Titles, Fonts, and More Fonts

            I don’t have an official film title yet, so that’s something I want to prioritize figuring out. Juno is titled after the main character and Unpregnant is titled after the story, since the movie is about a pregnant teenager going on a journey to receive an abortion, but I don’t think I want to name my film after the protagonist. I’m certain I’ll be able to determine one as I start filming and the rest of the pieces fall into place, but it would ease my mind to have a definitive title sooner rather than later. 

            Right now, the best title I have in mind is Parallel Lines. I genuinely really like it, but I’m not sure if I should hold out to see if I can think of anything better (but I don’t think I’ll be able to, seeing as it’s already pretty great). 

            For fonts, I want something simple that reflects the simplicity yet rawness of the story. 

            Some fonts I have in mind include: 

Smooch Sans:

Roboto Condensed:

Oswald:

Fira Sans: This is the one I like most. I think it represents the drama/coming of age genre very well, and I think it looks nice. It has a personal, indie feel that I want to achieve with my story. 

            I’m going to try all of these fonts while I’m editing just to see which one fits best, but I’m pretty certain Fira Sans is going to be the winner.

Until my next post,

Michelle

Beginning the Auditioning Process

            I have begun the search for my lead actor! Yesterday, I got in contact with the drama teacher at my school to find out some information on when and how I could begin holding auditions. She recommended her periods with the most advanced students, and luckily one of them is during my study hall. On Monday morning, I’ll head on over to her classroom and begin the auditioning process. 

            I’ve been thinking of the best way to go about it, since this is very new to me. I’ve never looked for an actor through an auditioning process, so I’ve decided to reflect and do some research. 

            Here are the best No Film School’s tips for holding auditions: 

• Know the story

• Make sure the actors also know the story (the character’s details, the setting, etc.)

• Make the auditioning space comfortable

• Have assistance while holding the audition

• Assess actors as they come into the audition

• Record the audition

• Say something positive and final at the end

            I should also remember to make sure the actor is comfortable portraying a serious character in what could be a controversial role. I must also make sure that the actor has time in their schedule to film and if they are free to do so on a weekend. Communication is imperative, so the actor and I must have a proper way of doing so. 

            Some requirements:

• You must be comfortable with close ups of your face.

• You must be comfortable being mask-less in a public setting while filming.

            I’m interested in seeing how the actors portray the stress and anxiety Andrea is feeling. During the auditions, I’m going to ask them to demonstrate talking to themselves in an almost-manic way while trying to calm themselves down. 

            I’ve been looking forward to this step in the process so I’m really excited to begin.  :)

Thanks for reading, 

Michelle

Renée, V. “10 Tips for Holding Better Auditions.” No Film School, No Film School, 31 Dec. 2015, https://nofilmschool.com/2015/10/10-tips-holding-better-auditions. 

Storyboarding

            OK, so to be quite honest, storyboarding causes me a little bit of trouble due to the fact that I can never stick to one idea. I always come up with new shots or storylines in the middle of or after producing my storyboard, meaning it takes me forever to decide on which route I want to do, and then even longer when I change it in the middle of my process. But I’m going to use this to my advantage, as new ideas are meant to be beneficial. And if I decide to make some edits while filming and editing, I’ll report on why and how they work better than my original idea. 

            So without further ado, here is my storyboard: 

(Please note that some aren’t in natural order, hence why I numbered them on the top.) 

            The last shot is meant to make the audience wonder what will happen next. For this reason, I’m contemplating how to produce shot 23. I feel either 21 or 22 would evoke more curiosity, but I’m not sure they’ll feel like a natural ending to the opening. I’ll film everything and decide whilst I’m editing. 

            Other than that, I feel my storyboard represents what I envision for the opening very well. I can’t wait to start filming.   :D

-Michelle

The Test

            I must acquire the most important prop for the movie soon, so it can arrive on time for me to begin filming. If you are somehow wondering which prop that would be, it would be the pregnancy test. It’s obviously vital to the story, meaning I should get it as soon as possible. 

            I was counting on a friend giving me a leftover test their family had from a while ago, but they don’t have it anymore so I have to buy one myself. 

            A small concern I have is my parents, if I’m being honest. I have to explain to them that I’m buying a pregnancy test not because I need it, but for a film opening. They’ll believe me, but it definitely won’t be a fun conversation. 

            I’m leaning towards buying them online since the pregnancy tests are cheaper on Amazon than in drug stores. The cheapest are about $7 without tax.

            I could also buy a fake pregnancy test. They’re more expensive, but only by around $2.

 

I like the classic look of the first set (see the first picture) and the prank set, but after much consideration, I’ve decided to go with the joke one. The tests look real and it would help calm my parents’ possible anxiety about me buying a pregnancy test. Besides, I could prank my friends. XD

Thanks for reading.

Michelle

I Found a Set!

            After looking around my city for possible filming locations, I found a bathroom in a local supermarket that may work. It’s open from 7 AM-10 PM everyday, and it isn’t as busy as other supermarkets nearby, meaning it won’t be a hassle to film there with so many people leaving and entering. Here is what the bathroom looks like:

            As you can see, the bathroom has plenty of brown colors. I feel that this works perfectly, given that brown represents feelings of loneliness, sadness, and isolation. Andrea is going to be feeling these negative emotions as she is going through such a difficult time in her life, so this bathroom aids the audience to establish themselves in the world, and it promotes the tone the opening will have. 

            I also like the amount of space the bathroom has. It has enough for me to properly film the actor and have an assistant, but it isn’t too big. It’ll look like a small space in the movie, which will contribute to how Andrea feels crammed and trapped during this moment. 

Until my next blog post,

Michelle

References: 

Cherry, Kendra. “How Does the Color Brown Affect Your Mood?” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 26 June 2020, https://www.verywellmind.com/the-color-psychology-of-brown-2795816. 

Lighting and Coloring

            My last blog post focused on the costume design aspect of mise-en-scene, but to truly develop my film opening through production design, I must also think about how lighting and coloring will affect the movie’s tone. 

            As of now, my setting is a public bathroom, meaning the lighting is going to be fluorescent, which efficiently contributes to the film’s negative tone. Fluorescent lighting can have the following effects on people: 

• Difficulty focusing or seeing

• Lightheadedness or nausea 

• Anxiety or symptoms of depression 

These symptoms reflect what Andrea is going to be feeling as she is taking the test, especially in such an uncomfortable location. 

            The colors of the location will also impact the tone of the film. The setting should have dull colors to invoke the depressing feeling. 

            With both of these factors in mind, I envision a bathroom similar to these: 

I’ll try scouting for a bathroom this weekend, hopefully I can find one that matches what I have in mind. 

            Furthermore, I’m thinking of editing a dull tint/filter on the movie in post. This would add to the depressing nature of the tone. Pieces that utilize this technique to dramatize include: 

Unbelievable (2019) 

Eternal Summer (2006) 

Twilight (2008)

Not only do I love the indie look the filter gives these movies, but it really works to further the edgy tone and feeling the audience should be feeling while watching.  This is why I plan to utilize it in my film opening.   :)

As always, thanks for reading,

Michelle

References: 

“Fluorescent Light Sensitivity: Causes, Symptoms & Solutions.” TheraSpecs, https://www.theraspecs.com/blog/fluorescent-light-sensitivity-causes-symptoms-solutions/. 

Meet Andrea! + Costuming Options

            My main character is going to be Andrea Castro, a 16 year old high schooler who finds herself in a difficult situation when she has to take a pregnancy test. In the scene, she is incredibly anxious and shaky. She and her family are religious, which has an impact on her as she is taking the test and gets the positive results. 

So, how am I going to demonstrate this through mise-en-scene? More specifically, through her costume? 

            Andrea is going to be wearing a gray sweater to show depression, dullness, and frightfulness. Usually characters wear this article of clothing when they don’t really care about how they look because they have greater issues to worry about (such as being pregnant).  For example, Eddie Brock from Venom (2018) wears a gray hoodie, which helps illustrate the conflict and hardships he is going through: 

            For the audience to be able to see the accessory Andrea is going to be wearing, she’s going to use a zip up sweater instead of a hoodie. 

            The aforementioned accessory Andrea is going to be wearing is a cross necklace. This is to add conflict to the fact that she had premarital sex, which resulted in her getting pregnant. This contributes to the tension as Christianity disapproves of this, and since her parents are also religious (which can be inferred), she could be in even more trouble. As she is waiting for the results, she is going to be fiddling with the necklace, demonstrating the larger, internal conflict in her mind. I want it to be a subtle, casual necklace to indicate that she wears this cross everyday, meaning it holds significance to her. 

            Andrea is going to be wearing plain jeans without a design to contribute to the sense of her not putting a lot of effort into her outfit. 

 

            Her nails are going to be in a bad state; they’ll either be bitten because of nerves or have chipped nail polish to show she hasn’t bothered to take care of them. The audience will be able to see this when the shots focus on the pregnancy test in her hands. 

            All of this is going to help establish the serious tone of the film and aid the audience see that there is more conflict in the story than what meets the eye. 

Until my next blog post,

Michelle

References: 

Ferreira, Nicole Martins. “Color Psychology: How Color Meanings Affect You & Your Brand.” Oberlo, Oberlo, 4 Jan. 2022, https://www.oberlo.com/blog/color-psychology-color-meanings.