Oscar's Scripting

   Happy Oscar's night from me to you whilst I sit on my couch watching the Oscars. 

Script Update:

  The majority of my script is written! I reviewed a website I referenced below to refresh my mind on how to write a proper script. My script is not as detailed as I wish it was. The first portion is much more developed, I still need to work on the second.

  It is almost five pages long. I am assuming one page equals one minute so I currently am a little under five minutes. I may be adding a scene. This would be a dream sequence that would occur between the girl falling asleep for the first time and waking up. I am unsure if I will actually be doing this.

 Also, I am sure there is a better way to inset the script so that you all can view the PDF easier. However, I do not know this way. I listed the link below in case you are interested in checking it out!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F7lEh5IdeoTxSOMfbjOhd_hWpfEf8BC9AyY00hwZ3nE/edit?usp=sharing 

 

Moving Foward:

  I am filming this Saturday!

  I need to plan out my miss-en-scene. This includes figuring out what my cast member, Paola, is going to wear since there are a few different outfits in this film. I also need to figure out how I am going to change up my room. I think I am going to try and have decor from a variety of colleges.

 Source:

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-write-a-screenplay/ 

APA Reference:

Lannom, S. C., SC Lannom SC Lannom is a screenwriter and director living in Los Angeles. He works a, & SC Lannom is a screenwriter and director living in Los Angeles. He works as a writer. (2021, March 17). How to write a better screenplay. StudioBinder. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-write-a-screenplay/

Do You or Do You Not Feel Bonita?

   Hey, blog, today was supposed to be my second SAT day and instead I woke up and got sick so I did not end up going to take it. This really did not make me feel bonita. If you don't know that TikTok reference (which I just found out is originally from Family Guy the tv show) it means I did not feel pretty. I was very unaccomplished today as I felt unwell. Tomorrow I will be formatting my script in a more organized manner and hopefully can share that with you all tomorrow.

Filming Update:

  I am set for filming either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday this week which is great! I wanted to be completed with filming before I possibly go on spring break vacation Tuesday so this is good news.

Music Update:

 Sadly as expected, I have not received an email back from Red Bull Records regarding song licensing. I emailed them over a week ago so I am slightly upset. Last year, as you may know, my licensing request was pretty much rejected, but to me, this is better than not hearing back at all. I decided to dm the band The Aces on social media on Thursday, but have not heard back from them. Due to this, I decided I would reach out to Republic Records which owns the rights to the song "In My Mind" by Lyn Lapid. This was my second choice song. I emailed Republic Records yesterday and sent it a license request! I received an email back stating that "A team member will be in touch with you within 24 hours." The email was sent to me at 12pm which has passed today. I am hoping that maybe the email meant "A team member will be in touch with you within 24 hours on a business day." and I will receive an email Monday. On Monday if I do not receive a response I will reach out to Lyn Lapid on social media.

The dm

  So I lack progress on the music aspect, but my brother (who created the music for my production last year) is home for spring break so it is possible I could ask him to create something for my short film. My brother typically creates instrumental pieces. I was hoping to use something with vocals included in it. I am a terrible songwriter so I am not sure if it would work if I wrote and recorded a song to which then he adds instruments. Likely not, but this may be my last resort as I am kind of giving up on contacting record labels. I may try to find a song from an artist who is not signed to a record label because maybe I could reach out to that artist individually and gain the rights. 

Moving Foward:

  Tomorrow I will share my script with you all.

  Next week I will blog about miss en scene and filming.

  The following week I will be editing.

  I still have to create the social media account and print aspect. I really need a title!

Print Perspective

  Hey blog, my second SAT is tomorrow and hopefully is the last SAT I have to take. Today I will introduce my project's print aspect. For my project, I have to create a postcard advertisement that I would use to distribute at short film festivals. 

What is a postcard advertisement:

  A postcard advertisement is used by short film creators to promote their films when they attend short film festivals. Short film festivals are busy and exciting places. The postcard advertisement should be attractive as the festival creators are competing to gain the interest of film festival goers. On the postcard advertisement, there should be key art, the title of the film in large print, the director's name, information regarding how to access the film's social media, and information regarding screenings of the film

Student Example:

Front

Back

How This Helps:

  This postcard was created last year by a student who created a shortfilm relating to someone dealing with the fear of change. I really love the usage of color in this postcard. I also love the title of the film being displayed through a prop. The key art used here is similar to what I plan to use in that they are shots from the film. Unlike this postcard, I am going to include my character in the postcard. This postcard is simple, but I believe it would be effective if given to their target audience which was females in generation z.  In class, my teacher showed us a postcard that included its social media pages via QR. At first, I thought this was going to be the method I used to display my social media. However, after seeing this example I have decided I am likely going to just include the social media logos and names as I think it is more appealing to the eye. This postcard does not include the director's name. I will be including the director's name as well as the lead's name since my short film consists of visually a cast of one.

"Houston, we have a problem":

My Bad

  Mid blog hey blog (how unusual of me) I just got back from seeing a production of Legally Blonde which some of my AICE Media Studies peers were in and were great in. Last year while creating my media marketing project (linked here) I had to screenshot the merchandise I created on my computer and then edit out the background portions. I discovered the website Pixlr X which allowed me to crop the photos. This claims to be "free image editing online." Tonight I discovered this is in fact inaccurate as I went to edit my fourth photo and this beauty popped up on the screen. Well well well... not so "free" after all. My apologies for the screenshots of the website used below. I will figure out a way to crop my photos without using this website. I am sure there is a way on my computer itself. but for now, this will have to work.

Professional Example:

Front

Back

How This Helps:

  This postcard only has key art on the front. I believe I will be having key art on both the front and back, but it was good to see that this is not always the case. The key art on the front is an engaging shot that makes audiences question who the photographed person is and want to watch the film to find out this information. I really like the title font on this. I will likely add the title to the photograph like in this postcard and will not have the title in the shot like on the first postcard. I like the fact that it included what awards it was nominated for at certain film festivals. However, since my postcard is used for promotion I will not be using this idea. I also enjoy how this film was planned to be distributed at multiple film festivals so multiple locations and times are listed. I believe my plan is for my short film to only attend one film festival since it is not a big-budget short film. I find the QR code usage interesting, but think that since my film is geared towards Generation Z that the look of the social media logos would be preferred to the look of a QR code.

Moving Foward:

  I will post here tomorrow about my script and plot 

  I will update you all about the music situation I have currently going on

  I believe I will be filming next weekend

  I need to create a social media page, logo, and title

As always, wish me luck. If you are reading this and listening to Noah Kahan you may have realized I am thinking of the song "New Perspective" whilst I titled this blog. I recommend you stream that song if you haven't before!

Sources: 

https://kaileyfmedia.blogspot.com/ 

https://kavyamediastudiesa2.wordpress.com/category/postcard-advertisement/ 

https://pixlr.com/x/ 

APA Citations:

  Fretwell, K. (n.d.). Kailey's Media Studies portfolio. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://kaileyfmedia.blogspot.com/

kavyamediastudiesa2. (2017, April 4). Postcard advertisement – A2 media – short film. A2 Media - Short Film. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://kavyamediastudiesa2.wordpress.com/category/postcard-advertisement/

Photo editor & template designer. Photo Editor : Pixlr.com - free image editing online. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://pixlr.com/x/

It's Okay to be Clingy

  Hello blog, I am almost done getting caught up with missed school work. I have had to think by the end of the week I will have taken over ten quizzes/tests. This is great news (not the quizzes and tests) as it means I will be able to begin preparing to film my short film. I am taking my second SAT this Saturday, so no filming this weekend. 

Casting:

  The repetition of texts to my best friend Paola may have persuaded her to be the unnamed lead in my shortfilm! Last year she assisted in the opening production of my "Can You Help Me?" film with my good friend Julie. She was also in the opener for a brief moment as you can see in the clip below. She is a busy person, but I believe we will be able to meet and film next weekend, hopefully.

  

Inanimate Object Short Film Research:

  If the casting does not work out, my teacher recommended I use an inanimate object as my lead. I have watched a few short films that use inanimate objects.

  I first watched the Short Film "Inanimate Objects" created by Broken Pipes Films. In this film, inanimate objects begin to talk and move on their own. The majority of shots in this short film still shots. I enjoyed this film as it taught me that you do not always need actresses/actors in your film, even though there is an actress in this film interacting with inanimate objects. 

  I had a few concerns when watching this film

• I am not sure what inanimate object to use to portray my main character?
• I want to incorporate more than just still shots in my film, would this be possible?

  Second I watched "What the Fud?" directed by Phillips G. Berg. This is a short film about a woman who deals with her problems by talking to an inanimate duck who speaks back to her. Similar to the first film this feel features also a human. 

  I had a few concerns when watching this film

• It featured a human interacting with an inanimate object. If I go the inanimate route then I likely will not be having any humans in my film.
• This film also focused heavily on still shots of the inanimate object.

Link to "What the Fud?":

https://www.theatlantic.com/video/archive/2012/03/a-charming-short-film-about-talking-to-inanimate-objects/468090/ 

Backup Plan:

  In case my friend backs out of the film I have an alternate idea in mind for what I would do. This would basically be the same story except with my mom as the lead. In this film, you would see a mother telling her daughter (who would be played by yours truly) wishing her daughter good luck on her SAT tomorrow. Then the mother goes to bed and has my originally planned film in her dream except it is just the portion after the girl fell asleep. It turns into the mother rushing to get ready for her SAT in her past self's shoes. 

  Hopefully, my friend is able to be a part of my short film and these backup plans do not have to be developed!

Moving Foward:

  Tomorrow I will be posting a story/script update with what I have been working on this past week.

  I need to create my social media Instagram page meaning I should develop a film title!

Lack of Progress

  Hey blog, I lack updates for you. I have not received an email back yet from the company regarding the song usage. I have a feeling I am not going to get a response. I thought about sending a dm to the band on Instagram, but I am not sure that would help at all. I still have not found a cast which is bad. I believe I am going back to school tomorrow so I will likely have an update as I may talk with my teacher and get her advice. I will continue working on my script and share it soon.

Music Madness

  Hey blog,  I lack many updates as today has been a not-so-great day. but I do have a music update.

Music:

  Today I found out that the band The Aces who created the song I want to use in my project are signed to Red Bull Records. I had no idea Red Bull had their own record label. I sent an email to three different emails to try and gain a Sync License and Master Recording License. Last year I was unprepared when emailing Asthmatic Kitty Records who owned the song I wanted to use so I got rejected. On the bright side, the company did email me back a link to a document on how music licensing works so I become more informed. Sadly, the Red Bull Records website was a bit confusing. They have a licensing company called Red Bull Record Sound Supply, but from my research, the song I intend to use is not on that website. However, on that website was an FAQ page that listed the pricing for song usage. From my understanding, I would have to pay $1.99 to use the song for my non-commercial usage. I would prefer to not have to pay at all, but I understand why I might have to. I am not sure if I will receive a reply, but hopefully, I do and I can use the song "Always Get This Way"

Sources:

https://www.themusickitchen.com/music-biz/music-licensing-sync-licenses-master-use-licenses/ 

https://www.redbullsoundsupply.com/faq 

APA Citations:

Benghiat, M. (2016, November 23). Music Publishing and Licensing 101: Sync Licenses and Master Use   Licenses. The Music Kitchen. Retrieved March 5, 2022, from https://www.themusickitchen.com/music-biz/music-licensing-sync-licenses-master-use-licenses/

High Quality Music for your online videos. Red Bull Sound Supply. (n.d.). Retrieved March 3, 2023, from https://www.redbullsoundsupply.com/faq 

Moving Foward:

  I will share my script with you all tomorrow and on Sunday will be creating a mood board for my main character as well as sharing more exciting information about the settings of my short film.

I still need to find a lead! 

I am going to give Red Bull Records a week to get back to me and then will be reaching out to my backup option.

A Little Of Everything

  Hey, blog, I took my SAT Wednesday and it went as expected. I was proud of myself for going because I had signed up for a previous SAT and the day I woke up feeling sick, so I did not go. I for sure failed the maths sections, but so it goes. In a few weeks, I will update you on whether I did better or worse than expected. Hopefully, I did better than I thought I did. Since I went to school Wednesday I thought I was going to be able to go back today, Thursday, and I would have had my AICE Media class. I did not end up going back.  I am hopefully going to school tomorrow and after school, I will be meeting with my Media teacher to discuss this project.

Social Media:

  In class Monday, whilst I was home, my teacher went into depth about the social media aspects of our projects. My friend Julie, whom you all may remember since she was my film opener partner last year, has sent me her notes. Everyone say "Thank you, Julie!" 

  My plan for social media is to create an Instagram account. On Instagram, you can post both video and photo content, unlike on TikTok which I had thought about using. My target audience, teens, is
very familiar with Instagram so I believe this will be what works best.

  What I will be posting on Instagram is unknown. I would like to post still shots (my favorite shots) of my lead character, but I do not have a cast yet. I also at some point likely need to create some sort of logo for my film meaning I also need to choose a title.

Casting Update:

  Each person I have asked to be my lead character has either said no or maybe, but they are busy and will be unlikely to take part in my project. This is a bit of an issue.

Music:

  Last year in my film opener I included music my brother created since my want to use the song Futile Devices by Sufjan Stevens was rejected. Well, it was not rejected, but the company that owns the song wanted me to pay a pretty penny to use the song. Anyways, I heard this song on TikTok today called Always Get This Way by a group The Aces. It hit too close to home, as it what about feeling like your anxiety is causing you to be a burden, but it is a bop of a song. I think it matches the tone of stress/confusion the lead character is going to feel after being ridiculed by her parents for thinking it was the morning when it was still night. I kind of imagine the end of my short film is the lead going to sleep and then I would have my credits at the end. I am a person who falls asleep listening to music, so I thought it would be interesting to have the girl put her AirPods in and turn on the song I mentioned as she goes to sleep. The song would roll into the credits. I have no idea if this is a good idea or if I would even be able to freely have access to the song. A backup song choice would be In My Mind by Lyn Lapid, but I think it is a little slow for my ideal choice. We shall see!

Other Updates:

  I have been working on my script as well as developing my character, who is basically me, is this aspect bad? Maybe?  

Script Sneak Peak

Overall:

  I NEED TO FIND A CAST! Sorry, that was harsh but true