I'm Worried

 Good morning, in yesterday's post we saw that I really wasn't having a good day to create my film opening, and today is now my new intended day to film and/or edit.  

Honestly, I am really scared that I won't have a film opening.  Considering all that went on yesterday with trying to even edit what I already had, now I'm wondering if anything will work now.  For some reason the clips I had already shot don't want to upload onto iMovie or onto my computer, however everything I filmed yesterday for the vlog worked fine.  

I think I'm really starting to doubt myself, because even if I manage to get a film opening of some sort, I am worried that it won't be good and will affect my score on the exam.  

For right now, I think the best idea is to have a positive attitude and see how today goes.  

Wish me luck!

And It All Went Downhill...

Where to begin?

I know the title sounds scary, and for good reason.  Today, I intended to have a vlog for this entry rather than a traditional blog post, but as you will see later and come to understand, of course that wouldn't work out for me, so instead, I will be breaking down what has happened over the past few days that I initially had 

The New Idea

As I mentioned before, I had come up with a new idea, which was to create a fake documentary.  The next day, which was last Friday for me,  I decided to double check that the fake documentary would be okay for me to do.  

After checking the rubric, it turns out that I need to create something that is fiction.  Was my idea fiction?  Technically yes, but it's essentially me trying to create the story of a version of me that doesn't exist.  With that in mind, I decided that I would still keep that idea, but tell the story in a different way.  My new-new idea was to tell the story of a girl writing a song and then it would late be a huge success for her, and the rest would be history.  The opening would be her getting an idea for a melody and then struggling to write.  In the hypothetical rest of the film, not only will she have donut inspiration, but she would also have seen success.

As a songwriter myself, I know the process and the struggle of having an idea and then completely blanking.  I knew this character very well, as she would essentially be me.  I would have kept the same character name, just changed around a few things about Lilly.  I knew that I would be able to use my own work for this and be able to revisit and go back through what I had, even if it was something I wasn't too proud of, this could also allowed me to revisit my own work and possibly have a new idea for it.

I'd also be able to feature my guitar and give people insight into what it's like to write a song sometimes and how long and hard it is, but as of right now, this won't be happening.

Yesterday

Yesterday, I was excited because I started to work on a script for this new idea, however, my Google Docs ran out of storage and my Word account from school was glitching so I was left with Pages on my Mac.  It's not that I don't like Pages, but using it in the past has given me many issues with anything important I've ever had to do, but regardless, I resorted to it.

I hadn't written much, simply because I knew what I wanted to do and was going to do, that I felt it would be much better if I had written the script after filming, so I made more of a guide.

Not only did I have a mini mock-up of a script for this, but then one of my friends told me that she would be able to help me film.  Although I had tested positive for COVID-19, I was no longer contagious on Friday, and her parents were aware that it would be possible for me to test positive for even three more weeks.  I was starting to regain some confidence in my idea and project as a whole.

Today

Well, it was just one thing after another today.

I had texted my friend to figure out a good time for her to come over for the project, and at first she told me that she would be able to some time this afternoon.

I decided that I would try to start getting ready by curling my hair, so I could let the curls drop and wave my hair a little to get my desired look for the opening.  However, once I had finished doing my hair, my friend had sent me a text saying that unless I tested negative, she wouldn't be able to come over.

Here's the thing, of course, I 100% understand why her parents are hesitant to let her come and help me, but it's the last thing I needed.  I've gone through a lot lately, and this wasn't helping my case.  I ultimately decided that I was going to take the footage that I already had, but wasn't happy with, and see what I could create with it.

I get my record player set, and try to upload the clips onto my computer, and of course, it wouldn't work.  I decided that even though it would be more uncomfortable for me, I would have to edit it on my phone.  

For some reason, iMovie wouldn't let me select the videos from that day, however everything I had vlogged up to that point was fine to upload on there.  

This was really frustrating for me, so I decided that I would take a break to calm down and think.

I tried again, but it wasn't working, and decided that I was done for the day and was going to revisit this tomorrow even though it would throw me off of my schedule.

I edited there vlog, since that seemed to work and was able to upload it to my computer.  In fact, I was about to upload it here, but as the trend was going, it decided not to work for me.  

It's been a long and frustrating day.  I've decided that I am going to put a pause on this for right now, and figure out what I will do tomorrow.  I will try again with the other clips I had, but if that doesn't, I don't know what I will do.

New Idea Alert! (again...)

 Welcome back to "Quarantine Chronicles", I'm your host, Rafi Prieto, and on today's episode, we're going to talk about my new idea for the film opening!

Sorry about that introduction, that's how I've been jokingly texting my friends for the past few days, and I thought why not include it here!

As the title shows, I have yet another idea.  This one feels a lot better.

Sooooo, I have to create a film opening, but there is no specific type of film for me to create. I was looking around my room, and looked at my gorgeous Orangewood Echo Live Guitar, I'll insert a picture.

That's my beautiful guitar, it has a filter over it, but you get the idea.  As I looked at it I thought, "Rafi, you're a musician, why don't you do something about that?"  

I've always been a singer, and love song-writing, so I was thinking, what if I did a documentary.  I guess imagining what it would look like if I were a successful artist.  I don't get too comfortable sharing my own music, but I can always insert clips of voice memos I have, and some clips I have of me playing.  I could also do fake interviews.

I feel like in this idea, I can do what I already know and love.  I think it's also a unique take on this project, and maybe I'll act like I'm older and bring in some of what I am currently going through.  

I'm still creating a character, even though it's me, and I'm still developing a story of some sort.  I think this is the one!

A little bit about me

 Welcome back, so today's post is going to be a little different from the rest.  I feel like part of being able to do this project is making sure that I'm okay, and I'm going to be honest, right now I have a lot going on.  

This year has been tough.  I went from a freshman to a senior before I could even blink  Sure, I feel like everyone can say it, but with the pandemic, I feel like that sped up my entire high school experience.  

Why has this year been tough?  A lot, but I won't get into it all.  Like I said, this year flew by and that was very overwhelming.  As we approach the end of the year, it's like I need a second to just be in the moment if that makes sense.  I want to be done with school, but at the same time want more time here.

Not only that, but I didn't get into my top school and got waitlisted in my back up, which has really been tough on me recently.  I see all my friends getting in and not care about it too much, not only that but they are all going to my top school, which was a back up for them.  I feel like I sound like a jealous, angry friend, and I'm not.  Sure, it slightly bothers me, but I truly am happy for them, it just hurts a little right now.  This happened in the span of three weeks.  

When that just happens, I get COVID-19, and can't see the people I love for a week.  I've never needed to see them more.  I mean, they have been so amazing with calling me and checking in, and it's only been three days of me having the virus, but it's not the same.  I'm lucky to have my instruments in my room with me, which help me relieve a lot of what I go through.

I just feel like it's necessary to talk about how I'm doing. I feel like I'm worrying a lot about this project, and not taking the time to relax before I really think about it.  Now that I think about it, I'm almost glad in a way that I have these next few days to gather my thoughts and figure out what I truly want to do for my film opening.

Lights, Camera, Action!... Oh wait, never mind and oh no!

Well, we're back, and I have good news, bad news, and well, more bad news.  Where to start?  I'll start with the good news, and then dive into the bad, as that's how this all led to where I am right now,.

Good News

On Friday, I filmed the entirety of my film opening thanks to the help of my lovely friends who made the process so much easier for me.  We started to vlog some of the behind the scenes of it, but there really wasn't much to show, and we forgot to vlog some of the more important parts, so for that reason, I will not be adding those in.

Bad News 1

After looking through all of we filmed, all of the retakes and bloopers, I realized that I wasn't happy with any of it.  Sure, it looks good, but this isn't the opening I want to make for my final exam, and I'm still not to happy with my first idea, but I may end up doing that instead.

Bad News 2

Well, I got covid.  How is that relevant?  Considering that I am now stuck in my room for the next week, I lose time to film.  Could I film in my room?  Not really.  I can't be behind the camera and on it at the same time.  Not only that, but the majority of where my scene is set is downstairs at my dining room table.  Could I change the setting to be in my room?

The short answer is no.  Why?  Well, the main reason is that Lilly gets up to answer her door to then be stabbed by a masked killer.

It makes no sense for Lilly to open her front door from her bedroom, but for right now, this is all I have.

So, what now?

Great question.  Do I use the material I have but don't like to submit for my final exam?  Or, do I use my first idea, practically change it completely and find a way to make it make sense, and film in less than a week?

I don't know.  I've had a lot of bumps in this project, and this was the last thing I needed.

I'm gonna take the rest of the day to rest, as I am sick, but I know that tomorrow I'm gonna get started.

The (New) Gameplan

 Well, now that I've decided on which film opening that I want to go through with, I think I need to go back and schedule everything out again.  

Step 1

From today (3/9/22), until Friday (3/11/22), I plan to finish editing the script and giving my film a title.

Step 2

From this Sunday (3/13/2022) until next Wednesday (3/16/2022) I want to focus on recording any foley that I may need, and gathering supplies.  By supplies, I only think I'll need Vaseline, Vicks Vapo Rub, a bright red blush, eyeliner, and mascara.  All of that is just for the crying scenes of the opening.  The rest of the things I need: the backpack, black clothes,  diary,  knife, and pony tail are all things I have at home, so I should be fine.  

Step 3

Filming!  I plan to start filming the 17th, which is next Thursday, and hopefully finish next Friday, which is the 18th.  I honestly think I could finish on the 17th, but I want to ensure that I have extra time to film in the case that something goes wrong with it.  

Step 4

Next, I plan to edit throughout the break, which is March 19 through March 28 if I'm not mistaken.  That gives me 10 days, which I think is plenty of time, to edit my opening.  I'll also use this time to do any reshoots if needed, and to record foley if needed.  

Step 5

This is the last step, and that is to submit.  This is all due on April 4, so I'll probably spend as much time as I can perfecting everything  before then and making sure it is all ready for that date.  I plan to submit on that date, just to have all the time I need to get this project done!

Key Moments

 For today, I really want to reflect on what I've been doing throughout.  Mainly because I'm still indecisive on which opening I want to film.

The Initial Idea

Well, looking at my original idea, there was a lot missing, mainly the motive.  I have this young girl who is being prayed on by a masked figure via text message.  The young girl, Lilly, is home alone, at night, awaiting her boyfriend's arrival, and ultimately gets stabbed by the masked figure in the end.  

I liked this idea to a certain extent, but there is a lot missing.  I don't have a real character name for the masked figure, nor do I even have a motive.  Sure, I could just say that the masked figure attacks Lilly because they'e a psychopath, but that doesn't feel right to me, there has to be a real reason for their actions.

Another thing that took me time to realize was that the idea is way too similar to SCREAM. I would say a modern take on it, but that's the fifth movie.  I just think that in some sense, there is no originality to what I initially came up with.  I think the only part that was original was the ending of the opening where she wakes up and there was nothing wrong, however, that made me think of Happy Death Day, a movie in which the protagonist has to solve her murder so she can live the next day, if not, she will re-live and get killed on the same day.

Looking at it overall, I don't want my film opening to make people think of others.  I mean, sure that can work for the marketing maybe, but I want it to be individual, so I think that I will not do this opening.

The New Idea

The way this came about was while being in the process of writing the first script.  Essentially, I was writing and though of a completely different way to tell the story of this character, and I really liked where it was at, but I still liked my first opening.

I think one of the biggest things that was hard about this version was that the script is very difficult to write.  The majority of it is a VoiceOver, and when I look through the different shots, I have to estimate which lines will match up with the different shots that I intend to use.  I also have to figure out different camera movements that I want to use.  I have thought of them, and I know someone who could help me, with that, but it's just a matter of figuring out our schedules for filming.  

What I really like about this idea is that it is more original, at least I've never seen anything like it before, but then again, it is more complicated to explain.  

Essentially, Lilly, has a gift to feel what other people feel and read their minds, however, there is such a big buildup of emotion that it begins to drive her crazy.  With all of that weight on her she decides that she needs to relieve some of it, in doing so she starts to kill people.

What I like about it is that it's essentially a slasher horror from the slasher's perspective.  We know the motive and who it is, now it's just a matter of trying to get Lilly caught (by her townspeople), but at the same time, ensuring that Lilly doesn't get found, but overall, finding a way for Lilly to lose her abilities.  I feel like it's a very weird thing to explain and write, but it makes sense to me, and I think the opening that I have in mind will really allow it to make sense.  

Overall

I enjoyed writing this and looking back on what I've done so far, I made a decision, I will be going forward with the new idea.