CCR Question #1

 To plan how I'm going to respond to question #1, I started to research different types of films that examine and explore ambition, emotional struggle, psychological disorders, and identity image. Even though my film opening Cadence is a mental sports drama, I researched both romantic and psychological thrillers intentionally to comprehend how internal conflict is visually produced. 

In the Fault in Our Stars and Me Before You, which I talked about in previous blogs, emotional vulnerabilities is often introduced through these factors:

- frequent close ups
- soft, naturalistic lighting
-slow pacing
-diegetic sound like breathing or quiet dialouge

These films reflect more on characters facial expression to position the audience in a emotional sense. This influenced my decision to incorporate close ups on Leo's face, clenched fists, and physical strain to represent internal pressure. 

Also I talked about A Star Is Born which presents ambition as destructive but also showing that it can be inspiring. The film uses performances and mise-en-scene elements to mirror the protagnists mental struggles and decline. This influenced me to utilize cross cutting in between the hopeful running scenes and the chaotic garage scenes to represent the definition behind ambition visually.

I analyzed Se7en too for its use of the dark lighting and harsh atmosphere. The dimly lit spaces usually portray the theme I'm trying to convey, psychological decay. This influenced my lighting in my garage scene, where the shadows symbolize Leo's mentality which is chaotic.

In Cadence, I follow these factors but also I'm challenging traditional sports statements. Rather than obsessing over perseverance, I portray ambition as unsettling. The scene in the garage uses quick editing and diegetic sounds of him destructing things to construct meaning around emotional breakdowns instead of success.

In terms of the representation of my opening, I introduce a young male athlete who experiences vulnerability. Many narratives that are male centered highlight emotional restrain. Throughout sound design, editing, shots, I position mental health as the main element to the narrative rather than add ons. This research will guide me to evaluate how my film both satistfies and overthrows genre expectations and I will do this throughout a slideshow presentation w/ a voiceover connected to question #2. 

Sources:
Review: In ‘me before you,’ a broken man meets a free spirit (published 2016). (n.d.-d). https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/03/movies/me-before-you-review.html

Group Meeting #2

 Today in class we had our second group meeting, and being honest it felt more productive than the last one. The group members were Sebas, Ava, Catalina, Nikki, Rob, and Sonakshi; they all developed very different storylines. Everyone seemed to have everything planned out accordingly, but we all shared our production problems, which made me feel better lol. We didn't just tell our ideas straight up, we communicated on what's actually going wrong. 

Sebas was the first to share and his main issue was continuity. He started to rant about when they were filming, it started during the day and gradually started to darken into the night, which created a lighting incosistentnecy in their opening. He also had mentioned that one of the member that was supposed to assist couldnt make it, making their process more stressful. Their opening summary is someone finding a weird bag in a parking lot, opening it, and getting put into a trance. We gave him feedback about his structure and pacing, especially when he said he had 100 clips in a 2-minute film opening. We suggested he tried to build more suspense rather than including everything that they filmed. 

Then, Rob discussed their footage with the procrasination and lack of props he ran into. He admitted that him and his group filmed very little recently and missed some shots they planned on doing. However, their story seems to be super entertaining. He mentioned that he doesn't want to rely so much on dialouge, which is similar to what i want to do and let visual storytelling and non-diegetic sound to carry emotion instead.

Catalina is creating a drama film but also ran into complications. She wanted to film earlier but her parents are her actors and they were out of town. Her situation reminded me of how much coordination and timing are essential in producing a film. 

Ava is doing a coming-of-age film about a girl running away after she founds out she's pregnant. She's almost done with filming and only has one scene left of the character driving away. She seems to be very organized and structured.

Sonakshi also is creating a coming-of-age film that is centered around procrasination. She has not been able to film yet because one of her actors is away but I think she's very organized with everything else, such as her props representing scheduling and pressure. It shows how mise-en-scene can show mental conflict without using dialouge. 

Lastly, Nikki's story is about kids sneaking out due to their emotional struggles. She plans to use heavy breathing, like me, to emphasize anxiety, which is an effective diegetic sound. I found her story interesting since a girl is taking a pill and the color of the scene changed. This color shift symbolizes emotional escape, which is a strong example of how post production can create meaning.

At the end, we also discusses our CCR and are pretty much doing similar ideas. Rob and Nikki are considering doing theirs in a talk show format and interview which I want to do. Overall, this meeting helped me feel better about my production and was less about ideas and more about execution.

Editing process

 Clipchamp was used to edit my film opening. My primary goal during editing was to portray Leo's physical and mental state of being through pacing rather than just relying on the dialouge. Since the narrative mainly follows his exhaustion and pressure that is building over time, the rhythm of the cuts become the most important factor to storytelling. 

ex. 

SYNCING AUDIO

Because my dialogue was recorded seperate, the first step in editing was syncing the audio to the video. I aligned and mirrored the dialogue by utilizing waveform spikes and matched them to the movement in each single shot. 
This allowed for the speech to sense a natural feeling and prevented the audience from noticing on imperfections in my editing lol. After syncing the dialogue, I layered music and the sound from the ambience underneath while lowering the music volume during speaking moments to the dialogue was clear to understand.

PACING AND CUTS

The cuts and type of pacing change throughout the opening the match the mental state that Leo is reflecting.

In the running scences, the cuts started to become faster and faster. This syncs to the pressure that's increasing as he continues to push himself physically. More shorter durations of shots create a tense tone and lead the audience to feel his urgency.

However, the garage scenes use longer shots. This makes the pace feel slower and force the viewer to sit in his solitude rather than escaping it. The slower pacing highlights the weight of this mentality.

MONTAGE CONSTRUCTION

Toward the end, I realized that the shots required more careful shot placement. By making the action escalate in the intensity, I arranged the clips but starting with the smaller movements and ending in larger outburts.

Instead of cutting scenes randomly, each shot was atleast intended to match the rhythm and beat of the music. This created a visual cadence that matches the running cadence previously in the film.

heres an example of me playing with different types of fonts to emphasize "MILE 6":

OVERALL IMPACT

The story strives to communicate emotion visually rather than communicating it verbally through editing. Changes in the pacing allows the viewers to first-hand experience Leo's stress. Therefore, the editing becomes part of the narrative instead of simply imputing footage.

Foley Sound Creation

 After producting, I came to an realization that even though my dialouge and music are clear, certain movements in my film opening was lacking in impact. Since my story focuses mainly on Leo's physical and emotional struggle, I wanted the viewers to actually feel and sense his exhaustion and frustration - not just see it.

To create realism, I created two key Foley sounds: running footstep and baseball bat drop.

RUNNING FOOTSTEPS

The opening scene focuses only on Leo's long distance running. However, the original audio from my video did not clearly capture the "pressure" of each footstep. The steps blended into the background made the run feel less intense.

To fix this I took the running shoe and reenacted the running by using my hands to match Leo's pacing. More forceful steps were in sync with moments where he appears to struggle physically. In calmer and focused moments the steps became to be more controlled. 

In ClipChamp, I tried my best to sync each footstep to the exact moment his shoe makes contact with the ground.

Effect on the audience:
The amplified footsteps make the run feel physically demanding. The audience can feel his exhaustion and determination through increasing the sound, creating immersion.

heres an example: 

BASEBALL BAT DROP:

Towards the end of the opening, Leo drops the baseball bat after his emotional breakdown. This moments creates a sense of vulnerability and defeat. However, just like the footsteps, the original audio didn't highlight the impact.

I recreate the sound by recording a solid object dropping onto a firm, tough surface. Then, I layered and synced it very carefully to the frame where the bat hits the ground.

Comparing to the surrounding audio, I increased the volume of the drop slightly so it acts as a dramatic factor to the scene.

Effect on the audience:
This minimal impact reinforces the emotional outburst. The sound indicates that his anger has increased to its peak and he has given up in that moment. 

OVERALL IMPACT:

By adjusting just two intentional Foley sounds, I wanted the scene to become more emotionally driven and immersive. The footsteps emphasize effort and determination while the bat drop highlights defeat and frustration.

Throughout this process, it demonstrated how even subtle sound design can strengthen the storytelling. 

Scene Development - Garage Breakdown Scene

 One of the most important moments to develop in my film opening Cadence was the garage breakdown scene. It represents Leo's mental struggles visually after pushing himself physically.

While filming, my main goal to focus on was showing emotion through his body language instead of showing that through dialouge. I tested and experimented with different movements, like Leo gripping the baseball bat, him pacing back and forth, throwing his running shoes, and knocking things over. These actions were chosen to demonstrate the fear and pressure he feels about not being able to reach his long distance goals.

Also, I experimented with different angles I can utilize to make the space feel more cramped. I wanted the shots to be different so I mainly incorporated medium and long shots during the running scenes and then used close up shots that captured Leo's hands, posture, and tense facial expressions. This helped convey a sense of how isolated, alone, and overwhelmed he feels in that moment.

Another essential part in developing the scene was the pacing. I had filmed longer shots of Leo standing still and looking at the bat right before he begins to act out of control. The suspension of a build-up creates tension and makes the breakdown feel more realistic rather than random or sudden. 

during filming breakdown lol:

The comparison between the calm, determined Leo while he's running and the chaotic tone of the garage scene was made intentional. This contrast helps to communicate that while Leo can appear strong physcially, but inside he is struggling with the pressure he places on himself.

set-up:

Developing this scene guided me to portray the psychic impact of chasing an aspiring goal visually, making it a key factor that reveals the deeper meaning behind Cadence.

Obstacles and Issues While Producing

During the filming and producing of my opening Cadence, I dealt with several challenges and obstacles while filming the running and garage scenes. Filming in real locations made me realize that adjustments were important, even though I had the planning sheet beforehand.

One of the biggest obstacles I faced was filming the running scenes on the trail under the highway, at the New River Greenway. Since my character, Leo, is moving constantly, some of the footage had came out shaky and messy when I was trying to follow his movement. In order to fix this, I changed the way I was going to approach this and filmed more controlled shots, like close-ups of his shoes hitting the ground, his hands clenching, and medium-side shots of him running past the camera instead of following him.

Another issue was the lighting. The running scenes were planned to be filmed with natural lighting, yet the brightness and shadows depended on the weather that day and the time we were filming. Some of the early scenes looked way brighter compared to the ones I filmed later. To maintain a consistent light, I refilmed specific shots at a similar time of the day to it remained more structured.

The garage scenes also produced some challenges. The space was darker than I had anticipated, making it difficult to clearly catch Leo's facial and physical expressions. I opened the garage slightly to allow natural light in while still maintaining a dull, dim setting, instead of adding strong lighting. This aided to convey the moody tone while advancing in the visibility of the camera.

In addition, consistency and continuity was another essential issue. By the garage scenes being separately  filmed from the running scenes, I had to make sure Leo wore the same outfit and appeared in the same amount of sweat and exhaustion so the viewers would acknowledge the connection between the events. 

These obstacles led me to learn that filming can have a different outcome in the way you expect it to. By readjusting camera shots/angles, filming shots a couple of times, and learning to work with the setting I was in, I was able to maintain the emotional tone that I intended to convey while improving the overall quality of the footage. 

 

Creation of My Production Company Logo

 While planning for my film opening Cadence, I designed a production company logo that can visually reflect themes of endurance, mental struggle, and determination that are essential to the narrative I'm conveying. I named my company Resolve Productions, due to the word "resolve" representing persistence and the power to continue despite the difficulty you can be experiencing. 

These ideas primarily connect with Leo's journey and development as a runner who's physcially exhausted but mentally driven.

This logo utilizes a modern and simple design to match with the seriousness and realistic tone of the film. The main word, Resolve, is written in bold, uppercase lettering, which gives off strength and discipline in a way. I decided to choose this font as it displays the mindset thats required for long distance running, where consistency and mental health are important. 

A key design feauture of the logo is the subtle break and upward line thats shown into the letter "V." This detail symbolizes both struggle and progress. Also, the color scheme which is intentionally black, white, and gray, create a cinematic sense while mixing with the darker emotional themes of Cadence. The absense of unique colors emphasizes realism and mental intensity rather than excitement. 

The word "PRODUCTIONS" is placed underneath the company name in a smaller, and light font with horizontal lines of each side. This adds balance to the composition and shapes a professional film industry vibe I'm trying to go with. I started to research some of the popular film company logos such as Pixar, Dreamworks Pictures, and Universal, which are all in black and white. 

Heres what inspired me:

Overall, the creation of Resolve Productions and the logo supports the theme and tone of Cadence. Through it's minimalist design, restrained color, basic font, the logo visually shares the themes of perseverance and ambition before the narrative begins.

My sketch process:

Sources:

40 famous film company logos. DesignCrowd. (n.d.). https://blog.designcrowd.com/article/1760/40-famous-film-company-logos

27 of the Best Production Company and movie studio logos ever. (n.d.-a). https://fabrikbrands.com/branding-matters/logofile/best-production-company-and-movie-studio-logos/

Target Audience

 I started to consider who my target audience would be very early on and how the themes I'm trying to portray would appear and connect to them. My target audience is teens and young adults, especially students and athletes who relate and actually experience the pressure that comes with goals, performance, and expectations. 

The audience is relevant in my opening due to acknowledging that many people deal with this physical and mental stress, even if it's from sports, work, school, or just personal ambitions. Leo, the main character, is introduced pushing himself to reach the major goal of making it to the Boston Marathon, reflecting the type of pressure many people deal with when trying to reach milestones in their own livelihood. By reason of, the audience in this age group could relate to his fear of failing and his frustration.

In addition, my film should also appeal towards runners mainly or individuals who are into fitness. These type of viewers can percieve the physical exhaustion that's shown through close up shots of Leo's sweat, heavy breathing, and repetitive movement. This kind of realism helps the narrative become more believable and engaging. 

Also, I plan on encountering a secondary audience of adults who have experienced dealing with high expectations or burnout in their own personal lives and careers. Becoming ambitious can lead to be mentally overwhelming, which is the main theme of the opening, is universal and allows for the film to associate with viewers beyond just teens.

Overall, I constructed Cadence to become appealing to an audience that understand the struggle that comes with chasing goals. This opening aims to create a emotional sense and connection with the viewers who have went through self-doubt, fear of not being enough, by focusing on both the physcial and neurological challenges of running.

Sources:

Garcia, S. (2023, October 31). A high school student’s guide to running in college. Fleet Feet. https://www.fleetfeet.com/blog/a-high-school-students-guide-to-running-in-college?srsltid=AfmBOoqrzW_RYeGByWdXxEa8UKss-cO9Vv3SyaatSDdgdrKlEeYD96YW

Audio/Sound Design Planning

 While I'm planning for the opening, audio was one of the most important factor and element into introducing Leo's mental struggle. Since most of my opening is relying on his physical action and vague dialogue, sound aids to express his state mentally in ways visuals alone can't do. I'm going to be focusing on combining diegetic and non-diegetic music to display the pros and cons of long distance running.

For the non-diegtic sound choice, an significant audio choice could be the song, "It's Raining Again" by Supertramp; however, I remembered about the copyright. So what I did was go on Epidemic Sound and found some music that is similar. I found the song, "I Can't Wait No More." This music is going to be playing while the running scenes are being shown and continues across multiple locations, reinforcing Leo's routine and creating a sense of progression. Because the song leans more toward an upbeat motif, the lyrics are melancholic, mirroring Leo's mindset. On the outside, he appears to be an motivated and disciplined runner, but internally he struggles with self-doubt and exhaustion. I specifically chose this song because it contrasts perfectly with sound and emotion, showing how runner's push themselves despite their mental health and fatigue. 

As well as the music, diegetic sound plays a huge role into placing the opening to convey realism. His heavy breathing, the running shoes bouncing off the pavement, and subtle outside noises help present the physical toll of running. While the run is progressing, I plan on lowering the volume of the song and bring the sound of Leo's breathing more higher and forward in the mix. I believe this choice makes the audience sense and feel his discomfort, immersing them in his head instead of observing from a distance. Also, I want to incorporate foley into the shoes hitting the pavement. 

Foley:

The garage scenes are going to portray a different audio approach. Instead of having music play in the background, I want these scenes to communicate silence and isolated sounds. Such as echos of footsteps, objects being thrown, and the sound of the baseball bat hitting something. I'm intentionally removing the music as it makes the scene feel awkward and uncomfortable. By lacking background noise, it forces the audience to focus more on the emotional breakdown and shows the contrast between his past endurance during the run and unstoppable rage afterwards.

Overall, the planning process of audio elements tend to focus on divergence, realism, and empathy. By balancing music precisely, incorporating diegetic sound and silence, my goal is to show how Leo's running slowly turns into an struggle which sets the tone for the rest of the film. 

Sources:

YouTube. (n.d.). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZUE4_PtOk0

YouTube. (n.d.-a). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBDU3pJaU6c

Atmosphere, Lighting, Color

 For the second mise-en-scene post, I decided to talk about how the atmosphere combined with lighting and color can shape the mood and outcome of my film opening. This is one of the most important factors due to how it can help engage the audience and lead them through Leo's emotional journey while highlight the difference between discipline and fatigue. Instead of explaining of he's feeling through dialogue, I wanted the visuals to show the shift in his mindset throughout the opening.

The running scenes will be filmed using natural lighting with silent, desaturated colors. Even though I'm filming this location outdoors, the long trails, highways overhead, and secluded paths create a sense of solitude, repetition, and isolation. This considers the scheme of running, while being associated with freedom and clarity, become exhausting and mentally challenging for Leo. The lighting is going to be consistent during these scenes which promotes the idea of his routine and discipline, placing us to recognize his expectations that are trapped.
To fulfill this, I'm planning on shooting this during an early morning when the lighting feels softer and less saturated to avoid the extreme, bright sunlight in the afternoon. The location was inspired by running routes that feel like it never ends, where there are a few people and minimal distractions visually. 

Park running trail insp.: 

I'm going to be contrasting the natural, high key lighting with the garage scenes that will be much darker and use lowkey lighting with heavy shadows. The claustraphobic space will create a enclosed feeling that reflects his emotional state again. The lack of the natural light draws attention toward his frustration and remoteness, making the garage scene feel like he's manifesting something physcially through his mind. By switching from an open outdoor space to a isolated, close and shadowed environment, the mise-en-scene is heavily needed to communicate his emotional breakdown and sets up an dramatic collage throughout the end of my opening. 

For the garage scenes, I want to incorporate only one main light source, like a distinct light-bulb or a side light, to create unsymmetrical shadows across Leo's face. I decided with the garage location because it's a familiar and cramped space that links perfectly with the openness of the trail. This was inspired by similar ideas in psychological dramas where the actors resort to tight spaces as their emotions increase. The shadows and darkness show Leo out of control and releasing his emotion that were held back during his flashback of the run.

Garage lighting insp.:

Sources: 

Amerlux. (2018, September 21). How dim parking garage lights increase liability. Amerlux Blog. https://blog.amerlux.com/how-dim-parking-garage-lights-increase-liability/

Markham Park: Lakeside Trail, Florida - 183 reviews, map | alltrails. (n.d.-d). https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/markham-park-lakeside-trail

Costume Design and Props

When planning, I focused more on how costume design and props could help communicate my character, Leo, and his mental states without depending mostly on dialogue. Since having only one actor is limited, the mise-en-scene elements are essential in showing his inner conflict he's dealing with. Also, this decision made the process of my planning way easier, since I had to think more about what props I already have access to and where I would realistically be able to film my opening at. In addition, I started to view short films and running videos to give me an idea on how these other creators used simple visuals to convey meaning.

Costume Attire:

His costume design includes simple, runner attire: headphones, plain athletic shirt, running shorts, and running shoes. The reason I decided the choose this is evidently obvious since it makes Leo lean toward realism and authenticity instead of being overly dressed. As the run is happening, his clothes become visually drenched with sweat, representing the strain of long distance running while also showcasing the pressure he places on himself. I came to a decision for the same costume to be incorporated in both the running and garage scenes since it helps guide the two timelines and strengthens the plot that his mental breakdown is the result of the run.

In order to do this, I planned on using actual athletic clothing rather than making and costuming something myself, either from my brothers closest or a sports store. Moreover, I was thinking about the weather and the time of day so the sweat and musk on the clothes conveys a natural tone rather than a forced one. 

This is what I'm thinking on purchasing:

Props:

The props also play a huge role into reinforcing his mindset. I wanted to suggest that the running shoes show his pain and sacrifice but moreover his ambition and routine. The baseball bat that he's going to use in the garage contrasts this by depicting built-up anger and loss of control. His grip on the baseball bat with his hands having a tremor shows his internal struggle and lack of ability to meet his expectations. Altogether, the costume and props aid the viewers acknowledge Leo's character through visual storytelling rather than using description. 

These are worn-out baseball bats I'm influenced on utilizing:

I wanted to avoid messy scenes and more so keep the focus on some repeated props, so I'm pushing toward keeping the props minimal but impactful. Overall, these immensely specific costume design and props were planned carefully to make sure that Leo's mental health is disclosed through his action, movement, quality, letting the audience to understand his breakdown more thoroughly.

Sources:

Nike men DRI-Fit RLGD Reset Shirts Black Athletic jersey tee shirt DX0990-010. eBay. (n.d.). https://www.ebay.com/itm/285238392360

Is my bat dead or defective? let’s find out. www.justbats.com. (n.d.). https://www.justbats.com/blog/post/is-my-bat-dead/

Meeting Leo

 Naming Leo

Choosing a name for the main character is one of the most important part into this process to make him feel realistic. I chose the name Leo because it's common, simple and associated with determination somewhat, which can express his demeanor as a long distance runner. I wanted to pick a name that was believable for a young athlete and didn't distract that from the story; therefore, I researched athletes and found a couple with the same name. Some notable runners that inspired the name were Leo Manzano, an Olympic medalist, and Leo Young who is a standout competitive runner. Since Leo is the only character in the opening, his name had to feel relatable and grounded so the audience can "connect" with him easily. 

Creating the Character

Leo is portrayed as a runner who is dedicated to his main goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. He is disciplined and motivated physically, which is shown through his endurance despite his exhaustion, that I'll be making visual. However, through he struggles mentally with doubting himself and fear that he may never get to the point of reaching his goal. I wanted his character to match with the psychological pressures that athletes place on themselves, especially in a sport that prioritizes perseverance and competition.
This character is developed through the contrast between locations. By running outdoors, the scenes are showing his focus and determination, whilst the garage scenes disclose his emotional and deep breakdown. The baseball bat that I'll be utilizing as my prop symbolizes his built-up anger and out of control self, while his running shoes represent his passion and pain that comes with the sport. Having Leo wear the same clothes in both timelines place a tone that his mental collapse is a result of the run. 

(Chris Stevens Along with his wife Chelsey, 2024)

Emotional Arc

Through the opening, Leo switches from being determined to being dissatisfied and finally collapsing emotionally. Even after he completes his run, he feels like he didn't fulfill any of his emotion, displaying the mindset of competitive runners who never are fully saturated with their work. His dialouge, which is limited, demonstrates how he absorbs his pressure instead of embracing it, making his breakdown feel effective. This journey of his emotions allows for the audience to know that Leo's important struggle isn't the run, it's the toll of chasing perfection. 

Sources:

About Us. Leo Manzano Online Store. (n.d.). https://leomanzano.com/pages/bio

Chris StevensAlong with his wife Chelsey. (2024, September 15). Markham Park. Florida Hikes. https://floridahikes.com/markham-park/

Plot Idea

 For my portfolio project, I've came to a decision to focus on both the mental and physical challenges of running. I went far into researching and exploring how this sport can be draining and consuming in an individual's life, showing the character pushing themselves through confinement and fatigue. My goal is capturing the sensation of this persistance, instead of making it competitive or about school.

My opening will begin during the middle of the character's run, using sound and visual elements to publicize the burden and severity. I'll be reinforcing close ups, long shots, and flashbacks to affirm both physical effort and mental stress. Basic dialogue will involve the audience to experience the emotional and momentum through my cinematography and sound design, creating an immersive and exciting sequence. Also, I'm planning to experiment with the pacing in editing to repercuss the flow of the run and the weariness building up over time, allowing the viewers to sense the physical and mental weight.

My inspiration origins from sports films and indie psychological dramas, like Peaceful Warrior (2006), that focus on endurance, compulsion, and mental conflict. I'm interested into utilizing realistic lighting, handheld shots, and dutch angles to present intensity, and I want to make the opening feel like it's the beginning of a film rather than a standalone 2 minute film. By concentrating on visual storytelling, I can analyze slight emotional clues - like the tension on posture, rhythm of breathing, or the way the environment can feel depressing. For example, while he's running, he's looking back at his old self where he used to look healthier and earn metals for the way he used to endure his runs. Therefore, this makes the audience sympathize with the protagonists journey. I will be printing out images of the pins/papers runners wear on their shirt and looking for metals that can truly emphasize he is looking back at his past-ambitious self.

Here's a costume design from the movie Race (2016) that inspired my idea:

Watch race online. Prime Video. (n.d.). https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Race/0GUT92HF2X7ZP2VZXLC09Z3E53

By deciding on running as a both authentic and significant struggle, I can show a character vs. self, displaying the themes of loneliness, strength, and determination. Also, this opening provides me to practice sound design and editing techniques to strengthen emotional distress and pressure. Overall, this approach gives a strong structure for my script and storyboard, letting me frame a visually and emotionally interesting film that hooks the audience in, understanding the experience of the protagnist from the very first minute.

Integrating Media Theory

 For my opening, I started to research all the different outcomes and meanings of the media theories integrated into film. The one that stood out towards me was Todorov's Narrative Theory, which examnies the format of stories and how they develop from three parts: equilibrium, disequilibrium, and new equilibrium. I used the BBC Bitesize guide on narrative theory (BBC Bitesize) to help me interpret the key factors and how they can and are applied to media texts.

Todorov's theory relies heavily on starting with a state of equilibrium, which is then disrupted by an dispute or event. The story advances as the protagonist attends to the disruption, then, the new equilibrium is set, which may be indifferent from the original. This scheme aids creators to carefully plan out their narratives and grants the audience to ensue a stable story progression. 

I plan on integrating Todorov's theory into my opening by demonstrating the protagonist (the runner), already experiencing disruption through the physical and mental struggles of running. Although it is only the opening, the lack of balance between the runner's emotional state proposes tension and conflict, which produces the narrative theory for the rest of the film. By setting this earlier on, I can shapes the audiences perceptions and give them a feeling of the story's format, highlighting how Todorov's theory can advise storytelling visually and develop a character.

Utilizing this theory will guide me to assure that my film opening has a clear narrative ambition, all in a short two minute scheme. From the first few seconds, this will grant the audiences to consume and interact with the runner's journey emotionally. 

(Steve S et al., 2021)

Sources:

BBC. (2022a, December 14). Traditional narrative theory - what is narrative? - GCSE media studies revision - BBC bitesize. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zqdhrdm/revision/3

Published by Steve S                            View all posts by Steve S, S, P. by S., S, S., & View all posts by Steve S. (2021, December 2). Todorov – Narrative / narratology theory. Media Studies @ Guilsborough Academy. https://guilsboroughschoolmedia.wordpress.com/2020/11/11/todorov-narrative-narratology-theory/

Group Meeting

 It's already the third week of planning for my opening and we started it off by assembling a group meeting. My teacher put us into groups with 6-7 students who includes Kai, Macie, Caesar, Kai, Nicole, Gaby, and Ava. The whole purpose of this group meeting was to share our blog links, explain our plot ideas, and help one another to overcome obstacles we are facing. This meeting was helpful since it guided it to view how other students are approaching their film openings and let that reflect on our own decisions.

During the meeting, Nicole shared her coming of age film about a girl who struggles with an addiction to drugs. She explained to us that she was unsure about whether the topic would be accepted by the teacher because it's dealing with a sensitive/strict topic. Altogether, we discussed ways that can guide her to create a theme without being too direct. We also helped her come up with her title, The Cost of Happiness, displaying the emotional tone of her story while still being vague.

Ava shared an idea that was somewhat similar to what Nicole was doing that involves a girl sneaking out. This conducted us to discuss how hard it can be to come up with ideas that feel original when many people are working with the same genre. 

Gaby talked about her struggle with representing the grief of her story that loses a family member. We suggested how to visually show the loss instead of explaining it directly. We created some ideas by using symbloic imagery like a photograph, a vase filled with ashes, or a funeral scene. Also, she mentioned about wanting a actor who resembles the person who died, and we explained how that character could show up to the funeral to create an emotional impact without any dialouge that would link to it. 

Macie shared what helped her create an idea to her opening and introduced an MadLib, which I've never heard of. This helped her by showing how creative tools and type of prompts can make you develop any idea easier when someone feels stuck on what they're doing. We also shared our blogs so everyone can see eachother's progress and journey so far.

MadLib template:

When I shared my own idea, which is focusing on both the mental and physical challenges of long-distance running, Gaby and Ava gave me helpful feedback. She suggested specific locations to film the running scenes and advice on how to shoot them to make the scene feel realistic. My group also enjoyed how I included my next steps and personal thoughts in my blog, but recommended that I should be more specific in my explanations so my ideas are more clear. Overall, this meeting benefited me tremendously to my own portfolio project experience. Listening to other peoples struggles and research ideas helped me reflect and rely that on my own project and consider how I can improve in the future. The feedback I've recieved will help me go more in depth in detail with my filming and planning. Also, this meeting reminded me that group collaboration and constructive criticism are important and essential to this process. 

Sources:

Nicknadel. (2013b, June 27). Make your own superhero movie, mad libs-style. ScreenCrush. https://screencrush.com/superhero-movie-mad-libs/