Prepping for Filming Day

         With filming day fastly approaching, I had to make sure everything was ready so it could be as smooth and quick as possible. I have already completed my storyboard which helps me a lot when shooting as it keeps me on track and makes sure I film everything I need since I move chronologically. 

    The next thing I needed to make sure is that my actress had the costume and props I needed for production. As I discussed in a previous blog, I wanted RAQUEL to dress in layers with a baggy zip-up jacket to conceal her body similar to how she often conceals her true emotions behind a frequent deadpan face. We were able to make the inspiration pictures into blue mom jeans, a brown t-shirt, and a black baggy zip-up jacket. This will be accompanied with a pink claw clip to make the hair inspiration picture for the character. 

    While talking to my actress, I did however learn about a problem. She is currently in the process of moving, meaning that she soon going to start packing up her room and her house. This was a problem because we are filming in her house, so I had to make sure I got to film before everything started going in boxes. She told me that they were going to start packing next weekend as both of her parents will be home, so we moved the filming day to that Friday. That way she will be back in town from spring break and it will be before all the packing begins. 

Keep you posted on how filming day goes!

Filming Equipment Problems

     As I was preparing to start filming, especially during spring break, I had to figure out what equipment I was going to use. I have experience in my years of TV Production with using cameras to film so I wanted to continue to do so, especially since I prefer the video quality of cameras over an iPhone. 

   My original plan was to check out the equipment through my TV program as I am most familiar with those cameras and the other equipment available I would need. However, I realized that since it was spring break, I wouldn't be allowed to have the equipment over that long period of time. Our advisor was also out of town the whole week before so there was no access to the equipment closet. 

    My last resort was to use my camera, but I was afraid of the sound aspect of my video as my camera has a bad microphone built into it and no audio jack to add an external microphone. That's when I realized I could use on own RODE mic and attach it to my phone using a dongle adapter and record certain natural sounds using voice memos and edit it into my project. This will make up for it as the primary source of sound in my project is a voice-over from the main character. Not only does it solve my sound problem, but it also adds to the story as I wanted the audience to feel like they are in the character's mind, hearing her thoughts. This would carry on throughout parts of the film.

My camera: Nikon D3500

                        The microphone I used 

Untitled No More

 The time has come! After weeks of refering to my opening as “Untitled”, I have finally decided on a title. The title I settled on is “By Nature”. This phrase is commonly used when describing one’s character, as though an aspect of it is pre-existing, almost instinctive. Lots of people, by nature, are protective of their loved ones and would do anything to keep them save. This plays into my opening film story as MALIA, sister of RAQUEL, does everything she can to protect RAQUEL from the threats of the real world, whether it’s good or bad. I plan on including a voice over of RAQUEL during my opening talking about this theme and phrase, to emphasize the meaning and tying it into the story that way. Time to make a title graphic!

Location, Location, Location

   With filming about a week or so away, I needed to start think about where exactly I will be shooting my opening. My opening includes 3 different settings (bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen), so it had to be an indoor location. It also had to be a relatively open space as there are a good amount of tracking shots included in my storyboard. 

   All of this being in the back of my mind, I went over to my friend Gabbi’s house, actress playing RAQUEL, and it hit me as soon as I walked in that this was the perfect place. For one it was her own home, so not only was it super accessible whenever we needed it, but it was also a place she was used to. This makes her more comfortable while filming as she is in a familiar space, which will make her performance more natural. Her room was the perfect size and had a connecting bathroom. The living was also had an open floor plan so there was tons of filming space taht connected to the kitchen. 

    I also realized the abundance of natural light that filled up the house immediately. There is never really any artificial lights being used other than at night when the sun was down. This was perfect as the natural light creates normal shadowing, which would give the house a darker, ominous feel to it. That kind of lightning would prrfectly fit the tone of my opening. 

Here are some pictures of the space:

Storyboard

Here it is! The long awaited storyboard is finally here. Now trust me, I know I’m not an artist… but by storyboarding, it makes the filming process a whole lot easier for me. I know exactly what I’m shooting in the time-sensitive moment and It helps me stay on track so I have everything I need to edit. Take a look!

Plot Outline Extended

Recently, I’ve having a hard time trying to develop the storyboard for my opening. So, I decided to try and develop the plot for my story as if it was produced as a real film. Hopefully this will help me fill in some of my story holes. Storyboard coming next week!!

Act 1

• opening (text message) 
• go back to 6 days before opening 
• meets sister at coffee shop 
• finds photo and contact in purse
• contacts number 

Act 2 

• discovered it’s a private investigator looking for their mother 
• meets with investigator pretending to be her sister 
• gets mother information and meets her 
• discovers her sister has been lying the whole time 

Act 3

• goes back home to sister
• finds hidden photo albums as her as a baby 
• confronts sister about investigator 
• finds out her sister is actually her adopted mother
• escaping 
• flash forward to new life with new name

Change in Shooting Schedule

 

    In my original schedule, I had planned out to be filming by the start of next week. However, due to the school production of Legally Blonde that is taking up my time during that week(3/6-3/11) and my actress, this is no longer possible. I wanted to try for the week(3/12-3/18) after, but I will be away for a field trip from that Wednesday all the way to Saturday, the start of spring break. In the event that I don't find time to film before I leave for the competition, I have adjusted my schedule to be more realistic. 

SCHEDULE FOR (UNTITLED)

Week 1 (2/13- 2/19)- Brainstorm/Research

Week 2 (2/20- 2/26)- Pre-Production (creation of storyboard, shot list, etc.)

Week 3 (2/27- 3/5)- Continued Pre-Production

Week 4/5 (3/6- 3/19)- Preparation for filming (storyboarding and development of mise-en-scene)

Week 6 (3/20-3/26)- Film opening and start editing

Week 7 (3/27-4/2)- Continue/finish editing and create CCR

4/4- SUBMISSION DAY!!

(RED text to show the changes in the schedule)