Movie of the Week

What I've Learned So Far

1) I have learned - since starting my senior project - how to create a short film, efficiently. I learned how to create films in previous classes, like film creation sophmore year. The difference now is the efficient part. In ROP we learned how to be accountable for every single shot, word, step, detail, everything. And even though being so anal about all the details takes up time and effort, in the end it really pays off to be organized. Everything just runs smoother and its less stressful. The first week of ROP we did a door scene with no pre-production stage. We had to make up a story, which shots we were going to use, location...etc. all on the spot. And though it was fast, the quailty of the scene is horrible compared to the quality of the short film in which we had to meticulously plan out every detail in the pre-production stage. I see now that the pre-production stage is so important to everything that follows.
2) This is my groups door scene (without preparation or pre-production organization).

We don't have the other one (with pre-production) uploaded to youtube yet. But when we do i will post it. For now, these are the camera reports. Basically, someone takes note while on set and writes which shots are good according to the director and which ones aren't. This saves loads of time later in the editing room because you just have to refer to the notes, or this report, to know which shots the director wants to be used.

3) My main source for the knowledge I've thus gained has been my ROP instructor Mr. Miller. He's stressed the importance of each stage that goes into film-making. And we've been able to see his point hands on now.

Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

1) My Independent Component was going to originally be my ROP class hours, but since we haven't talked about screenplays yet, I think it would be irrelevant to my essential question. So i was thinking i could read screenplays on my own time and have Mr. Miller sign off that i read them. And then i could use my ROP hours the second time around when the writing process is more active in the class.
2) A screeplay takes a good 2 hours on average to complete so I think i will get in my 30 hours easily. I assume it will take about 10 to 13 screeplays to finish the hours and I don't read them often so i think it will be a good experience. Also, I've seen this section in the Cal Poly Library, it's a whole row of screenplays of feature films,so i think I'm good as far as resources.
3) This reminds me i still have to rewrite my EQ, but my new EQ will be somewhere along the lines of screenwritting and what is most important to becoming successful as a screenwriter, or what is most important to making a good screeplay.

Defining the Essential Question

1. My Essential Question is "What is most important in a good film?"

2. 'Most Important' ; most significant factor/element
'Good Film'; not to be confused with "movie", films have substance. A film makes a visceral connection with the viewer while a good film is specific in its relevance and visceral connection to the viewer.

3. So far, i think some possible answers would be; the screenplay/script, the way in which the story is told (use of camera to tell the story), and choosing the right actors.

4. So far i haven't really been lucky with my sources. The information in them is interesting, but it feels more like fun facts than anything else. The information is hardly ever relevant to answering my question. For the answers that i do have so far though, i have been using prior knowledge from a research paper i did over the summer. All the information from that paper came from a book on Stanley Kubrick. I think I'm going to read it again as one of my sources, but haven't yet.

Second Interview Questions

I will be interviewing my ROP instructor Mr. Miller, who I am doing my service learning hours with.

1. Where did you go to school? and what did you major in?
2. If you were applying to school today where would you want to go and why?
3. What intitailly attracted you to film?
4. What experience in the feild are you personally most proud of?
5. In your opinion, what is the best part of film-making?
6. In your opinion, what is the most important part of film-making?
7. What is a typical day in the life of a film-maker?
8. What do you reccomend I major in if I am also interested in the screenwriting process of film-making?
9. what is the hardest aspect of film-making?
10. Obviously you find your work rewarding, what is it about film that makes you feel so?
11. I know that the feild is tough and competitive, after all your experience with it would you say that it was worth it? why?