Post Production: Editing 2

 Editing

I had to correct the sound in my first scene today since the sound of the clip was extremely windy. At the time I captured the shot, I did not realize what that wind would sound like, but as soon as I placed the clip into ClipChamp, I knew. Due to it being an establishing shot and having no dialouge there being such heavy wind is a major problem.

Due to this, I completely muted the original clip and found a sound effect that fits the outside atmosphere. I wanted to find one to fit the thriller genre. Each small detail is so important that even the smallest background sounds will change the mood of the viewers. 

 Even though nothing was altered that is being viewed. The sound I added adds so much to the ambiance of the whole project, making it feel more and more like it belongs in the thriller genre.

Post Production: Editing 1

 Editing

Hi blog! Today marks a major milestone for this project... Editing.

After spending so much time planning and recording all the clips for my film's opening, starting up Clipchamp felt like such a relief.  Today is not about using sound effects or creating transitions. It's about structure. I went through all my clips, placed them next to eachother and let it all play together.

This might not sound like a huge achievement, but for me it's a huge step forward. Seeing everything together allowed me to see what clips need fixing, reshooting, or what came out perfect. At the moment, everything is super messy, but I kinda like it as it shows all the work my partner and I have put into this project.

As of now im focused on building the overall structure for our film opening. All the more complicated stuff, like sound and effects, will come soon. Today was really just about getting everything into one place and beginning the editing process. It feels amazing to finally move on from the production and planning stage of the project. I am starting to see the finish line.

Production: Lighting

 Lighting!

Hi blog! When making a film, lighting is one of the most important parts of the production process. In order to make our opening presentable, we must perfect our lighting.

First, we ran into a major challenge in getting the lighting to be just right, since our set has a lot of lights all over the place. Luckily, my mom has a ringlight that she let us borrow to help with lighting. Since we had originally recorded the darker scenes without any lighting. After using the ringlight, the quality improved so much, as using the equipment is such a game-changer.

We also made sure that we filmed after the sun went down and all the lights in my house were off. We didn't want to risk anything to light up the setting too much.

Group Meeting #2

Hi blog! This week we did yet another group meeting where our teacher assigned us into groups, allowing us to bounce ideas from each other and see where we stand at the moment progress-wise.

Trisha

    For her film opening, Trisha wants to make a psychological thriller. The main antagonist of the opening is technology. It would start off with a girl facetiming her friend while she is texting and on social media. When she gets invited to a party, as she leaves her house, all the technology inside starts going crazy.

Jake

    Jake wants to make a horror/thriller for his project. It will take place in the woods with a girl hiking in the woods. Throughout the hike, she has no service, but when it comes back, she has a bunch of missed messages from her family warning her about a killer in the woods. Scheduling has been a major issue for him as both he and his partner have super busy schedules. He says he is going to start filming this Wednesday and, if needed, finish over the weekend. 

Manuella

    Manuela wants to make a thriller for her film opening. It is about a grieving family that has just lost a son. But when eating, there is a mysterious person who has taken the brother's place. Everyone in the family ignores this, while the daughter is concerned. Casting and scheduling have been a big issue for Manuela. As she wants to get someone who looks a little creepy to be the mysterious person, and she has not been able to find a time when her whole family can help her film this.

Camille

    For Camille's film opening, she is making a fantasy. It's about a village that suffers the consequences of a dragon attack, leaving it completely in shambles. The crazy thing is that she is hand-drawing every single frame. Her main obstacle comes from the drawing, as it will take her an extremely long time to make. But when she finishes, I think her project will be amazing.

Agustina

    Agustina wants to make a coming of age for her film opening. In this film, the main character's parents constantly put them down. Agustina wants to show the main character breaking free and doing her own thing. A main issue she has found is the scheduling, as her mom is both acting and helping her film her project. And their schedules barely meet up.

Samuel

    Samuel wants to make a mystery for his film opening. It is based on a doctor conducting a scientific experiment. He and his group are going to get all of their dads to be the main characters for their film. This poses a big scheduling obstacle, since it is hard to find a time when all 3 dads are available to film.

    I'm really happy that we got to do another group meeting. As in this one, I was more ready to share than in the last one, and I received amazing feedback. Some of the struggles that my partner and I faced when we were filming were solved or improved. I am really excited to take my group's ideas and use them in my project.

    In this group meeting, we not only talked about our progress on our movie openings, but we also shared ideas for the CCR section of the project. I gained amazing insight and almost solidified my idea for both of my CCR videos.  

Production - Shooting Process

Shooting Process

Hello blog!!! While still on the topic of production, it's essential to discuss the camera techniques we employed. Originally, when we had planned the camera techniques that we wanted to use, our vision for the opening was completely different. What I mean by this is that we thought that those techniques would work, but when filming, we realized that there were better ways to film the scenes.

For the filming process, I had to go and buy a tripod, as without it, we would not have been able to record our scenes professionally. Using the tripod was super useful while filming, as we did not need a third person to film, and we went through the majority of the scenes very fast. It also allowed us to improve our ideas while on the set.

Overall, the production process has been a real learning experience. There have been many setbacks that created some small complications for us, as we still have some filming left to do. But, with all that being said, I am super excited to finish filming and get to the post-production part of this project, especially the editing portion.

Production - Preparing the Setting

 Setting Prep

Hi blog!!! The filming time is here... But before we can even start, we have to prepare the setting. Once Caesar arrived at my house, we began to prepare all the mise-en-scene elements. But once we started, we ran into a serious roadblock. We never accounted for how long this preparation process would take. What we originally thought would take 10-25 minutes ended up taking about an hour of our time.

We wanted the setting to be perfect, so each item was rearranged multiple times in order to meet our standards. Once we had finally set up, we also realized that we needed to find a way to turn the TV on and off without showing the remote. We decided that one of us would hold the remote off the frame and just turn the TV on. This idea is quite obvious when you think about it, but for some reason, we could not figure it out after many attempts.

Production - Production Company Logo

Production Company Logo

Hi blog! For our film opening, we were told to come up with a production company. My partner and I started brainstorming ideas early on and wanted something to do with a door. We ended up coming up with Pandora Productions, but later realized that a door wouldn't really work as the word Pandora is associated with a box. So we decided to scrap the door idea and settle for a box for our logo. 

Here is the process for creating the logo.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Yes.. It is very simplistic. And yes... it is missing the name. But we want to add the name when we edit in big letters. I feel like any other way would be a little too simple when it already is. Although it is very simplistic, I feel like it is perfect for what it stands for. And I also animated the inside of the box to appear and disappear.

Here it is:

Planning - Constuming

Costuming

Hi blog!! For our film opening, we had to decide on the costumes our characters would wear. We ended up deciding that since our two main characters are both in high school, they should just be wearing casual clothes. This will make the audience of our film feel like this can happen to anyone, adding to the tension created. 

This decision to make the costuming casual has a deeper meaning than it seems. As it makes each of the main characters' traits stand out, it also shows how easily it can go from normal to a situation ruled by fear.

My character will wear jeans with a simple navy t-shirt. While my partner's character is wearing sweats and a simple zip-up hoodie.

Here are some examples of clothing:

Audio

 Audio

Hello! To cap off this week, I want to speak about the audio elements that will be present within our film opening. Audio is very important for any film, but in the thriller genre, it is essential, as without it, you have nothing.

For our opening audio will be used to create suspense and to create an emotional response within the audience. At the beginning of the opening, we will use audio to create a setting through light rain or traffic, which will establish the environment. The conversation between the two friends will be slightly louder than these sound effects. 

Then we will make the ambiance slowly become louder and louder, highlighting footsteps, floor creaks, and things moving around. This will create tension within the audience, making them more alert to every slight sound that occurs.

The sound effects that we use will also change dramatically to inform the audience that danger is coming. In important moments within the opening, we will lower the ambient sounds in order to leave the scene in near silence, which will highlight any slight sound that occurs, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

We also plan to emphasize heartbeat, heavy breathing, and whimpering within the opening to add yet another layer of tension within the audience. This will make the audience feel like they are living through the same moment as the characters, which continues to add tension.

Finally, we plan on creating our own Foley for some of the sound effects. Footsteps are a big example of Foley that will be used in our opening. Another Foley sound that we can create is breathing, which we can perfect for each of the characters.

Mice-en-scene: Set Design

Set Design

Hello again! For the second part of our mice-en-scene research, my partner and I decided on the set design. We were conflicted between choosing my house or Caesar's, but decided on Caesar's house since I live in an apartment and a house would work better for the opening.

We plan on making the set feel like it is just another house. With the interior being normally furnished, we will have snack bags and wrappers around the house since it is just the two friends there. 

By doing this, we make sure that the environment feels more normal, and when the disruption comes, it creates more tension within the viewer.

Living Room

For our camera techniques, we plan to show a staircase and a hallway in order to create suspense. This will hopefully make the audience believe that something can happen off-screen, further building tension. Allowing there to be plenty of space is super crucial, as it will allow us to include movement and shadows behind the main characters.

Door

Mice-en-scene: Lighting

Lighting

 Hello! Now that we discussed the character development within our film opening, we need to talk about mice-en-scene. I decided to split the mice-en-scene into two post with this one focusing on the lighting we will be using within our opening.

In the beginning of the opening, I plan to use high-key lighting. We decided to do this to show how comfortable the two friends are, unaware of what is to come. But, it won't stay like this for long... As the opening moves on we plan on decreasing the intensity of the lighting all the way untill it becomes low-key.

The opening will be primarily shot in low-key lighting as it is essential within the thriller genre. Low-key lighting allows us to create tension and suspense throughout the whole opening. We can create figures within in the shadows and make the opening feel somewhat scary. Low-key lighting also creates uncertainty within the audience which is a feeling I want to evoke because I dont want them to know what comes next.

The type of feeling I want to evoke:

Character Development

     Character Development

    Hi again! Now that my partner and I created the script for our movie opening, we have to discuss character development. Character development is something crucial that needs to happen one way or another within the movie's opening. 

Character development within a thriller is super important because it decides how much the audience can fully connect with said characters. For our movie opening, we plan to make the two main characters, who are best friends, have contrasting personalities. One of them is super cautious and scared, while the other is braver, ignoring the reality of the situation.

The difference between the personalities will create tension and contrast between the friends. As their decision making will be completely different when danger within the opening appears. I will try to show this contrast between the two friends before and during the main event within the opening.

Throughout the opening we will use different camera shots to create this bridge between the friends. At the beginning of the opening, we will use two shots to show the bond between the friends, then later on we will focus on individual close-ups as they begin to doubght eachothers decisions. Sound is also crucial to building both of the main characters, as it will help show their emotional states through heavy breathing and silence.

Near the end of the opening, I want to make the friend who was originally super confident and brave become more scared and aware of the situation. Or I could also make the friend who was originally cautious and scared take control of the situation.

Film Opening Script

Hello blog! We finally made it to the script for our film opening. Here it is:

INT. LIVING ROOM – EVENING: 

The room’s dim but cozy. In the background, the television is humming. Juan and Caesar are on the couch, eating snacks, relaxed and making jokes. 

JUAN: (laughing) Bro, we've been inside all day.  

CAESAR: That is what a good weekend is all about.  

The television switches to a static screen.  

SFX: Loud crackling noise.  

Both look up. 

TV BROADCAST (V.O.)This is a way of emergency broadcasting. Every person is encouraged to stay inside their homes. Close all the doors and windows.

The roomgoes silent.  

JUAN: What was that?  

CAESAR: Probably just a test.  

The television show gets re-aired, but in a more distorted way.  

TV BROADCAST (V.O.) Do not leave your home. Stay inside.  

Caesar turns the volume up.  

JUAN: That didn’t sound normal.  

They exchange uneasy looks. 

INT. HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS: 

Caesar walks towards the front door slowly.  

SFX: There is a low metallic sound of something going on outside. 

He stops.  

CAESAR: Did you hear that?  

There is another sound, the rattling of a doorknob.  

INT. LIVING ROOM / FRONT DOOR : 

Juan stands up.  

JUAN: Someone’s out there.  

The rattling grows louder.  

SFX: There is an abrupt THUD on the door.

Both step back.

CAESAR: None of them are supposed to be out.  

Silence.  

Then- BANG.  

The lights flicker.  

Juan locks the door.

CLICK.  EXTREME CLOSE‑UP – DOOR HANDLE 

The handle rotates slowly on the outside. 

INT. LIVING ROOM: 

There is a faint repetition of the emergency broadcast over the TV. 

TV BROADCAST (V.O.) Remain inside. This is for your safety.  

There is a last, bang on the door.  

Juan and Caesar stare at eachother, frozen.  

CUT TO BLACK. 

I can't wait to finally film this project. I have an amazing feeling that this film will turn out perfect. I am so invested in our idea and have so many ideas on what to incorporate within our film.

When creating the script my partner and I attempted to follow the following picture, but added some tweaks that we thought would be better:

Media Theory Integration

     Hello blog! Now that you know what my film opening will be based on. I want to talk about a media theory that I would love to add to my film opening. This theory is the uses and gratification theory.

This theory basically states that audiences are "active instead of passive." What this means is that the audience themselves choose the media that they consume based on their needs and wants. This basically means that people use media for entertainment, knowledge, and to socialize. So content creators need to think about how their audience will respond to their content before they post it.

I feel like this theory will be perfect for my project because of my target audience. Due to my film opening being in the thriller genre, my audience would be seeking suspense, tension, and some sort of excitement. In order to accomplish this, I will attempt to build mystery by limiting what the audience sees throughout the opening. I can also use lighting, editing, and sound to assist in giving the audience what they are seeking.

Integrating this theory will also help me be more intentional with my storytelling, and it will also help aid my character design. In order to achieve this, my partner and I will make the characters feel more relatable by dressing them in a way that they look like an ordinary person. This can also help create more tension since it can make the audience believe that this can happen to them, too. 

Project Idea Summarized + Inspiration

    Hello Blog! The time to finalize my project idea for the portfolio project has come... I was looking through the thriller genre, trying to find inspiration, and found a couple of thriller movies as shown in my earlier blogposts. But I felt like none of the movies I found had any good inspiration, so I decided to investigate further and found The Purge.

I'm not really taking inspiration from the opening of the movie; however, I am taking inspiration from the overall plot of the movie. So... Let's get into the details for the opening of my portfolio project.

The opening would be based on two friends who are hanging out watching TV. Suddenly, a broadcast appears on the TV, urging people to stay indoors at all costs. The two friends think it's a joke until they hear someone making noise outside. They check the security cameras, thinking it's one of their parents, until they realize no one is there. 

After leaving the door, they hear commotion inside the house, they go check it and find nothing. and then all of a sudden one of the friends gets a call saying, "You're not alone..." The screen would fade to black.

Throughout the opening, my partner and I are planning on integrating suspense as it is basically a requirement in the thriller genre. We plan on focusing most of the suspense into the scene where we are checking the door. 

I am super excited to finally begin filming, as we have been waiting the whole year to start this project. I also feel like our idea is super interesting, and I will definitely get super invested in filming and editing!

       Group Meeting #1

  Hello! This week, my teacher assigned us into many groups to discuss our ideas for the Cambridge Portfolio Project. I found it very useful as I got to share my idea and received many wonderful ideas from my peers. It was also great being able to hear their ideas, which allowed me to bounce back and forth and find new things I would like to include in my project.

My Group and their Ideas:

Manuela

Wants to make a psychological thriller for her project. The story is based on a family that recently lost one of their family members. The scene starts at a dinner table where the entire family is eating after this loss, but a person who looks like their family member is eating with them. Manuela wants to make her opening reveal who this mysterious person is.

Andres

Andres wants to make a mystery-type film. His story is based on a mysterious robber who leaves behind a card after every heist. The opening would include this person stealing a valuable piece of jewelry from a wealthy residence. This robber will leave behind a card setting up the rest of the film as they try to figure out who this mysterious person is.

Andreina

Andreina wants to make a thriller/horror for her project. Her story is based on a teenage girl in her home. The opening would include paranormal activity, which would be portrayed by a ghost. This ghost would be messing with the protagonist of the film by moving/throwing things around her house.

Sebastien

Sebastien wants to make a thriller/ mystery for his project. His main idea is that there are 3-4 teens in a car after a party. They end up in a parking lot where they find a mysterious bag. When they open the bag, they are put into a trance that is being controlled by another person. 

Julia

Julia wants to do a drama for her project. She began the meeting not really having a concrete idea for her film's opening and asked us for help. She knew that she wanted to do something around someone grieving a loved one. We helped her formulate some ideas that she will hopefully use in the future once she picks out her idea.

Camila

Camila wants to make a thriller/drama for her film opening. The main concept of the opening is a girl who is hallucinating her dead sister. The setting of the opening would be primarily in the girls' room. Her parents would walk in the room and be wierded out by the situation. The main goal is to add suspense to the very last moment.

Taryn

For Taryn's film opening, she wants to do something related to sci-fi. Her opening is based on two sisters in a post-apocalyptic world. Taryn, when she got to the meeting, didn't know how she would set the scene. I suggested that she use news broadcasts from before the world became what it is. Which could lead to the current moment that is being shown in the opening.

Overall, I really enjoyed this activity. I gained so so much insight on things to do and also not to do for my film opening. My group members were really helpful and allowed me to finish devolping my idea for the project.

Thriller Credit Sequences