Group Discussion 2

         Our teacher once again sorted us into random groups to discuss our projects. The groups are where everyone discusses their project and has a chance to share their questions or concerns. I am happy whenever she does this because since I am working alone it gives me an insight on whether what I am doing is good or bad. Like last time, I again found this session to be very helpful. It offered me confirmation of stuff I already thought or it gave me new ideas. There was 1 major question I had that was answered and various other concerns that were addressed. 

        Firstly, I had an audio concern. I initially thought Airpods would be okay to pick up audio from, but when discussing someone else's project, it came across that it might be better to buy a Mic. I am not sure if this is what I want to do, but I am going to run some tests on my Airpods and see if they are sufficient. If they are not I may have to buy a Mic pack. I can get them on Amazon if I want to, but this is supposed to be a low budget film, so I am not sure I want to buy that. Especially, because I probably will never use the mic after this project. However, if need be I will buy it. I am going to speak in my airpods and see if they audio picks up without any feedback or noises and if it does, then I will have my source of audio. 

Vs 

        Another concern I had with my opening was the title. The title I have right now is the supreme suitcase. I feel like that is a boring name especially because the title is going to have to be shown right before the opening ends. Someone suggested to me that I should use a random name generator to generate a name. They said that even if I do not like the names they produce, I can draw inspiration from that. I am likely changing the name in upcoming days, because I just feel like the name I have is really bland and not enough of a hook. 

        Lastly, it was suggested to me that I use a series of alternating shots during scene 1 where the car and suitcase is stolen. Last group discussion someone else had said the same thing and now someone also said the same thing, so now I know that is what I need to do. I will work in the alternating close and mid-shots during the struggle between Derek Johnson and Henry Walker. I think that this can also solve the issue I have with time, because if I have multiple camera angles, it should take more time. I think this could be effective and it could also help boost adrenalin since the changing camera angles adds to the fast-pace of the film.

    

Small Issue

        Although I have two scenes, my script feels a little low on time. I am trying to think of ways to extend the length of the film. However, at the same time I think it is possible that what I have come up with is already enough. What I am going to do is shoot an extra scene just in case I am short and if I end up falling short after editing I will have an extra scene. I think this helps to solve my problem, now I just need to come up with an extra scene. The extra scene may or may not make it into the editing depending on how long my film is. The max limit is 2 minutes and I want my film to be at least 1 minute and thirty seconds.

        For the extra scene, I am thinking of a scene before Henry Walker steals Derek Johnson's car and the suitcase. I think this scene could consist of Henry having a chat with his unknown boss over the phone and Henry is asking what is in the suitcase and the boss is telling him about it. The reason I am iffy on this scene is because I want to keep the mystery of the suitcase especially because it is just a film opening. However, if people know what is in the suitcase, they would understand why the kidnapping and robbing of it is so significant. This extra scene has a heavy weight on it and can significantly change the tune of semi-action scene in the opening. I think this is one possibility for an extra scene but a risky one because an extra scene should not have such a change in meaning for the opening. 

        The second scene I am thinking about that could be used as an extra scene is a scene after the main character is introduced. In the current version of my script after the text message is shown to the audience, the camera will zoom out and slowly turn to credits. In this extra scene, it could be shown what happens after the text and where the secret location is and who Bill Tyson is meeting with. It could be a small shack where he has a conversation with a higher up who is on a screen. For dramatic effect, the screen could turn black after the higher up tells Bill the contents of the suitcase. The gravity of the situation has just been explained and it cuts to credits is also another interesting hook that I think could work. If the audience finds out why the suitcase is important, it could get them to stick around for longer to see how the issue is solved.

        These are just two extra scene ideas I had. They hopefully will not be used, but I am planning on filming sometime soon so I am going to have to decide between the two or maybe a whole new scene is something else comes to my mind. I think it is best to be prepared going in because once I film it is going to be hard to film again if I do not have a sufficient amount of clips. I think this is a smart idea, but I am actually not that happy with the two scene ideas I have come up with, so I am going to try to come up with more and if not I am just going to hope the initial script is good and long enough for the the project.

        

Sound/Music

         Music in the background especially in an action movie can really help a movie in many ways. It helps to complement what is being shown on the screen if the proper music is used. For example, in action movies a more up-tempo beat can help to boost the adrenaline and thrill of the audience which is what action movies are supposed to do. Moreover, some action movies have a mystery element so the music in the background can help to make the audience feel the excitement and intrigue. In my opening I want to use music to do many similar things. In the first part of my first scene there will be some action so I want music that is more up tempo, but for the second part of my first scene when the suitcase is in the shot, I want there to be more intrigue so the music will be different.

        In this opening, the music is used effectively to create a mystery and start to get the audience to ask questions and get them to be hooked to the movie. The use of the music is especially clear in two places during this film clip. The first instance is in the first part of the clip where the spaceship starts to catch fire and hurtle toward Earth. The music in the background was more slow than an action scene and was aimed more at hooking the audience. The directors wanted the audience to think about questions like where is the spaceship coming from and why is it losing control. The music really helps in achieving that mystique. The second part where the music is highlighted is in the end when the women gets out of the crashed ambulance and looks out of sorts but surprisingly healthy for someone who just survived an accident. The music in the background is also more suited for mystery because it gets people on the edge of their seats and start asking why is she looking like that and what happened to her. It provides a good hook for the audience as they will want to stay to have their questions be answered.

        In this scene, the music is used differently than in the Venom scene. Here the music is more up-tempo and is occurring during action with the main characters. The music here also serves a different purpose, instead of building intrigue and mystique, it is meant to illicit feelings from the audience. The up-tempo of the beat combined with the fighting and high-paced action boosts the adrenaline of the audience which is what action movies are supposed to do. The high-tempo music is perfect for action sequences and this is a good example of why music is important in a movie.

        

        For my opening, I want a mix of the two scenes. In the first part of my first scene there will be some fight struggle which is where I would like to use a more high-tempo beat. However, in the ending parts of the opening there will be a scene where there is a close up of the classified suitcase which is where I want to build up intrigue. For this purpose, there is where I will use a more slow-tempo mystery type of music. I will need to find the perfect spot to change the beat from high to low-tempo which is what I will figure out most likely after shooting the scenes. 

Color Schemes

         Color is very important in a film. It can affect people in many ways psychologically and emotionally. It does many things and can help in setting the tone of a film, show the details and traits of a character and can highlight details in movies that have deeper meanings in them. For my movie opening, I want to aim to create a color scheme that helps to set the tone of the film and show the trait of a character. I want people to understand from the two scenes I am shooting that it is a serious action movie as opposed to a comedy one. Also in my second scene, I want a good color scheme to highlight the destitute nature that Bill Tyson finds himself and highlight his desperation. But, the movie does not have anyone dying in it, so I do not want the color scheme to convey the tone of death

        In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 a color scheme is used to convey a message of seriousness and loss. The movie comes to a point that the audience knows that lives will be lost which is why a muted blue and green scheme is used. It helps to signify the tragic nature of the film and it helps to make the audience feel the same emotions as the characters are supposed to be feeling. The movie makes sure to use muted color as well because bright blue and green would have an altogether different meaning than muted blue and green. The importance of this is immense because it is easy to tell the tone of a movie from its colors, so if the color scheme does not elicit the same emotions from an audience compared to what is going on in the movie, then they will not enjoy it as much.

        In contrast the movie Frozen uses color scheme to illicit the opposite emotions. It does not want to convey death and sadness and instead convey hope and love. Usually in a place as cold as where the movie takes place, the weather is brutal and the skies are usually filled with darkness and hopelessness. However, Frozen makes use of lighter colors to illicit more positive emotions. Snow and snowstorms instead of conveying hopelessness convey hope and love. The tone of the movie would be completely different if the snow was depicted more as cold and hostile instead of welcoming. 

        For my movie opening, I do not want the color scheme to convey something as dark as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2, but not something as upbeat as Frozen. I want my opening to portray Bill Tyson as lost and hopeless before he gets the call, so I am thinking about using a darker hues and colors when he is pondering in his car, but after he gets the call the color subtly starts to become lighter. I think this will help to add detail to the character of Bill Tyson but still keep the serious sentiment of the movie.

Script for Opening

         I think I came up with a plot and it is helpful for me to make a script. A script helps in a multiple ways. Firstly, it helps to envision the opening when you really write it down in a coherent flow. It also allows you to figure out the intricacies of the opening like the dialogue or the specific movements by the characters. The script will also help to make the shot list and help the actors to understand what is expected of them and what dialogue is going to be used. The script also is a tool that is easy to update so it is easy to edit if I feel like there is a problem and changes need to be made. The tool I used was YouMeScript and it provided a very easy interface to help me create a script in a format that was clean and easy to track. This script is an important part in the planning process and helps in easing the filming burden. 

Location scouting/prop and set design

        For the location of my movie opening I will explore more this weekend. For the first scene in my opening I googled abandoned roads around my area and came up with 2 places. I will go look at them this weekend and see if they are adequate. If they are not, I will look around more. For the second scene, I think I will shoot it at Weston Regional Park. The scene needs to be in a parking lot and needs to make it seem like Bill Tyson is listless. I know Regional has an ample number of parking lots, now it is a matter of scouting it and seeing what backdrop would fit my opening the best. 

                                                

                                                                  Prop and set design

        I am trying to make my movie as good as possible with using as little equipment and props as possible due to the budget. For the first scene, unless the location turns out to be poor and I cannot find other locations, I will not need to buy artificial lighting. However, the props I do need for this are a round black hat and a car. Any car will do and since I do not have a license I will have one of my friends play the actor of the person who is getting kidnapped. The car is being driven along the road till someone stops it and then kidnaps the person in the car and drives away with him in the trunk. I am hoping the location is not crowded at all because if there are cars passing by it would be very difficult to film. The props I need for this scene, I already have or I know I have access to.

        For the second scene, I also tried to keep the amounts of props used in limitation. The first prop I need is a phone. The phone is what is receiving the text message to tell Bill Tyson his services are required. I have access to a phone and so do all the people that are acting in the opening, so this prop has been taken care of. The second prop I need is the inside of a car, which is also easy to find because I can just use the same car from the first scene and just film in the interior. Again, just like the first scene I have or have access to the props I need for this scene in the opening. Maybe, after visiting the locations, more props will be required, but for now I think I am set.

Characters in my opening

         In my movie opening as of right now I am planning on having three characters. The first character to appear onscreen will be the character who is going to be carrying important information on America's nuclear weapons in a briefcase. His name will be Derek Johnson. He is an employee of the American government and was tasked with carrying the nuclear weapons locations and codes from Washington to California. The audience would not know this information in the movie opening, instead they are going to be left on a hook to stay and find out what is in the briefcase. The character Derek Johnson will not be shown too much in the film an he is not a main or supporting character, so his backstory is not important.

       

        The second character in the opening is going to be the henchman named Henry Walker. He is going to be a henchman employed by the fictional terrorist group The Red Talon. He got intel on where Derek was going to be through a mole. His backstory is that he was born into the terrorist organization and was trained from an early age to become an asset to The Red Talon. He rose up the ranks before being sent on this important mission to retrieve the codes. The Red Talon wants the codes so they can launch an attack on an innocent nation so international support turns on America. 

              The last character shown in the opening will be the main character. His name is Bill Tyson. He used to be a secret agent for America before being forced out due to accidentally killing one of his partners. The US government calls him to help because they realize there was a mole and they need someone they can trust and while Bill was reckless, they knew they could trust him because he had been out of the loop. Since being forced out, Bill had failed to find purpose in life and had become a little detached from society which is why he would be sitting in the car aimlessly till he gets the text that they need him again. The character is going to be someone to root for because he represents a comeback story. 

        These are the backstories I came up with for the characters shown in my opening. None of that will be shown in my opening, but I felt it important to develop the characters fully so I know what the opening should highlight about them. I feel the same way about the plot of the opening so later on I will probably type out the whole plot for the movie including the beginning middle and ending. I think this will help me if I want to add some easter eggs in the opening as to how the film will end. I think developing the first two characters is not going to be difficulty because they are not main characters with intricate backstories, but for Bill I will need to find ways to showcase his isolation whether that is through camera shots or through lighting.