Scheduling The Work

 I am a mess, I am not going to lie to you, so scheduling and planning must be done in order to make sure I keep up with everything. A lot has happened in my personal life, so I have to make sure that at least my AICE Media work is done before I suffer what seniors usually suffer through this time, shoutout college and health issues. 

Due to the fact that this project requires both blog writing and shooting, I have made two distinct timetables to make sure that each component of the project gets the attention it needs. Although the blog plan will contain particular dates for research, writing, and publishing, the filmmaking calendar will define the numerous shoots and post-production deadlines. I can stay organized and focused throughout the process by keeping two different timetables, which will ultimately result in a great end.

This is what my schedule looks like for the film process:

WEEK 1 (2/6-2/12)

• Brainstorming my ideas

WEEK 2 (2/13-2/19)

• Research

• Creating the plot

WEEK 3 (2/20-2/26)

• Planning my schedule

• Storyboarding my story

• Looking for locations

• Creating my screenplay for the film

WEEK 4 (2/27- 3/5) 

• Begin shooting the film

• Find things for mise en scene

WEEK 5 (3/6-3/12)

• Production process

• Start editing what I have done

WEEK 6 (3/13-3/19)

• Fix all the editing

WEEK 7 (3/20-3/26)

• CCR creation

WEEK 8 (3/27-4/3)

• Reflecting on the project

Now, this is going to be pretty hard, as I take a lot of time to edit and film. But I will do my best to stick to it.

Live footage of me realizing how long my schedule is

Text Me If You Know Any Parties

 Okay, so you were probably thrown off by the name of my blog post. Why would I be looking for a party? This is because the start of my idea is at a party. And although there are pros and cons to this, it can work well for just a few cuts and shots of what the setting looks like. 

I'm searching for the ideal party environment while I explore settings for my horror movie. In addition to being physically beautiful, the site should have the ability to evoke feelings of loneliness and discomfort. I'm seeking a certain enclosed space that would work well for establishing an eerie, unpleasant vibe. This might be a concealed outdoor area that is enveloped in darkness or a gloomy, confined facility. I may increase the suspense and terror for both my characters and my viewers by selecting a place that is hard to leave and difficult to escape from. The setting should be both stunning and unsettling, with a sense of something dark inside.

Now, party scouting is easy. Everyone throws them each weekend. And even then, I can throw a party (very minimal and legal of course) in order to get my filming done. Even the bathroom scene does not have to be part of the party, it can be filmed elsewhere in which it looks like it is at the party. I think my bathroom will be perfect, and way more comfortable to film.

The bathroom in question

I will probably ask my friends to come with me to this party to help me get the right shots for the film, as well as getting permission from people there. It won’t be easy, but a challenge never stopped me. Shoutout Yael from my class for taking me to parties, so she will help me with this.

Target Audience: Who Even Watches Horror?

 Now, we all know I am making a horror genre inspired film opening. But in reality, who would watch this? Horror is a specific taste, and I want to make sure that I do what I have to do so people are drawn to watching my film. 

Well, the internet states that the genuine target audience for such movies ranges from 15 to 25 year olds. However, I believe that the target audience age for horror movies might change based on the particular movie and its subject matter. Horror movies can appeal to audiences of all ages, although teens and young adults are typically the target audience. This is because people of this age are frequently lured to the genre's thrills and chills. Younger viewers' issues including peer pressure, teenage angst, and dread of the unknown are frequently addressed in horror films. Horror movies may also target older viewers and tackle more sophisticated themes like sorrow, trauma, and existential dread. 

Teenagers, young adults, and even seniors who enjoy the genre are among the many people who are drawn to horror movies. Horror movie enthusiasts are frequently drawn to the suspense, tension, and anxiety that these films arouse. They frequently seek out movies that are renowned for their jump scares, gore, and psychological horror because they appreciate being kept on the edge of their seats. While not everyone enjoys horror movies, those who do frequently find them to be an exciting and exhilarating type of entertainment.

I want to employ a mix of scary music, ominous lighting, and a good opening sequence that quickly grabs the viewer's attention in order to attract the target audience for my horror film's start. The audience will be kept on edge by components like abrupt movements, odd noises, and jump scares used to progressively create suspense in the scenario. In order to establish a sense of dread and foreboding, I also intend to introduce the major antagonist or source of danger early on in the movie. By employing these strategies, I intend to produce a visually and emotionally arresting beginning that will pull in the target audience and lay the groundwork for an intense and enduring horror film experience.

Although my ideas were posted a few blog posts ago, and maybe you remember my creative mind at work, some others might have forgotten what I am working with. So the idea of the serial killer in the mirror may sound a little dumb at first, but using all of the elements I have learned so far will be the bow to this idea. The target audience is usually very young people, as I consider 25 still young, meaning that I have to add a lot of suspense in order to keep them hooked. You know kids my age, they get bored really easily and I wouldn’t want to lose them in the first minute. I believe that this will help me with my ideas.

TED Talks are my new Inspiration

Today, my teacher showed a TED Talk in our class. Since I was stressed about my project in class already, I decided to watch and give it a show to see how certain aspects can help me move forward with my work. The talk was given by Andrew Stanton. 

Stanton, a writer and director who is most recognized for his work on Pixar's "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo," relies on his vast writing expertise to offer a distinctive viewpoint on the process of creating gripping storylines.

Stanton deconstructs the fundamental elements of a great tale, namely developing sympathetic characters, constructing a solid narrative framework, and appealing to the audience directly, using personal experiences and samples from his own movies. 

I've spent some time considering the essential elements of a great novel, such character building and emotional depth, and I've utilized this understanding to enhance my own plot. Stanton's suggestions for developing a solid narrative framework, such as the significance of having a distinct beginning, middle, and finish, have also assisted me in better organizing my thoughts and ideas. Moreover, Stanton's focus on the value of visual storytelling has motivated me to consider how I may utilize pictures and other visual components to increase the impact of my narrative. Ultimately, because of what I've learnt from Andrew Stanton's Talk, I'm a lot more assured in my ability to write an interesting and captivating story.

Genre Research: Horror Films

I have done so much research on the horror genre because those are almost the only types of movies that I have been interested in for so long, and they amaze me. I'm personally interested in learning more about the horror movie subgenre. I've always been fascinated by horror films because they have the ability to elicit intense feelings and reactions in viewers. Understanding the many horror subgenres as well as the methods utilized to elicit frights and tension on screen are of great interest to me. I wish to have a better understanding of the artistry and creativity that goes into producing horror movies as well as the cultural and socioeconomic issues that affect its appeal by learning more about the genre. 

One of the films that inspired me to do this piece was the original movie Scream. The groundbreaking horror film revived the genre in the 1990s. Yet still providing enough of scares and shocks, the movie masterfully parodies and dissects the tropes of slasher flicks. The self-awareness is one of its most noticeable features; the actors frequently make references to horror films and their cliches. This postmodern strategy generates an atmosphere of lighthearted irony that simultaneously challenges and reinforces the viewer's assumptions. The movie also masterfully crafts its use of shock and tension, keeping the character of the perpetrator a secret until the very end.

In order to establish a certain tone and mood, Scream uses a rigorous mise en scene. Dark, murky illumination and ominous sound effects are used throughout the film to create anticipation right from the first scene. The small-town location of the movie, which gives the characters a feeling of fragility and seclusion, is essential to the mise en scene. The killer's trademark Ghostface mask and black hood give them a terrifying appearance on film, making the usage of their clothes and cosmetics significant as well. Dark reds, blues, and black make up the majority of the movie's color scheme, which heightens the tension and feeling of threat. Last but not least, Scream’s camera technique is flawlessly accomplished, with wide-ranging, flowing motions that foster a feeling of urgency and energy. 

 Horror movies frequently have a number of significant components. The most important is using tension and anticipation to induce feelings of uneasiness and fear. Deliberate timing, sound editing, and cinematic tricks like jump scares and odd camera work are frequently used to achieve this. The utilization of an engaging tale or idea that draws spectators in and gets them engrossed in the storyline is yet another crucial component of horror movies. This might be presented as a thriller, a paranormal occurrence, or a psychological suspense fiction. In order to convey a feeling of dread and danger, many horror movies also employ stunning visual imagery and recognizable symbols, including such masks, monsters, or sinister settings.

The Start of my Portfolio Project

Hi blog! Today we are starting our new project, which is getting to do an opening for a film. Although my abilities with creativity and filming are very minimal, I will do my best in using everything I know so I can complete the project. I started thinking and thought that this would be a great opportunity for me to be able to explore a genre that I really enjoy, which would be horror. Horror is very easy to work with, as there are techniques that are used to help create the story. The only disadvantage is that almost every movie idea for a horror film has been produced, so finding something that is original will be difficult. However, after careful thinking, I think I am going to do something about a serial killer, but this serial killer is not like the rest. He lives inside of mirrors, on the other side of the reflection as the person who is looking at themselves. That is the main idea of the whole story, as there are other things that happen along the way, such as a group of friends who try to find a way to put a stop to these killings. As this video is only a two minute long introduction, I wanted to start by showing what the movie would be about. I was thinking about having the attention to detail to the fact that there is a party going on and a girl drops something on her shirt. After she drops this on her shirt, she goes to the bathroom to try to wash it off. That's when she starts touching up her makeup and putting things in her bag, and we see the reflection changing, where it does not match up. Afterward, she looks back at the mirror and her reflection kills her. Although I do not want to show the actual killing, there are things that can be done in order to get the effect of it. I am going to start researching the horror genre and what kind of music is used, as well as how to have the audience feel anxious. The use of colors can be used as well, and other elements can lead to this too. I am going to start a storyboard on this and see where this can lead to. The only issues that I can run into are trying to edit everything so that it looks real and I do not have the skills to do this. I’m sure that I can do something with this and even create a better project than what I think. Another problem I can run into is the time limit. It is a maximum of two minutes, but this means that I can have a lot to work with. If I run into a problem with time, the best thing I can do is leave the killing out but just show the change in the mirror. This way, the audience knows what is coming and can be like a cliffhanger. I am gonna start planning this project out more and then we will see what happens.

Music Marketing Progress

In my AICE Media Studies class, we have started the Music Marketing project, and our group was assigned throwback songs. We were given three sounds, and out of all the songs we were given, we decided to go with the song Tonight (Feat. Ezra Koenig) by Phoenix, which gave an indie pop genre vibe. With this, we decided to research the company Columbia Records, as they signed different artists with the same genre as the band that we decided to go with. These artists include Vampire Weekend, Declan Mckenna, MARINA, and Vance Joy.

We decided to start our brainstorming with a schedule. It was imperative that our group made a schedule that clearly outlined what we would do daily in class as well as outside of school. We used a Google Doc to get everything in order and make the schedule on there.

Although there were challenges when researching the artists and their marketing strategies due to the fact that they are mostly under the radar and are not fully known in the music industry. However, with careful research, we were able to find marketing and distribution practices that they used. We found different sources that gave us the information that we needed for our research chart. This research chart is used to facilitate the organization of the information that is provided.

We then decided to start planning our music video. We had many ideas, but we went with a storyline video in which a boy falls in love with a deaf girl. We created the storyboard to show the different angles and shots that will be used, as well as the editing techniques of two different frames. This signifies the song since it is a heartbreak song. The video also includes different features that signifies the genre, such as fisheye lens and filters to add the indie pop look.

The next steps that we have done in our research is starting our marketing for our new artist, although this part of the project is still being worked on. We must figure out how to promote our upcoming artists and finding the ways that they can be portrayed in the music industry according to our research and the genre itself. As we continue to work on our project, we have realized that it is a big challenge that this genre is not found in the music charts and is typically found through other forms of media, but makes it easier to use different unique perspectives to market our musician.

Date:	To do:
Monday, January 23rd, 2023	Finish music research chart
Wednesday, January 25th, 2023	Finish music video storyboard + create/ design presentation -> do blog post at home
Friday, January 27th, 2023	Do presentation/ campaign -> meet after school to film
Saturday, January 28th, 2023	Edit
Sunday, January 29th, 2023	Finish editing
Tuesday, January 31st 2023	Go over presentation, music video, and campaign to make sure everything is good.
Thursday, February 2nd 2023	Presentation!!!