Group Meeting

Today was a different day in class. My teacher put five to six people in groups to talk about each others project. At first I didn't rally know what to say because I don't talk much in class. After collaborating with each other for a while I became more welcome and started communicating. During the group meeting I talked about my topic of my film opening with the group. They gave off the thoughts on it and said it was a great idea. The asked me questions about it and I explained to them gladly. Also all my groupmates had great ideas and different genres which was nice. All of us reflected on each one and said specific things that could be added for improvement. 

Receiving feedback from the others gives me a better idea of what I have to include and what I have to take out of my film. They gave great tips not only to me, but to everyone talking. Some of the people in the group showed their editing and shots of their film opening. Also everyone told each other where in the project they were currently working on. For example, either they were finishing editing or starting their CCR. I knew coming into this group that their will be advice, which was great to hear from my peers.

Overall, it was a great experience collaborating with others in class. Their were some students in my group that I don't typically talk to, so it was cool meeting with new students in my class. I think it was a fun time and that we should do tis more often for the upcoming tasks that are assigned. I am now finishing my editing which will be great because I got many ideas from my group mates.

Brainstorming about the CCR

This portion of the project is a big thing needed to do well  for the whole portfolio to come out well. Before spring break my teacher showed us some examples of some cool and interesting concepts added in the CCR's. I have looked into all the possibilities for my CCR and haven't gotten one yet, but I am still thinking about it everyday.  Some ideas have crossed my mind like making it like a podcast or asking a friend to ask me the four questions. Split between the two videos.

From watching a lot of presentations of students for the CCR that best idea for me would be the idea of interviewing me around the house. That is an option, but I am not fully decided on that. During the CCR I will put many pictures and clips of my film opening to make the CCR more entertaining for the audience watching it. The concept of putting many pictures in the video makes the topic of the questions more intriguing and entertaining. 

Once I start filming the video it will come easier for me because this is the part of the project that is the least nerve racking thing to do. I also thing it will be fun because this is the last part of the project and after this there will not be anything to do with the portfolio. I am thinking this over well to make the last part of the portfolio project perfect.

Editing process

After many days of filming. The editing process begins. This a something that I am not the greatest in and haven't done in the past. It will be exciting journey. Before I started editing I saw that many videos needed to be shortened to all fit for the film opening. Many needed to be cut because their was footage that was burning seconds that could be used for other scenes. It is my second time opening adobe premier because I typically don't do the editing for the other projects that I did earlier this year. I was not familiar with all the options so I had to watch many YouTube videos to understand all the features. Also, how to edit because that is something I need to improve on.  A big part that will be edited and added to the film opening is the audio.

This is just the clips put in. I am trying to figure all the features out before I start editing. I am still in the process of cutting some clips. Also, the sound I chose hasn't bee put yet because I need to put all the scenes together. During this week I will have enough information to be finishing the editing, so I can have time for my CCR. I decided to research information rather than ask someone how to edit because now a days everything is online and everything is explained perfectly. 

Throughout this week I will keep practicing and learning all the steps to make sure my film opening comes out good for when it is due. This journey is coming to an end, so I have have to enjoy the last two weeks.

Final Shots

A huge day has arrived. As soon I woke up I was getting ready because it was the day to finish the remaining shots that needed to be filmed. I went straight to my grandma's apartment to begin the filming. I first started off making sure Edith the actor had the correct clothes that were needed for the finishing touches. Also, the last scenes were with my other actor which was the nurse. Everything went according to plan and looked great. It was an important day to film it because my main actor Edith, which was my grandma was going on a trip the next day. I planned to finish it that day, so I wouldn't be stressed or worried about put other clips in the film opening.

It was an overall great day to film because no one was busy and everyone was glad to help that day. Most of the shots didn't need to be taken multiple times. That was a positive. It was exciting knowing that my film opening would be done just with a couple more shots. These shots are an important part of my film, so I made sure everything was done correctly. For example, the shots were stable, that lighting was good, and all the actors were in place. After everything was done I was glad and thrilled about how it will turn out. I went back to my house with a smile on my face that I finished everything on time and was not stressed on time.

Finishing all these shots made me proud. At the beginning of the year I would of never have thought that I would be filming and editing a film opening. Doing this has made me experience new things and learn more things. The journey has given me a lot and I am excited on the final two weeks.

Picking the correct sound/music

An important thing that brings suspense and the main thing that attracts the audiences to watch other than the visuals is the music used. I have been searching these past days trying to figure out the perfect sound that will be used for the project. Trying to find the best sound for the production, but also needing it to be copyright free because it would take too long if I ask a company if I could use a song.

A couple of sites that I have used to find sound is YouTube, SoundCloud, etc. These sites are one of the biggest sites in the world and they have copyright free music. So, I have looked for the correct one. As of now I haven't found the one yet, but I am searching constantly. As soon as a find it I will let you know throughout my blog.

The sound feature is an important that is used during the editing of the film. I am basically done filming all the parts of the production. The next step comes the editing process. I will go into depth my editing process in the upcoming blogs for next week. If I am able to edit the song nicely into the film the production will become ten time better.

Filming day #2

On the second day of filming everything went smoother. I had all my ideas planned out and the shots that needed to be used. It was a successful day of filming. I basically finished the whole film opening, their are some extra touches that need to be added to finish the whole production. Working with my actors was great because both of them cooperated especially my main actor Edith. Since she is getting older, I typically have to retake a couple of times, but today everything went great and their was no retakes needed. These are some photos of the filming process.

This was a shot that I thought that fit neatly. This wasn't on my storyboard or written as an idea. I might add it to the film because it introduces the character well and describes the type of person that she is.

Filming gets me entertained every time I am do it. So today I was more motivated to film because I felt like I could finish today and do all the important scenes that will be used in the production. Also, filming it the public was something that I don't do typically, so it felt different from the normal. At first I was nervous because I felt like it would be awkward when I was filming and someone walked past me or next to me. After filming for a while inside a store I got used to it. It was something that takes time to get used to if you have never filmed in the public before. Everyone I met during filming in the store was great. They were patient and nice when I needed to finish the shots.

Another photo of the filming process:

One thing that I finished today was filming everything that had to do with the props I said I was going to use. These two days of filming have been great because I have learned new things and skills for this production.

The start of filming

Today was a great day to begin the filming process. Everyone was prepared and their were no issues. At first I have to make sure all the outfits were set to begin the shooting process. Those are a important things that help improve the sense of humor of the character. I started filming today with my grandma with is the main character of my film opening named Edith. I filmed the main parts of the film which had to do with all the props. For example as stated in the previous blogs I used a deck of cards. These deck of cards were used when Edith is home and bored. It was a great day of filming because I hadn't had much experience of filming other than this year, so it was something new to me. It was a great learning process and great day of learning new techniques.

                                                 This shot will be used during the film opening.

When I begin filming everything was shaky at first because I needed to decide which shots I wanted to do first just to get everything organized. I begin the shooting process with the first idea that was put on my storyboard which was my main character walking through the corridor of her apartment. This had to be taken a couple of time's because it was windy outside and my tripod was moving constantly. Also, when I used the handheld shots for my film it was difficult to control because the wind was very annoying. This was a important thing to note for me because I wasn't ready for the wind today and was expecting the filming to be easier. At the end everything fell into place.

This shot will be used during the film opening.

At the end of the day I was excited how the day went with the first day of filming. I did all the crucial parts that needed to be done. This was just the first day, so on the next filming days everything will be planned out and done correctly to make the best film opening.

Another photo for the filming process.

This shot will be used during the film opening.

New issues

Some new issues have occurred with both of my actors in my film opening. A big issue is that the nurse which is being played by Fabiana, works on the weekends and has limited open time throughout those days. Also, she sometimes works throughout the week which could also be a struggle because their will be limited days to work throughout the week. I will have to figure out some dates for when she can act her parts for the production.

A obstacle regarding with my main actor Edith is that she is getting older, getting slower and being more stubborn. This is a big issue because I will need to take more time with her regarding her parts in the film. Which is mostly the whole film, so their will be many retakes needed throughout the process of filming. I think this issues and obstacles could be fixed, but with a lot of patience and time.

I will need to fix these issues by the end of this upcoming week because I will start filming this week because both of them are not free everyday. Now I will have to change my schedule for these issues that have came recently. Some of the days will need to be moved up to late dates.

This journey has been great I think this is just a step of learning how to deal with these types of things. I am stressed and excited for this journey to keep going.

Props

In my film opening many props will be used to explain the story of the life of a lonely old woman. Some props that will be used are deck of cards, a bed, cups, a pan, remote control, and glasses. These are just a couple of items that will be used. Maybe later if we need more for production I will add more. These items will all be used somewhere throughout the film opening with. Some props relate with the specific character in the production.

A important prop that is used in the film is the deck of cards. The item is an important item used in the film because it is something that Edith does everyday of her life. It is something that keeps her entertained even though she is not the happiest person. The specific game that is played with these cards is solitaire because it is the only game she can play when she is alone in her apartment.

Another prop is a pan. This is used when Edith is cooking because she has to make her own meals everyday. Edith enjoys cooking and the main thing she cooks in is a pan because her meals are all made in the pan.

Another prop is a remote control. This is the biggest and more important prop used in the film opening because the one thing that excites her is the television. She is on the televisions multiple hours a day. The remote control is used many times because it changes the channels and it turns the television on or off. 

These are just some props used throughout the film. The items can really impact the production overall. All the props have a different meaning in the film opening. Adding these props have gotten me more intrigued and excited to finishing the production, so I could see all of the items together.

Shooting process

I have multiple ideas for the start of filming, here are some:

My process of shooting the film has been tough to begin with. I will start filming with my grandma the important parts. I would have to start filming this week because my main actor won't be available for the upcoming weeks. To begin the process I will be using my phone to film everything, then maybe I will switch to an actual camera if I need to. The shooting process will be an entertaining journey begins their is a lot to learn from this experience with my family. I have the storyboard that will help and guide me for the shots being used for the production.

The next step I will do is film with the other actor for her parts, which is my sister. She is important in the film opening because she gives many clues to what what the film will be about after the film opening. I will start the parts with the nurse and the old lady this week because I need to get an idea of how many retakes I will need for the film. 

During the production I will film in different sites. One place with be my grandma's apartment and the other location will be my house. The production will be filmed typically during the day because it shows more the idea of the film opening. 

Post production I will be editing and fixing all the scenes to make the film opening better overall an important app that I will be using is adobe creative. Where I will be doing all the editing process. Editing adds the sound and can scenes more interesting for the viewers

The process of shooting this film is going to go great because I have everything planned. The filming will be starting this week.

Casting

Hello! I didn't really take a long time picking out my cast because I chose my grandma and my sister. The film opening is based on an older woman that is why I used my grandmother because it was the quickest and easiest option to use. For my sister I really just need another person to fill in the role to be a nurse in the film. I explained to them what happen to be done in these roles and they both agreed to do it.

Main Character: Edith

Played by Teresa

This is my grandma Teresa. She is always happy and excited , so this will a change in personality completely because the film is dramatic. It will be interesting how it will turn out because she is different from the actual character from the film Edith. I think she will fit in perfectly to the role because she loves helping others and is willing to help me in this project.

The nurse:

Played by Fabiana

This is my sister Fabiana. She tends to have a lot of energy most of the times and is very social , so I think she will fit great for the role. She loves to do things that are related to films so she was glad to help. The nurse isn't the main character so it wont have many parts but she is still important to the significance to the film.

I think the addition of two of my family members helping out in the project will be great because we understand each other a lot. 

Obstacles/Issues

A big obstacle I have currently is that my main actor will be will be traveling for a week. Which is my grandmother. So I will have to plan out the times and dates from when she comes back or if we do it earlier before she leaves. I typically don't see her often because she lives about 40 minutes away from me and tends to be busy. I had to contact her because this will making the production days more challenging if I didn't . This obstacle also ruined my schedule for the times planned because I had everything organized and now it is all sloppy.

Sometimes things like this happen. So, you always have to be prepared because it can really become a heart breaker if you don't resolve problems like this.

One issue that I had was in my storyboard. That I didn't put an important scene on my written ideas. The good thing about this issue is that I resolved that same day. The second I realized that I had a part missing when I needed to film I went straight to fix it and I sorted it out.

I am hoping their will not be more issues or problems throughout my project. This will make the process much easier and not having to go back to the earlier steps. This journey with my blog has been great, but I don't want to have many difficulties later in the tougher steps.

Changes to the storyboard

I have made some changes regarding with the storyboard. It will be difficult to shoot some of the scenes. So, I have decided to improvise and change it. This will make the film opening better and an easier way to film it.

Originally I had a scene of an ambulance flying through the streets because someone needed to be taken to the hospital which was my main character in my film opening. I decided not to keep this idea because it was going to be a challenge to find an ambulance and catch it while it is driving quickly. This was the picture:

For the new change I have chosen to switch from an ambulance to a neighbor taking Edith to the hospital. I changed it because I forgot to add the idea in the storyboard of the neighbor hearing Edith screaming "help" from her apartment.

These are the new changes that I made. I believe these changes will have a better outcome in the film opening. It makes the film more dramatic and intense. I keep making sure to make the right changes to make my scenes better.