Over the course of the two months of planning, preparing and executing my film opening, there were multiple changes I needed to make throughout. Before being able to decide on what I wanted to do, I watched gosh knows how many different adventure film openings on Netflix and YouTube. Once I had, I wrote the generally idea of what I wanted. As shown in my earlier blog posts, I had created a story board for my original plan which was a combination of introducing the problem and conflict. Of course, I was trying to fit too much information into a two minute film opening which I realized later on. It took me a while to realize as well as it took me a while to think of a new idea. But this is why I changed the opening but kept the idea of the crime scene case. I chose to focus more on the case: the introduction of the conflict. Developing the case as well as implying that someone in the FBI agency was part of the murder of Agent Jackson by the shredding of a report meant to be in the case file.
From the beginning though, I wanted to keep the shots including people minimal. This was because in class our teacher showed us the Seven Film Opening which expressed that idea, which I had liked. Also, I wanted to keep dialogue minimum to none to allow the shots and music to enhance the suspenseful tone. In the shots, I tried to amplify this feeling with the use of green tones and low key lighting. I originally was going to film and not star in the film but due to the Corona Virus, I had no other option. I was able to use makeup to make my face slightly older as well as had my brother film some scenes. The second part of the filming (the shots including me) were the toughest to film. I had to film late at night because there was too much outside light seeping in through the window which I payed for dearly at the end because I filmed for a good three hours and was exhausted. I filmed each scene multiple times because it did not fit the idea I wanted but before asking my brother to film, I tried to stack different things in my room to film so it would be steady which did not entirely work. I had to inevitably ask my brother for help but couldn't keep him too long because he was tired so the last few scenes with me in them, I needed to make a stand. If course it didn't stay up right and I had to film that scene a million times as well as I was not fully satisfied with my acting. I could not do the close up of the shocked face because of the stand problem and my family was all asleep by this time so I stuck with the long shot instead. This still intrigues the audience implying something is shocking and later showing what was wrong. In the end, I got what I needed and worked with what I was able to film. Luckily, I was able to film the first part of my film at my mom's office before we were in quarantine. Unfortunately, I had not previewed all the clips in great detail (which is ironic because I am a perfectionist) before I left which is why some of the clips are shaky. Sadly, I was unable to re-film them though because of the quarantine.
Although the editing took quiet a while because I went through every video I filmed, I enjoyed this process the most. I got to test out different clips in different locations but I ended up sticking with the original idea which I had placed in my story board. I was also able to test different music from PurplePlant which was interesting but only one the sounds fit the suspenseful tone I wanted. The process was enjoyable for the most part. Towards the end, it was frustrating noting that I had seen it a million times but something seemed off that I couldn't point out. I asked some of my family and close friends who gave me recommendations. Even after taking their opinions and editing the clips, something was still off but I realized the music was slightly off and the color in one of the clips was slightly off pacing which was what was bothering me.
The making of the props took super long because I wanted it to be just right. The folder did not take too long but the bulletin board took the longest. This was mainly because I did not know what I entirely wanted to place on it even after researching and looking to other boards for reference. I postponed it for the longest time but once I sat down and got the photos, newspapers, post-its notes and evidence bags and started placing them on the bulletin board, everything began to form together properly. After that, I was able to film the second part of my film opening.
I am overall satisfied with the outcome of my film opening even with the inconveniences. I believe I was able to use my new knowledge of shots, composition, lighting and sound throughout the project and learned through other projects such as our soundscape project and music video project how to utilize these elements better which made it slightly easier to do with this because I was more comfortable with executing what I learned. I know pacing is very important and believe that the pacing of my opening is sufficient because each clip is not too long nor too short.
I learned so much such as the importance of having an idea planned out a head of time and stick to a timed schedule to work on it. I delayed the second part longer than necessary to film which slightly stressed me out. If I had started my filming on the first part earlier, I may have been able to redo some of the clips I wanted. I also learned that outside opinions are necessary and helpful because what I may think looks good, may not seem the same to others. i learned that it is important to ask for help ahead of time instead of maybe bombarding people, like I did, especially before they go to sleep. Lastly, I learned the importance of each process in developing a film and have grown to have a new respect for the behind the scenes people in the film world.
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