Progression of my film!

The next major step in my senior film project is finding a suitable location. My overall goal would be to have at least four locations, but I think I’ll end up with at least three. I have been scouting out local spots that would be fitting for the film genre, and a few abandoned building. I’m in the process of calling the real estate agencies that own them to ask if I can have permission to shoot my film there.

I have been continually researching video techniques and martial art practices to enhance the authenticity of the genre. I’ve been keeping a log of camera angles I want to use as well as developing storyboards and coming up with costume designs. I hope to start shooting some scenes within the next two weeks.

Holy SCREENPLAY Batman!

When developing a short film it is a wise idea to have a script formulated so that everyone can be on the same page, literally. I have been reading a variety of screenplays and “how to books” on the process, and I also have great resources from my narrative screenwriting class. One of the books I discovered on Google book search was Screencraft: Screenwriting. The book examines the process of some of the best screenwriters in the industry and interviews them on their thoughts and development of stories and character conflict. For example: Paul Schrader discusses his thoughts while developing Raging Bull and shows some early outlines.

http://books.google.com/books?id=1DT_X_7fC4cC&printsec=frontcover&dq=screenwriting&hl=en&sa=X&ei=oAQaT9r_JoXUgQeFqKmrCw&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=screenwriting&f=false

The sole premise for my short film is two samurai sword experts. So I have been researching sword techniques and watching classic Japanese films. The best recourse for this has been YouTube, Dailymotion, and Netflix. YouTube can provide short clips with the exact part you are looking for, but with Netflix you have any movie you want at your disposal. I recently watched The Twilight Samurai in which a samurai warrior decides to take care of his family instead of devoting himself to his clan, but his clan force him to take a dangerous assignment. There are so many great samurai films like The Seven Samurai, Ran, Throne of Blood, and The Hidden Blade; all with little techniques and tricks that I jot down in my note book while watching. Above everything else it’s a specific genre and people expect certain things to happen. Here’s a short list of and links to clips I have been watching.

· Best Zatoichi fights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNlSoDoEHbQ&feature=related

· Sucker Punch – Samurai fight scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-bCGOthQ5k&feature=related

· Samurai Fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hCE2U87Y4o&feature=related

Learning Objectives for my Senior Project

Over the course of my Shepherd career I have learned many techniques that I have found to be very useful in my concentration, which is digital filmmaking. When it comes to filmmaking and digital film in particular the field is constantly changing, so it’s up to me to keep up with the times and with the resources I have at my disposal.

My learning objectives will be concentrated on visual effects and making a low budget production look relatively professional. I want to practice the art of color replacement. For example a scene that is black and white with a character having a red shirt stand out, like in the movie Sin City or The Spirit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JosPMj7-Vk4&feature=related

I also want to master the effect of slow motion effects in choreographed fight scenes. I have played around a little bit with slow motion, but I feel with more practice I can make it look visually stimulating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JZXuW9RZM8&list=FLHc9UCqXKUJtNj8__bNZcqA&index=5&feature=plpp_video

The cinematic look can make your low budget film go from just another YouTube video to a film that stands out and makes people notice your work, and also shows off your skills with the software.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORkUM18QS-8&list=FLHc9UCqXKUJtNj8__bNZcqA&index=2&feature=plpp_video

I hope to learn and get better at these techniques and make a short fictional film I can be proud of and something people would enjoy watching. I feel have an assortment of recourses and knowledgeable mentors to help guide me through this, along with personal motivation.