Production Project 5

SUMMARY

Role

Screenwriter

Intention (SMART Goal)

By May 10th, as part of my film team, I will use screenwriting beats that end in therefore and but NOT and then to raise tension I will have written a script that conveys the theme of community clearly to the audience.

PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

Woody Allen: Bullets Over Broadway (1994), Mighty Aphrodite (1995), Everyone Says I Love You (1996), Deconstructing Harry (1997)

Training Source(s)

10 Screenwriting Tips

tip 1 – 0:38 – Develop your own writing process that makes you happy.

  • After writing think critically about your writing and make notes

    • tip 2 – 3:04 – Don’t confuse the audience.

  • it’s okay to confuse the audience if they feel as though they’re in good hands

    • tip 3 – 4:20 – Rewrite other scenes and fill in the blanks.

  • practice technique

    • tip 4 – 6:07 – Take the oldest stories in the book and reinvent them.

    tip 5 – 7:25 – Take morality out of the question to have interesting characters.

    tip 6 – 8:51 – Write the movie you want to see.

    tip 7 – 11:45 – Do your subtext work.

    tip 8 – 15:58 – Give your characters moral choices.

    tip 9 – 17:37 – Write extensive character backstories to get the best actors.

    tip 10 – Love what you do.

    PRODUCTION – ACTION

    The (FILM, SOUND, or GAME Creation)

    Itch Page

    Skills Commentary

    Through this film project, I developed skills in creating entertaining dialogue that preserved the tension of the film throughout the film. The most notable examples of this took place when the character of Jimmy’s foolishness wasn’t resolved (like it would’ve been if the script overused “and then” statements) but rather, it was used as the main element on tension, angering the director and creating unique conflicts (which allowed the script to be comprised of “therefore” statements).

    POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

    21st Century Skills

    Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

    In order to have accurate McDonald’s bags I made replicas at home in order to solve the issue of having to spend lots of money on McDonalds.

    Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

    In order to create the subtitles for Ali’s interview, I collaborated with Pablo to come up with funny insults that Ali’s character would’ve likely said.

    Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

    I learned how to create an itch.io account, how to edit an itch.io post, and how to embed a video in that post.

    Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

    I gained experience in working in an interviewing team and how to deal with people who we asked to be interviewed.

    Reactions to the Final Version

    Jack: “The funniest parts of the movie were the jokes that were delivered in a deadpan manner.”

    Self-Evaluation of Final Version

    Our final version had mixed quality because some of the jokes were well delivered in a deadpan attitude and other jokes were poorly delivered because they drew away from the greater context of the film, creating confusion in the viewer. Our individual aspects were well executed, however, the film could’ve benefitted greatly from more effective collaboration and the conjoining of these individual strengths. In the future, or if this film were to refined, the next film that I am involved in should be much more focused on the logline and shouldn’t derive from the central theme and narrative as this film did.

    Grammar and Spelling

    Editor

    Ali

    Step Brothers – Job Interview – Scene Research

    Justification – We have interviews in our script which are supposed to be funny.

    NotesCue
    – The back of the head of the interviewer is kept in shot while the person being interviewed is talking, but the person being interviewed’s head is not kept in shot while the interviewer is talking.
    – As the interviewer is asking questions, there are cuts to show the facial expressions of the person being interviewed.
    – It is funny to have to give the person being interviewed a joking attitude while the interviewer is serious.
    – The person in control of the interview is shown by who the camera is on while both people are talking
    – It is essential to have people looking the right way. For example if the interviewer is sitting on the left and the person getting interviewed is on the right, then the interviewer must look to screen right always and the person getting interviewed must always look to screen left.
    – It can be refreshing for the viewer to have a shot that pulls slightly away from the people. I.e. a medium long shot.

    Summary – The most important thing is to establish continuity and mood in the interview. This is done by focusing on a person, showing them as dominant and keeping consistent positioning in characters.

    Andrew Stanton Storytelling

    NotesQ
    – Simple opening dialogue, repetitive, stays on topic of the protagonist’s accomplishments, establishing him as an overachiever.
    – Juxtaposition of unusually friendly dialogue of the chief inspector and his cronies with the stern dialogue of the protagonist subtly suggests that the inspector and cronies have ulterior motives.

    – Story goal: like a joke, everything works to the goal of the punchline, make people care
    – Beginning: Make a promise
    – Hide the fact that people are working for their meal
    – Create characters with a subconscious drive in all of their choices
    – Drama is anticipation mingled with uncertainty
    – Create tension/anticipation
    – Storytelling has guidelines, not hard fast rules
    – A strong theme is always running through a well told story
    – Invoke wonder
    – Capture a truth from your experiences
    Summary: In order to tell a compelling story, one must create a sense of tension and wonder throughout the story while maintaining a driving force through the protagonists’ choices.

    Production Project Session 4

    Contrasting Light on Sawtooth Angles
    “Contrasting Light on Sawtooth Angles” by Referenceace – Working! is licensed under

    SUMMARY

    Role

    Screenwriter

    Intention (SMART Goal)

    By March 2nd, as part of my film team, I will explore the screenwriter’s skill pathway by following The Visual Story by Bruce Block and will have created scenes that use contrasted lighting to show a character’s split mind and to create an intense tone over the scenes of our Session 4 project.

    PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

    Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

    Billy Wilder

    Wilder’s works are renown for their humorous portrayal of controversial subjects and its hypocrisy of American life. He revolutionized film by including subject matter previously thought to be taboo in society, such as alcoholism, prisoner of war camps, and prostitution. (Barson)

    https://www.britannica.com/biography/Billy-Wilder

    Training Source(s)

    The Visual Story by Bruce Block

    Tone:
    Grey vs. black and white. Portrayal of dichotomy with lighting. Emphasize objects with tone.

    Controlling the Gray Scale:

    • Reflective Control (art direction)
      • Making the overall tone of the shot uniform (ie. light, dark, contrasted)
      • If used for an entire production, the lighting must be flat and shadowless
      • Controlling gray scale with the colors of objects
    • Incident Control (lighting)
      • Controlling the amount of lighting falling on objects
      • Creating tones through lighting, shadows created by objects
    • Exposure (camera and lens adjustments)
      • Adjusting the shutter or f-stop
      • Effects the brightness of the entire shot

    Project Timeline

    Feb 15 – Feb 18: Pre-Poduction

    Feb 23 – 25: Production

    Feb 28 – Mar 4: Post Production

    Proposed Budget

    $2

    PRODUCTION – ACTION

    The (FILM, SOUND, or GAME Creation)

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SI8WszKOBHb8p9mWxQWjyRkQVz8wLJ-7/view

    Skills Commentary

    I attempted to implement the contrasted lighting technique from “The Visual Story” by Bruce Block. In order to do so, I intended to use a light box on the protagonist’s profile while he is in a dark room, creating a stark contrast between the light of his face and the darkness of the room.

    POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

    21st Century Skills

    Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

    In order to create a dolly shot, we pushed the cinematographer while he was on a swivel chair.

    Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

    I collaborated with the sound designer to make accurate sound rhythms.

    Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

    My source for learning was ‘The Visual Story’ by Bruce Block.

    Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

    This production cycle gave me experience for when the allotted time for working is shortened.

    Reactions to the Final Version

    James Clark: “The action of the film was well executed and enjoyable to watch because it was done safely.”

    Self-Evaluation of Final Version

    Overall, the film was executed well because of the concise editing and dynamic shots which were used throughout it.

    What I Learned and Problems I Solved

    I learned about how affinity and contrast portray tension. I helped my team to solve the problem of creating a dolly shot without having a dolly by pushing the cinematographer in an office chair.

    Grammar and Spelling

    Edublogs

    Editor

    Nathan Beard

    Visual Story Structure Research TEMPLATE

    Night story
    “Night story” by Dejan Hudoletnjak is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

    Seven Visual Story Components

    CueNotes
     Space:
    Shallow shots convey calmness. Dutch angle portrays something is wrong. Emphasize longitudinal planes. Stage objects perpendicular to the picture plane. Dolly in and out. Separate with contrast. Wide angle, telephoto lens.
     Line and Shape:
    Movement in a predictable pattern vs noticeable pattern in unpredictable movement. Squint (linear motif). Light emphasis. Intentional staging. Linear motif storyboard. Simplify.
     Tone:
    Grey vs. black and white. Portrayal of dichotomy with lighting. Emphasize objects with tone.
     Color:
    Orange and teal are two most favorite film colors. Lens filters. Magic hour (when the sun is below the horizon).
     Movement:
    Background affects complexity. Contrast from background. Where character is facing/body language.
     Rhythm:
    Pillars and picket fences create rhythm. Background structure. Sequential similar shapes create a montage.
      

    Summary

    Use light and dark lighting to show a split decision.

    Resources

    Production Project Session 3

    SUMMARY

    Role

    Screenwriter

    Intention (SMART Goal)

    By January 28, as part of my team, I will explore the screenwriter’s skill pathway by aligning the screenplay with specific editing direction. I will use props to externalize character and use location to unify characters while heightening drama. I will use Cinemtaic Storytelling by Jennifer Van Sijll as a source for these techniques.

    PRE-PRODUCTION – INQUIRY

    Leader(s) in the Field / Exemplary Work(s)

    Quentin Tarantino is one of the most critically acclaimed screenwriters of all time. His works utilize nonlinear storytelling, dark humor, stylized violence, extended dialogue, ensemble casts, references to popular culture, alternate history, and neo-noir.

    Training Source(s)

    “Cinematic Storytelling” by Jennifer Van Sijll

    Project Timeline

    Jan 9 – 15 Pre-production

    Jan 23 – Feb 1 Production

    Feb 2 – 3 Post-production

    Feb 4 – Present film

    Proposed Budget

    $45.00

    PRODUCTION – ACTION

    The (FILM, SOUND, or GAME Creation)

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DIflY6ryf4OJoKvJtNO_Q8GqMZbtTbUX/view?usp=sharing

    Skills Commentary

    I took influence from Tarantino’s screenwriting technique

    POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION

    21st Century Skills

    Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)

    I had to learn how to properly film with the cameras in the abscense of our cinematographer.

    Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)

    I collaborated with my group in order to solve problems such as camera placement.

    Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)

    My source for learning was Cinematic Storytelling by Jennifer Van Sijll.

    Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)

    This project cycle gave me experience for when people are missing in a professional setting.

    Reactions to the Final Version

    Moira: “The inclusion of setting description in the script successfully added a band theme to the film.”

    Self-Evaluation of Final Version

    The final version was unfinished and a mess due to the fact that half the group was gone during production.

    What I Learned and Problems I Solved

    I learned the basics of operating the camera and some of Tarantino’s scriptwriting techniques.

    Editor

    Daniel

    Film Theory

    Source: Research Film Theory

    CueNoted
    – What is empty criticism?
    – What is new criticism?    		– New Historicism began from 1970s-1980s as a criticism to New Criticism.
    – Involves asking how historical events are interpreted and what those interpretations show about the interpreters.
    – The belief that history cannot be looked at objectively.
    – Focus on the relationship between knowledge and power.
    Focus on an individual’s use of language in effecting their surroundings.

    Summary

    New Historicism looks at film through its interpretation of history and at the impact of that interpretation on society.