Brainstorming for our Group Project

     Recently, we were asked by my teacher to create groups, so we could start brainstorming for our film project in which we will have to create a movie opening. One of my very good friends, Hannah Barnes, is in this class with me and we had been thinking of ideas for our project for months. So, Hannah was an obvious addition to the group I would be in. Melanie Reynoso had been speaking to Hannah for a while about working together with Tori Ragin. After asking if our group of four was alright, I happily agreed to Melanie and Tori joining our group. Hannah is an expert on everything film and Melanie and Tori are very creative individuals, so I'm sure our project will turn out great!

    The next step was to brainstorm what our movie opening would focus on. Like I said before, Hannah and I had had a general idea for months. To explain, last summer a very famous artist released an album that featured multiple songs. Three of those songs were from the different perspectives of three people involved in a love triangle. One from the perspective of a heartbroken girl whose boyfriend has cheated on her. Another from a regretful boy who had cheated on his girlfriend, who he loves greatly. And a third from the girl who the boy was involved with while in a relationship, but misses said boy greatly. These songs were in my head for months and just make for a great story. So, inspired by the album, we wanted to bring out the story of these three teenagers in our movie opening. After telling Melanie and Tori about our idea, they listened to the songs and agreed to our ideas. 

    Next, we discussed what the opening would actually contain. My main ideas were that James, the boy, would walk up to Betty's house in an attempt to apologize. Betty is his ex who he hurt. Then, Inez, Betty's best friend, would open the door and not let him speak to Betty, basically kicking him out. Then, James would walk away from the house and to the street when Heather, the girl he cheated with, would pull up in her car and try to convince James to continue their relationship. James would reject her and she would drive off, leading to the end of the opening. 

    While, the idea was a good one, Melanie came up with multiple more great ideas that could add to the scene. For example, she suggested a shot of Betty getting ready, in which you see a trash can filled with gifts and ripped photo of her and James. This scene would allow viewers to understand that there has been a breakup. We could also show James' phone with multiple phone calls and texts from Heather, suggesting she is flirting with him and trying to continue their affair. Melanie also sent multiple movie and show scenes that we could use as inspiration for our own opening scene. For instance, we could use a voiceover as all the characters get ready. 

All in all, our group is very ahead of the game, with multiple ideas we could use for our movie opening. Although some of the smaller details aren't finalized, I can definitely say that our general idea seems like the one we will pursue. I'm very excited to see where this journey will take us!

Little Women Storyboard

 

Scene Link: Movie clip: Little Women (2019) - The Beach Scene (full) - YouTube

Following this assignment, I have learned that storyboarding is definitely no easy task. Storyboarding is crucial in creating the setup for a certain scene. It can be said that it is the linking step that connects coming up with a mental idea of the scene and actually creating it on camera. To storyboard, one must accurately display and draw the different shots and things they will see in the scene, along with a description of the drawing. This pre-production step is important in deciding how one's story will flow and if one's shots actually work well together. One of the biggest challenges of story boarding that I found was drawing the different shots. Since I wouldn't exactly call myself artistically inclined, sketching these shots was pretty difficult. I was able to achieve a certain level of accuracy with my drawings, but I'm definitely no Picasso. Another difficulty would have to be actually coming up with what you want to be shown in the shot. While I didn't experience this because this specific storyboard is based off an already release film, I am sure that that will cause some indecisiveness for me. Overall, storyboarding is actually a pretty fun, creative experience that allows one to bring their ideas to life.

Analysis of The Crown

     While simply watching a movie or show gives you a general understanding of its structure, analyzing one really allows you too interpret the tiny details and components that make the movie into what is. This can be said for every single film and series ever created, but especially The Crown. This entertaining Netflix series, which has been streaming since 2016, features the life of Queen Elizabeth II and key events that shaped the second half of the 20^th century. Obviously, in order to correctly depict the life of a reigning monarch and her surroundings, producers and directors must pay careful attention to detail and make sure everything makes sense for the story. I chose to watch episode 5 of season 1, since it features the grand coronation of the Queen in 1952 and incorporates several features of mise-en-scene.

First, one must applaud the creators of The Crown for executing such an amazing, realistic telling of the British monarchy in the 50s. It should be made clear that this series is a period show, meaning it takes place in a time period different from today, specifically the early 1950s. This means that the costume designers, producers, set designers, and many other people on set must make sure to use items or props that make this fact obvious. For example, the appearance of many old-timey cars and black and white photographs display that the episode takes place before the creation of colored images or modern cars. Also, one can tell by the outfits of the characters that they are not from a very recent time or from a very distant time that had even more strict, unique modes of fashion. The setting is also established through many means like the accents of the characters that communicate the show takes place in Great Britain and the establishing shots of several iconic landmark, like Buckingham Palace. The show creators make sure to include grand halls, posh rooms, high ceilings, expensive items, and fancy paintings in the set to show that the characters are in a palace and have a large amount of money. Costume is everything in this show. For example, the crown represents the power of the monarch, so Queen Elizabeth wearing it during her coronation shows her transition into power and leadership. Her smaller diamond tiaras, expensive jewelry, and fancy dresses indicate that she is very rich and comes from a high ranking, like royalty. The set and costume design of The Crown really takes you back in time by 70 years and makes you feel like you are living the events of 1952 Great Britain in real time.

            The complexity and beauty of this show doesn’t stop at costume and sets but continues into several other mise-en-scene features. For instance, lighting of a scene can play a very important role in the mood and tone of a certain shot. During this episode, Queen Mary is seen on her deathbed and passes away. When the scene changes to Mary of Teck deceased on a bed, the lighting in the room is very dark and gloomy, which is done to fit the mood of death. This dark lighting is displayed again when Elizabeth and Phillip are having an argument, while whispering, in a cathedral concerning the protocol of her coronation. One can say that this dark lighting is just because of the fact that they are in a cathedral, but I believe the creators purposefully did this for the reader to envision the conflict that there is between the couple. Lighting is used in another way during the coronation when the priest is applying holy oil to the hands, breast, and forehead of Elizabeth. The bright lighting allows there to be a reflection on the oil while it is on her, so viewers can see it more easily. Framing also plays its role in the making of this episode. During the coronation, the director frames the shot to capture the camera that is broadcasting the ceremony while also showing Elizabeth walking in the background. This is done to emphasize the fact that this coronation broke normal tradition by broadcasting the sacred ceremony to the entire world, instead of keeping it for the eyes of the nobility. Another example of framing is right after Elizabeth and Phillip’s fight in the cathedral, it shows an extreme long shot with Elizabeth right in the center and Philip walking away from her. This is done to emphasize the conflict they are going through and how distant they feel from each other.

            It is no question that one of the reasons The Crown is so successful is because of its advanced storytelling techniques and mise-en-scene. It is no coincidence that the show has been able to receive an average of 1.3 million total viewers. The accuracy of the show, in terms of the costume design, props, and acting, is really what makes it so popular and successful. It really makes audiences feel like they are living the events and that they are present in the moment. This also allows the show to define its genre, historical drama genre. The conflict between characters, dialogue, dramatic music, and use of dark lighting brings out the drama portion, while the telling of real-life past events during the Queen’s life shows its historical component. Like many others, I am interested in the lives of the royal family and also enjoy drama shows, which makes The Crown a very entertaining show.

            The Crown is a very well executed series that depicts the complex life of a popular royal figure who has lived for more than nine decades. It can be said that many are interested and curious about such private, but noble, people. Which attracts many viewers to stream the show and learn more about the royals. Still, ultimately what keeps people watching a show is how well made it is, which is what keep fans of The Crown still watching. It is no surprise that it is rumored that the Queen herself has watched the entirety of season one and enjoyed it.

Editing Transitions

Cut

A cut is when there is an instant change from one shot to the next. I wanted a fast transition to show that the two scenes are in the same period of time, just from different angles. It also works for the action, fast-paced feel of the video, which would've clashed with something more gradual and serene, like dissolve. This transition was probably easiest to create because it does not require much editing. When filming, I had to make sure the ending of the first scene instantly continued with the beginning of the second scene, since it is all supposed to be happening sequentially. 

Fade

A fade is when a shot gradually goes all black/white and then gradually continues to the next shot. The scene I shot is supposed to model one from a drama film, in which the two characters are calling for each other from across the lake. The two events are occurring at the same time and the female character is responding to my calls. While this isn't the complete end or beginning of a scene, the fade still works in this dramatic situation.

Wipe

A wipe is when a first shot is replaced by the second shot in a geometric pattern. In my scene's case, I am walking up to a door and knocking on it. It then transitions to the inside of the house, where a different character hears the knocking and begins to panic. A wipe works in this case because the two scenes are occurring almost at the same time, as the knocking at the end of the first scene can be heard once again at the beginning of the second scene.  

 

Mood Board: My Ideal Adulthood

 

My Sound Story Experience

     My experience making this sound story was definitely anything from simple. I faced some difficulties, especially when trying to create my foley sounds. 

The first obstacle I had to overcome was deciding what my storyline would be. After many scrapped ideas and troubleshooting, I came to the decision that my project would focus on a rainy day on the ranch. My second obstacle was attempting to make the foley sounds. It cost me a lot of work to mimic the sound of horses galloping, since I had to open up a tough coconut with different tools and break it in half. Mimicking the sound of thunder with aluminum foil was also very difficult and did not sound right, so instead I used the foil as gun shots after noticing the similarity in sound.

 I felt pretty proud of my rain sound, since meat sizzling over a stove resembled the sound phenomenally. After the challenge of opening the coconut, I was actually able to create a pretty good imitation of horses that I was very proud of. Plus, I was able to eat the delicious leftovers after recording!  I was also able to find some music and extra noises to add to the scene, which was a relief.

After recording all my sounds, I used WeVideo to combine all the sounds together and create a story. The program was very easy to use and let me bring my ideas to life with ease. In the video which shows how I made the foley sounds, I used IMovie on my cellular device to bring all of them together. This was a great learning experience and will help me out in the future when the time comes to work on my movie opening.

Comments on my Peers' Shots

 Hannah Barnes

The first shot I commented was the POV shot. I think she displayed excellently what it is and how it looks. The shakiness of the camera and the fact that she was looking around really gave the shot a frightening, anxious vibe to it. Also, her heavy breathing is a nice touch, letting me know that she is frantically trying to escape something.

The second shot I commented on was the long shot, which I felt was not positioned far enough from the subject. I felt like it was actually more of a normal long shot, rather than an extreme one. I understood that her surroundings made it hard for her to make sure the subject was emphasized, so next time she should try to find a better area to film her extreme long shot. Still, the long shot of her skating created a natural, but comfortable tone for the shot. I felt like I was in the area with her.

The third shot I commented on was the establishing shot is pretty good and establishes the setting well. It captures the area and the sunset, indicating that she is in a neighborhood and what time it is. The only thing I would have changed is from what angle the house is being filmed. The front area of the house would've served as a better establishing shot then its side. I will say that the shot creates a peaceful and soothing mood as it shows the beautiful, multi-colored sunset.

The fourth shot I commented on was the tilt shot, which was perfectly done, as she slowly panned the camera up. As a simple shot, this worked, but in the future I would like to see a little more content in the shot, rather than just branches. For example, pan up to reveal something important of the scene, like a person or special item. The mood created was calm and normal, as a slow pan was done, rather than a fast, exciting one. 

Melanie Reynoso

The first shot I commented on was the close up. The close shot of her fingers as they gracefully touch the keys is really beautiful and gives a peaceful vibe. This scene would fit perfectly in a movie featuring a girl playing the piano. The music, angle of the shot, and background created a beautiful, calm tone.

The second show I commented was her extreme long shot. While I think it shows a very beautiful scene, I don't feel like its a fully accurate representation of an extreme long shot. This type of shot shows a subject and how small it is compared to its surroundings. In her shot, I didn't see any subjects, so I felt like it was more of an aerial shot, rather than an extreme long shot. This shot created an exciting, but interesting tone since it showed the view of a location from the sky, which might be explored later.

The third shot I commented was her two shot. It showed two subjects, which is exactly what a two shot is, in the frame. Not only did she capture two subjects, but she was able to show the relationship between the two people and how they excitedly interacted with each other. This created a tone of happiness and humor, since the individuals are shown having a good time together.

The fourth shot I commented on was the full shot. It was able to capture the entire subject's body while also showing her surroundings. You can see students walking behind her and get a sense of the school environment she is in. This makes an funny mood because the individual is shown fooling around and walking in a strange manner.