I am so done. But also powering through.

So basically, I am extremely annoyed. I know in my last blog post I was super excited about having an apartment to film in, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. Well, I have bad news. While my actress, Chloe, is available to film next weekend, my actor, Justin, is not. He is a big basketball player and is having tournaments almost every weekend. The weekend after the roles are reversed since Justin is free but Chloe has a tournament herself. This is understandable, but frustrating, as I hoped to begin filming so that we have an ample amount of time to edit. 

I think my group members and I are going to have to think of maybe finding someone new to play the role of the male lead because I do not think we should wait for one to be available and potentially cost us valuable time that we could be used for perfecting the opening. 

On a happier note, I have begun to look for props to use at the beginning of the opening. If you recall, we plan on having her unpack boxes full of objects that indicate that the female lead is an overachiever, and very intelligent. I have a couple of trophies/medals in my own home that I think would be great to use for the opening. On example is shown below. 

This is another medal I was thinking of using. We used it for my mom's achievement if you could not tell, but I was thinking maybe I could replace the picture of my mom with one of Chloe to add to the fact that she was the one who earned it

Also, I purchased the college flag that I mentioned using as a prop a few weeks ago. I know earlier it seemed as though I was going to get a UF college flag, but I realized that since the apartment I will be filming in is Miami, it would be best to match the vibe of the location with the college known in that area. It also makes it easier for me to use shots of the surroundings/city of Miami if needed. This would further point the audience to the location of the opening without me having to clearly point it out through dialogue. My online receipt is seen below.

If I plan on using more props relating to medals/achievements, I am sure that my two group members have some. Although I do not want to overdo it with the amount if medals, so to break it up a bit I would like to just have picture frames of the female lead with her family. Which brings me to my next point. I am going to contact my friend Chloe, aka the lead, to see if we could get together one day and have a small photo shoot where she is wearing studious clothing, holding medals, and just simple ones with her family. I plan on printing these in Walgreens and putting them in frames to add to the props that I already have. I feel like these, along with random items that take up space in the cardboard boxes (to make it look full) will be sufficient for the first scene of the opening. 

Location Update

 Hi, so I have great news. I mentioned in my last blog that I was super worried about where our filming location would be since I did not know anyone who owned an apartment that I could film in. However, I realized that my Aunt actually owned a beach apartment of that sort in Miami. After asking my mother to ask my Aunt to give us a pass to enter the apartment without her being there, she said yes! All I have to do is send her a picture of my ID so that the front office can let me in without a problem.

Now that the issue of the location is resolved, we are going to contact our actors and schedule a time in which we could all get together and film. Our hope is to film as soon as possible so that we can spend a good amount of our time editing and perfecting the final product. 

Script Writing

 Hi, so I know I briefly mentioned the script writing in my last blog post, but today I am going to dedicate the blog to showing you what we have come up with so far. The plan is to take up the first 30 seconds of the opening with the girl unpacking her stuff. We plan on creating a sort of montage out of these shots and incorporating the credits and music within this scene. The next 30 seconds would be dedicated to her grabbing something out of her car/a short phone call with her mother. Then, the last minute would consist of her encounter with her neighbor and the conversation between them. During filming, if we see that we have time left over or maybe not enough time, then my group and I would either elongate the dialogue between the two love interests or shorten it depending on the situation. 

I realize that the script may seem a little short, or underdeveloped, so I plan on dedicating time to edit and perfect it. To specify, I need to make sure that my group agrees with the dialogue I had written down and does not see it as too cringy/cliche. But up until now, I feel like this shows all that we hope to include within our opening.

The script is seen below. Enjoy!

Storyboarding Process

 Hi, so now that I was able to regroup with my partners, we were able to discuss various of the things I mentioned in my blogs last week. For one, the music is going to be cut off once the girl exits her apartment. We realized that in order to fill the time we would want noises such as a phone call and her keys jingling, and in order to do that we would need it to be quiet. This was a little saddening for me since I liked the idea of the sound cutting off as soon as they met because I felt it gave the sense that the girl discinnected from her own little world when meeting him, but I guess it just was not meant to be.

As promised, we have been working hard towards our storyboard and script. We were able to really brainstorm a few different shots and angles. In fact, we started to think of what type of shot we would like our credits to be seen in and we wrote it all down on our storyboard. The images below is the storyboard that we sketched out while brainstorming which shots we would like to use. Keep in mind that we tried to make it a concise storyboard since we will not know what exactly type of shot to use until we see the apartment ourselves. 

Meet Cute Research

 Hi, so before I start to develop the script, I have begun to reserach some films that have made the characters meet in a similar way than that of my own project. One that I found in which the meet cute is very similar is from the film series, Emily in Paris. 

This video is the exact clip of when the two characters meet. I found this clip on YouTube.

The silly aspect of when the two meet by the girl mistakenly thinking her apartment was her neighbors is what my Meet Cute is going to be like as well. So, since my own opening is going to be a little like this one, I thought I would analyze what shots/ dialogue were used in the scene. 

To start off, a low-angle shot of Emily attempting to get into the apartment is shown. I believe this was to show how similar the outside of their apartments appear, and how easily one might mistake one for the other. An over-the-shoulder shot of Gabriel abruptly opening the door as she is attempting to open it shows his confused expression as to why someone is trying to get into his apartment. A series of counter shots were then used to show dialogue between them. 

I believe that, similar to how they showed a low-angle shot of the outside of the door, my group and I could focus the camera on the door to her apartment as she was leaving to run an errand. Specifically, the number above her door. On the way back to the apartment, we could focus the camera once again on the number of the new apartment door to emphasize to the audience that it is not the same as the one she came out of earlier, but very similar (for example on digit off). The use of an over-the-shoulder shot is also something I would like to use in my own opening, as it gives a view of the guy's reaction while also showing the girl's attempt at opening the door in the same shot. This could establish awkwardness as well as a comedic aspect of her getting to the wrong apartment, which in turn goes along with the genre. Lastly, the use of counter shots is also something I would like to incorporate as it expresses the dialogue and back and forth between the two characters. I was thinking of even using a POV shot, for instance when she first drops her keys and bends down to pick them up. The more variety in the shots, the more interesting/appealing it will look to the audience.

Another thing I wanted to note about this scene was sound. At the start of the clip, the sound of the key jamming into the door was heard. I believe that filming that myself might be difficult to have it heard so well. This leads me to think that my group and I should start looking for sounds of keys opening doors, or think of making a Foley sound ourselves. I think doing the latter might prove to be very fun and make the project a little more personal. I mentioned in past blogs that I plan on using upbeat background music at the start of the film, but have it abruptly shut off when the two characters meet by the sound of the door opening. However, now I have to think about how I would have that music play while she is struggling to get the door open. I want my audience to hear her getting frustrated, and to not have her words be drowned out by the sound of the music. So, either the sound of the keys would have to overlap with the sound of the background music, or maybe I would have to turn off the music altogether before the scene of her trying to get to the door commences. I would rather not do the latter, as I thought the idea of having her music turned off as soon as the door opens was cooler and made the moment more dramatic. This has just shown me that I need to discuss this matter with my group and get their input on how we should move forward.

Finally, the dialogue used in this clip was simple and realistic. The girl began by apologizing and saying she believed that it was her apartment. I would like to have a similar interaction, but slightly different. For one, the guy is supposed to help her pick up her keys from the floor when he opens the door, so I was thinking of her thanking him for helping her and then apologizing for getting the wrong apartment. Similar to that of the film series, the two would go into a small conversation about how she just recently moved in and is still getting used to the new college atmosphere. However, my plot would differ from the series by having their conversation cut short by the girl coming from the male lead's apartment. Still, seeing an example of a similar interaction helped me get an understanding of how awkward one would be in that situation, and how that would affect dialogue.

With this research in mind, I think it's safe to say that my group and I could go ahead with our storyboard and our script, so stay tuned for that!

Group Meeting Experience

Hi, so today I got the chance to meet with a couple students from my class to share each other's projects and give each other advice on how to move forward. We started by going around and describing our plan and overall plot. I was able to hear of some super creative ideas, and frankly, I was a little jealous. But, when I told my ideas, I received a lot of positive feedback that I did not realize I needed until now. I have been worried about making sure everything comes out perfect, and getting some validation really made me feel like I am on the right track. 

I basically pitched them both of the ideas that I discussed in my earlier blogs, sort of as if they were the directors. Most of them agreed with me that the first one, inspired by my parents, is very fitting for the romantic comedy, and adorable. But, when I told them about the second idea (meeting by getting into the wrong apartment) they said that it had more room and flexibility to develop, as well as feeling more like an opening than the first idea. This feedback was extremely helpful because it just reassured what I had been thinking myself. Although, someone did say that if I would like to go along with the first idea, then I should add more aspects to the plot to give it more depth. This is something I would like to bring up with my group in case we do decide to make our film opening about the beach. 

When I expressed my worries about my idea, such as the location, my classmates gave me advice on how to work around the situation. To elaborate, I said I was worried since I did not know what apartment I could film in. I had said that there might be a slight chance I could use my aunt's apartment in Miami, but it is not likely, as they live in Kentucky. One girl told me that when she did her one-word film project, she also did not have an apartment to film in, so she just cleared a few pieces of furniture in her home and used tight shots to give the impression that it was an apartment. This made me realize that I might have been worried over something that was not that big of a deal. In fact, I think that the tight shots could definitely work, as I want to emphasize the objects she is taking out of the boxes either way. I was glad that I was able to get some input from other people to help me figure this whole process out. I look forward to telling my group how we should lean towards tighter shots when filming.

I also told my group the small details that I would like to incorporate into the opening. Such as the use of a very elegant font for the credits to match the girl's personality. They agreed with this decision and felt that it was a subtle, yet efficient way to develop character. Moreover, I described how I would like an up-beat song playing from the very first scene, and to have the girl seen wearing headphones throughout the various shots. I mentioned how the purpose of this is to have the song completely cut out when her neighbor opens the door and she removes the headphones. The meaning behind this is to show how this girl is always in her own little perfect world, but when she meets the male lead, her world is disrupted. My vision is to make the contrast in sound from a feel-good song to all of a sudden silence emphasize this and give room for the chemistry between the two characters. I expressed all of these ideas, and my group members said that it was a smart idea and that it added depth and variety to the film. This feedback encouraged me to start researching sound and editing to prepare myself for what I would like to create and be able to execute it successfully. I also plan on checking out the film High Fidelity, as it was recommended to me by a classmate to further my research on romantic comedies.

Overall, this was a great experience as I got to get an opinion from an outside perspective, as well as reassurance that my group and I were on the right track. I hope to be able to participate in another group meeting further along in my project.

The Brainstroming Commences... with yet another idea!

 Hi, I am back and ready to tell you about the second idea my group and I brainstormed. I feel like I already told you about how I am kind of stressed about falling behind in this project and all that, so instead of boring you with the details, I am just going to jump in and describ the second film opening we came up with.

So, essentially it starts with a girl seen unpacking her belongings into her apartment. My actress, Chloe is my age, but we would like to make it seem as though she is a college student. I think we could do this by using a college banner. Specifically one of the ones people have hanging in their rooms that is in the shape of a triangle. We would also incorporate shots of all the things she is unpacking, including her trophies and medals. This establishes character, by allowing the audience to conclude that she is in a highly respocted college, and is a great student with many achievements. If I were to describe her with words known to be used in romantic comedies, then she is a 'nerdy girl' or 'try-hard'. I would also like to show her placing the objects she is unpacking on her shelves with exact preciseness. This could hint to the audience that she is a neat person as well as a perfectionist. 

This is what one of the college flags would look like, and help show the audience that she is a new college student. This image was found on Amazon and linked here.

This photo serves as an inspiration for what it would start to look like as she starts unpacking. The trophies and achievements are meant to show how successful and 'perfect' she seems. This image was found on a website here,

Based on the various film openings I have analyzed through my research, my group and I decided to start this scene with a song playing in the background. I feel like this is just the best option as it creates that feel-happy mood that plays perfectly into the genre of a rom-com. The girl, Chloe would be seen wearing headphones, so to show the audience that the music playing, is the same as the one that she is listening to on her device. The idea is to have the song be abruptly cut off as soon as she takes off her headphones and the plot progresses. 

We plan on incorporating the credits into the scenes of her unpacking her items. This is inspired by the film The Wedding Planner, which also embedded the credits in the shots of the very first scene. I would like to choose a font that is neat and pretty, to match Chloe's personality. If anything, the letters would be extremely straight and aligned to further that perfectionist lifestyle. The font color though, is something that my group and I have to decide after we film. I think this is the best way to approach this as we should decide on a color that compliments the lighting of the room and mise-en-scene elements. 

Anyway, so after she finishes unpacking we would like to show her getting some groceries. However, we realize that we don't have much time, so it might have to be simply her checking her mail instead of getting groceries. The reason behind the need for her to leave her apartment is to show her trying to reenter using her keys until she realizes that none of the keys fit into the keyhole of the door. Spoiler: she can not get in with her keys because she is trying to get into the wrong apartment door. When she continues to try to shove the key in, they fall to the ground and someone opens the door.

Surprise! It is the male lead. They introduce themselves and she realizes that she was trying to get into the wrong apartment. We would like to establish the chemistry and connection between them as soon as the male bends down to pick up her keys and they make eye contact with one another. When they begin to have a conversation though, another girl opens the door that the male lead was holding and holds it wider so she fits into the frame. We would like her to immediately say something along the lines of "Babe who is this?", and have the opening cut right after. I feel like that is the perfect place to leave the audience because it's clear that the three of them will have a conversation following that statement.

Now I realize that this is not really the enemies-to-lovers plot that I emphasized various times of including, but my group and ran out if ideas, and the ones we did think of were at times too cliche. Though I would still like to include a contrast between their personalities through what they wear, and how they interact when they first meet at his front door. For instance, she wears light colors and he wears dark, and he comes off as self-absorbed, while she is nicer. 

The only thing that I am worried about this film opening if finding an apartment in which we could use. Most of my group members and I know people who live in houses, and not apartments, so the hunt for finding a location to film in will prove to be difficult. But, I have to confess that I like this idea more than the one from the beach that I mentioned yesterday. I feel like this idea could incorporate all the elements that I have been researching for the past two weeks seamlessly and it just feels like a more professional opening to a film. However, I realize that some will call it cliche, and that the 'meeting because she was trying to enter the wrong apartment' is something that has been done before. Despite this, I would still like to move forward with this idea and alter a few aspects to make it unique from the rest. Other than that, I feel like I am in a better place than I was last week, and I am looking forward to speaking to my group members about what is next.