why am i SO indecisive

Tuesday, February 20th, 2024

Switching up

To sum up everything that I thought about after writing my blog post last night, it's that I switched up the whole story outline and kind of my genre. I've officially CHANGED my genre to mystery but also a thriller. Least to say, I'm super indecisive. I've been thinking daily of different approaches I want to take. When I looked at the recommended blog schedule, and saw that we should write about our chosen film opening approach, my mind went blank. So I scratched all the ideas I had and came up with a new one that I genuinely like and have set my mind on. Before I go into that, let me tell you what my other ideas were. 

Idea 1:

To start off, I wanted to make my film about a deaf person who lives in a rural area where she is unknowingly being stalked. I had the mask planned, the ending, and the way I wanted to approach the film. When I explained this idea to another girl from my global class, Divya Mohan, who had taken this class in past years, she told me it followed almost the same concept of a film called "Hush." So I watched the opening clip and did some research on the film's aim. After that, I scratched that idea, but I still liked some of the ways they established certain shots and lighting, so I took those into consideration for my next idea. Certain parts I liked about the film was the idea of having the woman deaf, enabling her limitations to only being able to speak in sign language. Then when I pondered thoroughly about this, I realized I, nor any of the characters in my film know sign language. So basically, this idea was completely erased. 

Idea 2:

The second idea I had was about a young woman, home alone on a rainy night. I liked the thought of filming when there was heavy rain since it builds a more eerie atmosphere. My thought process through this was contradicting. I would think one thing about something, but switch up later saying another. For example, as I was researching similar films to my idea, I would stumble across different films with different approaches and say I liked it more. But I found myself doing that with every Idea I had, and I knew I had to just stick with ONE. To ensure that my thought process maintained, I attempted to visualize each scene in my mind. The 1996 film "SCREAM" profoundly impacted me. I loved the idea of concentrating on a single character while maintaining audience interest throughout. The film's depiction of popcorn as a symbol inspired me to designate a Polaroid camera as my personal emblem. I considered writing a scene in which the woman leaves a section of the door to her backyard unlocked and open so that her dog is able to come back inside (while she is showering)... However, that would transform into an eerie nightmare for her, as it was at that moment that the "killer" would enter the home and leave photographs of the woman, each featuring a letter that represented a specific word or sentence. As she attempts to decipher this, she would receive a harrowing phone call during which the man (the murderer) would repeat everything she has just read. After thinking about this for two or three days, I decided I didn't like it. It seemed too much and too long to me. There was so much going on, it wouldn't flow nicely. 

These two ideas were the main ones I thought would work most well with my genre. I also liked that this idea can easily be filmed at a home and nowhere else that is hard to get to or around. 

After some more extensive research, I came upon a film that REALLY captivated my interest. The films "Reviving Ophelia" and "Girl Fight" follow a similar storyline, in which has inspired me to come up with the approach I wish to take. These films both have a concept about abuse or assault caused by friends or family and it helped me brainstorm a few things. I thought to make things more interesting and not boring you can say, I decided to make my new setting at a diner/restaurant. I don't want to explain further details because I don't have my story completely straight yet. Although, what I can tell you is that I have a friend, Rasheli Daluwatta, whose parents JUST opened up a restaurant a few months ago, and I asked her if we can use it on a weekend. I even told her she can be apart of it, since we need another actor anyways. She said yes and this fixed a lot of issues I thought I'd have. We have our main setting available and even my costume design already made (the clothes from the restaurant). And if anybody wants to check the restaurant out its called 'FireFly' located in Cooper City - 4718 S Flamingo Rd, Cooper City, FL 33330

Now, I know this is quite a long post, but let's get into the real thing, my chosen film opening approach. I've researched a total of 4 different films, all somewhat contributing different ideas. So, finally, for the actual purpose of this blog post. 

My chosen opening approach for the film is to create a sense of suspense and mystery. The opening scene will introduce the young girl working at the diner, establishing her daily routine. As she walks or bikes back home, the atmosphere shifts, and she becomes aware of a strange car following her, instilling fear and uncertainty. Through a flashback, the audience is given a glimpse into the girl's troubled past, specifically her abusive relationship with her boyfriend. This approach aims to engage the audience emotionally, eager to uncover the girl's story and what will happen next.

Analyzing how the films "Gone Girl" and "Black Swan" correlate to my chosen approach:

In "Gone Girl," directed by David Fincher, the film opens with a seemingly normal married couple, Nick and Amy Dunne. As the story unfolds, the audience gradually discovers the dark secrets and hidden motivations behind their relationship. The film expertly uses flashbacks and unreliable narration to create suspense and keep the viewers guessing. This aligns with my approach of utilizing flashbacks to reveal the young girl's abusive past, adding layers of complexity and intrigue to the narrative.

Similarly, "Black Swan," directed by Darren Aronofsky, follows the journey of a ballet dancer, Nina, as she strives for perfection in her craft. The film delves into Nina's psychological state, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. Through intense and unsettling sequences, the audience is drawn into Nina's world, experiencing her fears and anxieties. This psychological thriller aspect of "Black Swan" resonates with my approach of creating a sense of fear and uncertainty as the young girl is followed by a strange car, leaving the audience unsure of what might happen next.

By studying these films, I gain insights into how they effectively build tension, utilize flashbacks, and create an atmosphere of suspense. Incorporating these similar techniques into my opening approach will help captivate the audience and make my film engaging from the start.

As I mentioned previously, I also researched these two other films, which correlated with the kind of approach I want to take. 

"Reviving Ophelia" is a TV movie based on the book by Mary Pipher. It explores the story of a teenage girl named Ophelia, who falls victim to an abusive relationship. The film sheds light on the emotional and psychological impact of the abuse, as well as the journey towards healing and self-discovery. This film aligns with my approach of addressing the issue of abuse and its effects on young girls, even these days, showcasing the importance of raising awareness and promoting empowerment.

"Girl Fight," directed by Karyn Kusama, tells the story of Diana, a troubled young woman who finds solace and purpose in boxing. The film explores themes of self-empowerment, resilience, and breaking free from societal expectations. While the focus of "Girlfight" may not directly correlate to the abuse aspect of my film, it still provides inspiration in terms of portraying a strong and determined young female protagonist who overcomes challenges.

Both "Reviving Ophelia" and "Girl fight" touch upon important issues faced by young women, highlighting their struggles and resilience. In my film, I also want to capture a sense of reality in our present days, of the struggles young women face towards adversity. While they may not align perfectly with my approach, they serve as references to explore different aspects of my narrative, such as the emotional journey of the young girl protagonist and the strength she finds within herself. 

LOGOOOO

 Monday, February 19th, 2024

Production Logo

Im backkkk.. todays monday

Its late evening right now, and I completely forgot I had planned to write a blog post today. 
I do have something quite exciting to share though. Late last night, I started working on my production logo. I finished it around 4 in the MORNING. I was so immersed in creating the logo and layering the music, I lost track of how fast time was going by. For the music, I used https://www.purple-planet.com (the specific audio is 'collateral damage horror trailer').  I decided to name my production logo "Skyward Studios," and use an atmosphere of clouds as my beginning. I then also chose the name of the film, WHISPER, and gave it a bold and powerful effect (importance of font, which I will talk about later this week) to make it look more captivating. Here it is: 

I know this is a really short update, but i HAD to share it. The next few posts will be longer, I promise!

Scheduling...

 Sunday, February 18th, 2024 

Scheduling (ish)

So, over the weekend I've thought a LOT about different possible approaches. I didn't think it would be this difficult to choose one and just call it a day. There's so many things you have to consider when having an idea you really like, such as, lighting, setting, props, what you have and don't have, etc. When I had an idea I loved and really wanted to go for, there was always a flaw that would interfere and shut me down. But I didn't give up, I continuously researched for examples of "horror film openings." 

In the midst of doing all this thinking and researching, I created an official plan. It's not strict, but it'll guide me and keep me on track so I don't fall behind. It tells me what I must get done every week, until the end. I was worried at first for the lack of timing and organization I'd have because of basketball season. There were so many hours of practice per day/week, and on top of that, the busy work my teachers give. But now I have a more suitable and plausible shift in timing, since season is over. 

My plan (which isn't written in detail on the schedule), is to make/buy every prop we need for the film, make certain who my characters will be and their role, and know the setting I want to have will be available at most times, before creating my story board next week. This seems like a stretch, but the best feeling for me, is being ahead of what's expected. Since I already know two of the characters that will be in my production (one being a puppy), I am sure neither of us (me or Carson, the potential antagonist in the story) will be gone for spring break (the time filming/editing will be done MOST), which is a huge benefit for me with timing and completion. 

Just to add on with what I've been doing this weekend, I found a cool website that has thousands of logo intros provided. It says free trial, but we all know that's BS, it asks for card payment and that kind of stuff. But from what Mrs. Stoklosa warns about how websites try to scam and do that weird stuff... i dont know about proceeding with their requirements. I also discovered different ways to make masks since that is one of the props I need for my production. Instead of just buying one, I plan to make my own.. maybe out of clay or I will buy a plain one and modify it myself. Here were some ideas: 

Carson (the guy in my film), didn't want to make the mask, he kept saying we should just buy one to make things simple. But I insisted, I want to make things more creative. Although it won't be as visually appealing (like neatness) than buying one... it's the effort that counts, right??

Last thing, we don't have school tomorrow, Monday, so I will be taking advantage of that time, so you will most likely hear from me in less than 24 hours!

Researchhhh

 Wednesday, February 14th, 2024

Youtube Finds

Just like I said, I’d planned to be back Wednesday (today), so here I am. Today is also valentine’s day!! I procrastinated pretty much since I woke up, usually I don’t, but school was optional so I went out and forgot I had planned to write up my blog. Now, I am on my way to my championship basketball game, so what better time to write out my findings than now? I've researched 2 specific opening film clips for my genre. Anyways, let’s get into it. 

The first opening film I watched was the one for "It", directed by Andres Muschietti. The scene opens with a wide shot of a quiet suburban street, quickly tilting down from the sky to a little boy in a yellow coat, establishing a sense of normalcy before the terror begins. As the camera pans, I catch glimpses of unsettling details—a red balloon floating ominously, a storm drain, and the yellow paper boat that streams across the street at a very fast pace—an early indication of the horrors to come. The use of several long shots to show that the little boy, Georgie, is by himself with no one around indicates that he's all alone, so whatever is to come there's nobody to help. I really like the strategy of focusing on only one character and highlighting the distinction between Georgie being outdoors alone by himself in the pouring rain while everyone else is closed up inside their home. This is somewhat the kind of approach I plan to take. The use of low-key lighting and shadows throughout the whole clip creates a sense of foreboding, heightening the tension and instilling a feeling of unease in the audience. The subtle sound of Georgie laughing as he chases the paper boat, contrasts with the silence that follows, adding to the suspense and anticipation. This also establishes that the boy doesn't fear anything, as he carelessly runs around the street. The scene reaches its climax as Georgie encounters Pennywise the Clown, culminating in a shocking and unexpected twist that makes the audience question, what will happen to Georgie after his encounter with Pennywise (the clown), will he escape unharmed or otherwise?

In "A Quiet Place," the opening begins with the Abbott family walking along a train track, in a straight, arranged line. The film also opens with a stark reminder of the importance of silence in this dystopian world, as the family navigates their environment with utmost caution. The backpacks and amount of heavy looking bags they all carry, symbolizes that they don't live in one place, they are constantly moving and walking long distances. Certain closeups are utilized, such as the stripped, dirty feet and the numerous cutbacks of the shocked faces as the little boys toy airplane makes noise. These shots are employed to show the lifestyle the family is living through, but also how such small noises have huge impacts. I absolutely love the idea of this film, it sparks me with unique thoughts of what I can do to make my clip as engaging as possible. As I just mentioned with the little boys toy airplane, the absence of traditional dialogue is compensated by meticulous sound design, which heightens the tension and amplifies the impact of every sound, no matter how faint. The scene reaches its climax as the boys toy sets off a noise, alerting the family, as they know they're about to encounter one of the creatures. So the question is, did the boy survive? Most importantly, how will the Abbott family navigate the dangers of their world while maintaining their vow of silence? 

Having analyzed these two film introductions has improved my understanding of how to structure my own. Without a doubt, "It" will serve as a source of inspiration for the initial image of the tilt, which is a descent from the top of the home. Considering that my story will be about a stalked deaf woman, I believe that scene will require a bit more visual imagery to convey that the protagonist resides in a remote area, far from any other residences. I like the idea of having a dark, eerie setting, so I will film most of the video around sunset, as the night darkens. The choice of not having any characters talking, in a quiet place, gave me the idea of having my main character deaf. The noises coming from the environmental aspect, gives the film a more interesting view, as if you are living through the characters life. I aim for the introduction to establish the protagonist as leading a contented, routine, and well-structured life, devoid of any challenges associated with her/his way of living. I don't want to have many actors in my film, I want to limit as many as I can so things don't overload (about 3 or 4 people). 

I'm thrilled to have this all put together!! 

Chosen Genre

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

I CHOSE…

Over the weekend, I came to a conclusion of which genre I want to work with. I had three genre choices to choose from which consisted of science fiction, drama and horror. It wasn't too difficult for me to choose, but while I was researching opening films of these specific genres, there were SO many great examples. 

As I said, my first idea was a film about science fiction. This type of genre offers boundless opportunities for creativity and exploration. A few examples of the science fiction genre include ET, Avatar, and the Avengers franchise. Science fiction, at first, seemed like a great take, but I then discovered the MANY different technological advancements necessary. Things  including advanced special effects, elaborate set designs, and skilled personnel, which can exceed my current budget and capabilities. Additionally, the genre often demands intricate storytelling to effectively convey complex scientific concepts, potentially posing challenges for a novice (me) filmmaker in terms of scriptwriting and directing. Moreover, entering a saturated market dominated by established franchises and high-budget productions would make it difficult for my film to stand out and attract attention, especially without the backing of a major studio... considering these factors, I opted out, which leads me to my next, more manageable genre.

Link to photo: Schedeen, J. (2023, March 10). 15 science fiction movies nominated for the best picture oscar. IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/sci-fi-movies-nominated-best-picture-oscar-dune-star-wars-avatar

My next idea was a film about drama. This was quite the opposite of sci-fi, but it peaked my interest more. This genre covers a wide range of topics, but typical ones include personal relationships, family dynamics, coming-of-age stories, social issues, and emotional struggles. Some film examples of this genre include Titanic, Happening, Whiplash, and A Star is Born. Drama sounded like a really interesting and compelling topic as it would let me explore various shots and create a complete story of my own. However, crafting a captivating drama requires a strong focus on character development and interpersonal relationships, which can be challenging to get the perfect 'actors'. Also, dramas often rely heavily on dialogue and performances to convey complex emotions and themes, placing high demands on actors and necessitating skilled direction to ensure authenticity and resonance, which I don't think I have such great performed friends or family who can play that role well. Although I was very close to choosing this genre, I took this idea off my list too. 

Link to photo: Hanson, Sophie. (n.d.). Top 70 drama movies of All Time - Best Drama Movies. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g39853184/best-drama-movies/

The final genre I researched was horror (THE ONE I'VE CHOSEN!). A horror film is typically characterized by elements like suspense, fear, and a sense of dread. This genre offers a wide array of storytelling possibilities that can captivate my audience through several emotions, not letting them be able to predict what happens next (that is my goal). Horror films often explore themes such as the unknown, the supernatural, human psychology, and societal fears. Some notable films like The Exorcist, Scream, Psycho, and Jaws demonstrate the genre's ability to engage viewers on both psychological and visceral levels, creating lasting impressions. I am choosing this for my portfolio project because I can create a realistic, engaging story that people of any age can relate to and I already have ideas for my film which can easily take place in mine or a friends house. Not much high-task special effects are needed throughout whole film, just here and there. Needing to buy or find necessary objects to place in frame won't be difficult, since the approach I plan on taking, doesn't require me to buy anything I wouldn't already have at home (things like knives, make-up, a mask, or wig). Finding a cast shouldn't be as hard because I have friends/family who have already volunteered to be in my film as the main character has to be somebody aged 17-45 (which gives me a wide range of options). 

Link to photo: Fear, D., Dowd, A. A., Garrett, S., Rife, K., Grierson, T., Bailey, J., Phipps, K., Grow, K., Zuckerman, E., Daniels, R., & Murray, N. (2023, June 1). 101 best horror movies of all time. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-horror-movies-of-all-time-1234597766/the-abominable-dr-phibes-1234604037/ 

Now that I'm set on the genre my film will be based off of, it's now time for me to research opening film examples to aid me through how I want to approach the actual TOPIC of my film. In doing so, this will really help me because I'm watching successful and professional produced films, which have won big noble prizes, and has been watched by MANY. 

Soooo.... stay tuned as I plan to come back Wednesday!!

The Start

Friday, February 9th, 2024

WERE STARTING

Today I find myself deeply wondering about how it is I want to approach this project. There are many things I have to complete and ponder about. I've never quite done anything like this, but I find it comforting that there aren't many restrictions. When I heard that we were only a few days from starting this portfolio, I felt overly nervous but somewhat excited for the ending results. I realize that this requires a great amount of effort and commitment. I feel as if I'm forcing myself to be determined, since I want this to turn out as extraordinary as possible. Despite the elongated process this will take, I am prepared to take on everything that will have to be done. What is most puzzling at the moment are the ongoing options of which genre to choose. I enjoy many different types of films... but which one will be just right? Well, I guess we'll see sooner than you think. From now, I present my upcoming successes and failures, my intrusive thoughts, but most importantly, the growth I develop from now until what feels like forever. 

I find it difficult for me to find the first step. Being able to have "freedom" with this project, somehow feels very narrow to me, but it's not. It sounds simple, though a lot of thoughts come with this. Lots of change, moods, and processes. Some may feel like they just want to get this over with, but personally, I feel devoted to learning from this process. Learning things about myself even. 

Character or conflict is the approach I wish to use. I'm most interested in these techniques, so I'm confident I'll choose one of them. Character development is a fascinating topic that can be approached in a variety of ways, which is why I find it so interesting. Conflict interests me because it elicits a wide range of feelings and responses in the audience, effectively drawing them into a quality play.

My goal for this weekend is to research a LOT, explore the different ideas and strategies, and brainstorm what genre peaks my interest the most. 

Music Marketing 2

For our marketing project we spent a great amount of time digging into the country music marketing strategies, analyzing target audience preferences, and keeping up with the latest industry trends.

Once we had a solid understanding of the landscape, it was time for brainstorming and planning. My team and I came up with a various creative ideas, from viral social media challenges to popular marketing tactics. It was tough to narrow them down, but eventually, we settled on a few key strategies that we believed would resonate with our target audience.

We then began to consider the best way to market our artist and went to work on that procedure. We discussed our marketing plan and took notes. We made a brainstorming sheet and put ideas down there for getting the word out about our artist. We integrated ideas from our research into our own marketing plan, such as collaborating with a whiskey brand similar to Florida Georgia Line. We discussed our distribution plan, which called for releasing the album as a whole first, followed by a single. The artist's scheduled tour was then included into our arrangement. Determining the performer's brand identity and distinctive motion proved to be the most challenging part of the process. We eventually came to the conclusion that the singer was a marketing ambassador for her own lipstick line, which she integrated into her songs. Lipstick, which we first saw on Dolly Parton's sign, would be her signature look.

With the plan in place, we moved on to production. We chose an appropriate setting for our singer and filmed various shots to make the production engaging. Our team gathered together and each filmed the parts that were necessary for the production. We used eye-catching promotional materials, organised a lively atmosphere, and dressed in apparel that fit with the theme to create buzz around our project. It was an exciting and hectic phase, but seeing our ideas come together looked pretty cool at the end, as we got the opportunity to get an idea of how actual artists promote themselves. 

After the project was completed, we entered the post-production phase. We carefully analyzed the effectiveness of our marketing strategies, looking at engagement metrics, and overall impact. Based on our findings, we made some adjustments to further optimize our approach. When the production was all recorded, we had to edit. We had to sync the song with the singers mouthing perfectly, which took a few tries. Each scene had to fit in correspondingly with the pace and lyrics of the song, "Ned you Now."  

Finally, it was time for the presentation. We showcased our project through a recoded video, where we combined all group members voices. The first step was to discuss what our marketing and distribution trends would be. Sponsorships and partnerships were our main marketing trend for appearance, and our distribution tends included Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora. For our physical distribution we chose to sell vinyls and CDs. Then, we had to compose an overview of our artist and target audience, which ranged from ages 16-45. We then spoke about our artists personal website, marketing products, and instagram account. We then concluded our presentation with showcasing the storytelling aspect of the music our artist, Heather Graham, produces. 

Reflecting on the project as a whole, I can confidently say that I've learned so much. Not only did I gain practical knowledge about music marketing, but I also developed valuable skills in research, strategic planning, and project management. These experiences will undoubtedly be instrumental in shaping my Cambridge portfolio and showcasing my abilities. This project took more time and dedication than other project we’ve completed. The lengthy process of this project will aid me through my Cambridge portfolio, as i know what to expect in the coming months.