AICE Mediastudies Blog

  Nylamarie Belle     A-level Media studies      CR             The production that we put together was made to make people feel something. In which maybe anger, sadness, or acceptance. Allowing people to feel like they’re not alone in a depressing situation. It opens people up to different emotions and how they can quickly change in certain scenarios. It also shows people how so much can happen in one day and in a way makes the audience feel like you should never judge someone else’s situation. It points out mental health and how it may be ignored. Some reasons as to why mental health issues may begin, in this case feeling alone in the world due to everyone you know and love leaving your side. Also, the fact that some people may try to reach out but struggle too because they feel like they’re asking to much from the person. Which should never be the issue, because if one person does not lis...

 Overall I really enjoyed working on this production! I hope it is enjoyed but all who view.  Website  https://db010020030.wixsite.com/a-happy-ending-the- Postcard  https://www.canva.com/ Short film  https://youtu.be/XwcoxckMG3c

 We've pretty much finished out our project. I played my part as actor in the physical film. Other than that, I helped with the storyboard and website and the planning of the production. I'm glad I got to work with my friends this time. Especially on such a big project. It really took a load off. I feel we all helped out equally. Never leaving one person with too much. David and Rashell are editing the clips to Rashell's visiom. I think it's coming out pretty good. I helped out with some transitions. I also suggested a couple things I felt we could make a little better in the editing process. This time since I didn’t edit and only helped with what I could I feel as if I was missing something. However I think it’s good that we really left editing up to David. He’s pretty good at the tech areas. I've learned that sometimes it’s better to work with people. They can make the process more fun. Also quicker and easier. I personally liked the outcome. I would definitely do...

 After taking out some clips we had to find a way to go about this. In many areas we had too much that we wanted to include. Which would exceed the amount of time we had. The Publix scene was taking a long time to produce. We first couldn't find anyone to film it. We also didn't have the time to go about and look at several Publix locations. In which this was one scene we took out. Which I was fine with since I was pretty nervous. I was nervous to act with someone I didn't know in a public area. It also would have been a little hard to get them their lines. So I wasn’t really upset losing that part. We also didn’t get to film the scene of me getting upset in my room. Instead we extended our intro. I took my time to film a scene in my room where I showed pictures. This scene I created by filming the pictures I have hanging up in my room. This was good because I have pictures of everyone that was in the film. I think it added a sense of past good times. Leaving the audience t...

 Today we went to another publix. We got food first because we were pretty hungry. Once we got to the register we tried to ask a chasier to be in our film again. They were pretty busy again but the chasier also didn't feel comfortable being in the film. I guess we picked some pretty bad days to go. Maybe it was the 2 Publix we went to. However, at this point we got kind of tired trying to convince people to be in our film. Since this didn't work out we decided to cut this scene out of the film. Instead we used a clip of me showing some pictures of family hanging up in my room. Which worked out very well because it filled the time and worked great. On my wall I have pictures of my mom. Who plays the mom in the film. Including the main picture that we used for our postcard. In which filming I used that picture last and did a zoom in to get the audience to know the film is starting. I also have pictures of tristan, who plays 'boyfriend' in the film. This ended up working o...

 When we started I knew there was going to be a running scene. I didn't expect so much running. At that REAL running. Full speed in jeans and slides. To get this shot we had to find a street that was completely empty. Thankfully the same place we shot the bestfriend scene had plenty of empty streets. We still took caution and stayed in areas that were more marked off for parking or walking. In which we started right in the patio area. Leading out into marked areas for people walking. Here we stopped filming and turned in the opposite direction. This was a safer and clearer area for us to film in. Then I began running and Rashell filmed from behind. We filmed this a couple of times from different angels. For one of the angels Tristan helped us out. In which Rashell got in the back seat of his car as he drove off and I ran next to the car. This was a little tricky at first because of the speed. Tristan was driving a little too slow. So then we just went based off the speed I was runn...

 Last night I was talking to Rashell about the music. I went through a couple free things on YouTube but it didn't seem fit for the film. We went on to just continue normal conversation. Then we went to talk about some of her dad's music. Which we've all listened to before. She then showed me his new song. At first it was a joke but then I suggested that it really be in the film. I think this kind of caught Rashell by surprise. But then she agreed and said it would actually be a really good idea. We then started talking about how we would drag the instrumental out until the very end. Then following up with the words. Before we forgot we went to ask her dad permission. She called him and thankfully he said yes! Then we went even further and fully planned how the song would be incorporated. We decided that during the running scene we would add the lyrics in. We quickly added it to the clips we already had and placed the music where we felt it would be best. It came out pretty...

 This is not what we were expecting. At the time I may have had too much confidence. I also put a lot of hope in to into. I really thought we would be able to use the song. I was really surprised when we got the email back. I was super excited to read it and start putting the music over the few clips we have. Sadly, we did not get the rights to use the song we wanted to. I started to envision the rest of the short film with the song. Even where certain parts of the music would go. Also wondering if we could just do an instrumental for some parts. However, we now have to change our original idea when it comes to the music. When we got the email back it said we need to pay a fee for a consideration to use the music. To me it sounds a little like a scam. They suggested around $500 that we must pay to put it in our project. Although I personally feel as if it's not fair there isn't anything I can do about this. We don't have the money to just be spending for one project. It als...

 Today I have come to the realization that the time is now. Back to really blogging our journey! However, we have a slight delay. Today my group and I are doing a play. I’m which case we can’t do any filming. We’re excited to start and have many ideas for it. Right now we’re making sure that we can have availability to locations. Such as finding the place with these pretty lights that we’re looking for. I also suggested that we use a different parking lot from mine (where I live). Sometimes my parking lot gets too loud or very packed. In which case I feel like it wouldn’t be a good place to film. For the place with the lights I found a location near my house. It’s newly built and very nice. It’s also very calm, so it seems more on the quiet side. I showed it to Rashell and David. Rashell told me it was exactly what we envisioned. Now we have to figure out exactly when we are going to film. I also am a little weary about how we are going to film at Publix. When we go we are going to...

 Today we went to film again! But this time at a different location. We went to the area where all the lights are. It was such a nice place. They had a cat cafe, which was closed at night. They had a taco truck out. Also a they had a pizza place with an outside sitting patio. Overall it was a very nice place. However it seems like there was not as many lights as we expected. Yet, that was ok. We made it work and still filmed what we needed to hear. Rashell used her phone to record. Including the ending scene. Afterward we enjoyed the area and got some AMAZING tacos! We watched over the clips and redid anything we didn’t like. It was so much fun. I’m glad I decided to work with my friends instead of by myself. They are making the whole experience 10 times better and even more fun. I can’t wait to finish filming and see the finish product. I know together we’re going to make this phenomenal.

 Today Rashell and I talked about the music in class. Together we decided on the background music. We knew it had to be more of a slow song because the plot of the short film is sad. Most slow songs are sad or give more feeling to something. With that we looked into such music. We went through several Adele songs but couldn't seem to find something we felt was right. Since that didn't work we decided to take a break and scroll through Tik Tok. Tik Tok is a social media app that contains 15 second to 3 minute videos. The videos contain audios, which for the most  part is a clip of a song. Although this was just supposed to be a break it became much inspiration. We found songs by Billie Eilish that I liked a lot. One song called My future, by Billie, caught my interest but we decided to keep looking. We swiped through Tik Tok for the rest of study hall and later texted each other with our suggestions. We got on a group facetime call, Rashell, David and I, and discussed what song...

 Today we went to film for the first time! After school we all had some time so we went over the the closest Publix and began. First we got some shots of the shopping. This was a little hard to since the store was busy. We took our time finding empty areas to film in. We also decided to keep the videos mute and add music on top. In which case we silenced all the videos filmed today. Including the shopping the onion. I made sure to bring some change with me just so we could get a good coin counting scene. Then it was time to talk to a Publix employee. This was not the Publix I worked at so I didn't know anyone here. However, Rashell is very good at talking and reasoning with people. In which case she spoke with them and since it was busy they told us if we come back on another day when it's not as busy they would be able to film it with them. We said thank you and left. But there was still a debate if we would come back to that specific Publix. So, at the moment we're thinki...

 Back to blogging! Honestly my favorite part of the whole journey. I get to go back and see how I progressed over the year(s). Right now we're really starting to make our short film come to life. This time I'm also very excited to be working with my friends. Today we didn't get to do as much because we all had work after school. However, I had work later than them so I got to talk to the potential cast. When we were planning this short film we had a cast in mind but we didn't get to ask them if they would be in the short film. I would play the lead roll so that was already set. I then asked our mutual friend, Tristan, to play the role of the boyfriend. He agreed and said that would be fine, we just have to let him know when we are going to start filming. I then asked my mom if she would play the role as my mom. She proceeded to tell me she does so everyday, so then I explained our short film to her. I even showed her the storyboard, and she said when we all have time we...

  Scene 1 Box 1- Rachel at the check out counter with an Mis Box 2- Asks cashier for price Box 3- Cashier takes onion and checks price  Box 4- Rachel says she can’t afford it Box 5- Cashier doesn’t care, go to another place  Box 6- Rachel gets frustrated and leaves Scene 2 Box 1- Rachel goes home and puts stuff down on the counter Box 2- Mom gets off the coach and walks towards her Box 3- Mom ask Rachel where’s she has been showing concern Box 4- Rachel Denys her mothers concerns, and begins to speak  Box 5- Mom cuts Rachel off to ask about the onion Box 6- Rachel says she didn’t get it and gives her mom a dollar Scene 3 Box 1- The mom starts getting pissed off, gets verbally aggressive  Box 2- Rachel starts to walk away Box 3- Mom follows still yelling Box 4- Rachel annoyed ended up yelling back at her mom Box 5- Rachel gets a phone finding out her mom died while Marley is yelling at her Box 6- Marley noticed she isn’t listening, asking her if she was listening...

 The process of the short film titled "A happy ending" or filming any film would need things like a location, props, actors, health and safety, costumes, a schedule and of course a backup plan. Schedule- As for schedule, we are still working on it. we wanted to finalize all filming and wrap up editing by the end of spring break so that when come time to turn in the short film, we are more than prepared. Location-For Location, we were thinking of filming in thee standard places. A supermarket(Publix), Nyla's house, a parking lot at Nyla's house, an a park with pretty lights. There will probably be other places like down the street but those will all be scenes leading up to arriving at those specific Locations. We plan on utilizing each location at different times of the day seeing as we want o use the lighting to help represent the characters emotion Participants- As of right now, our participants consist of Nyla, David, Nyla's mom, and Rashell. Of course David and...

 INT. GROCERY STORE – DAY Rachel is in grocery store buying produce by her mother’s request, she tussles with the cashier over the price of the item she is buying. RACHEL (Presents onion to cashier) Wait, excuse me! I just wanted to know how much this is CASHIER (Grabs onion and rings it up) Uhm. Sure, let me grab that off you It’s 1.07 RACHEL  Can you spare 7 cents, I only have a dollar CASHIER That’s too bad, go down to a farmers’ market, it’s probably cheaper RACHEL Are you kidding me, the only farmers market in the area is 6 miles from here You can’t give me a discount or something CASHIER Listen kid, my job is to ring up items, take the money and give costumers their food. I’m not a salvation army, either pay full price or get out. RACHEL (Starts towards the exit) Whatever, it’s just an onion anyway                                                   ...

  A) Common Angles -Eye Level -Close Up -Wide Shot -Aerial Shot B) Mis-En-Scene -Regular Clothing -Really good lighting (natural, bright, sunny) -In regular Houses C) Sound -Dialogue -Diegetic -Ambient D) Editing -Cut/Jump -Split Screen -Jumpcut E) Films Similar -The kissing Booth - To all the boys I love Before

  This short film is about a group of teenage friends and with hidden love interests. Rory likes Rebecca but another friend in the group continues to antagonize him. Rory snaps and turns to violence by blowing up a shop.  A) camera angle/shots- - Close-up -Mid shot -Pov shot -Shot reverse shot B)sounds and lighting - Ambient sound -Incidental music -Low lighting Mis-en-scene- -Causal clothes -Park setting - Fake blood -Fireworks Believed it was cringey, it reminded me of  -My Babysitters a Vampire

  A women found out that she is actually pregnant from a long-term relationship she was in.  A) Common Sound -Incidental Music -Diegetic Sound -Non-Diegetic Sound -Ambient Sound (The baby) B) Common Angle - POV Shot -Over the Should  -Close Up C) Common Mis-En-Scene  There was a lot of realistic items seeing as the scenario was an unexpected pregnancy. Clamps mainly,  -Pregnancy test -Clothes D) Editing -Eye Line Match -Cut -Fade In/ Fade Out E) I felt it was boring, for it being a dram there was more room for plot twist. It was a little funny, it reminded me of films like -Madea movies -Greyhound -Lord of War

   Kiss chase is a short film about a girl who gets left out in a game of kiss chase. The girl starts to feel insecure and feel as if she isn't wanted  in a sense. So she goes through a series of trials to try and be better ending up in unexpected situation. A) Common Sound -Diegetic sound -Non-Diegetic  -Dialogue  B) Clamps -Establishing Shot -Close ups -Wide Angle -Props -Medium Shot C) Editing -Cut/ Jump Scene -Fade in/out -Montage D) Film Example -17 Again -The Fallout -A star is born E) -Enjoyed the plot but hated the execution. Many opportunities missed to express emotion through angles and it didn't.