New actor!

We had a new lead actor for the film opening, due to the obligatory quarantine of the coronavirus my friend Fernando couldn't work with me anymore.. After long casting calls and interviews I've finally decided who will play the role of Michael...

ME!

I am the only one that has to act now that in my house there is only my dad, my mom and my sister. I am the only one able to take the lead role.

I'm not very good at acting but I will give my best try to make my project work the way I want it to.

This is me by the way

NEW STORYBOARD

I created a new storyboard. The setting of my opening is now going to be in a bathroom of my house instead of the beach. My character will now be waking up inside of a full of water bathtub. Most of the actions will be the same but with the character of Michael been all alone in the bathroom.

Here are the pictures of my storyboards.

NEW SCREENPLAY!

I finally decided that I am sticking with my original idea but changing the setting and some of the elements including the cast, the setting, the probs and dialogue.

Here are some pictures of my new screenplay. Sorry if the quality of the image is not that good.

Online conference

Last wednesday my class had an online conference with my teacher Mrs. Stoklosa. This is the first time we have talked to her since schools officially closed in the state. She told us new updates over the project. The due date of submission changed from April 5 to April 12. The projects objectives haven't changed at all even though people can't leave their homes due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Good news is that Mrs. Stoklosa will be answering any concerns over her email.

Right now I am changing my initial script and storyboard with the different changes that I am making in my story.

Mrs. Stoklosa told us that we clearly had to show in the opening credits:

- Director
- Writer
- Producer
- Cast
- Music

I'm back

So I haven't posted any post for awhile due to the situation of the pandemic that's been happening all over the world. Schools are closed, supermarkets are empty, there is no one in the streets. The coronavirus makes it look like an apocalyptic environment with everyone in their homes taking care of themselves preventing the expansion of the virus.

Due to this circumstances I haven't been able to work properly in the opening scene project. I was supposed to start filming last weekend but that's when the "chaos"unfolded with everyone in Florida completely panicking over the situation. I waited for a few days hoping that things would ease a little to get the chance to go with all my equipment and cast to film in the beach, but it didn't work out since beaches are now closed.

What I have to work now it's on see how much I have to change of my story to make it work. If I can't think of something that will help me, then I have to change the whole story.

If someone in the future gets to read this, i survived the coronavirus along with my family by staying at home for more than a month.

WE HAVE A TITLE!

I finally decided on what the title of my film opening is going to be!!!!

I am going with: PAY DAY

I made this decision based as a comical theme title based on what will happen in the story, for as we know, the main character of Michael is basically a scammer that will try to find his way to earn a lot of money, but later on his own greedness and desire of power will lead him into some bad business.

I still haven't decided which type of font I will use for the opening credits sequence but I think I'm pretty close to find one that fits the idea and the mood of the scene.

Scout and protagonist

Hellooo

Officially I will start shooting the opening of my film next weekend hopefully the 14th of March. The place where I'll be shooting the beach scene is on Fort Lauderdale Beach. What I haven't decided yet is if I'll be shooting in Las Olas where a lot of people go on weekends, or a couple miles north where the beach is more private and you can park your car right in front of the beach.

In other news, I also found the protagonist of my production that will play Michael Ortiz, his name is Fernando Valck, he is from Dominican Republic, and he has always tell me that he has the desire of being actor. So I am giving him a chance, and I know that he will compromise and try to make his best for this project. 

Let's talk about representation

So I haven't talked a lot about why the importance of my character and the condition that he is experiencing.

The character of Michael experiences anger issues that are involved with underlying difficulties such as depression, anxiety, addiction and other mental problems. This type of people tend to have difficulties with low self-esteem, and mistrust. All of these may happen over a past experience on physical or mental abuse. This type of conditions can be treated with experts that help to treat with anger management or even medications (something that my character in my project will consume).

As I always love to base my research on experiences and productions, I would like to talk about one of the best series that I've seen and that really touched in a emotional way: Bojack Horseman.

I mean, I know what you are thinking, an animated series about a man who is half horse! How touching can that be. Well, this animated series is nothing seen before, it's dark, it's real, it's completely depressive, but in a way it is life. The character background of the main character of Bojack is a great emphasis on how depression and mental issues affect someone in a big way that it cannot be controlled. Bojack is a TV star who had a famous TV show in the 90's, now in the present the character of Bojack is an addict to alcohol, drugs and suffers from a really big depression.

The show makes a big impact on you that leaves you in a very uncomfortable way, knowing from the beginning that it leads to NOT a happy ending. Also, how this type of mental issues can affect anyone, and how no matter if it's a fiction world full of animal-human people, everyone needs help.

That is what I'm trying to show with my project and the character that I've created. Not just the story of someone that drinks and seem funny just to be hangover and doing crazy shit, but also how the past can represent our future, and it is okay, to feel sad or angry sometimes.

Group Ideas

Last class we were organized into different groups to share our ideas of our different projects and to help each other complement our products. This activity was really fun and helpful as I got to know of the different and innovative ideas that other group members have for their projects. I tried to help them by complementing and giving some back up of what they could add or take out for their productions. And, they also helped me a lot to know what to do right now.

What they helped me the most is on the selection of the soundtrack that I will play for the background of my opening scene. They selected my favorite song from one of the preselections that I made in the last post:

- Do I Wanna Know? by Arctic Monkeys

I already sent two emails to Domino Records and Warner Records since both companies were owned by the band of Arctic Monkeys. I sent to both of them just in case one of them didn't have the ownership of the song. I am now waiting for the response of both companies.

Costume, Probs, Audio, Mise en Scene

Ok, so now that I've created and developed my story and the characters that will be presented on it, I am following more research and getting ready all of what will be shown in the screen when I make my production

Costume design

For the costume design for the character of Michael, I've decided that he will wear a daily working suit. Something that will be difficult for the actor to use since the opening will be filmed in a beach with a lot of heat. But it will serve to give the audience the idea of who the character is. The suit may give the idea of elegance and worker, but his appearance may also show the opposite as not caring and just trashy. This are some examples of what I'm trying to portray:

Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems (2019)

Ryan Gosling in The Nice Guys (2016)

Props

Some of the props that I'll use for the production include:

- Empty whiskey bottle

- Cigarettes

- A car (the whole car will not be shown, only windshield)

- Police tickets

- A cell phone

- Pills

- Lighter

All of these will be necessary for the story to make sense and will have a lot of importance to show some elements about the character. 

Audio

For the audio, I have to work in some elements like for example; sound editing, foley stage and getting a good soundtrack. For the foley; I have to record original sounds of the beach ambience, this includes, the waves, sand, and background people. I also need to record a lighter, pills in a small capsule, and other small background elements. 

For the soundtrack, I have some songs that I am still undecided to get the license of them. These include:

- Do I Wanna Know? by Arctic Monkeys

-  Howlin' For You by The Black Keys

- Ain't no rest for the wicked by Cage The Elephant

- Girl Is On My Mind by The Black Keys

If I cannot get the license of my desired song, then I will get a song that has free license ownership, or pay for one in a webpage where these songs can be found.