Rachel’s Film Opening Project

April 14 2018 Here is the final product! We are officially finished. Thanks for coming along this journey with me. Until next time, Rachel Rachel's film opening

April 13 2018 Well, the end has come! Attached is my CCR link which summarizes my project and the thought process going into it. I hope it gives a better idea at the reasoning behind each decision and explains the backstory of the film opening. Thank you to my group members- Jonathan Galante, Jacob Katz, and Sebastian Vargas for helping create a great project. Enjoy!!!! Rachel's CCR

April 5 2018      My class did a second critique discussion today to get our peers' final input. I personally thought it was more effective than the first time I showed my classmates my project because I had much more to show them this time. The first critique session was pretty early on, so I didn't have too much to share besides the main idea/vision of the film opening and how my blog was coming along. Still, both sessions were helpful because it gave each group member a chance to get the honest opinion of our unbiased classmates.      The commentary included a website called "Purple Planet Music" for reliable, royalty free music. I showed the website to my group and we thought it was in our best interest to use that website instead of "Killer Tracks," since we didn't need a username or password for it. Although I liked "Killer Tracks," it's too risky to use if my group can't have easy access to the site.       Lastly, my group ...

April 3 2018      One of my group members, Jonathan, introduced the rest of us to an editing app called "Video Editor." After he showed us how it is used, our group decided it would be a good idea to run our film opening through both apps, the other being iMovie, before submitting the final product.      The main obstacle with editing thus far is lighting/shadows. We tried to avoid filming right underneath the sun, but still some shots are very dark. Other scenes had to be re-filmed because you could see the camera's shadow on whatever was in the frame. To fix this, we've tried to find the perfect angle to film at so the camera is completely invisible. Because both apps have their strengths/weaknesses, using one of them to do something the other can't is helping create the ideal film opening.

April 2 2018      Today in class, my group and I browsed a website called "Killer Tracks" which " produces and licenses production music for use in film, television, advertising and interactive media." The website was very easy to navigate as it had a drop down menu with several genres of music. My group and I listened to the options under action and thriller music and found some good fits for our film opener.       Unfortunately I can not include the music here because the website requires a username and password that only my teacher has. In reference to my last blog posts, I can not use the music from the Spotify playlist because that would be illegal without permission from the artist. I knew this before, but it honestly escaped my mind in the midst of planning everything else for the project. 

April 1 2018      It is officially 12 more days until the project is due, so my group and I are headed back to school from spring break with all our focus and attention on our film opening. Tomorrow in class we will confirm the schedule for the rest of the time until deadline.      We will also look at royalty free music in case we don't like any of the songs we would need permission to use. Honestly, it may be easier (and definitely quicker) to find music that we know we can use right away.       I want to make sure we have enough footage to make it to the required time, because if not we will need to get filler shots ASAP. With deadline so close, it is crucial to have enough scenes and ensure any "filler" scene is not obvious-but actually goes along smoothly with the rest of the opening.

March 29 2018      Today I was experimenting with iMovie and discovered a lot of options I didn't know existed. For example, my group and I can upload a voice memo to our film opening if we don't like any of the songs from the Spotify playlist. I found a website that has tons of tricks and hints on how to spruce up a project, so I am going to spend more time browsing through it before we finish editing. https://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/20-useful-imovie-tricks-beef-your-imovie-skills.html

March 25 2018      Honestly, my group and I have not done much this past week because of spring break. However I have compiled a playlist of songs on Spotify that have potential in our film opening. Less than half of the songs have lyrics, which serves a purpose. Our group agrees that lyrics take away from the tension, and a suspenseful beat is far more effective in creating the mood of a scene. There is rarely lyrics in the songs in films, apart from the trailer.      According to my research a suspenseful beat is usually made by a drum. However, there are several other beats that allude to a mysterious tone along with other instruments. I have attached the link to the playlist to this blog post, however I know I need permission to use the songs if my group decides to. https://open.spotify.com/user/varesesarabanderecords/playlist/2Hn3VYQ6vt8BNA7nIYGm3O

March 21 2018      I’ve been thinking about my part in our film opening and how serious I will have to be on camera. Naturally, I am a very goofy person and have a hard time keeping a straight face- especially in front of the camera. It should be interesting to see how many cuts are taken before I truly get into character.       The guys can’t relate to this because they have been more exposed to action-packed video games, movies, etc. Therefore they should have no problem getting into character regardless of how gory the scene may be. Personally, the more gory the more likely I am to accidentally smile or laugh.       To avoid annoying my group mates, I have decided to practice my lines and other actions in front of the mirror. I know a lot of theatre students who practice this way as well and say it’s an effective strategy for when the time actually comes and you’re being recorded.       

March 23 2018      My group and I haven’t done much today because it’s spring break, and we are not all in town to film. It’s allowed each one of us to separately brainstorm new ideas to share with one another next time we meet.       I am aiming to watch a few action films over break to gain more inspiration from popular movies. Since we’re filming those segments last, it’s a good last opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t. I currently have a cold so my group may have to film certain parts without me, such as the ending of the opening where they discuss the sick game they’re trying to allude to the audience. Although I want to be there, I trust their judgment as we have all discussed this scene several times in and outside of class.       We are still working on a name for the “game,” one that is intimidating but not corny. A lot of names in movies are too cliché and leave nothing up for interpretation. For e...

March 20 2018      Today I showed my group the clip from pitch perfect that I discussed in an earlier blog post. Two of my group mates liked it, but one thought it was too clichè and pointless.      We began filming basic scenes that didn’t require a lot of strategy. The more complex scenes will be filmed last, which are mostly the action packed scenes that will take much longer to get the perfect shot. Our group agrees this is the most strategic way to get the whole film opening done, as well as the least stressful route to take. Seeing progress being made is motivating and will allow us to add in the final scenes in an effective manner.       Other than that we are focused on the final goal, which has always been creating a film opening that we would all personally watch the whole movie to. 

March 18 2018      Today I began to wonder what kind of music my group would put in our film opening. We agreed it needs to set the scene and grow more intense as the opening goes on, but don't know exactly how or what beat it would go well with.      I researched thriller movie soundtracks and found a website (link below) that has categorized popular movies along with their soundtracks. I will give it a listen tomorrow with my group so we can decide what personally gives us a "thrill" and how to incorporate it in our project.      I know music and sound plays a huge role in a film and can make a huge difference on how the audience reacts to the movie. We want our audience to be on the edge of their seat, so we definitely need to find sounds that strategically keep them engaged and a good kind of nervous. https://www.soundtrackmania.net/category/thriller-movie-soundtracks

March 17 2018      My group and I started to film today which was relieving after all the planning we've done. It seems we will have to film each scene more than once to be completely satisfied with the shot, which is understandable and will just require patience. Right now we are seeing which shots correlate with the mood of our film, which seems to be high angles and dutch to emphasize urgency and action.      We also observed what time the sun goes down so by the time we are finalizing our shots, we know when we have to film shots that have to be in the dark or while the sun is still out. It looks like we have until 6:30 PM to shoot scenes that take place in the evening or else the quality is fuzzy and unclear. We also don't want the sun to cast a glare into the camera, so shots that are supposed to be in taking place in the morning will actually have to be filmed around 11:30-noon.      There is some conflict over how much to includ...

March 15 2018      Today, my class had a very productive feedback session in which 4-5 students gathered in one group to discuss their project. As each group member explained their ideas and showed their blog, the others listened and took mental notes which either praised or constructively criticized their progress thus far. Personally, I felt the time spent with my own group was very productive and I gained some good ideas on what will put our film opening on the right track.      My feedback group was engaged in the film opening as well as the chosen genre and story line. However, one of my peers mentioned how the timing of day that our opening takes place in might not be logical. He said we have to make sure the lightning is representative of what time it is and we have to be more clear on exactly how much time has gone by between cuts. I agreed this was important and discussed it with my group- who said it has to be obvious that the opening starts d...

March 8 2018      My group and I have finally pin pointed our film's genre as both an action and thriller. It is an action film because there will be constant movement in front of the camera, and a thriller because the film will build up as it goes on and end on a cliff hanger. My group and I agreed that the best film openings are those that leave unanswered questions because it makes the audience beg for answers they can only get by watching the rest of the film.      I specifically liked this idea because I watched "Pitch Perfect 3" a few months ago and was intrigued by the opening scene, where all the characters are on a yacht in the middle of nowhere. Several men in black suits were watching them preform a song, constantly checking their watches as if time was running out but the audience doesn't know for what. Shortly after there is a cut to the actual movie in chronological order, leaving the audience confused and even more interested. The last te...

March 7 2018      My group and I have been discussing mis-en-scene such as costumes and the way we want to portray our characters. Personally, the first thing I realize in a film is what the characters are wearing whether it be clothing, jewelry, or other accessories. I think I pay such attention to these aspects because I try to be fashionable and gain inspiration from what other actresses/actors are wearing. I actually think a lot of inspiration can be gained from paying attention to mis-en-scene. Mis-en-scene by definition is "The arrangement of everything that appears in the framing- actors, lighting, decor, props, costume."              I realized mis-en-scene can also dramatically allude to the tone of the film. For example, in the excerpt from "Pushing Daisies"shown in class, the vibrant colors create a magical vibe which makes sense- considering the protagonist has the power to bring people back to life. The colors along with...

March 6 2018      I have been brainstorming characters for our film based off our genre. From my research, I learned women in action films are usually used for romantic reasons and to spark something with the male protagonist. However, recently women in action films have been the "hero" of the film which break gender roles and stereotypes. I want to ask my group what they think of turning the tables and having me be the main character instead!      If I am a strong female character, I think we could cater to a larger target audience because we will have more female viewers. Having a male character is too typical and would not make our film any different than other action films. Like I said in a previous blog post, my group should produce a film opener to a film we would watch in the theater.      Gal Gadot, Wonder Woman 2017, was an amazing actress. The movie did amazing in sales and I think it had a lot to do with the producers decidin...

March 2 2018      Earlier today I spoke to my friend about her usage of a drone in her media project last year. She told me it was her group mate's drone so I don't think my group can use it for our film opening unless the owner is with us. If anything, we will have high-angle shots just not as intense as filming with a drone would be. I am willing to stand on tables or a ladder if needed, because I am sure my group will want a few shots from above.      Being the only girl in my group, I am hoping the boys will be open to genres beside sci-fi or horror. I don't want our genre to be a romance film, but I also want to stay away from gory scenes that I wouldn't watch myself. This will have to be further discussed.      As of right now, my group has agreed to edit our film opening on iMovie because it has been successful in every other project we have edited in class this year. I like iMovie because it is easy to navigate and doesn't crash...

March 3 2018      Well, the storyboard is coming along and we're all listening to one another's ideas and suggestions. We have decided our genre will be action with a hint of drama, focusing on leaving the audience wondering what happens next. The hardest part in creating the storyboard is making sure the opening does not give away the entire film and defeat the purpose.      We are also deciding on costumes which isn't a main priority yet, but is still important. My main goal is to create a film opening based on a film that my whole group would be engaged in, because if one of us isn't emotionally involved then none of us will be inspired to work hard on it.      I will post the storyboard when it is more organized and cohesive. I think we are off to a good start and are taking into consideration how quickly the deadline will sneak upon us.

March 1 2018      Today I will begin my blog which will include my thought process from start to finish on my AICE Media project. My group of four and I have decided to do a film opener as oppose to a magazine spread. I feel a film opening will allow more creativity and flexibility in its content. I personally enjoy drama films and would like to end our opening with a cliff hanger that would make the audience want to watch the entire movie. It will be up to my group and I to decide where we want to film, what shots would be most effective, and if we want to act or find others to.      The main thing I am unsure about at this point is what cameras we will use to ensure good quality and make the shots look professional. I think a drone shot would be awesome because not many students will have access to one, and it is an important shot if we want our audience to have a bird's eye view. This weekend, my group and I will construct a rough draft of the story ...