This is a good scene to study because it effectively utilizes horror and invokes suspense in the audience.
Cue
Note
The scene should be undetailed
Suspense is built up over the course of the scene
The shot of the corpse is brief
The hand of the Look-See moves too fast to be clearly identified
There is no black screen to hide the man’s death, it just cuts to his corpse
Over head shot of the corpse
Summary
In order to effectively show the defiling of a corpse for a specific object, the sequence should be quick and should be an overhead shot as if someone was standing above the corpse. The shot should also be a close up of the corpse to hide the defiler and add mystery to the scene.
The most important thing for stories is to make people care
Stories should give you a promise at the start
Theory of 2 plus 2
As a storyteller, you must hide from the audience that they are “working for their meal.”
Change is fundamental
If stories go static, they die
“Drama is anticipation mingled with uncertainty.”
Story theme
It is important to invoke wonder into your audience
All good stories have a theme
Use what you know, take truths from your experiences
Summary
It is key when telling stories to make your audience care about the story. This is done by allowing the audience to piece things together, “Don’t give them 4, give them 2+2.” Change is also key to keeping your audience engaged, since static stories make people bored. Characters should have spines, as this is another way to keep the audience engaged. Finally, it is important that your story has a theme, so that the story can have a meaning to it.
By March 2nd, as part of my film team, I will explore the screenwriter’s skill pathway by following The Visual Story by Bruce Block and will have created scenes that show tone through intentional lighting over the course of the Session 4 project.
Billy Wilder was an Austria-Hungary aspiring lawyer who eventually made his way into Hollywood screenwriting. He tended to start his movies with narration and had a balance of cynicism and humor. He also featured a lot of manipulative women in his films and used low-key lighting quite often.
Coincidence of tone happens when the tone reveals the subject.
Non-coincidence of tone happens when the object is obscured by the tone
The three ways to control the gray scale are incident control, reflective control, and exposure
Project Timeline
Day 1: Begin brainstorming and Fibonacci
Day 2: Continue brainstorming and begin script
Day 3: Finish script and begin story board
Day 4: Present story board and begin filming
Day 5: Finish filming
Day 6: Begin editing and ADR
Day 7; Finish editing/ADR and gather evidence for the slide show
PRODUCTION – ACTION
The (FILM, SOUND, or GAME Creation)
Skills Commentary
I showed rhythm in the script by making both of shoe goblins lines the same number of syllables. I showed evidence for tension by writing a chase sequence where Nardo, the main character, narrowly escapes. I shoed the visual story element tone by using coincident and non-coincidental lighting to show the importance of Nardo’s shoes, which are a focus of the film.
Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)
I showed creativity by creating the idea for the film and thinking of the key events that take place throughout.
Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)
I modified my original idea with the director to transform it into the film that we ended up creating.
Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)
I learned how to use a light and the importance of different angles.
Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)
I studied script writing and movie conventions in order to make my original idea for the film more appealing to a general audience.
Reactions to the Final Version
Michelle said that the red filter added in one of the chase scenes was a good idea and the she liked.
Self-Evaluation of Final Version
Our film is simple because the characters motivations are clear and understandable, and the events happen in a very clear order. Our film is unexpected because it has twist ending and the overall plot is weird and goofy. Our film has emotion because it is funny and made the audience laugh. Our film has a story because it features 2 characters fighting each other to accomplish their goals.
What I Learned and Problems I Solved
I learned how to use the visual story element tone in my films in order to show the importance of specific items.
By January 28th as a part of Team 1, I will have read cinematic story telling to be able to write a properly formatted script that clearly demonstrates elements of horror.
Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)
I used problem solving when I changed the original script, because it wasn’t good enough, and made it vastly superior.
Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)
My group communicated in order to plan out how the film would go, and the specific shots we would make in each scene.
Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)
I looked at other thriller films, such as Split, in order to effectively write a proper thriller script.
Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)
I used trends on the internet to weave comedy into the horror/thriller themed script.
Reactions to the Final Version
“I like the comedy undertones, even though the film is a thriller.”- Moira
Self-Evaluation of Final Version
I think our film had emotion, since it could have evoked a feeling of fear into the audience. It was simple, since the motives of the characters and the characters themselves were easy to understand. It told the story of Travis and Scott, and has a proper conclusion to that story. The motive of Scott is unexpected and catches the audience by surprise.
What I Learned and Problems I Solved
I solved the problem with our old script. It was originally subpar and incoherent. However, I re-wrote it and gave it a story, actual characters and a far more fleshed out plot.
People believe that institutionalized racism is present in America
Non-white races are at a disadvantage in certain situations, like when receiving a criminal sentence or applying for a job
Some films can perpetuate racism, while others speak out against it
What should you ask your self
Remember to ask yourself, what can you learn about other cultures from a film?
Does the film reinforce or challenge racist stereotypes?
Summary
Since racism is present in reality, it is present in films. Films talk about racism in different ways, and certain things become more or less acceptable as time goes on.
M. Night Shaymalan is note worthy screenwriter because he writes interesting scripts with unique aspects. His works have a one of a kind feeling to them, you can tell if it’s an M. Night movie. He is hit or miss, but when he makes a good film it stands out and becomes almost an instant fan favorite.
Training Source(s)
Empathize and understand the character sin the script (0:48)
I wrote the script and sectioned off the beginning, the middle, and the end. I also wrote to a rhythm, every piece of dialogue, except one, from the main character is in sets of 3 words.
POST-PRODUCTION – REFLECTION
21st Century Skills
Ways of Thinking (Creativity, Innovation, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving)
I showed creativity by coming up with the idea for the film.
Ways of Working (Communication & Collaboration)
I communicated my vision of the film to my other teammates in order to bring it into reality.
Tools for Working (Info & Media Literacy)
I emulated the feel of a 3am YouTube video.
Ways of Living in the World (Life & Career)
I learned the importance of making compromises with a group to further development.
Reactions to the Final Version
“The script captured the spirit of 3 am videos,” Reese.
“I like how you wrote the dialogue in 3’s,” Sophia.
Self-Evaluation of Final Version
The film was simple because it had straight forward story, that’s easy to follow. The film is unexpected through its use of irony. The film is emotional because it is funny and evokes laughter from those who watch it.
What I Learned and Problems I Solved
I learned how to write a script. Prior, I already knew how to write dialogue in story, but not in a script format. This knowledge will be useful going forward, since I can now write a script without having to learn anything new, and I can more effectively proof read my teammates script.
