Film Intro

 This is the link to our film opening:

https://youtu.be/HiDBIQBOcpo

CCR

 This is the link to my CCR:

https://youtu.be/Wy_VBcGqoag

CCR Script

 Logan - Is it recording

Interviewer - Yes, so how well did you know the kids

Logan - Well, Logan was my best friend, the rest of them were just mutual friends I met through him

Interviewer - Gotcha, so did you speak to Logan the day of the disappearance

Logan - Yeah, he texted me right when they got into the Everglades asking if he could spend the night at my house. I said yes of course, and he told me he would be over at 9PM the latest.

Interviewer - How did you feel when he didn't show up at 9PM?

Logan - Honestly, I was mad because I thought he ditched my plans because he tends to do that sometimes. Once the next day came around I called him, to rant about how mad I was he ditched me.

Interviewer - When did it hit you that something bad had happened?

Logan - The day after Logan's mom called me asking if I knew where he was, that was when it hit me.

Interviewer- Have you ever been to the part of the Everglades they were fishing at?

Logan - Yeah Logan would always go with me, you me to take you there?

Interviewer - Yes

(Title Screen) 

Logan - So the video began here as the four of them entered the Everglades. The film challenged typical horror film conventions due to the sheer amount of editing and effects used. Since, the film solely utilizes raw footage little amount of editing and effects are used. This allows the film to stick to the true events that unfolded that day. 

Interviewer - How do you feel that many people believe the film's events were staged due to the characters being immature teenagers?

Logan - First of all, don't ever say that, and second of all the film gives the audience a new perspective as you truly get to see the kids raw emotions as they endured these tragic events. Also, many horror films don't have a group of young teenagers as the protagonist. This defied the horror genre setting an example for future films to follow. Also, most horror fans are teens

CCR Update!

     Last night I worked for hours finalizing the script and overall concept for my CCR. I plan to begin production this weekend due to the short span I have to work on the project. A little issue has arisen due to grad bash occurring this Friday and having no one to help me film. I need to find someone who is willing to help me film the project. I will try to film the project alone however this may not be possible for some scenes due to the fact I need to be walking in it.

    I plan to ask around via snapchat or instagram to find someone willing to help me film. Also, in regards to the portfolio project we ran into a road bump due to our editor going on grad bash. This sent us a back day as he is the only person with access to the clips. Thus meaning we have to work harder to finish the project later on in the week. 

CCR In Progress!

     As the project comes to an end, the CCR process has begun. The CCR or Creative Critical Reflection is a reflective piece highlighting the process from the highs to the lows. The CCR will be a video in which I answer 4 essential questions and discuss the overall pre and production process. I have began writing the script for my CCR and plan to begin filming it tomorrow.

    In order to make my CCR unique and different from my group members, by continuing elements of the film into in my CCR. I will film the project playing the role of the best friend of one of the kids who went missing in the film. I will talk as if the teens in the video told me about their videos and go to the scene of their disappearance . While playing this role I will still hit the criteria needed to ensure a good grade on the CCR.

Editing Started

     Editing for out film opening has begun! Our team member Helbert offered to do the editing due to his better understanding of editing softwares than us. The editing is going great so far we have done close to a minute of editing already and plan to keep working hard. The editing is honestly one of the easiest parts as the whole vibe and plot of the film is meant to be unedited, thus making editing quite easy.

Here is a screenshot from Herbert's computer of the editing timeline. We simply just need to cut some clips and arrange the clips on order. Like stated the editing will be very easy and the most satisfying part as we can finally see our hard working coming together. Also, we got the night scenes done in the project so all left is to edit.

Clips from Filming

 

Production Day 1!

     Today we began production of our film. The day was very successful as we got more than enough shots to begin editing the project. I am overall proud of how well we worked together and how the footage came out. While filming so many strange things happened which helped continue the unedited vibe the film is meant to have. My hat flew in the lake, and we even met these random guys in a truck while filming in the Everglades who helped us with the project. We informed them prior to filming of what we were doing and they were more than happy to help us with the project.

    So as of now we only need to film the night time scenes. This will be the most challenging part of the project as it will take extra actors and to start a fire. We plan to film it later in the week and begin editing this weekend. Editing will not take that long due to the project's vibe to be unedited.  Later on this week I will post clips from filming so you guys can see how its coming along.

Shooting Schedule

 Shooting Schedule:

MONDAY 3/21/22- 1:30 PM - 4 PM

(Teens getting equipment ready and adventuring into everglades, shots when the kids arrive)

TUESDAY 3/22/22 - 12 PM - 5 PM

(SCENES OF THE KIDS EXPLORING THE EVERGLADES/ POSSIBLE NIGHT SCENES TBD)

WEDNESDAY 3/23/22- 6 PM - 10 PM

(NIGHT SCENES)

 

THURSDAY 3/24/22

MAKEUP FOR ANY SCENES NEEDED

This is a rough draft of our shooting schedule for the upcoming week. This is subject to change if emergencies occur. The times may go on a bit longer than expected or shorter we just need to see how the day and scenes unfold. Also, we may perfect the shots first try and be able to reduce the amount of shooting days needed.

Spring Break/Filming

     Due to Spring Break beginning and us having a long period of time off we decided to take advantage of this time. Due to many past complications we are delayed on the production process. Essentially, we need to work faster in order to finish the project by the due date. We planned to meet Monday morning at my house in order to begin production. We will film the day scenes, or the latter part of the opening. Here is our conversation discussing when we will start production.

We overcame a quick obstacle due to one of our members having work in the morning however we decided to film after he gets out of work. Later on we plan to make a shooting schedule in order to give us a general idea of what shots we will film everyday in order to finish the movie.

Graphics

     As discussed previously, we are taking heavy inspiration from The Blair Witch Project. In class we sat down and began creating the intro graphics needed for the project. We first tried using canva or photoshop but found it too difficult. One of out group members proposed we use the powerpoint in order to create the graphics. This was a lot easier due to us all being comfortable with the software, and how it works. Here are the graphics:

    These graphics are placed about 30 seconds into the film opening after the climax is briefly show to provide context for the viewers on what is currently happening.

Quick Road Bump!

     Our group previously planned to begin production today, March 13 however it did not go as planned. Due to me and my partner Ben Stone getting called into work we were not able to fit in the time to begin production this week. This really set me back as we really need to begin production due to the due date coming up soon. We communicated amongst each other and planned to film another day. 

    So many conflicts and issues have been thrown our way so far and we overcoming them as a team. We plan to film some time this week and utilize spring break as time to film due to none of my team members leaving on vacation. This project has improved my team working skills as I am learning to accommodate other people and work around everyone schedule.

Editing

     When editing our project we plan to take an interesting approach. To keep up with the raw footage/lost tapes idea we plan to use as little editing as we can to keep the idea alive. Since the film needs to be as raw as possible simple jumpcuts and transitions to move the plot along from the climax to the introduction. Simple graphics will be added into the film such as the "Warning" graphic. This graphic is inspired by this photo.

Our warning graphic will emulate this one however the text will be differently as it applies to our film. This graphic is from The Blair Witch Project, as this movie serves as a massive inspiration. The graphic will be displayed for a few seconds and will be transitioned to the beginning of the film via a fade transition.

First Production Date Decided!

     After multiple attempts to schedule a day of production, we finally settled on a time to begin production. We are a little behind on the production schedule meaning we need to work even harder to ensure we finish by our expected date. We communicated via Snapchat and decided to begin production Sunday March 13th around 7pm.

We are planning to film the introduction to the film (the scenes at night). This is going to be the hardest part of the film introduction to film as it requires the most actors and misc en scene elements as it is the climax as of the film. Im very excited to see how the project comes out.

3/6/22 Location Scouting

     Today, me and my friends went location scouting trying to find the best and safest place that resembles the Everglades ecosystem. After a process of trial and error we stumbled upon the perfect place to film. The location is far away from people allowing us to get the best footage and audio of the everglades ecosystem. Here are the photos:

3/5/22 Meet Up

     Me and my partner Ben Stone, met at a niche coffee shop to discuss the logistics of the project. We worked out the script and finalized the storyboard. We encountered a few bumps in the road and we were not able to film last Wednesday, due to a few of our group member having other entanglements to tend to. We reschedule our first day of production for next Saturday. This upcoming week we will scout out possible shooting locations to ensure we are ready for Saturday.

Storyboard

Prop/Set Design

     The set design is not too challenging for the film introduction as we are basing it around the Everglades ecosystem. We are taking advantage of our surroundings which saves a lot of time and money. Only minor set design will occur as we will make demonic or cult like structures or items to hang from the trees to add to the ambience of the movie. This will add to the scenery and the horror elements of the film.

    The prop design will be very basic. The teenagers who will be exploring will have backpacks will flashlights and equipment used for exploration. The cult members will possibly have weapons to show how they are dangerous and pose a threat to our protagonist. They will all be wearing long dark robes and their face will not be visible.

Casting Options

    For our film opening we realized we are going to need more than there four of us to be actors. This was a challenge as it was hard to find people willing to take time out of there day to help others and get nothing in return. I decided to outsource and contact my friends to see who would be willing to take time out of their day and come help. I utilized social media platforms such as instagram and snapchat to find people willing to participate.

Text Conversation with a friend of mine on Snapchat

    After they agreed I broke down to them the plot of the film and what they will be doing during the film. They all agreed and very excited to participate in such an event. I cannot wait to see how Wednesday goes and I will keep you guys updated.

Shooting Schedule

     After we decided on a plot for the film opening we asked, when should we begin production? This was one of the most challenging parts of the pre-production process, as we all have our own personal lives and things we need to attend to. From family events to jobs, each person had responsibilities making it hard to find the perfect date. Finally, we settled for starting production on Wednesday, March 2nd. We plan to scope out our shooting locations later on in the week.

    This is just the first day of shooting the film introduction. We may need to film on other dates if the footage comes out bad or additional footage is needed. We think we will be filming at either Everglades Holiday Park or Weston Regional Park due to their close proximity to the Everglades ecosystem. Further elaboration will be done but the production process will begin for the film on March 2nd.