Filming the first scenes

    So, from the last blog post you know that we started filming the indoor scenes first before the outdoor ones because it wasn't dark yet. The first scene we filmed was Juan the cop entering my bedroom and discovering the body in the bathroom. My goal for this scene was to create suspense and a dark tone to hopefully make the audience feel the anxiety and tension of the scene. Juan was very cooperative and had some great ideas that we could incorporate into this scene, so it wasn't hard at all working with him. I filmed him entering the room from about four different shots and angles. I used close-ups, medium shots, over the shoulder shots, and a simple pan shot of him walking. I chose these shots and angles because they were the easiest shots to capture the action in the little light we had. I actually had another flashlight on besides the one Juan was using in the film to get better lighting. I didn't point the light directly at Juan because it would take away from the suspense of the scene and make it seem more fake than it was. So I had the light on but I pointed it down at and angle so we got some light on Juan but not too much to make it look phony, I actually think it came out quite naturally in this scene.
    Although this was not a perfect shoot and we did mess up a couple times. There actually is a notice able mess up in the film that I will try to cover up with editing. But, I noticed it while filming the first scene but once we got into the second I completely forgot about it due to how much fun we were having setting it up. The mess up for some won't seem like a big deal but for me it's just a little frustrating in editing. So, in the first scene I have him walk towards the chair while clearing the bedroom and the next shot would be him going to the bed and checking under it. Well we filmed him clearing the room but I forgot to film him moving away from that corner so I know in the middle of that scene there will be a jump cut from him in the corner to now next to the bed looking under it. Hopefully my editing skills come in handy and I can clean up that scene. Now that we finished the first scene; here comes the fun part. Getting Matthew bloodied up and in the bathtub.

Beginning to Film

    Today is the day! We’re going to film this project and then tomorrow I shall begin the editing process. We’re starting the day and Matthews house because we all stayed there the night before, at about 12:00 a.m. we made our way to my house. Before getting to my house we made a couple stops: first we went to the Dollar Tree to pick up a cheap and realistic toy gun that we can give to Juan for his police officer costume. The gun was a simple black gun and had an orange tip on the front to indicate that it in fact is, a toy (although I did take the tip off when we were filming).  Then, we went up to Party City and bought a bottle of fake blood spray, which is just a bottle of fake blood in a spray bottle so when we spray it it looks more realistic and spread apart.
    We wanted to start filming even though it was still light out because we wanted to start and get it over with so when it gets dark we'd only have a couple shots to shoot: Juan approaching the apartment, Matthew leaving the apartment, and the beginning scenes of Juan in the cop car. But, in order to film inside we needed to get rid of all the natural light coming in from the windows. So, for about thirty minutes to an hour Matthew, Juan and I were struggling to tape a bed sheet to the window to block the light. We tried taping my comforter but that was too heavy and kept falling down so we moved to a lighter alternative and used a bed sheet, which, didn't work either. Matthew then came up with the idea of going outside and taping the sheet from there. After about ten more minutes we realized this wouldn't work; but, my mom then came out and told us the great idea of just using a stapler. It was amazing how that idea had just slipped our minds. So, we went inside stapled the sheet and covered the window. In the film if you look closely you can see the sheet in my room blocking the light from the window.

Title

    Today is the big day! I have called off of work today and my friends Juan and Matthew are coming to film. This is very exciting because I have so many great ideas! Also, I wanted to share something new I have thought of that helps for the title. So, I am going to title the movie after a cult (no not a real one). I am doing this because it allows me to have a simple title and also because what the movie would be (if I created a full length version) is about a cult. A Charles Manson or American Horror Story Cult style of cult. What I mean by this is the movie would be about the cult and its leader and what the cult does (like breaking into houses). I rather like this idea and it still allows me to use the same inspirations as before. So now that you know why I am naming it after a cult, its time to share the title.
    The title for my film opening is: Morem Porcos.Or translated in English it is Death to Pigs. I chose this title because the saying “Death to Pigs” I got from the Charles Manson Family Murders, which on the walls of the house they wrote in blood “Death to Pigs.” So, I took that quote and translated it into Latin and got Mortem Porcos, and I thought that sounded really cool so I kept it at that.

STORYBOARD

    Ok, I have completed the storyboard and honestly I am very happy with it. It's 15 slides and fits the two minute time limit that I have for the film opening and I posted pictures of it below. The other day we had another group discussion in class to like bounce off ideas and get feedback. Last time it didn’t really help but this time it did greatly. My classmates helped me evolve my idea into something better, easier to film and in my opinion: scarier. I told them my ideas and what shots I wanted and I heard their opinions and then we put our minds together and came up with a great idea and some really cool shots and angles that I can use. This chat we had really boosted my confidence with filming this project and replaced all the stress I had with excitement and an eagerness to film something wonderful!

More props and shots

    So, for the opening I’m gonna need a couple props. I no longer will be needing any prop knives or things like that. Instead, I most likely get a costume for a police officer and a toy gun. The other props I need will be a mask and a flashlight, besides those that’s it.

    As of right now, I’d like for the opening to be of one long shot (a master shot) where the camera doesn’t cut. I like this idea because it’s creative and the master shot will help bring suspense. The master shot would be if the camera following the cop as he searches the house, it would mostly be over the shoulder but the angles could change as well. 

Plot / story changes

    Ok, so I changed the idea a bit to make the final project what it is. So, we’re no longer going to have a couple. Instead it will be just a cop and his partner with the masked killer. It still is a break in and all that but instead of the opening starting during the break-in, it starts after. I feel this new idea I have is better for an opening for a horror film and will make it a more thrilling and scarier experience. It will create more suspense and hopefully frighten those easily scared.

School and Schedule

    So, today in class we had time to talk to other groups and share ideas and give ideas and what not. I don't know if it's just me but the kids at my table didn't really help. I told them my ideas and helped with theirs but they didn't really add anything to mine besides "Oh, that's cool," but it's okay because I still learned from theirs and created more ideas of my own with inspiration from theirs (not saying if it's positive nor negative). I have a shooting schedule now, not the exact days but I know it's going to be a Saturday when I come home from work. My friends are gonna come over and we're just gonna have a blast filming this and I can't wait. Whenever we all get creative we really create something special and I'm excited to see how this one goes.