Midterm Submission



I developed the film because I wanted to experience and understand the different dynamics and struggles that actually filming a film. Also, to gain perspective of the directors that do this for a living. I developed my film by showing that even in broad daylight that there is unsuspecting dangers lurking around every corner. Even in what would be thought of the most safest place: a school. This concept was thought up to make aware that it could be anyone and that children in school should keep their guard up, no matter who the person is.

The shots used was to help gain insight on the characters. There were high-angle shots to show how a person at their lowest point can reach out to a person that is in a higher place to help the person that is down. There were numerous long-shot to emphasis the suspense and that there is something dangerous around the corner.

The editing decisions were made to shorten some shots due to the background noise or the shakiness of the camera. Also, to cut some of the close ups to a rapid pace was to show the concentration of the actors playing cards. There were a series long takes and short takes to build up suspense and rapidly devolve it.

The fonts used was to display that each of the actors' names are different but also uniform as well. The title font was used to create jarring and straight to the point which is symbolic because the name of the title means a jarring sound. The font colors are also symbolic. The red if paying attention gives hint that there is a bad person among the names with the color font of white which symbolizes innocence.

Planning Activities - Schedule Filming

The filming will be scheduled next week on Wednesday. The goals of filming is to have as much of the filming done in that one day, so I can start editing the film without taking more time of my friends schedule. The portions I'm trying to film will be all of it. It was set on Wednesday because this will give all the actor and actresses enough time on bringing the props such as a pack of cards, and the flute used for a scene to school. It will also allow for notice when Adam needs to be dressed in all black. This will make him more menacing and stand out among the stark white building. The sticky note will be able to be made to the specifications on the script. Also, have time to instruct Adam on how to be holding Jordan when she is being dragged away and where he is supposed to drag her. It will give time for the actor and actresses to remember the script and make it feel natural. It will give time so that the actor and actresses will have their schedule clear and not worry about another appointment where they are needed. This will all no distractions. Also, the scenes with Adam with be first to film and this is because he has workouts after school that are mandatory. Jordan, Rebecca, and Abby will film after Adam.

Planning Activities - Storyboard


Long-shot: The long-shot of the courtyard shows the audience the setting of where the two actors are. It also shows what time of day the filming took place. It shows the whole body of the two actors facing each other in complete silence.

Mid-shot: The mid-shot shows the facial expressions and the movements of the two actors playing cards. It shows the audience that they are comfortable with each other and that they are completely concentrated on the card game that they are not aware of their surroundings.

Over-the-shoulder shot: The over-the-shoulder shot near the gym shows the audience that there is someone watching them. The actor for the over-the-shoulder will be dressed in all black which it makes it more menacing a suspenseful because get the feeling that this person has bad intentions.

Close-up: The close-up on the courtyard shows the facial expression of one of the actresses. She is in full concentration. This will show that she is not aware of her surroundings and into the game that she is not aware of the lurking danger she or her friends are in.

Two-shot: The two-shot on the outside of the cafeteria shows the audience the expressions of both of the actresses when they find the sticky note on the flute. It will show surprise and confusion of the received note which makes it suspenseful.

High-angle shot: The high-angle shot on the outside of the cafeteria shows that the person below the stairs is seeking help and guidance at the lowest point of her day. She is seeking help with kindhearted people that will drop everything and helpful which the actress is internally grateful.

Planning Activities - Scouting Locations


Courtyard:
This location was scouted out because it is where groups of friends hang out before or after school usually. This is also where Jordan, Rebecca, and Abby hang out in the mornings. Adam knows of the location because this where the football prep rallies are handled. It is also the best when it comes to lighting. It is almost always sunny which will be no trouble with lighting. This will put more emphasis on how Adam kidnapped a girl in broad daylight which usually never happens, but that causes more suspense, for this is where Jordan is most comfortable and supposed to be the safest place to be for a young girl.


Outside Cafeteria:
This location was scouted out because it closest to the courtyard and can help with the high and low angle shots because there is a stairway leading up to the cafeteria. Also, has black tables that can be sat on to wait for any news of Jordan. This is also visible for Adam who is watching the interactions of the three friends. This also will keep hidden on the flute being dropped and laying on the bottom of the steps.

The hallway entrance of the Gym:
This location was scouted out because it is very long and can be used as a long-shot when Jordan is being dragged away by Adam and round the corner out of sight. This is also very close to the courtyard which is a plausible when there is a over-the-shoulder shot of Adam observing the three friends. It has big pillars at the entrance which can hide Adam from being seen. This location can be used because Adam can see the whole courtyard.

Pathway toward the courtyard:
This place was scouted because it is where Jordan will be running frantically to tell the news of her instrument being stolen. There are several different ways that the courtyard can be entered. So, showing the pathway of where Jordan is going to run will help with making sure that Adam is not going to be seen and that Rebecca and Abby are visible in Jordan's point of view because she is going to jump on one of them.


Planning Activities - Shotlist


The most meaningful shots taken in this film will be the two-shot, the long-shot, and high and low-angle shot. The two-shot will be important throughout the film because it shows the facial expressions of both Rebecca and Abby at that moment of time. The two-shot will gauge how both of them feel, especially toward the end when both look at each other when they find the missing flute with the sticky note attached to it. The long-shot is important at the beginning and the end. The long-shot in the beginning of the film will establish the setting and the time of day of where the kidnapping took place. It is meaningful at the end which will show the Jordan being dragged away with Adam the perpetrator who stole her most valuable possession and now taking her away. This will show how far away from help she is even though her friends are only meters away from her. The high and low angle shots are very important. The high angle shots of both Abby and Rebecca looking down at the Jordan who is below shows that they are willing to pick up and help a friend in need. This shows that  both characters willing take the high road which is to be respected and put emphasis on how kindhearted they are. It can also be seen as a savior for the Jordan at the bottom of the stairs seeking guidance for them. The high angle can also show how low Jordan is without her flute with her. The low-angle also puts the same emphasis on how the ones standing on top the stairs are so willing to help her at a seconds notice and that is something to be admired in friends.

Planning Activities - Casting

The three characters Bibi, Abby, and Rebecca will be acting as themselves. Adam is the only person/character that is not acting as himself. The character is a thief and a kidnapper. He kidnaps to silence those he has stolen from. Jordan is one of the harder ones to silence because she fights back and that she will be having friends looking for her. So, Adam uses the sticky note to scare her friends from trying to come. If they are going to come then there will be consequences.



Bibi - I chose Bibi to be the actress for the one being kidnapped because she can bring in her instrument to be used for the film. Also, it will be more plausible for her to act on her lost instrument because it is actually dear to her. Her acting will be more believable because she is attached to the item and to have her think about the loss of her instrument will invoke a realistic way of how she would act if she lost it for real. Also, she has been able to sneak up on people and jump on them fairly regularly when not expected. This helps the other actor because it will catch them off guard which will have more of a realistic version of them flinching/jumping out of their skin.



Ethan - I chose Ethan because he is lanky and unassuming which many kidnappers are. This would give the audience a surprise when a person of that stature is able to kidnap someone that is of similar stature. Also, chose to have him lead because he would be a peer to that of the friendship group. This would in turn bring suspense because this would demonstrate that there are people that have wrong intentions even in a very safe environment of a school.

Rebecca - I chose Rebecca to act as a friend because she, Abby, and Jordan are actually friends so there will be chemistry that would not happen if all of them were acquaintances. Rebecca is able to play cards with no talking and help with the air of comfort before the storm. This is due to because of the Also, she has a slim stature that will counterbalance Adam's robust figure. Her face is cherubic/innocent which will also counteract with the heinous act that took place in the beginning of the film.

Abby - I chose Abby to act as the other friend of Jordan's. This is due to her being friends with Jordan and Rebecca to have chemistry that would not be there if it was outside of their friend group. Also, Abby has an innocent face just like Rebecca which will help the audience know that she is a good person and is willing to help a friend out in need. I also chose Abby because she can text quite fast and believably will act of how anxious she is on getting a text back that she will initiate going to look for Jordan because she is not responding.


Planning Activities - Script

The premise of the film is to cause suspense. It is about three friends and one has lost a very important possession. All of the friends look to find the instrument, to realize the one that lost possession is lost to the friends now.