Pandemic! At The Disco

What a year this week has been.

Due to the ongoing situation with the coronavirus, my project has encountered various challenges. Since we are highly advised to practice self-isolation, I am unable to meet up with my cast to film this week, which was when I had originally planned to film the party scene. Additionally, the CDC announced yesterday that "all U.S. events of 10+ people should be cancelled", so it would be irresponsible to gather a large group of 20+ people to film my project.

In my household personally, I live with an elder who is at a higher risk for the virus, so I truly cannot leave my neighborhood at all under any circumstances.

To make my life even more difficult, the fake doctor's office I was going to utilize for the hospital scene was going to be filmed at my sister's medical school, which has been closed for the rest of the spring semester as they are conducting the rest of their classes online.

Of course there is large uncertainty concerning this matter with new information being released by the news outlets each day. It is extremely unfortunate I am not able to film currently, especially since I already ordered my rotating disco ball from Amazon :(

As of now, I plan to adjust my schedule this week into researching more information for my CCR.

I would upload a picture of the coronavirus but I think she's gotten enough attention this week.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html

Shoutout Sony! (Song Permission Update)

Recently, Sony Music got back to me and I am euphoric.

I was informed by a representative I could use the song Call on Me as long as it was for personal use. She also advised me on what to do if I wanted to upload my opening to social media, which does not apply to me since that will not be a form of distribution for the actual project (more on that later). In this email she also provided a link to the Facebook/Instagram Terms of Service in case I wanted more information on the matter:

Equipment

What I Have :)

I will be using my Canon Rebel T6i to film the entire opening. Since the party scene will be shot in a dark environment with flashing lights, the camera would be super useful in this case since it has more low-light potential than my iPhone 8.

Additionally, I will also be using my manfrotto tripod for the entire shoot.

What I Don’t Have :(

I do not have a stabilizer, which I thought would be necessary for the tracking shots I will be doing at the party. Specifically, the lengthy tracking shot of the red solo cup being picked up and brought onto the dance floor. Mrs. Stoklosa advised me that I don’t need one to pull off the tracking shot, and can use any rolling table or object. Since I am filming at someone else’s house, this may prove difficult, so I might end up renting a stabilizer.

Time to Party Hardy

I’m just kidding it’s actually prop time.

While discussing my opening with Mrs. Stoklosa the other day, she assured me that my opening was very doable and would be fun to film. Alas, she was right. I essentially just have to plan a house party.

Order of Business: Drinks

The most crucial aspect of the party scene is also the simplest. The red solo cups.

She’s such an icon. A staple in American culture. This prop will really allow me to set the mood of the scene due to the extreme association it has with house parties. I might incorporate some beverages (non-alcoholic of course because we are children) to completely immerse the audience into the scene and add on to the realism. Take a shot every time I’ve said the word realism in this blog yikes; but it truly is important in order to display the conventions of the drama genre.

Let’s Get Lit

Another neat detail I can add to the room would be an LED rotating disco ball, which are sold on amazon for a reasonable price. The lights would contribute to the subtle dream-like feel of the scene, and give me some really beautiful shots:

Last but not least:
For the hospital scene, I did an extensive google search on images of comatose patients. I concluded I will only need an oxygen mask, which I already have in my house, along with white surgical tape to place on the hands of the protagonist where the IVs are supposed to go. The white surgical type can easily be purchased at any pharmacy store, but for the tubes of the IVs, I will investigate if the doctor's/hospital room I am filming in has any thin tubes I can use just in case I cannot find any in my house.

The Location Scouting Continues.... *sigh*

I realized that an integral part of my film opening is the inclusion of a working heart rate monitor to introduce the second scene in the hospital.

These are definitely not sold on amazon.

Additionally, the doctor’s office room that I previously posted on my blog does not have a functioning heart rate monitor. My sister whom happens to my favorite human being right now, offered to ask her medical school if I could utilize a room that more closely resembles a hospital room since it would have all the props I need.

Above is the email she sent. She told me that even if we do get permission to film inside this room, she is uncertain that they will permit my actress to get in the hospital bed since they are already occupied by expensive dummies. If this is the case, I will probably just use this hospital room for a close up shot of the heart rate monitor, and continue using the fake doctor’s office for the actual scene. 

Here is a picture of a hospital dummy because they are very frightening and quite possibly the death of me right now:

Shots Shots Shots

In class today, we had a group discussion which gave me more clarity with specific aspects of my opening.

I came up with a rough shot list: (subject to change)

1. Close up shot of red solo cups
2. A film by Lucia Perez
3. Close up shot of lights
4. Close up shots of hands in the air (of the people on the dance floor)
5. Tracking shot of red solo cup being picked up by an extra walking onto dance floor
6. Long shots of crowd on the dance floor
7. Medium shot of protagonist dancing
8. Music tones down and protagonist starts chatting with friend
9. Protagonist’s phone starts ringing
10. Cut to heart rate monitor in hospital
11. Protagonist is shown in bed
12. POV shot from the protagonist in bed with the two doctors hovering over her
13. Over-the-shoulder shot of doctors conversing
14. Medium shot of doctors
15. Track in to unconsciousness protagonist
16. Cuts back briefly to the party occurring in her dream
17. Close up of unconsciousness protagonist
18. REVERIE

In the very beginning I might add more close ups of other party-esque items, such as bottles of soda or a pool, just so I have more time to smoothly incorporate the names of the actors within these shots.

Song Permission

While envisioning the party scene which accounts for most of my film opening, I pictured the song  Call on Me by Eric Prydz. Besides being an iconic dance song, I thought its gradual build up would be perfect for slowly showing the opening credits. The beat drop goes on for approximately one minute and then the song slows down, which is helpful for fading the audio out when I transition to the next scene. I found the publisher of the song on this website.

I proceeded to fill out a synch form in order to request permission:

I will keep you updated on the response!