Portfolio Project - Week Seven Part Three

 3/27/2021

All filming I completed yesterday. Any scenes that may need to be - reshot should not be an issue - as only minor details should require this. Now taking all of my clips and taking certain sections from each that best build my story is next in my production process. To begin the editing, I will arrange my scenes then add the sound to support them. 

I am thankful that my break coincided with my shooting process. Filming during a school week - with all of the tattoos applied for each scene - would have been strenuous. Editing all that I shot - will be one difficult task, but if I space out the process - the results should be rewarding. 

I filmed an insomnia scene followed by a bathroom scene to show the effects of the ticking on Onyx. Splashing water on my face took many tries due to my independent filming. The majority of my filming time due to my lack of view of what is in - shot or focus. I would have liked to utilize more zoomed-in effects, but I can only do that in post-production editing. 

I have clear images of what I want with all that I have filmed - but depending on my amateur editing skills, I am worried if I can fill that image. My story is panned out, and what I want from what I filmed should be there. When searching for the exact thing I need and if  - what is needed needs editing - to be what I envisioned is the difficulty. Unfortunately, time is running out, and my final stretches for this story need to happen. Following the film opening is my ccr. I do have a detailed account of my production process and all of the difficulties involved with it.

I did deter from my original idea with my 'SYN' branding progression. Getting any makeup added to appear on the camera and not look just like an outline was quite hard very quickly. I changed the progressional to a fading effect rather than a color signifier.

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Seven Part Two

 3/24/2021

Today I was supposed to film, but the direction of my film opening was so skewed from the last posting I decided to make a posting to write my thoughts. I was unsure of what to do with the timing and installments of the second branding. Today I took time to just think about what it was that I was filming. I forgot about the ticking in the piece - which was very important to the story. The ticking I remembered and decided starts after the first installment. I will film the second installment where the ticking is louder and possibly faster. The second installment is already communicating the effects of the first installments' ticking by showing Onyx suffering from insomnia. 

Time lapses between the two installments of the second branding can communicate how this continuous ticking has been driving her crazy. I will convey time-lapse by having the second installment appear rawer as I did when each time of branding first appeared. The area around the first installment will have no makeup added - so it is appearing healed.

Questioning where to end my piece was a challenging idea.  I have not decided on my setting for filming - but I know how I want my final shot. The whole thing will end with the 'SYN' disappearing and the ticking stops. I may do some visual effects on the two fully developed branding to signify an activation - of sorts. The real question leaving at the end of what is happening next seems developed in my idea. Audience interpretation with the piece can allow for different narratives of progression and outcome to occur. The effectiveness of my piece should communicate the genre representation I want of the drama/fantasy realm.

Tomorrow I will be sure to begin my filming of Act three and four. Motivation for today thankfully lead me not to film but decide on important storyline aspects I was missing.

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Seven Part One

 3/23/2021

Act Two - of my film opening - was filmed last night. I'm going to either continue the story with two installments of the second branding or maneuver fantastic editing to make three installments fit. With each scene  I film, I realize how much I can fit into my film opening. With everything I have filmed so far, I'm going to clip sections of takes and then compile them together. The main effect of my film opening is going to be sound. The story centers around - a deal and - the product of - skill on a guitar. With how these scenes I envision - are put together, audience interpretation can form for what is happening in the story. The audience's idea of how much time has passed from the first clip of the devil handshake to Act One performance can build different narratives. Either fame or skill can be recognized, or the deal has now presented unknown effects on Onyx. Within Act One, Onyx is hiding her tattoos and brandings, as if she didn't know about them or she forgot to hide them. 

Act Two transitions to practicing at home and writing music. Unsuccessful attempts occur, and the first installment appears. This scene also allows for the visual effects - on her skin to be seen from another point of view. Establishing the 'SYN' from her skin to the 'SYN' on the guitar is another attempt at representation of the connection between the two. 

Here are some shots from the scene I filmed last night. They seem to appear darker on the computer than on my phone. They are dark - to follow the mood of the production but more visible in the recording.  Filming Act Three comes next before the editing process. I may decide while filming to make this the final Act due to time constraints. 

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Six Part Three

 3/21/2021

I filmed Act One, but there were more errors than successes. Getting ready for shooting took about 2-3 hours. The transferring of ink to skin failed quite a few times. To conduct, the area of skin has to have perfume on it. I had a tattoo right above my eyebrow - I also had to do each letter separately. Perfume got in my eye on three occasions, which was very painful. 

There were issues with the letters themselves. I printed inverted versions because I knew with the 'SYN' tattoo - that was needed. But after soaking and preparing for transfer to the skin - I required the non-inverted version of the words. The 'NEED' took about 6-7 attempts before it worked and finished. The 'DESIRE' tattoo had an error with one 'E' but was not too bad - besides doing each letter one at a time. The 'WANT' was the easiest, and if it failed, I would do it in eyeliner, which was its original idea. The 'SYN' did not fully transfer, so I had to use eyeliner to complete the calligraphy. 

Filming Act One taught me that I do not have enough time to do all I wanted with the film opening. To create a story with enough character background and conflict understood through interpretation - I need to lessen the number of Acts planned. I do not have enough time in the two minutes allotted. Filming independently - may be the issue at hand. I am struggling - to direct myself and do not know if I am in the frame for each take. 

I took many takes of everything I could think of for my Act One idea. If I learn effective editing, I think I can pull through with my visual effects. I will need to clip many of the takes I shot into a progressional sequence to make one effective scene. The majority of my film opening will depend on the editing process to bring out the idea effectively. All sound will be added post-production. I may add some - character speaking, but right now, that is - not planned. 

Knowing how long the process is for preparing to shoot - I will prepare as early as possible. Finally finishing, around three am when I started everything at eight pm is not another desired reality. I will film again tomorrow since I am exhausted from last night, and hopefully, that process is better. I will include some photos from last night.

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Six Part Two

 3/19/2021

Spring Break has officially begun! I used yesterday to clean and organize the settings I am going to use. I also filmed a few tilting shots of my father's amp for the act one scene - the concert. It can be a quick glimpse, and I will speed up the clip. All audio heard of the instrument will be added during the editing process. I will begin filming tonight. My room allows too much light in, so manipulating the camera to have a soft focus while also creating a darker theme would be difficult. My room LED lights -  I would like to use - to bring about my color themes of red and green - during filming. I originally planned for - a flashing that would cause a flashback, but I decided to show the devil deal and mirror the performing shots. 

Before cleaning

After cleaning

>   For Act three, I would like to do a bathroom scene. Show vulnerability and also include set design to build character. I would clear all that I have existing in the bathroom that does not develop the theme of the film opening. With these photos, you can also see the cracked ceiling - from water damage - that I painted for the bathroom scenes.

Before arranging

After arranging

>   This area is where I want to film Act Two. I dusted and cleaned the table and chairs for filming. I also dusted the memorabilia and guitars; to make sure if the camera picks up on them - there is not dust visible. From my storyboard - this is the moment for the first installment of the branding. Onyx will be playing the guitar and writing music. I will make the 'SYN' branding the first to take an impact - but not painful. The effect of the branding taking her skill will build visible confusion until she checks and sees a difference. This occurrence will hopefully communicate a connection between the guitar and her fluently to the audience. After confusion, here comes the pain. The installment of the second devil seal begins then.

I got some nice shots yesterday during the evening for the pan around the room. The change in focus of lighting from the window to around the room was unsuccessful. So I either film multiple shots and edit together - to keep the filming during the day - or I do the scenes during the night with no outside light interfering. I will attempt again for the day shooting, but the night may be the better option for an altogether setting. My house is noisy during the day, and if I want to create sound from Onyx, filming at night would be the better choice.

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Six Part 1

 3/16/2021

Today was another group discussion during class. Communication on my production with new and previous students was a pleasant interaction. The feeling of familiarity with students and our projects makes a practical connection through a screen. We are all following the same processes and having similar obstacles as the due date comes closer. Enthusiasm on my project felt like a big motivator; today and last time. Feeling confident in my work where others felt doubt held assurance in my idea choice. When it comes to the ccr - my idea falls harder in some categories of relation elements. For example, targeting an audience cannot be based on a similar experience but rather hobby or interest. I could delve into the emotional connections of human greed - on a practical level; maybe even research the occurrence in everyday life - we commit sins. 

Planning some ideas for my ccr ahead of time will set me for success, but I need to think about my filming right now. Time management for a successful production process needs to be a primary focus. I do have enthusiasm for my idea and the ability to create this story. Effectively doing that needs focus with planning to allow for my conception to succeed. Filming needs to happen this week. Filming is something that once I start, due to cosmetic and visual effects, should be finished - relatively altogether. 

One relation I was having with a person today was the reality of how much one scene can take up in our allowed allotted time. The filming I did on Sunday, in which I need to edit clips together, can take up to 20 seconds. That is quite a bit - so every second count. The good thing would be my ideas so far are not too much or too far-fetched for a film opening. Meaning refining into something simpler isn't something I need to contemplate. 

Spring Break will be very helpful in my production process. I can have time to solely focus on producing, combined with an ability to obtain quality rest. Act two and three should be done together - due to their similar themes. Act one is introducing and mirroring the deal, while act four will be the ending and signifying another change introduced. 

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Five Part Three

 3/14/2021

Today I began my filming process. I focused on the devil handshake scene. That scene is a two-shot, so filming over the weekend would be the best opportunity to do that. There were difficulties in filming which eventually worked through. The black curtain I used for a backdrop could only cover so much of the frame, so I had to zoom in more and have less setting. The candle pillars I wanted to add for ambiance couldn't fit the frame - so they were cut. The original words I printed out for branding were not inverted, so I had to learn how to invert and reprint. The difficulty without them inverted would make all of the letterings backward when placed on the skin. The makeup that I had practiced made the process of the pain look more happen quicker. Filming did take longer than I expected, and with what I filmed - I already know that the editing of this short scene with being similar. 

I had my father - take videos of me filming and doing the makeup effects, which I can use for my ccr. Having a figure in front of the camera - able to balance the zoom and focus on him - was helpful. Filming the rest of my shots will be difficult since I am doing it independently. Planning what exactly I want from my scenes should aid my focus. Following a specific basis for my story - with planned sound - should lead me down a successful path.

With spring break approaching - I will have more time to film myself without 7 hours of online classes. I, of course, have assignments over the break that will also require my attention. But my main priority is filming and then possibly starting the editing process. Today's mistakes will hopefully not occur next time I film. Spending a couple of hours watching videos on youtube about filmic pro and how to uses its capabilities - filming on the app became quite easy. I am still figuring how to use lighting with the focus, but overall, today went well.

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Five Part Two

 3/12/2021

This weekend will begin at least one step in the filming process. To start filming - for the best makeup/design elements portrayed - I need to allot time effectively to film progressional scene elements to their best visual attributes. The process of putting these brandings on my skin is not a quick procedure. The printer ink sets on the skin, and my pale complexion - the first attempt at trying this method - is still visible. I am going to get some rubbing alcohol to see if that will remove the remanents. Otherwise, once I begin filming - I cannot film out of order. Each scene communicates another development of branding on the arm - my character will need worsening makeup rather than the beginning glam. 

Devil Attire

Devil Attire continued

Deal w/ devil - add ambiance

Setup for Act 1

• The devil scene will be the first scene of the piece and then will transition to Act One. I want to incorporate similar styles of cutaway editing to give context to the shots. How Act One focuses on introducing Onyx and the guitar. The mirroring of the scenes prior will show relation and change in time. Deal with the devil will commence before and after being branded. Makeup - will be added around to give a more painful/raw look.

Act 2 setting(the first installment of branding)

•    These are the setting for Act One - introducing Onyx and the guitar. 

•   Then Act Two, where the first installment of the second branding occurs. 

Room decor for Act 3

More room decor for Act 3

Act Three I have not drawn up yet on the storyboard, but this will a room scene utilizing room decor to build character. I put up posters and other art to construct a more dark vibe. A deal with the devil is not a simple thing, and this will produce an attraction to darker themes for her character. I will make her exhaustion a definition combined with her terror. I will use my dresser mirror to show the art on the wall for mise-en-scene. The Dark Skull artwork will be behind the bed headboard and will be in the left third of the shot. To further the act - will be rushing to the bathroom - here will have more closeups (emotion - makeup and messy clothes) and reaction to what might be the second or third installment.

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Five Part One

 3/10/2021

Tattoos for Onyx to display greed

Hello and welcome back for another week. So I will be uploading many photos to this posting of physical work with some explanations. I worked on sound with my father. I cannot play guitar, but he can. We did many sound recordings of what I have put together as needed. I also have developed a more plausible storyboard for what I will call Act 1 and Act 2. I will say there will be four acts, but there is a possibility for a fifth. My room has entirely transformed to commute the filming process here. I don't have accessibility to other locations, so my home is my canvas with many changes required.

Act 1 

End of Act 1 and beginning of Act 2

End of Act 2

                                

The foley sounds of the guitar - were created for a variety of scenes. There is a - progression in skill worsening, so taking many failing riffs should set me up for success for sound choice. I also went to purple-planet.com to look for royalty-free music. One track I found was called 'manhunt.' I can use this piece also to develop more music or sound variety. 

I also downloaded filmic pro to aid me in filming my film opening. Stressing about the lack of setting available, so when reaching out for assistance, I was guided - in the direction of an app that can help solve my issue. My next step after purchasing this application would be to watch video tutorials and see guides on the usages. I feel confident in my process - about to begin filming. I have posters and artwork to hang up to add to the setting and build a mood within the piece. I painted my bathroom ceiling - water damage from the roof - to have accessibility to film in there without a distracting point of focus. I am removing all items from my wall or decor that contradict the character I am trying to build. Tomorrow I am putting together the devil character costume and possibly filming that beginning handshake shot. I have to strategically position my filming with the tattoos and branding similarly applied for better appearance. As time goes on - the printer ink tattoos fade.

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Four Part Three

3/7/2021

Welcome back for the last posting of this week! I have spent the past few days focusing on character design. I have added wordlike tattoos on her appearance. The words - want, need, and desire - were the words I gathered. These words should help display her greed - as it rubbed off on her. I am to make a scene showing all of these designs, but then it will be followed by her covering-up two of them. The incapability to cover the third is because it is in her fingers. For guitarists - it is not weird to have tattoos, and the word 'want' wouldn't arouse any unnecessary attention. I have included photos of the three in their locations. I have outlined them with colors I want to fit my theme - red, green, and black (even though they are already black).

WANT

DESIRE

                                                                                                                                                  

NEED

First Outfit

I also decided on the font for the title, and it will be the indication on Onyx's skin of the progression of skill fading from her deal. I am to figure out how to make the color red fit the lettering. Since 'Syn' is three letters - and the branding will come in three installments - these two different symbolisms will be engaged. Effectively executing this will help make my film opening - show and not tell. If I had not registered this idea, then I would have to show the devil giving the guitar. I want the lettering on the guitar shown in a previous shot before the lettering on the arm. Combining with closeness will do the explaining. The font I chose for the title and Onyxs' forearm is called New Rocker.

Ex. SYN

 The font I like for the body markings is called Cinzel Decorative

Ex.    DESIRE   WANT    NEED

Onyx will have developed a habit - to check her guitar and, 'Syn' branding is connected when she plays. In the scene where the first installment of the second branding occurs - her skill begins to plummet. She will play and stop once noticing and check her branding on the other arm and discover the change. The change will help further convey the connection to the guitar to the audience. I may develop a side character for her to verbalize her issues. I prefer a more watching the events play out rather than dialogue communicating. Myself being the character that would talk is something that puts me back in developing dialogue. But, the scene may require it, and I would submit and add the needed context.

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Four Part Two

 3/4/2021

I think I figured out what my first scene is going to be. Black background - I need to get a backdrop - foley walking sounds (like on stage), quick shots building the character and guitar, and then begins an electric guitar strum. Cutaway editing would be the best way to describe the visuals for the scene I want to film. Slowly the shots will increase the number of visual content in the scene - built-up anticipation. The scene I previously described is one I drew in an earlier posting but edited a bit. The filming technique with these shoots can present the branding made by the deal with the devil. If there is a way for me to - develop a connection to the guitar and branding - through makeup - I will for a perceivable connection. Introduce the character - branding before- then introduce guitar, together with the branding - a sign will be evident. A tilt-up shot of Onyx playing the guitar - with foley audio added, then zoomed-in to not see the hands playing (for accuracy sake of my no skill). A flash will occur - inferred camera flash - transition to a flashback scene. Will be the deal with devil handshake and acquiring the branding. I used makeup on the images I created in the last posting, and it came out very well for the raw look. Confidence to shaken demeanor will be the facial plan transition. 

Following this scene will be a transition, maybe the title presented, to another point in time. Introducing - the Devil monologue voiceover but a simpler version of the script from the first draft. I want to keep the same comedic but businesslike manner to the voiceover, though. 

Devil Monologue (Second Version)

"What is sin - in this modern century - well, why I would, know wouldn't I?" 

“Evil is weakness and power is downfall - the same script I know quite well - logically”

"My sigil is one with a price."

"But alas -sinful temptations - greedy human girl - you get my fun"

"Her guitar strings are losing their tuning - and with every beat goes a borrowed breath”

“The lullaby of death is quite sweet”

My friend agreed to help voice act for this script, and of course, there will be creative adjustments to fit the character desired. The scene following - as the first installment of the second branding starts forming - I have previously described. I practiced makeup to make a communicative look of exhaustion combined with frustration. Use of simple eyeshadow under the eyes combined with pinks to look like tear lines. This makeup look can be a bathroom scene of an emotional reaction to events unfolding - I would like the second installment to have occurred within or before this scene. The film opening should end at the last installment - which I have not fully panned out. I will decide how I want to play out the ending and then decide whether the branding will be three or four different installments.

Until next time!

Portfolio Project - Week Four Part One

 3/3/2021

Welcome Back! New week - new developments. I thought more about my location of the shooting and the scenes I want to film.  There is a specific scene I want to produce to show development in the story. As I previously mentioned, there are two brandings - one with the deal and another that forms throughout the opening. To emphasize while also providing visual content, I plan for my character's skill to inherently worsen as the second branding forms. The branding - can be broken up into four sections - the time allotted during scenes will determine if I keep it four or change it into three. I saw a video in the past on how to give yourself temporary tattoos with printed paper images. The process I began to practice for consistency and quality. At the current moment - I am two for three on attempts, but not all of the image is transferring. The solution is either - to attempt more routes (more time soaking the picture or more time pressing the picture) or add makeup in the gaps. 

The evolutions of the branding I want to act as painful and Onyx becoming more stressed by each line. The first scene I have envisioned will play out that Onyx is attempting to write music. Surrounding this will be shots accompanied by a diegetic sound that I will edit in. Shooting will be - plugging into the amp, connecting the guitar, and will add sound for paper - used to write sheet music. The foley for these diegetic sounds should not be hard to create. I may need to do multiple takes for the writing on paper during the scene. I am going to learn some basic chords on the guitar to act this scene better. Onyx will be having difficulty creating music, which will already make her appear annoyed, then forms a painful sensation will occur on her forearm. Act that out. Then skill will slowly seep away. By the second branding, I will have the dialogue of her annoyance with the guitar; this will establish the characteristics - of the guitar in a better sense. A remark on that it should still provide her with its intended skill. 

Planning and acquiring the sounds will be very important for the acting and editing process. I will work with recording guitar music - so these sounds will sync up with the acting it's following. I am also developing Onyx as one who just not gained fame but is heavily influenced by other artists. There is a lot of memorabilia in my house, which deduces a rock fan lives here - but can also be used to advance her background. This can be a pan shot around the room before introducing the sketching notes scene. But either way, to continue my development process - I need to either plan very effectively for my sound placement or record sounds before filming then - act accordingly. 

Until next time!