Location Photos

Pitch Perfect

Synopsis: A female office worker, Victoria, feels bored and alone, all her time spent at the office running together and into the same old routine. She longs to leave her humdrum life and find a partner to spend her days with. But she hasn't been in a relationship for a very long time and has huge anxiety issues with talking to potential partners. But all of that changes when she meets Felipe, a smooth-talking sock puppet.

Just your average tale of girl meets sockpuppet.

-Following the 3 act plot method, the first act will mostly be inner monologue of her daily grind; the second act and third acts will contain much dialogue between Victoria and the sock puppet, as well as commentary from her coworkers and the lone best friend (and maybe family).

-I want Victoria's character to make a pretty big change in personality over the course of the film. Shy, overly self-conscious, and a bit of a whiner, concerned primarily at the superficial aspects of being in a relationship: she eventually earns a boost of self-confidence and becomes a bit more carefree, less of a worrier, as well as more accepting of where she is in this stage of her life.

-Victoria's character quirks: is always making or drinking a cup of coffee, is overly romantic and has a bit of a damsel in distress syndrome, is always thinking about traveling some distant country and living some life other than her own.

Possible Locations: some sort of office set; date nights (in the park, maybe an outdoor restaurant); bedroom scenes (getting ready in the morning, on the phone with a close friend)

Main Actors: Victoria, possible sock puppeteer, several extras with small speaking parts (at least two coworkers) and extras that are background filler to make some scenes appear more real.

Sock Puppet Design: I'm thinking either a solid black or other dark-colored solid sock, complete with googly eyes/button eyes.

Inspirations:

"Pete Sweet" is British short film about a guy who falls for an imaginary girl. There are many scenes of a guy with his arms wrapped around air, what's not to love? It's similar in subject matter as my film, and also has that same lightheartedness to it as well that I am looking to use (but with less thrusting).

Lars and the Real Girl is great in that it is also dealing with a character who is placing their love and affection in something that is inanimate and a fantasy. Although my film isn't as 'serious', I can definitely see some parallels, especially with how his family treats his new girl.

SELF CRITIQUE

Title: Elysium

Main Idea: In our first meeting, we pulled from an idea that Joe had--the portrait of a terminally ill girl on the day of her death. From there we added another character to the equation, her departed lover, and worked more with their relationship.

Source Idea: Even though it was Joe's vision originally, we all worked on the story and added much to his idea, making it a truly collaborated piece. I feel that I had stakes in the story just like my other team members, and it needed to be made.

Key Emotion: The primarily emotion was sadness or despair--this girl is tired, she's dying. It should be hard to watch someone struggle like that. But, there is a change in emotion when she sees her lover again: happiness and finally being at peace. I wanted the audience to feel this change in emotion as well.

Synopsis: A terminally ill girl longs for her healthy former life. On the night of her death, she slips into a dream and sees her departed lover once more, bringing her to peace as she passes on.

Theme: There is a certain "parallel world" that we unintentionally made in this film (dream world vs. reality), but I think the effect is desired and strengthened previous ideas of change in emotion and atmosphere.

Strengths: I think the casting is what really saved this movie. Less competent actors would have made the emotions seem more false and take the illusion away from the audience. I also think the lighting ended up pretty badass in some parts, but not without a lot of hard work and trying many different lighting angles and positions.

Problems: Besides the audio issue that we came in with, no real technical problems. We did have some problems communicating towards the very end of shooting, but I think that we were able to work it out and produced something that I personally am proud of.

Notes: I discovered about myself that while I feel natural at directing, I am not the best camerawoman. I don't feel I was particularly bad at it, but I definitely enjoyed the set dressing, costuming, make-uping, and lighting more than camera; in other words, I really enjoy the setup and think that is what I excel at.

Storyboards

Inspiration Post

With Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, all of the shots are so nicely framed and well lit, with  great contrast. The Lovely Bones and The Fountain are both very visually appearing. Particularly their use of color and hue, usually in yellow tones.

Big Whoppin' Post Part Two

Set Dressing List

Dining Room of Faiers House (Bedroom):
Bed frame w/ mattress
White sheets w/ white thermal blanket
Small Dresser
Curtain or curtain fabric (possible)

Living Room of Faiers House (Dream Space):
Green and gold striped living chairs w/ several small throw pillows
Small area rug
White candles of various sizes
Fabrics for possible draping


Prop List

Dining Room of Faiers House (Bedroom):
Wall clock
Calendar
For Dresser:
Picture frame(s)
Pocket watch
Pill bottles (multiple)
Drinking glass
Trinkets (small accents)
Slippers
Books

Bathroom of Faiers House (bathroom):
In Medicine cabinet:
Pill bottles
Toothbrush
Soap
Small bottles
On Sink:
Drinking Glass

Living Room of Faiers House (Dream Space):
Necklace
Pocket watch (possible)

Costume List
Girl:
Plain pajamas/bed clothes
Robe or sweater (possible)
Slippers (possible)

Nice Bright Dress
**All provided by actress
Guy:
Nice Suit Set
**All provided by actor
 

Big Whoppin' Post.

Synopsis:

Alone in her bedroom, prisoner of her own body, Leah reminisces about her past life with the man she loves, the late Geoffrey. One faithful night, Leah and her departed lover confront her illness, allowing her to find peace within herself.

SHOT LIST:
Shot 1—Montage photos, calendar, memories of past life in room, with shots of medicine

Shot 2—She’s lying on bed; she gets up, coughing (her face not shown)

Shot 3—Girl walks down hallway, hunched over to bathroom

Shot 4—Inside medicine cabinet; Cabinet door opens, she takes out medicine, we see her gaunt face in mirror

Shot 5—She takes medicine back to her room, sits on bed, looks at the clock, takes medicine

Shot 6—Looks @ photo of Paul; the camera cuts to photo; she picks up the photo, holding it tenderly; she cries, places photo back on dresser; she falls back on bed coughing, holding pillow and tearfully falling asleep; shot of clock

Shot 7—She wakes up to growing light (and music); She gets up to investigate and follows light into the hallway, opening from lighted door

Shot 8—Paul is facing fireplace, his back to the camera; Johannah calls his name; he turns around facing her; cuts back to Johannah, in shock; Paul moves towards her, hand forward; when she grabs his hand; cut to her in new outfit

Shot 9—He procures necklace from pocket; he spins her around and puts necklace on her; she turns back around and admires the necklace

Shot 10—They both mouth ‘I love you’; They share a warm embrace in front of fireplace

Shot 11—Fades into bedroom; zoom in to her in bed, close up of face, then pans and holds on the necklace; pan out and up to the clock, where it stops.

Shot 12—ROLL CREDITS


Shooting Schedule (Subject to Change):

Friday:
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM @ Faiers House—Location Set Up
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM—Costuming and Makeup
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM—Rehearsal
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM—Filming
Dream Scene with both Actors (with nice dress)
[Break for Costume Change and Makeup]
Dream Scene with Johannah (with pajamas)
(If time allows)
Bedroom Scenes with Johannah

Saturday:
[If more filming is needed]
5:00 PM to 10:00 PM—Continue filming Bedroom Scenes until finished

Sunday:
6:00PM to 12:00 AM—Post Production, Editing