CCR

At last, it has come to an end. I want to thank this class, my teacher, and my classmates for everything it has taught me. It was truly a pleasure. Here's to senior year.

CCR: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SdAEuhPOjYKM9K1LUDd_o1DRi7sObqSW/view?usp=sharing

Short Film, Postcard, & Website

HERE IT IS !!!!!!!!!! MY SHORT FILM: FLAMEDOUGH

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AuA83XdbokUM0kDzGZt2uywUXkxxfvUv/view?usp=sharing

My Postcard:
Front

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Eizlpu7lePt1xpb2lTPIK2HBkgk7DoVF/view?usp=sharing

Back
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XozD33fxDnIbScLYYIgtwok4-WoEftOC/view?usp=sharing

My Website:

https://gamboamariana17.wixsite.com/flamedough

Hope you enjoy! :)

Editing

This is simply a summary of how my experience went editing.




Terribly.



I hate my computer.





Get me another one.


I really don't understand why my computer keeps saying it doesn't have space when I ALREADY DELETED EVERYTHING! This experience has been truly stressful in the technical aspects. Somehow a few days ago, as I was editing, my computer decided to delete my project. This was terrible. I cried. I had to start editing all over again with my slow computer and it was just heart wrenching. However, I will say that if my project wouldn't have deleted, I wouldn't have gone through all of the footage again, meaning I most probably wouldn't have added all the new things that I didn't see before. Everything happens for a reason?

Another word I would describe this process would be very meticulous. As I was trying to figure out a way to make a present for the color grading of my film, I realized I couldn't figure it out. Instead, I personally color graded each shot. That's right. Each shot. And it took me about 2 hours :) Same thing with the audio when my computer decided to freeze about 5 times. I'm starting to think my computer is out to get me. Anyway, I did have some trouble deciding whether I wanted to keep some funny bits or not. For example, there is a blooper of Gianni running into a pole (he pranked my mom and I, we thought he hit his head against it, but he hit his hand and acted as if he hit his head.) Either way, it was really funny. I was about to leave this in the sequence where he is running. However, I then realized that it didn't make sense for me to insert it. Even though I wanted to add some comedy, it just didn't go with the film and was more likely a distractor from the plot.

Another thing is that I realized I had some trouble with the mood. Originally, this film was supposed to be kind of a ridiculous drama; a sort of mockery. However, it ended up being a romantic drama. I really wanted it to have a hint of quirkiness or comedy to it. Maybe in the scene where he sells his clothes? It pretty much ended up being a drama romance, but I am also happy with that.

Project Reflection

I will never doubt my words when I say that this project was the ultimate challenge of my senior year of high school. Throughout the year, this class had been teaching me so much about media and film. From the beginning of the year I was ready and excited to start learning in order to put my full focus on my work, considering this is the career I was to pursue. However, I could not have been ready nor was I ever close to expecting what senior year, or should I say 2020 had coming. In the beginning, I did struggle with choosing my story. I was so excited that I had way too many ideas and a big indecisive state of mind. For each idea I had to picture what style I was aiming for as well as what mood, theme, color scheme, and so on. It was very difficult since each idea was really complicated and each offered obstacles in the writing and overall storyline. After a long time contemplating which story, I decided to go with the pawnshop idea. I did have a plan to film at a real pawn shop, as well as have my actor run across downtown Fort Lauderdale. To be honest I was kind of scared that all pawn shop owners would've said no to me filming, and I would've ended up empty handed. However, as soon as I began planning locations, COVID-19 happened. Suddenly, there was a deadly virus that resulted in having all of the world quarantined, making it extremely difficult and complicated for me to film my short film in the locations I wanted. This event was a big obstacle in the making of my short film. Suddenly we were told we should alter our stories to fit the circumstances. Honestly, I believe that is the biggest lesson I learned from this class, and it happened involuntarily. I had to rewrite my script as well as accommodate new locations. At first, my motivation dropped below ground as anxiety creeped in due to a whole pandemic taking over the world. It was surreal, I could've think about anything else. Eventually, I realized that my education must go on as well as my creativity! So I got to work. Working with my actor meant wearing gloves in the process as well as lots of hand sanitizer. Compared to last year, I am seeing a huge improvement in my work. However, when I began filming, I realized that I was not as ready as I should've been as a director. Slowly, I started to understand how to get ready for shooting and how to plan ahead. Writing little notes on my phone, highlighting the script, and sending the script to my actors beforehand were some of those things I learned. Now here I am, with my finished product. I have to say that I am very surprised of myself. Sadly, I had low expectations of myself due to my pessimistic views during this pandemic. However, this time alone has made me reflect about a lot of aspects in my life and it thankfully gave me lots of strength so I could continue making this film. All in all, I have to say is that even though I am still an amateur filmmaker, I am proud of my hard work, and I only hope to get better.

How to Direct Actors

So I was saying before, I found myself having some trouble on communicating with my actor. I did some research and I found this article: The Dos & Don'ts on Directing Actors

Communication is key

When do your actors need to be ready for their next scene? What is their motivation? When's lunch? What do you want them to change about their performance? These things and so much more you need to communicate clearly and often to your actors so they know what's expected of them. This I found to be very helpful. My communication with Gianni has improved

Everything matters

If your actors bring up an issue with the script or ask you about a detail of their character's backstory, don't just shrug it off as something meaningless. If they're bringing it up it matters, and just because you haven't given it much thought don't mean that it doesn't. Let your actors know that you haven't really thought about it, but that it's something you guys can take a look at at a convenient time. My actor hasn't really questioned my choices that much. He just kind of does what I tell him. However, my mom on the other hand, she questioned everything I did. To the point where I was starting to get really frustrated because she questioned every single thing. I am not saying I don't accept help or criticism, but sometimes you have to let the amateur filmmaker figure it out for herself. 

Line readings

Don't tell your actors how to give their dialog. There are some who don't mind when a director gives them a line reading, but seriously -- you hired your actors for a reason and they're there to do a job, so let them do it. We did some practice line readings before shooting. A the same time, I acted out his part to show him in what way I wanted him to talk. 

Know what you want

The director who bumbles around and doesn't really know what they want isn't the director that inspires confidence in their actors. Know what you want -- even if what you want doesn't work. Kevin Smith says that directing is just about being able to answer questions:

All you have to do is be able to answer questions; that's what the job is -- You're always kind of open to suggestions, so really the direction job solely comes down to your ability to answer questions at a moment's notice and turn the ship on a dime if you have to. I feel like this is very difficult for me. I don't seem to figure everything out until the end. Sometimes I don't have a reason for everything. However, I realize that it is indeed important to have a reason for everything, even if the reason is simply for the aesthetic. This makes me more mindful of my process. 

Keep your direction clear and concise

Don't give your actors a 10-minute monologue about their backstory, which then turns into a speech about what their motivation is, which then veers off into a discussion about energy conservation and blah blah blah. You're literally giving directions, so make them simple to follow, or else your actor is going to just get lost. I think it was easier for me to direct Gianni this way as he doesn't question much, which I appreciate. For my mom on the other hand, she kept making me tell her the entire story and the reasons behind anything. I'm not going to lie, she did give me some good tips and opinions. But theres a limit. 

Encourage your actors

Be a good human. That's a great lesson to learn as not only a member of the human race, but as a director as well. A leader of a team, whether it be at an office, a retail store, or a film set, needs to be encouraging to their people. A "Good job," or a "That was great," or a "You got it," will not only help show them that they're on the right track, but will also help remind them that they're an important member of your creative team. I really tried hard to show gratitude and admiration towards the actors. I believe I did a pretty fair job in doing so. I don't know how much one should reward them, but I truly admire the talent and work of actors... It is a very hard thing to do. Also I think I wanted to show gratitude towards Gianni's acting because he is trying to make that his career. So why not boost up their confidence and admire their work.

Unexpected Problem

A few days ago as I was going about my day my actor tells me to FaceTime him.

He shaved his head.

As you can see this is a problem for me :)

He told me he didn't realize what he had done until he shaved it all off. Of course I get it. Quarantine is making us all bored. I didn't get bothered with Gianni, it honestly thought it was a pretty funny thing. At first I was down because it just made me insecure about my film because it will look so inconsistent and out of place to just have Gianni randomly appear without hair. However, my classmates gave me some advice on how to adapt to this sudden change of scenario. Because he will be pawning all of his belongings away, he event went to the extent to try to sell his hair. That is how ridiculous it got. 

Story change: Jack would now even sell his hair to get the baseball card for the person he loves the most. 

I guess this is a good thing because it adds to the story. It adds content. More for the audience to look at and observe. Of course, more doesn't always equal good. Like my teacher and many say, the simpler stories are the best. However,  I believe for my film in particular, I feel like a larger back story was most probably necessary. 

On the side track however, I've been getting very inspired lately. In what way would you ask? Well in the soul way???? I don't know. I feel like I can sometimes see what my soul looks like. I know this is super unrelated and weird I guess? But I feel very existential these days. This quarantine has pinned my soul down and made it realize who it is. I guess that means I am realizing who I am? I don't know. At the same time I feel like I have lived many past lives before. Or how else could you explain the way that I feel sometimes that have nothing to do with this Earth or what is going on. I feel like it is a spiritual feeling. Or maybe not. I don't know. I am becoming too aware of myself. One where I realize that I am solely a living thing in this universe. I exist. The fact that I exist and everything exists is just.... mind blowing for me. I know what I'm saying is super existential and obvious (like yea duh we exist). But if you think about it deeply it just makes me feel not human.

I don't know if it is the quarantine getting me this way, or its the typical thought process of a 19 year old in high school, or if it is just me as a person who thinks differently that others. Either way, I just sincerely hope that other people out there don't ignore their gift of life and existence. In this quarantine I have been thinking a lot about life. Some I'm positive, some days I'm negative, some days I'm tired, some days I'm curious. 

Most people feel like they have a purpose in their life. Their soul purpose. I feel like my soul was meant to be a creative soul. Even though I might not be the best right now, I feel like I have the duty to learn about art and creativity, so I can someday make something for those out there like me. 

Will continue to learn and improve my skills.

Converting my Garage

Filming Day 2 was much much better! 

I was much more prepared and as a result, better footage.

I have made new and more logical decisions. I decided that I wouldn't be doing the "animal" characters, just because I thought it would look inconsistent with the short and would distract of the story. I thought it would be too out of place. In addition, it would be a big hassle to handle my cat and my dog outside. With all of the corona fear happening, I wouldn't want people watching me do this anyway, I preferred to film in my garage, and have my mom act as the pawn clerk.

This is how I decorated the "pawn shop". I grabbed the most random objects from around my house and put them together. I mostly put vintage objects or stuff that would sell at a shop. I was really hoping it didn't end up looking like a thrift store, I didn't want it to look like junk. I hope I achieved that.

Filming was interesting. I think what troubled me most was to keep a consistent filming style. I shot everything from different types of angles. I am currently editing and trying everything together.

Editing & Revision

I need to reshoot some things! 

So as I was saying Day 1 of shooting wasn't me at my most prepared. For example.... I need better B-roll. It turns out that through a lot of the footage you can hear the camera focusing as shown below. This happened with about 60% of the clips so... I will need reshooting because that is NOT professional at all. Thankfully I won't have to reshoot all of scene one as I did get good shots.. I just need better b-roll.

Update on the objects! So as mentioned before I did not bring the objects to Gianni's room because I had completely forgotten about that. Anyway it turns out I couldn't use those objects anyway because they are my step-grandma's most valuable possessions and she did not let me use them. So I just asked Gianni if I could use some items that are already in his room. He agreed easily. Now the B-roll makes sense as I can use the objects shown before Jack wakes up as a type of foreshadow that he will sell those. That way we don't have too reshoot EVERYTHING. 

I am done editing the first scene for now. However it will obviously change once I reshoot some of the scenes.

Shooting Day 1

YIKES




I would rate shooting day 1 6/10... I am going to say that I was not as prepared as I SHOULD'VE been. But now because of this I know and I learn as the process goes on. On the good side, it helped me figure out how I am going to physically make this short. It helped me get back on my filming groove. I have not been making too stuff on my own for a while now, so I'm glad I'm back practicing what I like. My mistake for shooting day 1 was my mindset of "I'll figure it out" when I get there. I didn't have in mind that reviewing a script and/or storyboard along with all the factors inside it is essential to making something good. A plan. The good thing is that I'm realizing this as I shoot. I'll be honest, I'm not the most disciplined person. But I am trying and learning. I really want to be better and I am trying to better myself I really am. I will get there!

Anyways... Day 1 of shooting was supposed to be for the first scene of the short film. I wanted to film by location for practicality. My plan was to shoot the scenes of JACK in his room when he wakes up, the kitchen, and him running. A few things had to change however... Since I am going to Gianni's to shoot (very nice of their family to let me in), it is most responsible to shoot in Gianni's room only. They live with someone elderly and I would not be wise for me to be moving around the house. So that means that Jack will have to look at his calendar and drink his coffee in his room. That's fine. Something I didn't figure out (or realize) before shooting was that the objects that Jack pawns should be shown in his bedroom at the beginning, and to be honest I didn't bring the objects with me to his house. So now I'm contemplating whether I should use the objects that are already in his room for him to pawn or if I should just use the objects I was going to use... OR reshoot the whole first scene with the objects in them. However, I don't have much time on me to be doing that. We'll see what happens. Another very wrong thing I did was not charge the camera before shooting... C'mon Mariana... I was just not ready today. I had to wait a couple minutes in the actors room for the camera to charge. On the good side is that my actor is actually an old friend of mine. So we just talked a little before waiting for the camera to charge.


ALSO

I DID NOT REALIZE HOW HARD IT IS TO DIRECT ACTORS. THERE I SAID IT.

I realize that communication is an essential skill that directors NEED in order to successfully project their vision. I was trying my best with Gianni. My intentions were good, and I surprisingly was able to communicate the way I wanted him to act. However, I realize that the fact that I am not physically able to control the actor is frustrating. That means I will have to learn to be a good acting director. I am going to watch some youtube videos on how to communicate better, as I don't think I'm the best with words, but my vision is there... Gianni was great. He was patient and understanding that I am only learning to do this by myself. He really is a good actor. I just have to be more prepared next time, and right after writing this I am going to plan out with more detail! I want to be EXTRA ready for day 2 of shooting. You don't just show up and figure it out. You plan and communicate even before.

Bye ! :)