Filming blog: filming at the house

          After solving the vast issue we faced with not having the expected amount of actors, we were finally ready to film. Luckily, we were able to film the day we intended and didn’t have to change any of our filming plans. Before we started filming, we had to find the desired location in the house to film. We searched the house trying to find the most logical location to film each scene. We tried to find the darkest location in the house to create a creepier setting for our film. As we were filming in the day time, it was challenging to find a spot in the house that was darker or at least dim. Because of this, we decided to close all the curtains through the house, making the overall setting much dimmer. Once this was accomplished, we had to find the darkest room in the house the film the scariest part of the movie entry. The darkness of this room made the genre of horror and chilling feels to stand out to create a greater impact on the audience. Once my group and I decided on all of our filming locations throughout the house, we were ready to film.
          As we started to film, my group and I acted out the first scenes approaching the house and having a simple conversation in the living room. The content within these first few scenes constructed a guideline for the audience on what the next scenes may be about. Within these scenes, many important shots were used. These shots included over the shoulder shots, establishing shots, and tracking shots. The use of these shots will result in our movie entry looking much more professional. The following scenes after these were used to express the horror and suspense leading to the scariest part of our film. These scenes were known to us as the scariest scenes throughout the whole film. For example, one of these scenes include individuals plying the Ouija board in complete darkness awaiting spirits. Within these scenes, we included very important camera angles and shots. These included medium close-ups, close-ups, pans, tilts, high angles, low angles, medium shots, and long shots. These shots and angles were very beneficial as they were all mostly used to excel in the feeling and genre of horror.

Filming Blog: Resolving an issue

          In result of a lot of discussions, my group and I decided to film on Sunday. Everything was going as planned until we ran into a serious problem. The individuals that agreed to work with my group and I informed us that they may be either late and may not make it. They then later confirmed that they were all not going to be able to make it for filming on Sunday. They explained that they started to film their own footage the same day and didn't expect it to take as long as it took. They said that their footage was going to take all day rather then what we anticipated: only a couple of hours. They said that they could help us the following weekend however, we wanted to film earlier so we would have time to edit our footage. Because of this, we were in a lot of panic. We were very worried as our whole script and storyboard included the individuals that weren't able to make it resulting in my group and I having to make changes to the script and storyboard. We informed the individuals that weren't able to make it that it was all going to be okay as they respectively apologized to us in concern of our plans.
            My group and I knew we had to find a solution as that could have been our last opportunity to film. My group and I brainstormed many ideas to help us find a solution to this massive problem. It was essential to us that our scenes still made sense and were still interesting for not only us but for the audience as well. If the scenes didn't make sense to the audience, the film wouldn't be interesting and it would be challenging to follow along with what happens throughout the film. This will also exclude the wanted genre of horror and the thrilling feeling that the audience craves. My group and I started to edit our script that was completed before we knew that we were low on actors. We needed to make edits to make our scenes actable with the number of actors we sustained. After some time, we finally perfected our script for the number of people we could work with. My group and I were very relieved that we faced and handled the problem very well without messing up our filming schedule. Because our group works so well together, we were still able to produce some amazing footage for our first day of filming, even with the problem that we faced in the beginning.

Filming blog: Scheduling and planning

          My group and I were planning on filming over the weekend but unfortunately, we were unable to. Unexpected plans from my fellow group members took place at the same time that my group and I were going to film. This resulted in us having to cancel our plans for filming. Since my group and I couldn’t film, we decided to use this time resourcefully to reschedule and conduct planning for the new filming date. I believe that this step was very important as this will provide an easier and smoother filming process. My group and I spent many hours on Group FaceTime discussing and reviewing specific details that will take place in each scene. We did this to make sure that we were all organized and prepared for the day that we planned to start filming. We also reviewed and discussed the angles and shots that would look good or match with each scene to make our film look more professional. This will also prevent my group and I from using more time on planning and getting organized at the filming location. As a result of this, my group and I will not waste valuable time that can be used to film.
         During our planning over the phone, my group and I mainly focused on the props and the setting of our film. Using the power of all of our knowledge, we conducted many great ideas about props and the setting that would be essential and valuable to include in our film. We also discussed specific editing techniques that we could use to take our film to the next level. To make the filming process less stressful, my group and I agreed that we would all bring props. This would allow my group and I to have a selection of props to choose from. The usage of these props and special effects extenuate the element of horror and fully express the purpose of the genre: to scare. Without the props, the genre of horror wouldn’t be completely fulfilled. The props will allow our film to seem more realistic and professional. When referring to the special effects, it is essential that we use them. Adding special effects will allow our film to look more professional and smooth as special effects can’t be regularly filmed and must be inserted to complete that feeling of horror that the audience craves.

Storyboard for the final task

   This is our storyboard. This story board will help out when it comes to the filming and editing process. Like in the past, the storyboard will act as a step-by-step guide for filming and editing.  For example, while we are filming we can look back at our storyboard to see what camera movements we wanted and in what scene or when to use them. We could also use the storyboard for the editing process. The storyboard could help us to remember what we wanted our titles to look like and what type of visuals we want. Overall, the storyboard helps to remind our group of our initial ideas for the film. This is helpful because we have found that sometimes while we film or while we edit we forget what we wanted and in what scene. So the storyboard helps us with this. The storyboard also helps us see if we made any changes when we finish our film or what stayed the same.

Planning Blog: Schedule, location, participants and health

In this presentation, the aspects schedule, location, participants, and health are focused. Within our schedule, we chose as a group what days will be best for us to record. As for the location after deliberating thoroughly we decided that it will be best to film at  Sophia’s house. Furthermore, we decided on how many people we would need to conduct the film. We chose three people for our group then three extras from another, the total will result in a great representation for a group of friends. Lastly, we discussed things we can do to make sure we are safe. Which included simple things like transportation. Exchanging views about these four aspects will be beneficial to us in the future, we won’t have to replan or rethink of anything. This will prevent wasting time from our filming process.

Planning Blog: Title slide

In this google presentation my group and I spoke about the titles of our movie. We spoke about where they would be, what they would look like and more aspects of the titles. Examples of this include color, size, and structure of the titles. This is all included in the presentation. We also came up with the name of our movie. This posed some difficulty because we had our whole script but couldn't think of a title. We wanted our movie title to correctly summarize our movie but at the same time not give the plot away. Eventually we came up with the title. This presentation will be very useful to our group because we can use it as a reference when we are editing. And will remind us of our original title ideas if they change as the process goes on.

Sound Script for the Final Task

In this Google Slides presentation, my group and I wrote out a sound script. This is a script that discusses the different sounds that would be used in our final task video. The sound effects discussed correspond with the shooting script. It is very essential to have this all planned out in order to have a smoother filming process. This script acts as a general outline for all the sounds that would be included. My group and I selectively picked out the sounds that we thought would work best with each scene. We made sure that the sounds would be able to contribute to the overall theme being horror. These sounds also allow the audience to better interpret and understand what is going on. For example, when the beat increases in the background music, the audience can assume that something is about to happen in the scene. It is extremely important to be able to identify when there will be a shift in the tone of the scene. As expected, there will be a few minor changes that may occur to the script to better suit the film. However, these changes will only be small and will not result in tremendous differences. Overall, this script will help tremendously as we begin to film, as it provides a layout for what we will need to do and edit in.

Shooting Script for the Final Task

In this google slides presentation I wrote out my groups shooting script. This is a script with all of the words, camera movements and some notable editing styles. This script can act as an overall outline for our movie clip. Each slide is a new scene. So for each scene I wrote out the dialogue and the characters movements. I also like said before noted any camera movements, angles or shits that were new or important to the scene. I also did the same for any added in things that would be for the editing process. We could use this script during the filming process and follow it religiously. Of course some changes are bound to be made because that's what happens in a film. But if any changes are to be made they will be minuscule and the overall plot will remain similar to the powerpoint. And the powerpoint will be very useful for the rest of the process.