Film Opening

This is it…finally!

https://1drv.ms/v/s!At4-BDjwhV7mvCnSMXRiDqTSiGPb 

I hope you enjoy, after 2 months of work, our film opening :)

Final Group Critique

Week 8:


I did group critics today with an amazing group of individuals.

Them :)

Each person took their turn to speak on their film opening. Afterward, we saw each other's project and gave our critics.


For my film opening, I expressed that my lack of dialogue could make it very boring and bland. After watching it, the group spoke about how I can work with sound to replace the need for dialogue.

Especially for this...

I was debating whether or not to add a heartbeat on the scene of Isabel going into a high.

W/ HEARTBEAT

W/O HEARTBEAT 

☆ In the end, because I preferred the heartbeat, I continued to edit it by also adding heavy breathing. That is why the second clip does not include it.

After studying the difference, my groupmates all expressed how adding a heartbeat causes the moment to feel rawer and is more interesting than just having music playing.

Overall, we all managed to assist one another in some way. This was very helpful!

Editing: Almost Done ?

 Week 7:

Due to Lorenzo editing while I finished filming, we managed to progress very quickly. Due to me having finished yesterday, if we hadn't started earlier, we would've just started today. Very scary.

The film opening had the potential of being finished by tomorrow... HAD (keyword).

All was great until Lorenzo notified me of Premiere Pro crashing, thus losing today's progress.

Truly a heartbreaking moment. He even apologized for something he couldn't control😭

Further above it can be read that we agreed on me taking care of the audio. Since I had already done work toward audio, it seemed logical. I have my siblings helping me already when it comes to dialogue involving a group of people like the scene where Isabel is being sung happy birthday. Doing a voice-over during drug usage is still being debated. I am worried it will come across as cringy, even though I’m trying not to make it so bland. When Isabel is seen under the influence, I do plan on using my own heavy breathing but also using other sound effects from online that I cannot recreate, like a heartbeat. I will use the app CapCut because I find it to be easily accessible because it is within my reach at all times.

Of course, in the end, Lorenzo and I will make the final touches together. 

On the bright side, we have a title for our film. It is named "In Two."

It can mean being two, for example, Isabel is a twin, and she and her mother are another pair. It can also mean being split in two instead. Isabel was torn from her brother through his death and the relationship between Isabel and her mother is torn for apparent reasons.

Production + Editing: Finally !!

Week 7:

Happy to say that all filming is complete.

It’s long overdue but I must admit I slacked off for a bit because of Spring Break. 

The opening was all that was left. Here is me yesterday making a picture book of Isabel and her brother.

I used pictures of me young and Lorenzo’s brother now. Originally, younger photos of him were young to be used but it would make more sense if I used photos of him now since Isabel’s brother technically did die young, just not too young. To match the age, I also added pictures of myself close to his age. For the pictures of us together, I used my brother and me as babies. If older, it’d be much more noticeable that they aren’t the same person.

For the birthday scene…

I wasn’t able to gather a group of people to sing happy birthday so I’m having my friends send a video of them singing it and I will then layer the audio together. I will also change pitches if there are more people in the room if needed.

Cake !!!

Not having been able to eat this immediately was torture.

I’m honestly relieved the filming process is finally over. I must admit that looking back… filming out of order was really odd. There was no reason for it, and I actually regret it. It lengthened the process much more.

But now that it is done, I can share some fun moments I had with my sister.

In the end, I must say thank you to my sister and Lorenzo for their incredible patience.

Production + Editing: Picking Up The Pace

 Week 7:

All the scenes already done have been sent to Lorenzo to edit. Here is the folder that organizes them:

He is using Adobe Premiere Pro. We have discussed what we want in the opening and how we want it. Currently, the focus is on setting the order of the clips and reducing the background noise. After everything, including color correcting, we’ll worry about music, sound effects, and voiceovers. We thought that because the isn’t dialogue, a voice-over can help the opening not be so boring.

On my part, I got back from my trip yesterday, just when Lorenzo left for his.

I managed to finish filming the ending today. Tomorrow I will finish the beginning. It’s a must. 

Preview of one of the scenes.

My sister was on the floor, recording.

For the rest of the day I am working on setting up for tomorrow. The beginning shows a series of photos from Isabel’s childhood alongside her brother. So, I am putting together a photo book with pictures of Lorenzo’s little brother and mine. I was originally going to use my brother’s pictures but I realized it would be weird if Isabel’s brother looked different from the album to the black backs. It would be most probable that viewers could interpret them as separate people.

Production: Back On Track

Week 6:

Okay, we are back on track !!

We are running behind on schedule but it isn’t anything multitasking can’t fix :D

It came to our attention that just recording a drug intake can be boring, so we’ll be incorporating some flashbacks in between. It would show memories of Isabel and her brother when he was still alive, which also reinforces the theme of grieving.

Lorenzo took charge by using his little brother. This was one of my biggest worries because just finding a little kid that cancorporate is difficult to find. And although his brother isn’t that young, a freshman in high school, he sure has a baby face.

Little brother on the left & Lorenzo on the right 

With the flashbacks done, I can also say that the only scenes left are for the beginning and the ending. Once I come back from my trip, those will get done immediately.

I am currently making a folder of the shots done to then send to Lorenzo. I am aware that not all scenes are complete, but it is best to use our time wisely.

I also want to say that originally the flashbacks where going to be placed in between a “trip” scene for Isabel. After recording it, I put the clips together to get an estimated time, and it seems like it’s too much.

Sofia studying & experimenting with color psychology.

Preview of the scenes 

It is so upsetting knowing that all that work might have been pointless :(

I’ll try my best on keeping them. But if nothing can be done, it is what it is.

Production: Whole Lot Of Mess

Week 6: 

Very frustrated to say that after having the opening halfway done… it is too long. 

This whole week I was so happy about finally filing. Everything that leads to this moment!

Just for it to not go as planned … 

Lorenzo and I have discussed how to fit it all in 2 minutes.

Here is what he suggested:

Although informal… the point stands 👍

These timings are not expected to be followed accordingly but they do give a really good outlook on how long the segments should be. 

__________

For the past week

I messed around with equipment with my sister, Sofia. 

Trying to do a POV Shot by holding a tripod with my mouth.

I was more comfortable having her filming than Lorenzo. Acting in front of others is really embarrassing …

I am also trying to cram filming this week because the day I started filming again my mom surprised me with a 3-day trip!

Lorenzo was very kind and understanding of the situation. He is more than happy to take over while I won’t 100% available. He will be taking over editing while I’m gone. He will be sending me updates so I could also pitch in. 

Although it seems unlikely that all filming will be finished before leaving, we will work with what we have.

I will be finding fonts and music for our film opening while on my trip. I will make sure to use my time wisely. With already having to cram, there’s no way I’ll let myself waste any time.

In conclusion, I am very grateful for Lorenzo being so accommodating and for Sofia being so supportive.

Production: Posters Complete + Minor Set Props

Week 6:

I was finally able to organize all posters the way I like!

I will explain their purpose :)

Album Covers

“Untitled” (Song) - The Cure

The track “Untitled” speaks of someone close who has passed away. The speaker is telling the story of not having the opportunity to tell that person how much they meant.

"never quite said what I wanted to say to you...."

The song is in the album Disintegration, which in its entirety, is an ode to depression. After the loss of a close someone, spiraling into depression is inevitable.

“The Black Parade” (Album) - My Chemical Romance

The album's main narrative is about a character known as "The Patient," who is dying of cancer while reflecting on the moments leading up to his passing. Although it is not mentioned in the film opening, if it were a full film, then it would be specified that Isabel's brother died of cancer.

“The Only Hope For Me Is You” (Song) - My Chemical Romance 

The overall theme in the song is finding a sense of freedom and using creativity and art as a weapon against worry, which is what Isabel does. Throughout her wall and desk, it is seen that she tangles herself in art. Art is seen as both a pastime and a form of non-verbal expression.

Drawings

It can be said that Isabel drew how she feels, and as it looks like, exhausted.

Being in a state of disarray.

Shows interest in the punk scene. Painting over a newspaper also shows her ignorance of what is currently going on around her.

Illustration of the character Frank from the 2001 Sci-fi/Drama film "Donnie Darko." 

 

Evidently shows a liking towards "dark" dispositions.

A childhood drawing depicting a full happy family. Isabel keeps it before her as a reminder of the simpler, more happy times. The reason for the tape being in front is that it acts as an outlier that lures greater attention. 

_________

Overall, Isabel's interests stem primarily from the 80's-00's media. This shows that she is more interested in dwelling on the past than letting go and enjoying the present.

__________________

Set Props So Far...

Here are the set props I added on top of the posters.

These crosses further establish the fact that Isabel comes from a Christian family. 

There will be many more set props visible when filming.

Production: Problem w/ Posters

Week 5:

It seems that the posters I put up did not meet my expectations and did not create the desired effect. They came out more uniform than I had intended, which is not in line with the messy aesthetic that I am seeking. There also seems to be more space to fill.

I first decided to search for posters on the internet, but upon seeing my own drawings, I found them to be more appealing. I believe that incorporating my own artwork into the mix will help achieve the chaotic, coarse vibe that I am going for. Perhaps it will give a more personalized touch to the overall look and feel of the space.

Production: Schedule

Week 5:

With time running short, I feel like I've been slacking off. 

I have a bad habit of putting off my responsibilities until the last minute. It is especially worse when due dates are far. 

Last year, I really struggled with turning in school assignments on time, which very much reflected on my grades. 

Recently, however, I've been setting my own due dates. I had a teacher who encouraged her students to do this. She explained how one can come up to her to set back a date for their assignment and she would gladly oblige. If they did not finish on time, then the same penalty would be given to them like any other student. 

This method inspired me. Although I won't be consulting my teacher, this sort of time management will greatly benefit me.

So, here are the dates I've set down:

The schedule is written on a sticky note, glued onto my computer. It will function as a constant reminder.

I vowed to stay strict to this schedule. But, I admit that I'll probably have to be more flexible with editing, and give myself a little more time.

Production: Wall Decor

 Week 5:

Short post today :(


I am taking this week to set up my room for filming.

The focus of my attention is on the walls, which will play an essential role in setting the mood and atmosphere for my scenes.

To begin, I've started looking for posters online to print out, with a focus on designs that feature punk, rock, and metal styles, not just grunge. These genres of music are recognized as rebellious, which is why I am most interested in them. Lorenzo has been a great help in finding the best designs

In addition to the printed posters, I am also considering using some of my own artwork because one of the driving forces behind the punk culture is the do-it-yourself element.


As I make progress, I will be sure to share updates !

Production: Makeup

My initial plan was to begin filming this weekend, but I realized that redecorating to fit the character's design was going to take much longer than expected. I am planning on using my bedroom, which is predominantly pink and bright and does not fit the darker theme of my film. As a result, I need to spend more time making the right ambiance for my film.

In the meanwhile, I decided to focus on another aspect of the film that I could work on. I started practicing the makeup portion of the character's look. I have been experimenting with different techniques, products, and colors to create realistic track marks.

here’s a little time-lapse :)

After finishing, I noticed that it was probably too exaggerated, messy, and detailed enough. Next time, I’ll think about toning it down a bit. I will also add more red hues and create finer lines for the veins.

With more practice, I will be able to perfect its authenticity.

Production: Mise-en-scene

  Week 4:

A character's emotional state of mind may be reflected in the mise-en-scene, which establishes a feeling of place and mood. I will work to convey that Isabel is in a state of grief.

Set Design

As discussed in a previous blog, Isabel embraces grunge fashion, which is distinguished by its grittier and darker aesthetic. Grunge frequently uses grimy imagery to convey a feeling of hopelessness. This is frequently expressed through the use of muted hues and earth tones, which add to the sense of sadness that grunge fashion conveys.

These elements will be further shown through her …

Bedroom 

Makeup

The objective of the makeup design is to convey the physical consequences of drug addiction and create a tired appearance for the character. This will be achieved by applying purple shadows under the eyes, emphasizing the tiredness of the character by creating a dark circle effect. 

Additionally, red and purple hues will be used on the arms to simulate bruises that reflect track marks from past meth injections. This aspect of the makeup will add to the realism of the character's appearance and remind the audience of the negative effects of drug addiction. 

The overall purpose of the makeup design is to accurately depict the physical effects of addiction and communicate the character's condition to the viewers.

Lighting

Low-key lighting is a technique that creates large shadows by reducing the amount of fill light, resulting in stark contrasts between dim and light areas. The shadows obscure much of the subject of the shot, emphasizing the use of contrast. It is commonly used to create a dark and eerie atmosphere. When someone wishes to isolate a character or establish a dramatic mood, they frequently utilize this technique as well. 

Joker (2019)

It will be difficult to use this when I do not own the proper equipment, but I will try my best.

Sources:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "grunge". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Nov. 2018, 

https://www.britannica.com/art/grunge-music.

Neill, Jay. “Low Key Lighting: How You Can Create a Dramatic Atmosphere Immediately.” IFilmThings, 13 Dec. 2022, https://ifilmthings.com/low-key-lighting/. 

Production: So it begins ...

Week 4:

After so much planning and research, filming is ready to commence.

Set

I have decided to shoot my film in my own house. At first, I had planned to shoot in my own bedroom and redecorate it to match the character's design. However, I realized that my brother's room would be a better fit for the grunge style of my film. It already has a dark ambiance that fits well with the scene, which would save me time and effort in redecorating.By using my own house as the location for the shoot, I have more control over the environment and setting of my film.

Schedule

During the weekdays, I will be focusing on brainstorming and preparing for the upcoming weekend filming sessions. This includes adjusting shot lists, forming a schedule, and making sure all necessary equipment is ready to go. I want to make sure that I have a clear plan so that I can make the most of my time.

On the weekends, I plan to focus solely on filming. I will start this weekend with simple scenes like montages and fillers. My intention is to film shots of simple objects or the outdoors in case the film ends up being too short. Even with the filler shots, I will make sure to overshoot and record a single scene in different styles just in case.

I understand that everything will be clearer during the editing portion, but I want to make sure that I have enough footage to work with.The last thing I want is to be stuck editing a video without enough footage to make it work. By getting ahead of the game and filming plenty of footage, I can make sure that I have enough material to create a cohesive film.