Stoyboards

The use of storyboards in the project will prove to be extremely useful. In the storyboards, the illustrations were very simple to save on time. However, the illustrations were not the main focus of the storyboard, but rather the types of shots going to be used in the final product. The location of the shoot is a single house; mainly filmed in a single hallway and room. Within the storyboard, an attempt to create an idea of space was made with the prop placement, such as the desk in the main room. As for the hallway (and stairs going up the hallway), we tried to make the shots seem claustrophobic by drawing the walls close-in to one another, and in combination with the shot type (dolly over the shoulder). Overall, I feel the finished storyboard is a good framework.

The props used in the project are very significant to the context of the story as they directly correlate with the plot. Throughout the room that the scene takes place in, there is candy scattered everywhere, this candy being a stand-in metaphor for illegal drugs. As for the color used in the scene, darker colors will be utilized. This will be done in order to match the tone intended for the scene: dark and ominous. Darker color gels for the lights will also be used to match this intended mood.

As the storyboard was developed, different ideas had to be utilized to make for good angles. Many medium and over the shoulder shots are used in the storyboard as they allow for a good amount of space for the characters. Mediums also are used to give the audience a sense of the of the room, and to add a sense of scale and ambiance. Camera layout was also determined by lighting. As there is a large window on the far side of the room, it made sense to angle shots in a way not to obstruct the lighting on the actors in the scene. We also wanted to use the lights in a way to create a moody atmosphere to add ambiance to the scene.

There are a variety of props that will be needed in this shoot. For one, we will need furniture ( 2 chairs and a desk). This furniture will be in the foreground of the scene, making it crucial. Other significant props include a record player and candy. These objects will be interacted with during the scene and will move the narrative along. Colors in this scene will be dark to add to the ominous and threatening tone of the scene. No photographs will be included in this scene.

The general schedule of the project will be simple enough. We will arrive at Mauricio’s house to film in the afternoon, probably around 1 or 2 on a weekend. We will organize the room, camera and props, and this shouldn’t take too long, probably around 20 minutes. We will proceed to get into costumes and set the lighting, which would take no more than 15 minutes. We will then film, which could take 1 to 2 hours. As the entire scene takes place in a single room, there’s not much worry for there needing to be a certain time of day in the scene, and weather wouldn’t be a problem as well.

Upon getting the script back to examine, I noticed me and Mauricio made many mistakes. For one, we were not very descriptive with events happening in the script. Looking back this is definitely something we should’ve been more on top of. The dialogue was also generally confusing to follow in combination of this. To accommodate this, the new script will be much more descriptive with what is happening in the scene specifically. More context will also be given to the story, to make everything in the story more plausible and easier to follow.

The dynamics of my group is working quite well. Me and Mauricio get along very well and make a good creative team. Weaknesses of our teamwork, however, have been miscommunication and not being descriptive enough. These issues have been worked out mostly, but still sometimes occur. Through working in this group, I have learned how to be more descriptive in the scripts. I find myself using more detail to describe things in the scenes. This has overall made the scenes better.

The final product will require a multitude of different props. For one, we will need big lights, gels, for the lights, and a light diffuser. We will only most likely need 3 lights, a couple of gels, and one diffuser. One skateboard will be required to create a dolly effect. We will need to buy a number of different candies, as the villain sells candy and has it all over her office. A camera with zoom will be required, as well as a dead kitten for the microphone.

As the script is worked on, most of the original ideas have indeed transferred over in a good way. The main plot and characters have transferred over. One element that is being changed is the pacing of the dialogue. Originally supposed to be somewhat of an interrogation, the new scene will be two people talking back and forth.

In the final project, more lighting techniques need to be made. Different silhouette techniques will be used in the project, so new techniques will need to be utilized. Powerful lights specifically will be needed to create the silhouette effect, perhaps even just a lamp. In addition, we will need a skateboard. A skateboard will be used to create a dolly effect. The camera will be placed on to the skateboard and pushed down a hallway to simulate the effect. Overall we will need 3 lights, gels, a diffuser, a camera, a dead kitten, and a large variety of props.

As of currently, the script is coming together with the needed elements. Despite this, however, it is not unlikely that the script will change. I want the project to be extremely suspenseful, so the dialogue must be intense. For this reasons dialogue changes might need to be made.

I also hope that the cinematography isn’t too bland. The scene being two characters in a heated conversation, there needs to be tense cinematography. For example, the use of dutch angles might compliment the scene quite well. Also, the dialogue needs to suspenseful, and it can be through the use of quick lines. I will implement this into the script for effect. Overall, I’m happy with the decisions for the script.