Audio

   In this blog, I'm going to discuss audio. Throughout the entirety of our script, there are tags of the audio technique used in that specific part of the opening. We utilized sound in many different ways, one of them being during one of JD's gym sessions. In this scene, JD is working out, and intense, hard-driving music starts playing. The music appears to be non-diegetic, but once JD puts his headphones on and the music projects louder, the viewer can see that the music is dietetic.

  One of my partners(Gabe R) had done some research on "no copyright sound effects and songs. He was searching for a sound to use in the gym scene. After a little bit of searching, he found this song - "LUKA - Pitstop (ft. UNOWAY)" Our whole group took a look at it and we all agreed to use it.

https://youtu.be/4amJJNsTQWE

  Gabe emphasized that we used no copyright because it allows for more freedom; it allows for free and unrestricted access to the sound we use, so we don't have to worry about paying or using it for certain things.

Mise en scene Pt 2

  In this blog, I will discuss set design and props. Set design visually creates the environment of a scene in a production, establishing the story's place, time, and mood. Props aid the set design, creating visual appeal and adding to the actual look of the environment. For my film opening, there will be four different set designs to match our four different scenes.

 The set design of the first scene is very simple. We are filming in an indoor gym so there will be basketball hoops, and we will use duffle bags, shoes/slides, and basketballs and props. Scattering them around the court will add to the entirety of the look.

  For our second scene, we are filming JD and his coach talking in an office. So we are going to film in a smaller room, the room will have a desk cluttered with quotes, memorabilia, and pictures. There will also be pictures, trophies, and merchandise on the wall behind the desk. The room in general, will be covered with items like these.

Something like this for the coach's office, but less extreme.

  Our third scene is going to be a little more complex. It will take place in JD's room, which will have posters, balls, jerseys, and most importantly the picture frame with him and his older brother. The room will also have a good amount of basketball merchandise, but it will still be achievable. We will hang up jerseys, layout team gear, and leave around basketball shoes all to help the set design look like a teenage boy's room.

Adding grated effects to this image can make the image look old/worn out.

This will be one of our props.

  The final scene and set design will be very easy. Since we are filming in a gym there will already be weights, towels, and water bottles everywhere. We won't have to buy or use any props for this specific scene, making it very simple.

Mise en scene Pt 1

  For this blog, I will discuss Mise-en-scene, specifically our outfits or costumes. Costuming is key in film production; it can visually portray a character's personality and the film's setting. In our film, "JD" the protagonist's outfits consist of athletic wear, basketball jerseys, and casual streetwear. Coach Marcus will be wearing business casual/casual attire, such as a button-down shirt or a polo t-shirt.

  Since our opening begins with JD's training, he will wear a basketball jersey, Dri-Fit shorts, and old, worn-out basketball shoes. These clothes are perfect for this specific scene. They begin to hint at his love and passion for basketball and also help display the setting. Coach Marcus will be wearing a polo shirt, this allows the viewer to infer that he is a serious coach, who takes his job seriously.

Something along the lines of this.

 In the second scene where JD is speaking to his coach, we are stuck between two outfits for JD. The first one is the same outfit he wore in the first scene because we haven't decided whether the talk is right after training or another day. The second outfit is a shirt and shorts, a super casual, laid-back outfit for a young kid like JD. As for Coach Marcus, he will be wearing something very similar to what he was wearing in scene one.

 In the third scene where JD is speaking to his mother about his basketball struggles, he will be wearing a comfy outfit. Something most people would wear to walk around their house. His mother will be wearing sweatpants and an oversized shirt or hoodie, again something very comfy.

  For our final scene, JD will be wearing workout clothes such as compression clothes and Dri-Fit. He will have headphones in and gym shoes, we also have to find a way to make him look sweaty. Maybe a spray bottle with water will do the trick.

Character development

  JD the protagonist in our story, is a hardworking and passionate individual. He is determined to be great at basketball because of his older brother who paved the way for his dreams. He trains constantly to get better at the sport he loves.  He faces a couple issues and realizations during his training sessions; he realizes he is not naturally gifted with athleticism. JD has the work ethic but no matter how hard he works he just can't get better.

A great example of this is Rudy, from the film "Rudy." Rudy is also an overlooked underdog except he has a strong love for football rather than basketball. Rudy faced many obstacles such as being undersized but he always believed in himself. Rudy's goal in the film is to play for the University of Notre Dame; even after being rejected by coaches and players of the school he kept pushing to get better and get on the team. Eventually, Rudy earns a spot on the team through his relentless fight and perseverance.

We can see how Rudy(on the right) is at a disadvantage against the other players.

Basic character development: JD is a determined yet self-conscious underdog, throughout the story his character shifts entirely. The film begins with JD completely focused on basketball, but eventually realizes he's not cut out for it and gives up.

 How are we gonna develop his character?

 In the opening our main goal is to develop JD's character, we can achieve this goal through his actions and dialogue. 

  In our opening viewers will see how JD truly puts his blood sweat and tears into being good at basketball, but he is just so bad it has a slight comedic twist. In all scenes where JD is training and working out, he will be sweating and the viewer can see the intensity he puts into it. For example, in our final scene where JD is working out, he is going to be working out hard, dripping in sweat, but then we see that he is lifting very lightweight. Displaying he is working very hard but he is not cut out for it.

  The dialogue in our opening is also used to develop JD's character. In the first scene, JD speaks to his coach about his struggles, and then they have a conversation; Coach Marcus asks JD how much basketball really means to him and whether he wants to keep training to get better. In a later scene where JD is talking to his mother, he brings up his struggles. He realizes he has had to fight many obstacles and yet nothing has been working. JD keeps fighting throughout the entire opening, not giving up.

Script

 Up next is our script! My group and I decided it would be best to start by writing a script. The script allows us to put all our ideas down on paper while working through visual scenes along the way. For example, if you don't like one of your shot choices or ideas, you still have the freedom to change it visually. Since the script mainly focuses on the character's dialogue, the visual aspect is left for the storyboard..

INT. HIGH SCHOOL GYM - EVENING

(OPENING CREDITS ROLL OVER GYM FOOTAGE)

FADE IN AS SFX: faint bouncing basketball, shoes screeching, heavy breathing

JD stands at the top of the key, dribbling, focused.

Opponent crouched low, watching his hips.

JD [VO]

This moment. It's the kind you dream about. A single shot. Win or lose. Everything slows down. Every breath, every step, calculated. It's do or die.

He shifts left then right, testing his defender.

JD [VO]

You tell yourself it's just another shot. But that's a lie.

Explodes into a quick crossover. Dribbles between the legs.

Defender bites. JD steps back, separates.

SFX: Heartbeat thumps

SLOW MOTION: He rises. Shoots. Perfect form, release, arc.

LONG SHOT SLOW MOTION: Ball completely misses the hoop.

Silence, then:

PLAYER 1

Yo, was that a lob?

PLAYER 2

Nah, that was a prayer.

COACH MARCUS

Davis, you tryna take out a bird?

JD just stands there.

LONG SHOT REVEALS THIS WAS JUST A 2 ON 2 PRACTICE

CUT TO:

INT. COACH'S OFFICE - LATER

Coach Marcus leans back, arms crossed.

2.

JD slouches.

COACH MARCUS

Let me guess. You thought that was going in.

JD

I knew it was going in Coach.

COACH MARCUS

Confidence is good. But delusion?

That's another story.

JD

I just... I gotta get better. Jason was -

COACH MARCUS

Jason ain't you. You ain't him.

COACH MARCUS (CONT'D) But hey, keep throwing bricks like that, and maybe we can build a new gym.

JD forces a laugh but it stings.

CUT TO:

INT. JD'S BASKETBALL THEMED BEDROOM - NIGHT

SFX: DIEGETIC SOUND OF CRICKETS CHIRPING, WINDOW OPEN

JD stares at a framed photo on his nightstand - him and his older brother (Jason Davis, college basketball star)

SFX: KNOCK ON DOOR, CREAKS OPEN

MOM (O.S.)

You'll be late for school again if you don't sleep.

JD doesn't answer.

MOM (CONT'D)

You don't have to be Jason, baby.

JD finally looks at her. Nods.

JD

Yeah, I know.

He turns away and looks at the ceiling again.

3.

Mom watches him for a moment, then turns off the light in his room.

CLOSE UP: JD's face in the dark.

His eyes don't close.

TITLE: AIRBALL (NO COPYRIGHT RAP PLAYS)

INT. HIGH SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING GYM - MORNING

Music revealed to be diegetic from his headphones/speaker.

JD alone, training.

CLOSE UP: Sweat drips

CLOSE UP: Legs shaking during squats

SFX: Diegetic music pauses.

JD sits on the bench between sets, resting, scrolling through Jason's old highlight reels.

He exhales, locks the phone, and stands back up.

SFX: Diegetic music resumes. Back to work.

CLOSE UP: Struggling with bench press

WIDE SHOT: Reveals empty bar

THE END

If you want to see the script click here! 

Media Theories

 Hey blog, today I will be writing about the media theory we are using in our film project. Todorov's Narrative Theory of Equilibrium, this theory focuses on three different parts: Equilibrium, Disequilibrium, and New equilibrium. Equilibrium is when the audience is introduced to the characters and the beginning of the story. Disequilibrium is where the plot presents the "initial disruption" or the problem that appears in the protagonist's life, who works to fix the situation. New equilibrium is when the protagonist successfully solves the problem or not. We found this theory would work best in our film "Airball"

We used this media theories sheet to help us find which one would be best for our film opening.

The theory broken down in "Airball":

 For equilibrium, The protagonist is a young kid, who really loves the game of basketball. He trains hard to become a great player, but he flat-out sucks at it. He makes many mistakes and he is not very athletic overall. His mistakes are comedic, but he tries very hard to be successful. His goal is to be just like his late father who was a professional ball player/older brother (haven't decided) who was a great player. For disequilibrium or disruption. After practice, he realizes he needs to train harder than everyone around him. His coach tells him that if he wants to improve, he must work harder than everyone else because he lacks natural ability. Finally the new equilibrium. We are not fully set on the new equilibrium but we have two options. The first one is after all his hard work and determination he becomes a way better player, he leads his team to their first victory. The second option is he is still terrible, but he accepts the fact while still enjoying the game. Our end goal of the story is to show how far he has come as a player and individual.

Project idea

 My and I group decided to change our genre from thriller to sports comedy. The reason for this switch is because we were lost and had no idea what to do. It felt like every idea we had come up with was terrible, so we decided to seek help from Mrs. Stoklosa. During class, we all went to Mrs. Stoklosa's desk to discuss our ideas. We already had an idea for our new genre, but when we presented her with our idea she was iffy about it. She liked the idea but thought it could be tweaked a little, she told us what to do and what not to do. She was very beneficial to us with the project idea.

 Our idea for the sports comedy opening is: For the first 20 seconds, a high school kid plays basketball in a game-like scenario. Then, we hear a voiceover in his head saying, "It all comes down to this." He then shoots the "game-winning" shot, which is an anticlimactic airball. After the airball, it is revealed that he is having a regular private training session with his coach. After the session is over he has a serious talk with his coach. The coach talks to him about if he wants to take this seriously and if he is passionate about the sport. During this conversation, we have to focus on establishing the characters. Once he gets home from training, he talks with his mom during dinner. This talk focuses on developing the characters and building backstory. From this talk, the passing of his father is revealed, it is also revealed that his father was a professional basketball player. His father is the reason he wants to make it. The last 20 seconds of the opening is the kid training at the gym, there will be a close-up of him struggling on the bench press, and then a long shot of there being no weight on the bar. Diegetic sound of intense music will be playing, this will be displayed this music by him putting his headphones on and then the music starts playing. 

  As for the comedy aspect of the film. There will be no comedic lines in the script, but our goal is to make the character unintentionally funny, based on his actions. It will be somewhat of a slapstick version of comedy with a slight twist to it. Slapstick comedy is a style of humor that includes excessive physical movements.

  We made a chart for our idea. The top half of the chart was our original idea before we talked to Mrs. Stoklosa, and then the bottom half was after we talked to her. Through this chart, we were able to see the differences we made and what we improved. From the meeting with Mrs. Stoklosa, we learned not to make the opening look like a montage, not to use voiceover (brief, one-time use is okay), and developing the character is going to be difficult.