Final Project

  The final project can be viewed by clicking on the hyperlink below.

  DROPS (Youtube)

  DROPS (Google Drive)

CCR

   Here is my CCR.

   

   CCR (Youtube)

   CCR (Google Drive)

Final Reflections

   I remember sitting in class during the first quarter of school, when we had to decide who we were working with for the foundation portfolio. I decided to work alone, and immediately regretted it. I heard it was too much to do alone and that I was going to be screwed. Obviously this stressed me out, but now as I am writing my final blog posting, I can say that it really was not that bad. The amount of time in and out of class, plus the schedule for the blog posts made this really easy. There were a few notable projects during this process. First, the moment I decided on my original story. I thought of it and began writing the script, it flowed right out of me. Another notable moment was after the second peer review session we had. This helped me realize that my plot was missing something. I made the appropriate changes. And I would say that the last notable moment has to be when I finished my first cut. This was the first time I watched the whole thing from start to finish, and I was just relieved. I really didn't make that many changes throughout this process, besides after the second peer review session, when I decided to add the mysterious substance into the plot.

Second Cut

   So I took a day off from editing, and then came back and watched the whole thing. I spotted some small details that needed some tweaking (color doesn't match, audio levels peaking, etc.) but, for the most-part, the big problem that I saw over and over again was my hands. My hands are not that steady, leading to some shaky shots, especially when zooming in or rack focusing. To combat this issue, I began nesting certain clips and applying warp stabilizers. I also went rhtpugh the whole film, and sped up the pacing. By pacing I am referring to the speed of mu cuts and speed of the whole film. This helped me get my time down to the 2 minute mark.

UPDATE: I tested the warp stabilizer on this one clip and it looks amazing. Im going to experiment more with it on some other clips and see if I can get similar results.

Rough Cut

  I have finished the first rough cut of my film opening. So far, I believe that it is starting to come together how I envisioned it. I recorded audio in 2 ways, one using the internal T7i microphone, and also with an external TASCAM recording device. I am not sure which audio source I still want to use, because neither really sounds bad. One issue that I've encountered is that my opening is too long. Right now it's at 2 minutes and 24 seconds. So now, I'm going to be going through and speeding up the pacing to get the time down.

Filming Part 2

   Today, I filmed the third and final scene of my film opening. Originally, I tried to set up the tent outside, but it was too light outside and did not look dark from inside. Since my scene takes place at night, I wanted a dark tent with a dramatic light. So, I moved the tent into my garage, and turned the lights off. Then we began filming. It was hard to film due to the tightness of 4 people plus a camera in a tent, but I made it work. I got all of the shots I wanted, and have now brought the footage into Premiere Pro. I continued editing, ,by laying out and color correcting the beginning of this scene. The footage looks good, and now I am officially on post production.

Title Animation

   While my footage was importing into Adobe Premiere Pro, I decided to go onto Adobe Typekit, find a font that I thought would look good on screen, and then went into Adobe After Effects and animated a title. I began by creating a text layer with the text DROPS (this is my current title for the opening). I then created shapes from the text layer, which just masked my current text.

   Then I added trim paths to the shapes layer. I set the fill to none, and set the stroke to about 10 pixels. Then I went and added starting and ending keyframes for the start and end percentages. This made a good looking title, but I felt it should be moving more. So I went back to my keyframes that I made for my shape layer, then added new keyframes for scale and position. This created the illusion that the text was overcoming the audience.

   This was the final result of the sequence.

Filming part 1

   I am writing this posting on Friday night, after I filmed the first and second scenes of my opening. Today's filming went well, besides for a few hiccups. First, I planned on arriving at Markham park at 6:30 PM, but I had to pick up one of my actors, which really messed up the timing. I actually arrived at around 7:15, and began filming at 7:20. The sun was already going down, but I managed to get a majority of the shots in before it was too dark. I got all of the shots that I planned on filming, and I even got to reshoot a couple times. I am uploading my footage into Adobe Premiere Pro right now, but still have to go through my audio. It's going to be a long process syncing my audio with my video, because I recorded it in a unique way. I used a Tascam DR-05 with a handheld and lavaliere microphone to record the audio. So I have to go clip by clip and look for a specific marker (I clapped at the beginning of each take) and sync the visual with the audio. I am planning on filming the final scene of my project sometime during the coming week, but I am going to try and start editing what I have now.

Changes from Second Peer Review

   Originally, the main plot of my film opening went like this: A group of kids are going camping, get into the woods and get distracted, get lost and then the title. I though that this was a weak conflict, so this peer review session was very valuable to me. All of my peers agreed that the plot was weak, and need something to spice it up. After a short brainstorming session, I have decided to change the conflict. Now, the story goes like this: kids go camping, get into woods and set up their tent, then one kid pulls out a dropper with a mysterious substance and drops it into the water bottle. All the kids drink it, and then begin feeling loopy and pass out. I believe that this conflict is better for an opening as it sets up more of a plot, and has more of a twist than just getting lost in the woods. I have attached an updated script below.

Script v2

Color Grading Research

   I know that it is a little late in the project to be doing research, but I realized that I really don't know much about color grading. So, I did some research on color grading, especially within Adobe Premiere Pro CC. I learned how to do basic correction, including adjusting exposure, contrast, highlights and shadows. Then I learned about creative color correction, and how to get that "Hollywood" look. I then learned about RGB curves and how to adjust them to get different feelings out of the audience. Then I learned about HSL secondary correction, which allows me to edit a specific part of a frame, rather than the whole frame. Then I practiced these correction methods on some old footage I had, just to get a feel for how it works. I can use my research to help add a more dramatic feel to my shots, helping develop my plot and make a better opening.

Recording

   So now I have almost everything set for my shoot next weekend. I am trying to use my friend's camera to film on. He has a Canon EOS Rebel T7i. This DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera is perfect for what I am trying to shoot. By using a DSLR, I can switch lenses, allowing me to change focal lengths, apertures, and other setting based on what the shots demands. If I cannot borrow my friend's camera, I have an older Canon EOS Rebel T3i that will get the job done, but if possible I would prefer to use the T7i. For audio, my friend has a shotgun mic that is on a boom pole. I'm planning on using this to record all sounds for the movie, except maybe ambient noise. I want to use this to record essential sounds including footsteps, branches snapping, zipping backpacks, conversations, and any other sounds that add volume to the film.

Props and Set design

   It just came into my mind that I have not really thought about set design or props at all. So today, I want to go through everything I need and how I am going to design my scenes. First, all of the scenes in my opening besides the tent scene are filmed outdoors. So for the most part, I won't have much options in set design in the woods. But during these outdoor scenes, I need to ensure that the4 actors all wearing appropriate clothing, and have props the match the scene. I was thinking like hunting clothes, since that's what people wear when they go camping. I also need to find backpacks that I can throw sleeping bags and other camping items in. As for the camping scene, I want to have the tent be dramatically lit with sleeping bags surrounding the inside. I want there to be one lan tern in the middle, and then more backpacks scattered around the floor. I believe this will look the most realistic, adding a more dramatic feel to the plot of the opening.

Scheduling Actors

   Today I spent the majority of class trying to get actors to be in my opening. I've been reaching out to kids that I know can act, whether they're in tv production or drama. I have reached out to 4 kids who I can see playing these roles. 2 of the actors already responded saying that they're in, while one still hasn't responded, and one said that it would have to be a different day. So now I am trying to reach out to a fifth actor, and if he cannot film on my preferred date, I will have to try and reschedule my shoot for another time. So, I am now updating this post as I have confirmed all of my actors. I am going to be filming on Saturday March 23 and Sunday March 24th.

Changes from Peer Review

   After Thursday's peer Review session I decided that I want to make some changes to the visuals in my film. More specifically, I don't want the shots to come off repetitive, so in the coming week, I'm going to add some additional shots to my current shot list. More specifically, I want to get some more unique shots that will help my film stand out from the other groups. Some ideas that I had was to make a tracking shot at the beginning of the tent scene. The shot could track in through the tent door and then cut to the other shots as before. Or even I can do a one shot scene where the guy gets out of the car and then begin that scene without any cuts.

Shooting Schedule

   This week I decided that the next step I should take in my project is a shooting schedule. I haven't reached out to actors yet, but I want to try and get most of the filming done on 3/23 or 3/24. This gives me enough time to make sure that I have all of the actors and necessary equipment that I need. If I am not able to film on 3/23 or 3/24, that whole following week is spring break so I can probably organize another time to shoot. I hope the weather allows me to film, as most of my scenes are filmed outside.

Peer Review

   Today in class we peer reviewed each other's projects/ blogs. We got into groups of 5 and discussed what progress we've made in our respective projects. In my group the first girl that spoke was doing an action film opening. She showed us some fo her storyboards, and explained the plot of their film. The next two girls who presented were doing magazines, more specifically a food magazine and a baking magazine. They didn't;t have any covers or samples to show us. Next, I presented. I began by explaining the basic plot of my story. Then I shoed them some of my storyboards for some shots. The group gave me good feedback. They said it's a good idea that works, but it needs to have more conflict. I'm taking their opinions into consideration and might change my script in the coming days.

Scouting Locations

   So now that I have created a shot list, I believe now is the time to begin scouting locations to film this opening. There's three major scenes (or settings I suppose) throughout this film opening. It begins outside of the woods, enters the woods, and then into a tent. For the scene outside the woods, I have a location in mind for where I can film. There is a park a few blocks away from my house where I can film it. As for the woods, I was thinking Markham Park near me would be a good option. And for the tent scene, I can just film a tent outside, it doesn't really matter where it is.

Shot List

   Today I made a shot list. I used a website called Celtx to write my script, manage my shots, create my shot list, and any other part of pre production that I would need. For my shot list, I went through my script and picked out essential shots. By essential, I mean that these are shots that need to happen in the film to help make it what I want it to be. Of course when Im filming I can get other shots, and definitely will, but these are just a guideline to follow. For example, during scene 3, I will probably just film the whole scene from one character's perspective, and then re-do the whole conversation from a few other angles to just get more variety. I plan on overshooting every scene, with different exposures, different audio levels, and with different lighting to help limit the chance that I need to reshoot. I really need to try and get this shoot done in one night because of a few reasons. One, this film is going to consist of me borrowing equipment from friends and I don't want to keep it longer than necessary. Two, four actors are going to be hard to get over and over. And three, I don't want the shots to look different on different days because of bad weather or anything that I cannot control.

Screen Writing

   Today I wrote a rough draft for my script. I included camera shots/movements, characters, dialogue, and actions. I decided to write a script because I want to have everything organized before I do my principal photography. I want to have this opening come out perfect in every aspect, from sound to lighting to acting. And for me to have this be perfect, it must be thoroughly planned. Also, the time of the day when I plan on filming (dusk), has a very limited scope. I mean that I don't have time to be messing around on set, I need to just get in and film before the sun goes down. Also, I chose to write a script so I can plan out what equipment I will need. For example,  during my tent scene, there is supposed to be very dramatic lighting coming from a central lantern in the middle of the tent. To get the shots that I want during this scene, I need to make sure I have the correct key and fill light positioning. So by writing a script, it will help me eventually make a shot list, and just be more organized in general.

"THE WOODS" script v1.

Storyboarding

   So today I made a rough storyboard with some of the visions that I have for this opening. This is not a full shot list, as I believe that it's too early for that. I wanted to create a drama opening where the main story involves a group of friends who decide to go camping, but then they realize they wandered too far off the trail, and are deep in the woods. The story takes place in the everglades, as there are spots near me where I can recreate the setting as I want to. Next up, I'll probably begin writing a script to have everything be exactly how I want it.

What I Am Choosing To Do.

   I'm at the point of this project where I really need too make my mind up. I've done extensive research on different types off genres, different types of film openings, and other foundation portfolios. After my research on genre, I've decided that I want to create an opening to a drama film,  rather than action. My main reasoning behind this is that for an action movie to look good, it's going to cost money. Blockbusters are expensive, and I feel with the resources I have, drama is a better fit.
   I had an idea for a movie a couple years ago that I feel I could adapt into a film opening. The story focuses on a group of friends, who innocently decide to go camping in the woods near their house. But then they get lost, and have to overcome many obstacles to make it home.
   The next step for me is to create a rough storyboard, then a small outline and maybe a script.

Drama Openings

   One thing that has been sitting in the back of my mind is, how to dramas typically open? Is it a cold open or more of a title sequence and then an introduction. I went to youtube and looked for some example openings. The opening scene for 12 Years a Slave begins with a cold open. The screen fades from black to a field with a group of slaves listening to instructions. This immediately establishes the setting and begins to establish the conflict for the plot. In another opening, specifically Titanic, it begins with a short title sequence. It introduces the production company, and then the title of the film. then it fades to a shot of submarines diving into the deep ocean. This film opening was different form the first one, and after watching both, I have a feeling I will go with the cold open style. It introduces the plot and setting in an easier manner, which I feel will make for a better story.

Research

   This week I really began to do research for my project. On Tuesday in class, I went over some of the portfolios from previous years.  I decided earlier in the year that I would be doing a film opening, so I tended to focus on those projects, rather than the magazine task. When I looked at these projects, I was really trying to just get an understanding of what I really was supposed to be doing. I looked at various blogs and noticed that many of the students had very detailed postings. I also realized that many of the students who chose to do film openings storyboarded their scenes. In the past, I was quite hesitant about storyboarding, specifically because I am not the most skilled at drawing. I felt that if I had an image in my head of what I wanted a shot to look like, it would be easier for me to just go shoot it, rather than attempt to draw it out first. But after looking at some other storyboards, I realized that I'm not alone in my lack of drawing skills. Many of these shots were extremely simple, including just the essentials for the shot. Now I am beginning to understand how the planning process works, and just need to decide which direction I want this film opening to go.

Representation

   When thinking about my project, I had an idea in. mind about what I wanted to do. I also had an idea of representation that I wanted to make sure that I included in my project. This group that I wanted to represent is teenagers. I wanted to represent teenagers because whenever I see the media's perspective on teenagers, it is different from my perspective. I feel like this project is an opportunity to change the stereotypes by redefining what teenagers are.

   When I think of how the media portrays teens, I think of two films. Project X and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  Project X is a mock-documentary that follows 3 teens who throw a party at one of their parent's house. The party escalates and turns into a riot, and this film is focused around teens. It shows that teens are rebellious, don't follow any rules, and are wild. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a film that follows a teen, Ferris Bueller, throughout his day skipping school. He dupes everybody just so he can skip a day of school. This reinforces the stereotype that teens are rebellious liars that skip school.

   I do not feel that this standard of representation against teenagers is fair. It is a stereotype based off of a few bad kids, but realistically, most of the kids that I've experienced being around are nothing like the movies. I believe that the way teenagers are represented create a bad stigma about kids, that gets stuck in the audiences mind, helping reinforce the stereotypes. I would try and show that teenagers do enjoy having fun, but I would challenge the recklessness and complete disregard for rules. Many of the people I know work extremely hard to get by in school, and follow every rule and aren't like the rebellious teens in the films.

Action Genre

1. Action
2. Some of the common conventions of the action genre include a various set of challenges that must be solved through extensive violence or fighting, life threatening situations, frantic chases and physical fights.
3. Some of the production techniques of action films are editing techniques such as: editing cuts on the frame of impact (during fight scenes), adding filters to sound effects, showing action and reaction (helps audience build anticipation for what is about to happen), and speeding frames up to make action seem faster (speed ramping).
4. Baby Driver- This excerpt is the opening scene to the film Baby Driver. In this excerpt, there are examples of violence, chase scenes, and some of the editing techniques, including speed ramping. These elements are all incorporated together to create the realistic envoriment that is common in action films.
5. Die Hard- This excerpt shows all of the elements of the action films. It shows the cuts between the actin/ reaction, speed ramping during frantic scenes, violence and fighting, and a set of challenges that needs violence to be solved.
6. Other example of action films include: Mad Max, Kill Bill, The Avengers, Taken, Rambo.

Genre Database Entry

A. Drama
B. Some of the conventions of dramas are: Exhibiting real life situations, portraying realistic and believealbe characters, staving to affect the audience emotionally, leaving a lasting impression on the audience after they leave, or, have a major conflict that either depicts hardships, difficulties, struggles or some type of pain in the characters.
C. Some of the common production techniques in dramas are: Extra attention to stage craft and set design,  three point lighting, using special effects, sound, and music used to develop and shape understanding of atmosphere, characters, conflict, and theme.
D. After researching target audiences for dramas,  I realized the my research was inconclusive. This is due to the fact that the drama category is so broad, and has so many sub-genres. For heart tearing dramas, the typically audience is females aged 16-30. For "Guy Crys" (which are male versions of these films), it is typically intended for males aged 20-30. With this knowledge, marketing teams for drama films know where, and how to market their films. Since both of these target audiences are young, typically many of these advertisements would be made online or on social media. But they would also market physically too. Marketers would also use strategies like big names, and having a trailer that shows the core plot of the film, but doesn't spoil the movie to advertise the film.
E. Schindler's List - This excerpt is another great example of a drama. First off, the setting of this film is during World War II. During this time, there was no color film or photography, so Spielberg used black and white to make this film feel like it was made in that era. Also, the actors voices are trained to sound like they have a German accent. In this specific clip, the dialogue is really significant. It develops the characters in a way that makes the audience never forget who they are, and also shows a major conflict.
F. 12 Years A Slave - This excerpt is a great example of a drama. This excerpt focuses on creating a realistic atmosphere of slavery and what it was like to be a slave. There is extreme detail to everything in the scene, including the set, clothing, sound effects, and even the way that the characters are speaking. This film is an example of a film that would leave a lasting impression on the audience.
G. Some other examples of dramas are: Rocky, Saving Private Ryan, Good Will Hunting, Casablanca, Raging Bull, and Taxi Driver.

Opening Post

   My name is Ben Schiller, and this is the opening post to this blog. I am from Weston, Florida, and I am 16 years old. I am creating this blog to help document my progress in a film opening that I am making. This film opening is part of my AICE exam, and needs to be very well planned, so a blog is a good way to do that.