Group Meeting

    Today in class, we met with groups to discuss each of our projects and give feedback to each other. It was nice to hear everyone's ideas and hear everyone's thought process. 

    Specifically to my project, I explained my whole project and explained some of my new ideas, including the changes with the live photo instead of the flashback. I also explained my issues with music because I think that the song I originally chose (Alone) doesn't fit with what the character would be feeling at that moment, and I got helpful feedback. For example, Emma told me I can go through iMovie and pick one of the copyright-free songs and I can pick the genre of music that I want to use, such as sentimental music.

    I'm also glad I got to hear everyone's progress. Some people were done filming, some people (like me... oops) haven't started, and others were in the process of filming. Listening to everyone definitely motivated me to start filming ASAP, I would've started filming the car scene today but the weather outside is gloomy, so maybe I'll get some of the box scene done with. Overall, the group meeting was a huge success for me!

Filming Progress

 Production

    This was the weekend I started production. On Saturday, it was very gloomy and cloudy outside so I decided I couldn't film any of the outdoor car scenes of the film opening. However, I was able to gather the photos of the "ex-friend" in the film opening. I also put together a bunch of objects that can be seen as "memories" and then these will be used when I throw them in a box together. It was very convenient that my parents had unfolded boxes that I could use because now there won't be the possibility that I accidentally show my address or use a very rundown box. The photo to the right shows off some of the items within the box and the collections of pictures I will be using.

Change of Plans

    One thing that I ultimately changed from my original storyboard is the flashback scene. Since it seems like I'll be doing a majority of the filming during spring break and the friend in the photo is going to be on vacation so I didn't want to bother her with it. The new approach is that one of the printed photos I have is still in my camera roll and it is a live photo. The only issue is that it's a vertical photo, but this problem didn't last long because now I decided it'll be the character looking at the photo in her car, then looking "nostalgic," and the character will grab her phone, scroll through her photos and then play the live photo and that will be the substitute for the flashback. 

Time of Day

 Filming Times

    One thing that I thought of when figuring out my filming schedule is the time of day I should film. Especially with daylight savings time starting, this is something I should think about. I envision the film opening would be in the daytime with sunlight. I thought about noon just to make sure there's enough time. I am trying to decide whether or not it is a better idea to film when daylight savings time starts because, on the one hand, I can have better lighting for filming for a longer amount of time, but then, on the other hand, I would have to wait till Sunday and who likes to do anything on Sunday? 

    I probably need two days to film, unless I am very efficient, which hopefully I will be. With filming indoors, although it is a lot easier than filming in a car, there are small obstacles. For example, I have to clean my desk, which seems like an impossible task because it feels like even if I clear my desk, it will still look cluttered. I might end up using an unoccupied room that doubles as an office and a "guest" bedroom. Next time I blog, I'll hopefully have clips ready for the film opening!

Props

Preparation

    In order to film this, I need to prepare multiple props that are fairly simple, but I definitely need to compile and organize. I'm hoping most of these things I already have at my house and won't have to go and retrieve from a store.

    For example, the easiest prop I need is the box that I will put all the memories and photos inside. I will use a cardboard box that I can easily find from my house's garage.

Photos

    Back in 2020, I decided I would be artsy and nostalgic, so I ordered way too many printed photos from Shutterfly. Like... Way too many. For reference, check out the photo below, It's about an inch tall of just photos I had printed two years ago. From photos, I found on Pinterest to photos I had with my friends. With my collection, I need to pick out the photo I have with the friend that will be in the flashback scene. These photos will be put in the box, in addition, I plan to also put in various physical items that can signify importance between the character's old friendship, such as movie tickets or jewelry items.

New Idea

    While writing about the flashback scene and how I have to collect all the photos into a box in the opening. I thought of also putting in physical items and then putting an overlay when editing that shows the "flashback" that is associated with that item. For example, let's say I put in sunglasses, the overlay can be a video of the character and the friend in a store trying on sunglasses. I actually, don't know how possible this idea is on iMovie, but we will see what happens. If I end up wanting to continue with this idea, then I will let you know how it goes.

Music

 Copyright Free

    I've sent out requests for licensing permissions, but to no prevail. I went through copyright-free music playlists on Spotify, and I was able to find the music that I will use for the car scene. It is called "Alone" by Asketa & Natan Chaim, and Kyle Reynolds. I chose this because not only is the song title reflective of the premise of the film opening, but the lyrics can also show match how the character is feeling. The first lyric of the song is "It's not my vibe you know I had to walk away." The song's theme is about moving on from someone and being on your own after being attached for so long. If you're interested in hearing the song, check out the video below!

Production

    I intended to start production last weekend, but some problems came up. For example, my phone ran out of storage and I now have to purge useless files and photos on my phone. I'm also very busy this week, considering club officer elections, three assessments, and academics in general, so I would have no time to edit regardless. I also have to recruit one of my friends to be in the flashback scene, and I think I know who to pick, because I already have printed photos with her, but it'll just take convincing. I'm hoping to get shots and clips done throughout this week, then over the weekend, I'll have dedicated time to gather all the clips. 

Mise-en-Scene

Importance of Mise-en-Scene

    An important part of developing a film would be mise-en-scene. The way of taking something simple and then creating it into something meaningful. For example, this can be done with costume design, psychology of color, or tones in a scene. 

Costume Design

    Since this character is going through a process of moving on, she should be wearing black which represents a loss. This character is also a teenage girl, so I want her costume to be a representation of youthful adoloscence. 

Tones

    For the tones of the scene, I know that using colder tones can show more sorrow and sadness that a person may have. With warmer tones, this can show a happier and cozier mood for the film opening. I want to have a transition in the start from a colder tone in the first segment, then this would move onto warmer tones when the character is in the house and compiling all the items together.

    A great example of color tones being used is in 13 Reasons Why. When scenes were shown without Hannah, the girl who killed herself in the show, the scenes would be very cool-toned and almost blue. However, when there is a flashback that involves her, the colors of the scene would become very warm and bright. This symbolism shows a sense of loneliness without Hannah and comfort when she is with Clay, the main character.

I want to use these techniques of mise-en-scene to enhance my film opening. For example, changing the tone of the scene is a simple way to develop the quality of the production. This week is passing by super quick, which means filming is coming soon too!

Citations

Knudsen, S. S. (2021, November 2). What Is Mise en Scène in Filmmaking? An Ultimate Guide | Wedio. Become Better Creators — Together. https://academy.wedio.com/mise-en-scene/#:%7E:text=When%20properly%20used%2C%20mise%20en,d%C3%A9cor%2C%20makeup%20and%20so%20on.

Gallagher, C. (2017, April 18). Is 13 Reasons Why a Different Color After Hannah's Death? POPSUGAR Entertainment. https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/13-Reasons-Why-Different-Color-After-Hannah-Death-43423154

    

Fonts

     I briefly talked about fonts in a previous blog post, but now I'm going to talk about in more in-depth because I have the idea thought of and this should go by smoother. Down below are the top fonts that I chose after looking and testing through many, many different options.

    I wanted to pick a font that wouldn't be too classic but can also have a childish essence to it because of the coming-of-age genre I am going with. Considering that, I decided to take off the first font from the photo above, and now it is down to those bottom three.

Yellowtail, Gochi Hand, Permanent Marker

    To really decide which font I'm going with, I have to think about the context in which it will be put in. The plan is to put the title name when the character closes the car door after finding the photo of her and the friend, which means this comes after a period of remembering and nostalgia. 

    The first font, Yellowtail, seems classier and can represent growing or aging, which is exactly what this character is going through as the film opening progresses.

    The second font, Gochi Hand, is more childish and this is can show off how the character was, or felt, before their "coming-of-age."

    Finally, the third font, Permanent Marker, I really like the font because of how bold it is, and it almost feels like Gochi Hand, just a little more rigid and stood-out.

Final Font Decision

    I am going to go with is Yellowtail. Overall, the deciding factor was professionalism and versatility. As I have to keep these fonts consistent through the credits, Yellowtail would be best font to increase the production style in an easy and simple way.