I was supposed to make this blog post days ago, but instead I chose to procrastinate. Here I am on a Sunday night, writing my blog up. I'll keep this short though.
Over the weekend, I've been sketching my storyboard and I ran out of (storyboard) paper, so I'll be uploading what I have so far. These pieces of papers are what I'll use as reference as I begin to film (which is coming up super quickly 😦). Each picture has a short description underneath, which are the certain shots I'll be entailing and the characters in it. They are arranged chronologically, which will be very beneficial to me when I begin shooting.
I'm definitely not an artist as you can tell, it's quite embarrassing, I can barely draw a figure, nor a car 🫤
Today during class, we were put into groups to exchange ideas and receive feedback, and the experience surpassed my expectations. Not only did I receive valuable feedback that prompted me to make adjustments to my film, but I also gained new ideas to incorporate.
I briefly shared my visual concept for the film and my full thought process throughout the brainstorming phase. Following this, I outlined the issues I encountered, including concerns about the ending, title placement, and timing of flashbacks. Subsequently, I received feedback and insights from all my peers, which proved immensely beneficial.
One of the first questions I posed was whether to conclude the film with a cut to a black screen or something else on screen. The unanimous opinion was against ending it with a black screen, so I've decided against that option. Another aspect I discussed was the placement of the title. Although I had considered two options, my group proposed a better idea. Their suggestion involved capturing a long side shot of my protagonist biking past the camera, with the title's words aligning individually with the bike's pace. This concept, inspired by a similar example featuring a skateboard, struck me as clever and unique, so I've opted to implement it for my film's title sequence.
While perusing Lucia and Alex's blog, I stumbled upon a clever detail they incorporated into one of their posts. They carefully selected their characters' names based on their background meanings to seamlessly integrate them into their films. Inspired by their approach, I decided to name my film 'Luna,' which translates to 'moon,' fitting perfectly with the fact that most of my film is shot during the night.
The group meeting proved invaluable, as I received answers to almost all of my questions and uncertainties, in addition to being introduced to some fantastic new ideas.
In today’s modern world, the representation of women in media and storytelling is more crucial than ever, and my opening film aims to offer a poignant exploration of the challenges many women face. Through the lens of its protagonist, a young girl navigating the complexities of work, relationships, and personal safety, the film sheds light on the pervasive issue of gender-based violence. By juxtaposing the protagonist’s fear of the unknown with her haunting flashback of domestic abuse, the film underscores the harsh realities that women often endure in their everyday lives. This portrayal serves as a stark reminder of the need for society to address and dismantle the systemic inequalities and injustices that continue to oppress and endanger women.
When it comes to the media industries, particularly the film business, women have historically been a minority. Since I am a woman myself, I thought it was crucial that the primary character be a female with few male parallels. Even though many drama films hinge on a romance of some kind, I want to emphasize the thriller element of the genre I chose and develop a conflict that keeps the attention on the female protagonist, who is a crucial character in films.
Furthermore, the film highlights the resilience and strength inherent in women as they confront adversity and strive for autonomy and empowerment. Despite the protagonist’s initial fear and vulnerability, she ultimately finds the courage to confront her past trauma and take control of her own narrative. This narrative arc reflects the resilience and agency of women in the face of adversity, offering a powerful message of hope. In today’s world, where women continue to fight for equality and recognition, this opening film serves as a powerful testament to the importance of amplifying women’s voices and experiences in media and storytelling.
A crucial element in bringing this narrative to fruition is the portrayal of my characters as minorities. Our primary focus centers on a young waitress—a Latina girl—who toils long hours at a diner, striving to escape her abusive boyfriend, who idles away his days at home. It is paramount to showcase women of color not only in cinema but also within the stereotypical landscape of the industry. She emerges as an exceedingly ambitious individual, challenging numerous stereotypes that minorities encounter daily. Additionally, the cinematographer himself, Carson Broderick, belongs to a minority group, being African American. African American men are seldom depicted as photographers, particularly at the higher ranks of the profession, underscoring the significance of introducing this character. As members of minority communities, we strongly believe in the imperative of seeing more individuals like ourselves on screen, portrayed as characters who defy conventional norms.
Honestly, all this research feels overbearing. I just want to get to the point of filming, though, I did come upon a film that relates similarly to my approach and gave me other unique ideas that I can tweak and incorporate into my own.
The film, "The Girl Who Escaped," directed by Simone Stock, follows a storyline about a 15 year old girl, Kara Robinson, who was suddenly approached by a man in her friends front-yard, who puts a gun to her neck and forces her into his car. In order to set up the real storyline of what will be happening throughout the remainder of the film, which will pique the interest of both drama and mystery enthusiasts, I want to use this feeling of normality before a drastic shift in the events of the story. I thought that by keeping things mysterious, viewers will be enticed to stick around to see how things roll out in the end. I also love the idea of having the protagonist as a young, vulnerable, teenage girl, since my representation leans towards the thriller element of the genre we chose and produce a tension that keeps the attention on the female protagonists, who are crucial to see in films since they aren't yet well-liked enough in Hollywood to feature on their own.
This website goes more into depth about the overall storyline of the film:
I then researched the importance of Mis-En Scene-Elements in my specific genre, and came upon several examples and representations which portrayed this very well.
1) Lighting & Color: Lighting and color play crucial roles in setting the tone and atmosphere of a scene. By manipulating lighting, one can convey the genre to the audience; for instance, low key lighting often creates a mysterious or suspenseful ambiance, ideal for thrillers. Similarly, color, as part of mise en scene, evokes specific emotions and connotations. For instance, red commonly symbolizes love, rage, and blood, which can be effectively utilized in thriller settings to evoke tension and danger. In my own thriller, I intend to utilize varying levels of low key lighting and a color palette dominated by dark greys, black, and red to enhance the sense of foreboding and intensity.
2) Costumes (make-up/hair): Costumes, makeup, and hair styling are essential elements that bring characters to life on screen, influencing how the audience perceives them. Costumes encompass attire, accessories, and hairstyles, shaping the character’s visual identity. Makeup can enhance actors’ appearances, portraying them as glamorous or everyday individuals. In the early days of cinema, makeup was crucial for emphasizing facial features due to the limitations of black and white film technology. For example, in thriller films, smudged makeup can effectively convey a woman’s fear and vulnerability. Costumes also play a vital role in portraying characters, suggesting their roles or identities.
3) Expressions/Body Language: Facial expressions and body language are powerful tools in conveying characters’ emotions and inner states. These encompass gestures, postures, and facial expressions through which individuals communicate physical, mental, and emotional reactions. Nonverbal communication allows the audience to infer characteristics about the characters and their emotional states without explicit narration. For instance, signs of fear, such as body language cues, proximity shifts, and other paralinguistic signals, provide viewers with insights into characters’ feelings and experiences.
4) Setting/Props: Setting and props are crucial elements in filmmaking, shaping the atmosphere and narrative. The setting refers to the location where a scene takes place, whether indoors or outdoors, and often establishes the genre’s conventions. In a thriller film, typical settings might include a haunted house or a dark alley, evoking a sense of suspense and danger. Props, on the other hand, are objects used by actors during filming, playing a significant role in shaping the narrative, character identity, and genre. In my film, I aim to initially establish a sense of normalcy by depicting everyday scenes, such as working at a restaurant, to introduce the protagonist’s daily life. However, as the story progresses, the setting transitions to a dimly lit street, creating a feeling of unease and foreshadowing the unfolding tension.
5) Positioning: The positioning of characters and objects within a frame holds significant narrative and thematic implications. It provides insights into characters’ dynamics, power dynamics, and objectives. The arrangement of characters in terms of centrality, angles, and staging can convey levels of dominance and hierarchy. For example, in murder scenes, the positioning often emphasizes the dominance of the killer over the victim, with staging and spatial relationships highlighting this power dynamic.
Connotations are the associations we make with certain things. The text serves as a canvas, with its elements conveying connotations agreed upon by society. However, these connotations can vary across different societies and individuals due to differing perspectives. For instance, when considering a thriller, common associations include murder, blood, and psychological tension. Similarly, the use of color carries different connotations in various cultures. In film, colors are utilized to adhere to the typical conventions of the thriller genre, often employing base and natural tones like black, dark greys, and white.
Ex:
White – innocence, purity, sterility
Green – health, fertility
Black- submission, power
Red- power, energy, danger, love
Blue- Cold/ sadness/ depression
Yellow- playful, caution/danger, vitality (can be overpowering on screen)
As I grasped films with heavy mis-en-scene elements I came across Kill Bill Vol 1:
Upon analyzing this picture, the vibrant yellow hue of the central character immediately draws the viewer’s attention, set against the backdrop of darker figures clad in black. This contrast is striking, allowing the audience to easily distinguish the central character from the rest. The juxtaposition of colors is key here, with black typically serving as a foundational background color, while yellow, in any shade, inherently stands out as bright and attention-grabbing. In my film, I plan to outfit my protagonist in a bright yellow shirt to ensure she stands out prominently amidst the darker hues surrounding her, drawing the audience’s attention directly to her character.
In the picture from “Reservoir Dogs,” the characters almost blend into the background due to the similar dark tones, creating a challenge in distinguishing them. This could be a deliberate choice by the filmmaker to convey unity or highlight particular themes or emotions.
Connections to MY film:
Props: When considering the usual utilization of props in the beginning of a thriller, items like weapons often come to mind. In my scenario, incorporating props such as a rope or duct tape could indicate the presence of a killer. Additionally, other props can be used to convey character traits; for instance, a female character might carry a handbag.
Setting: The dimly lit street setting typically evokes the atmosphere of psychological and crime thrillers, providing a backdrop where murders and conflicts can unfold. Conversely, the brightly lit and colorful wall design in the restaurant creates a feeling of happiness and vibrancy. This contrast serves to highlight the discrepancy between the outward appearance of the young girl’s life and the reality of her situation, which is explored throughout the film.
Costuming/Make-up: In adhering to the stereotype, any female character portraying girly or seductive characteristics would be dressed accordingly. For depicting injuries, fake bruises can be created using the appropriate makeup palettes. As for the protagonist, there’s a deliberation on whether to include a bruise to visibly convey the domestic abuse she endures. She’ll wear light makeup, with bold red lipstick to exude confidence while also concealing the bruise, albeit subtly showing it. The choice of a vibrant yellow shirt aims to draw attention to her, both in the restaurant and while biking through the streets at night. Complementing this, she’ll wear a black, short skirt to accentuate her girlish appearance.
Body Language: In thrillers, characters often convey suspense or fear through their facial expressions and body language. This includes signs of nervousness such as sweating, heavy breathing, and being hyper-aware of their surroundings. They may exhibit gestures like constantly looking behind them, wide eyes, and open mouths to signify their heightened state of alertness or apprehension.
Upon discussing what we want our storyline to be, we realized that our genre would also be considered a drama as well. We believed that this genre would best suit our goals and attract a fresh audience that would find our film engaging. These audience members are probably teenagers who seek mentally demanding experiences where they can predict what will happen. They are thus kept on the edge of their seats until the very end, when either the solution is revealed or a sequel is presented. We believed that this genre would provide an intriguing and maybe original touch to our project.
I've never quite written a professionalized, real script for anything. I had to do some research of other examples and I found one that I will use as a guide and demonstration. The script is from the film "Scream," directed by Wes Craven. I will attach their personal script so you can get the idea. https://imsdb.com/scripts/Scream.html
I have displayed my script on a doc, so it can easily be accessed whenever, without having to worry about forgetting a piece of paper.
Thus far into this project, I'm finally feeling confident with my ideas. After just three weeks of working on this project, I have a lot of ideas on how the movie's plot and overview are currently planned and carried out. I've encountered quite an amount of issues during implementation since my preparation was not perfect. Overall, I think I was able to overcome the circumstances and come out on top.
As I mentioned in my last blog, I set a clear vision on how I want to approach my film. I made a chronological order of notes and ideas including costume, props, and little details about how the film will go.
These notes depict brief bullet points of what will be seen in my film and other important details like theme, setting, motifs, costume, genre characteristics, etc. After I made this sheet during class, the next day, Feb. 21, I started thinking more rigorously of how I can meticulously develop these scenes.
Now that I've showed sweet, short notes, I will be explaining them in utter detail. My film incorporates several genre characteristics to create a compelling narrative. Suspense is a crucial element, as the unknown car follows the young teenage girl, heightening tension. The story revolves around the girl’s struggles, particularly with abuse and alcoholism, portrayed through her abusive boyfriend and the flashbacks to their tumultuous relationship. Themes of power, relationships, and obsession are woven throughout, adding depth to the narrative and exploring complex human dynamics. Set primarily in a diner and a dimly lit street, these settings enhance the atmosphere of mystery and danger. Additionally, motifs such as flashbacks and environmental sounds of the restaurant serve to immerse the audience in the protagonist’s world, enhancing the storytelling experience and emphasizing key emotional beats.
The story outline effectively utilizes visual storytelling techniques and narrative elements to create a concise and compelling short film within the 2 minutes timeframe. Since I have so many shots and techniques I want to implement, I’m afraid I won’t be able to fit all of it in (but i think i’ll be fine…). By seamlessly integrating flashbacks and present-day scenes, I’m establishing depth to the protagonist’s character and the central conflict of escaping from an abusive relationship. The use of symbolism, such as the watch, adds layers to the story while maintaining a sense of urgency and suspense. Each scene transition is carefully crafted to maximize impact and pacing, ensuring that the narrative unfolds smoothly within the time constraints. Additionally, the inclusion of various shots and visual motifs enhances the overall cinematic experience and keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.
Here’s a breakdown and analysis of my story outline:
1.Establishing Shot: Starting with an establishing shot of the restaurant sets the scene and gives viewers a sense of place (btw the restaurant is small and is placed right at the end of all the other stores and buildings beside it, which is great for capturing a more creepy setting)
2.Interaction: The interaction between the protagonist and the customer establishes the protagonist’s character and potentially sets up themes or motifs for the rest of the film
3.Flashback: Introducing a flashback to the protagonist’s abusive relationship adds depth to her character and provides context for her actions and emotions
4.Co-worker’s Request: The co-worker asking the protagonist to cover her shift introduces a potential conflict or complication for the protagonist, adding tension to the narrative
5.Title Sequence: Inserting the title of the film after this scene (the interaction with customer) break helps to establish the overall theme or message of the film (although I might change it to placing it right after her co-worker asks her to cover her shift, hence being able to go straight to the scene at night without having to shoot unnecessary elements)
6.Transition to Night: Transitioning to nighttime with the bright 24-hour sign sets a new tone and atmosphere for the next part of the story
7.Biking Sequence: The sequence of the protagonist biking away adds movement and visual interest to the narrative, and the introduction of the mysterious car adds suspense and danger
8.Flashback Integration: Integrating flashbacks throughout the narrative helps to reveal the protagonist’s backstory and motivations in a non-sequential way, keeping the audience engaged
9.Symbolism: The use of the watch as a symbol of the abusive boyfriend’s control and violence adds depth to the story and reinforces the theme of escaping from a toxic relationship
10.Foreshadowing: Hinting at the abusive boyfriend’s intentions with the duct tape and rope builds tension and foreshadows potential danger for the protagonist
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.
