Midterm Submission

My group decided on the horror and suspense genre and for the most part, we feel we executed it well. We wanted to create a film that would keep you on your seat and something unexpected happen. We started the film at the University Town Center mall to show what we would do on a normal fun day as teenage girls; hit the mall. The plot twist was we didn't realize someone was watching us and followed us out. By the audience knowing and not the actors created lots of foreshadowing and suspense. We used some darker lighting and music to create a gloomy and somber tone at the end. Also, the use of the over-the-shoulder shot makes the viewer feel like they are present and get the point of view of the stalker. We all took turns filming the movie, so we could each get a try at it and improve our videoing skills. I came up with the opening establishing shot of us at the mall which shows the setting and the decorates reveal its Christmas time. We decided on large bold letters to show the title and actor's names. We made the title white and actors names red because it goes along with the setting and time of year. The titles stand out but as we continue to edit it and move it around, we will make them pop better. 

  

With this being one of my first times using Adobe Premiere Pro, there was a lot to learn. My group was also new at it, so we all helped each other out. I learned first how to crop the parts at the begging and end of each clip that we didn’t want to use. Then I showed my group and we all gave it a try. Additionally, after we got all our filming edits done, we uploaded our first draft onto YouTube. When we get back from break, we will continue editing and work on our credits, transitions, and add more incidental music to improve the film. 

Film Shooting

During the process of our filming, we changed a couple of things to make it have a better appearance. First, we saw what the lighting of the shot looked light, then adjusted the background lighting and angle to get a better shot. For instance, the filming that took place inside the house was darker/dim, and the lighting during the day at the mall was lighter and more bright. Additionally, we made a few improvements to our script while filming to make it seem more realistic. Instead of having matching pajamas, we all just wore Christmas ones. We also added the scene of the group of girls eating pizza before watching their movie because it created a sense of reality and sequence to the film. Furthermore, the dark figure appears behind me as I grab my bag from the car, and not in the mirror behind me because the audience would not be able to see the dark figure in the mirror as clear since it was night time. Originally, we stated that the over-the-shoulder shot would be from my point of view as I walked out to the car at night; however, we flipped it and had the over-the-shoulder shot come from the point of view of the dark figure to create suspense and to showcase that I had no idea was watching me. In addition, we changed the location of the other over-the-shoulder shot to be walking out of the mall instead of walking through the mall, in order to display to the audience that the girls do not know they are being followed home. 

This dark shot was used to create suspense in the group of girls and foreshadowing as for what's to come next.

This shot is the opening to the film and is used to showcase the setting.

Storyboard

During the main shots, we choose to display on our storyboard I had the idea of the closeup on the girl's face as she views the unknown character. This followed by her scream portrays how scared she was and makes the viewer frightened for her.

I also came up with the idea of all of the characters on the couch watching the movie. This portrays the fun night the girls are having at the sleepover and can capture all of their reactions.

Shot List

High angle shot featuring the stalker following the group of girls throughout the mall. I came up with this shot and it gives a sense of location and shows how the mall is busy and these innocent girls are easily followed.

A master shot will include all the actors hanging out with each other and this will be where most of the film takes place.

Low angle shot when the girls are walking in the house to foreshadow their dominance and the suspense for the rest of the film.

Close-up as Lily is walking up to her car because she forgot a bag. This shot will really zoom in on the car so that the stalker can be visible to the audience.

Close-up shot when Lily is bending down to grab her bag, the stalker appears in the mirror very close to her.

Pont-of-view shot when the group of girls is watching the scary movie with their popcorn and matching Christmas pajamas. I also had this shot in mind because it gives a first-hand look into what the girls are doing during the sleepover.

Mid shot when the girls are talking about their plans for the rest of the night.

Over the shoulder shot to create suspense while the stalker is following the group of girls out of the mall.

Long shot as the girls are walking out of the mall to set the time and place of the film, as well as to portray the girls as unaware of their surroundings.

Wide shot from behind the girls in the car to show them talking about their day of shopping and the movie they are watching later that night.

Mid-shot in the car to show the girls talking about their fun day of shopping. These girls are totally oblivious to the fact that a stalker followed them out of the mall.

Schedule Filming

The first step of our filming will take place at the University Town Center mall. With scheduling, we will have to make sure to find a day when all of the actors and directors are available. For our indoor shot at the mall, our goal is to shoot a clip where we girls are having fun and laughing, but clueless to our surroundings. To create the scary scene we will have a stalker at the mall in black and follows them. Throughout the filming, we will make sure we have access to props and video equipment the whole time. We will also be checking the weather to make sure it is cooperative with filming the outdoor scenes.

Casting

Our main character for this film is a girl named Lily. In the story, she is the hostess of the sleepover and the driver of the car home. Lily is described as a delighted person who likes to adventure with friends. To play this role, we chose a girl named Lily Sikorski because she is very outgoing, loud, and has a big personality. In this film, she is the teenage girl who is scared by a man in a black hoodie. We knew that Lily had a very projective voice and does not get stage fright in front of the camera or crowds. She was the perfect fit, us the directors, had in mind for our protagonist. Our next character was Lizzy, Lily's friend. We wanted to make it seem realistic, so we chose actual real-life friends of Lily's for the film. Lizzy was picked for this role because she is very social and is funny. Additionally, our next character, Annalise, is playing the role of Lily's friend. She was picked for this position because she is the quiet one of the group and looks out for us. Lastly, our mysterious figure is the "Black Hood". This figure is first shown at the mall following the group of teenage girls, who have no idea they are being followed. He then appears outside the house of the sleepover, still unknown to the girls.

Lily Sikorski

Lizzy Small

Annalise Grimmer

The Black Hood

Scout Locations

We choose this location of the mall because it is a fun place that girls like to hang out. This will be the starting location of the film. It also will feel realistic because there will be atmospheric sounds and people in the background, doing their everyday thing.

Out Door Locations

This location is outside of the University Town Center Mall. We decided to pick this location because it shows all of us entering, then leaving and heading back to the house. It also is a big tourist spot for visitors and just teens and adults living within Sarasota, Florida.

This is the front door where we will all enter the house. We picked this spot because the camera shot can fit the whole door and path as we walk in. One feature that might change as we get closer to filming is the addition of Christmas decorations, but I don't think it will affect the movie in any way.

This is an establishing shot of the house we will be in during the film. We chose this location because the tree in the front yard creates a creepy mood. This location also offers a variety of hiding spots. As we arrive at the house in the film we will have a quick walk inside the front door and a quick transition to the next scene.

Script

Film Genre Research- Mean Girls

My group is still not 100% sure about our film genre, so I decided to investigate another genre. The next movie I decided to look into was mean girls; it is a teen comedy. During the opening scene, incidental music is playing while the main character Katie says bye to her parents. Katie talks in the background while different photos were being shown of her in Africa, a voice-over. As Katie walks into her new school lots of props and action shots are taking place. A point of view shot is used to express her view on how different this place is from her old school. During the opening credits, the actor's names appear on the bottom of the screen and fade in and out. Lots of mid-shots are used to establish her reactions and whats going on in the background. Many close-ups are also used to show her different teacher's facial expressions as they yell at her. The introduction ends with using a fade-in on her eating lunch in the bathroom by herself; then transitions to her walking home. Overall, the first four minutes set up her background information and how she is new to the school and has no friends. The opening scene fails to introduce the three mean girls that set up the rest of the story.

This film's budget was 17 million USD and their box-office income was 129 million. Mean girls won many awards, including MTV Movie Award and the Teen Choice Award. 

Film Genre Research- Murder Mystery

With having a mystery genre in mind for our film, the next movie I decided to research was Murder Mystery. It starts out with the companies credits and the production company. The movie fades into an establishing shot of a city with incidental music playing. A mid shot is taken following the two actors down the street. A dolly is used to walk out their conversation during a long take. The next scene is in a hair salon with a lot of dialogue between the actors. The girls are all talking about their husbands and how they never do anything nice for their anniversary. It is her and her husband 15 year anniversary tomorrow, and she wants to go to Europe. This establishes their adventure that is going to take place during the film.
Overall the first couple of minutes sets up the characters but doesn't get into the action or mystery that you find later on in the film.

Murder mystery had a budget of 80 million and made 215 million dollars. Additionally, it won the Peoples Choice Award for favorite comedic movie.

Film Genre Research- Split

The next movie I decided to look into was Split. Split is considered a horror and thriller film. The film's budget for Split was 9 million and its total box office was 278.5 million US dollars. 

Split starts out with a long take mid-shot of a girl looking off in the distance, while people are her are talking and laughing. The girl doesn't have a ride, so her friend's dad offers her a ride home. As the girls get in the car someone approaches their dad. Suspense is built by an eye-line match of who the dad is looking at. Insert shots are used to view the car mirror and notice something is wrong. Close-ups are also used to describe their reactions. It ends by him spraying them all, then fades out black. This is all shown in the first four minutes and it sets off the main conflict in the story. Next, it comes up with the company name and picture credits, then it says the title. In 2017 Split won the Nominee Halfway Award for best actor. 

Film Genre Research- Home Alone

The next movie I will be studying is Home Alone. The genre for this movie is adventure and comedy. The film's budget was 15 million dollars. Overall, Home Alone made a whopping 476.7 million dollars. It held the highest box-office record for a live-action film for 27 years. With it being such a big hit four more Home Alone movies were made, for a total of 5 movies.

Home Alone starts out with a fade in and establishing shot of the house. Actors, costume designs, and producers names beginning appearing in the opening credits. Incidental Christmas music is playing with people talking in the background. A high angle is used on the top of the stairs to show how busy the house was with people moving all around from below. Kevin, the main character goes into his parent's room and complains no one will let him do anything. A long take is used when discussing their conversation. He discusses his uncle won't let him watch the movie. Kevin is told to go pack his suitcase and a close up is used to show his worried face; this portrays he is scared about what to pack. This is the end of the introduction scene then it fades to another scene in the house. The first scene sets up the location and craziness in the family.

Camera Shot Activity

During class, Mr. Elsbree gave us the assignment to go take photos of different photo angles and shots. We went as a group outside and discussed different shots and put them into action. By taking these photos ourselves, I feel I will better at determining them when watching a film.

Canted Angle

Extreme Close Up

Wide Shot

Mid Shot

Low Angle

High Angle

Film Genre Research- The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games genre is action and drama. The Hunger Games starts out with a black screen with writing that displays the scenario and what’s going on. When the words are shown incidental music is playing in the background to create suspense. A voice-over occurs of someone talking from the capital using a two-shot frame. Next, it transfers to a picture of district 12 with Prim screaming in the background, but we can't see her yet. Prim begins crying because she thinks she is going to get picked; Katniss is comforting her and saying she won't be picked. Katniss and Prim begin singing a song to calm down. The scene ends with Katniss leaving and saying she must go do something. Overall, the first two minutes set up a good plot of what’s going on and foreshadows something bad will happen.

The first Hunger Games received over 20 awards. Some of their big awards include: A Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award for best song, and Kids Choice Award.

The film budget for the first Hunger Games was 78 million. Worldwide, The Hunger Games made a total of $694.4 million. This became a popular movie and there became a total of four Hunger Games movies.

My Decision

After considering both, I have chosen to make the film project. I enjoy watching movies and films and think it would be a great experience. Some skills I possess are style and creativity. I would be able to think of different places to shot the film and make sure all the props and costumes are set. The hardest part of the film will be coming up with an idea. I will be working in a group of three and we all get along good so I feel it will run smoothly. We will have different roles throughout the group. Each group member will take a turn filing and editing to get that experience. We will also take turns acting in the film. Lizzy is good at editing and putting the film together. Annalise has taken a film class and knows how to operate a camera and all the techniques and angles involved. Some genres we are looking into are action and mystery. If we decide on the action we will have a protagonist and antagonist and how one saves the day. For mystery, we would create a dramatic scene and have a murder or theft taking place and leave the killer unknown. As a group, we have some ideas, but we will continue brainstorming to create the plot.

Project Selection- Film

When considering the film project I think it would be an enjoyable experience. I love watching movies and looking at the different ways the characters act and how it was made. In class, we watched The Newsroom and after each episode, we watch inside the episode. By seeing how the director and actors perform, I feel I have a better idea of what to do when trying to create the film. When considering the challenges, finding the right location, or actors may be hard. It also may be hard because we would not have the best equipment as they do in Hollywood. I will also have to learn more skills in editing when putting the film altogether. One strength I have is working well in a group. When doing the film project getting along in a group setting is really important. By working well together we will have the greatest chance of success. Additionally, I am also a sociable person who is needed when directing or finding actors. At the beginning of the year, we learned different shots, editing, and sound effects for films. If I chose the film project I would be excited to learn different techniques and shots to make the movie more enjoyable.

Project Selection- Magazine

When considering both, the magazine would have a lot to offer me. Magazines have been around forever, and display many different genres, from sports to fashion articles. Recently with advancing technology magazine sales are on the decline. In class, we watched Page One from the New York Times and got an insight into the magazine industry today. I enjoy reading and writing different articles and it would be a fun experience creating my own magazine. I also enjoy taking pictures so it would be entertaining to do photoshoots and edit the photos on different media platforms. I took a Photoshop class so I would have some skills when editing and finding the right design. One challenge I  might acquire would be trying to find the right interviewers and making sure the article is written well. When making your magazine, one thing that would be intriguing would be making it your own. Sometimes when you read a magazine you only enjoy one article. By designing it yourself you could incorporate what you enjoy reading and make a magazine you wouldn't put down.