Chapter 23: Scheduling Post

 What's up and welcome back! In this post I'm going to be talking about a certain type of post I've been creating for the Instagram.

I saw this type of post from kpop groups when they're going to have a comeback (the period of time where they release and promote new music). They'll post a sort of schedule of what they're going to be posting. 

Here are some examples:

I decided to post something similar, just for a film instead of a comeback. I used Canva to make the post and used the font and elements tools to keep my consistency. 

I'll definitely post more of these types of posts too because I think they're cool and they keep me organized. Well that's all for this post catch you in the next one.

Chapter 22: Introducing the Stars

 What's up and welcome back! In this post I'm introducing the actors since I already have on the Escapism Instagram.

First we have Perseus(played by me). I've mentioned in Chapter 11, but Perseus is a 18 yr old senior in high school that has a toxic relationship with their parents and has the bad habit of sneaking out, stealing cars, and partying too much. I changed Perseus' age from 17 to 18 just because.

Second is Iris. Iris is being played by one of my close friends Ana Sofia. Iris is a 17 yr old senior in high school that has an alcohol addiction. Iris is frequently blacked out, hung over, or intoxicated, and they rarely show up for school. I also changed Iris' age from 18 to 17 just because.

The third main character is Ares and they're being played by another close friend Ella. Ares, like Perseus is an 18 year old senior in high school who struggles with severe depression and anxiety and has a past of self harm. Ares uses sneaking out and doing rebellious stuff with Perseus and Iris as a way to feel something since they're always so unmotivated.

Welp that's the cast, and the end of this post. I'll catch you in the next one.

Chapter 21: Voice Over Pt.1

What's up! Welcome back, in this post I'll talk about the voice over and how I started recording.

I decided to include voiceovers in the trailers because I find that they really help to move the piece along. My voiceover is going to include the voices of all three characters, and they're going to finish each other's sentences. I feel like using all three of their voices shows that they are the three main characters and focus; I also think that the finishing of  each others sentences reinforces the bond they have. Like they share a brain cell or something.

 

I started recording my part of the voiceovers. I downloaded Adobe's Audition, which is an audio editing software. I was a little confused at first but I watched the provided tutorials and some things were cleared up a little bit. I'm still confused but with more practice I'm sure I'll be able to do what I need to. So far my audio is already recorded and cut up, I just need to make it clearer and get the voiceovers from my other actors.

Chapter 20: Fonts

 What's up! I'm back with another post and I'll be talking about the font I chose for my graphics and title.

I'm using Canva to create my graphics and titles, so when I was first creating my graphics, I originally chose the add a heading option and picked the font with the drop down bar on the left of the white editing screen. However, from first glance I realized they were boring, so I just ended up going back into the text tab and scrolling through the font combination section instead.

Scrolling through the Font Combination section, I found a lot of fun options like the "Chill" one. However, I wanted to go for the same vibe as The Breakfast Club's title font. I found ones like "Dapper" and "Film Fest" that could be good options, however they just weren't "the one".

I continued scrolling through the fonts and I finally decided on the font called "turning 22". I'm pretty sure it was the hot pink that called my attention, but the font just has this teen drama vibe to it that was perfect for my project. 

I cut out the "22" and then just changed the color of the font with the color picker option. I changed it from a hot pink to more of a magenta. I also made note to always use the hex code #bd1b94 for consistency.

Anyway, that's how I chose and edited my font, and I'm pretty happy with it. Well that's it for this post, see you in the next one.

Chapter 19: Making Posts

 I'm back, welcome again! In this post I'm going to be discussing my experience with making Instagram posts with Canva.

Straight off the bat, Canva is fire. They have so much to work with, from the templates to text fonts they really came through. This sounds like an Ad but genuinely, it is super easy to use and I can make nice graphics and posts with it.

I made a couple of Insta posts with Canva already using a blank Instagram template, as well as edited some photos that will all be posted on the Escapism Insta. I used their provided text fonts(which I'll go into detail on in a later post) as well as the elements section.

In the elements section I used something like a background that blends blues and magentas as an overlay. I adjusted the transparency so that the background acts almost like a color grader. With the font I changed the color using the color picker tool. I'm going to consitantly be using the background overlay technique so that most, if not all, of the posts I put up on Insta will be cohesive.

Here are a couple things I've created already(I don't want to spoil everything so this is just a sneak peek):

That's all for today's post, catch you next time!

Chapter 18: Social Media Pt.1

What's up and welcome back! I made a social media account for Escapism.

I chose to use Instagram because I'm more well versed on that platform, and you can include fun things like stories, story highlights, filters, as well as posts.

Chapter 17: Group Meetings

 Welcome back!

Today in class we did group meetings. We did this before in AS level virtually, and it's where we were put into groups to get advice and help for our projects. This time in person it was way better and didn't feel as awkward.

A majority of my group chose to do the short film option, and they all had great ideas. One of them is doing animation and another is doing an experimental piece. It was fun and interesting  hearing everyone's ideas and how creative they are. I was also able to help one of my peers come up with some filler content for her short film, and it made me feel pretty important not gonna lie.

I told my group about my project and about my issue of needing a third actor, and luckily one of the girls in my group, who also happens to be a close friend, offered to be the actor (bless Ella's soul). Ella filling that third spot lifted a lot of stress off my shoulders, so I've very happy about that. Now that I have all my actors, It should be pretty smooth, despite my whole spring break situation.

Overall, the group meeting was successful and very helpful for all of us I would say. I was able to fix my problem and help others with their ideas.

That's all I have for this post, I'll catch you in the next one.

Chapter 16: What’s Happening

 What’s up! Welcome back, this post is going to be a recap of what’s been going on.

I’ve already addressed in my last post about the actor situation, so I’m going to move on to talk about my filming situation. I found out that I’m going to be out of the country for a but of my spring break, so I have to schedule around that time frame and give myself enough time to film and also edit. I also have to schedule some posting for this blog and social media page. 

It’s pretty frustrating losing some production time since I’m going out of the country but I already have a lot scheduled, so I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’m taking these next couple of days to prepare for the days I’m MIA, I’ve been writing some mire posts for here and creating drafts on Instagram for the movie account.

This next couple of days I’m also going to record some sound and some scenes that don’t require people in them, like the door shutting, blood in sink, and such.

Anyway, that’s all for this post, that’s for reading and I’ll catch you later.

Chapter 15: Actors

 What’s up and welcome back. 

I’m going to be honest, it’s been a struggle with finding actors. I already have 2 set, but the third is frustrating. I had a third actor but they’re not very good at communicating 😀. So I decided to just find a new one.

It’s honestly very frustrating considering I am supposed to be filming by now, but I’ll push through it. I’m sure everything will turn out fine. I at least know that my other 2 actors are ready for filming and understand their roles. I was also able to get another friend to just help me film, not an actor but like a PA.

Other than that third actor, everything else is going pretty okay. This post was just a mini update on how production is going, I’ll see you in the next post.

Chapter 14: Choosing a title

 What's up! Welcome back, in this post I'm going to walk you through how I chose my title.

While creating my idea, I had absolutely no idea what I was going to title the film. I was honestly going to wait until I had an idea hit me, rather than actually thinking about something. But then I realized I had to start with my social media page for the movie, so I had to figure out a title. Before this realization though, I had actually tried thinking of a title, and since I was inspired by music, I tried looking into the lyrics to see if something would spark. However, nothing did, and that's why I was going to just let the title come to me. 

Anyway, getting back on track, when I had the realization, I spent almost the entirety of my class period trying to come up with a title. I once again went back to look at the song lyrics for inspiration. I was aiming to incorporate the word "dilemma" in the title because it correlates with the album 2 of the songs were in as well as the content of my trailers. However, I ended up not using it. I also thought about titling the film "the unholy trinity" because one of my previous chapters that gave background on the characters was titled that, but I didn't like the idea of it being the title of my whole project.

Another thing I tried to do was incorporate Greek mythology references because the names of my characters do so. I was thinking of using the theme of 3, so like the 3 fates or the big 3 gods, or being more specific, in the Percy Jackson series, when a prophecy is given for a quest, only 3 can go and any others would most likely die. I thought of using this 3 fates thing seeing as I have 3 characters. I thought of titles like "Prophecy of the 3" or "Fate of 3", but I honestly hated them. They were just not fitting the vibe. I literally couldn't think of anything, no thoughts, head empty.

When I finally did think of my title, I wasn't going to choose it at first, but then I just decided eh, why not? It made sense and fit with my idea to a T. So the title I chose was, "Escapism". It didn't come to me on a whim, I honestly just thought "oh they want to escape reality, what word/words can describe that? escapism sounds cool". I also double checked that I had the right word, in case I get the definition wrong. The definition of escapism is, according to google, the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy. When I read the definition, I was like yeah that's definitely what my characters and story represents.

So that's how I ended up with the title Escapism. I think it's cool, simple, and straight to the point. That's all for this post, catch you in the next one.

Chapter 13: Story Boards Pt.2

 What’s up and welcome back! I’ve done a couple more storyboards so I’m here to share them with you again.

This is a scene in the conflict trailer that is going to continue the bathroom scene of C3(whom I’ve now named Ares). The scene shows Ares getting a text from Iris and Perseus and then follows Ares as they go to meet them outside. This scene is going to be the last scene in the conflict trailer. I’m going to use a variety of eyeline matches, following, pov, medium, and close-up shots.

This scene is also going to be included in the conflict trailer. I drew this to highlight a transition I want to do. It starts from the end of C1’s solo scene where their parent is yelling at them and C1(whom I’ve named Perseus) gets up and walks out mid scolding. The transition is when Perseus slams the door shut and then the next scene starts where C2’s (whom I’ve now named Iris) friend/sibling opens a door to find Iris blacked out. I’m going to use medium, long, following, and close-up shots for this transition scene.

Alrighty, that’s all for this post. I’m going to be honest I’m really proud of that first storyboard in this post. I did it pretty quick but it looks kinda swag for some stick figures. Anyway, thanks for reading and I’ll catch you in the next one.

Chapter 12: Trailer Outline Pt.2

What’s up! In this post I’ll be sharing the outline I made for the conflict trailer(finally😋).

Conflict Trailer: Showing the personal conflict of each of the teens.

First 5-10 seconds: 

As screen fades in.

[VO: You ever just want to continue living in one moment.]

a very fast cut montage of the friend group doing their stupid stuff

[VO: Where don’t have to return to your shitty life]

*black screen*

Fade in on Perseus’ parent’s hand aggressively shaking car keys. Close up on the mouth of Perseus’ parent yelling at them. Muffled yelling in the background. Cut to a slow zoom on Perseus who’s seemingly out of it. 

[VO: Us too]

*Voice yelling is clear now*

“You good for nothing garbage excuse for a child!”

*something is seen thrown past Perseus*

Cut to Perseus as they get up and silently walk out of the room.

Shot of a door slamming

Transition to a door opening.

[VO: We can’t though.]

close up pan of messed up room.

shot of one of Iris’ friends shoes running and crouching down to Iris’ body.

Close up of Iris as they’re getting shaken by the friend.

“Not again. Iris! Iris! Wake up!”

Iris POV shot showing a close up of the friend as they shake Iris.

[VO: It’s so sad it’s almost funny.]

Shot showing the friend lowering their head.

Transition to Ares lifting their head to looking into the mirror.

Cut to a pan showing sticky notes stuck onto the mirror.

[VO: How we choose unhealthy ways to cope.]

Medium shot from behind Ares so we see Ares’ back but their face in the mirror.

Quick cut to a scene of Ares having a mental breakdown.

Cut back to a close up of Ares as they look into the sink.

Cut to a close up of something red washing down the sink drain.

Cut back to Ares.

Last few seconds:

[VO: But at least those moments help just a little bit.]

Voice over as we see a text show up on Ares’ phone from Perseus saying “Here.”

Quick few cuts of Ares walking out of the bathroom, down the stairs, and out the front door to see Perseus and Iris waiting.

Fin?

That’s all for this post, thank you!

Chapter 11: The Unholy Trinity

What's Up! Welcome back, in this post I'll be giving some information about my characters. I finally picked their names as well so that's fun. Let's get into it.

I chose the names Perseus, Iris, and Ares for my characters. I chose these names because they're related to Greek mythology, and I just think they're cool to be honest. I haven't given them gender identities as of right now, but they have ages and grade levels.

Character 1: Perseus

~Senior in high school

~17 yrs old

~Has divorced parents

~Toxic relationship with parents

~Frequently sneaks out, drinks, and smokes as a coping mechanism

~Likes to steal parent’s car

~Second oldest out of the three friends

~Somehow gets good grades in school

~The more chill one

Character 2: Iris

~Senior in high school

~18 yrs old

~Inattentive parents

~Has a drinking problem

~Frequently parties and sneaks out with Perseus

~Has a fake ID to supply her addiction

~Likes to drink until they black out

~Doesn’t care about school

~Just want to have fun and drink

Character 3: Ares

~Senior in high school

~17 yrs old

~Struggles with depression and anxiety

~Has a past of self harm

~Used to have frequent mental breakdowns, but they slowed down

~Also likes to sneak out with Perseus and Iris to feel something

~Unmotivated in school and life in general

~Always stuck in their thoughts

These are my characters yayyy; I think they're pretty swag. They definitely have issues, but that's what I'm going for. Anyway, thanks for reading and see you in the next post!

Chapter 10: Story Boards

 What’s up! Welcome back, in this post I’m just going to share some story boards I drew in class.

In this page I have drawn two different scenes, the first being the scene where character 1 is being yelled at by their parental figure. C1 is blank faced, just waiting for it to be over. I want a zoom into their face to capture the emotion of just being tired of the situation. This scene is short because it’s going to be included in the appealing trailer where I’m not focusing on the conflict as much. The second scene drawn is the scene where character 2 is blacked out and one of their friends/siblings/someone is trying to wake them up. I want to include a pov shot and extreme close ups to capture the worry on the extra character’s face. This will also be included in the appealing trailer.

This second page includes one scene that will be included in the appealing trailer as well. It’s where character three is looking at the mirror trying to compose themselves and stop themselves from reverting back to harmful coping mechanisms. There are sticky notes on the mirror that I want to emphasize with close ups, so that the scene doesn’t just look like C3 looking in the mirror.

This is what I have for now, but I’ll be continuing my storyboarding. I just drew the scenes that flashed in my mind first. These scenes I shared here are scenes that will be in the middle of the appealing trailer. I’ll probably end up including some form of these same scenes in the conflict trailer for cohesiveness, and to make it easier for me.

Anyway, that’s all for now, I’ll see you in the next post!

Chapter 9: Trailer Outline Pt.1

What's up! In this posting I'll share the outline I made for the appealing trailer.

Appealing Trailer: Showing the reliance and the euphoric escape the group gets when they get together.

First 20-30 seconds: The group having a chill conversation about what they should do. “We should bla bla bla” “Nah I think we should bla bla bla” “How about…” The character pulls out car keys from behind their back.

After stating the last idea, include a variety of shots that show them coming to a shared consensus. With an overlapping VO.

[VO: We’re always looking for an escape]

Cut to the group running out of a house stealing one of their parents cars.

[VO: Anything to just forget about reality]

About 20 seconds: Montage of them after stealing the car driving, blasting music, etc.

[VO: Sometimes we don’t have very bright ideas]

A couple seconds of faded parents yelling at one of the characters. The character however is zoned out, seemingly used to and not phased by this. 

A couple seconds of another character blacked out and someone scared trying to shake them awake. 

A couple seconds of the third character, in the bathroom, obviously distressed, staring at the mirror and writing can be seen “Days Clean: *insert tally marks*”

[VO: But anything works right?]

Last few seconds: Show the car parking, them hopping a fence. And then a small montage of them night swimming. During the montage you hear the VO.

[VO: Even if it’s just for a few moments]

Fin?

As I film I'll probably change some things but for now this is what I came up with, but that's all for this post so bye for now!