Creative Critical Reflection

Did you really think that was it? April fools! Click here to view my creative critical reflection. Until next time my fellow play writes, chao!

https://youtu.be/sQudhnEOe2I

Final Draft

 Wow, this whole process has been such a roller coaster of emotions! While I am relieved that this whole process is over, I am also saddened because throughout this whole process, I have learned so much about the filmmaking process and will appreciate the art of filmmaking so much more!

I bid you goodbye for now, and truly hope you enjoy my film!

Title Sequence Reflection

I am so relieved that I finished the title sequence to my film! Looking back, I wished I explored my options for editing a bit more beforehand and took a second look at the PowerPoint my teacher posted for class.

At first, I was scared and nervous because I wasted a lot of time trying to make iMovie work, but then when I found Filmmaker Pro everything seemed to fall into place. I used iMovie to edit, Filmmaker Pro to add the title sequence and I plan to use YouTube Studio to add sound.

Of course, once I finish adding the sound I have to go back and add credit to YouTube, but all I must do is add the sound and I am finished!

My Savior: Filmmaker Pro - Video Editor

Since I found out that iMovie was no longer an option for the title sequence, I decided to improvise and find another app to use and I did – Filmmaker Pro. I wish I found the app sooner because I could have saved so much more time instead of attempting to use iMovie to create the title sequence.

“Filmmaker Pro – Video Editor” is a free app to download (with in-app purchases) that allows you to add words, titles, sound and so much more! At first, it was a little overwhelming and difficult to maneuver, although it is very easy to get accustomed to once you get the hang of things.

In no time, I was able to begin compiling my title sequence!

Epitome of Indecisive

As expected, the title sequence was as difficult to put together as I thought it would be.

Firstly, I attempted to use iMovie to complete the title sequence, but two hours in I realized that you cannot use iMovie to create a title sequence. Therefore, I will have to scour the Appstore for another alternative to add the title sequence to my film opening, an aspect that I wish I had done earlier.

Thus, I decided to use what I could from iMovie so time wouldn’t be wasted throughout this process. I chose a light blue color to establish the name of my production company “N&A Productions” and thought that was adequate.

However, when I showed my mom the film, she gave me great insight; she said the title color was too dark and chose an orange color which is brighter and expresses the title in a clearer way.

Much work still needs to be done, but I am still excited because I am finally getting a handle on things!

Uh oh...

I completely forgot about the title sequence; I am such a scatterbrain! After I re-ran through the PowerPoint my teacher posted on Schoology, I realized that I didn’t even know what a title sequence was, which meant I had to research this aspect before I created it for my own film.

Essentially, a title sequence is the way a movie clip presents their title, key production, and cast members utilizing visually appealing pictures and sound. Title sequences must be bold, bright, and eclectic in order to capture the audience’s attention. For instance, in the YouTube video published by WatchMojo.com, they included the example of Toy Story, a movie that introduces toys with the inclusion of the song ‘you’ve got a friend in me’. The title sequence of Toy Story re-iterates the theme expressed throughout the movie: no matter how old someone is, one will always have a deep-rooted connection to their toys.

In my own title sequence, I hope to incorporate these stylistic elements to capture the audience’s attention and make them excited for my own film opening. I have no inspiration for my title sequence as yet, but I’m brainstorming many different options.

Top 10 Opening Credit Sequences in Movies, WatchMojo.com, 30 Mar. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKlQ0XrLSYU.

 

Own Your Mistakes

When I started editing, I had no idea that it would be such a time consuming and rigorous task. Therefore, because of all my coursework from other classes, I decided to take a break and review editing techniques before I started the task at hand.

I began editing with the intention of adding sound and individually editing each scene, but then I found that the process was too time-consuming because each scene had different time intervals. 

Instead, I decided to edit and combine all the scenes together while adding transitions via iMovie, then uploading to YouTube so it would be easier to add the sound, music, and voiceover altogether. In hindsight, this realization should have occured much sooner. 

Although I completed all my filming and feel as though I am on pace, our film is due next Thursday which is stressing me out because there is so much more work to be done! 

Week 2: Filming and Editing Reflection

Despite all the mishaps, I managed to finish the filming and even began editing for my two-minute film opening but if I had to create a film again, I would do a lot of things differently.  

As discussed in my previous post, the film took longer than I originally anticipated, which caused me to fall behind in homework for my other classes. If I were to do things again, I wouldn’t use my family as the cast but because of COVID-19, it was the only option I had because my grandfather is elderly and has respiratory issues. Also, I would’ve created a schedule so I could be more organized, and I would also purchase my own equipment. Again, I’m proud of all I accomplished, and I’m surprised I even filmed as fast as I did.

Now onto the editing!

Time Consuming

One aspect of the filming process that still haunts me must be the fact that it was time-consuming because there were so many factors that made it difficult.

Overall, because my mother and sister had no experience in acting, it was very difficult to film because they couldn’t convey the theme of the script in the way I wanted it to be. As for my sister, I felt as though because it wasn’t her film, she didn’t put any effort into it and didn’t even try to remember the few lines of the script she had. Also, our different schedules didn’t help because my sister and I finish school at different times while my mom had her own schedule, which made it hard to find the best time to film.

I take responsibility for my part as director; I should have been more organized because we were on such a time crunch. However, despite all the kinks we still had fun and bonded as a family which made the filming entertaining. 

Spiraling...

I had to handover the filming equipment to my friend two days ago, which was a bittersweet moment because I came to the realization that our film is due in two weeks – that’s crazy! Time has flown by, and now I find myself spiraling in regret.

As I began putting multiple scenes together, film ideas kept spiraling in my head – ideas that seemed way more creative and original than my film. One idea I thought of was a theme based on 9/11, which looking back, seems like such an innovative and creative idea for a film. Additionally, an idea I never thought of was to feature in the film myself, but that would be 10 times more difficult than the film already was so I’m glad I didn’t.

All in all, the filming is done, and I cannot go back and change the past. Now, I must use different editing techniques to elevate the quality of my film, so it doesn’t seem as boring in my head as I am making it out to be. 

Previous AICE Media Submission Reflections

As suggested by our AICE Media Studies teacher, I decided to research other AICE Media students’ submissions to provide insight into my film, and I’m glad I did. From other students’ work, I got ideas for my own film, in addition to what I should avoid when putting my film together.

The ‘Eunoia’ film by Cedar College Productions was comparable to the theme for my film, but what really struck me was the directors’ use of special effects added through editing, which elevated the quality of the film. Additionally, the choice of camera angles and shot used throughout the film was impressive and definitely built upon the mise-en-scene all throughout the film. My favorite part hands down was the inclusion of the blue contacts to display the feeling of sadness of the feeling lonely - I thought that was a very creative and innovative idea.

Moreover, another great example of a two-minute film opening that I looked at was ‘Thomson Entertainment Studios’. The introduction of the film was very subtle and simple, yet it immediately grabbed the viewer’s attention with the everyday basics, such as the cracking of an egg. On another note, the film was anti-climactic and even included a fire effect at the end which I thought was very cool. I noticed that although the director began the opening with simple techniques, towards the end he made the film captivating my adding special effects, an aspect I will attempt to incorporate into my own film opening.

In contrast, the film produced by ‘G & R Productions’ was hard to comprehend and sort of confusing. Throughout the film, there was no sound and the angles the shots were taken from were kind of confusing. Although the background was beautiful, I didn’t really understand the mise-en-scene and overall theme the director was trying to convey.

Altogether, these sample film openings gave me an idea of what to do and what not to do during the editing process, as well as techniques that I can utilize in my film as well. 

“Eunoia | Opening Sequence | Media Studies | AS Level.” Cedar College Productions, 10 Apr. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL5Nagw7Nxk.

AICE MEDIA STUDIES: A Forgotten Stranger, G&R Productions, 12 Apr. 2020, youtu.be/IerskKsWXWI.

Thomson, Mackenzie AJ, director. Film Opening Title Sequence | AS Media Studies | Paper Boy, Thomson Entertainment Studios 9 Dec. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SaCbZE8eSo&feature=youtu.be. 

Giggles Galore

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, being a director, editor and filmmaker is a very difficult task. When we began filming, I had no idea that the filming process would take so long because I began by completing ten-second scenes that didn’t require any dialogue. However, once I started shooting conversation scenes, I realized just how time-consuming filming really was. I completed all my filming in two days, which felt like the longest days of my life (plus I may have to go back and re-shoot)!

First off, finding the perfect lighting was hard to grasp because we would film in the afternoon, which made it hard to get the sun at the perfect time. Also, controlling the sound in a house of five inhabitants is quite difficult, because there was always a problem with cars passing outside or accidentally leaving the T.V. on while filming. But the worst part of the whole filmmaking process was the constant laughter. My mom and sister kept on laughing during the dialogue scenes, which forced us to complete tons of retakes which was both annoying and time consuming. 

In the end, even though the filmmaking process was time consuming and difficult, I’m just glad that the filming portion of my project is complete...for now

Week 1: Filming and Editing Reflection

As this week concludes, I am proud of the accomplishments made despite the numerous setbacks encountered throughout the filmmaking process. I have approximately 80 seconds left of footage to shoot, edit, and upload.

In the upcoming weeks, costumes, lighting, and dialogue will become a huge factor in my film, so I will begin to prioritize and incorporate them as necessary. As my vision begins to take light, I will continue to consider the mise-en-scene aspects of my film and their respective impact on theme.

Editing Day 1

I planned to film all week but due to disagreements with my sister, I decided to edit instead, which worked out better than I planned because the editing process wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be.

I began by keeping a dissolve transition instead of a fade in, because it is more in sync with the sound and camerawork. After finalizing the transition, I decided to begin adding sound, which proved to be more difficult than I had anticipated since nothing I found seemed to correspond with my vision. After scourging Youtube’s video editing software, I still didn’t choose a sound that I wanted that would be fluid throughout the scene. Thankfully, after consulting a friend I decided to choose the sound ‘Tak’ from Youtube’s soundtrack; it is rather ominous, furthering suspense when added to the mise-en-scene created by the lighting and camerawork.

As I lost sight of the time, it slipped my mind that I still must add subtitles and a thumbnail to the film but regardless, progress is progress!

Filming Day 2

Yesterday’s filming went surprisingly well! My sister reminded me to print out my script, which was a great help because if she hadn’t reminded me, I would’ve forgotten. However, after re-watching the video it feels like a scene is missing and I’m not sure why; maybe through editing I will shorten the introduction of the film so the video can be more in sync. Because this is my first-time filming a complete shot, I wanted to make sure that the lighting and angles came out like I wanted, so I didn’t really focus on the sound. Therefore, all the sound conducted through the first 40 seconds will be altered. 

On another positive note, through uploading the video clip I discovered Youtube’s editing software which was surprisingly easy to navigate. I found another editing and sound aspect I could use for my film opening! I was so fascinated by the easy accessibility of the software and ample amount of sound to choose from, that I just use Youtube’s editing software. I feel so relieved because I feel as though the editing aspect will not be taken care of, which I will discuss in the next post. 

Filming Disaster II: Technical Elements

As I stated in my previous post, I have been having great difficulty using the equipment. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t this!

Firstly, the tripod is rather difficult to become accustomed to. I like the fact that the stand is adjustable, and the latch can attach to my phone with ease; however, the legs are bendable which makes it difficult to get the height I’m looking for in my film. Additionally, one of the legs of the tripod are broken which makes adjusting the tripod to my wanted height even more challenging.

Continuing, the microphone was rather easy to use because the cable attaches directly to my phone, which will make adding in the sound easier when editing. The clip is very fragile, therefore I am trying my best to be careful with the microphone, and all the equipment for that matter.

Upon my first shooting of the material, I realized that because I have never used the equipment before, I will have to become accustomed to using the equipment – an aspect that I never anticipated. In the future, I plan to become more familiar with the equipment, which will occur throughout the filmmaking process.

Filming Disaster I

I greet you on this rather dismal afternoon with great sadness, as today’s filming was an absolute disaster! I was so excited to film today, however so many complications occurred during filming that I had to scrap the process and begin anew. Using the filming equipment presented me with new challenges, which I will discuss in the next post. Although from this experience I learned valuable information that will help me in the future, I feel pressured because again, I am borrowing the filming equipment.

Moreover, I plan to methodically plan out my scenes so the camera angles and shots will be clearer. In my previous posts, I discussed how I will have everything set up in a way that my sister can just sit down, and we can begin filming, but this is easier said than done. With that being said, I strive to be more methodical with my filming and plan to be more organized – for real this time.  

Finalized Storyboard Reflection

Overall, I believe the storyboarding process was very rewarding; I’m glad that I completed the script and storyboard on time, because I would hate to be behind on my script and storyboard right now.

At first, I began with drawing out my storyboard, until I realized that the drawing was not the best option for me. Next, I researched more about the storyboarding process and looked at previous blog posts that scored high and felt a little relief in this area. Finally, I made time to compile a shotlist that didn’t mimic the emotion I was going for, but it’s okay because it is just a rough draft to situate myself when we begin filming.

Tomorrow, I plan to begin filming because I recently borrowed the tripod and microphone from my friend. Since we are sharing the material, I want to get a head start so we don’t have conflicting filming schedules and can both complete our posts and filming on time.

I started this process confident and then overwhelmed. I did not think that it would’ve been that difficult to obtain the shots I needed, although despite the difficulty I still managed to finish on time. I will continue to trust the process, now onto filming!

Music in Storyboard

As I was completing my storyboard, I realized that the sound portion of my film is up in the air, because as of right now, I am using both diegetic and non-diegetic sound in my film. All dialogue will be diegetic as they originate while filming; however, voiceovers will be non- diegetic in addition to any music added whilst editing. Moreover, I was thinking about possibly adding somber music throughout the film, which is a possibility if times permits. As of right now, I am not sure if the typing sound will be dietetic or non-diegetic, which is an aspect I hope to figure out before the end of my storyboard.   

Storyboard Rough Draft

I have made a lot of progress with my shotlist and I could not be prouder of myself! Although it may seem like a simple task, completing the shots proved to be more difficult than I had originally anticipated. I am going to review the sound aspects of the shots as I am unsure if I am going to keep them, but I have attached a rough draft of my shotlist below.

Today was a difficult day, as the main character (AKA my sister) was proving to be very difficult to work with, but in the end I completed the shots I needed even if they weren’t as I envisioned.

Storyboard Progress

I have begun to compile the shotlist and I like the shots much better as opposed to yesterday’s shots. The shots didn’t turn out like I envisioned them because my sister was being very uncooperative and rushing me, but I think they turned out well despite the circumstances. Our teacher provided us with multiple storyboard templates, however I chose this one because I feel as though I can include the camera shots, music, dialogue and action all into one storyboard. So far, I am impressed by all the progress that I have made.

Storyboarding Attempt II

Whew, it has been a minute since last I posted on my blog! During this long weekend, I desperately needed a break from schoolwork, so I used it as a refresher to brainstorm sound and camerawork for my storyboard.

Firstly, while gathering my shotlist I realized just how difficult it would be to capture my vision using my sister using camera shots. My sister is very reluctant to be included in my film and gives trouble when asked to participate in snaps of scenes. Using family members for the film is a very stressful task, and my mother is wary of restrictions due to COVID-19 so I don’t have a choice in terms of my cast.

Furthermore, as I began to compile my shotlist, I realized that I am still very undecided about my shots. I think a dutch angle is the best way to begin the film opening as it creates suspense and uneasiness, however I am going to re-take this shot because as depicted below, I want it to be a closer to the screen.

The close up is the ideal angle as depicted below, because the audience gets a glimpse of the desk and the surrounding environment, however I think an overhead of at least the keyboard would be more befitting introduction.

Lastly, I like this close-up because it includes the globe which I interpret it as a representation of the global impact of cyberbullying. However, instead of taking the close up from the left, I want to re-take it from her right side and move the globe to the left respectively. 

I was only able to accumulate three shots, but I plan to be more methodical from now onwards as my sister has little to no patience for re-takes. 

Storyboard Drawing Reflection

Completing the drawings has eased some of the pressures that I was feeling at the beginning of the week; I was getting ahead of myself on Monday. At the beginning of the storyboard process I felt overwhelmed but completing the illustration helped me map out the ideas I had in my head to make the process easier for next week. Next week, I plan on re-doing the storyboard so I can have a better idea of sound as well as camerawork. I am both nervous and relaxed because I feel as though I am behind.

Incomplete/Complete Storyboard

My storyboard is complete but incomplete at the same time (LOL). At first, I was impressed by my drawings, then they sort of went downhill from there as scenes became more in depth. Although I completed the drawings and descriptions for each scene, I haven’t decided on the camerawork and sound for each scene, as I want to do more research into the different angles, shots, and sound. Therefore, I will begin to compile a shotlist in addition to the storyboard to help me figure out where to add the sound and which shot would fit best for each scene.                 

                                                                        

Begininng of Storyboard

Although the process started late, I have begun the storyboarding process! However, I am still confused as to the difference between the shotlist and storyboard which we need to complete for our film, so I have decided to do both. By tomorrow, I want to have completed the storyboard and next week I will begin the shotlist.

Inspired by the Youtube Video created by the Media Insider, I created my own template for storyboarding that I will share in my class in case anyone else might find it useful. I am pleasantly surprised by my drawing and am very eager to see how I draw the rest of the storyboard.

By tomorrow, I should have my storyboard completed, in addition to notes about mise-en-scene, camerawork, editing, and sound.

“How to Draw A-Grade Storyboards (Even If You Can't Draw!) | Media Studies Tutorial.” 10 May 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPrkxj2MyZI&feature=youtu.be.

 

Storyboarding Research

I greet you all this morning in a panic! As I began researching information regarding my storyboard, I became confused as to whether the storyboard and shotlist two different things or if they were the same thing. I realized I didn’t know as much about storyboarding as I thought and felt very pressured and behind in my work, so I decided to research storyboarding:

Storyboarding is almost like a comic book and helps you visualize the film. Additionally, they depict which shot goes where (Into Film Shots). The YouTube video created by Media Insider eased my tensions, as he explained that you do not have to be a Picasso to storyboard. A storyboard can be formatted however you want, as he explained in Lord of the Rings example. You can write on the frame itself and label things to help the reader understand your notes, as well as a brief description of scene. For instance, a music note represents music and ‘- - ‘ represents a cut and an ‘x’ can represent a cross fade. Mise-en-scene, camerawork, editing, and sound needs to be reflected in your storyboard.

StudioBinder provided a summary of the two YouTube videos, and included a template for storyboarding. Although I have researched in depth into storyboarding, I am still confused as to whether we must complete a shotlist, storyboard or both. I plan on drawing my storyboard, as well as creating a shotlist to make it easier when we begin filming and just to be safe.

“2 How To Storyboard .” Into Film Shots, 21 Jan. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkk2UzY4US8&feature=youtu.be.

“How to Draw A-Grade Storyboards (Even If You Can't Draw!) | Media Studies Tutorial.” 10 May 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPrkxj2MyZI&feature=youtu.be.

Maio, Alyssa, et al. “The Complete Guide to Storyboarding.” StudioBinder, 6 Mar. 2020, www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-storyboard/.

Storyboarding Attempt

I am beyond excited to announce that I am beginning the storyboarding process! I have mixed emotions about the whole process, as I am both excited and nervous to begin filming, which will take place in a couple weeks. Hopefully I am not getting too ahead of myself.

Today I decided to take out my phone and snap some pictures of my house, which will be the setting for my film opening. However, my sister distracted me, so I was unable to compile my shotlist as yet. Instead, we discussed her role as the main character in the film opening. 

Tomorrow, I plan on taking some pictures of possible scenes to include in my shotlist although for now, I will begin brainstorming for my storyboard.

Scriptwriting Reflection

The scriptwriting process has been rather difficult, as the revisions were time consuming, however the whole process has taught me perseverance and determination. I learned that scriptwriting is a learning process, as you are forced to ponder, edit, return, and repeat. I never thought that AICE English would play a part in Media Studies, but they coincide as you are forced to consider theme and tone in relation to this case, the film opening.

The entire process was rather wholesome as no matter how many times you revise the script, there is always editing that can take place along the way. Therefore, although I have finished my script, in the future further revisions may still be made as necessary.

Revisions Page 2

After yesterday’s constructive criticisms, I went back and edited my script and I noticed that there is a much better flow between the first and second page. Small details such as re-wording the script has made the world of a difference and has improved the quality greatly.

Today, I had a peer critique the second page of my script and found punctuation errors I overlooked the first time around. For instance, instead of saying ‘your bullies’, the phrase ‘the bullies’ makes more sense in context of the script. Additionally, a simple mistake such as using the word ‘principle’ instead of ‘principal’ changes the meaning of the entire script, therefore these errors must be corrected.

I am ecstatic that my script is almost complete – the entire process has been a fantastic learning experience.

Revisions

During class, my peers did not have any critiques on my script, so I had the idea of having my mom edit my script and she came up with a few criticisms that I want to have changed and completed by tomorrow.

Initially, the first page of my script had multiple errors. The description in the opening page needs to be more specific as ‘just received word’ is not specific enough in hindsight. Additionally, the phrase ‘being said about her’ can be re-phrased to ‘being posted about her’ to add a better flow to the script. The definition of hijab is imperative to the whole film and should have been added to the first page, which is a mistake on my part as the viewer of my film may not understand or even be aware of what the true meaning of hijab is. Instead of the phrase ‘tears’ I can adjust it to ‘tears welled up in her eyes’ to add more imagery to my film. My introduction needs to be more specific, and I need to better situate the mom in the script because she sort of appears out of nowhere.

Overall, I have a lot of adjustments I have to add to my script which will add flow to my script. By tomorrow I plan to have the finalized version completed.

First draft

Overall, today was a very productive day. I completed my first draft! Upon its completion, I asked my peers to critique it, as it is a rough draft and I still have a lot of work to do. Both peers stated that the content of my script is adequate, however it lacks substance. Additionally, they noted that there is a disconnect between page one and two, which I did not even notice until they brought it to my attention.

By tomorrow, I will have added corrections to my script and again, ask my peers to critique it. I still have a lot of work to be done, however I am satisfied with the progress I have made so far.

Scriptwriting begins

Today’s class was very productive, and I have to say I greatly appreciated the feedback I got from one of my peers. COVID-19 has caused us to make changes to our classroom and being put in groups has boosted my confidence and re-assured me that I am on the right path.

Before I began scriptwriting, I began navigating through celtix.com, a program for creators that was designed to make the story writing, editing, and producing process easier. However, for me that was not the case. As I was browsing through the website, I found it difficult to locate the template of the screenplay, and once I did, I found it vastly complicated and overwhelming. Therefore, I decided to stick to one of the templates our teacher provided us with in class.

Our teacher provided us with two templates for scriptwriting, however I chose this format because it seemed the simplest for me to understand. The templates with the slug lines and different codes used when writing ultimately confused me the most, therefore I will be keeping this format for the remainder of the script. 

This morning, I did not receive any critiques and I was re-assured that my script was adequately written. Although, I am only 25% complete in the writing process, so the boost in confidence from my peer was what I needed to continue. 

I intend to have my script completed by Thursday so that the members in my group can critique it and add any changes can be made. Additionally, I want the final script to be completed by Friday, but if changes are needed, I will re-adjust as necessary. 

Reference for Character Personality

I have begun the scriptwriting process and I have to say it is beyond exciting! Seeing the characters come to life brings me satisfaction and comfort. For reference as well as to get into the headspace of the characters, I decided to watch film trailers specific to teen dramas.

The trailer for “Days of the Bagold Summer” was rather interesting and tempted me to preview the movie. The main character is viewed as the antagonist, going through self-conflict – essentially the average life of a typical teenage boy. The director’s choice of using close-up angles and medium shots keeps the trailer quite captivating, like the audience is a part of the journey to self-discovery. The mom’s character in the film is one that can possibly me mirrored in my film, as she struggles to understand the conflict her teen is going through.

Next, I viewed the trailer “Breakthrough” (Rapid Trailer) which mirrored the theme of a small hometown type of film. One of the characters faces a conflict, one in which puts his life on the line. The trailer concludes with a cliffhanger, however the use of plain colors in addition to the gloomy sound effects causes the audience to infer that the character doesn’t make it.

These trailers have aided me in recognizing the personality and dialogue of my two characters, as well as shed light upon camera shots and angles, which will be utilized when storyboarding.

“BREAKTHROUGH Official Trailer (2019) Drama Movie HD.” Rapid Trailer, 5 Dec. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=52bORzIODec.

“DAYS OF THE BAGNOLD SUMMER Trailer (2020) Teen, Drama Movie.” Movie Coverage, 1 May 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0vfVMm0aRc.

New Ideas

Taking a step away from this project may be just what I needed, as I feel refreshed and ready to begin scriptwriting. Firstly, my main character’s name is Lina, a quiet, shy girl who usually sits in the back of the classroom and although she is bright in her studies, she tends to hide behind others. In her free time however, Lina uses her creativity as an escape, and utilizes paper and colored pencils to depict what her words cannot.  

Lina comes from a middle-class family situated in Florida, where she lives with her mother and father. Growing up, Lina always felt like an outcast to society, however she did not mind because she finds comfort from her family. Her father is a lawyer and her mother is a doctor; despite this fact, she tends to let others walk over her. Before Lina began attending middle school, she decided to begin wearing her hijab, a head covering worn in public by Muslim women as a form of modesty. Lina’s decision to begin wearing the hijab was one that made both her and her parents were proud of, but she did not expect the harsh scrutiny of her peers.

Though this plot is still subject to change, I believe I have a basic storyline in which I can begin the scriptwriting process. The processes described in earlier posts have aided the tension that writer’s block brings, as I cannot wait to begin formatting my ideas into the script!  

Writer's Block

I greet you this afternoon with great dismay, as I have officially succumbed to writer’s block. Although I have a very concrete idea for my film, I feel as though my writing process has begun at a slow start. This morning, I opened my laptop and stared at a blank screen for hours, with no direction or idea in mind. With this being said, I have generated a few ideas of how to restore my creative juices and begin writing.  

In the last post I discussed my overall storyline with the inclusion of characters and setting, however I need to delve into their representation in this film. As my genre is a teen drama, I will begin to research traits that mirror these qualities in my film. After these steps, I will have a very fluid idea of the film and will be able to begin larger projects like the storyboard, seeking the best music, and most importantly, complete my script. Lastly, if we are unable to work in groups in class, I will begin reaching out to my friends to bounce ideas off each other to relieve writer’s block.

Storyline

Since all films use the same basic three elements in all films (story, character, theme) I will use this same outline to brainstorm the storyline of my screen play. The plot for my film centers around the topic of cyberbullying, conveying the theme “triumph over adversity” all throughout my film opening. “Behind the Screen” is a film about the main character (protagonist) who is the victim of cyberbullying acted out by my sister, while the cyberbully or antagonist is unknown for the time being.

Moreover, I researched the typical characters conveyed in teen movies, to establish a greater understanding of what my main character will look like. Within the YouTube video “Top 10 Stereotypes Characters in Teen Movies” (MsMojo) stereotypical characters in teen movies are the bully, rebel, cheerleader, and nerd. Stereotypes are what makes it captivating and relatable, a factor I will keep in mind throughout my scriptwriting process.

“Top 10 Stereotyped Characters in Teen Movies.” MsMojo, 14 Apr. 2017, “Top 10 Stereotypes Characters in Teen Movies”.

Start of the Scriptwriting Process

Initially, I felt very overwhelmed and nervous to begin the scriptwriting process, however as I began to research more in-depth into screen playing and scriptwriting, my mind was put at ease. I thought that last weeks research posts were sufficient, however I am now aware that the production and filmmaking process never stops, and neither does the research.

Scriptwriting does not have to be over complicated, on the contrary it can be broken down into simple steps that even beginners can understand (Film Riot). Writing ideas down is the first process of any film, an aspect our class has been doing since the start of this project. Next, each movie has the same three basics: the story, character, and theme. Over the process of the film, I will continue to research different techniques, tips, and tricks I can utilize throughout my film as the learning process never stops. The structure that the writer utilizes can vary, which was re-iterated throughout this YouTube video; the guest speaker displayed how he utilized sticky notes to jot down his ideas, a technique that I my consider utilizing for my film opening.

The screen playing process is not as complicated as it may seem (The Media Insider). The YouTube video broke down the basics of screen playing, and even showed an example from the Joker where the host thoroughly formatted the screenplay for the two-minute scene. When I first looked at the format for screen plays, I felt very confused and overwhelmed, however I can now begin the scriptwriting process calm and collected.

“How to Start Writing Your Screenplay.” Film Riot, 9 May 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbWv0WYj2H4&feature=youtu.be.

“How to Write and Format Screenplays like a pro! Script Writing Tips and Tricks.” The Media Insider, 25 Apr. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRuITXncB5E&feature=youtu.be.

Production Research

Since I am particularly fearful of the production part of my two-minute film opening, I began researching the different features associated with production. The research made me excited to begin my project, as I will be the director, cinematographer and editor; however, I must remind myself to trust the process, as it will be a few weeks before I will start filming. According to Crash Course, production can be broken down into pre-production, which is establishing the project, scriptwriting, and gathering the resources, as well as postproduction which is directing, editing, and composing.

Pre-production for my film has already begun, as we have been brainstorming ideas in class. My film is titled “Behind the Screen”, a teen drama where the main character is being bullied online – the idea is cyberbullying. I plan to produce my film in the living room, dining room, and kitchen of my house, but this is subject to change because once production begins my locations may vary. The actors in the film will be my sister (main character), my mother, and my grandfather (understudy). When production starts, I plan to have my camera, microphone and props prepared so that once I am ready to begin filming, I won’t waste my actor’s time.

Postproduction will begin after filming takes place, although I still wanted to familiarize myself with the different editing software that are available to use. From the multitude of options to choose from, I chose Apple iMovie, Video editor, and “Clip Champ” as they are the easiest to access and navigate. Once production process begins, I can narrow down my search and only utilize one source as using three different platforms is confusing and time consuming. As I plan to film on my IPhone 11, using the Apple iMovie to edit the film opening seems like the most practical option out of the three, however this may change as production begins.  

“Pitching and Pre-Production: Crash Course Film Production #2.” Crash Course, PBS Digital Studios, 31 Aug. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE53JL60ihc.

Codes and Conventions: Symbolic Codes

In the last post, I discussed the impact of technical codes and camerawork on angles and composition in film as well as my plan on the conveying these technical codes. In this post I will go into depth on the other portion of codes and conventions which is the symbolic codes such as the costume, make-up, setting and props.

To get a better idea of how other creators have displayed mise-en-scene, I decided to research other teen drama shows and analyze the impact of makeup, actors, and plot on this scene (MsMojo). For instance, the teenage film “13 Reasons Why” discusses mental health and addiction in their film. In the clip shown by MsMojo, the scenes were mundane with dark and gloomy undertones to represent the sadness and severity of mental health in society; the producer did not want to distract the audience from the underlying message prevalent throughout the film.

My two-minute film opening will be shot in the dining room, kitchen and living room of my house to mimic the conditions of a regular teenage girl. As of right now, I am unsure of the conditions of lighting, as this will be finalized when I begin production and story writing. Based upon the storyline, I can tailor the mise-en-scene to either be mundane and normal or add lighting, brighter makeup and have the actors wear a more colorful wardrobe. After story writing, I will have a better idea of what my mise-en-scene will look like.

Top 20 Teen Drama Shows of All Time, MsMojo, 6 Jan. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIvVBeqqLDI.

“Top 10 Stereotyped Characters in Teen Movies.” Top 10 Stereotyped Characters in Teen MoviesTop 10 Stereotyped Characters in Teen Movies, MsMojo, 14 Apr. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzxwRdsgn4Y.

Codes and Conventions: Technical Codes

I felt a need to review semiotics and the impact of codes and conventions on film, so I decided to refresh my knowledge on these aspects with research (Roland Barthes Media). The YouTube video discusses the denotation and connotation associated with signs utilized throughout film, for example mise-en-scene – the impact of set, costume, hair and makeup on film. The video includes an example from the film “Tales of Terror from Tokyo” where the cramped corridor makes the main character seem small compared to her environment, as well as a lack of sound towards the end makes the scene seem terrifying. Camerawork such as composition and movement as well as sound all majorly impact any film, features I plan to incorporate within my own film opening.

Within my own two-minute film opening, I will use semiotics to depict drama in which a teenage girl goes through when she is being cyberbullied online. To dramatize my film, I plan on creating my own climatic music which would add anticipation and drama to my film. I am also considering using voiceovers for the main character throughout the film, however this idea may be altered as the scriptwriting process begins to unfold. Additionally, for my storyline I am debating whether or not to use a cliffhanger which would leave my audience with anticipation towards the end of film sample, but this detail can be finalized later on.

I intend to borrow a microphone and tripod from my friend in order to film with a steady hand, complete cleaner cuts, as well as achieve clearer sound when filming. In the future, I will need to create a schedule upon which to obtain these materials to pre-plan filming schedule, so once I receive these supplies I can begin filming. Ascertaining both the microphone and tripod removed a massive stress from my shoulders, as production and editing greatly frighten me. As of right now, I am excited to begin producing, although I know we must script write before we can even begin with our cameras. I must trust the process from here all throughout.

“Semiotics Analysis for Beginners! | How to Read Signs in Film | Roland Barthes Media Theory.” Roland Barthes Media Theory, 2 May 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlpOaY-_HMk.