Final Links

Film openong link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHDe6p8FpA/-lUkCJmJ7im2a9qX3D_opQ/watch?utm_content=DAHDe6p8FpA&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hbeb9422ec6 

 CCR Questions 1&2: CCR Video

  CCR Questions 3&4: CCR Video

CCR Question 4 and script

 Question #4: How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?

An important role of technology in our film opening was played. In the case of hardware, we utilized a professional filming camera in order to capture the scenes and various angles and quality. In the case of software, we applied video editing applications to assemble clips, change the pace, and add sound and music with I Movie and non copy write music. The editing software was used to arrange our footage and to produce an easier final product. The online tools and research also helped us to look at examples of film openings, get inspiration in music, and get to know about the conventions of the genre. In sum, having hardware, editing software and web research enabled us to produce a more smooth and professional work.

Script for running "Kate Mackz Style" running interview: 

Interviewer: LOVE THAT!! Alright next question as we go around this mile, how and what technology did you use throughout the project?

Myself: There was truthfully a lot of technology involved in it. Our main hardware was cameras to literally film the scenes. Then we edited all of it together, changed the pacing, and inserted music and sound effects to create suspense. During planning, we also used the internet much to research the film openings and also to be inspired about the genre. Thus it was more of a combination of hardware, software, and web tools that allowed us to get to where we are with the entire project.

CCR Question 3 and script

 Question #3: How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

My production skills improved significantly throughout this project as I was planning, moving to the filming and time management.  I was primarily concerned with the general concept of the story, as the project progressed, however, I began to reflect on more technical aspects of camera angles, lighting, sound and pacing. I was taught how various shots may vary the atmosphere of a shot, such as a wide shooting to reveal the setting, and a close-up to reveal some significant information. Another thing I enhanced was plan scenes in advance by use of story boards and shot list. The other skill that I acquired was problem solving, particularly in matters of schedule change and changing locations. All in all, the project allowed me to realize the number of various steps involved in the creation of a film opening and how to work more effectively in the production process.

Script for running "Kate Mackz Style" running interview: 

Interviewer (behind camera): Alright Avery, we are about to start our mile, as we go,  im going to your thriller film opening extracurriculars!, My first question is how did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Myself: Honestly, they evolved a lot in the process. I was mostly at all times thinking about the plot, however, as we began shooting, I understood the importance of technical aspects, such as camera angles, lighting, timing, and especially sound. I also got to know the impact of various shots on the mood of a scene, particularly when it involves a thriller. I also improved on pre planning with shot list and story boards to allow easier filming. And we did have to problem solve in between with time schedule and location shifts, which allowed me to become more flexible in production.

Research Questions # 1-2

 Question #1: How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

Our movie opening conforms to many thriller tropes, like mystery and suspense. In the beginning, the viewers are presented with a typical high school environment where there is cheer and basketball practice which is realistic and ordinary.  Then the tone is altered as the main character is depicted rushing and packing drugs. This puts a strain and the audience begins to ask questions. We also break stereotypes to some extent since cheerleaders and athletes are typically portrayed in certyain manner, yet in our opening they are engaged in something secretive, which is unexpected by the audience.

Podcast Script for Question 1: 

Host: First question then, how do your film make use of or break the rules of the genre?

Myself: In our movie, the opening is made in the way of a thriller such as mystery and suspense. It begins in a normal high school scenario where there is cheer and basketball practice which is not new to the audience. Then the tone shifts when the main character is depicted to be in a hurry and stuffing drugs. This shift creates tension. We also break the stereotypes as cheerleaders and athletes are commonly presented in stereotypical manner but in our opening they are engaged in something more mysterious.

Question #2: How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

We do not describe it all immediately, and this leaves the viewers wondering what is happening. The last line, Are you ready" also leaves the audience with questions. Had it been an actual film, it would most likely be streamed on such websites as Netflix or Hulu due to their availability to a large portion of younger audiences. It might also be advertised on the social media using trailers and clips.

Podcast Script for Question 2: 

Host: Wow!! im already hooked in, but how would your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

Myself: What our film does is to create curiosity to the audience. We do not tell everything at all, and viewers desire to know what is going on. The last line, Are you ready? makes the audience ask questions. The full movie, it would most likely be released on other streaming services, such as Netflix or Hulu, and marketed through social media by showing trailers and clips to appeal to younger viewers.

CCR Production Ideas

 I am doing a total of two CCR's, and I decided that I am going to do one simple, and the other that is cute and creative!!

For my first simple one, I am going to do a podcast answering the first two questions. I love listening to podcasts and one of my favorites is the Jake Shane Podcasts its comedic and always has an interesting twist. I also love his set up, its so cozy and put together. I want to produce an atmosphere in my own recording, and to provide a space that would be both aesthetically refined and professional enough, so that I can approach these questions with both humor and seriousness.

"Therapuss" Jake Shane Podcast

My set is my living room to replicate that same feeling of being at the comfy home that Jake Shane allows his guests to identify with. Nonetheless, I want do the high level of production, I will be using a professional microphone set to make sure the sound will be of the studio quality. I am hoping to achieve a balance between the homely and the professional by using both quality sound equipment and quality camera equipment, such that the atmosphere is friendly.

My second CCR is going to be an interview but i'm gonna shake it up a little. Something I love to do is run and I decided to do what Kate Mackz does. She interviews celebrities and influencers while going on runs around that persons town. It's a great way to market new music, movies, and collabs. 

Kate Mackz

The setting would be at the beach to make it more aesthetically pleasing and not so bland. I will also use a phone holder and a wireless microphone just as Kate does to make these videos.

I will be filming at this beach (Fort Lauderdale)

Filming time management

 One of the main things while trying to stay organized during the stressful changes is making a detailed schedule.

Tomorrow we are going to be filming straight after school with about 10 people and about 5 have to be finished by 3:30 and school ends at 2:45.

Having to go to bathrooms to get in costumes and just get ready we would be out and ready to film at the courts around 3:05. We would begin filming and we already have our scenes and shots carefully planned out. We would hope to finished shooting all the group scenes by 3:30. 

Straight after that we would get the shots of our girl main main character single shots. 

We would head to my house (hope fully around 4:00), get all the props and change Miahs costume finish the room shots of just her because she has to be back home at 6pm. We would do the car scene with Miah and Trevor, our two main characters, and get all the shots and extra ones we need.

Now after shooting with all characters, my partner and I will head over to the Fort Lauderdale airport and get the shots we need of driving there and the imagery needed without characters. 

I am really confident that this will all work out and we will finish with all the shots needed. All me and my partner need is time and we both have all after school day for that! 

Setting Change

 The second biggest challenge that our group had to go through was the change of setting. At first, we were planning on using the basketball court and the room of Camila as our primary locations. The decision to select these settings in the storyline and the provision of an environment of a real high school. The room of Camila was also of great significance, since it enabled us to depict more personal and emotional scenes that contributed to the formation of her personality. This changed when Camila was not part of the project anymore, and there was no more possibility of using her room. That made us reconsider the manner in which we were going to shoot those character driven mise-en-scene. To add to it all, the basketball court incident was also a source of greater stress. We had settled on the indoor basketball court as the setting even if we couldn’t use the basketball team, and we discovered that it was being repainted and redone on the day we were to shoot. This totally disturbed our initial schedule. The access to the space and the time to shoot the film before construction started could not be shifted since the sports facilities are usually congested and have tight schedules. Due to these unforeseen developments, we were forced to have rapid adjustment. As we could not have filmed in the room of Camila, we settled on using my room and other sections of my home. This in fact played to our advantage as it provided us with greater control of lighting, sound and timing. We did not have to fear about interruptions and permission asking to use the space. In the basketball shots, we changed to the outside field basketball court of the school. It was not what we initially meant but we were able to maintain the athletic feel we had in mind. We simply needed to be conscious of weather, background noise and lighting as we were now shooting out on location.

Obstacles Part 2

Casting was one of the greatest challenges that our group had to overcome. At first we would have preferred everything to be as realistic as we could, we originally were going  to have a basketball team use our practice scenes, it would have been the real Cypress Bay basketball team. We believed that this would make the movie appear more real because they already possess the uniforms, chemistry and the actual experience of playing together. It was strictly prohibited to record at school and that just could not happen to me and my partner due to lack of time since we both are in full schedules at school and could not waste instruction time. It was not realistic to skip classes to shoot and it would have left us behind in terms of schoolwork.

Due to this that we were forced to alter our initial plan entirely. We had to have our other guy friends come and replace the basketball players in their positions rather than getting the official team involved. This solution was successful but it brought other problems. They needed to know how to position, to play naturally on the field and to make the scenes appear as real despite the fact they are not in the team. This also required us to have schedules that suited all our schedules after school which involved a great deal of organization by having to use group chats and constantly communicating with every single person.

The same was with the role of the girls. We initially considered having the real Cypress Bay cheerleaders in the film to make the scenes more authentic and school spirited. Unluckily, they were not given a chance to film after school either. This presented another challenge since we needed to do most of our shooting out of school hours. I chose to  fill one of the positions, as well as two of our close friends. This required a rapid change in choreography and costume arrangements and ensuring that the energy remained natural.

Obstacles Part 1

Through this whole process a lot has changed. 

Getting a bunch of high school students who all have their own things to take care of together is harder than you think. Our main character Camila, is no longer our main role, it is now going to be our friend Miah filling in! As for our boy main character he is on the school baseball team and it was hard to even get him to film just him. We were going to switch him out for someone else, but we found a day to get him after school and for the single shooting at night the same day!!

Overall this experience has taught my partner and I how during film production, communication and time management is key. We knew before starting this process not everything was going to go as planned, that is why we were prepared for things like this and had a plan B.

Production Process Update

 As of right now we have not began filming, but we have everything ready to begin such as people, props, film material, and settings. Today I will be discussing the things I just previously listed and how it will be in our film. I will also be going over how we are going to take on the scenes in all!

As for the people that are going to be in the opening are our four boys, the main character boy Conor, the other boys Rick, Nick, and Melvin. There will be 3 girls, the main character Camila, along with the two other girls Halle and Avery.

The boys will be using there basketball practice uniforms and athleisure wear, and the cheerleaders are going to wear there Cypress Bay Cheerleader merch. The costumes are obviously a great way to tell the audience that it is a high school basketball team and cheer team. When Camila is in her room rushing she will be wearing an all black sweat set. 

The props used are basketball, pom poms, cheer-bag, and duffle bag (drug bag). These are the main props used in both scenes. 

MEET OUR CHARACTER CAMILA

 In creating our main character we wanted her to be natural and not over the \

op or stereotypical. We were aware of the fact that she had to blend perfectly well within the high school setting but there had to be an element of mystery to her as well. Camila symbolizes a person who will fit into the regular school life, while the twist at the beginning is more successful. We did not want to make her clearly suspicious, but to create an impression of a person who is calm and barely noticeable at the first look.

When she was developing her identity we considered how minor details would make her who she is. Her presence on screen is the manner in which she conducts herself, the manner in which she responds in times of stress and even the speed of her movements. She is not too emotional or dramatical. Rather, she is intense with subtle facial expressions and restrained body language. This aids in keeping the mysterious feeling of the beginning. 

We have also thought over her character in the world of the movie. She is placed in an environment that appears to be ordinary and common, and her actions become more crazy and out of the ordinaru afterward. Such a contrast is crucial as it makes the audience doubt their knowledge about her. We do not tell you everything about her life, we just show the viewers and ask them to make their own opinion.

CAMLIAS VIBEE

EDITING

 Editing is one aspect of our production process that is very crucial as it is what unites it all. We have checked all our clips and then selected the best ones after filming.

In the initial scenes in the gym, we will use slower cuts to demonstrate the regular school life. We do not want the pacing to be hurried either early in it since this assists in creating contrast later.

In the packing scene, we are also going to utilize faster cuts to increase the speed. It will enhance the intensity of the scene and make it more stressful. We can also make the color a little darker so as to suit the serious tone.

We will also do a close editing of the final car scene to make the final line effective. The suspense before Are you ready? will be significant to create suspense.

Editing helps with mood and pacing and this is extremely crucial in thriller-type openings.

LOCATION

 Our two main locations in the our film "Extracurricular" are the school basketball court and our main character Camilas room.

We are going to first film in the basketball courts and make sure to get the various camera shots including wide shots that will capture the entire gym set up, and medium shots where the main characters will be positioned. There were also several tries of the mysterious look between two characters to ensure that it did not seem artificial.

Schools basketball court that we are using.

Background noise at the gym will be one of the obstacles that we are likely to encounter. Gyms are echoing so we needed to ensure that our camera was in place and the audio was comprehensible. We will consider the possibility of making a few improvements in editing in respect to some sounds. Recording of these scenes aided in setting up the scene of normal school before the atmosphere changes in the later stages of the opening.

In the second setting its going to be dimmed lit in the characters room. Giving a completely different vibe from the beginning. 

LOGO

 For our logo we decided to keep it simple and professional. 

At first we were thinking to into it trying to connect it to our film, but as we looked at the time it was angel numbers! My partner and I then decided to go with "333 Lucky Productions". The number design would almost repersent a four leaf clover to symbolize the luck.

In coming up with the logo, we gave attention to simple font and graphics in order to make sure that it was not crowded. The time it would take on the screen was also a consideration to us. The majority of professionally made logos in production are very brief and direct hence we ensured that our version took just a few seconds at the start of the film.

Overall, helped the project feel professional and real, and made me more excited for the final product!!

Our production logo

Mis-en-scene part two: props, lighting

 One of the most important parts of the scenes is the use of props which makes the scenes appear realistic and believable. There is also the use of props at the start like cheer pom-poms and basketballs to clearly demonstrate the school setting. The scene is made to be very natural and relatable as these props are typical of a high school sports environment. They also aid the audience by letting them get to know exactly what is going on without having to tell them.

Lighting also plays a very significant role in mood and atmosphere creation. The lighting in the school scenes is more natural and brighter. This kind of light is common in a gym and it contributes to the realization of the setting to be normal and familiar. The brightness also enables the audience to clearly observe the environment and get the place.

Overall, the mise-en-scene elements of our film opening, props and lighting, ensure the creation of realism, the establishment of mood, and the visual narration of the scene. These things contribute to the fact that the opening will be interesting and effective to the audience.

Audio

 Audio is important in any thriller, but especially our opening. As music is crucial in any teen movie - which is what we are displaying in the first scene, but towards the end when it has a more rushed tone we need to transition those audios and tones together.

Using foley sound is one of the things that we are considering, this is sound effects recreated and added in the editing use. As an example, this may be footsteps, the movement of fabric, door opening, or picked up objects. Foley is able to make the scenes more authentic and bring the audience closer to the movie. But, however, we are yet not certain whether it will be natural to sound, and we intend to test it and know whether it will enhance the quality of the opening. When it sounds good and is realistic, then we shall incorporate it in order to improve the overall audio.

In the first scene, cheer practice and basketball practice, we desire the sound more to be natural and realistic to be in line with the school. Among the methods that we are considering is the diegetic sound, which involves the environmental sounds that include sneakers on the ground, the sound of balls bouncing, cheers and talking of the people. The other idea is to adopt light background music like calm or neutral instrumental music. This may assist in setting the scene without excessive tension being set too soon. This enhances the suspenseful music that comes later due to contrast.

Mis-en-scene part one: clothing, set

 In our short amount of time in the opening mise-en-scene is extremely important. Costume and set are some of the main aspects we paid attention to in order to make the scenes believable and easily demonstrate various locations and situations. These factors of costumes, background sounds and setting allow the viewer to learn the atmosphere with no dialogue.

In the first scene we have the clothing pretty planned out, cheer uniforms, basketball jerseys, basketball court, but as of the scene of being in her room while packing the drugs and rushing we haven't determined. We are stuck between if she is going to be in a more normal clothes or a spy attire. 

Leaning to the more normal side, the comfy clothing suits the house environment and makes the scene look natural and real. The costumes also are more neutral and not as bright compared to cheer uniform, which contributes to the more serious aspect of the scene. This juxtaposition of costumes assists in demonstrating the contrast in settings, the school and the home.

Another mise-en-scene element is the set. The school setting including the cheer practice field and basketball court contribute to the formation of a familiar high school setting. These are open settings that the viewer can identify with and this makes the film real and identifiable to the viewer. Home environment is more intimate and contained and this makes the atmosphere different. This shift of location contributes to developing diversity and makes the audience interested.

Character Development

The development of our two characters is a major part in the film. While keeping both our characters mysterious but also revealing their personalities. We did not want to fully explain who they are, but rather used actions, expressions and contrasts to hint at a deeper level, as well as to stimulate audience to pose questions.

At the beginning of the film, the female character is depicted during cheer practice, thus appearing like a typical high school student. Cheerleaders are perceived to be participating in school activities and having an ordinary teenage lifestyle. This assists in making the audience view her as a person who is common and likable initially. The scene changes to her at home, and her character begins to grow. She is in a hurry and is loading drugs fast, and this indicates that she is having a different life and life that is not even similar to the one she is portraying at school. This contradiction depicts that she has been living a dual life. Her personality is also serious and concentrated since she does not speak and expresses herself in her actions and expressions. This makes her out to be more mysterious and leaves the audience to wonder what is the motivation behind this.

The male character is also introduced at basketball practice which makes him appear as a normal student. Basketball players are perceived to be self assured and disciplined. As he shares a look with the female character is an indication that he is aware of something about her or is somehow involved with her. This scene shaping his personality as a conscious person. It turns out at the end of the beginning that he is the one driving the car that picks her. When he questions, Are you ready? it is indicative that he is already in it and aware of what is going on. This makes him appear more mature and it demonstrates the fact that he is a part of her mysterious existence.

Inspiration

We are currently finishing up week 3 of the portfolio project and me and my partner both a have sturdy full idea of the whole film opening!

My partner and I film opening idea is the movie begins with a teenage girl, who seems to have a typical life in high school, starting with her at the cheerleading practice, and shots of boys at basketball practice. These are the points where she shares a quick, mysterious glance with a basketball player, which makes it intriguing but no romance. The story is then changed to her house, in which she is depicted rushing and getting ready to leave, which alludes to a secret side of her life. The beginning ends with the picking up of the girl by a car that turns out to be driven by the basketball player in the previous segment whether she is ready or not. This denouement also leaves questions in the minds of the viewer and creates a theme of secrets and two lives, making viewers want to watch more.

The major inspiration of this film was including drug abuse in any way we could. I thought it would be a good idea to include that because, although a very talked about topic it can be displayed in many unique entertaining ways. One of my favorite drama films, Beautiful Boy, which demonstrates a drug addiction perfectly with the good and bad times about. Even though our film will be nothing like this I wanted to film and make a film including that. 

Media Theory

One media theory that will clearly be in our film opening is cultivation theory. Cultivation theory in media is gradually shapes viewers' perceptions of social reality to align with the media's portrayals, creating a shared "mainstream" worldview, like heavy TV viewers believing the world is more violent. 

We use Cultivation Theory in the very beginning of our movie when we contrast a typical life of a teenager and something much more frightening and hidden. In the beginning part, the audience is introduced to some more familiar and recognizable and teen film settings such as cheer practice and basketball practice that are usually perceived as the typical high school life. These scenes are a continuation of what the viewers already know of in teen dramas and sports movies and routine is reinforced. By starting the opening in the such a way, we create the belief that the characters are ordinary teenagers among millions of others. 

Cultivation Theory is also supported by the very mysterious look exchanged between the cheerleader and the basketball player. Though it is not a romantic moment, it leaves a feeling of tension and curiosity, and makes the audience assume that there is something deeper or a secret between them. Media usually triggers viewers to believe that characters that exchange a glance of some sort are somehow related in some manner and we exploit this fact to get the audience to watch.

Overall, our film introduction uses Cultivation Theory to shape the way viewers see the details of the teenage life fusing what can be seen as natural with the elements that cannot be anticipated. This mixture causes the viewer to question appearances and believe that what might be viewed as normal at the surface might be a more truth behind it.