Audio Planning

    Many people doing this project might only just focus on the video aspects of the project as the video aspects are what is ultimately going to be watched and graded based on the content. But audio should be considered very important to a high degree as well because it has the ability to make any video with only background audio way better as it can help do lots of things such as establishing a certain scene, highlighting a certain event in a scene or maybe just adding necessary detail to the whole movie for maximum viewer impact. In our case, audio is a supplement that is supposed to give us the finer details that allow for our film to be at the level of detail that we wanted it to be. Here are a few audio aspects that me and my partner plan to incorporate in our project:

    Diegetic sound: Perhaps the kind of audio that will be most used in our opening, this is perfect for our opening for various reasons, many of them are kind of obvious. First of all, diegetic sound is meant to keep the environment as real as possible which is essential because our opening is meant to be very realistic as we wanted to incorporate how a real life drug deal might play out without incorporating the potentially dangerous parts and also adding a twist toward the end of the interaction which although might not be fully realistic of all real life drug deals, it is a real possibility that it could happen especially given the shady circumstances of the deal that we try to imitate. 

    Sudden suspenseful stings: These are meant to indicate that there is a very sudden event is occurring, such as when the Buyer suddenly gets kidnapped by the Dealer. This is meant to invoke a sense of fear, highly increased tension, and possibly even jump scare our audience (although jump scaring or other horror themes are not our main target of the use of these sounds, it can be used as a supplement). This altogether would expand all of the quick and critical moments of our opening to allow for a lasting effect in our audience which would allow for something like the audience expecting another event to occur or for the audience to become tense about what could happen next. Here is the kind of scene where I would like to incorporate these types of sounds in (this scene is kind of a vibe of what our actual scene is going to be like):

    If I were to incorporate a sting into this scene (the scene is from Reclaim (2014)), I would incorporate it whenever the kidnapper suddenly pulls out the gun or the exact moment where the person gets knocked out to the point where they are able to be tied up and restrained by the kidnapper. 

    In this project, I and my partner also plan to incorporate foley sounds into certain parts of our projects for certain actions such as a lamp being turned on in a dark room or a rope being tied to hands and legs or the sound of being knocked out to the ground. We will incorporate these sounds whenever we deem it to be necessary to do so or whenever it adds more of an immersive experience to a certain scene. We have not started editing yet but as soon as we do, we will determine the next course of action related to this and let you all know if we do decide to incorporate foley during the editing process. 

Props: What We Interact With

     Although there won’t be a lot of props in our opening, it is still very important that I discuss them as they can be often overlooked but are still a very important piece of the bigger picture (in this case, the film opening). Similar to lighting, props can also tell a story on their own and can also help convey certain narratives such as tension and ambiguity. Here are the primary props that we plan to use and why exactly we plan to use them

    The Phone: The object that helps represent the secrecy and expectance of the incoming scene. The phone that the buyer checks confirms to the audience that there is an impending interaction between him and the dealer soon and that it also helps show a sense of confirmation that the buyer is trying to get and that it could possibly also highlight a fear of uncertainty as the text message that we plan to have sent could raise tensions as typically seen in various high stakes situations such as the one that is our film opening. 

    The Money: With money being exchanged for the fake drugs, I like to think of it as a ‘point of no return’ as whenever you exchange money for something, you typically do not return your item and you receive another product in exchange for the money. In the opening, we plan to portray this via a tight close up shot that shows just the money being handed to the surface (platform) where the products are exchanged (the platform is used to exchange products between the two as no hand to hand distribution is done as per the rule made by the dealer). We could have the buyer hold the money with a tight grip to highlight previous hesitation that is introduced during the beginning where the buyer pulls out the phone. Overall, the money represents trust and risk and a typical point of no return. 

    (The money is inside the envelope; the envelope is meant to symbolize the money)

    The fake drugs: This is obviously what the money is being exchanged for by the buyer. The drugs represent a typical temptation that often results in consequences which could be in the form of something like criminal prosecution, violence, and addiction or death caused by one of these reasons. They also represent the crossing of ethical boundaries as a result of their illegal nature and consequences as a result. In conclusion, this shows that the buyer is tempted to buy something that would give him a short dopamine rush and is willing to go to far extents to get whatever he wants to achieve this dopamine rush. 

    (We plan to use supplements or medication such as vitamins or maybe a fake substance mixture such as sugar or salt in a Ziploc bag)

    The Implied Weapon: Although this would not be an actual weapon for obvious reasons, we would like to recreate a weapon that looks as similar to a real weapon as possible. Either a small pocket knife or a handgun. This represents the power that the dealer has over the buyer especially whenever the dealer kidnaps the buyer and the buyer is tied up. We don’t plan to fully show the makeshift fake weapon that we plan to show, we plan to only imply that the dealer has a weapon through clothing or something else that shows that the dealer has a weapon that can be seen or implied through concealment. 

    (We would not have any actual weapons shown in the scene but instead we would imply that the Dealer has a weapon while he is above the Buyer who is on the ground) 

    The Rope: And finally, the rope represents how the buyer is trapped and is at a loss after getting kidnapped. The fate of the buyer is in the dealer’s hands. In short, this represents entrapment and the inability to do anything about it especially as a result of the consequences that the buyer was willing to face for a short dopamine rush that many people regret especially after using drugs. 

Lighting: What We See (or Not)

     In this post, I will be discussing how lighting is one of the most important mise-en-scene elements in our (me and my partner’s) opening and how exactly we plan to use/interpret it in our opening. As many people already know, lighting isn’t just used to light up a scene or just make something visible, it can be used to tell a story on its own and also set the mood for a certain scene that might be very important to the film. In our case, we plan to use lighting to convey a sense of ambiguity and tension along with a few other things. Here’s how: 

    First of all, the film is going to take place in the evening where it suggests secrecy while creating an overall environment where things are hidden. Although this choice might sound obvious for a film like ours, it is essential that we use low levels of environmental lighting in our film as our plot centers around a secret drug dealing that ends with a twist. If this were to be set during the day, there would be a much harder time conveying the tone for this situation and audiences would possibly not understand understand the events or even relate to anything if they were in a similar situation in the past before.    Overall, we want to show to audiences that with us filming in the evening, we want to show that our two main characters are operating in an secret environment where their actions are high stakes and so that the dealer can even use this darkness to his advantage by keeping the kidnapping of the buyer discreet. 

    Tying in to what we have already planned, we plan to use low key lighting which emphasizes strong contrasts between light and shadow. This method of lighting is often used in crime and thriller films (our film is centered toward an action/crime mix) as it visually represents danger and internal conflict. We would like to show how shadows can partially obscure the character’s faces (especially the dealer’s face) as it can represent how the characters’ actions aren’t fully transparent about their intentions.

    With it already being dark outside, we would also like to utilize any practical and already installed sources of lights such as streetlights or any kind of light that has a practical use in daily life. This allows for a clear perception of danger as it is often portrayed in many different films that danger happens in the dark where no one sees. The same even applies for real life as well. Here are a couple of pictures of what I am thinking about lighting wise: 

    Lighting can also be used to create power dynamics within  a film. For example (in the context of our film): The dealer can be shown to have slightly more light to symbolize that he has more power over the situation, especially when he kidnaps the buyer. The opposite applies to the buyer as well, the buyer’s face can be slightly more shadowed than the dealer especially in order to convey a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. All of these actions in turn, can lead to tensions rising especially when the deal is actively being done and when audiences are expecting something sudden to happen or not. Two big examples of films that I found that use lighting to create tension along with ambiguity through their use of darkness and selective lighting are Nightcrawler (2014) and Drive (2011). 

    Overall, the lighting that we plan to use in our film will visually communicate secrecy, danger, and shifting power dynamics. The lighting would make for a great cinematic experience especially when done right as it can make a huge difference when it comes to the overall environment of the scene.

Group Meeting #1 Reflection

     Recently, we had our first meeting with a group of people who were in different projects related to the same film opening project. The purpose of this meeting was to see where each and every one of us was at in our projects and what we planned to do with them. We also shared all of our blogs with each other during this process. As the meeting was taking place, I took notes of what everyone had to say about their projects and now I have a rough outline of what about everyone had to say. The names of my particular group members in this meeting were Madison, Addison, Alessandra, Kiarmary, Jacob, Alejandro, and myself. Here is what everyone had to bring to the table:

    Madison: Madison had a well planned out idea of a film that starts with the introduction of two sisters who grew apart over the years. Their former relationship can be shown through flashbacks of them having a good relationship with each other. Then it turns to present time where makeup is shown, then soon after, a children’s version of the makeup is shown being put on as another flashback. This happens with the other sister as well (the parallel editing is emphasized here particularly). But later on, when one of the sisters knocks on the other sister’s door, the other sister does not want to respond. From what I have learned, Madison has a sister in real life but she does not wish to do it so she might need to get a friend instead to do it. I was able to understand most of the details of the narrative and was able to paint a good picture of her story. It was just that I didn’t fully understand the makeup at first but now I have a more clearer understanding of what it symbolizes. 

    Alejandro: Alejandro along with his two other friends that he is working together with are planning do their opening that is heavily inspired by Fast and Furious movies. It starts off by showing a deal between two people similar to how a drug deal would go but instead of drugs, the deal was based around illegal car parts. Someone gets the car part and then is happy that the he had the part so he then installs the part in the opening (which I personally felt like should not be included as it takes too long for it to take place in a short film opening). From there, what I remembered and noted was that that person then meet some other cocky person that he then races with in a sort of high stakes race. All I know after is that one of the people involved in the opening then stalls their car in a high stakes race. Alejandro also stated that this was supposed to be a comedy but I personally don’t understand why it was supposed to be positioned in that kind of genre especially when Fast and Furious was never too much of a comedy and more so action focused (at least that’s what I thought of it). 

    Jacob: Jacob plans to work alone while trying to create a sports drama that is heavily inspired by the movie Rocky. He wants to do his opening by showing logos and punching bags and someone punching the bag but the person is not shown. As he is punching the bag, flashbacks of the person losing in a fight can be shown and the flashback and the main practice scene can be shown at the same time. As time passes, it started to get intense until the face of the person punching the bag is shown and then the opening ends. Although this is a nice and well rounded plan, I personally feel like it’ll be hard to film with one person alone and also does he have all the props for the opening? I think so but I don’t fully know.

    Kiarmary: Kiarmary had a plan to do an opening with two other people and have this opening in a setting where someone is going to a diner where the person is delivering something to another, more powerful person. This is later revealed to be a payment for something that the first character did wrong (at least that’s what I remember). This is intended to be a comedy where the person paying the other person is actually a spy who tries to get away with something but honestly, I don’t fully understand how this is a comedy other than the part where the person is supposed to be a smart person who is clever in their ways against the other person. They should add more comedic elements in my opinion but they do have a good base to start with.

    Alessandra: Alessandra’s idea was rough and not fully planned through but what she had was that the setting was going to take place in a post apocalyptic setting where her and one other person were walking and then the other person gets attacked and then only one character is left to fend for themselves. This one needs to be planned out more and she has to play out the post apocalyptic narrative right in order for this to be a success but it is possible for sure.

    Addison: Unfortunately, when we got to her, we ran out of class time and as a result, she hasn’t presented her idea so I can’t say anything about what she had in mind.

    Here are the notes I took during the meeting. They are very summarized as I couldn’t write or remember everything at once:

Project Idea (REFER TO UPDATED STROYBOARD AND SCRIPT FOR UPDATED NARRATIVE)

    As seen with the storyboard (and later script) that we developed. We have came up with a rough narrative on what our film opening is going to be and how exactly we are going to play it out. Below is a summary of it, however beware that some details might be subject to change as time goes and the filming dates get closer. 

SUMMARY (Outdated, refer to updates):

    The film starts with slow but cold opening of scenery that consists of various day to day life. From there, we begin to see an empty parking lot where we are then introduced to a man who is walking to a car to meet up with someone. The guy walks and walks toward the car while keeping awareness about his surroundings. Then he later gets to the car where standing next to it, is a drug dealer.

    Once he meets the drug dealer, they start talk to each other about if the man has what the dealer has been looking for and if the dealer has what the man is looking for. Everything seems to be going completely fine and this is going to be looking like a normal deal, but then all of the sudden as the dealer starts to give the product after the man gives the money, the dealer suddenly punches the man and knocks him out. 

    The man gets completely knocked out and for a short while, we can see the drug dealer alone with the man’s unconscious body and the car. The dealer then begins to pour a suspicious substance into the man’s mouth where the dealer then begins to restrain the man and drag him into the back seat of the car. After that, the man quickly gets away from the lot.

    As the car ride is commencing, the man starts to have flashbacks about how great of a person he was as a child by showing flashbacks of him graduating at the top of his class, memories of having good friends while having fun together and then a flashback of his dad telling him not to go down the route of drugs. After the flashbacks, the man loses consciousness again (the flashbacks happen when he has no full consciousness just some awareness of the situation). 

    Soon after, the car then goes inside a small, dark garage where the dealer gets out of the car and then begins to open the back door where he then drags the man out of the car while being restrained/tied up. The lights then turn on to reveal the man in a corner of the garage at the back of the car and the man who is tied up. The man then begins to pull out a weapon and then says to the man something along the lines of “Are you ready?” or “Any last words?”. From there, as tensions are at their highest, the car’s trunk suddenly opens where someone pops out of the trunk and ambushes the dealer where he is killed by surprise. The film then proceeds to the credits before any establishment of the two characters is made.

    UPDATE: We have changed certain aspects of our narrative. Please refer to our updated storyboard and script for more information.

Storyboard (and Script)

     Below is our first interpretation of a storyboard that we both planned out for the film opening that we plan to film soon. With this being our first attempt at what we want to do for our opening, it may not be fully perfect like the way we wanted to which is why we will be looking back at this and potentially editing certain parts of it to better fit our narrative and to help us achieve what we want to in a good quality. 

    UPDATE: Since doing this storyboard, we have revised it and also created a rough script of what would be in our opening (please be aware that not everything in the storyboard or script would be added to the actual opening as we might make small last minute changes to our narrative but nothing too major would be done). Here is the script and the new storyboards:

Credit Sequences Research

    This post is a continuation of the Film Openings Research post. Here is where I will be analyzing credit sequences within the openings of the three films: The Dark Knight (2008), Terminator 2, Judgement Day (1991) and Casino Royale (2006).

    The Dark Knight (2008):

    Analysis: 

    The film does not show opening credits and instead, starts the film directly with the bank heist scene. This allows for audiences to be immersed in the film's narrative and to establish tension among audiences at the same time. Without a proper credit sequence in the beginning, realism and urgency are emphasized to a large degree which is supported by the events that feel uncontrolled and immediate as a result. This also further emphasizes the central idea of chaos as illustrated in the opening itself. 

    Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991): 

    Analysis:

    Opening credits for this film begin after the short prologue. Credits are shown through visuals of the post apocalyptic future that is portrayed in the opening. Some specific visuals of the post apocalyptic future that are shown include flames, machinery and other forms of destruction. The credit sequence can be seen as a way to further establish the tone while credits are being given out due to what is happening during the credit sequence. 

    Casino Royale (2006): 

    Analysis:

    This film does not immediately show opening credits until after the opening which consists of the dialogue heavy confrontation scene and the brutal fight scene that cuts the confrontation scene periodically. The actual credit sequence that shows after the opening is a stylized sequence that uses a lot of graphic animation, symbolic imagery and motion design that is particularly inspired by aspects of violence and playing cards. Altogether, the sequence helps to develop the themes of danger and risk and also hint at what Bond might face later on in the actual film.