First day of filming... done!

A lot has happened in the past two days. I'm very upset to tell you that the actor that I had originally cast didn't work out. When I went to contact him to begin filming on Thursday, I texted him Wednesday and he never replied. I'm actually very mad about what happened because he said he was willing to act in my film opening and then he never replied to me and didn't tell me he was unable to film or anything. Luckily, I got a friend of mine to ask one of her guy friends to act in it, and while he's not an actor at this point I'll take what I can get and make up the slack in editing... hopefully.

I started filming today at 3:30 P.M. with my actress for Dr. Sanchez and actor for Kane. I was able to get my psychiatrist scene out of the way, and the filming for the parts with Noah and Kane is coming in the future. I'm so glad that I was able to get another actor on such short notice, otherwise I would've been out of luck.

I was able to set up a makeshift psychiatrist office inside my dad's home office and it actually turned out very decent. To the right you can see my actress for Dr. Sanchez and actor for Kane practicing their lines in their heads before running through and filming. There is a very soft lighting used with the lamp. I wanted to give Dr. Sanchez's office a nice homely feel, and make it so that Dr. Sanchez is seen as a sort of light in Kane's life.

I have to admit filming was a lot of fun, if there could be a blooper reel there would be more bloopers than actual film for the movie. It was a lot more fun than I expected it to be.

However, even though I was able to get by with another actor for Kane, I'm still upset about my previous actor falling through, especially when he said he'd act the part for Kane. It definitely was partly on me for not having a backup plan, but it's still very upsetting.

I'm exciting for the second day of filming, but now I need to go begin editing what I have of my film opening so far.

Until next time!!

Scheduling Conflicts

Wow, okay, I’m officially 12/10 stressed. So, today I was supposed to start filming today, but sadly that’s not the case. When I contacted my actor originally last week, I wanted to start filming over the weekend of the 24th and 25th. After finally getting in contact with me, he informed me of his work schedule not allowing him to film. We eventually agreed on meeting during the week to film, and agreed on Tuesday the 27th.

Today, comes, and regardless of it being my mom’s birthday she told me to film, so I contacted my actor to begin filming at 1 P.M. and he replied saying he had to make sure. When he got back to me, he unfortunately had to watch his younger brothers. Now, I am very behind schedule and although I know I’m quick at editing I can’t help but feel stressed. I was supposed to be in the middle of filming by now, and I’m not.

Sadly, this is not an update saying how amazing filming is going and is unfortunately an update on how life is really working against me right now with my film opening. I hate to say that this year has been the most stressful year in school for me. Normally I’m able to handle the stress of high school and the hard class load I’m taking, but this year, I genuinely think that I bit off more than I can chew with my classes. While my grades have stayed pretty good considering all the factors (which I’m proud of) it’s definitely challenging.

I will say, I’m putting my best effort into this project because when I put my mind to something I can’t turn it in without knowing that I put my best foot forward. I don’t want to put my name to something without it being my best work and worthy of me turning it in.

On a more positive note, I have officially decided to go to USF after visiting the campus. It definitely felt like my home away from home, and I felt so completely comfortable there.

Well, hopefully in my next post I’ll have more positive news!

Always Watching

Before I get into my script and talk about it, I'd like to mention the movie of my film opening. I've been debating over what to call my film opening and nothing really stuck out to me. I thought about naming it Resentful after the type of stalker that Kane is, but then I thought that might sound a bit weird rolling off the tongue. Something about it just didn't flow right or sit right with me. Then as I was about to go to sleep last night, it hit me, I wanted to name my film opening Always Watching. I think it adds the perfect amount of mystery and creepiness to the title that will intrigue people.

Yet, sadly the post isn't about my amazing new title, but it is about my script or rather the basic script. I wanted to leave the script basic because in all actuality of it, I was having trouble coming up with some creepy and scary dialogue. However, I did manage to come up with some that I think is creepy. Here is my basic script...

Now while it may seem short, that is because a lot of my film opening will be action taken by Kane towards the psychiatrist and Noah. I wanted to keep the script basic also because I wanted to give the actors room to improvise what they felt would work or felt better at the time. The actors have had experience in acting, more so than I have had with script writing, so I'm very willing to get help by being critiqued by them. 

I'm even more excited because this upcoming Tuesday, as in two days from now, I will start filming with my actor for Kane. I can't wait to see what we're able to produce and how my actor will help Kane grow from just a figment of my imagination to a reality. Also, I'm going up to USF tomorrow to visit the campus so I can make my final decision on where I want to go, so this week is going to be extra exciting!!

I can't wait to share what happens during this week of filming with everyone! Until next time!

Research on script

So, as you might have seen with my last post, I mentioned my script for the film opening. Considering everything is relatively new to me in the world of film, I mean I'm only a beginner at all of this, I needed to look up how to make a script. Now, I know there are very specific ways scripts are made, but I was thinking of doing more of a play type of layout for the script. However, I was curious as to what to put into the script specifically. I looked it up and up popped a WikiHow on how to make a script. I know Wiki isn't always a reliable source, but I just needed the basics on how to make one because I wanted my script to also reflect my layout for the film.

I ended up looking up pictures of previous horror film scripts to see what they look like. Like this piece of the script from Scream.

Now, this script follows the story and gives insight on how the characters are supposed to act and move with the plot. It shows what they do and where they go around the set, which is an aspect I plan on including with my script. It helps the actor and everyone else understand how they're supposed to move and act.

My next post is going to include an insight into my script and how it reflects my film opening, so I hope you stick around!


Citations: 
Unknown. Unknown. How to Write Movie Scripts. Retrieved from https://www.wikihow.com/Write-Movie-Scripts 

Storyboard

Okay, wow! These past few weeks have been crazy. With third quarter about to end, everyone is rushing around trying to get everything done. It's been very stressful, but I'm so excited because I have confirmed with my actor that is going to be playing Kane, AND I have finished my storyboard. My actor's name who is going to play Kane, is Santiago Gomez and he's part of the drama department at my school. When looking for my actor I asked for the recommendation from people I knew in the drama department about who would be good at playing a stalker. I'm so excited to be working with him on my film opening.

Now before I show you the storyboard, I must admit... I can't draw to save my life. I am so sorry in advance because it may look messy, but not because I didn't take my time, I just suck at drawing. Even with stick figures.

I made a few changes to the plot, instead of Kane being sent to the psychiatrist before everything that happens he's going to be sent in the middle of everything that's happening. Basically, as Kane is telling the story to his psychiatrist, scenes are going to be playing out as he describes them, but then when he finishes telling her the story meets up with real time. So, for a good portion, of my non-existent movie for my film opening, and the entirety of my film opening it will take place in flashback/story telling form.

Anyway, I know people are here to see my wonderfully artistic masterpiece* and I will now show you in 3... 2... 1...

*I'm so sorry, the drawing is terrible, also sorry about the shadow it didn't look like that on my phone.

Either way my storyboard although rough around the edges, is going to help me so much when I start filming next week because it'll remind me of the vision that I have laid out for the film opening. Also, if I get stuck when filming about what to do next, I can just pull out my storyboard and be instantly reminded. Which is so useful and I think it's close to being the most essential tool when planning anything you want to film.

Stay tuned because my next post I'm going to be talking about my research for how I'm making my script!!

Mise en scène

Since my film opening is taking place in a 'psychiatrist's office' I need something that'll resemble that. In my house, I have a 3 seat couch that is dark brown, which will fit my theme of dark colors surrounding Kane. I wanted to recreate something to mirror what the picture to the right looks like. That warm dark area, which because the lighting is so low, creates an air of mystery and intrigue which is sure to grasp people's attention.

In addition to the couch, in my house I also have a recliner that can stand in for the psychiatrist's chair. Yet, the place I want to shoot is very open with a big sliding glass door behind it, so I can already see that being an issue in the filming process. However, with the use of timing and camera angles and my own personal lighting and covering of the light, I think I'll be able to fake that dark mysterious vibe. In the picture below is what I'd like to also create which this type of set up would be better for my film opening.

It has a lot of low lighting but also a lot of windows. By using shades and items to block the light from coming into my house I think I'll be able to create the low key lighting I'm looking for. Anyway, I've previously discussed costume for Kane, but as for the costume for Dr. Sanchez, I was thinking of keeping her costume casual, as she doesn't want to scare away her patients. Yet, I want her to stay somewhat professional, because she shouldn't look provocative and over signalized either. 

Something like the picture above is what I had in mind. Not too professional, but not too casual either, something in the middle. Stay tuned because in a very very short time I'll be getting to the more interesting posts...

Citations: 

Measom, C. Unknown. What Does a Psychiatrist Wear? Retrieved from http://work.chron.com/psychiatrist-wear-22036.html

New Character

For everyone who's seen my last blog post that's awesome, you're all caught up, but for those who haven't you should check it out to understand why I'm adding a new character. So, the character I'm introducing today is the psychiatrist, and they will be the last character of my film opening.

Dr. Samantha Sanchez
Childhood: Samantha Sanchez has always had a need to understand people. Growing up many people didn't like being around her because she was very inquisitive and would constantly pepper people with questions. Yet, it was never to annoy anyone, she just had a natural curiosity that couldn't be cured. She's always been very good at asking the right questions to get the right answers. She always knew when she grew up that she'd want to become a psychiatrist, without question. She's not much older than Kane and Noah at this point, she's 26 and just became a psychiatrist. She's the one who diagnosed Kane with boarderline personality disorder, and who's been trying to help him.
Personality: Samantha's personality has stayed relatively the same as she's grown up. She still enjoys solving mysteries and has grown increasingly more curious as she's grown older. This is what drew her to Kane, she felt the need to help him and find out what makes him tick. She grows increasingly absorbed in his life and what he's done, constantly searching for

When Samantha was introduced into Kane's life, Kane was on the verge of losing it, his parent's sent him to her as a preventative measure when they noticed something strange about him. The psychiatrist is used as someone who helps the audience get the back story for this film opening. By doing this I'm able to incorporate the unnerving nature that Kane possesses. 

I know this is a bit shorter than my usual posts, but I just wanted to update you on the new character I've added.

Until next time!!

Citations:
Miller, D. (2012). What Makes a Good Psychiatrist. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/shrink-rap-today/201201/what-makes-good-psychiatrist

What would I do without help?

So earlier today, in class, we were put together into groups to help each other in our progress for our projects. I have to say, in the course of everything for this project, this has been the most helpful thing I've done. Even though all the research helps to progress an idea, it helps so much to bounce ideas off of another person and to gouge their reaction to what you've come up with.

After laying out my basic plan to them about my film opening, and having them help me with ideas on how to encase the entire idea I had for the movie opening into 2 minutes. Then, Juan, one of the people in my group, came up with the idea to make the opening about Kane seeing a psychiatrist, but as he's describing everything he's done to Noah so far the scene will be cutting away to quick mini scenes showing what he's actually done to Noah. By using a series of quick shot counter-shots, I'll be able to produce that quick eerie feeling that many horror movies are known for.

Essentially, the movie begins in a psychiatrist's office, with Kane on the couch. I don't plan on showing the psychiatrist's face in order to make Kane the main subject that the audience will focus on. I plan on having the colors surrounding Kane be dark colors in order to bring in an air of mystery and the unknown.  Right away I want the audience to know that something is wrong with Kane and to be afraid of hm and what he can do. Dark colors which people associate with death and power. I'm planning on using a lot of close-up shots of Kane to make the audience uncomfortable by seeing the unnerving facial expressions that Kane has.

Anyway, the experience of getting into groups to help each other out was so awesome, and by giving other's ideas I was able to fully think of what I'm missing in my own project, like with the actual production of the story without making it a short story. Also, I got to think more of my color scheme and what it could do and mean for my film opening.

Citations:
Unknown. Unknown. Color Meaning. Retrieved from http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html 

Lighting and more

Lighting. Lighting is so important to give visual effects, and many times it gives a greater ambiance to the movie than consciously known. It helps to give the ambience to the film, and to give character and mystery. Also, it helps to develop possible lighting motifs that can be used to subconsciously tell the audience when something scary is coming, which creates suspense. Color scheme of certain costumes can be important, as well, to the subconscious development that the audience has of the character.

There are so many different types of lighting that I can use, such as, noir lighting, dark and light lighting, harsh lighting. These types of lighting give that harsh vibe to the film, making it unflattering and appropriate to use to get the audience member ready to be scared, and because it's so harsh they'll associate that with scary occurrences in the movie, or in my case film opening.  By tricking the filming device there's a way to tell it how much light to take in, which is perfect for that dark ominous feel. Also, I'm learning about flags and cookies, flags are a way to manipulate how much light you're getting in certain places, and cookies are cutouts that are used to create shadows to reveal certain things and keep others hidden. Mystery is such a big part of horror movies and this helps me to figure out how to add the mystery through lighting.

Lighting or rather the absence of it can be very useful as well. The absence of light also helps to add that mystery, also it heightens sound. Heightened sound and lack of visuals help to increase the creepiness of the moment. After finding out about this, I now know to use dark lighting to create the ominous feel I'm looking for.

As for costumes, for Noah I was thinking just casual clothes, nothing special. I want people to know that he's an everyday person, and there's nothing different about him. For, Kane, I was thinking dark clothing with very minimal color scheme. Black, dark blue, dark red and grey are the main colors I'm thinking. At the beginning, definitely more of the blues and greys to show how Kane is very in between good and evil, and as time goes on reds and black to show the darkness growing in Kane.

Citations: 
O'Rourke, T. (2012). Horror Film Lighting on a Budget. Retrieved from https://www.videomaker.com/article/c13/15436-horror-film-lighting-on-a-budget

Tips and Tricks

Isa back again, and can I just say this week has been pretty stressful. I have been drowning in AP Stats homework and just took a test in that class. I've really been struggling on maintaining everything for that class and for my film opening. But! I am glad to say I have someone who is interested in playing Kane, my stalker character. More on that is to come in the following posts. Yet, this week in class, we were able to get together and help each other out on our blog posts and tell each other what they're missing and how they're doing overall.

It was very helpful to the process, I was able to see other people's blogs and how they wrote and set theirs up. I think the hardest part for this project for me, is definitely just managing everything and taking it one step at a time. A lot of times, I tend to start something and move onto something else before I'm able to finish the task at hand. Over the past few years though, I've been able to manage it better, but with a project as demanding as this it's definitely a bit trickier. I just think that with finals, and exams coming up, and multiple projects my stress level is through the roof.

As for my project itself, I have started on the storyboard, which will be up soon. So, I decided to research how to make a horror movie, because even though I have ideas, I've never actually made a horror movie and I needed to know where to start. One of the tips that I found from research is to pick a moment near the beginning to create excitement and set up the rest of the story. It creates that hook that draws people in and makes them want to know more about the story and what will happen to the main character. Also, I learned I need to pick a 'hero' who's part of a  typical social group, which in my case would be Noah. All my research even lead me to a fake blood recipe, which could come in handy in the future.

I've also learned to make what the people fear most, what happens in the movie. Keeping it simple is also very important, I can't make something if things that I need I don't have access to. Creativity in filming and editing is what I'm going to have to use to make it scary. Goriness can be part of the story, but I learned to not make it the whole story. Obviously, I need to set up everything in the beginning, but I can't give my film opening an ending otherwise it'd be a short story. I can definitely see giving my film opening an ending being a problem for me because I have this vision of what I want, but I need to keep it to a minimum while giving the audience enough, so I don't end up creating a short movie. I have confidence my finished product will be great, though.

Citations:
FSH. (2016). 5 Tips for Making a Short Horror Film. Retrieved from https://www.funsizehorror.com/community/5-tips-for-making-a-short-film
Grove, E. (2017). 13 Steps To Making a Horror Film. Retrieved from https://www.raindance.org/13-steps-to-making-a-horror-film/
Raindance. (2013). How To Make Fake Blood.  Retrieved form http://www.raindance.org/how-to-make-fake-blood/

The making of a stalker

Stalkers are real, and they're scary. The antagonist for my film opening, I've decided, is going to be a stalker. Since, when many people think of stalkers they typically think of the man being a stalker, and he's usually stalking a woman. I've decided to have the man being stalked and another man is being stalking him. It is the most basic of twists, to my film opening, but more are to come. 

Stalking includes many aspects from watching people without them knowing to harassing them with letters and gifts. Unfortunately, stalking is more common than most people think, for males is typically happens 2-13% of the time and for females in happens 8-32% of the time. Often times, stalkers exhibit forms of mental illness, including depression, substance abuse, and personality disorders. According to Psychology Today, there are 5 types of stalkers. There are rejected stalkers, which often come from being the unwanted end of a close relationship and often times are seeking revenge against their former relationship partner. The intimacy seeker, is someone who seeks the intimacy from a relationship and imagines that they are in a relationship with the person being stalked. Most of the time this type of stalker is a complete stranger. Then, there's the incompetent stalker, who is very similar to the intimacy seeker, but they're able to understand that the person being stalked doesn't want a relationship with them, but continue to pursue it anyways. Resentful stalkers are the type that want revenge because of what they feel is injustice has been done to them. Typically, resentful stalkers make themselves the victim in the situation. Lastly, the predator stalker seeks power and control, rather than a sense of intimacy or a relationship with the person, and often visualize them in a sexual manner

"Stalking is defined as repeated and unwanted attention, harassment, contact, or any other behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. "

In the case of my stalker character, I've decided to make him the resentful type of stalker. By using this type of stalking over the others, I'm able to explore the truly terrifying nature that comes from the mindset of someone who's dangerous and feels as though they've been wronged.

Kane 
Childhood: Growing up for Kane was pleasantly normal. He had parents that never divorced and a best friend. Except for one thing, he was obsessed with his best friend. Often times he felt as though everyone loved his best friend more than him, and resented him for it.
Personality: Kane desired to be the center of attention and the one everyone turned to and wanted to be around. Kane, unbeknownst to him, has borderline personality disorder. Which contributes to him becoming more and more emotionally unstable and having more impulsive behaviors, especially when it concerns his best friend. He, a lot of the time, clings to his best friend in order to be more like him so that he can have the same effect on people. Yet, many people are highly skeptical of Kane because he acts too much like his best friend for it to be healthy. Eventually, Kane grows the desire to be like, act like, and look like his best friend. Unfortunately, his best friend finds out and leaves Kane, claiming he was creepy. When this occurs, Kane is left feeling like he was done injustice and that his friend needed to be taught a lesson. He eventually becomes possessed with hurting this former friend, and goes to numerous extents to do him harm, physically and mentally.

Noah
Childhood: Noah's childhood was very different from the start. He was always given love and praise from friends and family. His best fried was Kane and they spent all of their time together. From a young age, Noah has always been known as outgoing, athletic, and popular. While many people gave him a lot of grief for being friends with Kane, they knew that they'd be friends for a while. Noah never suspected that Kane was jealous of him, and never tried to make him jealous on purpose.
Personality: Noah is sweet and secure in himself. He's very much the opposite of Kane, and typically people like him more and he gets along more with people. He is extremely smart and loyal and has many things going for him.

I decided to do polar opposite main characters because it helps to show why Kane does the things he does, and makes it more real. I want people to see Kane as a real person, because the fact that this could happen in reality and that people can be like this is what's going to scare people. It's a very real possibility that can happen to anyone of us which is what makes it scary, because it's not just make believe.

Citations:
Cherry, K. (2018). A List of Psychological Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/a-list-of-psychological-disorders-2794776
Muller, R. (2013). In the Mind of a Stalker. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/talking-about-trauma/201306/in-the-mind-stalker

Planning and Plotting

Now, before I get into which genre I chose, I decided to create a schedule for my project. I've always had a problem with time management, and I know it's going to bite me in the butt if I just wing it. I have around 6 weeks now to create everything and get it done and ready to go. Which may seem like a long time, but in reality it's not a lot of time. I have to research, get actors, produce it, film, edit, make sure the sound is good, and even leave room for errors that will happen along the way. This schedule will be a basic one, until I'm able to get a feel for my pacing and update it from there.
Week 1: Researching characters, plot, genre, etc.
Week 2: Researching, and starting to storyboard and scout for actors.
Week 3: Continue to storyboard, get things ready to film, and make sure I have actors.
Week 4: Do the majority of the filming, making sure to leave enough time for everything to be filmed.
Week 5: I will be finishing the filming of the project during this time, and begin the editing process.
Week 6: Finish the editing process and begin working on my Creative Critical Reflection.
Week 7: Put the finishing touches on my project and submit it.

Now, drum roll please! The genre I chose is....

I decided to go with horror because it's one of the most popular genres, especially in recent times. In 2017, the market share of horror surpassed all other genres in ticket sales. This shows how much people enjoy the horror genre.

Horror is such an easily accessible genre, which will create some problems. Since horror is so easy to create, many ideas for horror movies have been done over and over again. Yet, I'm determined to make a horror film opening for a movie that has it's own twist to it. My original idea for the movie opening was to create either a movie where the evil character is stalking the main character, or to create a movie about a shape shifter. Both ideas are very intriguing and I'd give them a twist to make them more original. There have been many movies done about stalking and that basic idea, like the movie Fear. So, to truly come up with a stalker movie I'd have to create an original twist. 

Now as for problems I've had so far. I can already tell that time is going to be an issue, not just because of the amount of work to be done for the project, but also because of my class load. I have many demanding classes this year, so creating time to fully immerse myself in the project process will be hard. This week alone, I wasn't able to get as much research done as I would've liked to, but now that I know the basic demands the project requires I can plan accordingly. As for characters, I have a plan to go on Tuesday, the 6th of March, to ask the drama department teacher if I can audition theater kids for my movie opening. Having people who can act is so important to the foundation of the opening.  I want my actors to be able to portray the terror and fear and emotions that are required to capture people's attention. 

I've started researching my characters and my next blog post will show the characters of my film opening

Until next time!

Citations: 

Unknown. Unknown. The Best Movies About Stalking. Retrieved from https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-about-stalking/ranker-film

Unknown, Unknown. Box Office History for Horror. Retrieved from https://www.the-numbers.com/market/genre/Horror 

Drama vs. Horror

Research can be a very tedious task to undertake, but whenever I do research I always find it so interesting. I'm the type of person that doesn't mind doing something like research because I'm learning. This is definitely good, especially for right now because I'm starting the research portion of my film opening project.

I decided to begin by researching drama and what it truly entails. The genre of drama is seen as a real life representation of relationships and hard times people go through. Drama is all about representing humans, whether it's at their best or their worst. The genre of drama is most likely the largest type of genre, due to the fact that there are so many sub-genres. There are sub-genres like romance, melodrama, biography, political, historical, and so much more. Now, my target audience for drama would be mostly women, and an age range from around 65 and older. The age range could make drama harder to create. Since, there is such a gap between my age and my potential audiences' age. It could cause some major problems in the future. Yet, that also depends on my sub-genre. I was thinking of doing a romance drama or something like a coming-of-age movie, which would definitely be geared towards women, and could lower the age range.

Coming-of-age movies like The Spectacular Now have done extremely well at box office, 6.9 million U.S. dollars to be exact. Coming-of-age movies are feel good movies that young people can relate to and older people can feel nostalgia towards. From previous movies, coming-of-age and romance have been proven successful. I feel as though since it's something I have personal experience with I could make a movie that will pull at the heart strings of others.  It would definitely still be a challenge though.

Horror movies, on the other hand, have a low age group ranging from 18-30. The age range would make horror easier for me to create since I know what people in that age range enjoy. Horror movies are described as movies that are designed to cause panic and to frighten the individual watching. They are used to invoke fear and show the darker side of life. Despite being made to scare people, horror movies are fun movies to watch with friends, and considering I've watched many horror movies, I'd love to try to create the opening for one.


Movies like Paranormal Activity are extremely popular, with 889.7 million U.S. dollars made at the box office. Horror movies seem like easier movies to make, because the characters, though they need some development, don't need as much development as drama genres characters do. Horror movies seem like a more creative genre to make. My topic would require a lot of research to make sure some of the storyline is plausible, if I choose to go with the horror genre.



All this research has given me a lot to think about, stay tuned to see which genre I choose.

Citations:
Buffman, N. (2011). Drama. Retrieved from https://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/952-drama/
Palmer, W. (2017). CinemaCon 2017: Who Is Your Audience in 2017?. Retrieved from https://pro.boxoffice.com/who-is-your-audience-in-2017/ 
Unknown. Unknown. Drama Films. Retrieved from http://www.filmsite.org/dramafilms.html
Unknown. Unknown. Horror Films. Retrieved from http://www.filmsite.org/horrorfilms.html
Wikepedia. (2018). The Spectacular Now. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spectacular_Now
Wikepedia. (2018). Paranormal Activity. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranormal_Activity

Here's to new beginnings!

Hi!

My name is Isabel, but most people call me Isa, and wow! I never thought this day would actually come where I'd be starting my portfolio project. I decided to pick to create a film opening, instead of a magazine. At first when picking which project category to go for, I couldn't make up my mind. Indecisiveness is one of my many traits and I know it's going to be an obstacle for me now and in the coming weeks. Basically, I love photography and, if I do say so myself, I'm pretty good at it. Creating the images for the magazine would have been the easiest thing for me, but something about the film opening was just calling me. It would've been the harder of the two to create, especially because I didn't know anything about how to construct a film, at first. Robert Frost himself exclaimed, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—/ I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference," well the film opening would be my road less traveled by. It would be harder. It's probably going to take me longer, but I need to challenge myself. Otherwise, what's the point of taking a class like AICE Media AS if you're not going to go out of your comfort zone and try new things.

Now, new ideas aren't the easiest thing for me to come up with. Plus, coming up with an original idea that hasn't been done a thousand times in the film industry is going to be a struggle. I really want to focus on what genre I should pick before anything else. I feel like picking a genre will help me create a vision and overall idea for my soon to be masterpiece. 

Drama and horror are the two main genres I'm considering. As opposite as they are, I can't help but think these are the two most interesting and easily accessible genres to create. Considering all the aspects is so important. I need something that can be done on a very very very low to no budget and that people are interested in. In the case of drama, I would need amazing actors and an amazing script to truly capture the audience's hearts. Especially, when I only have two minutes to entrap people's attention.  However, with horror, I could easily bring in some special lighting and special effect makup to really give it that extra excitment. I'm going to have to look into both genres more and definitely consider the target audiences for both.

Stick around if you want to learn more about my journey with my film opening!