so we must find times when we can convene and create as a whole. Our teacher understands this well as she gives us the opportunity to work together in class every day. However, our ideas do not always come as easy in a class room as they do outside of it, where we can take inspiration from different environments.
Our plan is to meet up at least twice during the weekdays and once during the weekends every week before the deadline to submission. In class, we will make sure that we are all on the same page with what we publish in our blogs and will share our individual ideas. Outside of class, we will dedicate time to brainstorming, creating, and producing. I believe three days a week, plus the hours we will have during class, will be enough to make something great. I hope the plan works out, stay tuned.
The Beginning
The final stretch has finally begun. The curtains will open in a few months and display our final project, the consummation of a year of education in AICE Media Studies. My group members and I have decided to make a film opening of a drama, but have not yet concluded on the details of the film itself.
However, since this is my blog, I thought it'd be better to introduce it on a personal note. To me, this blog will be the hardest part of the project. Throughout the year, I have been given opportunities to show my creativity through videos, visual messages, sound stories, and movie pitches. I have realized that while doing these projects, the toughest part hasn't been making the product itself (video, picture, etc), but rather the explanation of how and why I chose to make what I made. This process of transforming my mind into words has always been confusing and difficult for me, but ultimately I enjoy it and see it as a challenge. While piecing my dispersed thoughts together, I seem to learn more about myself and about the reasoning behind my decisions. So welcome to this journey of not only creation, but of my mind. I hope you enjoy.
However, since this is my blog, I thought it'd be better to introduce it on a personal note. To me, this blog will be the hardest part of the project. Throughout the year, I have been given opportunities to show my creativity through videos, visual messages, sound stories, and movie pitches. I have realized that while doing these projects, the toughest part hasn't been making the product itself (video, picture, etc), but rather the explanation of how and why I chose to make what I made. This process of transforming my mind into words has always been confusing and difficult for me, but ultimately I enjoy it and see it as a challenge. While piecing my dispersed thoughts together, I seem to learn more about myself and about the reasoning behind my decisions. So welcome to this journey of not only creation, but of my mind. I hope you enjoy.
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