I had a couple ideas of the name of our film opening, but Kyra and I haven't decided on one yet. Some titles I had in mind: Unnatural, Today, 1440 Minutes. My favorite title is 1440 Minutes becuase of its vagueness and impact. 1440 minutes equals twenty-four hours, which is the amount of time the main character takes to explore this uncovered secret in the entire film. Of course, the film will only cover part of that twenty-four hours.
I feel like the title Unnatural, although I love, gives away too much to the plot and cuts some suspense and question the audience would enjoy. Frankly, that title is boring and is only my backup if Kyra and I disagree on everything else. The title Today is just as boring, being too vague, which is on a different spectrum than the title Unnatural.
All in all, I think Kyra and I should leave deciding on the title for post production since that's when we'll have an easier time understanding and working it out together.
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Theme
With our genre being psychological thriller, we wanted our theme to resonate with our audience, having them ponder on it for a long amount of time. The film opening touches on the hinting of a controlled society and the main character, so naturally, I wanted the audience to ponder on the theme of the complexities of masks and how far they go to manipulate people. This theme works best for us since Kyra and I knew we wanted the film opening to be deep with a good amount of complication.
In this case, the film opening is showing how the world we have always known is revealed to be unnatural and a controlled society. With how it'll all be shot including creepy details, I believe the theme will shine through. The theme reminds me of how the movie The Truman Show (1998) is displayed. Jim Carrey's character is led to believe the life he has always known is actually a false reality set up by the once-trusted people around him. Although the genre of that movie was a bit different, I want to go about the same theme with a scarier and creepier approach.
A still from The Truman Show:
Friday, March 8, 2019
Peer Evaluation
Today in class we had a peer evaluation on our foundation portfolio. I received valid information that I will most probably include on the final project. I was told that my theme is a little convoluted and should be more organized. I agree considering I have so many ideas, so when I explain it I lose the order within the plot.
I got the advice to think of the entire film first and then the opening, not vice versa. I'm going to do this but I also want to keep the central point of my film, which is the main character discovering an organized or constructed society/utopia.
In all, minor (maybe major in the end!) changes will be made in order to make the plot less complicated. For example, I'm thinking of scrapping the Uber part of the story and she will probably get a ride from another stranger.
I got the advice to think of the entire film first and then the opening, not vice versa. I'm going to do this but I also want to keep the central point of my film, which is the main character discovering an organized or constructed society/utopia.
In all, minor (maybe major in the end!) changes will be made in order to make the plot less complicated. For example, I'm thinking of scrapping the Uber part of the story and she will probably get a ride from another stranger.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Main Character
Deciding on the main character could take countless blog postings, but I just want to begin to talk about it now. Kyra and I agreed on our main character being strong and outspoken. A confident main character will also add to the story's conflict. She should be opinionated and proud, not insecure in any way.
I'm thinking of a mix between Leslie Knope from the show Parks and Recreation and Alex Russo from the Wizards of Waverly Place. Both these people know how to act in high-pressure situations and aren't afraid to think of alternate solutions to problems. Both characters are also very free and have the certain attitude for this kind of problem-solving. They never give up and always end up finding a way to get what they want, which I always admire. The main character should be smart but shouldn't understand everything in her universe yet, to add tension.
Although these characters are typically placed in comedic films, they have shown amazing problem solving. I'm only trying to adopt several characterisitics they have into one character, and they both easily fit together. The strong characteristics of this character will also challenge the idea of horror movies always attacking the weak.
I'm thinking of a mix between Leslie Knope from the show Parks and Recreation and Alex Russo from the Wizards of Waverly Place. Both these people know how to act in high-pressure situations and aren't afraid to think of alternate solutions to problems. Both characters are also very free and have the certain attitude for this kind of problem-solving. They never give up and always end up finding a way to get what they want, which I always admire. The main character should be smart but shouldn't understand everything in her universe yet, to add tension.
Although these characters are typically placed in comedic films, they have shown amazing problem solving. I'm only trying to adopt several characterisitics they have into one character, and they both easily fit together. The strong characteristics of this character will also challenge the idea of horror movies always attacking the weak.
Research - clothing
A very important factor of filming an opening is clothing, it can reveal so much about a character or scene, like tell a viewer a character's socioeconomic status or current situation. The only character's outfit I'm set with is the uber driver's. I want to make him look insane to the audience, with a white tank top that can be bloody, showing the driver to be unstable to the main character and the audience. For the rest of the film opening, I would love for everyone to where very cool black clothing like from The Matrix. Kyra and I wanted to show that there is something off about the universe or state the people are in by their clothing. It automatically makes one think of an organized society or something similar, something I want the main character to realize; it adds uniqueness. This will make the main character even more confused and give her more of a reason to think something is off before figuring it all out. Maybe she won't even notice at first and she questions the clothing later.
I don't know if I want the clothing to be an obvious factor of the film, or something that comes to mind when it ends. However, I know I do want it to affect the main character and audience somewhere in the film. Here is a picture of the clothing I'm talking about.
I don't know if I want the clothing to be an obvious factor of the film, or something that comes to mind when it ends. However, I know I do want it to affect the main character and audience somewhere in the film. Here is a picture of the clothing I'm talking about.
Planning 2
In figuring out where Kyra and I will shoot the film opening, I've had so many locations in mind. I want our main character to wake up in either a forest-like area or a highway-like area. I prefer highway-like but with our budget and abilities, I understand why the forest-like energy would be a better choice. Although will we hit other locations during the film opening, but where it starts is vital to the film. I feel like the opening finalizes the show's genre, horror or psychological theatre and honestly, a part of me wants to work in the genre of horror.
I feel like the main character waking up in an unknown place immediately shocks viewers at the beginning and swallows people down a messy upcoming plot. I want most settings for this film opening to be foresty or just plain lonely, showing how creepy the project will be. Other settings include casual everyday places but from a car's perspective since she will be in the uber. I want there to be small things going wrong in the uber but are unnoticeable to the viewer. Driving in the highway is super important since it's the perfect area for something to go wrong and an issue we have is having enough extras to film a scene where something goes wrong.
Basically, Kyra and I decided on the character waking up at Markham Park, but I still think we need to set it up to be more rural and less organized.
I feel like the main character waking up in an unknown place immediately shocks viewers at the beginning and swallows people down a messy upcoming plot. I want most settings for this film opening to be foresty or just plain lonely, showing how creepy the project will be. Other settings include casual everyday places but from a car's perspective since she will be in the uber. I want there to be small things going wrong in the uber but are unnoticeable to the viewer. Driving in the highway is super important since it's the perfect area for something to go wrong and an issue we have is having enough extras to film a scene where something goes wrong.
Basically, Kyra and I decided on the character waking up at Markham Park, but I still think we need to set it up to be more rural and less organized.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Planning 1
As of now, Kyra and I decided on the plot of our film opening. I don't know if we're going to stick to this, but it's a start. Our main character is going to wake up somewhere (probably a forest-like area) and an Uber driver will pick her up. The driver will seem insane, but the main character finds out at the end of the film opening that they are actually right.
We want to make this as creepy as possible including the same conventions from inspirations. For example, Black Mirror has the reoccurring theme of making elements of the episode seem very normal when in fact it is plain creepy. More specifically the Black Mirror episode of "Be Right Back" presents this perfectly: in a relationship, the male dies and it is completely normal for the female to talk to a computer that mastered his language and later end up ordering a robotic version of his body.
Although Kyra and I's film opening doesn't have the same plot, we want to adopt the same creepy elements. I want to close the film opening with a group of people acting out something collectively that looks too normal but is truly alarming. This will give the viewers a fear we want to instill in them.
A still from "Be Right Back"
We want to make this as creepy as possible including the same conventions from inspirations. For example, Black Mirror has the reoccurring theme of making elements of the episode seem very normal when in fact it is plain creepy. More specifically the Black Mirror episode of "Be Right Back" presents this perfectly: in a relationship, the male dies and it is completely normal for the female to talk to a computer that mastered his language and later end up ordering a robotic version of his body.
Although Kyra and I's film opening doesn't have the same plot, we want to adopt the same creepy elements. I want to close the film opening with a group of people acting out something collectively that looks too normal but is truly alarming. This will give the viewers a fear we want to instill in them.
A still from "Be Right Back"
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Music
Personally, one of the most important factors in a film/film opening is the music. Due to our genre and overall vibe of the film opening, I want to go towards a techno-music route. Nightcall by Kavinsky is one song I draw inspiration from. The voice in the song also somewhat creepy.
I like this kind of song above all others because since our opening will most likely be inspired by a Black Mirror and will be under the genre of psychological thriller/horror, I want the music to be somewhat futuristic and "creep" up on the viewer. Any other type of song would not do the same.
Music will set the mood for the opening and will be one of the first things a viewer notices. Thus, being one of the first thing that forms a viewer's attention. Music is very important to me and I want to make it a focal point in the film opening, maybe syncing with the editing on screen.
Minor changes/inspiration
Since the beginning of this course, my best friend Kyra and I were decided on the theme of horror. Although I do want to stick to that genre, I want to kind of twist it and film a psychological horror film opening. I think that'll be best above all other genres because Kyra and I wanted to impact the audience in a unique way and get inside their heads.
Black Mirror is one show we want to draw inspiration from. I'm obsessed with the show and really appreciate it's creativity and originality. The plots of episodes start off somewhat innocent and normalize clearly odd situations. I like this technique since it ensures a shock reaction from the audience. In a lot of episodes, Black Mirror allows you to feel compassion towards the main character and waits until the end to reveal the character's major faults. The show also centers its issues around technology, kind of blaming it. Although we're not sure yet if we want to include technology in the suspense, the show's uniqueness inspires me.
The Black Mirror Series can be found on Netflix.
I'm so excited to begin production and apply my ideas to the screen!!!
Black Mirror is one show we want to draw inspiration from. I'm obsessed with the show and really appreciate it's creativity and originality. The plots of episodes start off somewhat innocent and normalize clearly odd situations. I like this technique since it ensures a shock reaction from the audience. In a lot of episodes, Black Mirror allows you to feel compassion towards the main character and waits until the end to reveal the character's major faults. The show also centers its issues around technology, kind of blaming it. Although we're not sure yet if we want to include technology in the suspense, the show's uniqueness inspires me.
The Black Mirror Series can be found on Netflix.
I'm so excited to begin production and apply my ideas to the screen!!!
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Representation
In my film opening project, I have so many ideas of what group or event I want to represent. The idea of witches, more specifically about the Salem witch trials really interest me. Although they have the stereotype of being crazy or evil, I would love to represent them in a way that is almost normal and yet somewhat creepy. I think this group of people are either underrepresented or simply misrepresented. Despite the doubts of witches being real, I would love to represent them in a parallel universe where it is widely accepted that witches are real.
In the Netflix television show the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, witches and warlocks are represnted as normal people who are either hiding their secret from mortals or entirely live in their own world or society surrounded by themselves. This show does a good and rare job of bringing witches into a bright and humorous life but also making it scary; I appreciate that the level of horror is not missing or fading. The film The Blair Witch Project portrays witches as an evil presence and something to fear, but for valid reasons. We grow up learning about evil spirits through film and religion and this film carries on the narrative of fear. I think it's important to have the element of fear because of the horror but also recognize these figures as normal people.
I understand the current representation of this group and very much enjoy it at times, but only now are we getting horrific figures like witches but also ghosts and monsters, and portraying them like there is almost nothing to fear. The way this group in represented in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a good step in developing the genre of film. On the other hand, The Blair Witch Project is an enjoyable film and causes a lot of fear which I love, but I wish scary figures were more normalized.
In film, I would retain the scary side in witches and keep the audience in fear, but in a good way. I think these figures in horror are very important and almost the backbone of the genre in all, beginning with the infamous Salem witch trials. I would love to challenge the idea of witches being very secondary to the world. I want to try to show their existence in the mortal world with mortals aware of their presence. I think the humans and witches dynamic would be very interesting. There are definitely still elements of horror in witches that will always be scary.
In the Netflix television show the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, witches and warlocks are represnted as normal people who are either hiding their secret from mortals or entirely live in their own world or society surrounded by themselves. This show does a good and rare job of bringing witches into a bright and humorous life but also making it scary; I appreciate that the level of horror is not missing or fading. The film The Blair Witch Project portrays witches as an evil presence and something to fear, but for valid reasons. We grow up learning about evil spirits through film and religion and this film carries on the narrative of fear. I think it's important to have the element of fear because of the horror but also recognize these figures as normal people.
I understand the current representation of this group and very much enjoy it at times, but only now are we getting horrific figures like witches but also ghosts and monsters, and portraying them like there is almost nothing to fear. The way this group in represented in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a good step in developing the genre of film. On the other hand, The Blair Witch Project is an enjoyable film and causes a lot of fear which I love, but I wish scary figures were more normalized.
In film, I would retain the scary side in witches and keep the audience in fear, but in a good way. I think these figures in horror are very important and almost the backbone of the genre in all, beginning with the infamous Salem witch trials. I would love to challenge the idea of witches being very secondary to the world. I want to try to show their existence in the mortal world with mortals aware of their presence. I think the humans and witches dynamic would be very interesting. There are definitely still elements of horror in witches that will always be scary.
Drama
Drama
Genre Conventions - Content
Drama is a genre intended to entertain an audience while utilizing real life-like issues and bringing them to film with great performances and an interesting plot.
Genre Conventions - Content
The film genre of Drama includes very serious performances usually representing real life. Showing emotion and presenting dramatic situations is a very big part of films in this genre. There is a protagonist who very realistic and is in a realistic sitation whether the conflict is with themselves, others, or other forces. A dramatic film focuses on the best and worst of a character and often times heighten the seriousness of the event. These films, along with that, usually have to do with social issues. Because of their seriousness, these films are highly respected.
Genre Conventions - Production Techniques
A great factor in Drama is that they are very serious. What adds to this seriousness is the use of lighting and the very realistic mise-en-scene. Although these films are not always based on real events, real issues, situations, and looks from everyday life is added in costumes, makeup, production design, and setting. Long close-up scenes are very evident in drama films as it is a way to add concentration and mimic real-life conversations or situations as well as heighten the seriousness of the scene. These scenes are also a way for the audience to pay attention to detail. Colors and lighting on screen tend to be a bit more dim but does not define if a film is dramatic or not. Drama films vary in the period of time they are placed in, thus meaning that props and clothing may vary the same. But overall despite the time period, everything on screen is usually as close to real life objects as possible.
Film Sample #1
A Star Is Born (2018)
This is one of the many great examples of a drama film. Throughout the film, the mise-en-scene including the set and costumes were all very realistic and a perfect example of what that life is like in the real life. The lighting in certain scenes adds to the drama. The shots consisted of a lot of close-ups which made the scene more personal and intimate, which are keys in making a drama film. Ally's life as a singer, although rare, depicts that life exactly how it is in reality. This film also touches on the serious issue of alcoholism and substance abuse, both of which are very real and present issues in society.
Film Sample #2
Lady Bird (2017)
This film shows the subgenre of coming of age films. This film shows a unique story about Lady Bird growing up and her relationship with her mother. The representation of her lower-income household is very realistic. What adds to this part of her life is the mise-en-scene of her house and her clothing. The film shows the struggle of her father's unemployment very well. At the same time, she is applying for colleges and the overall content shows the realistic life of a teenager that many go through.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5726616/
Moonlight (2016)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4975722/
Titanic (1997)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/
Forrest Gump (1994)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/
Dunkirk (2017)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5013056/
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