Festival Card:
Short Film: https://youtu.be/JBoRTdiMysI
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Final Thoughts
I'm going to be honest: I wish I would've shot earlier.
Had I done this, than the short wouldn't have came out differently than expected. As you have already read, my friends backed out on their parts last minute and because of this, I had to rewrite half of the short. It doesn't hold the same message I originally had for it and it's for the worse. Had I got them to do it two weeks ago, the project would've came out differently.
However, I am proud of what I did to make up for the short comings of my peers and try to salvage the wrecked ship. Do I think that it was a perfect job? No, hardly anything is. There will be some continuity errors and some technical difficulties, but this was my best so be it.
This does give me pause though. If this is my best, than can I pursue this as a reality? Is it worth it, or am I barking up the wrong tree. Should I reconsider my life choices? I'm not sure if I can handle this type of work. I am not sure if I have the skill to do so. Some pretty shots here and there, but I don't think I can cohesively create a story. Time will tell.
Had I done this, than the short wouldn't have came out differently than expected. As you have already read, my friends backed out on their parts last minute and because of this, I had to rewrite half of the short. It doesn't hold the same message I originally had for it and it's for the worse. Had I got them to do it two weeks ago, the project would've came out differently.
However, I am proud of what I did to make up for the short comings of my peers and try to salvage the wrecked ship. Do I think that it was a perfect job? No, hardly anything is. There will be some continuity errors and some technical difficulties, but this was my best so be it.
This does give me pause though. If this is my best, than can I pursue this as a reality? Is it worth it, or am I barking up the wrong tree. Should I reconsider my life choices? I'm not sure if I can handle this type of work. I am not sure if I have the skill to do so. Some pretty shots here and there, but I don't think I can cohesively create a story. Time will tell.
Friday, April 14, 2017
Fin
Well, I'm officially done filming and three-fourths of the way done through editing. Where's the confetti?
Filmmaking, from what I've heard and experienced, is a pain in the butt. Things don't always go your way and one must compromise and find the next best way to do it. And really good things can come out of this. For example, there are some shots I wouldn't have gotten to shoot had my friends not dropped out. The shots I do get look great.
Is the story still the same? No.
Is it better or worse? TBD.
But I'm very happy doing this. Per my previous post (which I wrote on Thursday, published Friday), I was sick and tired of this project. I wanted it to be done with. When I shot my final scene, I was sad. I really enjoy filming, writing, and improvising on the spot. I don't even want other people to see it, not because I think it's a flaming dumpster fire (that's for you to decide), but because I don't want to hear other people's opinions. Not that I find their opinions worthless, but I'm going to be proud of the final product regardless of others' opinions.
So to celebrate the final shooting of the short, here's a funny clip.
Filmmaking, from what I've heard and experienced, is a pain in the butt. Things don't always go your way and one must compromise and find the next best way to do it. And really good things can come out of this. For example, there are some shots I wouldn't have gotten to shoot had my friends not dropped out. The shots I do get look great.
Is the story still the same? No.
Is it better or worse? TBD.
But I'm very happy doing this. Per my previous post (which I wrote on Thursday, published Friday), I was sick and tired of this project. I wanted it to be done with. When I shot my final scene, I was sad. I really enjoy filming, writing, and improvising on the spot. I don't even want other people to see it, not because I think it's a flaming dumpster fire (that's for you to decide), but because I don't want to hear other people's opinions. Not that I find their opinions worthless, but I'm going to be proud of the final product regardless of others' opinions.
So to celebrate the final shooting of the short, here's a funny clip.
Why do We Trust Others?
I am not in the greatest of moods at the moment. My ""buddies" who were suppose to help me in my last scene have backed out. Now, They were the last scene I needed to shoot, so one can imagine I am very angry. However, as the professional I am, I have decided to re-write their whole section. The reason why Im not asking someone to take their places is because there are no one who can improve the way they can and there aren't a lot of people left in town.
So, instead of having another conversation with a bunch of stoners, I figured to take inspiration from real life and have them bail on James. He "talks" to them on the phone and at the last minute, they bail on him to babysit his brother and his friend (by the way, really happening). When he talks to them on the phone, he will be talking essentially what he says in the original conversation, disregarding the seriousness of the energy crisis. It ends with him watching TV with the kids as the power goes off.
This brings me back to the title: "Why do We Trust Others?" While this has little to do with the project, I feel that I put way too much stock into what people say compared to what they do. It's very hard to find someone who actually says what they plan on doing. People do what they want to do, disregarding what they said they would do and other people's dependency on them.
I guess this is a life lesson: to never put your eggs into one basket, or never to trust others with your project on the line.
So, instead of having another conversation with a bunch of stoners, I figured to take inspiration from real life and have them bail on James. He "talks" to them on the phone and at the last minute, they bail on him to babysit his brother and his friend (by the way, really happening). When he talks to them on the phone, he will be talking essentially what he says in the original conversation, disregarding the seriousness of the energy crisis. It ends with him watching TV with the kids as the power goes off.
This brings me back to the title: "Why do We Trust Others?" While this has little to do with the project, I feel that I put way too much stock into what people say compared to what they do. It's very hard to find someone who actually says what they plan on doing. People do what they want to do, disregarding what they said they would do and other people's dependency on them.
I guess this is a life lesson: to never put your eggs into one basket, or never to trust others with your project on the line.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
New Title
After much thought and consideration, I realized I need a new title. In the grand scheme of things, it won't make much of a difference, but to me it will.
Plurality means the fact or state of being plural/multiple. It could apply to the contradictions of James, yet when I tried to explain it to my group last week they were a bit confused. Maybe because the other definition of plurality means he number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority. Damn you, US Gov.
So the new title will be.....
Plurality means the fact or state of being plural/multiple. It could apply to the contradictions of James, yet when I tried to explain it to my group last week they were a bit confused. Maybe because the other definition of plurality means he number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority. Damn you, US Gov.
So the new title will be.....
Jux
Short for Juxtaposition. Juxtaposition means the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. I feel that it makes much more sense considering the main point of the piece. It's about two things (two conversations) being seen (on screen) or placed (in the structure) close together with contrasting effect (James' multiple viewpoints).
I hope it's not too late to do this, but I've already done it, so I really don't care.
First Scene!
Today, I shot my first scene of Jux. It is intended to be a quick, time-lapsing scene, where James is cutting up weed and rolling joints for his friends. Everything will be fast moving, quick cuts until the joint is lit up, and everything goes into slow motion.
(By the way, I'm not using real weed. I'd figure that to be illegal.)
Oregano was chosen because it's the closest thing at the grocery store to resemble marijuana. When I asked my mom what was the produce that looked like weed, in a snap call she said oregano, which found a bit odd.
Oregano was chosen because it's the closest thing at the grocery store to resemble marijuana. When I asked my mom what was the produce that looked like weed, in a snap call she said oregano, which found a bit odd.
As seen above, this will be the overall look of the first bit.
I also wonder what noise should be playing over it, as I can't use licensed music and it would be flat out wrong to do the scene without some music. Maybe I can make something off my piano.
Quick Update:
Excited to continue this week to finish the rest of the project. Tomorrow I will be shooting both the Gina scenes and the outside alone scenes. The Mighty scenes are delayed until further into the week, as one of my "actors" are going out of town until Friday. Cutting a bit close, huh?
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Color Wheel
I find color to be a subtle, yet important aspect of mise-en-scene. I once read that Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan had his characters wear certain colors to represent what role they played in the show. For example, Marie is always wearing purple or shades of purple, as are the rest of the nurses. Hank and Gomez wear orange to represent them as law enforcement officers.
So color, I feel, can be part of the character. According to the color wheel below, reds and oranges are considered more active and passionate colors, compared to the blues and purples. I feel this can be utilized in the short. James, I envisioned, could wear red in his conversations with Gina to symbolize the passion and fiery energy and wear blue with the "Mighty's" to symbolize his laid back approach. When he's alone, I was figured out his could wear a neutral color like gray to show that he is in between two extremes.
So color, I feel, can be part of the character. According to the color wheel below, reds and oranges are considered more active and passionate colors, compared to the blues and purples. I feel this can be utilized in the short. James, I envisioned, could wear red in his conversations with Gina to symbolize the passion and fiery energy and wear blue with the "Mighty's" to symbolize his laid back approach. When he's alone, I was figured out his could wear a neutral color like gray to show that he is in between two extremes.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Card. Take 2
This past week, we had a quick group meeting in class. At this meeting I felt overwhelmed. Everyone else in the group had started filming and had such great ideas that I felt discouraged to be completely honest. I haven't started anything yet and I have 14 days left to finish the entire project. 14 days. 14.
Positivity is key here.
Anyway, at the meeting, Chris was showing his hand-out card that he designed and I thought it looked extremely good. So I asked him how he made it and he directed me to canva.com. It has made this aspect of the project way easier than expected. At first, I thought I would have to photoshop everything and I would have to learn that, but Canva comes with templates on how to make the cards.
In a minute I found the perfect template for the card: It's three pictures divided horizontally. For the final product, each photo will be from a different segment of the short. I don't know if I want to make them match to create a full image because then I'd feel I would be copying Moonlight.
Positivity is key here.
Anyway, at the meeting, Chris was showing his hand-out card that he designed and I thought it looked extremely good. So I asked him how he made it and he directed me to canva.com. It has made this aspect of the project way easier than expected. At first, I thought I would have to photoshop everything and I would have to learn that, but Canva comes with templates on how to make the cards.
In a minute I found the perfect template for the card: It's three pictures divided horizontally. For the final product, each photo will be from a different segment of the short. I don't know if I want to make them match to create a full image because then I'd feel I would be copying Moonlight.
And there is no way I can come even close to that. I mean, it's one of the most perfect posters I've ever seen. It's a piece of art on its self.
Although there will be some tinkering, I feel I have a solid knowing on what I'm doing on this aspect of the project.
How to Make Smoke
Ok. So, I've made some adjustments to the script and I think it'll benefit the story. So the "Mighty's" are now are going to be stoners who are discussing random things, including starting a "non-profit". I feel it would be simplier for the audience to understand the characters, instead of them being just weird kids. Plus, it makes a lot more sense of why they are talking about jiberish.
This gives me a new set of problems, as now I need smoke and smoking in a car. There are multiple ways one could do this:
1) Have them smoke real pot....
I'm just kidding, but it would be funny though. A serious nightmare because, you know, they're high.
2) Dry ice. Dry ice is easily attainable and would be easy to use. However, it would look more like fog than exhale.
3) Herbal cigarettes. Herbal cigarettes are what Mad Men used to prevent the actors from smoking real cigarettes and there are models that don't look like real cigarettes, but joints. They're on sale on Amazon and seems like a safe option as they are both nicotine and tobacco free.
I'm going to go throughall the options, options two and three and see what will be best for the actors and the short.
This gives me a new set of problems, as now I need smoke and smoking in a car. There are multiple ways one could do this:
1) Have them smoke real pot....
I'm just kidding, but it would be funny though. A serious nightmare because, you know, they're high.
2) Dry ice. Dry ice is easily attainable and would be easy to use. However, it would look more like fog than exhale.
3) Herbal cigarettes. Herbal cigarettes are what Mad Men used to prevent the actors from smoking real cigarettes and there are models that don't look like real cigarettes, but joints. They're on sale on Amazon and seems like a safe option as they are both nicotine and tobacco free.
I'm going to go through
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Casting
James/COO
Gina
CEO
CFO
These four roles are, at the moment, unoccupied. But that doesn't mean I have no one in mind.
While James is essentially me, I feel I shouldn't play me, you see? I'm not a great actor, as my face isn't great at emoting. So I'll be shopping around, asking friends if they know anyone. All I need for the actor is to be able to pull off the two different sides of the person while making the contradicting character convincing. Should be quite easy, really.
Gina, I was envisioning, would be someone who can hold their own against James, who is not buying what he's selling by coming off smarter. I was also envisioning a bit of confused affection that doesn't necessarily have to be sexual. There has to be a reaason why she is around him when he acts like a know-it-all.
The two Mighty's are tricky. The "characters" are based off real people, my friends, and they are as ridiculous as they seem. I thought that they could play themselves, and I think they'd be down to do it. The reason I want the first scene with them to be improvised was because I know I could roll camera and just let them rift. They can pull off the ridiculousness of the "Mighty's" because they do it in real life, while making them enjoyable to watch. How will it go over with people who don't enjoy their ridiculousness? No clue and that's the hardest part to nail.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Script
Well it's done. As I write this post in class I can't help but wonder why it took me so long. It's six pages. Six. Not that long. Granted I rewrote it to try and get the best out of the character I could but... SIX. Most of it's dialogue. A lot of time wasted, but it's irrelevant at this point.
Anyway, here are the main things that I feel that the script accomplishes to convey the message:
1) It has the non-linear story that doesn't feel forced and helps tell the story in a way that suits the story. It is better the structure is what it is instead of a linear story.
2) The main character's contradictions are clear. Due to the people he is with when he is talking, it makes sense why he would say what he says. He doesn't seem to care in front of the Mighty's because it's something they normally wouldn't sweat. He seems to be very into the crisis in front of Gina because it's something that she would care about.
3) The script, it seems, will be very easy to shoot. I don't imagine it being difficult to find locations that would be feasible to film.
I know that some of the odder moments maybe off putting (the Mighty commercial), but I find that some risks are worth taking. Whether or not it pays off, I have no clue.
The script is below (it's in text instead of the pdf because it's the only way I could share it)
Pluarality
by
Jacob Krivitzkin
FADE IN:
EXT. SIDEWALK - SUNSET
James, 17, walks down the neighborhood sidewalk, hands in
pockets. He stares down at the ground, headphones in ears.
From what the microphone can pick up, he's listening to loud
and messy metal.
The song ends and he skips a few tracks. We are now tuned
into the noise. Instead of music, dialogue is heard.
JAMES (V.O.)
Well isn't it obvious that we are
all fucked?
CEO (V.O.)
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. The
Mighty's do not associate with that
clown, nor the clowns that
associate themselves with that
clown.
CFO (V.O.)
Neva, ever!
GINA (V.O.)
The energy..
JAMES (V.O.)
Good ol 'lantis.
James takes out the earphones and inhales. He stares up at
the defunct power cables.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR
James sits alone, sullen... until a smile widens on his face.
CEO
That's a fool ol Curry.
He's sitting down with the CEO and the CFO of the Mighty's,
dressed in basketball clothes.
CUT TO:
INT. MIGHTY ROOM
The CEO and CFO of the Mighty's in a faux commercial:
CEO/CFO
(Simultaneously)
Hello planet Earth.
CEO (CONT’D)
I am the Cheif Executive Officer of
the Mighty's and disciple of Zues.
CFO
And I'm the Cheif Financial Officer
of the Mighty's and disciple of
Posideon.
CEO
We are a non-profit organization,
but we do take donations.
CFO
Not our faults.
CEO
Ever!
CUT TO:
INT.
A straight up improvised scene where the the three highest
officers of the Mighty's talk.
Things that need to be established:
1) James is a Mighty and the COO.
2) A lot of the lingo is used.
3) James is acting like them, but much more restrained.
4) It's a running joke, yet no one is willing to break it.
COO
Good ol Katrina.
CFO
Sexy ol Trina.
CEO
(hesitant)
Hey, don't you think we're all
fucked?
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM
JAMES
(Reading from phone)
Emergency Energy crisis! After the
near catastrophic nuclear plant
explosion and the high hikes in
coal and oil, Broward County is
likely to experience power outages
along with the rest of South
Florida. The White House has yet to
issue a statement. MORE COMING
SOON...
Gina and James are sitting down at a table, lit by candles,
shell shocked at the news.
GINA
That's why you asked me over. Any
time table?
JAMES
No. MORE COMING SOON... We are so
fucked.
GINA
Huh?
JAMES
Well isn't it obvious that we are
all fucked?
GINA
Well.. I don-
JAMES
Come on, Gina. "The White House has
yet to issue a statement." Why?
Because they are currently cooking
up some bullshit gumbo.
GINA
It hasn't been too long.
JAMES
Gina, please.
GINA
James.
JAMES
Don't be naive.
GINA
I'm not. I'm being practical. We
may not have TV for a few days, so
what? This isn't Katrina. There are
white people here.
JAMES
This isn't funny.
GINA
Either was Katrina.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR
CFO
CEO, it is irrelevant. Power
outages and what not. We've got the
mighty generators. Keep us nice us
nice and warm.
COO
And we still have the underwater
city.
CFO
Good ol 'lantis.
James laughs. Of course he's joking.
CEO
I'm just worried about gas prices.
I mean shit, they're going for $4
bucks a gallon. And the lines...
CFO
Just tell them that they're the CEO
of the Mighty's and all the cracker
jacks will move out of your way and
the gas station will give you all
the gas you want.
COO
It's a privilege to serve a Mighty.
Just roll up. "Excuse me sir!"
CFO
You won't even have to say that.
They know the Mightymobile on
sight.
COO
Of course. And drive up. The people
disperse like the Red Sea. Fill up.
Not my fault.
CFO
At all.
COO
The government will figure it out.
They always do.
The CEO doesn't looked all that convinced.
COO (CONT’D)
Anyway, back to Trina.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM
JAMES
I'm not comparing it to Katrina.
GINA
Of course not, but... Whatever.
It's not important.
JAMES
Well this power outage thing
definately is. I mean, how are we
expected to be governed by a group
of knit-compoops, who don't really
give a shit about the electorate?
GINA
Sure, let's call for a revolution.
A coup d'etat. Those work.
JAMES
Coups work in Nigeria. It's how
they continually changed leaders in
the 70s and 80s. But in America,
the coup would be couped by the
government.
GINA
Is this a way to show you're
superior intellect?
JAMES
(sarcastic)
To the girl ranked 23 in the
school, yes of course.
GINA
This abrasive behavior will get you
far, keep going with it.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - SUNSET
James, quiet for once, walks through the field with the
thoughts of what he said roam through his head. He stares up
at the power cables, occassionally the sound of power surging
through and then sparking out.
The constant struggle for power continues, as James accepts a
call from the Mighty's.
JAMES
(into his phone)
Sup bros.
CUT TO BLACK.
THE END
Anyway, here are the main things that I feel that the script accomplishes to convey the message:
1) It has the non-linear story that doesn't feel forced and helps tell the story in a way that suits the story. It is better the structure is what it is instead of a linear story.
2) The main character's contradictions are clear. Due to the people he is with when he is talking, it makes sense why he would say what he says. He doesn't seem to care in front of the Mighty's because it's something they normally wouldn't sweat. He seems to be very into the crisis in front of Gina because it's something that she would care about.
3) The script, it seems, will be very easy to shoot. I don't imagine it being difficult to find locations that would be feasible to film.
I know that some of the odder moments maybe off putting (the Mighty commercial), but I find that some risks are worth taking. Whether or not it pays off, I have no clue.
The script is below (it's in text instead of the pdf because it's the only way I could share it)
Pluarality
by
Jacob Krivitzkin
FADE IN:
EXT. SIDEWALK - SUNSET
James, 17, walks down the neighborhood sidewalk, hands in
pockets. He stares down at the ground, headphones in ears.
From what the microphone can pick up, he's listening to loud
and messy metal.
The song ends and he skips a few tracks. We are now tuned
into the noise. Instead of music, dialogue is heard.
JAMES (V.O.)
Well isn't it obvious that we are
all fucked?
CEO (V.O.)
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. The
Mighty's do not associate with that
clown, nor the clowns that
associate themselves with that
clown.
CFO (V.O.)
Neva, ever!
GINA (V.O.)
The energy..
JAMES (V.O.)
Good ol 'lantis.
James takes out the earphones and inhales. He stares up at
the defunct power cables.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR
James sits alone, sullen... until a smile widens on his face.
CEO
That's a fool ol Curry.
He's sitting down with the CEO and the CFO of the Mighty's,
dressed in basketball clothes.
CUT TO:
INT. MIGHTY ROOM
The CEO and CFO of the Mighty's in a faux commercial:
CEO/CFO
(Simultaneously)
Hello planet Earth.
CEO (CONT’D)
I am the Cheif Executive Officer of
the Mighty's and disciple of Zues.
CFO
And I'm the Cheif Financial Officer
of the Mighty's and disciple of
Posideon.
CEO
We are a non-profit organization,
but we do take donations.
CFO
Not our faults.
CEO
Ever!
CUT TO:
INT.
A straight up improvised scene where the the three highest
officers of the Mighty's talk.
Things that need to be established:
1) James is a Mighty and the COO.
2) A lot of the lingo is used.
3) James is acting like them, but much more restrained.
4) It's a running joke, yet no one is willing to break it.
COO
Good ol Katrina.
CFO
Sexy ol Trina.
CEO
(hesitant)
Hey, don't you think we're all
fucked?
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM
JAMES
(Reading from phone)
Emergency Energy crisis! After the
near catastrophic nuclear plant
explosion and the high hikes in
coal and oil, Broward County is
likely to experience power outages
along with the rest of South
Florida. The White House has yet to
issue a statement. MORE COMING
SOON...
Gina and James are sitting down at a table, lit by candles,
shell shocked at the news.
GINA
That's why you asked me over. Any
time table?
JAMES
No. MORE COMING SOON... We are so
fucked.
GINA
Huh?
JAMES
Well isn't it obvious that we are
all fucked?
GINA
Well.. I don-
JAMES
Come on, Gina. "The White House has
yet to issue a statement." Why?
Because they are currently cooking
up some bullshit gumbo.
GINA
It hasn't been too long.
JAMES
Gina, please.
GINA
James.
JAMES
Don't be naive.
GINA
I'm not. I'm being practical. We
may not have TV for a few days, so
what? This isn't Katrina. There are
white people here.
JAMES
This isn't funny.
GINA
Either was Katrina.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR
CFO
CEO, it is irrelevant. Power
outages and what not. We've got the
mighty generators. Keep us nice us
nice and warm.
COO
And we still have the underwater
city.
CFO
Good ol 'lantis.
James laughs. Of course he's joking.
CEO
I'm just worried about gas prices.
I mean shit, they're going for $4
bucks a gallon. And the lines...
CFO
Just tell them that they're the CEO
of the Mighty's and all the cracker
jacks will move out of your way and
the gas station will give you all
the gas you want.
COO
It's a privilege to serve a Mighty.
Just roll up. "Excuse me sir!"
CFO
You won't even have to say that.
They know the Mightymobile on
sight.
COO
Of course. And drive up. The people
disperse like the Red Sea. Fill up.
Not my fault.
CFO
At all.
COO
The government will figure it out.
They always do.
The CEO doesn't looked all that convinced.
COO (CONT’D)
Anyway, back to Trina.
CUT TO:
INT. ROOM
JAMES
I'm not comparing it to Katrina.
GINA
Of course not, but... Whatever.
It's not important.
JAMES
Well this power outage thing
definately is. I mean, how are we
expected to be governed by a group
of knit-compoops, who don't really
give a shit about the electorate?
GINA
Sure, let's call for a revolution.
A coup d'etat. Those work.
JAMES
Coups work in Nigeria. It's how
they continually changed leaders in
the 70s and 80s. But in America,
the coup would be couped by the
government.
GINA
Is this a way to show you're
superior intellect?
JAMES
(sarcastic)
To the girl ranked 23 in the
school, yes of course.
GINA
This abrasive behavior will get you
far, keep going with it.
CUT TO:
EXT. FIELD - SUNSET
James, quiet for once, walks through the field with the
thoughts of what he said roam through his head. He stares up
at the power cables, occassionally the sound of power surging
through and then sparking out.
The constant struggle for power continues, as James accepts a
call from the Mighty's.
JAMES
(into his phone)
Sup bros.
CUT TO BLACK.
THE END
(Written Monday, March 20th)
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Driving at Night
There's no realistic way of actually shooting night. Even with current digital cameras that are able to capture low-light situations, the night is too dark that it's impossible to shoot without artificial lights.
The closest I've seen was this scene from Sicario, but even that.
The scene in question is the car scene with the Mighty's. I was thinking that since the energy crisis was occuring, that street lamps can't be in it. So, I've thought about how I could shoot the scene and came to a scene of Mad Men (Just finished season 5, so good). I noticed even though there are street lamps that provide light, there is a constant light on Don and Glen that isn't too bright and still allow the scene look like it's taking place at night.
Therefore, I need lights and I have time to play around with that.
And by the way, the car is going to be parked. No way I can film a driving car. The logisitical nightmare. Without a permit for filming on the road, the mounts, the rigs. I also don't have a green screen that big nor the software/ability to do that.
(Written Thursday, March 23rd)
The closest I've seen was this scene from Sicario, but even that.
The scene in question is the car scene with the Mighty's. I was thinking that since the energy crisis was occuring, that street lamps can't be in it. So, I've thought about how I could shoot the scene and came to a scene of Mad Men (Just finished season 5, so good). I noticed even though there are street lamps that provide light, there is a constant light on Don and Glen that isn't too bright and still allow the scene look like it's taking place at night.
Therefore, I need lights and I have time to play around with that.
And by the way, the car is going to be parked. No way I can film a driving car. The logisitical nightmare. Without a permit for filming on the road, the mounts, the rigs. I also don't have a green screen that big nor the software/ability to do that.
(Written Thursday, March 23rd)
Festival Card
All previous posts have focused on the short itself, yet I've completely neglected the two other important products. As you've guessed from the title, it's about the card.
I have limited knowledge on advertisment (even though I think I do after watching Mad Men) and color pyschology. This is the one I expect to probably do the worst in, to be frank. I'm obvious going to try, but it's a hard thing to create.
Here is the link to the first draft of it. It's a rough draft done on the school iPad during class. The real thing would be more professional made on photoshop, but I'm not too sure of it. I was planning on the background being grey and the two colors from the opposite sides of the color wheel popping out.
I actually really would like help from my peers and hope when we meet next week to help me make something a lot better.
(Writteen Saturday, March 25th)
I have limited knowledge on advertisment (even though I think I do after watching Mad Men) and color pyschology. This is the one I expect to probably do the worst in, to be frank. I'm obvious going to try, but it's a hard thing to create.
Here is the link to the first draft of it. It's a rough draft done on the school iPad during class. The real thing would be more professional made on photoshop, but I'm not too sure of it. I was planning on the background being grey and the two colors from the opposite sides of the color wheel popping out.
I actually really would like help from my peers and hope when we meet next week to help me make something a lot better.
(Writteen Saturday, March 25th)
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Title
Ya. This week was a busy one. I went to watch the NCAA tournament up in Orlando on Thursday, went to UF on Friday, leased a dorm, and somewhere in between those two I decided I was going to UF.
So, I didn't finish the screenplay this weekend like I said I was. I know, I know. I have a few weeks to finish the entire project. But I didn't come empty-handed today.
I have a title.
So now I can change the heading of the blog from "Untitled Short" to Plurality.
Directing
Panic button had been pressed. Along with the rest of life's obstacles, I've been dedicating some time for the past two nights writing the script with two pages to show for it. I'm a slow writer and it's quite annoying. Dialogue doesn't flow out of my brain to the screen easily.
But the real reason I've pressed the metaphorical panic button is because I realized while writing this that the short is dialogue heavy and dialogue driven.
HOW AM I GOING TO DIRECT THIS??
Look, I've watched too much TV and movies to know what a scene with two to three people sitting at a table talking looks like, but I feel that I need to do something with a flair. That if I simply shoot the thing shot-counter-shot that it will turn out too boring and will have nothing to write about during my analysis essay. Obviously shot-counter-shot will be utilized but I need to add that extra something else to make the piece more engaging (I know the dialogue should be engaging, but I hold no promises).
I had an idea to do just that. If one has ever seen Do the Right Thing, this scene should be one that sticks out (the second half anyway). Speaking from a directorial standpoint, the addressing to the camera is bold and I thought I could do the same thing, but for a different purpose, story wise. I thought that I could have either the Mighty's introduce themselves or speak to a cause talking to the camera. I feel that this is something different that most wouldn't attempt and I want to standout in a way.
I feel that it would be best for the "Mighty's" and not the other group due to their outlandish and silly presence.
I'll test it and if worst comes to worst, then I'll cut it.
(Written Wednesday, March 15)
But the real reason I've pressed the metaphorical panic button is because I realized while writing this that the short is dialogue heavy and dialogue driven.
HOW AM I GOING TO DIRECT THIS??
Look, I've watched too much TV and movies to know what a scene with two to three people sitting at a table talking looks like, but I feel that I need to do something with a flair. That if I simply shoot the thing shot-counter-shot that it will turn out too boring and will have nothing to write about during my analysis essay. Obviously shot-counter-shot will be utilized but I need to add that extra something else to make the piece more engaging (I know the dialogue should be engaging, but I hold no promises).
I had an idea to do just that. If one has ever seen Do the Right Thing, this scene should be one that sticks out (the second half anyway). Speaking from a directorial standpoint, the addressing to the camera is bold and I thought I could do the same thing, but for a different purpose, story wise. I thought that I could have either the Mighty's introduce themselves or speak to a cause talking to the camera. I feel that this is something different that most wouldn't attempt and I want to standout in a way.
I feel that it would be best for the "Mighty's" and not the other group due to their outlandish and silly presence.
I'll test it and if worst comes to worst, then I'll cut it.
(Written Wednesday, March 15)
Epiphany
Well, after a week of struggling with writing I finally got my sh- stuff together and have a basic outline. It seems that daydreaming in APES (AP Environmental Science) has paid off.
The basic plot is that there will be two separate conversations that the main character has with two different groups of people. Through the dialogue and acting, it will be clear that the main character is a contradictory person with no real opinion. He is a floating soul trying to figure out where he fits in. It ends with him alone and performs an action that is contradictory to what he said with both groups.
The two groups he talks to are his "Mighty" friends and his platonic girlfriends. The "Mightys" are a fake "non-profit organization, but we do take donations." There's a CEO, CFO (he's currently failing Algebra 2) and our main character (COO). There's a bunch of privates and they are in alliances with TTP and Butter Squad. Yes. It's suppose to sound ridiculous because it is ridiculous. Our main character is well aware of the silliness of the group, yet goes along with the dumb lingo (NMF, NOF, AYF, SAD ADH) because they are fun to be around. He only wonders if the CEO and CFO are too serious about their organization.
The other group is comprised of platonic girlfriends. While the Mighty's are a bunch of idiots and the main character plays the straight man, with this group he gets to be the crazy one. The one with the one-liners, the funny one. They are more serious and more normal than the Mighty's. They are also more informed and realists.
The premise of the short is that there's a big news story. Possibly worrying about AI/ nuclear holocaust. That life can be over in a snap. Or it could be something political (but no Trump. We get it, he sucks, I don't want to taint my short with him). The two groups have different opinions, therefore the main character will have different opinions. It's clear that neither are his 100% true feelings on the subject, but he's conflicted.
Now, the easy part: writing the actual script (How hard is it to detect sarcasm in text?). It should be done by the weekend so I can start scouting locations and casting. Oh, how joyous.
Now, the easy part: writing the actual script (How hard is it to detect sarcasm in text?). It should be done by the weekend so I can start scouting locations and casting. Oh, how joyous.
(Written Monday, March 13)
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Peer Meeting
Well...
I don't think the peer meeting was exactly the home run I needed at the moment, but it was a nice single.
I told my group some of the thoughts I had (and lack of) and there was a consensus on a few things:
1) I need to start getting to work, like, yesteryear.
2) The idea is neat
3) The writing has to be really solid
4) I can be really bad at communicating my thoughts at times
There was also some suggestions:
1) Possibly work with the lighting for the different sides (though subtle)
2) Have different people playing the same person (that was then quickly deemed too confusing)
3) Have the character be with a lot of different cliques or groups and show how he (yes "he") is with different people and then show his true self at the end
4) Abandon the parallel structure (I said "Naw, I'm good)
I listened with no reservations or pre-conceived notions, nothing. I was open-minded about the thing. I needed a spark that just wasn't coming.
And it's a start.
Regarding this project, that is the most hopefully thing that has happened since Monday.
(Written Friday, March 10.)
I don't think the peer meeting was exactly the home run I needed at the moment, but it was a nice single.
I told my group some of the thoughts I had (and lack of) and there was a consensus on a few things:
1) I need to start getting to work, like, yesteryear.
2) The idea is neat
3) The writing has to be really solid
4) I can be really bad at communicating my thoughts at times
There was also some suggestions:
1) Possibly work with the lighting for the different sides (though subtle)
2) Have different people playing the same person (that was then quickly deemed too confusing)
3) Have the character be with a lot of different cliques or groups and show how he (yes "he") is with different people and then show his true self at the end
4) Abandon the parallel structure (I said "Naw, I'm good)
I listened with no reservations or pre-conceived notions, nothing. I was open-minded about the thing. I needed a spark that just wasn't coming.
And it's a start.
Regarding this project, that is the most hopefully thing that has happened since Monday.
(Written Friday, March 10.)
Writer's Block.
Well, crap.
As stated above, I am experiencing writer's block. Bad block. It's currently a struggle to eek out this post, cause I am overwhelmed. I'm hoping this post will help my brain start up again.
I can't exactly pin-point the exact root of the issue, but I've felt as all creative forces have been purged out of me. I have a big project for Comp Sci that's due Friday, but big projects haven't messed me up like this before. It could be the absurdly busy 3rd quarter of my Senior year. Teachers are cramming a lot in and I was just not prepared for it. I think the biggest issue is deciding what college I want to go to, thinking about all the variables and scenarios that could factor my decision. It's been too much to think about and has consumed a lot of me-thinking-alone-in-my-room/class-time.
Whatever it is, it's putting a number on me. Can't think of anything for this short. It's not the idea, the idea is something that could be great. It's just my current state. I need to get my head out of my *** and get back to working. I've been watching TV and movies to try and jump start something to no avail. I'm hoping this peer meeting we have on Friday will do something to get me back on track, because if I don't, I know I'll be in some deep crap going forward.
(Maybe sitting at the poker table tonight will do something for me. I doubt it.)
(Written Thursday, March 9.)
As stated above, I am experiencing writer's block. Bad block. It's currently a struggle to eek out this post, cause I am overwhelmed. I'm hoping this post will help my brain start up again.
I can't exactly pin-point the exact root of the issue, but I've felt as all creative forces have been purged out of me. I have a big project for Comp Sci that's due Friday, but big projects haven't messed me up like this before. It could be the absurdly busy 3rd quarter of my Senior year. Teachers are cramming a lot in and I was just not prepared for it. I think the biggest issue is deciding what college I want to go to, thinking about all the variables and scenarios that could factor my decision. It's been too much to think about and has consumed a lot of me-thinking-alone-in-my-room/class-time.
Whatever it is, it's putting a number on me. Can't think of anything for this short. It's not the idea, the idea is something that could be great. It's just my current state. I need to get my head out of my *** and get back to working. I've been watching TV and movies to try and jump start something to no avail. I'm hoping this peer meeting we have on Friday will do something to get me back on track, because if I don't, I know I'll be in some deep crap going forward.
(Maybe sitting at the poker table tonight will do something for me. I doubt it.)
(Written Thursday, March 9.)
Honing the Purpose
Welcome all that actually read these.
Last week I had no direction on what this short would be. I knew that I liked Memento, and I wanted parallel storylines to converge into an epic conclusion, but no idea on what the situation, theme, or purpose was.
And I still don't. Well, that's not true. I have one of those things, which is the purpose of the story. Still no plot, characters, etc. but I know what story I want to tell. Am I making any sense?
OK, so I want this story to be about how regular people have different aspects of their personality and who they share themselves with it. Now, the character wasn't tortured as a child, doesn't have multiple personalities, nor a murderer, but a regular teen (yeah teen. I don't know any adults who would be willing to act.) We as human beings put on different masks on with different people, whether it be with a certain group of friends, the opposite sex, family, etc. We are slight variations of ourselves around other people. This begs the question: is there a true self? When does this person "come out"? (Well that's two questions, but that's irrelevant).
I find this extremely interesting and have no clue how it will be executed. Still no plot, characters, etc. but I know the purpose and I feel excited about it. The different scenarios that play out in my head is nearly overwhelming. But I'm confident I'll get something good out of this. Hopefully, sooner than later.
(This was written back on Tuesday, March 7.)
Last week I had no direction on what this short would be. I knew that I liked Memento, and I wanted parallel storylines to converge into an epic conclusion, but no idea on what the situation, theme, or purpose was.
And I still don't. Well, that's not true. I have one of those things, which is the purpose of the story. Still no plot, characters, etc. but I know what story I want to tell. Am I making any sense?
OK, so I want this story to be about how regular people have different aspects of their personality and who they share themselves with it. Now, the character wasn't tortured as a child, doesn't have multiple personalities, nor a murderer, but a regular teen (yeah teen. I don't know any adults who would be willing to act.) We as human beings put on different masks on with different people, whether it be with a certain group of friends, the opposite sex, family, etc. We are slight variations of ourselves around other people. This begs the question: is there a true self? When does this person "come out"? (Well that's two questions, but that's irrelevant).
I find this extremely interesting and have no clue how it will be executed. Still no plot, characters, etc. but I know the purpose and I feel excited about it. The different scenarios that play out in my head is nearly overwhelming. But I'm confident I'll get something good out of this. Hopefully, sooner than later.
(This was written back on Tuesday, March 7.)
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Mad Men
I've been driving all day and am damn tired. After a night out in Tallahassee, my mother and I drove back home. That's a seven hour drive. And there was an accident on the Florida Turnpike, "The Less Stressway!"
Anyway, it gave me time to read, talk to my wonderful mother, and watch some TV. I downloaded a few episodes of Mad Men (on Netflix) and was blown away by the writing and acting. It transcends the soap-opera it could (and really should) be and makes it into some of the best television one could watch.
However, there was an episode specifically that caught my attention. The episode, "Far Away Places", was spectacular for numerous reasons (the direction is some of the most unique to be offered in television). But the thing that really stood out was the structure of the episode. Three different stories all diverging from one interaction, all about the relationships between the three leads of the stories (Peggy, Roger, and Don) and their significant others (Abe, Jane, and Megan, respectively). It was wholly unique, in a series that is willing to take chances, narrative-wise.
After watching this episode, I realized that I want my short to do something like this. I understand my time-restrictions, therefore three stories would be reduced to two, but I found something so rich for the story, as it wasn't using the structure as a way to deliver twists to the audience, but a way to present common themes in the piece.
I have no clue on how I would so it, but I think this has sent me down in the right direction.
Anyway, it gave me time to read, talk to my wonderful mother, and watch some TV. I downloaded a few episodes of Mad Men (on Netflix) and was blown away by the writing and acting. It transcends the soap-opera it could (and really should) be and makes it into some of the best television one could watch.
However, there was an episode specifically that caught my attention. The episode, "Far Away Places", was spectacular for numerous reasons (the direction is some of the most unique to be offered in television). But the thing that really stood out was the structure of the episode. Three different stories all diverging from one interaction, all about the relationships between the three leads of the stories (Peggy, Roger, and Don) and their significant others (Abe, Jane, and Megan, respectively). It was wholly unique, in a series that is willing to take chances, narrative-wise.
After watching this episode, I realized that I want my short to do something like this. I understand my time-restrictions, therefore three stories would be reduced to two, but I found something so rich for the story, as it wasn't using the structure as a way to deliver twists to the audience, but a way to present common themes in the piece.
I have no clue on how I would so it, but I think this has sent me down in the right direction.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Introduction
This is my AS level blog from last year. I decided to create a new blog because last year's blog name doesn't fit the name nor theme of this one. I really don't have a current name or theme but I know that it's different from last year's.
I am very excited to start a new project. I've learned a lot about filmmaking from last year and I feel as if I have to prove that I can improve from last year. My thought process during my AS level was to try and make the opening look good. I was too busy thinking about how to pull off a one shot, that I never really thought how to make the story work. I threw away acting to make something easy, and not what was best for the piece.
But enough about the past, I need to start thinking about the future. This project. I have plenty ideas for the short film, but I am unsure what can be manageable with the current budget: $0. Maybe I could raise $20, spend it on lights. Anyway, I want to tell a story that challenges both myself and the audience. I want to do a story that's non-linear, very post-modern. I find myself drawn to those stories, things like Memento, Pulp Fiction, Before the Fall, Arrival, etc. The thing that appeals to me in those stories are that plot points, character moments, revelations can be expressed in very creative ways that satisfies the audience.
Until the next post, I'll be mulling ideas and re-watching some pieces of media to see what I think would work. It feels like the calm before the storm, before the sh*t hits the fan. I can't wait to see what happenes.
I am very excited to start a new project. I've learned a lot about filmmaking from last year and I feel as if I have to prove that I can improve from last year. My thought process during my AS level was to try and make the opening look good. I was too busy thinking about how to pull off a one shot, that I never really thought how to make the story work. I threw away acting to make something easy, and not what was best for the piece.
But enough about the past, I need to start thinking about the future. This project. I have plenty ideas for the short film, but I am unsure what can be manageable with the current budget: $0. Maybe I could raise $20, spend it on lights. Anyway, I want to tell a story that challenges both myself and the audience. I want to do a story that's non-linear, very post-modern. I find myself drawn to those stories, things like Memento, Pulp Fiction, Before the Fall, Arrival, etc. The thing that appeals to me in those stories are that plot points, character moments, revelations can be expressed in very creative ways that satisfies the audience.
Until the next post, I'll be mulling ideas and re-watching some pieces of media to see what I think would work. It feels like the calm before the storm, before the sh*t hits the fan. I can't wait to see what happenes.
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