https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3E_F5Cmq2U
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
RAW Film Opening
Here's my film opening, RAW. I loved making it and I hope you enjoy watching it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFYLxguo9RE&t=22s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFYLxguo9RE&t=22s
A/V Script
So I've been on a secluded island in the Gulf of Mexico and I finally have the wifi password meaning there is about to be a burst of posts that haven't gone through yet. First, here's the script to my film opening, RAW.
Video
|
Audio
|
(WS- Drone) Zoom into Markham tree tops
(Pop-up) Graphic “A KMP Films Production”
Graphic disappears
(Quick pan right) Markham treetops
(WS- Drone) Zoom into Markham treetops and lake
(Pop-up) Graphic “In Association with Trinity Productions”
Graphic disappears
(Pan right- Drone) Follow Actor 1 running alongside lake
(MS) Actor 2 followed by actor 3 (aka ‘chasers’) runs out of bushes towards the left side of the camera
(Quick pan left, WS) Back of chasers running
(MS) Chasers running towards the right of the camera
(MS- rack focus) Actor 1 runs up to camera, pauses, looks side to side, runs off screen towards the right as camera pulls focus on the chasers running forward
(Pan right) Camera follows chasers as they disappear into the woods, no longer running alongside the lake
Sequence
(CU) Actor 1 on the left third panting and looking for chasers.
(MS) Actor 1 on the left third spots chasers
(2-shot) Chasers running towards camera
(MS, small Pan left) Actor 1 runs away
(2-shot to CU) Chasers running towards camera
--------------------------------------------------------
Switch to handheld shaky cam
--------------------------------------------------------
(MS- shallow focus) Actor 1 running towards camera and looking behind him, chasers are out of focus
(MS) Back of chasers running after Actor 1
(MS, Tilt- shallow focus) Actor 1 running towards camera chasers are out of focus, tilt down to feet hitting ground
(CU) Feet running on ground, first Actor 1’s sneakers followed by actor 2 & then actor 3
--------------------------------------------------------
Off handheld shaky cam
--------------------------------------------------------
Sequence
(WS) Actor 1 jumps over fallen trees to reach a hill
(MS, low angle) Actor 1 run up hill and turns left
(CU, low angle) Actor 1 reaches the top of the hill and takes off his backpack as he crouches down
--------------------------------------------------------
On handheld shaky cam
--------------------------------------------------------
(ECU) Actor 1 struggles to zip open his backpack
(ECU) Actor 1 looks up as he is opening his bag
(2 shot- high angle) Chasers step over fallen branch and look up to Actor 1
(2 shot) Chasers look up at actor 1, then at each other, then at actor 1 again
(CU) Actor 1 looking towards chasers panicked
(OTS- low angle, shallow focus) Over the shoulder of chasers looking at Actor 1 opening backpack
(MS- low angle) Actor 1 open bag, looks inside as a white light beam shoots out
(CU) Actor 1’s head rises to reveal his menacing face and blurred eyeballs
Cut to white text on black screen
Graphic “RAW” zooms in slowly
Dip to black
|
(Fade up) Wood Forest SOUND EFFECT - Ambience Background Wald SOUND.mp3
(Sudden start) INTENSE SUSPENSE BACKGROUND MUSIC.mp3
Edit INTENSE SUSPENSE BACKGROUND MUSIC.mp3 to a 4-beat count, then continue the rest of the song
Music slows to intensify the moment
Cinematic Rise Sound Effect.mp3 begins
(Fade out) INTENSE SUSPENSE BACKGROUND MUSIC.mp3
Rise and hit occurs
(Continue) Wood Forest SOUND EFFECT - Ambience Background Wald SOUND.mp3
Fade out all audio
|
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Briefing
I briefly mentioned how my schedule when I was in Anaheim was tight, so I didn't have the time I predicted I'd have to film my opening. Because of this, rather than completely changing my idea, I've decided to keep the chase scene but change mise en scene elements in order to match the location in which I'd actually be filming.
Extracted from "Round 2... It's a Mystery"
The basic idea that I came up with is a guy running from two chasers because of an unknown reason (as far as the audience knows).
It would begin with the chase scene, immediately providing that sense of action and dragging in viewers. The protagonist of the film, wearing fancy attire and carrying a briefcase, would be running from two guys who are dressed in baggy clothing and primarily dark colors. This costume choice further divides the parties, making it clear that they are not all together, and that the so-called 'chasers' make up a team.
Eventually, the nicely dressed guy will end up isolated in either a bedroom or office. He will place the briefcase on a table and open it up. When he opens the top of the briefcase, the blinding light will flood out, and this mysterious light will turn off as he closes the bag. Suddenly there is banging at the door (it's the chasers from before). At the loud knock, the protagonist will look up at the closed door both shocked and terrified. Black screen.
I feel as though the chasers can still wear dark, baggy clothes considering their behavior is sketchy and this outfit choice works for almost any location as long it matches the character's attitude. However, nobody would realistically be wearing a suit in the woods, so I've decided the protagonist should wear an outfit that consists of cargo pants, long socks, etc (similar to this). By wearing bland and natural colors like beige, olive green, blue, or dark grays, he will have a wilderness look to him which is what I'm going for.
Extracted from "Round 2... It's a Mystery"
The basic idea that I came up with is a guy running from two chasers because of an unknown reason (as far as the audience knows).
It would begin with the chase scene, immediately providing that sense of action and dragging in viewers. The protagonist of the film, wearing fancy attire and carrying a briefcase, would be running from two guys who are dressed in baggy clothing and primarily dark colors. This costume choice further divides the parties, making it clear that they are not all together, and that the so-called 'chasers' make up a team.
Eventually, the nicely dressed guy will end up isolated in either a bedroom or office. He will place the briefcase on a table and open it up. When he opens the top of the briefcase, the blinding light will flood out, and this mysterious light will turn off as he closes the bag. Suddenly there is banging at the door (it's the chasers from before). At the loud knock, the protagonist will look up at the closed door both shocked and terrified. Black screen.
DESIGN
Because this no longer takes place in a convention center and it has been moved to a forest/ swamp area (Markham Park), I need to figure out new costume design and props.I feel as though the chasers can still wear dark, baggy clothes considering their behavior is sketchy and this outfit choice works for almost any location as long it matches the character's attitude. However, nobody would realistically be wearing a suit in the woods, so I've decided the protagonist should wear an outfit that consists of cargo pants, long socks, etc (similar to this). By wearing bland and natural colors like beige, olive green, blue, or dark grays, he will have a wilderness look to him which is what I'm going for.
Additionally, he wouldn't be holding a briefcase but rather a backpack with survival tools inside. When he opens the backpack at the end of the opening, a blinding light could shine out, ending the video on a cliff hanger.
Target Audience
The target audience of this action/ mystery film is young male adults and teenagers. It's for this reason that the main characters are male teenagers so that viewers can relate to them.
Font
Action and mystery movie titles are linear and the color matches the color scheme of the movie itself. For my own, I will also choose a linear font and go with a shade of green, brown, or gray to match the location of my film
Action
Mystery
Sunday, April 2, 2017
The Color Wheel
After reading a blog that discussed how the color affects the look and meaning behind a film, I was able to make an educated decision on what I wanted my own film opening to look like.
Similar to The Matrix, I want my film opening to have a "cool" feel to it. Through costume design I can make it seem like the characters are always tense. I can juxtapose this feeling through the background location, keeping the colors warm and vibrant. This implies that the society is lively and not involved with the action that is taking place. It makes the chase scene feel a little out of place, causing the audience to feel more disturbed and further enhancing that sense of mystery as to why these characters are in a suburban area.
The Matrix: cool blue/ green
Color and the look of a film – Visual Analysis. (2013, December 07). Retrieved April 02, 2017, from https://filmschoolthrucommentaries.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/color-and-the-look-of-a-film-visual-analysis/
Similar to The Matrix, I want my film opening to have a "cool" feel to it. Through costume design I can make it seem like the characters are always tense. I can juxtapose this feeling through the background location, keeping the colors warm and vibrant. This implies that the society is lively and not involved with the action that is taking place. It makes the chase scene feel a little out of place, causing the audience to feel more disturbed and further enhancing that sense of mystery as to why these characters are in a suburban area.
The Matrix: cool blue/ green
http://i.onionstatic.com/avclub/4305/62/16x9/960.jpg
https://walkalongthenarrowpath.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/jacked_in.jpg
http://media2.s-nbcnews.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/111213-matrix-learning-hmed-523p.grid-6x2.jpg
http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/pics/gsinfographic1(color)large.jpg
Color and the look of a film – Visual Analysis. (2013, December 07). Retrieved April 02, 2017, from https://filmschoolthrucommentaries.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/color-and-the-look-of-a-film-visual-analysis/
How to: Chase
The first step in creating an action movie would be learning how to successfully portray the vision step-by-step. Lucky for me, I was able to find this link which is specifically for action movie chase scenes.
Broken down into 3 major components, here are the most important techniques for the following elements.
Brainstorming
Ideas
- Obstacles
A few obstacles I can have along the way are fallen palm trees, cars passing by quickly, bikers and joggers. Basically, any subject that would cause the runners to have to slow down or stumble.
- Bystanders
By definition a bystander is a person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part. I want to go by this exact explanation in regards to my film. Instead of having onlookers who simply watch but don't act on strange activity occurring around them, I want the bystanders in my film opening to appear completely oblivious to the situation, acting as if this were a completely normal event. This adds a little bit of comedy and wonderment.
- Location
I'm gonna have to change the location to my hometown considering I didn't have enough time in Anaheim like I hoped. Some locations I can use are my neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods, sidewalks next to busy streets, roundabouts, populated shopping centers, the sidewalk next to a highway, and an empty field.
Writing
- Twists
The twist in my story comes at the end. The protagonist will go from busy locations to an empty feel, completely changing the tone of the excerpt. This is where he will open up his briefcase, exposing a red light. According to Color Wheel Pro, "Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination as well as passion, desire, and love. Red is a very emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure." Notice that the last part of the explanation says that red increases circulatory activity. For this reason, I believe red is the color that best corresponds to the fast-paced action movie I am trying to accomplish.
Help
- Director
Me
- Cameramen
Me and possibly Carlos Ramirez and/or Santiago Triana. It depends on their school and work schedules. I'll be able to confirm the day before filming; however, I will be able to film by myself if necessary.
- Actors
Alec Marsh as the protagonist, Rodrigo Diaz and Jose Cabrera as the chasers. I will need a few extras as bystanders and somebody to drive by in a car for one of the obstacles.
Storyboard
I'm storyboarding tomorrow and Tuesday because I want to spend more time on it. I'm not an artist so I imagine it'll take longer for me to be content with the images I draw. Therefore, I need to dedicate more time to it.
Filming
Go to the first location, record shots from all angles until you are happy with at least one. Repeat for all locations
Editing
1. Import footage
2. Delete unwanted footage
3. Place clips in chronological order
4. Add graphics
5. Clean it up
6. Export
Color Wheel Pro - See Color Theory in Action. (n.d.). Retrieved April 02, 2017, from http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html
W. (2017, April 02). How to Make an Action Movie Chase Scene. Retrieved April 02, 2017, from http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Action-Movie-Chase-Scene#/Image:Make-an-Action-Movie-Chase-Scene-Step-2-Version-3.jpg
Be Prepared, Be Flexible
While at the convention in Anaheim, I attended a workshop named "Be Prepared, Be Flexible". The presenter was Carly Danek, a photographer for BTN11 (Break the News, Channel 11 from Minneapolis, Minnesota). She and a reporter she works with discussed how to deal with unexpected circumstances, such as an angry neighbor or burning houses. By listening to them speak from their own experiences and hearing their answers to our questions, I learned techniques that I could use for my own film opening.
For example, by planning out multiple locations in which I can film my video while getting the same message across, I minimize the chances of putting myself in a situation where I can't film.
Rereading that it sounds a bit confusing so imagine this situation:
I go to film at the Anaheim Hilton hotel like I discussed in a previous post. The only day I have time to film, it begins to rain. Most of the action took place outdoors, in front of the main entrance. However, if I found places inside the hotel where the actors can do the chase scene, while still getting the same message across even though the location has changed, then I no longer have an issue and I can still film the opening on that day.
Another thing I learned that I found very interesting is that you can film on any property unless there is a no trespassing sign. The example Danek gave during the presentation was more for news purposes but she later touched on how this affects any type of video whether it's for broadcast journalism or film entertainment.
For example, by planning out multiple locations in which I can film my video while getting the same message across, I minimize the chances of putting myself in a situation where I can't film.
Rereading that it sounds a bit confusing so imagine this situation:
I go to film at the Anaheim Hilton hotel like I discussed in a previous post. The only day I have time to film, it begins to rain. Most of the action took place outdoors, in front of the main entrance. However, if I found places inside the hotel where the actors can do the chase scene, while still getting the same message across even though the location has changed, then I no longer have an issue and I can still film the opening on that day.
Another thing I learned that I found very interesting is that you can film on any property unless there is a no trespassing sign. The example Danek gave during the presentation was more for news purposes but she later touched on how this affects any type of video whether it's for broadcast journalism or film entertainment.
This is a YouTube video called Reporter Confrontation. The BTN11 employees from the workshop filmed and reported on this story. The man who tried to attack the reporter and cameraman was drunk at the time. Lightning had struck the pool house and cinder block fell on the people inside. Breaking news that's worth covering, right?
Well, this man was extremely upset with the fact that these journalists had come to get the full scoop on the story. Notice how the whole crew is on the opposite side of his fence, in an empty lot. In the beginning of the video, the man says that the guy who owns the property they are standing on would not like them to film there. 1) Nobody is allowed to speak on behalf of someone else's property. 2) There was not a no trespassing sign, therefore making the situation legal.
Of course had the man who owns the lot called up the news station afterward and threatened to get a lawyer involved if they refuse to erase all of this footage, that'd be a different story.
What I learned here is that I can be more flexible when choosing the locations I shoot at, and I have the law on my side if I ever get into a situation like the one above.
I can implement this workshop when filming my opening because I have learned how to deal with situations from weather conditions to legal issues. Should I find myself stuck in some sort of problem, I am confident that I will be better at handling the situation now that I have attended Be Prepared, Be Flexible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)