Target audience

 Our film is a psychological thriller, with a sub-genre of romance. Due to this, we have been having a little trouble coming up with the specifics for the target audience. However, because it's a psychological thriller we can come up with an age range, given that some of the images shown are graphic and inappropriate for kids. For this, we have the age range is between 25-and 40.  

Overall thrillers include suspenseful scenes that could be scary for a younger audience. Specifically, psychological genres would incorporate elements from themes such as crime morality, mental illness, substance abuse, dissolving from the sense of reality, and even multiple realities. 

While researching I found a demographics chart from the British Film Institute, which shows which different age and gender groups and the genre they prefer watching. According to the chart, 36% of males under the age of 35 watch thrillers suspense compared watch to 57% of males above 35 who said the same. With females, 45% of women under 35 watch thrillers suspense thrillers while 60% of women over the age of 35 watch thrillers. 

This data tells me that both genders enjoy watching suspense thrillers, leading us to have to target the movie to a more general audience in the gender department, though we believe because of the romance we also add through the storyline more women would be attracted to our film, we can't rely on a sub-genre for our target audience. 

I want to research a bit more before doing my CCR to have 100% accurate information to present. 

<33

Learning new editing tricks

 Prior to starting this project, I had experience using adobe premiere, the editing app I wanted to use for the project. Though since when I learned how to utilize the app, adobe premier has gone through various updates that changed some aspects of the app but still left the basics. 

During spring break my partner edited the different clips together through iMovie, however, I couldn't really help, given that the app isn't friendly for a group project. Nevertheless, she was able to complete the editing successfully, and apparently, it didn't take a long time. 

When she showed me the finished project, I felt like we could add more, like an effect to make it obvious that Pablo is imagining his wife, dancing with him. That's when the idea struck me to add some blurriness and color filters to make the part of the scene where the dancing happens dreamy and unreal. 

I soon realized that I didn't know how to do what I wanted, so instead of giving up on my idea, I searched on YouTube for a tutorial. While looking for a video I was concerned that the creator might go too fast, but I was able to find one that was easy to follow and short. (the one below)

Though after I added the blurred corners to the opening it still felt as if it was missing something. I originally wanted either a blue or yellow tint to the dancing scene of the video to make it seem more dreamy. I wasn't sure how to do this in adobe premier though so I quickly searched on YouTube for another tutorial. (the one under) 

Adding all this effect made me finally feel as if the editing portion of the video is done, all missing now is the credits which are easily added into the video. 

I know it's hard to see, but here is a screenshot of the editing process of the effects that I was able to add to the video. Though you can see the layers of the various effects and the arrows pointing at the blurred corners (which the screenshot didn't really pick up)

I am actually proud of myself I was able to quickly learn a new skill in the premiere. I am usually the type of person who has to re-watch the tutorial or re-read the instructions multiple times because I am wasn't able to understand. Though this time I rapidly picked up the steps and set up the effect in less than 20 min. 

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Finding Fonts is a whole adventure

 Hey, guys so me and my partner a few weeks ago pick the type of font we wanted to use for the credits. Though there were no specifics we knew we wanted a cursive font. This pick was a little before we started filming, a little early I know, but we were going through the different fonts for the distribution credits that we decided to kill two birds with one stone and also look for the credits font style.  

For the distribution credit, we were using Canva and we actually stumbled through one font that could actually, work Amsterdam Two. It was perfect, given that it was readable (sometimes cursive fonts are really hard to read because they put the letters way too close to each other) and pretty. So I saved the name in my notes and went by to complete the video. 

We really wanted a cursive font for the credits so it gives the whole opening a more classical romantic look. Contradicting the themes of the overall opening but showing that the Film will have some romance in it. Additionally, it fits the personality of our main characters given that they are very old-fashioned, with their music and old speakers. 

Finally, it came time to put the credits into the final video, which I was doing through Adobe premier. So I opened the font drop-down in Adobe premier pro, looking for Amsterdam two. after a few scrolls, it hit me that the font I am searching for isn't going to be in premier because I found it in canvas (facepalm). Looking back I have no idea why I saved a name of a font in Canva even though I knew I wanted to edit through premier. 

So I went back through the selection of cursive fonts that adobe Premier Pro had, which were honestly very few, surprisingly. Each one I clicked wasn't good enough for the theme I was trying to get through the fonts, either too bold, too straight, or overall looked basic. I was disappointed and left with no Fonts, so as any other desperate person I reached out to my friend for help. 

She has already done this project, so she was able to guide me to the Adobe fonts website where I was finally able to find numerous fonts, specifically cursive. after searching for 9 pages of fonts I had 6 options of fonts and added them to the editing software 

As my luck has it half of the fonts didn't look like they originally looked on the website while the other half didn't fit the aesthetic I was looking for. I was left with no fonts and back to searching. I opened Adobe Fonts to their cursive font and found La Bohemienne. I have no idea how I missed it the first time around because it was one of the first ones on the list. Nevertheless, as soon as a added it to the opening it was a perfect match. Plus it was readable and pretty just like our beloved Amsterdam two, though honestly, it was better than our first choice. 

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Filming pt2 +some BTS

Though I had already filmed with my parents, I had a small feeling that I still had to film with my original choice for the actors. A small notion telling me I had to film with my original choice, that it would be different and better, which were right. 

They ended up having better chemistry in front of the camera than my parents, I feel like you can feel their love through the screen in some clips. Also, the husband's actor had better facial expression than my dad, he even did dome improve in some of the lines. My original Actros basically felt more comfortable being in front of a camera than my dad and mom, given that they both had experience and connection in the film industry. 

My actor arrived at my house around 6:30 excited to be the actors to my film, they even brought different costume decisions because we weren't able to meet face to face prior to filming. They also wanted to learn more about their character, like what are they like, etc. to really get ready to play them. Soon they had what they had to do down and were ready to film. 

Well after eating my mom's food and catching up with my parents they were ready. I didn't mind, I actually needed them to take their time, given that when they arrive it was still light outside, and I needed the sun to be setting, almost dark, to have the perfect lighting. The darker lighting I feel gives a more evil, scary, mysterious aesthetic to the opening which was exactly what I was aiming for. 

For costume, she wore a white lacy dress with a yarn sweater over it, which weirdly really fit the vibe I was going for. My original idea wasn't any lace nor a sweater, though I did want white in the dress, so we could show that the wife wasn't meant to die. The dress also gave a mature but stylist vibe which I was surprised her dress actually worked. 

For the guy's costume design it was way simpler a dress shirt with jeans, something he didn't usually wear but had. The goal for his costume was to make him seem like a middle-aged dad, which even though our actor isn't, he was able to fit become one for the film. 

Filming was a breeze for many reasons. Firstly, I already knew what I had to do, what shots look best, what shots I have to remember, which ones I don't need. I was even more comfortable having the role of the director now that I got some practice with my parents. Secondly, the woman in my film work in the entertainment industry (not sure what she exactly does but I know she edits and creates shorts), this helped her be more confident in front of the camera, which helped her husband be better too. 

As I said before they really had better on-camera chemistry than my parents, literally as soon as I started playing the music I would use in my opening, they rapidly started romantically slow-dancing and drifted to somewhere else, like they were the only ones there dancing together. They were so much into character that they didn't realize when I was getting different angles, from the kitchen, behind the desk, closeups of hands, etc. I never asked them to do this, but it really helped the character development of an in-love couple.

Here I have some Behind scenes while filming with them. 

(some dancing shots, my mom took these)

(my dog being an attention seeker) 

(basically having fun) 

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AHHHH!! I am so excited

 As you guys know I wasn't able to film with the original actors Tuesday because one of the actors was sick. It was really out of nowhere they got sick, but they still wanted to be safe. Tuesday she actually took a rapid home test to make sure it isn't Covid, which came back negative, but she wanted to be 100% sure that she doesn't have the virus, so went to get a PCR test, which usually takes more than 24h to give results back. Because of this, I had to result to film with my parents. 

I still filmed with my parents that same day, just in case, I wouldn't be able to film with them. I was ready to use the footage I got with my parents, but miraculously I get the news that my original actor doesn't have Covid and is feeling better already, which means she is in an okay state to film. 

(prove) 

Though she was Covid free we weren't sure that we could even film, given that her husband (who would play the character of the husband in the film) always gets out of his job around 5pm, and is super exhausted. The only days that he has free are Tuesday and Wednesday (which have already passed), meaning that our chances of filming are basically gone, also because I won't be there for spring break and filming after the break wouldn't be useful given that it will be too late already.   

Miraculously, that Thursday he got out of the job at 3:30, meaning we would be able to film later in the afternoon. When he got home he was able to take a nap, basically recharged his batteries, until his wife got home at 6pm from her job, so they'll be able to come to my house to film. They came prepared with different outfit choices and with an attitude to get things done. 

This was truly a blessing they could come to my house, and be in my film. They really were a perfect choice for the character and slayed their performance (which ill go into detail about it in the next post). 

 

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Finding a ring

 Though filming Tuesday was very chill and fun I actually came across a big problem, my dad didn't have a wedding ring. For the husband, its important didn't for him to have a wedding ring, so it shows that he still loves his wife, even though he is the reason she is dead. It was an important small detail that had to be in the costume design.  

You may be wondering, "why didn't my dad have his wedding ring", well his original one got stolen a few years ago in Venezuela,  while he was driving. When we moved to the United States he got a temporary replacement, which after a while became uncomfortable and tight around his finger, so he hasn't been wearing one recently. Actually, my parents plan to get him a new ring in their 20 anniversary which is coming up in a few months. 

Alright, so we searched around the house finding a ring that could fit his fingers because he has pretty thick fingers. I even tried my rings, but the biggest one I have is a size 8 (I think) and he is a size 9, which wouldn't fit his fingers. We were doomed, with no ring the story changes. 

But suddenly I get an idea to use one of the balloons left from my brother's 12 birthday party. Which was a big gold helium 12, the perfect color for a ring. So I got my victim and found some scissors and cut the top of the 1. 

(here is the dead balloon) 

After killing the balloon I cut off a small line and rolled it up into a tube, which would make it be all gold. Then my dad got some tape and put it around my dad's finger. 

 

Here is how the final products looked, we added some tape around the piece of balloon and taped it to his finger. It actually looked believable while I was filming, though in real life you could tell that he had a piece of plastic taped to his finger. Nevertheless, the balloon ring worked as a replacement.  

 

It was just very fun to find everything, loved the whole creative process <33

BTS!! not the Kpop band

 Hey guys as you know I wasn't able to film with the cast I originally wanted Tuesday, because one of the actors was sick. Luckily I had a plan B if this happened, which was to film with my parents. 

Basically that same Tuesday, my partner brought her props over and helped me organize the living room set (which would be the main background). I also looked through my mom's closets for a white dress (the one you see in the pictures), that she wore in my brother's baptism. The husband's costume design was very simple, a squared long sleeve shirt and jeans, which my dad of course had. 

The only complication we had during filming was because I didn't originally have my dad as an actor, I didn't show him the script before filming. Meaning we had to cut after 1-2 lines, which we were planning to do, either way, so he would be able to get the lines right. Nevertheless, the different cuts help to the audience to be more entertaining rather than having one long shot. 

After filming my parents told me they really enjoyed filming for my project, they found it very fun to dance around to romantic music. They knew that if I could film with my Plan A actors, I  would use tehri footage but they still found it enjoyable to be in the film 

Below are a few photos from that day <33

(here is the final costume design)  

(part of the set design) 

(my dog getting his moment of fame) 

Group meeting

 Hey my guys ,so in my Aice media class we were able to have group meeting, in 03/04, to discuss our projects, nonce ideas to other people, see how your own idea look from an outsider, and even help make decisions on our projects. I truly found this meeting helpful, given that they helped me get a clearer mind on some things I still wasn’t sure about. 

So firstly, for costume design I had a few different dresses to choose from for the wife, a darker conservative one, or a short summery flower dress. I wasn’t sure which one would fit the character more because the wife in the orpington is already dead, so using yeh darker dress will hint to that, but the wife is being imagined by the husband, so the lighter dress will work best. They helped me decide, for the lighter dress given that telling the audience that she is dead in the opening isn’t needed. 

(I actually didn’t get to use this dress because my first choice actor got sick and couldn’t bring the dress, or come to film, but I still stuck with the lighter theme)

Another thing that they helped me with was in the script. I wasn’t sure if I should add more to the script, or leave it as it is. I was nervous that it wouldn’t be enough and I would be left short in time. 

They suggested that I should add his child questioning him more through the phone. something like “dad you aren’t okay missed cousins birthday, didn’t even call her”. A line that could tell the audience that the dad fails to understand he isn’t doing well, mentally. 

anyhow here is my amazing group I was in<<3

Big SICK problem

 So today at 8:30 am during school, I got the news that one of our main actors is sick. She has been feeling sick since yesterday night, though she isn’t sure what she has. She has taken a home test Covid, which came back negative but still wants to take a PCR test to be 100% sure she doesn’t have Covid. Either way, she is still sick and won’t be able to film today and most likely any day during this week.  

This information really made me feel nervous, given that my actor isn’t available, basically everything that I previously planned, the overall look is gone. 

I was desperate for a solution, quickly texting my mom if she and my dad will be able to step in into the role and be my actors. Luckily, my mom and dad wanted to do this since I told, though I didn’t pick her for the role because my original actors had the appearance I was looking for. Nevertheless, my mom and dad were my second choice for the role. 

I have been updating them with my project throughout the day so they know what they have to do and what to say. 

For costume design, I have an idea for my mom's dress and my dad's so I am set for that. I could use a white wrap dress for my mom and for my dad a long sleeve and pants. So I am set like for this part.

On the bright side, I would be able to film earlier in the day, given that with my original actors we wouldn’t be able to start filming until at least at 8pm. This way I’ll start sooner and end earlier giving me time to look over the forgave the same day  

I am excited to film with my parents I hope we’ll have fun all together m and my siblings could help too. 

wish me luck <33

We are Filming Tomorrow!!!

 Exciting news, guys! tomorrow we are filming the opening, tomorrow is the day where everything is happening.  

I have a mix of nerves and excitement, given that I have never done anything like this. Yes, of course, I have done film projects, but those have been with my friends at school, basically having fun in front of a camera, but here I am gonna be filming with my Family Friends, which are in their 40s, in my house, around my parents.  

Unfortunately, my partner isn't able to be there when we are actually going to film, because it's her brother's birthday on the same afternoon, I have missed my family member's birthday because of sports and I felt horrible all throughout the day. The actors are getting to my house at 7pm, luckily beforehand, around 4, she is coming over and helping me set up the set, like moving furniture, setting up the props, planning the lighting, etc., so I have everything ready for the afternoon. 

Yesterday I talked through the phone with one of the forward actors and they are really looking forward to being in my High School project, maybe they'll finally get their Hollywood breakthrough. We were going over costume, character background, and script. Through the phone is hard to tell what dresses opening will be the best for the openings, so she is getting ready three-four outfits and bringing them here to see which one ill pick, same for her husband's role. 

For filming, I am going to be using my phone, and iPhone 11, for most shots, and maybe I could ask my sister for her phone for other shots given that she has the iPhone 13 which has a cool feature that would easily make an awesome out-of-focus shot, a shot that I would really want to incorporate in the opening, though if my sister is being annoying it will be fine.  

For the time span of filming, I don't think will take more than 1 hour and a half, given that they'll be able to act professionally, and the shots are easy to film. Though only one has had an acting job(which was a long time ago) I know that they'll be able to easily act as the characters, because of their personalities. 

I plan to look through footage Wednesday given that the guy's days off are Wednesday and Thursday, so if we need to reshoot anything, do it as soon as possible. 

I really hope everything goes according to plan, woah I am excited to film. 

<33

We finish Script!!!

 Hey guys, My and partner have finally finished the script for the film opening. It didn't make us really a lot of time to finish because we were certain of what we wanted to express through the words of the actors. We also wanted to make sure that the script reveals the personality of the different characters. Lastly, we also wanted to incorporate Spanish into the script to show more representation of bilingual families. Below is the script we have done-

Script 

3-5 rings

Pablo answers the phone slowly 

Pablo: Hello? 

Mateo:(sad) Hola pa, how are you 

Pablo: Ah hola, *sigh* I'm doing  Alright, y tu mijo? 

Mateo: I'm not doing too well dad…since mom’s death I have been feeling like myself. I need to go see you pa, you shouldn't be alone right now either way. Im goin-  

Pablo: Don't worry about me, I’m fine 

Mateo: Dad you really aren't… I mean ever since mom passed you’ve been… Distant 

Pablo: ¿por qué crees eso? 

Mateo: You know pa, you’ve been ignoring my calls, not texting Abuela, even Ms.Sanchez told me you haven't left the house since wha- 

Pablo: MATEo! Seriously I’m fine 

Mateo: I don't believe that dad, I’m coming down into town next week. I hope you'll want to see me 

*Hangs up*  

Cuts to title 

End of opening

This script is for a phone that will happen around the 1 minute mark in my opening to introduce the next step in the story. We felt that without the phone call the opening would be lacking a purpose, become boring after a minute, and feel as if its lacking information to fit into a Film. 

When me and my partner were starting the script we wanted to make sure to incorporate both languages (Spanish and English) in the phone call. We wanted to tell the audience that the characters are from Latin-American without directly telling them. Additionally doing this adds representation of bilingual families and their way of communicating. Something that was a recruitment to the actors that we choose is that they will need a strong Spanish background to make sure no words sounds weird, or have the wrong pronunciation during the conversation. 

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Representations

 Hey guys, today I wanted to talk to the representation my film would be focused on. I said in my last blog, the characters that I have developed are born and raised in Venezuela. As well, are the actors that I have chosen to play their roles. They weirdly share similar experiences, the actors and characters, just not the killing part. 

Representations matters when it comes to production of media. Its very important to think about, what ethnic, social, religious, and economic group are we representing and how. The way the directors decide to portray a specific community can influence how the public will view the group after. This gives the director the power to control how people see others of different races, religion, background, etc. For example, They could portray a Latina woman as a powerful business owner (which is rarely done) that will create a positive effect towards them. Or overly sexualize her, this makes the public build their opinion of Latina women as negative, and incorrect. 

(Modern Family has a Latina character ,though her character adds diversity to the show, it is overly sexualize in a negative manner)

I found this article that goes more in depth in why representation matters. According to the article, many parents go to different kinds of media to show their children different religion, cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, etc. They want the tv show, movie, YouTube video, song, to be able to perceive a different cultural group correctly, so it can introduce the younger generation to ethnics-race information, which will teach them acceptance and inclusions towards communities they would be able to see throughout their own life's.  

The article also goes into how media could affect ethnics-race kids view themselves. Whether their community are shown in a negative or positive way it could affect their self-esteem, basically what they believe their are bale to do with their life's. If the media presents negative stereotypical black character , promoting violent actions, it could develop the idea that this is an accurate reflection of black culture and affect how the people from their own communities see themselves and the view from others. On the other hand, when their is positive representations, like powerful black characters, it could develop more positive feelings from their black viewers about their own appearance, culture, and status.  

(The movie Soul has a main black character and is able to shown some aspect of their culture in a positive way)

When I was growing up the media failed to show people like me, from my country, they mainly showed people from other counties, majority from America, but ignore people from my country. Yes they did showed Latinas, but characters that are build in stereotypes and always a side unnamed person. 

I wanted to make sure in my Film the main character is from my country. I wanted their personality to not fall under a harmful stereotype. I want to show how people from my country actually are, in difference to how they are usually shown in media.  I really made sure to not include the usual stereotypes that the media want to shown. 

I was lucky to live in a place where lots of people from Venezuela live, meaning I had lots of option of my casting, though me and my partner were looking for a specific heights. Which we were able to easily find. I am very excited to be able to have actors that are able to represent my country's people. 

Get to know our Characters

Hey guys, I hope everyone is doing well. I wanted to introduce you guys to the main characters of our Film. We have been developing these characters for some time now, and finally feel they are ready. 

Main male character
name: Pablo 

age: 50 

Ethnicity: Venezuela, born and raised 

A little about his life: Pablo was born in Venezuela and lived there until he was in his 20. Since he was little he was introduced to popular music that was playing back then (soft jazz, blues, Baroque pop). Music from these era has always been very important to him. When he turned 21 he moved to the United States, to persuade his studies and develop a successful career. He thrived through college, given that he was very smart, here he also met Rose. Him being a very handsome young man was able to and since then they have been together ever since. When he was 30, Pablo has already build a family with Rose, one son named Mateo, and they moved to the quite nature base are away from the city, to grow their family and be happy together. After a few years, Pablo suffered a tragic car accident, which left him with some brain injury, which they thought healed overtime.  

Likes: Old-fashioned music, record players, romance, and baking 

Dislikes: Current music, 

Favorite color: Greyish blue

Mood board:

Main female character: 

name: Rosa 

age: 46 

A little about her: Rosa was born and raised in Venezuela. She is from an area surrounded in natures, trees, flowers, fruits, animals, were everywhere she looked, she grew up loving nature, which shaped her to become the woman she is now. She moved to the states at the age of 18 because of her parents job, opening the doors for her to finish her studied in American soil. In college is where she met Pablo, who she believed was love at first sight, when she was with him she felt safe. After leaving college she started developing business for dresses (Rosa's) which she loved making and became quite successful. With these money gain and Pablo's they were able to move into a small town, away from the city, that reminded Rosa of her own Hometown. Here Rosa and her husband, formed a small family, by having a son, named Mateo. Rosa truly loves her life, though she didn't expected it to be the way it turned out to be, she wouldn't change it ever.

 

Likes: Gold jewelry, and pearls, sweetheart neckline dresses, flowers , sewing dancing.

Dislikes: Animal abuse, uncolorful objects, sad music.

Favorite color: Light pink and green 

mood board: 

2 Week schedule (7/3-18/3)

  I wanna show you guys the schedule me and my partner have planned for the next two weeks. This way we can be more productive and finish everything with time to spare. Basically, try to prevent procrastinating. I am way too nervous that I will be up all night finishing the project because I didn’t plan anything out, so this schedule is a way to calm myself down and reassure me that I'll be able to finish everything days before we actually have to turn it in.

Week 4 

Monday 7/3-   

• Finish building the characters:  

• Ethnicity

• Personality 

• overall aesthetic,

•  finalize tittle 

Tuesday 8/3-

• Decide if the couple’s child would be a female or male

• Pick an actor for the voiceover

• Finish costume details

• Post a blog.

Wednesday 9/3- 

• Post update in blog

• Share costume design with actors, to see of they have according costumes

• Buy anything we need (costume wise)

Thursday 10/3-  

• Finalize the script

• Confirm the day to record the voiceover with actor 

• Choose lighting setup for filming 

Friday 11/3-    

• Research fonts for title and credits 

• Post Blog post 

Saturday 12/4-  

• Get any extra props if needed

Sunday 13/4- 

• Get any extra props if needed

Week 5

Monday 14/3- 

• Prepare house for filming (move furniture) 

• Make sure we have everything ready

• Blog Post

Tuesday 15/3- 

• FILMING DAY!!! (5-8pm) 

• Finish setting up house 

Wednesday 16/3- 

• Review footage from the day before

• Research a little about other openings, to prepare for editing 

• Post blog 

• If needed schedule another filming day as soon as possible

Thursday 17/3- 

• Decide who edits and start editing

• Post blog post, 

Friday 18/3- 

• Make a distribution company title

• Continue editing

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Who are the actors

 Guys I have awesome news, We have to go to the actors for the opening!!. The people playing the roles would be some close family friends, who are basically my parent best friends. They are both really excited to be involved in the project, so much so they have been asking me about wardrobe, makeup, and character background to prepare for the role. 

 For the opening, we needed a middle-aged couple, two people who look like they have experience life, which is why we couldn't look in our own age range. If we would've cast teens the whole aesthetic of the movie would be off, it wouldn't make sense.  

I was a little nervous to ask them if they would be able to be in the opening, not because they are my adults, but because I was scared they would say no. I really wanted them for the role because how they act around people is very animated, she can make life with everything, and he can do the same. My mom was the one who spoke to them through the phone, not me because I was doing homework. Luckily she was able to convince them easily to be my actors. The only requirement they asked for was for my mom's food, which will be their form of payment.  

After my mom talked to her for a while, her friend wanted to ask me a couple questions. She was already excited to do it (you could feel it in her voice), but she just wanted to know if she had the right outfit, shoes, and ability to do the hairstyle plan for the role. Same as for her husband, who would be the only one with small dialogue, though I wasn't able to talk to him, I know he would be excited to do this. 

<33

Soooo..... where are we filming?

 Hey guys, so after a little planning, we have a location for filming. I and my partner both thought that the opening should be filmed in a house, the place that would make the most sense for the events to happen. We both even imagined similar décor, structure, and overall room plan for the house we are going to film at. 

I mean where are we actually filming was pretty easy to figure out as well, basically what house are we using. The area that we wanted to film had to include things from the following list:

•  A big open space
• a big window/ sliding window into the outside
•  some vintage décor,
• good lighting.

   
These combined would be the perfect place to film, but we had to settle with what we had in hand. Also, we wanted the film to feel like be set in modern times, which is why we wanted a big space but to make the audience feel like the couple is old-fashioned with their décor. 

We realized that most houses in Florida have similar things, like the big spaces and big windows, though they really weren't anything close to these reference pictures. Nevertheless, we knew we could find something with similar characteristics. 

Perfect enough, my house actually has most of the things we are looking for, like the windows and open space, the only thing missing would be the vintage décor, but we already have this issue figured out, with props. Bringing in the props i mentioned a few posts ago will help bring the vintage feel to the opening. 

<33

The journey to find the right song

As you guys know me and my partner were set on old jazz, mainly looking for songs around the 1940s-1960s that have that old romance vibe. We felt that it would really fit the love between the man and their women, given that they will be considered old-fashioned today. We felt their romance and the things in relation to their romance(the song) should revolve around the same idea too.  

After searching all of the first and second week endlessly for songs that could work. Through a few Spotify playlists and YouTube recommended videos, narrowing it down to five songs then later 2, the finalists were: "Only you and you alone "by The Platters and "And I love you so" by Don Mclean. The Platters songs were our first pick while Don Mclean was our backup. Having the song already picked felt as if we have accomplished something, like "finally after days of searching we finally found the one". Though we quickly remembered we still have a bunch of other things we have to check off the list before we can even say "yes we have done it".  I like to celebrate every accomplishment. 

                                                   (to be honest, we somewhat felt like these guys)

After beginning work on the other work in the list, I saw it, coming out a dark corner in big, bold, red letters, the copyright laws. I feared that I wasn't going to be able to use the songs that I have found and already had selected as our songs. I searched the web, and just what I was scared of the songs were still owned by a company/ artists. All my hard work, just to be told "no you can't use it".

 I was devastated, the songs that I imagined by opening to have, I cant use.  I quickly made another google search to see what songs are public domain (free to use to the public), According to a website I found on January 1,2022 any songs released before 1922 are public domain. While I was reading this information I felt the door of songs from 1940-1960 closed, but a new door opened one filled with hope, I could still be able to use Jazz in my project, but from the 1920s (how different would the songs be, I thought, oh was I wrong) 

I started my new search for songs from this era, just like I started my previous search, through Spotify. I thought this was going to be easy, a quick playlist search and I would find songs that would fit, boy was I wrong. The first playlist that came up didn't even have songs from the 1920s. That was wasn't when I knew that this wasn't going to be like my previous search. When I finally found a group of songs that could work, on YouTube (Playlist )before I even started playing I felt relieved, but that went away soon when I played the first song. The music had a weird song in the background. The only words I could use to describe are that it made the made song feel crispy like you were frying something behind it. I thought "maybe the other songs aren't as bad", and I was right, nevertheless there was still the same sound in the background that would be strange in an opening. (Here are some of the songs I listened to 1, 2, 3 )I was stressed, yet again, "what am I going to do now". 

I did just like any teen in this situation will do, and opened Tik Tok to forget my problems for a few minutes. After scrolling for a while, a classical music artist came up in my For You Page promoting his new song. I had actually started to listen to a few classical music playlists recently, so this caught my attention, in a result I rapidly went to take a listen. As soon as the song finished a solution came into my head, "what if instead of using old romantic jazz, we use classical music". It would have the same old-fashioned feel, but just with a different song. I was ecstatic, I knew 100% that most well-known classical music songs are published well before the 1920s before some even before the 1900s. I basically ran to Spotify to search for another and hopefully the last playlist that would be able to give me song options. 

Luckily I quickly found I playlist with more than 200 songs under tittles romantic classical songs. I was hyped. I clicked play and the first song that played was perfect for the opening(which became our first choice). I listened to a few more just to have a list when I show my partner the hidden gems I found. 

Right now I and my partner have Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 13, TH. 24 "Winter Reveries" and The Stone Flower Symphonic Suite, Op. 118, Wedding Suite, as our choices. We doubled check they were public domain. We finally got a song.  

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