establishing casting and script for my characters

Hey blog!

Filming for the project will start soooonnn! I'm currently working on my script and am still coming up with more ideas to add to my project, but one thing I know for sure is the characters. My opening will consist of 4 characters. 

Cast:

Maisely Smith, played by Gabriella Benhamu

Oliver Finch, played by Alvaro Urenda

Stacy Reynolds, played by Valeria Bautista

Emily Smith, played by Nicole Torres

Background of the story

Oliver and Maisely met when she had to tutor him for biology in his sophomore year. She had taken it in 8th grade and passed with straight A's. He was interested in her, and then he asked her out, but reluctantly. So did she. Since then, their relationship has been somewhat of a "honeymoon phase." They had never really had any major problems, just small disagreements like most couples do. Maisely and Stacy were best friends when they were younger. When they started getting older, Stacy started to get jealous of Maisely. 

The opening takes place in the summer, right before the start of their senior year. Maisely and Oliver have been dating for a year and a half at this point, and Maisely would've never thought Oliver could hurt her. 

Script:

*It starts out with Maisely looking at pictures of her and Oliver on her phone while sitting in her bedroom. He texts her he's outside, and she walks out to his car. The music starts playing while they drive. Maisely looks out the window, thinking. Cuts to them arriving at them eating out together on a date. Short montage of the date until the end*

Maisely: Thanks for the food, Ollie. I love you.

Oliver: Yeah, of course. I love you more. 

*He helps her get up and helps her from her chair. While walking out, he holds the door open for her. Another girl walks in, and when Maisely isn't looking, he checks her out. They walk back to his car, and he takes her home*

Oliver: Bye babe. See you tomorrow. Love you. 

Maisely. Byee! I love you more. *They kiss, and he drives away. She sighs and goes inside*

*The shot cuts to her getting ready for bed while music plays (diegetic) and she dances while brushing her teeth. She goes to sleep, and it cuts to a shot of her in the morning. While she's getting ready, she's dancing and listening to music once again while brushing her teeth. She gets ready, starts her day, and leaves her house in her car. She's going to go get food*

Maisely: Hey Siri, give directions to the nearest Panna Express. *It calculates her route and starts navigating, and she starts driving there*

(She gets out of the car and gets a call from her best friend, Emily, and she asks something about Oliver. Emily had heard a rumor about Oliver and another girl and wanted to express her concerns to Maisely. As she's walking on the phone, she sees Oliver... with another girl.)

*Incoming call from Emily*

Maisely: Hey Em, what's up?

Emily: Hey girl, how's it going?

Maisely: I'm good. Uhm, I'm a little busy right now. Can I call you later?

Emily: Yeah, but, um, I just wanted to tell you something really quickly. 

Maisely: Okay, uh, what is it?

Emily: Okay, so basically, uhm, I'm at Saturday school right now, and I heard Marissa talking to Owen about how she saw Oliver with another girl the other day, and like, I don't know if it's true or not, but I just wanted to tell you, you know, just in case. 

Maisely: Oh, uh, wow. Do you think it's true? I don't think Oliver would do- 

*She looks up and freezes. She stops mid-sentence when she sees Oliver giving flowers to another girl. Maisly gets sad but then sees who the girl is and just gets angry. The girl is Stacy. She thinks to herself, How could he? And of all people, why her? She's hurt, angry, and confused, and she storms up to him to confront and break up with him*

Maisely: Um Emily. I'm gonna call you back. Okay? Love you, bye. *She walks up to Oliver and Stacy*

Maisely: What the fuck, Oliver? You're cheating on me? With her?

Oliver: Oh shit. Um, it's not what it looks like, I promise. 

Stacy: He must have come to his senses and realized how pathetic you are.

Maisely: *Slaps Stacy.* Fuck you.

Oliver: Oh shit.

Maisely: Go fuck yourself, Oliver. We're done.

*She starts walking away, and he runs up to Maisely and takes the flowers from Stacy to give to her.*

Maisely: Take your stupid flowers back. I don't want them. *She shoves them back in his hands*

*Oliver is following her, apologizing, begging her to forgive him, and still trying to hand her the flowers. Maisly grabs the flowers and hits him with them.*

Oliver: Please, Maise. I'm sorry. Please, c'mon, it was nothing. I love you, Maise, please. It was a stupid mistake; she means nothing to me. please 
Maisely: Apparently, I meant nothing to you, too. Get the hell out of my face.

Oliver: Maise, please, I'm sorry. Please, it'll never happen again.

Maisely: Don't call me that. Don't speak to me ever again. Don't call, don't text, and take those stupid flowers and shove them up your a-

*it cuts to the intro of the film (NAME TBD)*

Portfolio project schedule

Hey blog!

Now that we are in the second week of our project, it's better to be organized and create a schedule to stay on task and get everything done better! I'm going to split everything up into the 8 weeks of our project and create an organized schedule. I'm going to make a written and visual schedule for myself to it's easier to understand and so it works better for me.

Week 1:

- Research different genres and pick one to use for my project (final pick was drama)

- Research different movies and look at the techniques used in drama films. 

- Research drama (coming-of-age) film openings to get a better idea of what I want to do for my film opening

Week 2:

- Continue researching drama films to have inspiration for my opening

- Start writing a script and plan what I want to do and who will help me act and film

- Make this schedule to stay organized

Week 3:

- add the finishing touches to my script 

- start researching media techniques to incorporate into my project

Week 4:

- plan props, costuming, filming locations, etc

- start filming my project and plan with my friends a certain day that works for everyone

- start editing the clips I have and see what I need to refilm and make better

Week 5:

- continue filming my project and hopefully finish

- continue editing the film opening

- start researching CCR questions

Week 6:

- film (only if needed)

- finish editing film opening

- Research the rest of the CCR questions and write scripts for them

Week 7:

- film CCRs (try to finish all in one week)

- start editing CCRs, and if the film opening is not finished, then finish it

Week 8:

- finish editing CCRs

- add finishing touches to the film opening

- Complete and submit all videos to my blog

- give myself a pat on the back for completing the project

Research/analyze/discuss: film credit sequences

Hey blog!

Today, I researched credit sequences in drama films and how they affect films. Even though credits are mainly there to show the names of the people who worked on the film, they can still be important for the audience. The style of the credits, the font, and what’s happening on screen can all give hints about what will happen or the tone of the movie.

Credit sequence #1

The first movie credit sequence I looked at is Regretting You. Since this story focuses a lot on family relationships and emotional struggles, the credit sequence is simple and emotional. In a drama like this, the credits were placed over calm scenes or everyday moments so the audience can slowly enter the story. The font is clean and not too flashy, which keeps the focus on the characters. This kind of credit sequence works well for a coming-of-age drama because it sets a serious and emotional tone from the start.

Credit sequence #2

The second movie I researched is The Edge of Seventeen. The opening credits appear while the story is already starting, instead of having a completely separate credit scene. This is used a lot in drama films because it keeps the story moving. The text appears on screen while the characters are in normal everyday settings, like school or talking with friends. The font is simple, easy to see and read, and the colors don’t stand out that much. This helps the movie feel realistic and relatable.

Credit sequence #3

The last movie I looked at is The Age of Adeline. This movie has a somewhat different style for its credits. The credit sequence uses soft lighting, slow pacing, and fancy text that matches the more romantic and reflective tone of the movie. The credits appear while visuals help introduce Adeline’s story and past. The composition of the shots is very clean, with the text not covering any important parts of the shot. This makes the credits feel more artistic while still keeping the focus on the story.

After researching these movies, I noticed that drama movie credit sequences are usually simple or part of the story. Most of the time, they use basic fonts, soft colors, and place the text over scenes that are already happening. This helps the audience stay focused on the characters and emotions instead of being distracted by big graphics. For my film, I think I would do something different, like having an event happen that is a big impact on my main character's life at the start of the film.

Research/analyze/discuss: film openings

Hey blog!!

I'm gonna talk about the openings of three coming-of-age drama movies and why they grabbed my attention. I also noticed some cool film techniques in each opening that really help tell the story and give me inspiration to use in my project.

Opening #1: Beautiful Boy

The first movie is Beautiful Boy. The opening uses a lot of close-up shots of Nic and his family, which makes you feel their emotions more intensely. There are also medium shots showing them interacting at home, so you can see the tension and love in their relationships. I think the way the scenes are framed, with the family in the center of the shot, makes it feel intimate and personal. This is something I want to try in my film. I want to show emotions through close-ups and careful composition.

Opening #2: Five Feet Apart

The second movie is Five Feet Apart. The opening uses tracking shots to follow Stella around the hospital, which shows her routines and the limits of her life. There are also wide shots of the hospital rooms and hallways that emphasize how controlled her world is. I noticed they use high angles sometimes, which makes her look small and vulnerable. I like how these techniques tell the story without words, and I want to use angles and movement in my film to show what the main character is feeling.

Opening #3: The Fallout

The last movie is The Fallout. The opening has a mix of medium and close-up shots of Vada getting ready in the morning. There’s also a lot of composition using space, like showing her alone in the frame or with lots of empty space around her, which makes you feel her isolation. I think the way the camera focuses on her face while the background blurs helps you connect with her feelings. I want to use similar techniques in my film to show the main character’s emotions visually.

All three openings work because they use shots, angles, and composition to make you care about the characters and their journeys. They show emotions, struggles, and personal growth, which is exactly what coming-of-age dramas are about. I hope I can use some of these ideas in my film to make the audience feel connected right from the first scene.

Portfolio Project Genre #2

 Action research

Hey blog!

So another genre I’ve been looking into for my portfolio project is action. Even though I’m mostly leaning toward drama, I still wanted to research action because it’s a really popular genre, and it could be interesting to use parts of it in my film opening. Action movies are usually really exciting and focus a lot on intense situations, danger, and fast-paced scenes.

What is the genre of action?

At its core, action is a genre that focuses on physical challenges, danger, and high-energy situations. The main character is usually trying to stop something bad from happening, defeat a villain, or complete an important mission. These movies usually include things like chase scenes, fights, explosions, or other moments that keep the audience on edge.

Action films focus less on slow emotional moments and more on movement and tension. The conflict is usually very clear, like hero vs. villain. A lot of the time the main character has to overcome obstacles or dangerous situations to reach their goal.

The typical target audience for action movies is mostly teens and young adults, usually around ages 15 to 35, but people of all ages enjoy them. A lot of action films are marketed more toward males, but there are also many popular action movies with strong female leads that reach a wider audience.

Genre conventions and techniques

Action movies usually have a strong main character, a villain or enemy, and a clear goal the hero is trying to accomplish. The story often includes big conflicts, risky situations, and moments where the character has to make quick decisions.

In terms of techniques, action films use a lot of fast editing, dramatic music, close-ups during intense moments, and wide shots during big scenes like chases or fights. Lighting can sometimes be darker to create suspense, and the camera movement is usually quick to make the scenes feel more intense.

Action movie examples

Mission Impossible Fallout is about a secret agent named Ethan Hunt who has to stop a dangerous terrorist group from causing massive destruction. Throughout the movie, there are many chase scenes, fights, and dangerous missions. This film represents the action genre because it focuses heavily on intense situations and physical challenges the main character has to overcome. This is also a very popular movie franchise that has 8 movies and recently came to an end with the last one being released in 2025. I would take inspiration from the plot of these movies to make my film.

The Dark Knight is another good example of an action movie. The story follows Batman as he tries to stop the Joker from causing chaos in Gotham City. The movie includes many action scenes, including fights and dramatic confrontations between the hero and the villain. It also keeps the audience interested with suspense and high-stakes situations. I would use inspiration from this movie, from the fight scene between Batman and the Joker on the roof of the building where there are many things all happening at once, and it is very intense. I think the scene was very well made and really engages the audience.

Overall, looking at these movies helps me understand how action films keep the audience excited through intense scenes, strong conflicts, and fast pacing. Even if I don’t fully choose an action for my project, some of these techniques could still be useful to include in my film.

Portfolio Project Genre #1

Drama Research

Hey blog!

So we have officially started our portfolio project! I'm very excited for this project because it seems very fun, and it is a big part of our final grade for this class. We're researching our genres right now, and the first one I'm thinking of doing is drama, or more specifically, coming-of-age drama.

What is the genre of drama?

At its core, drama is a genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to have a more serious than humorous tone. It focuses on the in-depth development of realistic characters who deal with emotional struggles, conflicts with each other, or societal pressures (man vs. man, man vs. self, man vs. society). Typically, you won't see the "man vs. nature" conflict in a drama film. 

 

The genre drama involves conflicts and emotions and portrays human experiences through dialogue and actions. There are many different subgenres of drama, but mostly I'm thinking of doing coming-of-age. It typically presents a story or a situation that engages the audience's emotions, making them feel things like excitement, empathy, or tension, and is centered around 

The main audience for a drama film is males and females from the ages of 17 to 29, but for a coming-of-age film, it's mostly females. My target audience would be made for a little younger, like 14 to 25, but also make it an enjoyable film for all ages, including younger and older ages. 

Dramas usually have characters you'd see as your friends, neighbors, or family members dealing with the struggles of everyday life. They usually take place in a home, an office setting, or with a group of characters forced to interact day to day. If the characters in the movie are younger, then typically the settings would be home, school, or public settings, with the same characters and some side characters.

The type of drama needed in my film

My film is based on events that happen to a teenage girl. If I use drama as my genre, I would have the subgenre be coming-of-age. 

Coming-of-age films focus on a character growing up and learning important life lessons. The story usually shows a young person (usually a teen) dealing with things like identity, friendships, relationships, family problems, big life changes, etc. These plots usually focus on emotions, personal struggles, and character development, which are things I would like to use in my film. 

Drama films examples

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is about a shy freshman, Charlie, who feels like he doesn’t fit in. He becomes friends with two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who help him experience new things and meet new people. It is a drama film because there are serious emotions, and Charlie has personal struggles. This movie also falls under the coming-of-age genre because of how Charlie grows, learns about himself, and discovers the person he is throughout high school. I want to take inspiration from this movie because it is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I love the message that it sends. The message is that everyone goes through struggles, but having supportive friends can help you grow and heal. 

Lady Bird is about a high schooler called Christine that calls herself Lady Bird. She wants to leave her hometown and figure out who she really is. During her senior year, she deals with friendship problems, family problems, and relationships while trying to become more independent and learn more about herself. The movie is a drama because it focuses on real emotions and conflicts, especially between Lady Bird and her mom. It is also a coming-of-age because she grows up and learns more about herself before she leaves for college. I want to use this movie for inspiration because I want to show that the main charcater un my film is an independent young woman who faces challenges and finds herself. 

transitioning into Cambridge Portfolio project

Hey blog! 

Were starting a new project called the Portfolio Project in class. Prior to this, all my blogs have been about separate assignments, but from now on, all of my posts will be centered on the topic of this new project. To explain it shortly, we are supposed to make a cinematic introduction to a film. It can be done individually or in small groups. I am working alone on this project. I've already started thinking of some ideas that I could possibly do. 

Some genres that interest me are drama, thriller, sci-fi, action, and there's a lot more, but those are my top choices. Once I figure out what genre I'm going to do ill build my project from there. I'm looking forward to working on this project in the weeks ahead!