Editing Process

During post production we plan to edit the color in a way to make a darker, more cinematic feel for the film. The goal of post production is to give the footage an overall look that is consistent with the feel of the underground street racing experience.


Our plan is to make some small adjustments to the brightness, contrast, and temperature of our footage. This is all part of trying to get the same type of look you would see in an early 2000s street racing movie.

Production Update: Filming the First Scene

We were able to shoot the initial Mr. Clutch sequence of our video on Tuesday. Before filming we had to get the right elements for the mise-en-scene. Since this scene will set up an underground feel so we wanted to be intentional with our choice of costumes as well as the props we used.


We visited Goodwill to see if we could find some clothing for Mr. Clutch. We bought a button up shirt, which was white, and a beige jacket to give him that serious look we wanted him to have as well as a metal briefcase that would be a very important element in our scene. As for Paulie's look, we didn't find anything to purchase. We just used black shorts with a black jacket to give him that laid back and confident feel.

Of course, one of the things we did was have our friend with his own Canon camera help us film. This allowed us to get better video quality than if we had filmed everything on our phones. Also the fried that has the canon camera also has the MK7 GTI that will be part of the film.


This weekend we plan to shoot the garage scene and the driving scene, and possibly the car meet scene depending on schedule of everyone. After successfully completing the first scene, we feel like we are gaining momentum for shooting out the entire project.

Group Meeting #2

Recently we had our second group meeting, we meet again with students from other groups to share our progress and give feedback. After meeting with everyone for the first time, I noticed that the majority of their stories were now a bit more developed, many of them already begun shooting some of their scenes. It was cool to see how diverse the peoples genres are as well as the different ways each person was planning their CCR.


Juana's film is gonna be called A MAJOR FLAT, its about a bad band whose only star is the keyboardist. The singer is jealous, the drummer is lazy, and the bassist is obsessed. It begins with a chaotic performance by the group in which the performance is interrupted several times, a lot of chaos is introduced by someone throwing a can at a singer, and a very large male audience member uses crutches to hit a singer who he says stole from him. She said her idea for her CCR might be a podcast using stick figures done in an animation.


Sriaka's film opening is an action film that revolves around a drug dealer who betrays other people and has a couple of shootings. There is some filming already done but not complete. The very beginning of this film consists of a kidnapping, flashbacks, and a fight scene. Sriaka intends to use an interview with the drug dealer character in his CCR.


Raina's film opening is about a girl that is facing the loss of her boyfriend and getting ready to finish high school. Raina is almost finished shooting her project but wants to add some flashbacks to her film. She also received clearance to use one of the songs she wanted to include in her project.


Camilla's film opening is about a psychological thriller based on revenge and an car crash. In this story, there is a male and female character, the female dies due to the car crash, while the male character survives but lives through the female’s imagination. The beginning of her story is 1 year after the incident.


Overall, this meeting helped me see how everyone is developing their ideas and planning their CCRs. It was useful to hear feedback and compare our progress.

Research for #1 question of CCR post

My CCR research post focuses on the first CCR question "How does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or views?".

We have researched films such as The Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Tokyo Drift and found that there are many things within this genre that can help with our project, like the underground car meets, close ups of engines and modifications, rivalry between racers, male protagonists with lots of confidence, and an enthusiastic start to the race. Filmmakers of racing films also tend to cut very quickly when they edit, use very loud audio from the engines of the cars, and include suspenseful build ups before the race takes place.

The conventions listed above will be used throughout the project. For example, a nighttime car meet, trash talking competitors, modified vehicles, and a countdown before racing. These conventions give instant recognition for the audience as to what type of genre they are looking at. The back alley part exchange also give off the underground culture typically associated with street racing in films.


Also, we challenge the normal format of the race. In most films featuring racing, the takeoff is an event that shows speed and dominance. In the case of our film, the car will immediately stall at the beginning. The audience will not see what they expect through the combination of action and comedy created by the instant loss of acceleration.


We portray car culture within our movie, with a slightly exaggerated but not necessarily in a way that will look bad and forced. Although we do use competitive language in the dialogue, we also use humor and avoid violent or aggressive behaviors.


In general, this research demonstrates that the film will utilize genre conventions but at the same time challenges some of those conventions. We will use common elements in racing films to identify our genre. With respect to car culture, we are trying to represent car culture both competitively and confidently but without going to the extent of being overly exaggerated or harmful.

Production Planning: Creating Our Storyboard

Our attention this week will be on making a storyboard for this project. There is an script and location and now we want to have a visual representation of what each scene will look like when filmed. The storyboard will allow us to visualize the camera angles, shot types and movement when filming.


The goal of using the storyboard is to turn the written script into a visual. The script describes the dialogue and action, but does not represent the actual way the scenes are framed. Planning this prior to filming will let us to save time while filming.


We need to create a successful pacing, the storyboards allow for a quick cut and transition organization of the first and second scenes. The storyboard will let us plan for the flow from shot to shot to keep the pace up.


Planning will take the longest for the car meet and race scenes. We will also have to determine how to frame all of the background cars, as well as the location of the countdown camera shot and how best to catch the stall moment. The storyboard will help us get a hint of how to build up to the race.

Planning Post: Camera and Equipment Preparation

For this post, we will be focusing on what camera equipment and setup will allow us to get a quality shoot at these locations described with regard to visual and audio quality.


I'll be borrowing my friend's Canon camera for the primary camera. The Canon camera will provide very good quality rather than using a phone, allowing us to control and adjust focus, depth of field and exposure, which will be very helpful as a lot of our scenes will take place at night.


I’m going to borrow microphones from my TV production class so that we can record high quality audio for our project. The built in camera microphone usually records too much background noise and doesn’t capture your conversations well. Since there are a lot conversations in the scenes it’s going to be critical that we use microphones to make sure that all voices are clear and are easily understood.


By planning our equipment we can limit the potential for technical issues on the day of filming. By having the right camera and microphones we are able to keep out project more professional. Access to better equipment allows for a more cinematic look and will increase the quality of the final product.

Production Update: Locking in Locations and Scheduling Filming Days

In this update on production, the main focus will be on the filming locations and the beginning to organize the production of the shooting schedule. The next big piece of the production process after having completed the script is making the schedule for when and where the various filming takes place.


We have made our final decisions regarding where the various scenes will take place. The Mr. Clutch scene will take place in a back alley type area, which is right behind AMC Weston 8. The driveway scene will take place at one of our houses as this location will provide the most realistic environment. The car meet and race scenes will be filmed at a straight road with not exit in the end with enough room to get several cars in the background.

It has been determined by us that it is highly unlikely we will film the Mr. Clutch and garage scenes on the same day as the car meet scene. This is due to scheduling between the two, as the Mr. Clutch and garage has fewer actors and cars to shoot than the car meet scene does. By splitting the shooting in two days, it also allows us to take more time to get the shot we want without having to worry about time management while filming as much.


It is gonna be hard to shoot the car meet scene because we want multiple "cool" cars behind our characters, so it feels like an authentic setting, and this requires having of multiple car owners all being at the same spot and time. So, it is easier if we can set aside a filming day just for this part.

Production Process: Creating the Logo

For this production post, I would like to talk about my logo for our production, Sebas & Friends. The name Sebas & Friends was actually suggested by Sebastian, one of the members of our group. So, I was responsible for creating a logo for it.

I wanted the logo to be both bold and simple. I initially designed the logo with the shape of a circle with edges radiating out from a circle. The letters S and F were created in a handwritten font inside of the circle.


I Used black and white on purpose so that it would be easier to put it into the film when editing. Having the logo fade in and fade out in the black background will make it so that you can read it quickly.


The Sebas & Friends logo is another step towards finishing the project. The logo was a way to demonstrate collaboration in the project. The Sebas & Friends Logo is an important part of this entire project because it is such a small and simple piece but still has a significant impact on the overall quality of the final product.

Mise-en-Scene in Film Opening Project

In this post I will talk about the mise-en-scene of our film opening and how costume, setting, and props help in showing meaning in the film. The overall feel of the show should show street racing culture and the comedy aspect of the film.

For Paulie's costume, confidence and simplicity will show his character best. Nothing too over the top, he needs to show an image that demonstrates that he really belongs to this automotive culture. He does not need try to be stylish, but he does need to look experienced. As for Jay, he should wear something more flashy than Paulie, so that it will help to reinforce his confidence. 

Something that is very important is to get the right place to film. For the back alley, it should be create an underground feeling, since it's an uncommon place to do the exchange with Mr. Clutch. For Paulie's driveway scene, the environment should give a personal feel, he is working on his own car, so it will show that he knows what he's doing. The car meet location should also have an underground feeling to it, as cars should be parked by the background to make it appear more credible.

Props are crucial to this project and the rare performance part needs to appear valuable to the audience. The cars are the most important props because they represent both the identity and status for the characters. Also, smaller items like the case Mr. Clutch has or the tools from the driveway scene will help add some realism.

The mise-en-scene will establish the movie’s Genre, Character traits, and create an atmosphere for the movie through costume, prop, and set design, the movie needs to create a realistic world.

Cars we plan to use in the Film Opening

In this post, I want to talk about the actual cars we will be using in the film opening. Within the idea of a car film, cars are more than just things, they are also show their owners personality, financial position, and overall identity. In our opening scenes, each car shows a unique message about the person behind the wheel.

Paulie will be driving and MK8 GTI that has modifications such as a downpipe, a cat back exhaust, and an air intake system. These upgrades are considered to be realistic entry level performance modifications and usually installed by people that are serious about tuning the cars. At the car meet scene, the GTI is not the most expensive vehicle there, but is highly regarded by people involved in tuning. This fits Paulie perfectly because he has confidence in himself, has experience, and can show his confidence without needing an exotic car.

Jay will have the 1999 Porsche Boxster as a fully stock car. By going stock, he gets the Porsche badge that will give him the status of having that car without anything being modified like Paulie's setup and visually showing Jay's personality, which is cocky and confident, but he's really not the one who did any of the work under the hood.

There will be lots of variety in the background of the car meet scene so it seems real. We're going to have a stock 2021 Panamera for higher end performance luxury cars, an MK7 GTI with a downpipe, catback exhaust, intake and a bigger turbo to show a more heavily modified version of Paulies's type of build, this will provide more realism because you would typically see many different stages of builds in a car meet.

Overall, the car choices for the film opening are intentional. They reflect character personalities, support the realism of the setting, and reinforce the genre inspiration from street racing films and games. In this project, the cars are more than transportation

How Audio will have a big role in the Film Opening

In this planning phase I will talk about sound and how it will establish its overall tone of the film opening. Our project has a lot of inspiration from street racing films and racing video games. Sound is critical. So we will include engine sounds, music in the background, and silence, as the sounds will affect how the audiences will experience each scene.


The initial back alley scene will have minimal sound effects while creating an emotional atmosphere. Low ambient sounds of the city like distant traffic or soft breezes will help establish the setting. The dialogue between Paulie and Mr. Clutch will create a bit of tension in their scene. This will help the audience to understand that this is an underground world.


For the moment the car is in the scene the sound of the engine has a greater importance. Every car should sound as if it were an extremely powerful car with the same kind of sound design in racing films and video games. We might enhance the engine in post production to try and give it some kind of emotional effect of the car by making it sound more dramatic.


Layered sounds like people talking, cars idling, small amounts of revs, and maybe music from a long distance away are going to be used to create an environment without distracting from the primary dialogue.


The most important part that has to do with sound in the entire film opening is the start of the race. First you have the countdown, which builds suspense, and then a big explosion when the motors fire. When the car stalls, all that sound will stop creating a big build up to a very funny moment and adding an element of surprise to the stall. The silence before Paulie speaks and we cut to the title creates a sense of awkwardness, which should enhance the comedic moment before he exclaims, “Shit, shit, sh—” and we cut to the title.


Audio gives more than background for this project, it also builds tension, creates realism, and gives us punchlines. By planning when to use loud engine sounds or using silence or a quiet environment appropriately, we are able to guide the audience enhance the comedic effect of our film opening.

Film Opening Project Character Development

At this point I want to talk about the development of characters. Specifically focusing on the development of our main character Paulie. While the project is a short film opening we still need the audience to become familiar with the character within the first minute or two of film.


We tried to make Paulie a confident and calm character. In the intro scene in the alley, there is no evidence of Paulie being anxious or uncertain. We make it seem like he has a established relationship with Mr. Clutch. The way Paulie talks with Mr. Clutch makes it clear that he has already established himself within this environment.


Paulie's character contrasts Jay's character in a way that hey seem to be opposites. This tension helps to develop between them on the car meet scene, and it provided a lot of the necessary character development we need.


I think a lot of the character development is actually during the stalling out part of the project. Paul is calm and annoyed, rather than panicking. His demonstrates that he's going to handle what has gone wrong without completely breaking down. It prepares viewers to engage with the character throughout the rest of the movie by showing failure and embarrassment.


The general focus of this development is on using action and dialog to define the character rather than by using explanation. It is important to remember that in a short film's opening, every line and reaction count. Paulie's confidence, humour, and reaction to embarrassment help to create a character that is better shaped to continue telling their story after the first few minutes.

How Our Inspirations Helped Make The Script

In this post, I will show my inspirations for our project and how they influenced the script for the film opening project. We got a lot of influence from The Fast and The Furious, particularly from 2 Fast 2 Furious and Tokyo Drift as well as the Need for Speed video games. In addition, we also used skit comedy videos that were parodies of car culture and exaggerated how seriously people could get about cars to help us while making our script.


Fast and Furious has a lot to do with Paulie’s personality. In the opening scene in the alleyway with Mr. Clutch supplying car enthusiasts with parts, shows the underground part of the car community with car parts getting traded. The name Paulie also has significance because of Paul Walker who plays Brian O Conner in the Fast and Furious franchise.


The driveway and driving scenes in this movie were influenced by the racing video games like Need for Speed. In these games they have quick cuts of putting on parts, shutting the hood, and going out to race.


Motorsport culture influences the car scenes, especially in the way rival characters behave when they interact with each other. Jay is a rival who has a cocky tone to him, but has respect for car culture. The dialogue in the car scenes gives the comic aspect through Paulie's listing ridiculous fake automotive parts like turbo encubobulator and fat snail. The humor was inspired from a short comedy recordings making fun of how serious people sound when discussing cars.


Below is the current script for our film opening, which shows all of these inspirations.








Script: SHIFT HAPPENS


BACK ALLEY – NIGHT


Paulie leans casually against his car, arms crossed. He looks calm, like he’s done this before. MR. CLUTCH walks up holding a case.


PAULIE
MR. Clutch?


MR. CLUTCH





Depends, whos asking


PAULIE
Its paul. You got the thing?


MR. CLUTCH


Mr. Clutch opens the case carefully. Inside is a rare looking performance part.





Original and imported, took me six months to track it down.


Paulie nods, impressed.


PAULIE


This thing better wake the car up.


MR. CLUTCH
walks away


Paulie smiles.


Duration about 20 seconds.


PAULIE’S DRIVEWAY – NIGHT


Paulie tightens the last bolt and closes the hood.


Duration about 5 seconds.





STREET – NIGHT


Paulie drives toward the car meet.


Duration about 10 seconds.


CAR MEET – NIGHT


Paulie pulls in. Jay, leaning on his Car, watches closely before walking over.


JAY
Nice build.
So what are you running?


Paulie steps out calmly.


PAULIE
Enough.


Jay laughs.


JAY
Come on. What’s under the hood?


Paulie smirks.


Duration about 15 seconds.


Paulie leans against his car like a pro.


PAULIE
Custom turbo encubobulator.
Forged mega pistons.
And a fat snail.


Jay stares.


JAY
how?


PAULIE
I got my ways


JAY
Whatever, man. Hope it’s faster than your mouth.


PAULIE
*smirks


Slower then your moms


Jay: Save it for the race


Duration about 20 seconds.





CAR MEET – NIGHT


Paulie and Jay get into their cars. Someone off screen starts counting.


GUY THAT COUNTS RACE DOWN
Three… two… one…Go!


Paulie launches.


The car stalls instantly.


Dead silence.


Paulie grips the wheel, annoyed, not panicked.


PAULIE
Shit, shit, sh-


CUTS TO TILE OF MOVIE : SHIFT HAPPENS

Todorov’s Theory in SHIFT HAPPENS

For this blog post, I chose a media theory that I would like to use on my project. Todorov's Narrative Theory of Equilibrium, which describes how stories go through a process from equilibrium to disequilibrium and back to equilibrium.


When film opening begins, everything is at a stable point. Paulie buys rare automobile parts, does most of the work himself before arriving at a race, it is simply another evening for him. By giving this impression of Paulie at the beginning, the viewer can connect with Paulie's character as having confidence and knowledge.


When the race starts and Paulie stalls his car it causes a break in the equilibrium. This is a major disruption, and instead of everything going as planned, everything goes wrong. This disruption creates both tension and comedy, which is appropriate for a project in the comedy genre.


The film does not finish itself before jumping into the title, establishing a sense of new equilibrium but without giving enough context for the audience to understand why the events contained in that frame are changing Paulie's life and that the overall story is only beginning.


Using Todorov's theory on the film opening gives it a sense of purpose and structure while being short. By using this theory we are able to create balance between comedic and narratives to get a good engagement throughout the entire film opening.

Inspirations for SHIFT HAPPENS

My Cambridge portfolio project is a comedy film opening that will take place in the place of car culture and street racing. The opening of the film will be around the main character, Paulie, who upgraded his car. The use of dialogue and character interactions will help Paulie’s confidence throughout the opening, only to have this confidence filled with disappointment when he races in the end of the film opening. The purpose of the film opening is to introduce the character, the tone of the film, and the world of the film.

We were particularly inspired to create our project by two big influences, the Fast & Furious Franchise, In particular the first 3 movies of the franchise. All three movies feature a theme centered around cars.

The Need for Speed Video Games inspired us, especially Underground and Underground 2. These games gave us the underground racing feel of the game, the use of night time environments, and gave us the idea of a heavily modified car being a large part of a character’s identity.

Also we saw a comedy skit of a Fast and the Furious parody online which showed us how to exaggerate and have a confident dialogue. Also it showed how failure to create humor from what would be a serious part of racing culture but to still show people the meaning of racing culture.

Overall, we are merging street racing with a humorous way. Our goal is to combine some of the elements of street racing movies, while also including some comedic parody elements. So the intent is not to appeal only to car enthusiasts but also other audiences as well.