It's the final countdown!

This is the last week of our portfolio project and we are wrapping things up quickly! We have officially finished editing our short film, but I had some concerns with the final product. Here is an overview of our final decisions:

1. We decided to display the rules over the scenes, instead of displaying it on a black screen by itself. We would have had to done a lot of cutting in order to create this effect and Onil and I decided that it looked good as it is. 
2. We decided that I would narrate the short film by recording a voiceover that played throughout the film. 
3. We manipulated the color vibrancy and saturation from the scenes before quarantine to the present day. We wanted to portray this color differentiation to demonstrate to our audience the clear change in mood and environment. 
4. We decided that cutting the natural sound out of each scene and having the voiceover play in the background was a bit too quiet and it needed some sound effects. Onil and I went back to certain areas and recorded us making specific sounds to sync with what's being shown on the screen. 
5. Additionally, we collected some WeVideo free soundtracks to play in the background of some of the scenes that we felt needed it. The most important scene where the music component is manipulated would be where our main character starts showing and explaining the rules. We feel the rock music really took this scene to the next level. 
6. We decided to close our short film with a PSA to everyone, sending love and reminding everyone to stay strong and safe. COVID-19 has definitely changed a lot of things and we felt this closing touch would be heart-warming. A shoutout to all the seniors, who got their last year of high school cut short, we are the best!

Relieved,

Amanda

Happy Easter!

    I am very excited to announce that Onil and I have put together all the clips and our short film is looking really nice! We still have to make some adjustments and until then I will not be releasing any sneak peaks of our finalized short film. The whole point of blogging about my progress is to show my thoughts and express the ups and downs of my project, but I would like to keep this as a surprise. All we have left to do is add words (the rules) on the screen and find some background music. I had an idea for the words to be created on a separate platform, designed a certain way and a classic music to play behind the scenes like this short film I looked at the other day. 
Check it out: https://www.shortoftheweek.com/2017/04/12/5-films-technology/
I couldn't figure out how to screenshot to show you guys directly, but if you look at the video, you will see what I am talking about. This element and look/vibe is exactly what Onil and I are going for, we just have to figure out what the best way for us to create it is. This could be writing the words on a black screen, figuring out a way to draw it like the video, or present it over our scenes. There are so many options and we have so much freedom to create it however we want. This is a blessing, but also a curse!

Keep you posted,
Amanda 

Good Friday!

     Although this weekend has a great holiday to look forward to, Onil and I's project has hit its first dilemma. As I started to put the clips together, I found that we are a little short on footage, and the entirety of the project looked like it needed more. We made a change while recording, which was to add a flashback in the beginning. The flashback will show our main character's life before quarantine and the purpose is to not only to add some personality into the film, but add to the very odd transition everyone has had to adjust to. Initially, we felt that we only needed to incorporate a party, but then we saw that we should capture more simple elements like Orian walking her dog, laughing with her friends, or eating dinner with her family. Onil will be capturing these moments to add to the opening of our film. With this new addition, I feel that the flow of our film will be a lot smoother. 

Enjoy the weekend,
Amanda 

Woohoo!

    Finally! Onil and I have finished filming our entire short film. We believe we have captured every element and idea we wanted to portray to our audience. The only thing left to do to officially complete this portion of our portfolio project is edit. My goal throughout this week and next week is to finish this process. I am very pleased with Onil and her sister's dedication and commitment to making the most out of the situation and all that we have to work with. I will keep you guys updated throughout the week!

Talk soon,
Amanda

Soothing Sunday!
     I'm back with more updates on Onil and I's journey throughout our portfolio project. I know you are itching to hear what I could possibly have to share today, so drumroll please... Today, I will be sharing our rules:

1. Always have hand sanitizer by your side
2. Sleep with your mask, eat with your mask, and shower with your mask. NEVER TAKE IT OFF.
3. Gloves always stay on, hand sanitizer on top of your gloves.
4. Never leave your home

These rules will be displayed in the same style as our chosen film, 'Zombieland'. We have talked about it multiple times and it has become our final choice for style. As displayed in the film, we will present the rules through text and video with an accompanying voice-over. We have not yet decided which font will be used for the text of the rules but the idea is set in stone now.

Talk to you soon!
Amanda

Friday Fun!

     My goal since last posting was to get started on the editing process of our short film and I am pleased to announce that I have done so. After importing the new content that Onil captured, I started to lay it down in the desired order. I'm not quite sure if this is how we are going to start, but as of right now this is our opening. In order to create the mysterious vibe, I will manipulate the color as the videos came out very bright and lively. Onil wanted to continue recording either this weekend or throughout next week. She will be capturing the rules to staying healthy and what to do in our current circumstances: COVID-19. By over exaggerating, Onil and I hope to portray it as a parody, not making fun of the illness itself, but the extremes people are going to because of it.

Keep you updated,
Amanda

Wednesday!

    The day has come, Onil and I have officially started to record our short film. Unfortunately, since we are both not allowed to leave our houses, Onil did the recording of her sister by herself. Not only did we FaceTime so I can offer my input on shots and techniques, but she sent me hard copies of the videos as well for me to evaluate. We managed to capture many scenes of Orian (main character) doing her morning routine, which is the opening to the film. I will soon import these clips into WeVideo to start editing, so we don't leave it all to the last minute. I am very pleased with our chosen character and the looks of the clips. Can't wait for it to come all together!

Enjoy your day,
Amanda