Creating my own sound effects: clean diegetic and non-diegetic sound

 It appears that the person that I had for Mariposa, she has not responded yet, so i will start making preparations for me to act as her replacement. Though i am frustrated and anxious about the change, I usually hate last minute changes, but I understand that we are all living through difficult times and has affected everyone hard, don't want to be seen as a nuisance to be pestering her to participate in the film if she does not feel comfortable. I also was expecting for this to happen, since I had not received a response from last week, so I already prepared myself mentally and, with some advice from others, set my camera in a way and cut the parts when I'm hitting record in post. In any case, I want to continue advancing with parts of my production, while I'm going to start recording on the weekend officially, I had made some advances in terms of props and other objects to have ready for my shooting days. Another part of my production that i can start in this moment are my diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, some that are not exactly playing in the recording but will be added later. 

First, i want to test out how the audio recording from my phone actually sounds like, to not get with the surprise when the day comes and the audio sounds different than I expect. I want for most, if not all , of my audio to come from me, not rely on royalty free sound effects. But, if from this trial, it sounds bad, then it could take away from the tone of my film and change the experience, and i will have no choice but to search for alternatives. Before I make any radical decisions, I recorded myself as a trial, not any actual dialogue from my movie. This is the result:

It sounds really low, i recorded it while i was school. Either way, I think my audio recording is good enough for my short film. I did notice, in past recordings that i have, that there were a lot of echo, but i think that was due to the previous phone that I had and that i usually recorded it not considering the audio quality but the the content. I searched for some advice for recording in my phone, found an article. It was helpful to find some things that i can change to better the audio, which i already did, and i plan to install the app recommended: Voice Record Pro, to get it even better.

A part of my diegetic sound, dialogue, I have decided to record over and then add it in the editing process. That is the part of the phone call in the first scene, the one with the Dad on the phone. While i first considered to just record it as it was happening, then i remember that the actual echo of the conversation would be too high, having to put my Dad on another room, and then with the possibility of the both voices echoing each other, with causes high pitches in the scene, what i do not want to happen, as well as my phone audio being unable to pick it up. So, that is why i decided to record my Dad saying his lines, the lines for the phone call, then add the audio. I was looking for video editing software that will allow me to edit the audio to sound like a phone call, but i was unable to find a free option. iMovie seems to carry the option, but for their Mac devices, and i do not own one of them. Then, Premiere Pro is a pay for editing software. Luckily, I found an app called "Audacity", it is a free audio editing that lets you edit the audio only, but from there, i will export it into the film. 

For the category of sound effects, non-diegetic sound, i want to include sharp high notes and distorted sounds, increasing in intensity and volume as the film progresses, representing how Mariposa's mind is getting clouded. Here is an example:

I will probably lower the pitch at first, then increasing it as the film goes on, the mental stability failing and how she cannot take it anymore. I will layer it with other disturbance sounds, as well as her own voice telling her what to do, externalizing her thoughts. I can achieve this sound in my own, just recording my sister's piano and changing the pitch and frequency later, as well as waiting for the refrigerator that we have, which is very loud, and record the noise it emits. Tonight i will start setting my house for when I wake up tomorrow, everything will be ready. 

Citations:

Nield, David. “How to Record Better Audio on Your Phone.” Popular Science, 30 Sept. 2018, www.popsci.com/record-better-smartphone-audio/.

Webb, Adam, director. EXTREMELY Painful Sound. Youtube, Mostannoyingsounds, 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEy_7dAFlqk.

Creating props and costume design for my short film

 The weekend is coming close, needing to have everything ready to completely go to record and shot what I have set myself to film, i have decided to have my props ready, an important aspect to my mise-en-scene. In my genre, the psychological genre, it concentrates a lot into the psyche's of the character and more of internal struggles than external struggles. However, to have a more visual way of expressing those concerns, the mise-en-scene can show the mental state's of a character in an external way, low lighting or messy ways, encouraging messages. Another way of doing it was how it brings parts of the story by signaling them out, without having to have a character have to explicitly explain it and not overlay in the dialogue, "showing, not telling". As explained in an article i found, it is a way of helping through the drama, making it into what the atmosphere inside the set will be, not the same as what the normal location is, in this case, my house. It all belongs to the world inside of the movie, a fictional setting, that have deeper meaning inside it. 

For now, I created about two props for my sets, a note from the therapist and the Happy Birthday sign, I will probably
 create multiple of each and make sure that they match on the edit:

I made the note saying "try PB next, -your therapist". This comes a change from the script from "try crunchy PB", since I realized I do not have a tub of crunchy Peanut Butter and i do not plan to buy it because I figured that if I already have regular PB I could use that instead, do not want to wasted food. The type of writer may not be seen as informal as what a note from a therapist in real life may look like. I choose this type of writing for it to be seen more clearly in the camera and in the lighting I plan to shot it, a regular note with regular pen would be too faint to see in camera and not great to focus on. This is also of importance in the film itself, bringing Mariposa's problem with food and the foreshadowing for the final scene of the film, Mariposa taking a spoonful of Peanut Butter, a whole circle in the story. 

 The Birthday sign sets what time in the film we are, since it means that her Birthday already came, being foreshadowed by the first conversation between her Dad and Mariposa, as well as the days being marked in the calendar and the birthday in the calendar. I will probably decorate it more for the next days, but I think the color and the arrangement can be seen through the camera. It is also will help me have a second purpose, my sister's birthday is this weekend as well, helps me prepare something with double meaning. 

Now, another important setting of the film that also contains mise-en-scene is the costume of each of the characters. It brings so much into knowing how the characters look to themselves and what they want to present to the rest of the world. It is also to bring the actors into characters, specially since the protagonist goes to many mental changes and stages, which shows also through the outfits. My Dad will not need many outfit changes and I think his way of dressing already is good enough, if he wears something unexpected on the weekend, I will ask him to change. However, for Mariposa, I look through my clothes to finally have an idea of what outfits do I have and what alteration I had made from my original idea:

 

I though i had a yellow dress inside my wardrobe, yellow is a very "happy" looking color, but i probably donate it or gave it away, since i cannot find it. I am not a person that has a lot of dresses, 2 in fact, and i did not find that buying a new dress that i will probably only use for this film and then keeping it inside my wardrobe. Either way, i am able to find one that is flowery and has a design, can also be seen as "cheerful" and how Mariposa is trying to fit it and inside her mind. 

Now, for the next day of the montage, Mariposa will change into this outfit, showing the passage of time and how her mental state is changing, taking less time into taking care of herself and instead changing into more "comfortable" clothes. I envision for her to be the kind of person who usually dresses as the first outfit presented, but since she is less feeling like herself, she turns inside herself and uses clothes to exemplify that. 

Now, for the last outfit, i decided to use the inspiration that i had at the beginning, and i was able to recreate it pretty close, the first that i did not majorly change. Now, I am the type of person who will usually dress like this in a regular day, but like I mentioned earlier, Mariposa is different in the way of being more colorful with her clothes, "chic" in a way, so this would be a major change in her character. As the last day of the montage
, this would be the last straw before Mariposa experiences a breakdown and her Dad comes to help her. 

I still need to search for the selfie stick that my Dad said he had, to start practicing and not completely be new to it while i come to filming. Also, tomorrow i will receive conformation if the person i had for Mariposa will help me or not, the changes i will have depending on that. For now, i will take some dummy footage, meaning, how i will want my shot to look, a test shoot. 

Citations:

Vaux, Robert. “Makeup & Costumes in Movie Production.” Our Pastimes, 10 Jan. 2019, ourpastimes.com/makeup-costumes-in-movie-production-12157365.html. 

Setting up the sets and practicing camera

It already came, the nightlight felt on me, and the realization of the start of me actually shooting footage will start. While I feel more tired than anxious, i still have some lingering fears on what to do in terms of setting my camera stable and if I'm going to be able to shot everything on time, since i do not plan to take any time during the week to record, i get home from school later an the lighting is different to the time i want to represent on the film, mostly morning and early afternoon, to show Mariposa eating. Since i am not confident enough with me using only mt hands for recording, i do not consider my hands to be that stable, I choose to find a selfie stick that my Dad had for his own phone. However, I still want to see if i can achieve a stable movement without using it, i still do not feel as confident using it and do not want my phone to fall as i advance with my tracking or stable shots, for example. For that, i made a test video for the path that i will take tomorrow, not exactly as i will do it, but the similar movement and pace, to see how it looks. Here is the result:

It actually looks better than what i expected, there is not much shakiness and the pace seems reasonable. I will probably change it to 60 frames per second either way, since i feel like that way it will look more smooth than if i was recording it and seems to be slowed. Overall, i will try using my own hands to be stable and record the shots, but i still need to find an alternative when i am going to be recording myself, using something as a stabilizer to stay put without having someone else holding it. I had though of using a book to hold it for me or just straight up tapping it into the wall, but I'm sure there must be some people with advice over in the internet of DIY alternatives to tripods and such. The following video that i found, while short, still brings a lot of great advice that i will sure take tomorrow. 

It is so much simpler to cut a plastic cup up, I'm sure to have at least one somewhere, setting up with the books i have. The mirror, to see how the frame looks, it's really creative and very useful, will see if i at least own a small mirror i can position to see myself. Lastly, the rule of thirds, which i have heard and studied before but tried to not mentioned it as much because i thought it would have overwhelmed me, it is fairly simple to adapt into the iPhone and see how the frame is turning out. 

With most of the camera use now being understood by me, i set up my sets for tomorrow, so that i can wake up, take breakfast and start shooting immediately. Also, i heard about this technique in a podcast of my favorite series, how the producers and set designers will take phots of how the sets look like to then match it on editing and if things are moved, another reason for the photos, so that i can match the design over the 2 days of filming. 

Int. Mariposa's house-table:

Int. Dad's Car: 

Tomorrow, starts the beginning of my recording, which I am still nervous about and frustrated about how things are developing. Hope that everything goes smoothly and according to plan.

Citations:

Michael, Collin, director. How to Film Yourself on IPhone or Android. Youtube, 14 July 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Isv8XqBBU.

What I noticed that i have gotten wrong while wanting to shot

 Since this marks the beginning of the overall shooting process, i wanted to get a feeling of what exactly to do before starting to shot. So far, i have not receive any contact with the person who i asked to act as Mariposa, I'm not sure yet if she would be able to make it to me back on time by the weekend. If that is not the case, then i will have to reorganize certain parts of my schedule as well as having to search for another person or have to act the part myself. This will bring many other adjustments to my shooting schedule and how i will shot, since there is not any certainty that i will be able to find anyone else in such a short time, now having to set up my camera in a way where i can record without it being seen as that i am recording myself. I needed some ideas and information about that last part, technical tricks with my camera and some other information that i will need. 

While searching for some help, I searched for advice with my specific camera of choice, my iPhone SE, since I do not have any other type of recording gear nor I plan to buy any in the period I will be recording. The shooting exposure, lighting into my camera and shot, i do not plan to touch on unless extremely necessary, getting the natural lighting effect and may be changing it when Mariposa's is getting worse with her psychological situation, as well as in the shots of food, saturating the shot, and then reverting back to normal when the Dad appears. Anyway, I did find some information that showed me how i was wrong about certain things. For example, the video explains how the 4k 24fps is a good framing to give the shot more of a cinematic feel and tone, and i agree, since i tried around with my own camera and it showed the difference in the shooting range and speed, while the other looked more like a home video. For that, i changed the size frame and speed on my shot list, to match with the energy and speed of the shot. This was the result:

Now, all of the scenes that I considered to be of faster pace are set at 60fps and the other more steady shots are at 4fps. The total quality of the video is 4K. The other advice on the video was helpful, however, most of the other advice needs a monetary investment, one that i do not currently have, so I have to do with the regular settings on the iPhone camera and change anything else in post. I do not know if I'm going to edit on my phone directly or export all of the raw footage into my computer and get a external app to edit. All of those decisions are going to be made by the end of the week or possibly in the middle of next week. Overall, it was really helpful to see someone explaining how to shot with my camera, it brought some of my worries that I had about my shots looking too "amateur" or not good enough. I have recorded with my camera before, but for mock-up commercials for my classes or family videos, but I think that I can now achieve a more professional look and have all of my mise-en-scene on place.

I still need to figure out some other techniques to position my camera while recording, waiting until tomorrow for the ultimatum if anyone responds to wanting to act as Mariposa in my film, but i will either way start searching for different ideas to put my camera in such a way to record myself without needing someone to hold the camera for me. Also, yesterday, i acquired the different materials for my props, they are big factors into my mise-en-scene and the story overall, carrying a lot of weight in the plot and even could be considered as one factor into my climax, the psychological dilemma within Mariposa and seeing how her problems and insecurities can be externalized through objects. This afternoon, i will try to assemble them and have them ready, i have some time after school to do it and its better to do it with time instead of rushing Friday afternoon or Sunday morning.

Citations:

Chang, Chris, director. How to Shoot Cinematic Video on IPhone SE, Apple's Cheapest IPhone! Youtube, Abacus News, 28 June 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=tImA3mpYd6w&t=430s.

Shooting schedule

 While currently being in stand by with the person that i had to perform as Mariposa, i will list exactly what the shooting schedule would look like for the coming weeks. I now find it more exciting than nerve-racking the prospect of starting to shot my short film, since i feel more confident about my abilities and what I will need when the day comes. I have done some additional research with more of the specifics about how to use the camera that i have, and doing a list of the props that I have already and ones that i will have to make or buy.  

Now, for shooting, since i plan to do the bulk of the majority of my scenes on the following weekend, since that way i do not have to be worrying about it over the week and go back and revise any shots that will need reshooting or a complete change altogether, this is the schedule that I have come up with:

10:00 AM-Shooting Scene 1- using all of the daylight that will naturally come into the house, realistically showing a morning lighting without having to do or alter filters and such

11:00 AM-Shooting Final Scene(6)- since the final scene is also supposed to be set in the morning, inside the house, i saw it fitting that i shot it after the first scene. Another thing for why I'm planning to shot them back to back is that the only time my Dad has available is on the weekends, so i plan to do most of his scenes

1:00 PM- Shooting Scene 4- Now that the lighting will be changed for the afternoon, as well as taking a break in between scenes, i will use this time to film inside my Dad's car. I hope that he is able to cooperate, since he is a little stubborn, but i think by that time i would have probably convince him to speak more. Another thing for the time difference is to give him time to practice, since he sometimes has difficulty pronouncing certain words, but i think with the dialogue i gave him in this scene, it should be easy to continue

2:00 PM- Shooting partly of the Montage (Scene 3)- I want to not overstress myself over the amount of shots i'm going to be taking in a single day, but it is good to take advantage of my time, so i will just take some shots to be part of my montage, so i can also show a realistic passage of time and not have to worry about constant outfit changes

Then, for Sunday:

1:00 PM-Shooting scene 5- This day i will start shooting a little later, due to lighting in the house and how it is not as intense as it would be in the morning, since I have to take some shots of the outside of the house, needs to look like it is afternoon already, and it would be more difficult to fake that with the multiple factors that are in the outside. Coming into the house should not be as difficult, it is also very emotionally charged and with dialogue for my Dad, needs some time to practice

2:00 Pm- Finishing the Montage (Scene 3)- Since i already started with the montage the day before, now changing between only two outfits should be easier and not as tedious as having to change three times. The shots are all similar, each increasing in audio sensitive and the shakiness of the camera, so it should be easier to record them together

Sometime in the afternoon or night- Scene 4- Leaving this scene for last, the lighting inside of the grocery store does not change much with the time of the day, gives me more opportunity to take a break and do other work that i have before finishing. Would probably use this time also to do real shopping with my Dad, reducing the time we will have to go out in the week. 

Now, all of the items that i need and i already have are:

• A calendar (calendar from 2020)
• My camera (Iphone SE)
• A stick to balance my camera in tracking or steady scenes
• Clothes for different outfits (dress, hoodie, jeans, shirt, etc.)
• Hair gel (to change hairstyles)
• Plates of food (my actual food that i will probably eat after shooting is over)
• Pill bottles 
• Trash bags 

What I need but i still not have (or need to search for):

• Hand written notes
• Positive stickers or posters
• Happy Birthday sign

Those last three, i will probably take some time to create them myself, saving some money and improvising with the materials i already have. I do not want my perfectionism to get in the way, but i still do not want them to look too "bad", meaning that i want them to look more professionally done than improvised, since i feel that fits more with the tone and my genre. Next, i will take some sample shots and search for other tricks for my camera, as well as any changes if notice of someone for my protagonist comes or not. 

Whole revised storyboard and shot list

 After hours of cramming and trying to decide which are more important. Here I have my whole revised storyboard. I actually did enjoy completing it, since i have having my different ideas into paper something that i barely rarely do. Nevertheless, it was tiring and i am actually not felling my best, but i can still be able to complete my work and do what i want for this project thatt has become, really, a passion. 

Jumping from scene 2, can be found in the two previous post, now there is the montage drawn out:

Then, followed by the scene in the car, we have the encounter of both Mariposa and her Dad. 

Scene 6, as the last scene, having many callbacks from before:

By having all of this, together with my shot s=list and screenplay, feel prepared enough to start shooting. I still need to sort out my shot list with the order of hooting, since i think about filming parts of scenes when i can, try to make sure to utilize as much time possible productively and not just the bulk filmed during a single weekend. For that, i need to confirm with my actors and if they will accept the schedule that i have planned, as well as showing them all of this and see what they think. Will take this weekend to think about it and come back fully prepared on Monday. 

Final reference photo, new storyboard and completed montage

I have finished all of the shot lists for each of my scenes, now I can fully concentrate into doing my storyboards and coming into filming. I will organize them soon into my tentative shooting schedule, still having to confirm with the person who will Mariposa. Anyway, i changed some things from my script when writing my shot list, specially when doing the montage's shot list. 

For example, i was aware that the montage in particular would be the longest scene in the script, since it is technically like 3 scenes together. I decided to cut some details that appear to be insignificant to me, like Mariposa non-diegetic sound, since i think it will take from the experience, does not fit into what a person in that state would do and time constrains. I originally plan to show more days, but, again due to time, i decided to cut a day off and concentrated more on the effect on the other days. Reasonably, i am scared on not being able to fit all of my vision in 2 minutes, putting my shot list together will show me the sheer amount of content i have. But, i think if i conserve this scene, parts of the 1 and 2, the ending shortened, then i think i can still show the meaning and what i try to 

express with the piece. In any case is better to have more than less, instead of trying to have "filler" scenes to compensate, I'm dealing 

with deciding which scenes are the most important, this on my top list. 

I feel better to have something to check off my list, i will move on from working from the largest scene of the film, to the shortest scene, the Dad talking in the car. Once again, I'm not completely sure how likely is that I will keep this scene post-production, but regardless, i may surprise myself and still have time. For that reason, I took photos of the inside of the car i plan to shot in last night, my Dad's truck. 

I knew that the space i will have is limited, but it is actually not as bad as I thought first. Logically, i will ask my dad if i can organize it before we start shooting, to fit into the sober tone and mise-en-scene of the film. The lighting does not look good and has an unnatural filter to it, not necessarily what i want to go for in this particular scene, that's why i hope to film in the morning, where the lighting of the sun wouldn't produce rays either that will flash my camera or being too dark at night. 

I don't know if the sketches that i made are understandable, the last scene shows Mariposa again, with a match cut from the Dad's phone. I know i can can much more other details and the dialogue spoke by the characters' notice things that i can do it to bring it more detail and a clear representation of my vision. I will add all of those details when i finish all my storyboard, is better to have all of the scenes with some details missing to have 2-3 scenes perfectly completed when shooting starts. 

Grocery store found for more references, storyboards from it

 Searching for secure locations to film seem to be difficult even under normal circumstances, now much more since all of the guidelines and safety precautions. Thankfully, I have made most of the arrangements to start shooting and to have an idea of space for framing and storyboarding purposes. The tree locations that I have secured for my film are:

1. Mariposa house as my house 
2. The interior of a car as my Dad's truck
3. Grocery store as Fresco supermarket near my house 

The last one was the most difficult to get, since it a space that I don't live there or have a close relationship to the person that owns it. Either way, I settled for one that is 4 minutes from my house, easy for transportation, and fits into the "vibe" i want for the film. I passed by it to take some references, also because my Dad and i needed to buy groceries. 

With both references and shot list for the scene where the location is needed for, I went ahead and complete the last piece of preparation for it before shooting, the storyboard. 

I am more proud of the work I'm completing. Thanks to not getting stuck to how unproportionate my drawings are an only trying to convey the idea, as well as having all of my materials at hand at the same time and not overlying on my memory on how the scene goes, i was able to complete it much quicker. I hope my next storyboards are as smooth and fast as this one. I have 4 more scenes to complete as storyboards and the montage, which i feel is the most important piece in the film, still not having the shot list as perfected as i want it. 

Shot list for final scene and working into my storyboards

I had a big realization for how, coming next week and according to my schedule, i should start shooting. This is bringing me much more anxiety, including with my other work for school, since I do not feel ready yet and would have wanted more time. But, one has to work with what it has and i will do everything i can to get a final product that i can be product of. That being said, this makes me now feel like to put this project even more to last minute, since doing it puts me in a state of stress. I know if i don't continue then I will put myself in a worse state later on, I been trying to draw at least 2 more scenes for my storyboard and completing the full shot list. 

I thought the final scene would have been harder to create, but it was seemingly flowing through my hands as i typed it. I will take that as a good sign, not wanting to get out of this state of being very creative and seeing everything clearly. It recalls a lot to things that were part of the first scene, which it is important to storytelling to connect dots through. I  still need to complete the entire sequence of that scene in a storyboard, been putting it out due to thinking that i had "more important things to do" in terms of the process, but now I'm nearing the end. 

I decided to add some of the of the abbreviations to the types of shot, since in some of my drawings i think it will be difficult to tell exactly what i actually wanted and adding a layer of professionalism and order, instead of it just being like doodles i made. I think it also got me more into the "zone" of thinking about the framing and how to portray it with my limited artistic abilities. The photo references that i took the other day did help to know how things would be organized, not only relying in my memory this time. 

References for future storyboarding and new shot list for a scene

 It was liberating to continue sketching and bringing through, maybe small steps, but nonetheless, bringing closer the creation to the actual videos. I am started to feel anxious but in a excited way, not necessarily in a manic way, the usual state that i go through when i have assignments that are coming in. I been having many different ideas to how to explore the story, many times inspired by things going around me, which is probably very unexpected, since in the beginning I had some difficulty coming to terms with the creating, but now seems to be pouring over, the day now not having enough time for me. In any case, I been able to continue progressing, in the way of programming my shooting in the net couple of weeks, more resources to be available.

In an advice within a video about storyboarding, I heard how the proportions could be skew and therefore making the storyboard not successful at portraying something that could actually be shot in location. Though I am aware not all of my shots will come out looking exactly the same, as well as not being able to portray 3d objects and human bodies realistically due to my art skills, I still wanted to make sure to eliminate any other determining factors. For that, I saw appropriate to start taking pictures of the different settings that my movie opining will take place in, starting with the one with the most screen time, the kitchen. 

In the table, where i plan to have Mariposa take her meals and other important elements of the story, therefore it was the first location to see references to. In its current state, it is against a wall, may be moved for me to be able to take shots from that angle and direction, will try to do it without compromising the realness or organization of the room. There is not much space to move around it, as seen in both pictures, will need to position enough space for me and my camera to appear without being in the shot or too close to the character that is uncomfortable for the both of us.                                                           The various objects still in the table, in exception of those who i think show the environment where Mariposa lives, will be moved away, will need to consult my Dad to know the location for them in the day of the shooting and not have any misunderstandings. Knowing the location and approximate space, i can actually refine some of my sketches to fit into what actual space i have. It is good that i been able to have these saved on the cloud, if not, I would into a surprise when shooting day comes and i find myself without space.

I completed another shot list, scene 2, the one that is in the grocery store. I have my other shot lists organized by scene, which is only for the time being, since i plan to organize them by how i plan to organize my shooting. I thought this scene would be more complicated, but in reality i found it to be interesting and fun to visualize in my mind. This would be the most important to have a coherent shooting, since I do not unlimited time to shot, having both Mariposa and a location, still debating between the different grocery stores that are around my house, that is not my own. I will need to optimize my time there, also due to avoiding crowds, so the shot lost will be very helpful. I will try to finish the shot list for those scenes that i find more difficult and try seeing other types of shot to include. 

First attempt to storyboard, continuing shot list

 After finishing with my first shot list., I felt inspired to complete a storyboard and start playing around with the details of it. I approximately only drew around 8 shots of the first scene, will probably cut it down for time purposes and add other shots that i think are more important:

By doing this i was able to see how i forgot to include a shot for my title card in my original shot list, will edited it into the list when I'm done with the rest of my scenes. I would want to be done, as seen in the sketch, to have mismatch fonts, to see how the situation is very disorganized and not particularly linear, how sometimes people feel with metal health issues, not "normal". 

The scene that i would work towards now is scene 4, the one with the Dad inside the car. I usually work in linear order, starting from the beginning and ending with the last scene, but i do not feel like having the energy to process the following scene, so to not be on a creative block, i will do the next scene that seems the less intense and have been waiting to work with. The same chart that i used for my previous scene is the one that i find the most useful and reliable. 

The following days i will start taking still shots of how my location would look like, also to use as a reference for my drawings and have a more accurate calculation of the space i would have. I will work through each scene until i have my completed shot list, then put it together in one file, as well as the formatting for storyboards. 

First rough draft of my shot list and seeing how my camera works

 After doing the whole investigation into how the shot list would be done, I have seen multiple templates to complete and compared them, finally deciding into choosing this table, an alternated version of a chart i have seen. The details of the production are below the chart, it seems more organized and it is not necessary to have those details to be seen all the time, what it is important is the information in the chart. Since I think separating the different scenes and their shots, I decided to do multiple charts and tables. This would help me divide my time to work one scene at a time, their shots with numbers associated with them. I like feeling this as a professional shooting, makes me feel excited when it is time to shoot and i will be saying "scene 1- shot 3",  getting a little closer to my dream of becoming a film director. With that, to finish the chart and move on to a storyboard, i would want to know the standards for filming and inspect the capacity for my camera.  

It seems, in commercial standards, the average frame rate is 24 frames per second (fps), with a 1920x1080 frame. II checked through the settings of my phone, my main camera of use, that the standard of my video recording is 30 fps at 1920x1080 frame, with the option to change if needed. I want to compare how they would look before deciding into an specific frame rate for my film; here are the comparisons side by side:

24 fps:                                                           

                    30 fps:

I honestly do not see the difference and would rather use the 30 fps, since seems to work better and have more of a "natural" look and flow. Another benefit of choosing that medium is that it is more compressed and would occupy less space in my personal storage. Now with that information accessible, i would be finish the tentative, subjected to change, first shot list for my first scene:

In my future planning schedule, i doubt this scene would be the first, since it includes Mariposa and I would need to see when the person who will help me is available. With this, i have a better idea of what to sketch, since I felt a little dubious of my drawing skills, but this gives me an idea on how to do it,  and continuing to do future shot lists for my other scenes.                                                                   

Knowing what a shot list is and what is needed

 After doing a brief reading and seeing how many scenes my script could be broke down in, 6 scenes. Now, i need to divide those individual scenes into different shots and time stamps. I still feel very obstructed to do what i initially wanted to do, begore writing my script, due to changes in my life. Since then, it is difficult for me to create plans of what to do or to who to talk to, based on the evert long lasting nature of life. But, i have to remember myself to not be so exact and stuck into the type of shot that i want, instead continue to find an alternative. I seen many creating Storyboards and then basing their shot list from them. I decided, by own reasons and what seems logical to me, to create an initial shot list, then draw how specifically i would the pictures to look like and altering anything with something that gets the job done and captures the emotions way better, either on my storyboard or shot list. In short, i will treat them as both different projects, having a rough shot list to help me storyboard if i get stuck along the way. I was explained their difference, but I'm not completely sure how to format adequacy a shot list and the types that they contain. Before starting to just listing types of shots, there needs to be a remainder on how to do them. 

The software used, story binder, looks very convenient and to rely on bare minimum typing, something that could help me with not having to type more than needed, wanting to give my hands a rest from time to time. Their idea for a short film would perfectly match a 2 minute film opening, a feeling of "what i didn't i think of that before?", my story is very layered and not a simple fight over a pen, but i feel okay of fitting the storyline, if it does not feel like it at the end of the week, i will edit from my storyboard and shot list from now on. Knowing what impact your scenes hold is an skill that had been recommended before, but now, with the face paced and knowing the next steps, i will concentrate more on it and not provide many drastic changes to often, it is only two minutes of film and having too many incredible-or regular cuts and editing styles, it will make the audiences be more attempt when they happen. Some still images and pictures are included, a shot list has many different forms to be converted to, i want to see how doable it would be to continue taking various photos first, and learn more others styles as well. 

With the ideas read over in an article, the absolutely must in a shot list are: shot number, shot description, shot size, shot type, movement, equipment, lens, frame rate, location, actors, sound and any additional details. I feel a little overwhelmed to have to consider the multiple aspects of every single shot, but i will be more relieved when i have finally  finished organizing it and found the creative match to do it. I will have to read my previous post and my overall scenes again, will probably subdivide each scene into the shots, instead of considering all the shots in the film at  once, concentrating in one at the time. Many of the information i need to check on my phone, since that would be my main camera, and considering borrowing a camera that my dad has, as well as what are the commercial standards for frame rate and the frame size. 

Citations:

MasterClass. “Film 101: What Is a Shot List? How to Format and Create a Shot List - 2021.” MasterClass, MasterClass, 8 Nov. 2020, www.masterclass.com/articles/film-101-what-is-a-shot-list-how-to-format-and-create-a-shot-list#why-shot-lists-matter.

Nuecklaus, Marvin, director. How to Make a Shot List in 2020: A Step-by-Step Guide. Youtube, StudioBinder, 21 Jan. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhXMpBk3GDA.

Re-reading my script and seeing overall shots for it

 After seeing the recommendation made on a video, what will make me less stressed with myself and organized overall. The first step in my process will be to re-read parts of my script, i suppose the best way to divide it would be in the in the individual scenes, who is part of it and the location. This is more of a rough draft of what a shot list would be like, but i still want to search for more terminology for the shots and general things for the mise-en-scene. This plan would also help to sketch the storyboard, since i would know how to in different chunks of scenes instead of the continuous flow of the story that would be and not get stuck. 

Scene 1: This scene is the opening scene of the whole film. It happens in the the inside of the house, with only Mariposa as the character and a phone as a prop. This would be the master shot and have it at a regular eye-level angle, since it just brings into the regular habitat the the character would be, I would try to change it later scenes. I could try to have the audio from the phone come after editing and save the time that would be used with the Dad actor (possibly my Dad), since the amount that i would have with my actress will be very short since i would have to schedule for them to come to my house and follow COVID-19 guidelines, while with my Dad i can try to schedule during the week and when we both have time. 

Scene 2: In this scene that it would be the most difficult to record and plan around, since there are many variants that would be cross over and considering what it would happen. First, i have to consider the grocery store to use, since i do not know if they would let me record for a time. Second, is the other people that would be in the grocery store, since i cannot ban others from incoming and crossing through me in the aisles. Either way, in the scene, but there would be the protagonist and the different existing props in the store, as well as any other extras crossing through, having a more natural and unique feeling. The shots would be done with many low angles from the shopping carts, as well as close-ups. 

Scene 3 (Montage):In this scene, this would be a very important part of the film. Would probably try to film it all on the same day and first, to get it out of the way. There would very different pace as well as how the different scenes would be, but they are all done in the same location, helpful for how transportation would be and only concentrate in the takes. There would be a lot of insert shots of the plates of foods, having close up to the faces and a wide shots of how the house looks as Mariposa deteriorates. Try to use food props and not waste real food, just the illusion of it. 

Scene 4: Thankfully, this scene is very short, since I have read and heard about how it would be very difficult to record from a car, since it is a closed space and having the actor not feel pressured by having the camera so close. It has one line of dialogue, but i still want to perform a medium shot to demonstrate the Dad's feeling, an maybe a take of the car form the outside driving away or from inside. 

Scene 5: A faced paced scene, will use hand held movement to show that stability and fear of being discovered. Many changing angles as well, the roles of authority and vulnerably. The scene with the most characters at the same time, Mariposa and the Dad, trying to schedule to do it when both are available. There would still be the use of the food but without wasting any, as well as how the direct dialogue and how the cuts would transition in between dialogue. 

Scene 6: The last scene, a more transition between the last one, could be recorded at the end of the previous one. A stable camera movement and close ups to Mariposa's face and the hand as she takes the bite. Props for PB, easy to find in my house. The cut of showing how the ending is only the beginning for recovery, but a small gesture for some is a stepping stone for getting better. 

This divide has helped me organize my ideas and see how my shot lists and storyboards would go along. I will take some pictures as reference for my future storyboards. With this, examining my locations and actor's time available, the very rough plan for shooting, at first glance, would be shooting all the scenes that i can with the Dad alone and audio needed, finishing Mariposa's scenes when the actress is a available and then finishing with Scene 5 and 6. 

What to use for my short film: shot list and storyboard

 After having finished the entirety of my script last week, the time has come to start visually presenting how i want to see the film itself. I am excited and nervous of starting this new journey, completely new to me, since it means one step closer to getting the ultimate product and having kind of an organization of how I want the scenes to look and what i would to be done, said or appear in each of them. Still need to figure out what format i am more comfortable with, either doing it by sketching in my computer or by hand. I feel lost to what to continue doing, honestly how i been feeling since starting the project, have a basic understanding of the different types of shots and angles, as well as their meanings when presented. Though i have done short clips and videos for school work, i never used any type of shot, consciously at least, to have a creative meaning and themes, neither organized how the filming and scenes would look like on paper, used to do it all in my brain and hope it would look good. Now, before i start to sketch the ideas, i have done some research to know what and how to model the two forms of sketching that I have heard of :shot lists and storyboards, as well as learning what their differences are.  

From what i gather from the video, a shot list is more of a recount on the types of scenes someone would want for their film, rather counting them with only words, even though i seen others using visual images like pictures to help as well. It looks helpful to organize shooting days as well, prioritizing everyone's time and effort. I hope to keep organized with myself.  am the one in charge of all aspects for the film, except the acting, which would probably come from someone in my family, and i do not want to waste their energy either, a shot list would be an useful way to explain to them what are filming each day and if they could take to that

location. I have thought about my film visually as well, but knowing the terms and the mise-en-scene in each scene is a big stepping stone to feeling this film more "real", including a professional shot list. 

Even though i am not familiar with storyboards either, i seen some examples before, like the ones that are made for cartoons, seen on the left. I thought those were the only places in media one needed to storyboard the story, since the images will either be drawn out either way in the later process. It was a surprise when i learned storyboarding was also a technique used in filmmaking, but can see the reasoning behind it. From the video recommendations, i think it will not be best to create them for a more visual way of organizing, but not trying to be "Set on stone" or that it would be "exactly like the drawing, since with non-animated films, you have to be completely sure of the dimensions for the film location, visiting your shooting places beforehand. From the 3 locations i have, i will have to check out a close-by grocery store and have some pictures of the places i would want to draw out, as well as how much space i have in the car. It helps me see some of the examples in the video and from directors that i admire, seeing how their sketches do not look perfect and only need to portray the movement.

For my project i will be using both, but i think it is important to realize what their differences were and in what step of the way one should do each one. The video offered a lot of advice, specially since my film is a "no-budget" category, trying to continue with what i have, as well as how having examples of using Excel and handrawn images to do them, instead of the software offered online. The various examples have inspired me to start searching for types of shots and go back to read my script and annotate how i want them to be seen and perceived.

Citations: 

Sookdeo, Shivana. “Steven Universe: Storyboard Test.” Shivana Sookdeo, 2014, shivanasookdeo.myportfolio.com/steven-universe-storyboard-test.

P, Jimmy, director. Episode 102 - Shot Lists vs Storyboards. Youtube, 7 Oct. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zJ-MrtehPU.

Finalized script

 Two weeks of scriptwriting paid their time, my final product is finally here. After suffering through multiple writer's blocks and just tiredness overall, I feel proud of myself to have been able to finish and share it with others. The four pages are, including the title page, are:

So far, in terms of characters, i will need:

• An actor for Mariposa (girl, 15-20 year old)
• An actor for the Dad (middle-aged man)

In locations, i need only 2 and a half:

• A house for Mariposa
• A car
• A grocery store (will need to ask if it is okay for me to film)

I will try to get someone to read my script now that i feel it has gone through enough types of editing and as for their thoughts and advice for me, similar to a beta reader. Making a shot list comes next in my list too, since i already have some ideas, as seen on my script, on how the scene should look and the mise-en-scene.