Week Five (2/24-3/2) 4/4

 hello my humans,

On saturday, me and Justin had a really solid filming day, and everything came together better than we expected. One of the best parts was how smooth the performances felt. The dialogue between Justin and the woman felt natural, and we barely had to do extra takes. Their chemistry on camera made the scene feel real, which is exactly what we wanted.  

Another thing that worked out great was the lighting. We were a little worried about shooting in the evening, but the streetlights and neon signs around Town Center gave everything a cinematic look without us having to do much. The mix of warm and cool tones created the perfect atmosphere, adding to the tension of the scene without feeling too staged.  

We also found some creative camera angles that we hadn’t planned for. While setting up for one shot, we realized we could use reflections in a shop window to show the mysterious figure following them without cutting to a separate shot. It was a small detail, but it added to the eerie vibe and made the moment even more effective.  

Overall, it was one of our smoothest shoots. The pacing felt right, the shots looked great, and we didn’t run into any major issues. Now we just have to put everything together in editing, and we’re excited to see how it all plays out.

Week Five (2/24-3/2) 3/4

 My friend Justin and I did a nice photograph session, though we encountered surprises which we corrected. A main issue was the people walking through our photographs. Since we were at Town Center, there were a lot of people, so when we began to take photos, someone walked by in the background. We adjusted our angles and timing in order for it to work out, which was more time than we anticipated, though we did get nice photographs.

Sound was one of the issues. There were a lot of cars, other stores with music, people having conversations. This made it difficult to hear the conversation in full, particularly when the mysterious phone call came for Justin. We attempted to get to a quieter area, yet we still could hear a lot of external noises. We'll likely have to get the sound corrected in editing or re-record the dialogue, but GOOD THING WE HAVE MICS SAVED US!!!!!

Lighting was difficult. We shot later in the afternoon in order to make it more exciting, but when the sun went below the horizon, the light shifted between takes. The light was good for a few takes, but others were too black or created weird shadows. We shifted a few times and brought in extra lights in hopes of keeping it the same. We shot well, although there were a few minor issues. We adjusted the way we dealt with the problems, obtained good footage, and discovered new angles that made the scene turn out better than anticipated. Now we just have to go through it all again to ensure the best of the best is in the final cut.

Production post of your choice (should illustrate production process) 2/4

 Hello my fellow humans,

Justin and I encountered a few issues during the time we were taping, but we were able to work through them. The worst moment came when the microphone went out mid scene. We didn’t realize it until we were through, so we had to retape the entire scene. It was irritating, but it ended up working out for the best because the second take ended up being better than the first. The timing was more natural, and the performance was stronger.

We encountered an issue with the light. We were shooting the chase scene in an alley, and the streetlights weren't bright. We attempted to try the portable light, but it was too artificial, so we shifted to capture the perfect blend of light and shadows. It took us longer than we anticipated, but when we finally did get it, the atmosphere was just right, spooky and tense.

Another issue was continuity. The ice cream was half-melted during one scene, but during the next, it was brand new again. We didn't catch it at the beginning, but when we re-watched it, it jumped out at us. We made sure each little detail remained the same, such as how much of the ice cream was left, which hand it was in, and how the lady tossed her hair when she turned. Little things such as these are very significant for making the scene realistic. Despite the issues, the shoot went well. We did capture excellent footage, although we did make a few last-minute changes. The technical problems actually made the end result turn out even better than it might have otherwise. Now, we can complete the process by reviewing it all and selecting the best takes to cut.

Week Five (2/24-3/2) 1/4

 Hello, my fellow humans.

So, me and Justin planned to change up the script a little bit. Instead of being shot at AMC, we decided to shoot it at Town Center. The overall storyline stays the same, but the change in location gives us more flexibility with lighting and movement. Town Center has more open spaces, interesting alleyways, and better contrast between well-lit areas and darker, more isolated spots which will help build tension.  

We also refined the way the interaction between Justin and the woman plays out. The scene starts with Justin coming out of the ice cream shop where the woman “accidentally” drops her wallet. They start talking and the conversation feels natural, casual at first but with subtle hints that she has an ulterior motive. As they walk Justin gets a call from a mysterious person claiming to be a friend which immediately shifts the tone. Justin starts feeling uneasy and when he notices the shadowy figure following them things escalate quickly.  

One key change we’re working on is how the chase plays out. We want to make sure the pacing feels right so we’re mapping out where the camera follows them and how to show the gradual realization that the woman is leading Justin into a trap. The alleyway has to feel like a natural escape route but also suspicious enough that the audience starts questioning her intentions. The moment she "falls" and he tries to help her up will be the turning point, timing here is everything.  

Finally, we’re making the ending clearer. When the shadowy figure catches up it’s revealed that the woman was in on the whole thing. We’ll include a quick flashback scene maybe through a newspaper headline or a shot of the two of them together beforehand showing she was never just a random passerby. The last shot of her wearing Justin’s stolen necklace should hit hard making it clear that everything was planned from the start.