Filming at the Parking Garage

The next filming location we filmed at was at the Fort Lauderdale Parking Garage. This location was one of the most important places for my film. In this location we filmed the kidnapping scene. which is the whole entire point of our film. I can honestly say it was one of the easier places to film because it wasn't as many people there. It was kind of hard though because their were a lot of car moving in this scene. Even though in my storyboard it was supposed to be a packed car garage, it sort of worked in my favor. I would say the hardest part trying to follow the cars. I've realized that I'm not as fast as cars while filming this process. You know what would've been helpful, a hover board, because  it would've been easier to get the shots. The hardest part for my actors was the kidnapping scene because carrying her continued to put a strain on his back. We had to go all around that parking garage to get multiple shots. There was this one car continuously driving around the garage. I think they were doing a driving lesson because they went around a few times. But some of the shots were hard to get because the sun was against us which causes a darker shot. It didn't look good on the camera, but maybe it can work in my favor because it can add a spooky sense.

Filming at Race Trac

Day 3 of filming my movie. On day 3 we took a field to race trac to film some of the parts of the movie. This part of the film is very important because it’s the rising action to the climax. It show the actor who plays Darkmin, finding his jackpot, which is Sara. She is at a gas station where she is then followed around to workplace. You can imagine how hard it was to film people driving cars when your not in control. And to add on to that, it was an open gas station with cars everywhere. But luckily it wasn’t a busy day so it wasn’t that bad. Another challenge I faced was that my actors didn’t know my exact vision for this shot. They had to at least do it like 5 times, which means they had to loop around over and again which was a struggle. Cars would go back and forth and interrupt my shot and I had to start all over again. But believe it or not, it didn’t take us that to film that portion. The only part I had to film there was the getting gas part and the actors following each other. It was also kind of stressful because it was a mother and child watching me film this whole process. At first I was kind of nervous to film in front of people but then I remembered I had to get this done and they weren’t stopping me from my responsibilities. So I continued to do what I had to do even though it was a struggle sometimes. The hardest part of that day was definitely the following part, but in the end they finally did to where I was pleased enough to leave.

Filming some more of the movie

Day 2 of filming was quit monumental. On the 2nd day of filming I filmed the part of the movie where she finally is leaving the house. It was kind of difficult because I had to wait till my actors had gotten home to start the filming process. By the time my actor had gotten home, it started to get dark pretty fast. So we decided to continue to film even though it was dark outside because we thought we make it seem as if it was early in the morning. But now that I’m thinking about it now the storyline was supposed to be of the actor waking up late from her slumber. So I know that that’s going to be apart of my reshoot process. This portion of the film was one of the easiest to film only because the location was my house. The other location for this film is going to be quite hard to film at because they are public places and open to everyone. I’m positive that this project is going to be great though. The part I filmed was of the actor sprouting out the house to get to her car. I did mutipe shots and multiple angles so that I can have as many options as possible. I only had to work with one of my actors that day because it was only her part. I knew the other actor will be a challenge to work with so I wanted to start with the easiest part. I did take pictures while I was filming to show guys my filming process and some of the angles I used. My director of photography took some great photos of me but I almost thought she wasn’t coming because she was really late. I’m still really pumped about this project and what we have yet to conquer.

Filming the Very Beginning

Now that we are done with our story board, its time to start the filming process. This part is honestly my favorite part of this whole project. Even though blogging comes with the new process, I'm still really excited to film. The past weekend was the first opportunity to check out a camera to film. Being one of the only 2 people to check out a camera, I got a really great camera. This weekend I got to film only the first few seconds of the film. Hints the title of the blog. But the only reason I only got that much was because I started on Sunday instead of Saturday. The reason I started so late was because one of my actors were unavailable at the time slot I needed them for. Even though I didn't get as much footage as I wanted this weekend, I still have two more times to check out a camera. When I was thinking about my timeline, I've realized I have to be really strategic on how I plan to film. This weekend I filmed the part of the film where 'Sara' was awakening from her slumber to start her day. But 'Sara' wasn't taking her time, she was in rushing state trying to got to the bathroom. But I also feel like I did really good on my progress because some people haven't even started. So next weekend I think I'm going to finish filming, so that I'm able to finish my editing before my peer review. I think that's what I'm most excited about, to watch other groups project, because you get to see there's and compare it to yours. In this picture below you see me filming some of the shots that I took this past weekend.

Storyboard Blog

For today's blog I will be displaying my storyboard. The storyboard is usually the most important part of the filming process because people in the industry that are trying to make a movie has to have a plan on what they are going to do in order to start filming. Just like now, I have to put to finish and complete my storyboard in order to be able to check out a camera and start filming. But back to my experience with the storyboard. In the beginning I knew this process will be easier because I completed the shooting script which is the exact same thing. The only difference between the shooting script and the storyboard you have to draw a sketch to let the audience see your visual plan. Its basically the movie on paper. Even if I didn't do the shooting script, I already knew this process wouldn't be that hard because the storyboard is weirdly my favorite part of the film making process. With all this being said, I know present my storyboard.

Planning Blog: Titles

This blog explains the titles of this film. I'm sure you want to know what my title of my film because that's literally the most important part. Right? Okay, here it is, "The Strike Of Darkmin." Yep, that's my title. I think its really cool because it explains the point of view of the antagonist instead of the victim. Usually people have a title based on the victim. I thought that I should do something different and do it this way. As you would see in the power point I'm only using one font, just in different boldness. We could've use 3 different fonts but I didn't really find any other good fonts to go with the theme of the movie, so i just stuck with this one.

Planning Blog: Location, Schedule, Participants, and Health

And you guessed right, another blog. But this blog was different, it discusses all the essential things needed to create a film. It discusses where I'm filming and who my actors and the safety precautions I'm using in case something goes wrong. Everything I put into this blog is just for now because may change. The only things that would probably change is my actors because I didn't secure them yet. I know your probably like, "that's the most important part," yea I know but I'm sure they will want to do it. And I know from my last project I said I wasn't going to use my family again, but at this point I don't really have a choice. And they are literally the only people I can yell at and not feel bad about it. The schedule might change as well because I might do it a lot faster than I planned for. Finishing this project faster will give me more time to study for the Cambridge Test at the end of the year.

Planning Blog: Sound and Dialogue Script

For this blog since it was the shortest one, I did it last. I did it last because I knew when I get the shooting script done, this one would be easy. I don't actually think I organized it correctly because it doesn't look right. To understand it, you have to read the whole thing. But in my defense, its only two characters, which means not much dialogue. And both the characters aren't even communicating with each other. I know there was a minimum and maximum amount of slides for both of these, but I tried my best to try to fit it in the requirements. Now i have to do a lot of convincing with my family to try to get them as actors for this project. But I'm really excited for this project.

Planning Blog: Shooting Script

And just like that, now were planning the project. I feel like I haven't blogged in a long time. I mean, even though I've been putting out blogs they weren't the 'regular' blogs. Those blogs had structure and it felt like more of an assignment. So I guess I can say I'm happy that we are back from research to the regular program. For this blog, I will post up my Shooting Script that talks about everything you see in the movie. When I first got this assignment, I was CONFUSED, I wasn't very clear on what to do but I still started that day. I guess I am over exaggerating because it really isn't that hard. But what was hard for me was that I wasn't finish with the story of the movie. With all the story lines I've did, I’ve always had a plan in my head and I’m going to do it, but this time it was so hard for me, I had no inspiration. But I had to ask my cousin some good ideas because I had none. And it inspired me to make this movie. Hope you enjoy.