Blog 23: Day 1 of Shooting

    

   The Diary 

Ep1: First day of  Shooting 

    FINALLY!!! Ooooops... Intro first. HEY GUYS!!! I am so EXCITED to talk about our first day of filming. There's a lot of tea to spill so let's boil this up. 

        Breakfast: 

    First of all, we did not get into filming right away. It's the 3rd of January, the last day of our winter break and we decided to had some fun but also get the filming intact. Our crew decided to goes out for breakfast, technically it was brunch. We planned to get there around 10:30, however we arrived at Ihop around 11:30 (we couldn't wake up). I haven't had Ihop in 5 years, making it's my first time back. It didn't go that well... There was some incidents happened in the kitchen and delayed our food for an hour. In spite of that, we just "yap" the whole time and discussed about the filming. Addition to the situation, I left the birthday cake at home, unfortunately, so I had to make my way home to grab it. If this wasn't bad enough, I left my Stanley cup at the shop and somebody took it.... 

    I was definitely paranoid but as an optimistic person, I tried to maintained my professionalism and the filming came out great. 

        Gigi's house:

     I arrived around 1pm and that's when everyone was ready together. Except one of our guest—Kamilah— was there with us since the beginning. 

    The very first scene was modified, it came up to the realization of not having an actual table calendar, we had to drew a calendar on board right on spot. Therefore, we also switched up the angle from how it looks like in the Storyboarding for Scene 1. Besides, everything stayed the same except Scene 16 was begin as Gigi take the cake from the counter and pass by grabbing the family picture to the table. The reason why we added the family picture detail was to put the audience on spot through the greater emphasis on her family. This set an overwhelm mood and would capture further attention from the audience. 

    On the 20th of January, we will host the 2nd day of shooting. The ideal was to add some further scene that directly drive the clues of her mother passed away. We want the film to convey the emotions and deep stage of our main character. Lastly, some of the scene was suffered from uncontrollable noises. Therefore, we will mute the original sounds and substitute it using sounds from the Foley stage. 

     

P/s: We finished the more than half of the Chocolate cake, it was DELICIOUSS!!!

Blog 22: Free Blog Post

 

Some of  my    thoughts

    Hey guys, welcome back! I have a little update today. I am so glad that we have catch up with each other so far. I had spoiled most of the plots up until this point. The process of brainstorming and planning was quite challenge for us. 

    Even though everything was carefully planned, things still came up on our way. For instance, our first change started when the "Spiderwomen" doesn't think that she is the best suit for the main character and the "Real life Barbie" should take over the role instead. That also leads to the change of location because we figured that Real life Barbie's house has better natural light source and much more familiar to most of us. Through this project, I felt like we did a great job in communicating. Agreement is tough sometimes and counter idea comes up pretty often. However, we were able to pull it off and work our way through the Storyboarding. Deep down, I was really proud of our Storyboarding because without it, most of us will be out of track when filming day comes. It was true. We had to pull up our storyboarding and goes step by step on the filming day. It was fairly easy and went very well for us. 

    Originally, we were going to include some flashback scenes where Gigi and her mother enjoyed the birthday together to give the audience a clue on the absent of her mom. The black and white family picture will also hint something was missing and the lost of her mom. Nevertheless, we decided took the scenes out because of the time limit. Yet, we are still considering even after filming, I personally feels like the scenes are necessarily and it tells more about the character's catastrophe. Therefore, we came to an agreement of adding in some scenes that cast Gigi's mind back to the memories and how emotional she felt when she set herself to the reality. So... there will be the second day of filming!!! I'm thrill than ever to polish our final out come.  

 

Blog 21: Supporting Characters

 

Supporting Characters 

    It's me again, your favorite blogger! If you followed my previous blogs, we left off mostly with descriptions of mise-en-scene and Gigi. Have you ever wonder? The story line only revolve around our main character, so... Where is the supporting characters? Don't worry! We got this. 

    The supporting characters are physically absent but they are there mentally. For instance, Gigi's dad — our supporting character — whom made a call home to inform his absent. He attempted to text her but due to the hurried, he left with a voice chat. This plot twist our main character inner emotion from excited to disappointed. Though her dad clearly shown regret and promised to make it up for her, Gigi still can't stand the fact of celebrating alone on her most remarkable day of one's life. 

    In a further extent of emphasizing Gigi's inner state of emotion, we decided to add a little detail where she grabbed her family picture, where they used to spend birthday together. One happily family falls apart tragically and pressured on one another. Meanwhile, Gigi is surround with thoughts and mourning her mom. Her dad on the other hand might not noticed the fact that this is her only big birthday but simply thinks he can make up with Gigi. This create a spiraling effect that deepen to show the mental battling of our main character. She's not only sad but also learning how to accept the reality. The first lesson on her mature major path. 

 

Blog 20: Color in you project

  Color Use 

    Hey, bestie! As you might or might not already know, color is a huge element of mise-en-scene. Our project, the coming of age, "Eighteenth" is not only translate the illustrating fiction story of a young self who are stepping herself upon the stage of maturity with a healing wound—reminiscing her lost mother. Gigi—the main character—open the scene with a gorgeous cool shades outfit. Gigi's color choice of costumes motivate the innocence and a light ambient start for the new journey. On one side, the outfit might seems quite simple but it goes superior well with the theme and background. 

    I don't want to spoil it yet, so let's set our mind to imagination. Her bed, bed side and makeup table's decor follow a vintage princess vibes—a softer shade of gold's surface engraved with well-designed branches of flowers. The slight antique green was blend in so well with the set that the moment she sat down, everything was set in time and place. Even the earthy green was dancing beyond that windowpane, under the warm sunlight of a casual spring breeze in January. The beginning of the film was motivated to pursue with high key lighting and a carefully intention to employ a chilling atmosphere. Besides, her room was covered in multiples, different colors and unique poster. It all contributed to her strong personality. 

    As the film progress towards the plot, the lighting will slowly twist through the engage of low key lighting. This will change the whole mood of the plots emotionally and physically. However, the film's filter will be done through some editing and the adjustment of brightness in camera. Overall, we want to keep the pure nature color of the room and smoothly transition with a darker filter matches the story's line up. 

Bonus: Towards the end of the film, Gigi will celebrate on her own with a chocolate cake. Chocolate symbolizes love and affection. However, in this case, each individual will interpret the choice of cake differently. Maybe chocolate was just a casual choice of flavor or maybe the brown symbolize the juxtaposing between sentiment and the pitch of gloom. 

Blog 19: Main Character Analysis

Main Character Analysis 

    Hey guys! It's another day with another blog. This blog will spot the light on our main character—the only character in this film, GiGi. 

    Let's pretend that you are an audience without any prior knowledge or the appearance of my blog. You wouldn't think much, beside "Oh that's just an outfit".It just a simple fit. She had on a formal jeans, a white shirt that cover with a soft pink crop jacket. Each color layers symbolize a stage of thoughts, pink for exciting; white for neutral and shift in emotion stages; dark blue for sorrow, disappointed and nostalgia.  The distinction of Gigi is illustrated through emotional stages, from exciting to a drop of disappointed.  

     However, an actor without props is just like teaching without materials. We purposely open the scene pan from the calendar hinting a special day with Gigi coming in with her birthday sash. The film shift to her sitting down, picking up the makeups' necessities, then reaches her phone. Not much of a spoil. Flash-forwards, Gigi picks up her birthday cakes, grab her young-self family picture and light on the candles. All of this props are major factors that contribute to highlight the main plot and the universal theme of the film. Gigi, just a teenage girl who turns 18th, suffers her first birthday without mom. Despite, she tried to kick off the day, hanging on with a smile and eventually fall apart due to the absent of her beloved father. 

Blog 18: Costuming

 

 Costuming

    Dear, bestie!!! Welcome to 2025's first blog. We're opening the year with an interesting topic. I'm very appreciate as we encounter another chapter of our filming project. You had came a long way and stayed persistence with this process. I am SUPER impressed and far more wished us a successful year. Up until now, we had already filmed our project and I'm proud to spill you with some tea. Let's discuss about the choice of costume.     

    Throughout our film opening, we won't have any change of location. The film sets at Gigi's house (our main character in the movie) with the motive to showcase her roller-coaster emotions on the first birthday without her sincere mom. Gigi will only put on one outfit and it's quite simple. She puts on a formal jeans, a white shirt that cover with a soft pink crop jacket. Each color layers symbolize a stage of thoughts, pink for exciting; white for neutral and shift in emotion stages; dark blue for sorrow, disappointed and nostalgia. 

    Additionally, prior to our plot twist, she has her hair up with a cute clip for the get ready process. Just an ease-looking outfit with a back meaning, Gigi doesn't expect anything much by portraying herself as a casual person. Lastly, most of the props will be seen in the movie will be in order as the plots goes: birthday sash, makeups' necessities, phone, birthday cakes, candles, and family picture frame.

Blog 17: Preparing to Film

 

Preparing to Film 

    Hey, welcome back to my blog! Today, let's talk about our Filming's supplements. 

Actors

    Since our film is title to a coming up age theme, we will be having only one character throughout our filming process. Having one character not only save up our time and portrait the isolate atmosphere but also limit unnecessarily factors that allows us maximize our details as well as time for editing. Giving an isolate environment with dynamic lighting, it's more liikely to build up a Hollywood filming quality vibe. 

Costumes

    Our main character will first put on a simple outfit but also looking nice with a vibrant color which indicating that somethings bless is going to happen. Obviously, it's her birthday. On the background when we shadowing the room will show a princess birthday dress. But our main character will not put it on as the plot twist lead to her out-mood and cancelation. 

Props

    Props will play a huge role in our movie opening. We decided to introduce our name as contributor through labeling it on each of the make up piece like brush, concealer, and eyes palette. Our character will be holding each of the items and we will do the magic using editing. As the movie progress, she will be holding up her mother's picture that they took on her birthday the previous year while mesmerize. Another prop coming up will be the birthday cake as she carry it out with mix feeling, the cake will be dark chocolate as it juxtaposition her mood. 

Locations

    Initially, we decided to film at the Spiderwoman's house. However, due to the change of mind and actor, we decided to film at Real life Barbie's house instead 

Dates and time 

    The film idea began in 2024 and the first shot will be taken on January 3rd, 2025 at 1pm 

Film equipment 

    Upon discussing, we decided to use our own filming equipment, instead of borrow them from professionals. Why? Our group have experience of working together on many filming projects, hence we will work our way up like regularly with a Iphone's camera and a phone stander to keep it stable. Overall, I believe that this will be a fun and smooth filming experience.

Blog 16: Initial Storyboard

Initial Storyboard 

    Hey guys. Welcome back! Today, we are having a special blog. This blog is definitely longer than usual since I will present to you our Storyboarding. Storyboarding is a form of visual and elements that provides us a concrete guideline to base off when filming. 

    Here are the overview components of our group's Storyboard: crafting process, story flow and contributors. There are the total of 18 scenes including a sketch, description, camera angles, audio notes, transitions and graphic/text link to each. The creation of this script was a true team effort, with everyone contributing their talents and hard work. However, the major credit for the brilliant ideas goes to our very own "Spiderwoman," the mastermind behind it all. Next up, we have our artist. 

    As I introduced in Blog 10, 'Real Life Barbie' is the superior artistic person and she is willingly to take over the sketching part. Her collaboration with me and "Mimeo" was nothing short of amazing as we worked together to refine every detail. The descriptions require much efforts and time, involving thoughtful and considerate conversations. We constantly discussed the elements of each scene and ensure that the story flowed smoothly without any illogical. Setting everything on track and divide tasks that suitable toward each individual's strength had enhanced our teamwork's quality and mark the key of communication. 

    Now that I already tell you about the Storyboard's establish, you're very welcome to take a closer look at our recent work! 

Blog 15: Mood Board

 

Mood Board 

Hey guys, this is another episode of my filming project journey. Today, I am presenting you our mood board. 

    The main idea of this mood board is create a sad atmosphere. As you already know, we are filming about a coming up age girl who are celebrating her first birthday without her mom and her dad couldn't make it in time due to his work. The mood board mostly cover with lonely pictures that convey a nostalgia mood. Additionally, there are also some flashback to childhood's memories compares to her older self next to a birthday cake. We also decided to add in some rainy window to create an dark atmosphere. A more chilly atmosphere adds on with the silence of the house would definitely emphasize the loneliness. 

    Furthermore, we decided to make a change in background color from white to dark gray because it would make the poster stood out as a darker theme. The muted tones and reflective imagery, such as a close-up of a phone screen with a message received or an incoming call from dad evokes a feelings of longing and emergence. On top of that, the party elements including a small cake, a party hat, and a "Happy Birthday" banner lights up the bittersweet nature of celebrations that may bring back one's deep down memories. Additionally, the scene where a person is applying makeup or the white flower highlight the contrast of different stage of the main character's life. This mood board overall goal is to maintain a powerful representation of life's multifaceted emotions. 

Blog 14: Final Project Idea

Final Project Idea

Welcome back guys! As I promised you before, I am coming back with our group final idea. 

    As our group huddled together, brainstorming ideas for our final project, we found ourselves drawn to the universal themes of growth, resilience, and the bittersweet moments that shape us. After much discussion, we settled on a coming-of-age story that captures the essence of these experiences. Our film will open with a poignant scene of a girl preparing for her birthday party, meticulously doing her makeup and getting ready to celebrate.

    The twist in our story comes when her phone rings, and it's her dad on the other end. He regretfully informs her that he won't be able to make it home early tonight, leaving her to spend her birthday alone. This news hits hard, but it's compounded by the absence of her mom, who recently passed away. It's her first birthday without her mom, and the weight of this realization sinks in as she looks at herself in the mirror, missing the comforting presence that once filled her special day with joy. Our project aims to convey the deep emotional landscape of this moment. Through careful cinematography and heartfelt performances, we hope to explore the protagonist's journey of coming to terms with loss and finding strength within herself. The setting, props, and costumes were all thoughtfully chosen to create an authentic and relatable atmosphere. Thanks to Little Miss Barbie's generous offer to use her house, we have the perfect backdrop for our story.

    In this narrative, we emphasize the internal struggles and resilience of our protagonist, capturing the raw and relatable aspects of growing up. While this storyline is more complex, it provides us with a rich opportunity to create a film that resonates on a deeper emotional level. By focusing on a personal milestone, our film stands out in the coming-of-age genre, offering a unique and touching perspective on the journey to adulthood.

Blog 13: Title sequencing

 

Title sequencing 

    Welcome to my new series!

    From now on, I will mostly blog as I record my filming journey. 

Let me tell you something, I am very picky when it comes to picking a movie. The opening or the first episode always have to fascinate enough for me to bind on them. Similarly, a movie's extract or a trailer could also play a role here. When it comes down to a good movie, professionally edit is a surplus point to visualize the efforts as well as storyline one can bring. Naturally, title sequencing also come up as the master of art's last piece. If it places in the beginning, it has to be a clever showcase that naturally blend in with open scene. If it places towards the end, it close up an art work that linger inside the audience's heart with the recap as each name goes on-credit their contributes. In this blog, i will show you 3 examples that further illustrate an up to mark title sequencing. 

Shogun 

    The title sequence of "Shogun" is a master in setting the scene for a historical set in feudal Japan. It begins with aerial shots that reveal the intricate sand patterns, which is resemble the traditional Japanese Zen gardens. Furthermore, we see lush landscapes that highlight the natural beauty of Japan, which contrasted with the imposing architecture of Japanese castles. These elements, together serve to create the view of historical and geographical setting of the story. Additionally, the use of traditional Japanese music, with its distinct instruments and tones would further capture the audience and convey a sense of classical Japan artificial. 

    One of the most stood out visual is the title card itself. The title "shogun" appears over a blurred background that features a samurai hemet, symbolizes the martial and political power. The movie's choice font and the way the title fades in and out is also very sufficient. It gave out a set of mind to prepares the viewer for the intricate and dramatic tale of martial art and personal motive that is going to be reveal within the movie. Overall, the Shogun's title sequence did a great job of blending the title sequence into establishing scene. 

                                                                                  Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

 

    The title sequence of "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," based on the beloved book by Judy Blume. The skillfully sets the stage of the story as nostalgic and heartfelt narrative. It begins with a scenic view of a forest, setting a serene and reflective theme for the movie. Additionally, the earthy tones through the sense of the 1970s also build up a historical context. Key images like the road with a bus driving though a forest and a person looking out of the bus window, symbolize the journey and self-discovery that Margaret experiences. 

    The typography used for the title "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" is simple yet elegant. The title pops out and seamlessly blend with the visuals. Placing the text over a lively backgrounds enhances the nostalgic feel and ensure it to remain the focal point without overshadowing the image. The title sequence hints at the themes of the movie, such as growing up, exploring new environments and forming connections through freedom. The movie essence around Margaret's journey and the questions she surround with trying to find an answer. Overall, the combination of visual elements and score conveyed a mood of reflective and hopeful, which set the stage for the audience to connect with Margaret on a higher level. 

Out Of Her Mind 

    The title sequence "Out of Her Mind", created by Sara Pascoe, effectively sets the series with a playful and colorful tones of colors. While this creating an engaging atmosphere, its choice of color also signal that the show will be fun and vibrant. For examples, the imagery of broken eggshells an floral designs hint at themes of fragility, growth and a new beginning; while the modern urban setting of a subway train suggest a focus on a contemporary life and personal experiences in the city. 

    As we can see throughout the title sequence, a playful style of typography was presented. It features different fonts and background visuals, which reinforces the light-hearted yet thoughtful tone of the show. Phrases like "My Life Is Ova" paired with a person standing inside a subway train also showcasing her free, yet also sloppy lifestyle. Overall, the concept of "Out Of Her mind" is a very catchy/vibrant movie, suitable for modern audience who are also follow an entertaining way of life or movie through the present of Sara Pascoe' vision.