Movie Journal #2

As I mentioned in my previous post the roles of our group had changed. I am now the actor instead of the DP ( Director of Photography). My teammate Eric, the previous actor, had wanted to switch roles with me because he has problems with his schedule. He plays soccer and is on the soccer team. And as the main actor it would be difficult if he missed the shooting days because his coach wouldn't let him leave for soccer. He was concerned that the whole group might be slowed because the main actor couldn't be there to make the movie.

Frankly making a movie is hard. Acting is hard. Since I can't see myself and the expressions I make it's harder for me to correct my actions. Good thing I have a realiable Director and Dp. The first day of this week's shooting went well. We recorded a few scenes and also the foley for future scences. For all you out there who don't know what the term "Foley," it is the sound effects you here in the film. There are some problems with cooperation. We managed to maximize our time today. Yippee!

The First Week of Movie Production

So my team and I had finished setting up our schedule for our filming days. We also have location set and ready. But there was a sudden change in the jobs. Instead of being the cinematographer I am now the main character. Instead of working with the camera I'm going to work with Mimi and sound.  We thought we were ready to shoot yesterday but we ended up canceling it due to my teacher's advice. We've finished the shot list and have a clear idea on how we want to shoot the first 5 scenes of the movie. All that's left is to act. Oh but I'm not so good with the acting. Good luck to me.

5 Minute Film Project

Hey guys! So my teacher in my class for filmmaking has assigned my group a five minute video assignment. We had to write scripts in the proper format. (And if you're interested in a program which is free and easy to use for writing scripts use Celtx, celtx.com) After we wrote them we revised it and we got into groups and chose one script we wanted to film, then we revised that one too. Filmmaking is such a slow process sometimes. BUT NOW! WE GET TO FILM!

Starting from today on till I finish this project I have also been assigned to write a film journal documenting what I've experienced and what I've learned because of this project.

So far my group  of five people including me have chosen a script. Its title is, "Speed Up" written by my friend Gustavo. We have already chosen our roles. I will be the cameraman in charge of all the shots and filming. As the cameraman I will be in working very closely with the director, Gustavo. My job would be to work with the director to produce the image inside his head on film. I am basically just a copier machine, I'm one of those 3 D printers, what fun. My friend will be the actor, he will act as the main character. I will act in this movie too but I'm not as important because my appearance is short. My other teammate is in charge of sound. She will be in charge preparing with listing all of the foley sounds we might need in this video. She is also in charge of the room tone and everything that has to do with sound.  And the hardest job of all would be the producer's role. My friend got stuck with that job. Producers are in charge of keeping everyone of task. If we were to compare our group to basketball, the producer would be considered as the point guard. They are in charge of the team and is the pace-makers of the game.

I am really excited to be the cameraman for this project. I like experimenting with different shots and seeing which ones would add to the value of the movie. What's your favorite position when making a movie?

Well that's all for now. Every week I will post a journal describing the things I've experienced while working together with my group producing this 5 minute film. Look out.

What Does Half-a-Million TV Look Like?

Hollywood Reporter- Source
As of right now, the world of technology is advancing in such an alarming rate. There have been advances in science technology such as better scanning equipment in hospitals and the pioneering of nano-technology, as seen in G.I. Joe. But the one we most care for as a society is entertainment technology.

Everyone is already making such a fuss about the new IOS 7 that Apple released recently.

More importantly the age of the giant TV's have begun. A new wave  of technology is sweeping this nation. Bigger TV's are being produced, with "...higher definition and richer lighting systems." Manufacturers have started to supersize; if I might add "Bigger in this case is better." In the article it states that,"Manufacturers also are converting TVs into the ultimate landscaping statement -- yes, a monster outdoor TV from Porsche Design Studio is about to start sprouting in backyards the world over." These titan TVs could have a profound effect on the film industry. As a consumer I only watch in theatres because of the size of the screen and the resolution of the sound. Some movies are better seen on the big screen. I think most people think as I do, so if you consider the production of these supersized TV for home theatre how will the movie theatres compare? Will people just wait for the DVD release and watch it in their 85 inch TV with the conviences of pausing to get home made popcorn and stopping for bathroom breaks? As a highschool kid I super excited to get one of these, but the only problem is the cost. Most normal middle-wage families won't be able to afford this kind of TV.

In that respect, as a future filmmaker I do not think that giant TVs will ruin the the theatres business. It's cheaper to buy movie tickets than to invest half a million on a TV. Though the resolution is higher and the every pixel will light up independently watching in the movie theatres is more cost effective. If in the future, when I am already a renowend fillmmaker, I would like every family to play my movie in their 85-incher. I want them to receive the same feeling and excitement as if they were watching in a movie theatre. I wish I can afford a giant T.V. right now.

 Sony's 84-inch... 4K

BUT DAMM! MAYWEATHER WON!

Personally I wanted Canelo to win, I was so disappointed he lost. For all the people who placed there bets on Canelo I'm sorry for both of us. Mayweather still remains undefeated and his ego rises even higher with his pockets getting deeper. Mayweather is one smart fighter. He fights like he's trying to make a business deal; always playing it safe. This is what makes him into such a good fighter, but a pretty boring one as well in my opinion.

How? & Why! Netflix

Netflix, the turtle that beat Blockbuster rabbit is reaching an all time high in terms of stocks and its income. It is steadily growing in to a larger and larger company with no intention of stopping. Just a decade ago Wallstreet labeled Netflix, "a worthless piece of crap" (excuse the language) when Blockbuster was still on the scene and claiming all the sales. The company Netflix was founded in 1997 and it didn't stand a chance against the other companies who were already out there. It is mentioned that Netflix wasn't worth much when it started. In the article How Netflix Beat Blockbuster it states,"...its prospects of surviving battles against Blockbuster, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and other competitors looked so poor..." But Netflix didn't care because the battles that they needed to win wasn't in the present but it was in the future.

Netflix saw that the digital age was just around the corner and focused its resourses in online streaming. People eventually got tired of the the $5 late fees that the other movie rentals charged. Netflix provided a solution to that. They charged monthly with no late fees instead of charging the individual movies themselves. When YouTube skyrocketed in 2006 people started to look online for new sources of acquiring film entertainment. Netflix had a boosted start in the field and eventually left Blockbuster behind.

Now Netflix is doing extremely well for itself. Eriq Gardner states in his article that Netflix has more that 30 million subscribers and more than a billion dollars in quarterly revenue; "this year alone, Netflix's stock is up more than 219 percent." Netflix is probably looking at Wallstreet giving it the finger for calling its stock trash. Netflix is obviously going to be really big in the future and it is sure to affect the film industry. Hundreds if not thousands of media is available on Netflix right now. And as Netflix grows the more movies, new and old, will be available on its simple easy to use system. As a consumer I can't feel grateful that Netflix has made it this far. I am subscribed to Netflix and it feels like an all you can eat restaurant. I can watch all the movies I want in a month and I only need to pay once. As a future  filmmaker I think that Netflix will have a severe interference with the industry. I see it heading in a direction in which when the movie airs on the theatres it would also air on Netflix. I'm not entirely sure if this will actually happen, but this is one of the questions I have about the affects of Netflix in the film industry.

"How do like them apples?"

The Courts Are Getting Tired

Stan Lee Media vs Disney

SLM the company founded by Stan Lee have been holding Disney for accountable for copyright infragment las October. They held them responsible, "based upon Disney's independently actionable conduct which occurred after April 2009." Ofcourse Disney won the case instead of Stan Lee's Media. This article struct out at me because it's Stan Lee, the creator of awesomeness. And Disney which was my childhood. I used to watch all their shows: Mickey Mouse' House of Magic, American Dragon Jake Long, Kim Possible, etc. I find that Disney is becoming more prominent in the film industry and as a future film maker I feel like Disney has consideral power over the movies people will want to watch. As a student I don't like these two companies fighting, it's like watching your parents fight you don't know who to root for. But I guess if iI had to pick the winner it would be Disney. I think that Disney is the better choice, don't you think? Yeahh just agree to my genius decision making. As a consumer I think when BIG companies like these two sue each other they are hurting me (as a consumer). I don't like seeing these two fight. They should just contiue to make magic! Magic I tell you.

They should listen to my genius! If any of my fans out there are willing to direct them to my blog please do so!