Filming Schedule

 We realized while writing that we already have a filming schedule somewhat figured out. While we don’t know the dates yet, we know that there are 5 scenes, spread across two days. 

For recap, the five scenes are as follows:

-The First Shots (outside the diner)

- The Diner Scene (distraction)

- The “Plotting Scene”

- The Intensity (during the plotting scene as Jack and Keira argue)

- The Closing Scene (what we saw at the beginning)

We realized that the first two scenes, and the last scene, would all be at the same time. We can film those three on the same day, and pretty much all at once. 

The middle two of the “planning” will both occur at the same filming location, most likely one of our houses. 

Little Outline

   Week Two. Lets run it!

Keira and I spent the entire class going over character backgrounds and their contributions to the “heist”. We figured that if we did this, the script would fall into place easier. 

I have written some scripts before and when I write out everything about the characters, I can figure out what they would say in situations. 

Most of what we did revolves around what they would do in the planning part of the heist, since we don’t see them before or after that scene. We landed on six characters and figure out their motives and their part in the plan.

(FYI, we don’t have character names yet, so the names you see are the actors playing them) 

   

Jack- He is the leader of the plan. The Danny Ocean of the operation. He used to work at the diner, but after they screwed him over (probably over firing him), he decided to do the same to him. He brings everyone into the plan and explains to them what’s gonna happen: they are going to rob the diner. He’s the mastermind as he knows where everything is. He cant be involved in the heist, but he makes a great distraction because everyone knows him, and all eyes will be on him. He also fights with Keira as he thinks she has nothing to contribute. 

Adrian- Jack's best friend who is coming along for the money. Doesn’t care about Jack’s motive, only wants money. He brings his girlfriend, Keira, to the heist. He is portrayed as a stoner and doesn’t care about the consequences necessarily.

Keira- Goes with Adrian to the planning, doesn’t know what she’s going for. She sits when she’s there, not really contributing. She is very against the whole idea and she tried to shoot it down. Jack gets mad at her and they eventually get into a fight. He asks her what she wants from it or how it could be better, or to get out. She tells him that she’ll provide a distraction for the group.

Gomez- Works at the diner and used to work with Jack. She is there because she is the current “inside man.” She doesn’t care for the plan but wants to be a part because she doesn’t get paid enough. She is the logical one there and since she still works there, she’ll help Connor. 

Connor- He is the brawn of the operation. He’s the man going in to take the money. He doesn’t know anyone well, besides Jack. He doesn’t care since he doesn’t really have anything to lose and just wants the money. He brings Skyler for “backup”.

Skyler- Connors backup/ getaway driver. He’s there to help Connor get in and out. Doesn’t like Adrian so is always making jokes at him and being mean. 

Our Story…

The time has come. Please enjoy the outline for our untitled project. 

The film begins on a kid eating by himself in a restaurant. A girl walks up to him and as he begins to talk, she tells him to stop. This goes on for a bit, before she tells him to just listen to the music on the jukebox. There is tension and she eventually gets mad enough to throw water at him. She storms out and it cuts. 

Next scene is of 6 friends sitting. They’re planning a heist. Logistics are not clear yet but they need money for something. They eventually decide that Jack (my character) and Keira’s character will be the distraction for the whole operation. Everything we saw in the earlier scenes was that said distraction. 

It ends with them finalizing this and a phone ringing on a black screen. As we hear someone answer it’s Keira’s character asking what song to play. She hangs up and then walks into the same diner. The scene that is supposed to happen chronologically is the scene we saw at the beginning, the distraction. 

Genre for our Short Film

 For our film, Keira and I wanted to create something similar to productions we love. The explain it in a surface level way, we will be putting together a Drama/Thriller film.

The genre at heart will be most closely resembled in a piece like “Oceans Eleven”. The heist and thriller aspect will be shown, but without seeing the heist itself. 

“Ocean’s Eleven”, directed by Steven Soderbergh, 2001

What makes the project different, however, is that it will not be a thriller/ heist film from the start. It starts as a romance film (seemingly). 

It will be most similar to “La La Land,” about two people who are fighting and seem to be different people at heart. We will not get to see all of this, as it is only in the first scene. This romantic part we see is the distraction for the heist they are planning. It also serves to distract the audience and confuse them when the genre changes.  

“La La Land”, directed by Damien Chazelle, 2016

Finalizing the Idea and the Problems Along the Way

 I have fantastic news. KEIRA AND I FINALIZED OUR IDEA!!! I wanted to give a little update in case people were wondering where we were. We’re putting finishing touches on the story and fixing little gaps we had. We both suggested ideas, and with little disagreements throughout, we made it through and decided on a great idea. 

We are going to brainstorm in class to finalize little ideas but overall we have a somewhat shaky idea. I know it is not much, but it is a step towards the nomination for Best Short Film at the Oscars. 

Portfolio Project Timeline

One of the biggest parts of completing this project is going to be planning so I’m just gonna get right into it.

While I like the timeline that was given, there are some things that I would change. Here is my completed one!

Week One:

-choose genre for the short film

-decide on a story and begin work on it

-post to blog

Week Two:

-research project components and how writing

-develop the story and begin writing the script

-post to blog

Week Three:

-continue to research/plan

-finish the script

-begin storyboarding and researching how to get each shot

-create shot list

-create social media tool

-post to blog

Week Four:

-continue to research/plan 

-begin filming!!!

-document each part of production blog/ social media

-begin posting on social media

-post to blog

Week Five:

-continue to research/plan

-finish filming!!!

-post to social media

-post to blog

Week Six:

-possible reshoots if needed

-continue planning

-post to social media

-post to blog

Week Seven:

-focus solely on editing

-post to social media

-post to blog

Week Eight:

-research information relating to Critical Reflection

-finish editing

-post to social media

-post to blog

Week Nine:

-create Critical Reflection

-double check the production is good

-post to social media

-post to blog

Week Ten:

-create final, overall project reflection

-post all project components to blog

-Post Critical Reflection to blog

As you can tell, there are a few differences in the timelines. There were a few parts of the sample that I felt were too rushed or too far behind. For example, the Critical Reflection felt too early in the sample to how I had planned on it. 

I also did not want to rush filming or editing. There are still many similarities, however, including almost the same outlines for a couple of the weeks. The organization seemed very similar as well. 

I will most likely try and focus as much as I can, because in my mind, 10 weeks seems longer than it actually is.

WE’RE BACK!!!

It’s AICE Media A Level now, and I’m so excited. It’s been a bit and I think I’m seriously ready for this project. 

My friend Keira Hochberg and I are going to be producing a short film together which we are still working on. As of right now, it’s still in the early stages. We’re passing ideas back and forth but are planning to begin writing by the end of the week. 

I truly think that what I’ve learned to far in A Level is going to help me and make this project as good as it can be. 

As always, stay tuned and I can’t wait for you to see what’s in store!