Planning Blog: General Information- Considering Contingencies

    Hola (we’re trying to keep our Duolingo streak going)! I am very happy to see that you have decided to join us on our journey through the pre-production process yet again. Today we will be discussing our plan for the coming weeks, as to ensure that filming goes off without a hitch. Below you will see that we have divvied up our plan into five different categories, as to allow for a more straightforward representation of what we intend to do.

Participants:

    In order to ensure that the participants and each of their roles for this particular project are clear, I've broken down each of their roles below:

*Actors-

• Aja Masri as “‘Kaitlyn “Katie” Hara”’

• Jordyn Minnis as “News Reporter”

• Ashley Scanlan as “Rachel Pewt”

• Richard as “Police Officer”

Filming-

• Jordyn Minnis

• Aja Masri

Editing-

• Jordyn Minnis

• Aja Masri

• Ashley Scanlan

Directing-

• Jordyn Minnis

*When it comes to our official actors, it is likely that we will proceed with our current selections; however, they are still tentative and, as such, are subject to change if need be. When it comes to the role of Police Officer, one of our teammate’s parents has agreed to play the part, but for privacy reasons, their last name has been excluded.

Location:

    As things currently stand, we are set to film at one of our actresses’ family members’ homes, which we did receive permission to do. As mentioned in our script, we plan to incorporate scenes from one of the home’s bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as some shots in an office space, kitchen, and living room within the home, which is pictured below.

Filming Schedule:

    In order to make our filming schedule as simplified as possible, we have split up each of the aspects of our project into a period of dates.

On Monday, January 23, 2023, my group and I will begin storyboarding for our five-minute-long short film; we intend to have our storyboard completed by Friday, February 3, 2023.

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, my group and I will start shooting our featurette; we plan to have filming wrapped up by Wednesday, March 15th, 2023.

On Sunday, February 12, 2023, my group and I will begin editing our short film, and we will ensure to have this step in our post-production process complete by Monday, March 27, 2023. As such, we should be on track to have our project finalized by Friday, March 31, 2023.

During this time, we will also be working on behind-the-scenes content, posting regular updates on our website and social media accounts, as well as creating our promotional postcard, all of which will be finished by Friday, March 31, 2023.

Health and Safety:

    Whilst we film our short, we will ensure to have an adult present at all times, so that we are with an individual capable of responding in case of emergency. Should we need to produce a higher-angled shot, we will make certain that the platform we utilize is stable, otherwise we will resort to the usage of an alternative shot. Since some scenes will include alcoholic beverages, or imply the consumption of alcohol, we will make sure that all of the bottles we use have been properly cleaned out, and have had their contents replaced with water or another non-alcoholic beverage. If the glass from said bottles were to shatter, we will also be sure to promptly gather and safely dispose of any of the broken shards. Additionally, we will also have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher on hand. Since we will be portraying the (fake) injury of one of our actresses for the purposes of our short film, we will make it our utmost priority to keep her from actually being physically harmed by using objects like pillows for cushioning, and the creation of a fake impact (with the help of carefully selected camera angles and sound editing), as to maintain a sense of realism without risking her wellbeing.

Backup Plan:

    In the case that our teammates' home is unavailable, another one of our group members is open to allowing us to film at their home. Since our film is set entirely indoors, the weather will not be a major concern, unless loud noises, such as those of thunder, begin to interfere with the sound design of our film, in which case we will reschedule our shooting session to another date and time. If any of our groupmates get sick, we will keep them updated via technological means. Now, if one of our leading actresses were to contract an illness, depending on the length of their recovery as well as their overall welfare at the time, we will either wait for them to get better, or simply proceed with recording as planned from a distance. If the physical safety of any of our actresses is compromised, we will ensure to provide them with the necessary time they need to recuperate, and not force them to exert themselves. If need be, we have spoken to some of our acquaintances and, if they are available, they are willing to help us film as a stand-in actor or actress. 

Concluding Remarks:

    As we conclude this blog, I’m happy to announce that we are “Ready to rock, ready to roll” (Krokus 1984). 

Planning Blog: Screenplay- "Screen"playing to Our Strengths

    Hey there! In today's blog, we've created the screenplay that we will be basing the entirety of our short film around. We can definitely say that this task was nothing "short" of a challenge since we needed to make serious considerations regarding the plausibility of our shots, as well as the different forms of editing and dialogue we wished to incorporate. I truly believe that screenplays are essential to the foundation of any short film, given that it will provide a basis for which the entire film can then be further developed. In the case, that any of the scenes we outline end up being too difficult to execute, my teammates and I are given at least a general idea of how else we can proceed, seeing as we know what is to follow. I hope that our screenplay will give you an insight into the minds of its writers and a glimpse of what is to come. Enjoy!

Screenplay:

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

An establishing wide shot is used to show RACHEL lying perfectly centered in their bed. ALARM CLOCK goes off and RACHEL rubs their eyes and rolls over to shut ALARM CLOCK off.

     RACHEL

      (groggily)

      Ugh. 

RACHEL moves to sit up in bed.

                                         CUT TO:

A close-up shot frames RACHEL as they grab their GLASSES with STICKY NOTE on them. 

                                                 PAN TO:

 

ALARM CLOCK where time changes from 7:24 to 7:25.

                                                 CUT TO:

A medium shot as RACHEL finishes adjusting GLASSES on face. RACHEL then removes and reads STICKY NOTE.

                      CUT TO:

A medium shot of RACHEL as they read STICKY NOTE in their head.

RACHEL (V.O.)

Please listen to the voicemail on the recorder.

RACHEL picks up VOICE RECORDER and presses play. 

AUTOMATED VOICEMAIL ATTENDANT (RECORDING)

Sunday.

VOICE RECORDER BEEPS.

RACHEL (RECORDING)

Hey you, looks like you’re starting a new week! Don’t forget (Chuckles) your memory only lasts for 24 hours because you suffer from WKS, so make sure you record a new message tonight for tomorrow to remind you of who you are and what you did today. Remember to look on top of your dresser for a sheet with more information.

RACHEL reaches over to grab LAMINATED SHEET that contains more detailed information about them. 

                                             CUT TO:

Over-the-shoulder shot of RACHEL skims over page with eyes and continues listening to the recording.

RACHEL (RECORDING)

Your name is RACHEL. Your girlfriend’s name is KATIE. You’ve been dating her for two weeks now and you are going out with her tomorrow for your second date. You work at Walmart as a customer service agent and your shift today starts at 9 A.M. Your messages are erased right after you listen to them, that’s how you set it up, gotta live in the moment right?

                                          QUICK PAN TO:

POSTER on wall with uplifting message.

                                          QUICK PAN TO:

RACHEL with medium close-up shot framing as the recording closes.

RACHEL (RECORDING)

      Make the most of today and have a nice 24!

PRE-LAP: VOICE RECORDER CLICKS off.

                                         CUT TO:

INT. BATHROOM - DAY

A medium full shot is used to frame RACHEL as they set down an opened flask on top of their sink. The sink top contains face wash, hair ties, and a toothbrush. RACHEL then wipes mouth with sleeve. RACHEL grabs the edges of the sink and leans forward as they tilt their head to the side and lean in closer, as ZOOM TO mirror occurs to adopt a close-up shot. RACHEL then shakes their head, leans back, and turns on the sink. RACHEL splashes their face with water.

                                                 CUT TO:

INT. OFFICE - DAY

RACHEL is shown with a close-up shot framing as they frustratedly bury their head in their hands and push strands of hair out of their face, while they SIGH. ZOOM OUT TO medium shot framing of the RACHEL at their desk as they pick their head back up and begin typing. On their desk is a telephone, a stress ball, and a computer. The telephone rings and RACHEL picks it up annoyed.

RACHEL

(feigned cheeriness)

                     Hi there! How can I help--

           KATIE

     --RACHEL! Are we still on for tomorrow night?

RACHEL has a slight smile as they look past the camera.

                                               CUT TO:

INT. BEDROOM - NEXT DAY

RACHEL is shown smiling with medium shot framing as they sit up in bed and holding VOICE RECORDER with medium close-up shot framing.

    RACHEL (RECORDING)

-- Date night tonight, so make sure you dress up nice. Have a nice 24!

CUT TO:

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Medium shot of RACHEL sitting in an Italian restaurant with KATIE as they have the same smile and laugh. RACHEL then picks up a glass of white wine and puts it to their lips. 

                                             CUT TO:

INT. KATIE’s APARTMENT LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Medium shot of RACHEL sitting on KATIE’s couch as they frown. ZOOM OUT TO wide shot to show KATIE pacing in the background of their living room, which is adjacent to their balcony.

         KATIE

     (disappointed)

I can’t believe you had so much to drink already, it’s only 10 o’clock. I was really looking forward to having a nice night with you, but I’m seriously concerned RACHEL. Are you drunk? 

   RACHEL

 (irritated)

First of all, I am not drunk, I only drank like 2 glasses. Second of all, is asking for a nightcap really that big of a deal?

      KATIE

5. You had 5 RACHEL, and after drinking that many, you’re still asking for more, so yeah it is. It seems like you already had enough to drink back at the restaurant, don’t you think? You’re starting to sound like an alcoholic, RACHEL.

RACHEL turns around to look back at KATIE.

  CUT TO:

Medium close-up shot of RACHEL.

   RACHEL

       (testily)

                           Excuse me? 

RACHEL stands up and walks behind the couch up to KATIE. A medium tracking shot follows as they do so before settling on a side-view of both subjects as RACHEL stands directly in front of KATIE.

         KATIE

You heard me, I can’t let you do this to yourself.

         RACHEL

Who do you think you are KATIE? I can’t believe you think you know what’s best for me. We just met and you’re already trying to control me? I don’t even want to put up with this right now, I’m leaving.

RACHEL begins to turn around towards the front door.

                               

CUT TO:

Medium close-up shot of KATIE.

        KATIE

      (snarkily)

Bet you’re going home for another bottle, you alcoholic.

                                     CUT TO:

Medium long shot of RACHEL.

    RACHEL

         Tch. At least I’m not a judgemental nobody. 

RACHEL turns back around and shoves KATIE, making a brisk walk towards the door afterward without looking back. KATIE staggers backwards and falls off the balcony to the ground, unbeknownst to RACHEL. RACHEL SLAMS the front door.

                                    ACTION MATCH CUT TO:

INT. RACHEL’s LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

RACHEL is shown opening the front door with medium long shot framing. A tracking shot is used to follow the subject to their couch where they sit down in front of their coffee table which is placed directly in front of their television. The shot settles facing RACHEL at eye-level. A ZOOM TO medium shot occurs. On their coffee table is an empty glass, a half-full bottle of vodka, a remote control, a pen, a pad of sticky notes, and VOICE RECORDER. RACHEL mindlessly picks up and opens the bottle and pours themself a glass, taking a swig before picking up VOICE RECORDER. RACHEL then presses record on VOICE RECORDER and stands up as she begins to pace around the room.

    RACHEL

   (upset)

You know, I thought, I really thought tonight was going to be great. KATIE finally managed to score a reservation for this new Italian place she’s been wanting to try. And, I’ll admit, everything was going fine until we went back to her place and she just had to make a comment about how I “had one too many drinks tonight.” Man, I really thought I’d get to chill with her for a bit, but no. Like really? I only had a couple of glasses of wine and she makes that an issue? Who does she think she is? I don’t know why she’s making such a big fuss about it, I haven’t been dating her for that long… as far as I can remember. Ugh, I just couldn’t stand to deal with her for another minute so I left, the last thing I wanted was for the argument to escalate into something else. Tch. You know what, there’s no point in even remembering her when I don’t think there’s a relationship left that I’ll need to remind myself of, so don’t expect her name in the next recording.

RACHEL switches VOICE RECORDER off and shakes her head. RACHEL takes a deep breath.

                      RACHEL

                Can’t listen to that one tomorrow.

RACHEL clicks VOICE RECORDER on again and presses record.

RACHEL

Hey you!

The camera blurs out and RACHEL’s speech becomes muffled, with the sound of RACHEL’s head pounding growing louder momentarily. The camera then unblurs to show RACHEL dozing off to sleep on their couch, and VOICE RECORDER on their coffee table with a sticky note on it.

     CUT TO:

INT. RACHEL’s LIVING ROOM - DAY

An overhead medium shot is used to capture RACHEL as they yawn and wake up on their couch, with their glasses still on. RACHEL turns on the television, ignoring VOICE RECORDER and the note on it. RACHEL flicks through channels until reaching the news. 

                                             CUT TO:

Close-up shot of the television where an image of KATIE is shown.

   NEWS REPORTER (V.O.)

In recent news, a 21-year-old woman by the name of KAITLYN 

HARA was found dead outside of her apartment late last night.

                                         CUT TO:

Medium close-up shot of RACHEL is shown as they lean forward and squint their eyes at their television screen, as audio from the news clip is quieted.

    RACHEL

I can’t place it, but she looks so familiar. She was so pretty too, what a shame.

      CUT TO:

Close-up shot of the television as more images surrounding the location of the case come on screen.

NEWS REPORTER (V.O.)

Police say that she sustained deadly trauma after experiencing a fall from her balcony around 10 o’clock. Foul play is suspected and the police have identified one suspect in the case. 

CUT TO:

An angled over-the-shoulder shot of RACHEL as they sit on their couch facing the television, which is pointed in the direction of RACHEL’s front door. There is a KNOCK at RACHEL’s front door. RACHEL picks up the remote control and substantially lowers the volume as they turn their head to the front door. In the background, their television now displays their name in large, bold lettering, and a photo of them on the screen; however, audio originating from the television is not heard. Another KNOCK is heard at RACHEL’s front door as police sirens sound.       

POLICE OFFICER (V.O.)

   (authoritative)

  Plantation police department.

    CUT TO:

Black screen.

Closing Remarks:

    All in all, this screenplay will serve as the most sacred of documents as we proceed through the production phase of our short film. As we near the actual filming of our featurette, I think it's safe to say that "We got this(!)" (A Day to Remember 2016).