December
4
Web log update
5
developmental
work
6
developmental
work
7
Web log update
10
Math and Science Analysis due
11
Web log update
12
developmental
work
13
developmental
work
14
Web log update
15
developmental
work
16
finish script
17
developmental work
18
Web log update
19
Develop-mental work and Bid Process due
20
begin filming
21
Web log update
25
Web log update
28
Web log update
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
MP2 Calendar
November
13
End of first marking period
14
Work on script
15
2nd MP Calendar due, work on script
16
Web log update
17
work on script
19
work on script
20
Web log update, finish script
21
start work on shot plans
review script
22
mentor contact
work on shot plans, review script
23
Web log update, make changes to script if necessary
25
work on shot plans
26
work on shot plans
27
Web log update
28
work on shot plans
29
mentor contact, work on shot plans
30
Web log update
13
End of first marking period
14
Work on script
15
2nd MP Calendar due, work on script
16
Web log update
17
work on script
19
work on script
20
Web log update, finish script
21
start work on shot plans
review script
22
mentor contact
work on shot plans, review script
23
Web log update, make changes to script if necessary
25
work on shot plans
26
work on shot plans
27
Web log update
28
work on shot plans
29
mentor contact, work on shot plans
30
Web log update
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Final Solution
The movie idea I am choosing to follow is idea A. I am choosing this idea because I really like the way it is organized. All the scenes would not be difficult to get the permission to do, if needed, and are within a short driving distance. This is the best choice out of all three. However, I think that I may try to integrate some of my favorite scenes from the other two ideas so long as they don’t interfere with the plot and the flow of the movie.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Selection-Rejection Idea C
Idea C actually opens up with the business meeting scene and follows a similar path to idea A without starting in the end. It also doesn’t end the same way. After the business scene it shows the grocery store scene. It then shows the survivors going to a house. The only main difference here is the introduction and conclusion, which in idea C shows a group of people escaping to a car and 
driving away. We later find out with text that they got out of the quarantine zone, and that the army went in to destroy the infected. Idea C has basically the same pros and cons as idea A, with the difference being the introduction and conclusion. It would be good to use this idea to avoid problems of confusion. However I think that the opening scene in idea A is a more exciting scene that will get the audience into the movie. That is one of things I have to consider when choosing the final solution.
Pros
- storyline is easy to follow
- Majority of locations do not need permits
Cons
- Storyline isn't as original
driving away. We later find out with text that they got out of the quarantine zone, and that the army went in to destroy the infected. Idea C has basically the same pros and cons as idea A, with the difference being the introduction and conclusion. It would be good to use this idea to avoid problems of confusion. However I think that the opening scene in idea A is a more exciting scene that will get the audience into the movie. That is one of things I have to consider when choosing the final solution.Pros
- storyline is easy to follow
- Majority of locations do not need permits
Cons
- Storyline isn't as original
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Selection-Rejection Idea B
Idea B follows the same basic storyline; however it also has a few changes, especially in the end. For this idea I did not use the same technique for beginning the movie. It opens up with scientists working on an unknown substance, which the audience later can easily infer it is the substance that caused the outbreak. After that scene is the business meeting scene. The conversation they have is exactly the same as with the previous idea. After that scene, I 
chose to use something else other than the grocery store outbreak. It involves a car in the road, not moving. Someone pulls onto the street and begins to beep at them. The man in the second car gets out of his car to talk to the first car. As that happens the man in the first car gets out, and we see he is infected. He attacks the man, and then it shows a few other scenes similar to this as with the first idea. A group of friends find a house, go inside, and board it up. This is the idea which I had thoughts about using the haunted house in Port Monmouth because I think it will create the perfect atmosphere. Another plot difference in this idea is that the next scene shows the military getting involved in trying to contain the outbreak. It shows officers discussing possible solutions to the problem. The solution they choose is to send in a small team to find out what exactly is going on inside the quarantine area. I have created two different endings for this idea. One is that the soldiers go against orders to rescue survivors, and the other is that the soldiers find the survivors, but at that moment the infected attack and no one survives. I think that idea B will be an interesting movie as well. I like the fact that I left a good portion of it open ended because it will give me a good amount of freedom if this is the one I choose. Another thing I like is that haunted house. I thing it would create a very gloomy, mysterious, and perhaps even creepy atmosphere that would be a perfect addition to the movie. Even better about this is that if it turns out that this specific location won’t work out, I can use my house like in the other two ideas. A possible problem with using the haunted house would be that I would definitely have to get a permit to shoot there. I have it as an option, but I have a fallback if it does not work out.
Pros
- Interesting location
- Easy to follow
Cons
- Would need permits to do most of the movie.
- Storyline isn't very original
chose to use something else other than the grocery store outbreak. It involves a car in the road, not moving. Someone pulls onto the street and begins to beep at them. The man in the second car gets out of his car to talk to the first car. As that happens the man in the first car gets out, and we see he is infected. He attacks the man, and then it shows a few other scenes similar to this as with the first idea. A group of friends find a house, go inside, and board it up. This is the idea which I had thoughts about using the haunted house in Port Monmouth because I think it will create the perfect atmosphere. Another plot difference in this idea is that the next scene shows the military getting involved in trying to contain the outbreak. It shows officers discussing possible solutions to the problem. The solution they choose is to send in a small team to find out what exactly is going on inside the quarantine area. I have created two different endings for this idea. One is that the soldiers go against orders to rescue survivors, and the other is that the soldiers find the survivors, but at that moment the infected attack and no one survives. I think that idea B will be an interesting movie as well. I like the fact that I left a good portion of it open ended because it will give me a good amount of freedom if this is the one I choose. Another thing I like is that haunted house. I thing it would create a very gloomy, mysterious, and perhaps even creepy atmosphere that would be a perfect addition to the movie. Even better about this is that if it turns out that this specific location won’t work out, I can use my house like in the other two ideas. A possible problem with using the haunted house would be that I would definitely have to get a permit to shoot there. I have it as an option, but I have a fallback if it does not work out.Pros
- Interesting location
- Easy to follow
Cons
- Would need permits to do most of the movie.
- Storyline isn't very original
Selection-Rejection Idea A
Next I will discuss idea A. This idea starts off in the middle of the conclusion. It continues up to but not including the finale. Right after a cliffhanger scene ending it fades out. It fades in with the business meeting scene, which I have already discussed. 
After that it goes into a grocery store scene and shows the start of the “infection.” This scene would probably be the most chaotic,
showing multiple scenes of people changing and attacking other people. At the end of that it would show people getting into a car and driving away. They would be driving for about two minutes, where they would see a house that wasn’t boarded up and run for the door. After a brief tussle they get inside and are greeted by the other survivors in there. The next scene briefly shows text in the beginning that says two weeks have passed. It still takes place in the house at first. Then circumstances force some of the survivors out. The ones forced out get into a car and drive away. This will lead up to the introduction of the movie. The introduction will play again, only this time the end of the movie will be revealed. I think that idea A will be a good movie to create. It flows nicely on paper, and I believe I will be able to transfer that into the movie well. I really like the idea of starting at the end and working back up to it. I think doing it in this way will create a cliffhanger that will entice audiences and get them more interested. Also the house I plan to use is my house, which would bypass any need for permits or anything like that. Getting locations for the other scenes should not be difficult either. One problem I could have with this idea is confusion. Sometimes, when movies start at the end and jump around the timeline a bit, the movie can become confusing. If I was to do this idea I would want to avoid this.
Pros
- a more suspenseful and interesting storyline
- fewer actors needed
Cons
- could be confusing to the audience
After that it goes into a grocery store scene and shows the start of the “infection.” This scene would probably be the most chaotic,
showing multiple scenes of people changing and attacking other people. At the end of that it would show people getting into a car and driving away. They would be driving for about two minutes, where they would see a house that wasn’t boarded up and run for the door. After a brief tussle they get inside and are greeted by the other survivors in there. The next scene briefly shows text in the beginning that says two weeks have passed. It still takes place in the house at first. Then circumstances force some of the survivors out. The ones forced out get into a car and drive away. This will lead up to the introduction of the movie. The introduction will play again, only this time the end of the movie will be revealed. I think that idea A will be a good movie to create. It flows nicely on paper, and I believe I will be able to transfer that into the movie well. I really like the idea of starting at the end and working back up to it. I think doing it in this way will create a cliffhanger that will entice audiences and get them more interested. Also the house I plan to use is my house, which would bypass any need for permits or anything like that. Getting locations for the other scenes should not be difficult either. One problem I could have with this idea is confusion. Sometimes, when movies start at the end and jump around the timeline a bit, the movie can become confusing. If I was to do this idea I would want to avoid this.Pros
- a more suspenseful and interesting storyline
- fewer actors needed
Cons
- could be confusing to the audience
Monday, October 15, 2007
Selection-Rejection Similarities
With my three alternate solutions completed, I now have to decide what the best solution for my project is. First I will discuss the elements in each idea that are similar or even the same. I will then go through the pros and cons of each of the ideas. Afterwards I will use this information to choose my final solution.
Throughout the three ideas, there are a few techniques and scenes that show up in them all. One of the scenes is the business meeting. It appears in the first or second scene in every different design. It is a relatively short scene that opens with a fade in, although there are different techniques for ending it in the different ideas. The scene consists of almost all dialogue between the characters. Another consistent thing in the movie is the house scene(s). The different ideas don’t have the same amount of scenes, but they all are pretty similar in the events that take place there. Given my limited budget, I plan on using extras as of right now.
Throughout the three ideas, there are a few techniques and scenes that show up in them all. One of the scenes is the business meeting. It appears in the first or second scene in every different design. It is a relatively short scene that opens with a fade in, although there are different techniques for ending it in the different ideas. The scene consists of almost all dialogue between the characters. Another consistent thing in the movie is the house scene(s). The different ideas don’t have the same amount of scenes, but they all are pretty similar in the events that take place there. Given my limited budget, I plan on using extras as of right now.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Testing Procedures
The final solution will be a thirty minute horror film that makes effective use of filming and editing techniques. For my testing procedures, I am going to have as many people view it as possible. The audience will be from ages 14-45. I’m going to try and represent the ages as evenly as possible, although there will most likely be more in the lower age bracket just because I am in high school. The screenings will take place at my house and at school. I will distribute a survey form that I had previously created for audience member to fill out. I will make a short introduction, and then I will play the movie. After the test I will give the audience time to complete the survey. I will then collect the forms and store them in a folder. I will repeat this test several times for other age groups up to and including the maximum of my target audience. It will also make sense to include a few above the target audience age group as outliers. If necessary, I can repeat this test as many times as needed. Following is a numbered list detailing the testing procedure step by step.
Testing Procedure Steps
1. Distribute the survey form to each person as they arrive.
2. Make a short introduction to the movie.
3. Play the movie for the first audience.
4. Collect all the survey forms.
5. Repeat steps 1-5 for all subsequent audiences.
6. Review all feedback and, if necessary, make changes to the movie.
Testing Procedure Steps
1. Distribute the survey form to each person as they arrive.
2. Make a short introduction to the movie.
3. Play the movie for the first audience.
4. Collect all the survey forms.
5. Repeat steps 1-5 for all subsequent audiences.
6. Review all feedback and, if necessary, make changes to the movie.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Research
Terms List
Scripting - A script, or screenplay, is the blueprint for a movie. They can be original works or adapted from existing works. Common adaptations come from novels. The major components are dialogue and action.
Storyboarding - Storyboards are very helpful in the process of creating a movie. They can help you to organize the story and give it better focus. They help to define your limits with resources and time. They also help you to decide what medium will work best for a given situation.
Film Terminology
180 degree rule - a film editing guideline that states that two characters in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other
30 degree rule - film editing guideline that states the camera must make at least 30° movements around the axis of movement while still respecting the 180° rule
Accelerated montage - sequence edited into progressively shorter shots to create a mood of tension and excitement
Aerial shot – shot taken from a crane or helicopter, not necessarily moving shot
Ambient light – natural light surrounding subject, usually soft
Angle of view - the angle subtended by the lens, wide angle lenses have broad angles of view,
telephoto lenses have very narrow angles of view.
Aspect Ratio - The ratio of the width to the height of the film or television image
Bluescreen - A process of combining separate images, can be used for special effects
Boom – an arm used to hold a microphone near the actor
Clapperboard - A chalkboard, photographed at the beginning of a shot, upon which are written the pertinent data for the shot. A clapstick on top of the board is snapped shut and the resultant sound and image are used later to synchronise picture and sound.
Cutaway - shot inserted in a scene to show action at another location, usually brief, and most often used to cover breaks in the main take
Cut – switch from one image to another
Depth of Field - The range of distances from the camera at which the subject is sharp
Deep focus – objects both near and far from the camera are in focus at the same time
Dolly shot – a shot taken from a moving dolly
Dub – to rerecord a film in a language other than original
Establishing Shot - generally a long shot that shows the audience the general location of the scene that follows, often providing essential information, and orienting the viewer
Extreme close-up – generally focused on certain parts of subject, ex: hand, eye, mouth
Extreme Long Shot - a panoramic view of an exterior location photographed from a considerable distance, often as far as a quarter-mile away
Fade in - a punctuation device. The screen is black at the beginning; gradually the image appears, brightening to full strength.
Fade out – a similar device except this may be used to end a scene (starting bright then going to black
Focal Length - The length of the lens, a measurement of tile distance from the centre of the outside surface of the lens to the film plane. Long lenses are telephoto lenses, short lenses are wide-angle lenses.
Focus – sharpness of image
Focus puller – changing focus as subject moves closer or further away
Frame – a single image
Freeze frame – printing one frame many times in succession
Montage – editing
Pan – moving camera left to right
POV shot – shows scene from point of view of character
Storyboard - A series of drawings and captions (sometimes resembling a comic strip) that shows the planned shot divisions and camera movements
Take – an attempt at doing a shot
Tracking shot – similar to dolly shot
Voice- over – usually for animated films, an actor supplies his voice to the character. which is edited into the film
Widescreen - Any one of a number of aspect ratios of 1.66:1 or greater
Scripting - A script, or screenplay, is the blueprint for a movie. They can be original works or adapted from existing works. Common adaptations come from novels. The major components are dialogue and action.
Storyboarding - Storyboards are very helpful in the process of creating a movie. They can help you to organize the story and give it better focus. They help to define your limits with resources and time. They also help you to decide what medium will work best for a given situation.
Film Terminology
180 degree rule - a film editing guideline that states that two characters in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other
30 degree rule - film editing guideline that states the camera must make at least 30° movements around the axis of movement while still respecting the 180° rule
Accelerated montage - sequence edited into progressively shorter shots to create a mood of tension and excitement
Aerial shot – shot taken from a crane or helicopter, not necessarily moving shot
Ambient light – natural light surrounding subject, usually soft
Angle of view - the angle subtended by the lens, wide angle lenses have broad angles of view,
telephoto lenses have very narrow angles of view.
Aspect Ratio - The ratio of the width to the height of the film or television image
Bluescreen - A process of combining separate images, can be used for special effects
Boom – an arm used to hold a microphone near the actor
Clapperboard - A chalkboard, photographed at the beginning of a shot, upon which are written the pertinent data for the shot. A clapstick on top of the board is snapped shut and the resultant sound and image are used later to synchronise picture and sound.
Cutaway - shot inserted in a scene to show action at another location, usually brief, and most often used to cover breaks in the main take
Cut – switch from one image to another
Depth of Field - The range of distances from the camera at which the subject is sharp
Deep focus – objects both near and far from the camera are in focus at the same time
Dolly shot – a shot taken from a moving dolly
Dub – to rerecord a film in a language other than original
Establishing Shot - generally a long shot that shows the audience the general location of the scene that follows, often providing essential information, and orienting the viewer
Extreme close-up – generally focused on certain parts of subject, ex: hand, eye, mouth
Extreme Long Shot - a panoramic view of an exterior location photographed from a considerable distance, often as far as a quarter-mile away
Fade in - a punctuation device. The screen is black at the beginning; gradually the image appears, brightening to full strength.
Fade out – a similar device except this may be used to end a scene (starting bright then going to black
Focal Length - The length of the lens, a measurement of tile distance from the centre of the outside surface of the lens to the film plane. Long lenses are telephoto lenses, short lenses are wide-angle lenses.
Focus – sharpness of image
Focus puller – changing focus as subject moves closer or further away
Frame – a single image
Freeze frame – printing one frame many times in succession
Montage – editing
Pan – moving camera left to right
POV shot – shows scene from point of view of character
Storyboard - A series of drawings and captions (sometimes resembling a comic strip) that shows the planned shot divisions and camera movements
Take – an attempt at doing a shot
Tracking shot – similar to dolly shot
Voice- over – usually for animated films, an actor supplies his voice to the character. which is edited into the film
Widescreen - Any one of a number of aspect ratios of 1.66:1 or greater
Monday, September 24, 2007
Zombie Movies
One type of horror movie is the zombie movie. 
The basic idea of this genre is that dead corpses become reanimated and then proceed to attempt to eat the living. There are many, many zombie movies out there. One of the first, Night of the Living Dead, was filmed in 1968. The director, George A. Romero, has gone on to create many more of these movies including Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, and Land of the Dead. There have been many others as well. Sometimes there are even horror/comedy movies made, such as Shaun of the Dead.
The basic idea of this genre is that dead corpses become reanimated and then proceed to attempt to eat the living. There are many, many zombie movies out there. One of the first, Night of the Living Dead, was filmed in 1968. The director, George A. Romero, has gone on to create many more of these movies including Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, and Land of the Dead. There have been many others as well. Sometimes there are even horror/comedy movies made, such as Shaun of the Dead.
Horror Films
Horror Films have been created since the technology of filming developed. 
From as early as 1920, audiences have paid to allow themselves to be scared. Horror films have a huge variety of subjects, from the supernatural to the very realistic. Psychos, aliens, zombies, vampires, and many, many others have all been seen in these types of movies. The genre is very much alive today.
From as early as 1920, audiences have paid to allow themselves to be scared. Horror films have a huge variety of subjects, from the supernatural to the very realistic. Psychos, aliens, zombies, vampires, and many, many others have all been seen in these types of movies. The genre is very much alive today. Background Info
Film Production is the process of making a film, from an initial story idea or commission through scriptwriting, shooting, and editing. It normally involves a large number of people and can take anywhere from a few months to several years. Film Production consists of five main stages, which include development, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution. Development is the stage when the script is written. Pre-production is the stage when storyboards are written and the movie is planned out. Production is the part of the process when the movie is actually filmed, and post-production is when everything is edited to make the final product. Distribution is the final stage, when the movie is given to theaters nd eventually put on DVD.
Background Info
Film Organization Abbreviations
AFI – American Film Institute, http://www.afi.com/ The AFI researches new film technologies and also awards recognition to excellence in film.
MPA – Motion Picture, http://www.mpaa.org/ The MPA is involved in the distribution of films internationally as well as the rating of films
SAG – Screen Actor’s Guild, http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/ Screen Actors Guild is the nation's largest labor union representing working actors. It represents nearly 120,000
AFI – American Film Institute, http://www.afi.com/ The AFI researches new film technologies and also awards recognition to excellence in film.
MPA – Motion Picture, http://www.mpaa.org/ The MPA is involved in the distribution of films internationally as well as the rating of films
SAG – Screen Actor’s Guild, http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/ Screen Actors Guild is the nation's largest labor union representing working actors. It represents nearly 120,000
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Design Brief
I am going to write, film, and edit a horror movie. My audience will be thirteen to forty-five and primarily male.
Specifications
Specifications
- cannot exceed budget
- ability to entertain an audience from 13-45
- is mostly geared towards a male audience
- Time starts with first image/sound and ends with last image/sound
- Environment must be suited to the genre (i.e. darker lighting, shadowy, etc.)
- Will use extras in the movie
- cannot exceed budget
- ability to entertain an audience from 13-45
- is mostly geared towards a male audience
- Time starts with first image/sound and ends with last image/sound
- Environment must be suited to the genre (i.e. darker lighting, shadowy, etc.)
- Will use extras in the movie
Limitations
- must be done with tools/materials that can be found at school or home
- OR something that can be obtained with the money available, which is about $300
- Must be completed before March to enter TSA contest
- trailer version cannot exceed five minutes in length
- Original version will be about 30 minutes
- Five minute version will be prepared from original for the contest
- must obtain permits if I decide to film at a location I would otherwise not be allowed to
- OR something that can be obtained with the money available, which is about $300
- Must be completed before March to enter TSA contest
- trailer version cannot exceed five minutes in length
- Original version will be about 30 minutes
- Five minute version will be prepared from original for the contest
- must obtain permits if I decide to film at a location I would otherwise not be allowed to
MP1 Calendar
Calendar
September
17th- weblog started, design brief posted
20th- post calendar
22nd- post summer work
24th- mentor contact, invite mentor on weblog
26th- weblog update
29th- mentor contact
October
1st- weblog update, create presentation outline
3rd- 3 copies of presentation outline
4th- mentor contact, weblog update
7th- complete selection-rejection, update onto weblog, mentor contact
10th- storyboards
12th- weblog update, mentor contact
15th- weblog update w/ completed storyboards
16th- begin script, begin getting actors and parental supervisors
17th- mentor contact
20th- weblog update
24th- finish scipt, mentor contact
25th- mentor contact
27th- weblog update
28th- create outline for 11/1 presentation
29th- weblog update
30th- practice presentation, finish contact sheet
31st- 3 copies of presentation, have all actor permission forms by this date
November
1st-2nd- MP1 presentations
3rd- weblog update
4th- mentor contact
5th- weblog update
13th- MP1 ends
September
17th- weblog started, design brief posted
20th- post calendar
22nd- post summer work
24th- mentor contact, invite mentor on weblog
26th- weblog update
29th- mentor contact
October
1st- weblog update, create presentation outline
3rd- 3 copies of presentation outline
4th- mentor contact, weblog update
7th- complete selection-rejection, update onto weblog, mentor contact
10th- storyboards
12th- weblog update, mentor contact
15th- weblog update w/ completed storyboards
16th- begin script, begin getting actors and parental supervisors
17th- mentor contact
20th- weblog update
24th- finish scipt, mentor contact
25th- mentor contact
27th- weblog update
28th- create outline for 11/1 presentation
29th- weblog update
30th- practice presentation, finish contact sheet
31st- 3 copies of presentation, have all actor permission forms by this date
November
1st-2nd- MP1 presentations
3rd- weblog update
4th- mentor contact
5th- weblog update
13th- MP1 ends
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