Free post, second free post

One of my favorite things to do during filming, is the filming! This is mainly because I have so many options to get my ideas, and groups, brought to real life. This is also something that I believe would be a great movie, so making the start of it is honestly, so gorgeous. Learning how to work a camera is really a privilege especially for the one that were were provided was about, 2,000 dollars! Which is why we were told that we had to be careful with it. Abby had shown us how it had to be used, but she also had a video of the guys who helped us get the gear show us a tutorial. And emphasize how important it was to not break this item. This helped me understand that I really enjoy directing, although not so much photographing.

One of my least favorite things to do is having to deal with the scheduling with everyone. We are SUCH BUSY PEOPLE. I had to capitalize that because I find it ridiculous how much our schedules conflict. Let me explain: Jadelyn and Abby are in Chamber choir, making their schedules be filled with after school practices and gigs. Abby is involved in a church group, so that takes away time. Jadelyn is always traveling because it is one of her parents' consistent passions. Haaniya is usually flexible. But I am encountered with responsibilities of schoolwork, class of 2027, babysitting my autistic brother, karate, and being in charge of clubs. It is a lot for all of us, but I do have to stay; we are really understanding and kind people, so it honestly feels great I have a good team. But scheduling for what says we can film and do work is TEDIOUS.

Lighting (Picture missing)

 The lighting we are using is mostly given from the rooms we are in. Although we always add on, with two lights that contrast. Both are two different colors and make sure they are set the right way for the certain vibe for that scene. We are using more low-key lighting to create that ominous feeling fr the film. We attempted to create three-point lighting but it wasn't possible from our lack of equipment. So it ended up being more of a two-point lighting. We chose the mix if lights with a dark setting surrounding to have Esme or the other characters be the main focus with a dark setting to create danger. The decision was based off what was best for the vibe we were aiming towards, so I would say a "mis en sin" decision. 

Yes! Our lighting is based on our characters' moods. This is supposed to reflect how the character feels towards the audience. If they feel the same way they can understand the character better. Something as small as lighting can create such a difference and I don't think that people agree with that always. If we had more access to equipment I would invest for my group some more lights and probably a tool to block off some lighting that is given from a room. Even a filter that could go over the camera to change the color of the lighting would be very helpful. One of the last pieces of equipment I would buy is a huge light that could light a whole room, probably one loaded with watts. If I had that then I would be able to control my lighting based off what I believe is best and not what the room gives.

Title sequence (not done)

 Not done

Editing (picture needed)

 For our editing, we are going to be using capcut. Although we are having one of our group members friends let us know what are some more high tech and better software to use. We hope they aren't too complicated as we are people who are familiar with technology but not as familiar as the friend since they are in the videography club. We aren't using too many video effects besides filters since we are aiming for such a specific mood for the film. Our transitions are most likely going to be cuts, it wont really involve any add-on transitions. That dissolve can be used since we are doing some contrast comparing scenes. We have not started editing yet. I do say though, that the problems I believe what we will encounter having trouble is the sound since there is so much diegetic sound we have to create and put it into the video. Without having it sound fake.

Although our solution would be to have our friends in videography teach us how to solve that and make it sound cleaner. We also need to have a really good mic for the work we are doing so the background noises when making the diegetic sound aren't captured. I am going to be doing some editing as well as Jadelyn I believe since I already know she is good with editing as it is. However I do know Abby is well aware with the techy side of things, so it a a job we all could be sharing. Haaniya though, I don't think she is the best at edititng so she will prob just fuel us with ideas since I know she has a lot. 

-photos of the computer screen during editing

-photos of students involved in editing

Sound (not done)

Day 1 of Shooting (picture needed)

 Our first day of shooting was consistent, productive, and super duper fun. It was a lot of work though, We had started first by printing out our "homecoming" poster that we was going to zoom in on during one of the first few scenes. We then had started to clean Abbys room which was used for the bedroom scene, but we only really had to clean the top area of the room (her bed, desk, nightstand, stuff on her bed) so it wouldn't show in the film. We didn't film the floor area so that didn't need to be cleaned or cleared. After that, we had started on Abby's bruises which were quite hard to make but we got the hand of it. We had to take pictures of these to ensure that when we would film again she would have the same bruises on her legs and arms again. We then set up out area, with the lights, and microphone being held, and shot out the first few scenes. On these days we had only filmed the bedroom scenes and bathroom scenes (the house bathroom).  We had filmed the bedroom scenes followed by the bathroom ones. The first scene was the hardest to film and quite funny, too because I had to stand over Abby to get the overhead shot of her being filmed. 

Since I am a director I think the most hardest scenes to film were the overhead one and the scene of trying to follow Abby while walking. It was because we had a tripod that did not roll so it was difficult to follow her walking without the camera shaking, Haaniya also couldn't make it this day because of not being able to get a ride to take her. So she couldn't hold the camera for me to make it stay still. We plan to shoot this the remaining time of this week and the following week since we do not believe it is enough time. The sound and video were equally as hard to get, from a previous blog post I mentioned that we had Tri Le helping us. He has been helping a lot with microphones and capturing specific sounds that we need. As iI said before, I am director and filming has honestly been more fun than work. We don't need any reshoots and we made sure that we didn't from how much work is put in for one scene since we need to do Abby's bruising makeup and make sure the area surrounding is quiet (and when in a school it's hard). Overall shooting went great but I expect for us to get better.

Free Blog Post (picture needed)

First Topic: Borrowing from BECON tv

We are planning on borrowing equipment from BECON tv. We already have contact information given to us from Ms. Woz. We don't know exactly what we need yet but, we have an idea. We believe to get a video recording camera, something for lighting, possibly an ambient light since we want the lights to be off when filming but have light focussed on the main character of course. A microphone to create the diegetic sound and capture actual sound from live recording. The last we have thought of is a tripod for the camera since us holding it would create so much shake and unfocus for the main element or character in the scene. That in total is what we believe we need, we don't have the specific of the items but that is the idea. We are also wondering if their is a limit on equipment but we bet there is. We are planning on renting sometime this week or next week. Since I am the person to contact everyone I must contact the instagram. (This was made January 7th, we got equipment on the 10th)

Second topic: Changes to the film

We have slightly changed our film roles. Mine has been promoted to a mix of what Abby does and director. I will mainly be directing the film since I already love to film in my personal time, I still contact people with the help of my partners, and I also overview the whole project to make sure everyone has everything they need to film. With my partners input of course. Abby is also now the main actor in out film when we has suspected it would be Jadelyn. Haaniya is also now the backup director who will film I cannot be there or might have to be doing something else. Jadelyn has now the job of microphones and lighting ensuring we have all the required material to make the scene look and sound perfect. We have also had one of our friends who is not in AICE Media help us out since moving lighting and capturing sound can be hard to do at the same time for Jadelyn so we get help from Tri Le. We have overall locked in all our roles, and now are not struggling with that and are ready to start ASAP.

Supporting charecters (picture needed)

 Killer-

The killers face is not shown but her body is, we also do not know her name. From what we see she is a overconfident woman to does not like Irene. We suspect that Irene does know her and she was possibly a friend? Although, even Irene cannot remember who her killer is so nor can we. This character doesn't have any props besides her "henchmen" that she only finds useful for their labor. She is wearing a black dress to resemble that she is about to dominate the red dress that Irene has on. She has a curvier and bigger body than Irene to show she is more powerful and stronger than Irene can handle. She is stuck up and upset with Irene for a unknown reason, she communicates inefficiently only caring about what she thinks and no one else. She is overall a crazy head, as she finds it's okay to have such an issue with someone to the point that murder gets involved. Her motivation is to kill Irene. 

Henchmen-

In similar to the killer the there is no face shown and only the body is shown. We do not know the names but we do know they follow the actions directed by the killer and do not argue against it. They both have button ups on with dress pants. The shoes are zoomed in on showing that they have on dress shoes on as well. There props are Irene when they grab, which shows their physical power over Irene. Their physical appearance is also bigger than Irene to physically represent their power over Irene. There personality is not presented in the film, they remain silent most of the time since they are only following what the killer is saying with no questions asked. There communication is following exactly what the killer says. Their mental state is drained and nonchalant from not caring what they do to a person. Their only motivations in the sequence is to follow who they must obey, the killer.

Friends-

The friends faces are shown twice in the sequence. They are both with glasses to show they are same, have pink on to match who they follow "their main character best friend". They wear pink while the friend is alive, although when she passes they start wearing much darker clothing to represent they are in mourning and feel lost without their friend. The clothes also go from pink and girly to comfortable and dark. Their props are the makeup they hold and the flowers they use for Irenes "grave" at her locker. They are usually bubbly and very friendly people just like Irene. However, they change once Irene passes so we see the contrast between the before and after death of Irene. They communicate very well especially with each other, as they discuss her death and were also very kind to Irene when she was alive as she was a best friend. Their mental state is stable until they get get depressed after the death, they're motivation is to get over Irenes death and life a happy life.

Main Character Analysis

 The main character in this film has mainly bruises, scars, messy hair, and a tired personality throughout the story. However, the scenes that compare her before her death are quite different as they show her in a happier mood and with a full face of makeup while not being covered the bruises and scars she usually has throughout the majority of the film. Her costume consists of two outfits, her red homecoming outfit where her murder occurs and her other outfit where it contrasts her old life to know which is pink and "preppy" looking for a suburban high school. Her props mainly consist of her lipstick and that is honestly it, she doesn't really hold anything else because se is a ghost and the only scenes we really see her holding something of significance is her lipstick in the bathroom scene as she is showing something that she cannot do now that she is in the afterlife, having and holding a lipstick and enjoying time with with her friends. Her homecoming dress creates symbolism, that she cannot escape one of the worse nights of her life, and her other outfit with the comparison scenes are basically just giving context to the audience that there is struggle to get the feeling of the other outfit back, her moral life. The before death outfit clues the audience she was once popular, she is in pink. Her red outfit foreshadows danger during prom, since during that dance is where she gets killed.

Irene was once full of spirit and personality girl, she was popular who was well known and had many friends in the school. Although after her death she had lost anything that she once had in her, and thats her overall spirit. She is still there as she hasn't actually lost anything besides her living soul, but she is now depressed and confused about her life leading her to not even care about her personality. Overall, she doesn't talk unless it is a scene showing her when she was alive, other than that she is silent. The audience can also read her eyes and how tired they are from her having to be on Earth with no interaction with human life at all. Her mental state is BAD like she is going through a lot as she misses what she used to have but since she can't move on physically it's even worse. Her motivation is to leave the moral world and just figure out who has killed her. Her psychological health is deteriorating as time goes by, but since we only see a bit of her life (one day) we just know it's currently terrible.

Costuming (not done)

 

Color in project (not done)