Group Meeting #2

 

Hello!

These are my notes taken from the second group meeting. This was a different bunch of people so I got a lot of good input. Here is what I jotted down:

• use final cut camera app for best quality video
• film each CCR scene with each angle first
• develop CCR idea!!!!!
• different costumes for each "character"
• purposeful imperfection
• imovie on desktop works well
• uppbeat.com for non copyrighted audio
• consider a variety of rock/metal/house music
• play on phone speaker rather than importing, sounds more authentic (?)

Regarding the possibility of re-filming, that all depends on the quality of the videos after I export it into my editing software. Worst case I will reshoot, but I honestly don't feel that I need to. I got pretty good advice regarding both editing my opening and beginnging scriptwriting for my CCR. My next mission is to find the audio and create a soundscape. More to come!

The Look- Dressing the Part

 

Hello!

The makeup look behind this project was very important. I depended on a certain visual to imply not only a night out, but a LIFE out, and a lack of supervision and self control. Because I had to capture this girl's story in a 2 minute timeframe, it was very important that I provide enough context strictly through costuming and mannerisms. Due to the lack of dialogue in my piece, this was extremely important as well. Because this girl is so alone, I decided on not even giving her a name, let alone human interaction throughout this opening. I wanted it to be assumed that she lacks a support system, so much so that she is shown completely alone throughout the entirety of the opening. 

I am no model or drag queen, but one thing I do know how to do with makeup is look like a MESS, and thankfully that is exactly what I expected myself to do. I figured a mess of mascara, eyeshadow, and glitter would get the job done. Here is what I ended up with. Thanks for reading!

The look:    

The aftermath:

         

Getting creative- propmaking

 

Hello!

Because I don't think it's realistic (or legal) for me to acquire a cigarette for my film opening, I am determined to make one myself. This prop is extremely important to the general message of my project, as a young girl depicted smoking is the epitome of irresponsibility and early maturity. However, as I am a young girl myself, I'll get arrested if I try to buy a pack (because I'm sure the cashier knows every trick in the book, regardless if it's "for a film"), and I don't know anybody who smokes or is at least trying to quit smoking. Because of this, I need to get creative. It may be for the better that it looks a little homemade anyway, since I'm pretty sure showing a minor smoking on film is a felony. Regardless, enjoy this tutorial! It could be helpful for film projects, halloween costumes, or withdrawls.

Here is what you need:

1 index card

Tape

Short fingernails

Step 1:

Take an index card and flip it so that the lined side is upright and the shorter side is towards you.

Step 2:

Take a piece of tape and set it at the end of the short side farthest from you.

Step 3:

For the cleanest possible look, fold a small portion of the index card along its width.

Step 4:

Roll along the length of the index card until it is a small tube roughly the size of a cigarette.

Step 5:

Tape along the end to ensure it won't unravel.

DISCLAIMER!!!! ****not a real tabacco product

And you're done! It looks realistic enough to maintain the seriousness of the message while not committing any crimes against the state or either of my lungs. The paper translates great on camera and hopefully provides you with the effect you're looking for. Tune in next time to follow my production process!

Creation of Company Logo

 

Hello!

I just created my company's logo, which will be used for my film opening project. Although it looks basic, it holds significance to both me and my film opening beneath its surface. With neon sign lettering, my logo will fit in well with the night-life, edgy tone of my project, while also reflecting a hot pink, confident touch.

Reflecting both girlhood and womanhood, these choices intentionally represent the messy transition of finding yourself and your place in the world while also navigating the hardships women face in today's society. This logo demonstrates both the power in feminitity and the light of self discovery, which are both themes I aim to reflect in my opening. I think it's very fitting for my brand and an important message that I want to reflect at the same time- you can be professional and hardworking while also confident, feminine, and bright. Click the link below to watch me make it! Thanks for reading.

Creation of logo

Color schemes

 

Hello!

As I begin the production process tomorrow, my brain is already looking forward. The editing process for me occurs while the camera is still rolling, and before it a lot of the time as well. I feel like envisioning what is captured already into my software helps me to figure out what exactly I need from my cameraman and from myself, too. Specifically, my mind is on the coloring of the film itself. Coloring is extremely important to mood and reflective of the style of the director themselves.

Although Wes Anderson's color scheme is not what I aim to recreate in my project, I'm absolutely in love with his aesthetic throughout his films and his dedication to art through architecture, costuming, and prop design. In the Grand Budapest Hotel, (shown to the left) he was also said to be picky with the movements in his scenes, as he wanted them to look as fluid and satisfying as possible, famously stepping in the actor's place during the prison's food scene to ensure the movements looked exactly how he wanted. This dedication inspires me and helps me to be sure of every scene before I move on to the next, prioritizing consistency and happiness throughout the production and editing process over everything else.

More similar to my expectations, the color palate of David Fincher's Fight Club is exactly what I'm envisioning. A dark, almost mysterious mood is created throughout this movie through the coloring alone, and forms a tension as the atmosphere around the main character shifts from blues and grays to yellows, reds, and blacks. Although I'm not filming an entire movie tomorrow, I do want to imply that if the opening were to have a film following it would have a plot twist or some sort of dramatic ending that will have been foreshadowed by the opening and developed throughout the entire film.

I obviously cannot rely too much on the colors captured through the camera, so this is a future me problem for when I begin editing. Just something to think about. Thanks for reading! 

Lighting

 

Hello!

Lighting is a very important part of any piece. It provides context, mystery, and location. I am using a specific approach for my project, and that is to create no lighting at all.

Although I have access to ring lights and projectors, I am seeking to create a realistic looking piece, not glamorized or flashy. I want to use only the streetlights or the dim lightings within the alleyways. This will make my enviornment recognizable as a sketchy outside area without having to put in any work for it. Utilizing access to different parts of my city will hopefully make the production process go as smooth as possible. 

Here is what I'm envisioning:

Props

 

Hello!

I start my production process next week, so that means I need to gather every prop that I need to ensure my vision is met. Because my setting is on a simple street corner, the most visually important part of my film intro will have to be me! I have made several posts about costuming and style inspiration before, and now it's time to gather everything I need and finalize my props and look.

Things I need:

• A cigarette (fake or real, I don't discriminate)
• A lighter (which will not be used)
• A fur coat (which will be donated by my lovely best friend's mom)
• A pair of heels (from my mother)

Things I have:

• A purse
• Body glitter
• Shimmery eyeshadow
• Hundreds of hair ties

If I can't find these objects then I will make them in a seperate blog post. We're reaching the final stretch of planning! More to come...