That's the Prop For Me

A little update...

Now that I have the whole character thing taken care of, it's time to move onto the rest.

I had a table that I was going to use, but it just didn't fit the vibe I was going for. So, I decided to paint it.

I forgot to take a picture before I started painting, but I did manage to take a couple before I finished painting. You're going to have to take my word for it when I tell you that the table used to be light blue and pink and white. (You can see a little bit of the blue and white there). 

It's completely black now. I painted it with black acrylic paint and then a layer of Mod Podge to seal it.

Yes, I am aware that it's missing a leg.

I am also using a Lego laptop in place of a folder/papers because I figured it would be easier.

I'll admit, the picture isn't the best quality, but it's what I was able to get, so....

A friend suggested that I paint the little Lego logo on the back just to make it stand out and look more like a laptop, because details can be lost when it's all in black. I asked her if I should paint the whole thing a different color since the table is now also black, but she didn't think it was necessary. 

I was originally going to paint it silver, but I couldn't find my silver paint and the ink I had tried to use wasn't working. So, I settled for using gold instead.

Small But Mighty

A little update...

Okay, so I received the new faces that I ordered in the mail.

This is what the bag looked like.

There was and there wasn't as much variety as I was expecting. Let me explain. There were a lot of different types and colors and patterns (I even got a pineapple) and many of the faces were double-sided. However, there were a lot of repeating faces. Luckily, I was able to get a couple usable female faces.

I got about three or so of the same female face, so I used the same face for both Kira and Gina, just two different sides.

Gina Greggory (friend)

Kira Kessler (cousin)

I decided to give Kira the more "edgy" face since she is supposed to be more punk/alternative.

I think that buying the new faces was a good idea. Giving the figure female faces just makes them look better and less awkward, in my opinion.

One Last Hope

A little update...

The reason I chose to use Lego mini figures was because I could change their facial expressions. So, in order to help with this, I ordered some extra mini figure heads off Amazon.

From my understanding, I'll be getting a group of 25 random heads that'll include both the yellow and tan colors and males and females. Hopefully I'll get a good amount of female faces and enough of a variety to use.

It should be arriving in a week.

There's Room For Everyone

A little update...

So, since I am now doing my film opening as a stop motion using Lego mini figures, I have to choose the characters. All of the descriptions for the characters still stand as originally intended.

This is my selection pool.

Victoria Vaughn (Victim): For Victoria, I still only need a photo (since she's the victim... and supposed to be dead)

I'm going to use this figure because she's basic.

Victor Vaughn (Brother): Victor is originally described as nerdy and his color is blue.

This is the figure that will be representing him. It also helps that he looks a little like the figure I'm using for Victoria.

Kira Kessler (Cousin): Kira is originally described as a rebel and slightly alternative and her color is red.

I had few red options, so this will have to do (I guess it could be seen as alternative, if you squint). I chose to give her short hair.

Gina Greggory (Friend): Gina is originally described as basic/average and her color is green.

 This was literally my only green option (which I know isn't very basic; it was originally a peter pan/robin hood type thing). I gave her black hair, but I might change it to brown later.

 Detective Alred: The detective was originally meant to be a female (which I had to change to male) and curious, her color being brown.

 I have three options for the detective.

I'm leaning more towards the cowboy sheriff simply because of the colors and his facial expression (I might change the hat). I am unsure if I want to change this character back into a female now that I'm using Lego figures.

I had to do a lot of switching (faces and hats and hair) to get the characters to look like they do now. I'm well aware of the fact that the female characters look a little odd. It's because their faces were intended to be male. I ordered new ones, so hopefully I'll get some more female faces.

I'm Moving On - Nowhere to Go But Up

A little update...

I have decided to go the route of stop motion. It feels like I'm setting myself up for failure, but I also feel like it could turn out relatively well. My sister is leaving, which is why I can't film using real people (as I wouldn't have enough unless I cut out a character). 

I did a lot of stop motion in middle school, so it's not a new thing for me. I would say I'm decent at it. 

I have also decided to use lego figures because even though they have like no articulation, I can still use different expressions, which I wouldn't be able to do if I used anything else (other than maybe clay, but that's not gonna happen). I have more than enough figures to use for my film opening. Now, it's just a matter of picking the right ones to match the characters (obviously they won't be a perfect match). 

Most likely, I won't be able to incorporate the colors for the different characters as well as I had wanted to, if at all.

For the voices, I'm going to ask a couple of my friends/family to record themselves saying the lines so I can edit it into the opening.

A Very Important Thing to Do

A little update...

Okay, so taking a little break from the whole coronavirus and casting issue, I've decided to think a little about the end credits.

I've previously established that for the end credits, I want everything to be handwritten. I thought I would just draw up some examples for what I want it to look like (and get some actual work done).

This is just a (very) rough idea of what the credits will look like. After playing around with these images for a while (much longer than I care to admit) and getting absolutely frustrated that they wouldn't go where I want them to, I've ended up with this figuration. The intention was for the title to be in the center and the credits surrounding them. I think for the final product, I'll place them in a random order on the board (or maybe have an actor in each corner and the the other credits placed randomly about). I'll have to do a little more research as to the order to put them in when I'm editing. (Of course there will be more credits for the actors, but for my own sanity, I left out a couple in this example.)

 I created a few tester images using different sizes and colors for the text just to see how it would look on the final board. I also wrote out the title and put a sample size of the yarn up. I think I prefer the middle sized image with the red or black font. I also prefer the black title. I'm still on the fence about the yarn. I don't know if I can make a final decision about it until I can see how it looks with the final setup.

Here We Go Another Plan

A little update...

Since I can no longer film with my intended cast, I have to figure out something else.

I think that I should stick with my original genre and idea for the film opening. I believe that it is still doable, even under these circumstances. Although, some things are definitely going to have to change.

I'm debating whether or not I should try to do the whole thing in stop motion or ask my family to help me out.

I'm leaning more towards asking my family as using real people would allow for facial expressions (and would probably be easier and take less time). We also have to exact right amount of people for this. Four in total (including me). My sister is home from college for an extended spring break (due to the coronavirus) and my parents are working from home (also due to the coronavirus). Of course, the ages and maybe the genders of a couple character would have to be changed to accommodate for my family.

I think the stopmotion may still be a viable option. It would definitely be more work and take longer. But I think it could be interesting (or really bad). I would either do it with dolls or lego figures (not that I would readily admit to still owning). I feel like dolls would be easier as they have more articulation and are probably easier to work with (since they're bigger) than the lego figures.

I really don't know what to do at this point and I'm going to be honest, it's kind of stressing me out. I'm so very glad that we got an extension on the due date.

If I decide to go with the option of my family, then I would have to film everything next week as my sister will be leaving at the end of the week and my mom will most likely be going back to work. If I decide to go with the option of stop motion, I'll have more leniency with when I film, but I would have to start as soon as possible to get something good as it will take much longer.

Whatever I end up doing, I need to decide quickly because even though we got an extension, I still have to film everything eventually.

High Times, Hard Times, Topsy Turvy

A little update...

School has been temporarily shut down due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Since self-quarantine is being suggested to ensure that the virus doesn't spread any more, my film schedule has been impacted (pretty much entirely cancelled).

I am unable to film with my selected cast. It also means that I lost a week of working on the project, as I didn't know what was happening or who would be available.

With school being closed until April, I'm going to have to find an alternative to finishing this project. Thankfully, the due date has been extended slightly which allows me more time to figure this out.

Melody Time

A little update...

Okay, so I need music for the second half of my film opening. Getting royalty free music would be easiest.

First, I went to Purple Planet and looked through their selection. None of their categories seemed to fit what I was looking for, though.

Next, I went to the YouTube Audio Library and put in the filters for what I was looking for. Out of the options, I decided on cinematic and dramatic.

I looked through the songs until I found one that I liked. This song is the best option I've found, and I think I'm gonna stick with it.

Know Who You Are

A little update...

I need to decide on my target audience for my film. So I did a little (more) research.

The usual target audience of the mystery genre is mature audiences around 15-40 years old. This is because the films revolve around some type of crime (usually a murder) and can get intense or confusing to follow along (with all of the information given), which may be inappropriate or not appealing for younger viewers. There can also be a presence of other adult themes/occurrences (such as cursing or other acts of violence). Females appear to be the majority of viewers, but the films are targeted towards men and women.

The target audience for my film would be about 15-30 year olds (both men and women) as a murder is the focal point. Also, the characters are on the younger side (the suspects ranging from high school to college students), so it would appeal to a younger audience who could possibly identify with some of the characters. Also, the mix of female and male characters would appeal to both genders.

It's Gonna Be Great

A little update...

I decided that the second half of the opening will also serve as the credits. The detective will be pinning up pictures and other papers onto a "clue board". The pictures will include all of the characters, with their real names written underneath. All of the other credits (director, editor, etc.) will also be displayed using this method.

The shots will all be close-ups of the papers being pinned to the board. Nothing else will be seen except for the detective's hand and whatever is being pinned.

I was also thinking of having some of the items connected via red or purple string/yarn.

The final shot will include the title (Three's A Crowd) which will also be pinned to the board. It'll zoom out to showcase the board in its entirety before cutting and ending.

I want to include a score for this part of the opening, as silence would not work here. It needs some type of music to make it more interesting and keep the attention of the viewer.

Something Better

A little update...

I have finally finished the new storyboard. I changed a few things, so hopefully it's more interesting now.

Now, there aren't just medium shots of the individual characters. There are also two-shots which include the detective and a suspect. Although, each suspect and the detective still have shots that are only of them. I figured it would make the scene a little more interesting, add a little variety, and make it a little less static.

The second half will just be a series of close-ups of pinning up the pictures/information. I'll discuss this in more depth in a later post. Two of the panels were left blank to account for the other credits that I'll be including. The final shot will be of the title, ending the film opening.

We Know the Way

A little update...

I have officially decided to film in my garage. It's the best location for how I want my film opening to look.

This is how the area of my garage where I want to film looks at the moment (without the car)

I would take the posters off the wall and move the tennis ball so it wasn't in the way while filming. It would look similar to the above picture. Although, the shots wouldn't be as far back.

I didn't set them up for the picture, but we have a table and a couple chairs (as indicated above) that could be used in the opening. The sketch above indicates how I might set them up. Of course, for the individual shots, I would change the orientation and have them seated against the wall, looking straight ahead.

I still have to play around with the lighting, figure out how it looks at certain times of the day and how using lights would affect the overall look.

Every Little Piece

A little update...

Prop-wise, not much is needed.

For the first half of the film opening, the props that would be needed are a Manila folder (preferably tan or a bright red), a few papers, and a picture of the victim.

The Manila folder I already have (definitely tan, but I'd have to check the other colors).

I can print template police reports and fill them out to fit with my fictional situation. I can also include some extra reports/documents.

The picture of the victim (as I mentioned when I discussed character design) is going to be a picture of my sister (with her consent)

I plan on using this picture. It shows her face clearly, making it easy for people to identify her. I want to try and get it printed on good photo paper (like at Walgreens or somewhere), but as a second option, I can also use the color printer that I have at home (or the black and white printer, although color is preferred).

The second half of the film opening requires more props than the first. There are little details that need to be present.

I need a cork board to pin the "clues" onto.

I was debating whether or not to get one of those whiteboards on the stands: 

      

However, they're expensive (the cheapest one on Amazon still over $100) and would be too big. It would be hard to store during and after this project. Also, a cork board, I think, would be better for this purpose and easier to work with.

I also want to get purple thumbtacks (purple for mystery).

I would get both of these items on Amazon.

I would also need photos of everyone (including the detective) to pin onto the board (preferably printed on good photo paper). I plan on taking the pictures during filming, so that their looks in the photos are consistent with their looks in the film.

Post it notes/ squares of paper would be used to write the names underneath the pictures and other details for the credits (consequently I would also need a sharpie/marker). All of which I already own.

I'm still debating whether or not to have the iconic (maybe a little cliche) red string tying it all together. On one hand, it is a little cliche. On the other, it might add a nice texture to the look of the scene and offer an opportunity for some interesting camera movements.

These are all the props that I require right now. Now, it's just a matter of gathering everything.

Casting

A little update...

As I mentioned in a previous post, a couple of my friends hosted a casting call last week in order to find somebody to star in their film opening. I hadn't been able to go, but they did film it. Reviewing the tapes, those who auditioned won't work for what I need.

However, I was able to find someone - another friend of mine - who is willing to play the detective. They have the right characteristics that are needed to play this character: intimidating and serious. The gender of the detective will need to be changed (an easily fixed problem), as my friend is a male and not female as the original plan had outlined.

I have also cast all of the suspects, so the casting is finished.

All of the other characters will remain exactly as they are.

Where You Are

A little update...

The location should be fairly easy. My film opening will consist mostly of medium or close-up shots, so not much needs to be in the background or surrounding are. In fact, it would be best if there were nothing in the background.

For this reason, I am considering filming in my garage. There is a plain wall that would be good to film against (with a few alterations) and plenty of space in front of it (after removing the cars).

I am also considering my back patio. There is a plain wall with a table in front of it, which would be good for filming. However, it is outside so the lighting would be hard to control. The lighting should be somewhat dark (and definitely consistent).

Out of these two options, I think that the garage is the best option. It's plain, inside (so the lighting will be easy to control), already somewhat dark, and a table could easily fit inside of it. Also, only one wall would be needed, as I can just film everybody in front of it since no one is in the shot together. Filming everyone in front of that wall will also make it more consistent, visually.

That's What Friends Are For

Today, we met in groups to discuss out projects. Overall, my critique went well. Some comments were that the second half of the opening (putting up the clues on a board) may read as cliche. However, after introducing an idea of using it to display the credits, they agreed that it would add something interesting to the opening. I'll get more in depth with the credits in a later post.

We discussed how it might be best if there isn't any music in the background, but the dialogue would have to be really good to make up for it. I was contemplating whether or not there should be stings. However, for the second half, there will be music (it would be awkward if it was just silent).

The group helped me decide on the prop for the "clue board".

They also said that they liked the title: "Three's A Crowd".

After the group meetings, I feel better about moving forward and have a better idea of what I want the second half to look like.