Storyboard

 hey blog! 

To further plan for our opening film we decided to also make the story board. This story board is going to help us remember what kind of shot we are gonna use in different scenes. We know that our drawing skills aren’t the best, but since we understand what is happening, it helps us plan for when we start filming.

mise-en-scene (Set and props)

 Hey blog! 

In yesterdays blog I told you guys what the main characters are going to wear. Today, I wanted to talk about what the set is going to look like and what props we decided to use to make each scene more interesting. 

Set and props-

Some locations we are going to be using are a bedroom, basketball court, kitchen, office, and gym. In each setting there will be props to help the viewers infer what might have and also just to make it feel more relatable. The props are also going to help emphasize the relevance of each setting.   

Location 1- The bedroom

This room is supposed to play as JD's room, in this room we’re going to have posters of basketball players and quotes along with jerseys of his favorite teams. On his nightstand, in the corner of each shot done in the bedroom, there will be a picture frame with a picture in it. This will have sentimental value to JD because it’s a picture of JD's father, who passed away a few years prior. 

Location 2- Basketball court

The basketball court is going to be use to film scenes of JD’s one on one training. This is where characters like the coach and some other characters will be introduced. In this location we will see his famous (terrible) jump shot. 

Location 4- Office

The office is going to be a great location because we will be able to see the relationship between JD and the coach. Here, we will learn the way he coaches and how he isn’t an easy going coach. He wants to see improvement, determination, and consistency, we will also see just how serious this coach is and how he becomes close to JD.

Location 5- Gym 

In the gym we will see how hard JD works to achieve his dream. JD wants to become as good at basketball as his dad was, after all the name calling he get from his teammates he realizes he needs to change, here is where he will make these improvements happen. This shows how JD works just as hard on the court as much as off it.

mise-en-scene (costume)

 Hey blog! 

In our film, I will be playing the part of Marcus, the coach. As the coach I will be wearing a white polo and black pants, we chose this because it is simple but allows us convey his job and his authority. I don't have a white polo so I'm going to have to buy one off of amazon so it can arrive before we start filming. 

I found a few good options for myself and will be buying it once I get home. 

The basketball players including JD will be wearing basketball jerseys, all matching in the same color to show they are on the same team. We are going to make JD wear anything possible that makes him look like an athlete despite his lack of talent which helps with the comedic part of the film. Something like this picture but with a jersey.

 

Character development

Hey blog! 

Today in class me and my group were discussing how we could develop of characters in our film, Airball. Are two main characters are going to be a basketball player and his coach. Their relationship drives the emotional core of the story, however, how can we develop these characters to make the film more interesting. 

The basketball player- 

This character is going to be the heart of the story, representing lots of ambition but lacks many skills. His journey is going to revolve around overcoming personal and external challenges. Although he lacks talent, he makes up for it with determination. He is always the first to practice and the last one to leave, despite of this he hears all the whispers in the locker room and the eye rolls from his teammates. He also has pressure because his father was a big shot in his basketball career and after his passing he wants to carry on his legacy.

The coach-

To develop the coaches character we decided to give him struggles of his own. he was destined to be the greatest baller out there but fell short of his greatness. When he first started coaching it was a passion of his, but after seeing so many players come and go the love for coaching started disappearing. Due to this, he first dismisses the player because he sees him as a lost cause. However, he realized this kid is different, he say the fire in his eyes and the determination he had to become great. Regardless, the coach isn’t the type to just give out free encouragement so he wanted to continue seeing this ambitious player. The coach starts to have a change in perspective that sometimes the ones who want it the most are the ones who make it. 

Project Idea (Airball)

     Cambridge I can’t even lie, coming up with our project idea was not easy. Every single time we had an idea that we thought was good, we would share it with our group and it just sounded horrible. However, with the help of our group meetings with classmates along with meetings with our teacher we were able to create a better opening film.

    The original idea was about a basketball game where the main character keeps missing shots even though he has good form. He ends up getting benched by the coach and feels that no matter how hard he tries, someone else is always better. There was supposed to be a montage of him practicing, making bad jokes, and working out, but in the end he still misses. The story was about trying hard but not always improving. After hearing all the criticism from our peers we knew we had to change it. 

    The new version is simpler and focuses more on the character. It starts with what seems like a big game, but then it turns out to be just practice. After training, he talks with the coach and has a moment with his mom where he remembers his dad. The last part shows him working out at the gym with no voiceover, just natural sounds. Instead of just showing a big improvement, it shows his struggle. 

    My takeaway-

    The main change between both versions is removing the montage and not having as many voiceovers. The middle part will be the most challenging to make interesting, but it will help develop the character more.

MEDIA THEORY

     In our film opening, we want to show Gabriel (the main character) as he tries to become a great basketball player. To help structure our story, we are integrating the Todorov’s Narrative Theory of Equilibrium. 

    What is this theory? 

This theory explains how stories follow a pattern where things start normal, something disrupts that, and by the end a new balance is found. 

In this theory there are 5 stages-

1. Equilibrium- everything is normal
2. Disruptions- something happens to mess things up
3. Recognition- The character realizes the problem
4. Attempt to repair- the character will try to fix it 
5. New equilibrium- things start to settle, but it’ll be different from before

Why this works in our film opening- 

At the start, Gabriel is just playing basketball for fun and isn’t very serious yet. Then something happens such as, failing a tryout or facing doubt, which disrupts his balance. He realizes he has to change and work harder to improve. By the end, Gabriel will reach a new point in his journey, whether it’s success or even just growth. 

1. Equilibrium- Gabriels life before his basketball journey begins (he’s only really playing for fun)
2. Disruptions- while playing he will either fail a tryout or peoples comments are preventing him from progressing.
3. Recognition- He realizes his challenges and wants to work harder to overcome them.
4. Attempt to repair-  He dedicates himself to train and pushing himself beyond limits.
5. New equilibrium- Gabriel reaches a turning point in his journey, whether it is success or just growth. 

  

 Why we are using it-

 This theory helps keep our story clear, engaging and even relatable. It also allows for a strong structure and natural flow of his journey. It also builds tension and makes his struggles feel real. By using this, we can show how he grows as a character and make the audience connect with his story.

Group meeting #1

    Today in AICE media we got put into our first group meeting. We each shared our Blogger URL and helped each other understand where we could improve. After this we started talking about our own idea of the opening film. With the help of each other we were able to create different perspectives which helped make our ideas much better and sound more appealing for a wider audience.

Clemence- 

In her opening scene she will show abuse in a relationship with her boyfriend. Then it will cut to the protagonist walking through the party and seeing her partner. After she sees him there, it cuts to flashbacks and then it will come back to the party and they will hug each other. All sets up the drama and context for the rest of the plot. The genre is psychological drama/ romance, its modern and about a toxic relationship. 

Clem's AICE Media year

Fati-

    In her opening, she starts with the summer sun burning bright, while also emphasizing how the character felt nothing. Laughter filled the world outside, however she remained alone in silence. Each day fazed into the next, she had thoughts of disappearing which kept growing stronger. Fatima is trying to create a very dramatic and depressing image of the girl.

FatiDumitsblog

Julian/Aneesh-

    Julian and Aneesh are working on this project together, they have decided to create a legal thriller. There idea of this film is an innocent man sits on death row, falsely convicted of a crime he did not commit. With his execution date coming along, they have one final chance to clear his name. Me, Fati, and Clemence told them to also add how they wanted to clear his name. We gave a few ideas, whether it was through a last minute appeal, new evidence came to light, or an unexpected victim will to come out and shed light on the truth. 

Aneesh's Blog 

Juliansblog