Publication 2, Week 6

In the process of downloading all the videos to my computer, I think about whether this opening of a film should be silent regarding dialogue and only contain diegetic sounds, such as the background noise. I also think about if this opening to the film be black and white, or have a tint of color. These decisions have to do with the essence of the film. Meaning, the plot and the way it (at the end) creates a longing for what's next. It establishes an uncertainty of what's to come, even if most people think the ending of the story is implied (there might be a plot twist). Below, I will insert certain silent and black & white movies that sparked the inspiration in me and question whether these ideas should be fulfilled.

BLACK & WHITE:

The Artist (2011)


Frances Ha (2013)


LITTLE TO NO DIALOGUE FILMS:

In The City of Sylvia (2007)


Wall-E (2008)

Publication 1, Week 6

This is I, and Luis, one of the main actors while the other actor, Tomas, is filming this video. We had been planning going to the beach since last Wednesday. Finally, Saturday we filmed everything we needed for this film opening. It was a longer and more difficult process than expected. My friend and main actor, Tomas, knows a little about certain shots and how to act so while I was directing, he was producing. We made sure to get a variety of shots and angles: close ups, establishing shots, POV shots and high angles. As well as certain techniques, those included: rack focus, subtle zooming and tracking shots. Most people believe that making a video is easy, and the truth is, it is. A video that does not make the audience feel anything, that does not have the essence of a film, that does not bring great content to the screen, is easy. But making a film is so underrated, most people do not understand or know half the work that is conducted into making a film possible. If making a film opening of 2 minutes is complex, imagine a full length feature film. Insane.

Publication 1, Week 5

There are some guidelines to this projects, those guidelines have to do with school. With that being said, this film opening has to be "school appropriate". This phrase is very well known and in my opinion very general. So, since I did not completely understand what the limits were in regards to the content that is produced and shown, I asked my teacher. At first I was a little bit hesitant as to how I was going to format the question so it wouldn't sound "rude", or "ignorant", or least of all as if I didn't understand the phrase in all it's "complexity".
The question was concerning smoking. Cigarettes. Smoking cigarettes. I wanted to know how much I could show, IF I was allowed to show it, if the character's age had to be introduced and clearly stated that they are legally of age to be doing this.
Mrs. Tina Stoklosa said yes. It is allowed. The box is allowed to be shown. The person with the cigarette in their mouth is allowed. BUT. but. Smoke is not to be portrayed. There is not to be smoke puffed, seen, THERE, anywhere. Ok, great. No worries. I can deal with that. Consequently, I went online to find fake cigarettes and it turns out party city has them.

Merci d'avoir lu, je les aime<3 

- Camila Castillo 

Publication 3, Week 4

As mentioned before (maybe) the stars of the film are two gay lovers, that don't know it yet. That is, they start obviously as strangers but then it gradually grows into a friendship. Lastly exploiting their love for eachother.

The first character I may name... Rene, is more talkative and social. He definitely is secure of himself and not is afraid of asking a complete, foreign stranger to put tanning lotion on his back (spoiler). Rene is Venezuelan but has been living in Miami for a while which has opened his mind on the diverse cultures there are to explore and accept.

The second character named Alessandro, is timid and absolutely worried when a stranger asks for a hand when putting on tanning lotion. He is Costa Rican and is used to calm, tranquil, and peaceful experiences. Alessandro has not traveled outside of his country which in turn makes him only knowledgeable on his own people.

The film opening will take place in Hallandale Beach, at the morning as well as around sunset. I can already imagine the pale, early colors and the bright sun descending on the couple.

Merci d'avoir lu, je les aime<3 

- Camila Castillo 

Publication 2, Week 4

I wanted to show certain stills from the film "Call Me By Your Name" which I stated after is a major inspiration in the making of this opening. There were specific shots that really captured the essence Luca Guadagnino, the director, was trying to portray. The feel, the vibe, the mood of the film was amazingly created. The colors as well, in CMBYN the color scheme was very natural and had tints of pale green, pale yellow and pale blue. Below I will show you certain shots that I would love to recreate in my film opening.

These images (1st and 2nd) are what I imagine for the beginning when the second character has just arrived to the beach, and the first character (sitting) is seen from the back looking at the second character from a distance.

Later, these images give a raw and vast space between the characters. This gives a very natural and simple yet beautiful feel to the shots. It is not overbearing nor empty, it creates a different space. One that is not scene in many films. I believe the variety of diverse and creative shots made a huge part in the film. 

Merci d'avoir lu, je les aime<3 

- Camila Castillo 

Publication 1, Week 4

I spoke with my teacher and pitched her my idea. There had been many aspects and details to the project that I had not thought about. Certain details that I didn't think would effect the content itself. This goes to show that when creating something, and especially when wanting to create something great, you have to focus on the small things. For example, my idea is set to take place at the beach. The beach is a beautiful place to film at yet complex. There are natural, environmental aspects that are out of one's control. Another example, the sun. The Sun is a ball of fire millions of light years away (or maybe that's what they want us to think) that has been illuminating the Earth for billions of years (or has it?). This Sun changes the look, obviously the lighting, shows the passing of time, gives a distinct vibe to a scene depending on its position.

With this being said, if I were to film a calm, well-lit scene without much exposure in the physical camera then I would have to film in the morning. No later than 11am which is when the Miami, Florida coastal heat starts to hit. This would help with the mise-en-scene with the characters. For example, if the actors have been outside, at the beach, in the sun, for a couple of hours, it visually could be implicated. Yet, that is not the point for the beginning of the scene, the passing of time should be shown as their mise-en-scene gradually grows sweaty and bronzed. If I were to get stills of the water and shots of them already (as states before) "beached" (glowy and bronzed) then these scenes would best be filmed at noon or later. When the extreme rays of the Sun have just begun to pierce our skin.

These are factors that I now have to take into consideration. I really like caring for the little things. And in this case, little things that play I big role. (get it? cause actors? a film opening? playing a role? no? no, ok.)

Merci d'avoir lu, je les aime<3 

- Camila Castillo 

Publication 2, Week 3

Sorry I have been a little AWOL with the blog posting, I have been quite occupied with the cognitive process of this project. As well as, the actors that are going to play the role of the characters name's I have yet to figure out. Oh, also the wardrobe and if they are going to be speaking English or Spanish. I would love for it to be Spanish, but I would have to make subtitles which is great because I love to be creative and see what color and font I would use for them.

This is a rough "visual" sketch of the filming process that I had verbally described in the previous blog post. I have been working on actual sample stills of what the filming process should come down to. I'll draw my own and find some online so you can picture in your head meanwhile it is being filmed and not yet at your disposal.

Merci d'avoir lu, je les aime<3 

- Camila Castillo 

Publication 1, Week 3

List of shots that I think would portray a great scene:

- long shot of a car arriving at a hotel near beach

- close up of subject inside (visually 1st introducing main character)

- track shot of him descending the car and walking to the beach

- pov shot of second subject (visually 2nd introduce other main character) sitting on a beach chair 

- pan shot from the back of the 2nd character to the first that's arriving (sits at a distance)

- the focus changes from 2nd character to 1st with a rack focus technique

- there is a close up of the book that the 2nd character is reading

- he gets up (the shot remains for 6 seconds or so) to ask the person for something

- there is dialogue between the two men

and much more that I have to visualize but so far, this is how I imagine it to be. I know that it is different for reader's creativeness to spark with only this information as opposed to me, that the difficulty is putting it into words. 

There are many elements that I have seen in films of the genre I am trying to portray, that will aid in the process of making it more raw and realistic. Integrating the natural colors and diegetic sounds so it can be considered the target genre. The story is heartwarming, but has a saddening end. Just to give it a little juiciness. Sucks that you guys will only get to see the heartwarming part.... for now ;)

Merci d'avoir lu, je les aime<3 

- Camila Castillo 

Publication 2, Week 2

In 2017, a wonderful film that to this day I am still in love with, was released into the world. This film has woken up an artistic and creative part of me, that I did not know I had. It made me appreciate raw, real, and eyesome films. Its scenery is one of a kind, it's story is heartfelt, and it's actors are grand. This film inspired me to promote the nature of Earth, nature of life, and nature of self in not only my art but in my thoughts. In me it opened a door of poetry, an open-mindedness, and an inexplicable love for love. 'Call Me By Your Name' helped me find a goal for this project; a style of filming and an essence of purity through the content. My film opening will have scream 'Call Me By Your Name' but in it's own unique way.

Merci d'avoir lu, je les aime<3 

- Camila Castillo