Mia's A Level Blogs

Isabella Colon (Girl #1) - Left                    Mackenzie Gardner (Girl #2) - Right  We're circling back to the brief mention of side characters. I mentioned slightly the idea of having a couple background characters in my film. I posted the Instagram post to see who was interested in the role.  Multiple people commented and interacted with the post saying they were interested. I reached back to two of the people that commented and went through with them. The two individuals that were chosen were Isabella Colon and Mackenzie Gardner. They were intrigued in the minor role of being a couple of background characters. Their purpose in the film was to get outside perspectives on Bonnie and her boyfriend, Lucas. I mentioned in my beginning blogs that I wanted to raise the question on whether Lucas was real or a hallucination Bonnie made up. To keep this question in mind, I added this short clip to the 'Hallway scene'. Isabella and...

Hallway Scene:  For the drama side of my film, I set upon having a school scene. Bonnie is a teenager in high school, so I wanted to link that side of her character to her. To show how the people at school see her. Along with how she acts outside of her home. Adding a new location and setting to my film. I located this film in the hallway at Hudson High School. To show the drama, I had my first scene with Matthew as Lucas. I felt showing their relationship was necessary at this point in the filming process. To show how her mood changes when she has him next to her.  This scene is relatively shorter. Bonnie is standing in the hallway with no emotion. Showing that she is just thinking to herself and is never comfortable alone. Giving the feeling that she is probably unsettled and in her head. She is overthinking only until Lucas finds her. She is awaiting him in the hallway. Once the bell rings, Lucas finds Bonnie in the hallway and tugs her shoulder. As she turns around her exp...

Running scene breakdown Techniques used Establishing shot Mid-shot Distance shot Close-up Tilt angle Pan camera angle  High-key lighting Natural Lighting Ambient lighting Dialogue Mise-en-scené Most of the shots and camera angles listed are easily identifiable when viewing. Along with their purpose and commonality. Shots such as establishing, mid-shot, close-up, and pan-shot have been used frequently already. They have their individual significance within my film. The establishing shot helps set the scene and create the dark, spooky atmosphere. Mid-shot and close-up shot allow for the ability of the audience to see the actors facial expressions. Pan camera angles I use with the establishing shot. Doing this for the sole purpose of the audience seeing a new area. Working as an introduction to identify where they are and who they're with, if anyone.  To spice up my typical techniques, I added the tilt camera angle and distance shot. Tilts I used a few time in this scene. I did t...

Bonnies Run Scene  To keep the films idea of Bonnie feeling isolated, scared, and struggling with her illness, I added a new scene where she is running outside, at night, alone. I maintain the pattern of showing an establishing shot when the scene changes. To show the shift in scenery and build suspense, I shot a clip of the outside area that Bonnie was about to walk by. Following, Bonnie walks out of the house and zips up her jacket. I costumed Bonnie with a zip up, slim-fit jacket, running shorts, and running shoes to provide mise-en-scené. Giving the audience a right away that she is going on a run. Bonnie begin her run down the street. To keep the scenery in the shots I recorded Bonnie running, then next is man shots of her surroundings. Showing the wild around her gives the dark, scary atmosphere that I am going for. As Bonnie is running she hears a branch break. Visibly startled, however, pushes through and begins her strides once more. Once Bonnie hears her name she gets too...

My Instagram engagement so far:  An important thing to get people to recognize your film is to put it out on different social medias. For this project, Instagram is the greatest asset to achieve that goal. However, to attract more attention, I used apps like SnapChat and iMessage to further distribute my film. Snapchat allowed me to show off my instagram account with provided details and images for everyone to see. I linked the instagram account, this way they have easy access to my instagram. Same idea with iMessage; I sent out my instagram account with my film ideal so I could get a wider range of audiences. Helping my case and receiving higher views and more likes, comments, shares, etc.  Having my name as my Instagram username helps a lot too. This way when someone wants to find my film, they have easy access as well. To keep my instagram positively rising with engagement, I interacted with other films and instagram accounts. This way when they see my effort, they interact...

I have added a lot of information to my Instagram. I focused solely on the instagram to make sure it looked good enough for people to interact with.  What we know:  Instagram Name Production Name Profile Picture Instagram poster What I've added: Description on posts Second post (Production Crew introduction) Third post (Current casting whilst calling for side characters) Instagram Bio Post #2 Using Canva, I was able to create a couple more posts for my instagram. The second post is a Production logo with my production name. I created a caption as well. This is me formally introducing the crew and welcoming everyone to my film. I felt as though an introduction was necessary. For my third post, I wanted a chance for people to interact with it. Hence, I created a casting list. This lists my current actors, although at the same time calling for side characters. I included a phone number so they can reach out and audition for the side character roles. A provided a caption describin...

My postcard is edited quite frequently due to necessary changes. Every time I update the postcard I come across further research of film postcards. Therefore, causing me to keep updating. Updates on Postcard: Layout Back side New images Matthew instead of Noah Postcard Updated: I took a visit to Canva and checked out the postcard layouts they had. Alongside this, I searched for different movies and their postcards. For the front, I came across a layout where the postcard was split into three different parts. I felt this looked more organized than my current postcard. I used that layout idea snd created my own on Abode Photoshop. Using a white line to divide the three different sections. To follow the organization aspect, I put the background image as the largest section. Taking up the whole left side. For the right, I split this into two. The bottom is about 1/4 of the right side; this way the picture of Bonnie and Lucas can take up majority of the right side. The bottom section is bei...

CHARACTER CHANGE For the film, we had to make some adjustments. The role of Lucas in this film has been substituted for production purposes. Multiple reasons play into the role and the overall fit for the role of Lucas. Lucas' role is based around being Bonnies boyfriend.  Reasons we recasted: Chemistry Physical appearance Acting skills Availability New Actor : Matthew Stolz The original actor of Lucas -Noah Burchard-, could have got the job done. However, I felt as the director that changes needed to be made. When Noah had acted for me last year he did fine as his role was minor. Within this film his role is more major. Him and my actor Briana didn't fit well together chemistry wise as well. The acting felt off. Due to this, I subbed Matthew Stolz in. Matthew and Briana are more natural, this is a better look for my film.  Another point being the role of Lucas as a whole. The physical appearance side, Noah was blonde with curly hair and blue eyes. Matthew on the other hand ha...

 The start of my instagram posts is here! I created a poster for my short film. Using Canvas, I created these in no time. Canva allows for creativity whilst also giving an outline to get you started. With this help, I made the posts to my instagram in under an hour.  For my instagram poster, I feel it's a good step of kicking things off. My instagram poster includes nominations, title, actors and their roles, and a picture of my main actor. I wanted only Bonnie in the poster because she is the main character. Having her alone adds to the isolation and panic factor. If Matthew was in the poster as Lucas the poster would look more in the drama/relationship side. Since it's more of a horror/thriller I wanted that genre to stick out more.  Instagram poster: To create the scene of this poster all I needed was my actor, my front door, and a camera for the flash. I had my actor, Briana, lean up against the door. Originally, I told her to make a scared face. We took multiple take...

 A key part of filming is mapping out the scenes before shooting them. This way I can think of clothing, dialogue, appropriate sound usage, camera angles etc. Everything needs to be planned out to correctly organize my film. To help me do this, I use my notes app. I used this strategy last year as well. It helps me keep track of my progress as I can edit it any time. My plans as of now: This is the easiest set up for me, it helps me remember what i'm doing. I wanted to incorporate a school scene in my film. To show the side of drama and relationships. I want to show Bonnies reliance on her boyfriend. Showing her mood change to happy when he is around. Giving her hope and light in her life considering her condition. I will add some background characters to make the scene more realistic. Since its at school, showing other faces adds to the High school experience. To follow the suspense, I wanted a longer horror/thriller scene. The thriller will be Bonnie running. She will be on a run...

 Updated Postcard: I went ahead and revised some things on my postcard. I started by taking the picture of Noah and Briana and lowering the opacity to the 60s. Along with deleting the background that was behind them. I moved them to the bottom of the screen as well. I deleted one of the awards since it wasn't matching up anywhere. If later I see a spot, I will add it back in. For the name, I messed around with some effects. I added an outer glow, drop shadow, and further lowered the opacity. This way it would match the aesthetic of everything around it. When making the postcard I realized I needed a production name. This is always on postcard to get the name of the studio/production out there. Making sure they get the recognition they deserve. Since my name is Mia, many people call me mIa since my name is too short for nicknames. Pronouncing it "EM-LA". Due to that, I made it my production name. In addition, I was searching for synonyms of scary. It is the genre of my fil...

When we were picking out outfits for these scenes, I decided a cozy fit would go best. Since Bonnie is at home and in her home outfits. For the first scene Bonnie is under the covers so her outfit isn't visible. However, she is still wearing a comfortable outfit. Since she is going to be home most of the short film, this will be what her outfits consist if. As of now, we have two outfits: This outfit is from the first scene. It is a Florida State Seminoles sweatshirt with black pajama shorts. The fridge and bedroom scene are within the same moment. Therefore, Bonnie is wearing a Florida Gulf Coast University blue t-shirt with black pajama shorts in both clips. Both outfits insinuate Bonnie is at her home. She is where she's most comfortable which is why I dressed her down rather than up. Along with the idea that she was just in her bed with no intention of going out.

 This Bedroom scene is a continuation of the Fridge scene. Once Bonnie hears the voice, she runs to her room. She slams her door, and spins around in panic with hopes of calming herself down.  Bedroom scene includes: Low exposure lighting Close-up Jump Cuts Point-of-view Shot Dialogue Under lighting Intense Music Ambient lighting Mise-en-scené (intentionally same clothes) The bedroom scene starts as Bonnie slams the door. Once she slams it I got multiple shots from different angles. To increase the intensity, I added a point of view shot as well. So the audience can see what she sees as she slams the door. This shots is taken with under lighting, adding to the dramatic side. After, the clips are editing quickly and as jump cuts. This way there isn't anything being missed in-between. Bonnie goes away from the door and stands in the middle of her room. Now, using two lightings, the tv ambient light to get the purple effect and the flashlight lighting.  Bonnie begins spinnin...

I briefly mentioned that there will be a voiceover in my short film. I will be the VoiceOver voice for efficiency purposes. A VoiceOver is an editing technique where an unseen voice has commentary over a scene. I was inspired to do these by the horror short film "Shut the door at 10:04". This short film inspired my genre, lighting techniques, and much more including the VoiceOver. I feel as though the VoiceOver allows me the opportunity to mess around with overlaying sounds in my film. Based on the short film it makes the hallucination sound more realistic since it isn't in scene. Showing a use of diegetic vs non-diegetic and synchronous vs asynchronous. How I will do this is similar to how I overlayed the sound of the wind onto one of my scenes. I will created a dialogue script of what to say. Then, once I have a good take, I will go to iMovie and subtract the sound out of the clip. Allowing me to play the dialogue over a scene without being in it. I have purposely recor...

Continuing my research on instagram accounts, I've come across many horror/thriller ones. When looking at their accounts, they are overall very dark. As expected, they want everyone seeing their account to be correctly informed on what they're about. I huge part of this instagram account is the profile picture.  Everything comes together, the name, colors, posts, descriptions, etc. Nonetheless, the profile picture is the first thing you see when clicking on an instagram account. Rather on the explore page, search bar, the profile picture says it all. It shows the vibe of the person and who they are. My personal instagram account profile picture is a silly picture of me. That way when someone comes across my account, they know what I look like and how I am.  To follow this flow of instagram. Ive decided to create my own Instagram account profile picture. This profile picture must include the conventions of my short film along with displaying the character. Most profile pictures...

Techniques used : High-key Lighting Low-key Lighting Intentional, hand-held flash lighting Dialogue  Short clips, speed up the pace Voiceover Tilt Mid-shot Close-up For this scene, I used a lot of skills to make the audience clearly evaluate Bonnies struggle and situation. For lighting, I used high-key when in the hallway as she went to her room. High-key lighting was obtainable by having Abby stand close to Brianas face with the brightness high. The outcome gave a clear view of Bonnies expression. I wanted the panic on her face to be visible. Low-key is used in the same hallway with her legs. Low-key lighting was created with Abby standing further back with the brightness of the flashlight turned down. To show her fast pace, I lowered the brightness and stayed close to the floor. In order to achieve the shot of an eery vibe.  This same shot is where I used the tilt camera angle. The tilt is a common camera angle in horror and thriller movies/tv shows. It adds an uneasy and un...

I planned out a scene where the audience is now aware of Bonnies condition. Where they can experience what the issue is in the short film. To do so I filmed this fridge scene. Within this, Bonnie is opening the fridge and looking for something to eat. As she's looking, she hears a voice. However, the way she reacts, it's clear she knows the voice isn't real. She is familiar with her condition and what it does to her. Once she hears the voice, she quickly runs to her room and slams the door.   Hiding herself in her room as she tries to quiet the voices. She is saying they aren't real repetitively. This way, once viewing the short film at around 1 minute the problem is spotted. Leaving no room for confusion to what Bonnie is going through. Throughout this scene, Bonnie remains alone in her house. Keeping Bonnie alone adds to the voices and isolation. If other people were in the house, it would be hard to depict her voices from her family or friends.  Though Bonnie knows h...

In my new clips, I used intentional lighting for all of the clips. I used Abby to hold the flash differently depending on the clip. Abby has helped a lot throughout this project. Between sparking ideas, being the lighting holder, and overall helping with whatever assistance I need. I wrote about how I wanted to focus more on lighting this year. Therefore, I used this intentional lighting. Including ambient lights and different lighting techniques. I previously described how I dim the brightness on the camera before I start filming. This way the video is low exposure before I add on other lighting uses. For ambient I still used the light from the animal tank and Bonnies phone, like the original clips. What I included more of was low-key lighting. I did this by having Abby stand at a certain distance with the phone flash at a lower exposure. For these two pictures the left is the original and the right is the remake. It's clear that they give different atmosphere solely off the light...

 When looking back at my first scenes, I didn't feel as though it gave the horror feel. The editing, sound, and camera work followed the conventions. However, a huge factor is lighting. I used intentional lighting but not dark lighting. We had filmed around 4pm for those past takes. When continuing filming, I felt I needed to redo the clips when it was darker. These new clips are filmed at 8pm to use natural lighting and give the horror/thriller feel.  Doing this allowed me to use other lighting techniques as well. When the natural lighting is dark, I can use intentional lighting. Still following the same lighting as described in previous blogs (ambient, natural, etc). Adding a few more overhead, under-lighting, alongside more camera angles. For the scene of Bonnie in her bed, I inserted a new camera angle. This being an aerial shot close-up. I realized when re-filming that I wanted a wider variety of camera angles than the first time. I still recorded the same clips except I ...