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Showing posts from March, 2023

Finishing Touches

 For us, the editing process was a crucial part of creating our film. We spent many hours reviewing footage, piecing together the story, syncing audio and video, and color grading. We considered the suggestions of Max’s mother, and tried to find a way to make the plot flow cohesively. I suggested on adding more establishing shots, however, Max ultimately chose to add more titles throughout changes in the scene. Although I still don’t agree with this, we still have to continue with his plan. It was a time-consuming process, but we knew it was necessary to create the final product we wanted. One of the challenges we faced was deciding which shots to use and in what order. We had to make sure that the story flowed well and that each shot added to the overall narrative. We also had to be mindful of pacing, tone, and mood. Another challenge was finding the right music for the film. We wanted to use music that fit the mood and tone of the scenes, but we also had to be mindful of copyright la

Clipping it Together

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  I know that learning to use Filmora X will require some effort and time. The last time I did a film project for school, I used a different software and version of Filmora. However, the basic principles of video editing still apply regardless of the software I use. I need to familiarize myself with the user interface of Filmora X. This includes learning how to import media files such as video footage and audio tracks. I need to learn how to use various tools such as the trimmer, splitter, and timeline. Understanding how to use effects and transitions can help enhance the visual appeal of my project. I also need to learn how to adjust audio levels and apply filters. Thankfully, Filmora X offers a wide range of features that can help me create a professional-looking project. I started with some basic tutorials online to get familiar with the software. Practicing with sample footage has helped me experiment with different features and effects. I've realized that paying attention to d

Scenery

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The dark and eerie setting near Nick's house was the perfect location for our film project. As a student, I collaborated with my classmates Max and Jibril to create a short film for our school project. We were looking for a location that would match the ominous tone of our story, and the area near Nick's house fit the bill perfectly. The setting was surrounded by tall trees and bushes, which gave it a mysterious and foreboding feel. Nick's house itself was old and rundown, with boarded-up windows and peeling paint on the walls. We knew that we had to be careful while filming there, as it was private property and we did not want to disturb the neighbors. We arrived early in the morning to set up our equipment and plan out our shots. The natural lighting in the area was just right for capturing the dark and gloomy atmosphere we were going for. We also brought along some artificial lights and smoke machines to enhance the mood of the scene. Filming in the area near Nick's

Darker Themes

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As a student working on a film project with my classmates Max and Jibril, we needed a prop murder weapon to use in one of our scenes.  We decided to use a knife as it was a common tool and easily available to us.  Using a knife as a prop for a murder scene was not an easy task as it posed a safety risk if not handled carefully.  Before we started filming, we made sure to practice using the knife safely.  We learned the proper techniques for holding and manipulating the knife, as well as how to keep it away from our bodies while using it.  We also ensured that the knife was blunt and had no sharp edges to prevent any accidents during filming.  Once we felt confident in our abilities to handle the prop, we incorporated it into our scene.  As the actor holding the knife, I had to make sure that my grip was firm but not too tight, to prevent any slippage or accidents.  I also had to be mindful of the angle and position of the knife to ensure that it looked realistic on camera.  While fil

Recurring Issues

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Today we faced challenges during our shoot. One of the biggest challenges was getting the right shot under the right conditions.   There were times when we had to wait for the perfect lighting or weather conditions, which could take hours. Even when we had the right conditions, it could take a long time to get the perfect shot. One example of this was when we were filming a particular scene outside in the park. We had to wait for the sun to set just enough to create the desired effect, and then we had to make sure the camera was in the right position to capture the shot. It took about an hour to get just one shot under those conditions, but we knew it was worth the effort to create the desired effect. We also had to contend with other factors like noise and distractions from passersby, which could ruin a shot if not handled properly. We had to be patient and persistent, making sure we got the shot we needed before moving on to the next scene. It was a lesson in perseverance and dedicat

Change of Plans

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Unfortunately, filming still was not finished, and we realized that we needed to make some changes to our approach. After discussing our options, Jibril, Maximus, and I decided to start over and involve all members in the production process. We knew that this would be a challenge, but we were determined to create a film that we could all be proud of. Thankfully, our friend Nick came to our rescue and offered to let us use his house for filming. We were thrilled at the prospect of having access to such a unique location, and we couldn't wait to get started. Nick's parents were out of town, which meant that we had the entire house to ourselves for a day. As we walked around the house, we noticed that it had a closed floor plan. This was perfect for us, as it allowed us to use different rooms and locations without having to worry about continuity issues. We knew that we could use the common areas freely without bothering anyone, and we were excited to explore all the different spa

Final Day of Filming?

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  The last day of filming for our horror/thriller movie was approaching, and Jibril, Max, and I were determined to get everything we needed. We had a list of shots we still needed to capture, and we wanted to make sure we had enough footage to work with in the post-production process. We arrived early on the last day of filming, eager to get started and make the most of our time. We divided up the remaining shots among ourselves and worked efficiently to capture each one. We had to be creative in some instances, improvising shots when we couldn't get the exact angle we wanted. We also had to work around some unexpected obstacles, such as poor weather conditions and equipment malfunctions. We remained focused and determined, keeping our eye on the prize of creating a quality horror/thriller movie. After a long day of filming, we were finally able to capture everything we needed. We packed up our equipment and headed back to the editing suite to start the post-production process. We

Merging

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  Consolidating the footage from our movie was a time-consuming process. Jibril had to review all the footage to determine which shots were usable and which weren't. The goal was to create a cohesive story that fit within a 5-minute time frame. I had to be mindful of pacing and keep the story moving forward. Some shots were cut because they were redundant or didn't add anything new to the story. Others were cut because they didn't fit with the overall tone and style of the film. We had to make tough decisions about which shots to keep and which to cut. We also had to be mindful of continuity, making sure that the footage flowed seamlessly from one shot to the next. We worked closely with the editor to ensure that the final cut was polished and professional. I added sound effects and music to enhance the mood and atmosphere of the film. Our team was careful not to overload the film with too many effects or music, as it could detract from the story. We used color correction t

Funny Business

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  Staying in character is essential for a successful performance, but it can be challenging when working on a project with friends. In our case, we often made jokes or broke character, which resulted in ruined scenes and wasted time. It's important to strike a balance between having fun on set and staying focused on the task at hand. We had to remind ourselves several times to stay in character and not let our personal relationships interfere with the filming process. It's essential to understand the motivations and emotions of the character you're portraying, in order to bring them to life on screen. As actors, we must be able to tap into our own experiences and emotions to create a believable performance. When we let jokes or personal distractions take over, it can be difficult to get back into character and focus on the scene. It's important to maintain a sense of professionalism and respect for the work we're doing, even when working with close friends. When we

Filming Begins

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  Jibril's house is the perfect location for our thriller/horror film. The house has a slightly eerie atmosphere, which adds to the overall feel of the movie. The house has a lot of character, with unique features that will look great on camera. The natural lighting in the house is perfect for creating suspense and shadows. The house has a lot of different rooms and spaces, allowing us to shoot a variety of scenes. The driveway of Jibril's house is particularly creepy, making it ideal for some of the more intense scenes. Jibril's house is conveniently located, making it easy for cast and crew to get to and from the location. The house is spacious enough for us to set up all of our filming equipment without feeling cramped. The house has a lot of interesting decorations and furnishings, which can add to the ambiance of the film. Jibril has given us free rein to use his house for filming, which is a huge advantage for our low-budget production. The house has a lot of potentia

Costume Conundrum

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For our film, we need to be mindful of the mis-en-scene to make sure the entire film makes sense. One of these practical elements is the costumes. I had to make sure that the costumes we will use will suit the mood of the film. During production, we decided that the victims can wear typical, casual outfits with no theme. However, the killer has to be a dark and mysterious character. Considering that the killer is mostly present at night, I decided that dark colors would be best to wear. I narrowed any costume options to black or a very dark shade of grey. Also, the clothing must reveal as little of the figure as possible. For this reason, I decided that a jacket and looser fitting pants would be best. Another benefit to this is that the killer's movement would not be restricted. If the outfit was tighter, movements would be visibly awkward to the audience. It could also reveal the characters physique, which would spoil the whole character in general. After all this consideration, I