Changes in Schedule

As I indicated in my previous blog, we arrived to film a little later than anticipated because of a few circumstances involving our actors (got off work, traffic, problems at home, etc.). We had to shoot until nightfall because of this. We still have curfews because we're all under the age of eighteen, especially when we spend the night in a public place thirty minutes away from home. We only finished the group work, therefore we will need to do the love scenarios on another day. Sadly, Howie's schedule prevented the new day from arriving as we had hoped. His sole available date is Wednesday, April 3. As a result, we were hoping to film the final two sequences on Monday, April 1. Even though, I believe that two days have an important effect on all of the tasks we need to complete. I worry it might clash with our other priorities, like editing and social media. 

Our plan for Wednesday

-To give ourselves more time to set up and record the restaurant + dancing scenario, arrive about 6:30 or 6:30.

-Film till 7:30 or 8:30

Probably one of the main things that is frustrating me right now is this. It was intended for our summer scenario to develop from dawn to dusk. We were unable to follow the script because of our late arrival, thus filming at night was needed. The restaurant scene can stay the same, but it will be more challenging to film the dance in the sunset sequence at night on the poorly lit beach. I'm at a loss for what to do and am torn between altering that entire section of the script. 

Day 2 of filming

What a stressful day 

Mariana and I started our day by working out once more to give ourselves a good start. that is until... Nati's friends who were cast as the movie's guys got grounded. A second for wrecking his car, the first for poor grades. Finding two replacements soon was so critical. Nati and I looked for new guys for around three hours, but it wasn't easy. It was already hard enough to get Nati's boyfriend, nonetheless, two teenage boys aren't even benefitting from this. Following this long selection process, my friends Matias and Hayden helped us and did us the favor of acting in the short film. 

Our original intention was to arrive at 5:30 or so, but due to unexpected events involving several actors, we ended up there around 6. This had an impact on the movie since it was meant to be set during the day, meaning that Howie and Nati's parts would take place at sundown. This did not happen, and the scenes continued well into the night.

Though it was stressful, the whole day was pretty eventful, as we made some new friends who were playing volleyball, and who were willing to be in a complete stranger's short film! However, Towards the end of filming, as it got darker, the actors became a little impatient with how long the filming was taking. Their behaviors and attitudes reflected this. As a result, Nati and I began to hurry a little bit more at the end and concluded it would be preferable to shoot the beach scenes with Howie and Nati on a different day. Although we didn't want to extend the day, we decided it would be the best course of action due to both production requirements and everyone having to get home through Nati. We are a little anxious about the change of a few things.

Day 1 of filming

 Nati and I had a productive start to the day in the gym, building our self-esteem and emotions in preparation for our video shoot. These are all the stops we made and the events that happened during our day of filming.

First stop- Nati and I went to pick up one of our actors even though it was out of our route. One of our performers, Mateo, is portraying Nati's boyfriend, Gavin. We tried to be fast to not waste vital filming time. 

Second stop- continuing off from my last blog post, after my conversation with Jim from beacon, we went to go see him today regarding the equipment. Mateo asked if we could use our other friend Gabriella's equipment because he had to return his own equipment at a specific time, and we still needed more time. We then rented out all the equipment that Gabi had reserved under my name (of course with Gabi's approval). Jim then instructed us to use her equipment and return it to her after she was done using it. Our filming time was somewhat reduced by this technique, but not significantly.

third stop- TIME TO FILM 

We moved the site of our film. We had originally planned to film this scene at Weston Town Center, but we later discovered that a lot of people from our school had already filmed there. So we decided to make a few changes. Instead, we made plans to visit Davies Tower Shops! We were very satisfied with the changes. There was even a section covered in flowers, which was ideal for our concealed sequence. The lighting and surroundings were stunning.

Fourth Stop- mi casa su casa- We ended up filming the I love you moment at my house. It was uncomfortable. It was a little difficult for Mateo to argue about love when Nati and him had just recently met. But he was a terrific actor, so after a few tries, we managed to pull it off. Once more, everything went quite well and the whole process was fun. This scene's superb lighting was made possible mainly by the light kit. We used blue lighting and a TV lighting scheme that flashed because the two were going to be viewing a movie. 

  

Equipment check out

planned film schedules

 That being said, we have chosen to divide the filming schedule into two days of production for our short film. The greatest option, so far as everyone understood it, was two days of just film. This was because our main character works a lot and we have such a large cast. Additionally, Nati and I think we've progressed enough that we can dedicate ourselves to these days of great filming, given it's short. it was agreed to divide the days of filming into specific movie scenes or chunks.

Monday: 

For the two major characters, Howie and Nati, Monday will be similar to a prep day. Both the awkward "I love you" scenario that occurs when Nati and Gavin are watching a movie together and the part where Howie sees Nati with her new lover are scenes we agreed to perform. Compared to the rest of the movie, these two sequences have a decent amount of dialogue but not a lot of it. Physically, there's not much going on here either. We decided that Monday would be ideal for filming the calm moments and getting a feel for the equipment. Also, it improves the overall dynamic of the top three characters. This part of the filming won't take too long—a total of two hours. We'll also be concentrating on our Instagram account on Monday, getting some images and videos starring our main characters.

Thursday

It will be much longer and more difficult on Thursday, the second day of filming. The whole beach sequence starting with the group and ending with just the two main characters, the lunch scene, and the party from the final season will all be filmed on this day. To give ourselves enough time before the sunset dancing scene, we aim to get everyone to the beach approximately two hours before the sun goes down. In addition, the sun isn't as strong or scorching around 5:30, which makes it more pleasant. The film's tone is important for these scenes, and it would be ruined on a rainy day. it disrupts the actor's concentration on the specific scene.

STN BOUND

 SO GUESS WHO JUST WON TWO FIRST-PLACE AWARDS. Yes, it's me back from California. I was as my partner mentioned, gone for a while but came back having learned so much. I competed in a Human Interest Feature News story and a Crazy 8 short film. 

For the short film category, we have been practicing every week to make sure we get better and to fix any errors we had, and well it paid off. On March 14 (my birthday) my team and I spent 8 hours preparing filming and editing a shot film to the prompt "I remember everything" and with the line of dialogue, ""I'm telling you. They just walked in here and gave me this." 

This experience has taught me so much, and I think one of the biggest reasons why we won first place was the pacing writing, and cinematography. I really have learned so much from the amazing and talented people I worked with. It definitely helps me feel like I am more capable of making this short film with just one other person. 

I MISS MY PARTNER AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT SSHES COME UP WITH. 

if you maybe want to check out the short film click here

  

I PROMISE THIS IS THE FINAL FINAL SCRIPT

 Summer Lovin'

Summer Lovin’ written by Natalia Szabo and Mariana Sanin 

Love You to Lose You 

written by Mariana Sanin and Natalia Szabo

SUMMER

FADE IN:EXT. THE BEACH - DAY 

The beach is shown before It cuts to the girls all together posing for a selfie together in the water. They laugh and stuff and then get out of the water when they see a guy walking and one friend runs to ask them to take a picture of them. 

GIRL: Cmon lets go

GIRL 2: Heyy can you take a pic of us please

GUY 1: yes of course

All the girls: thank youuu

GUY 1 takes the picture

GUY 1: "Are you guys down to play volleyball with us?"

Cuts to a shot of the girls and them giggling. One girl responds:

GIRL 1: "Yea sure we can play"

Cuts to the girls faces making a wtf funny face. They all follow the boys to the volleyball nets. 

They all start to play. NATI and HOWIE make eye contact with each other but don't say anything. 

Montage of the quick game. NATI begins to grow tired

NATI: "I'm gonna take a little water break, play without me. 

Everyone: aww come on

NATI: SHUSH SHUSH I'll be quick.

HOWIE notices and talks softly to his friends. 

HOWIE: "ill be right back" 

He follows her to where their stuff is as she takes a sip of water.

HOWIE: in a laughing tone "you good"?"

NATI: "oh yea its just been a while since I've played you know" 

HOWIE smirks

HOWIE: "cmon lets go ill go easy on you"

Cuts to NATI making the winning score and her friends cheering and touching her she looks at HOWIE 

HOWIE looks back at her and smile 

HOWIE MOUTHS: "I LET YOU WIN" 

NATI jokingly rolls her eyes 

SOUND BRIDGE TO NEXT SCENE 

EXT. THE BOARDWALK - MOMENTS LATER

NATI is walking alone while the group of friends are walking in front 

HOWIE spots her and walks to where she is 

HOWIE: "you played really good out there"

NATI bursts out laughing

NATI: "no i did not, i think i fell like 5 times" *she says loudly* 

HOWIE: "no no you played pretty good for a beginner

A long pause 

HOWIE:"I'm starving, do you1` want something to eat?"

NATI: "oh my god yes i know a place that serves the best sushi" *she says excitingly

HOWIE: "i was kind of thinking something like pizza but yea sure we can try that"

She goes in front of him and starts walking backwards. 

NATI: "trust me you're going to love this" she Waves her hands.

FADE IN:EXT. Restaurant - continued

NATI: "so yea long story short the kid put the gum into my hair and i spent my whole 7th grade in a bob 

HOWIE makes an oop face (suspicious)

HOWIE: "wait what middle school did you say uou went to again?"

NATI: "falcon cove why"

HOWIE bursts out laughing uncontrollably 

NATI begins to laugh

HOWIE: "i have to tell you something" 

Long pause HOWIE HOLDING BACK LAUGHS

NATI: "NO WAY YOU?" *surprised*

HOWIE: "IM SORRY I WAS A JERK BACK THEN"

They both laugh

NATI: BROOO

HOWIE: oh come on it wasn't that bad

NATI: oh yes it was

HOWIE LAUGHS

NATI:"don't worry, ill get my revenge" in a mischievous funny tone. 

HOWIE: "no but seriously, the only reason why i did it, was because i wanted your attention, i thought you were cute

HOWIE takes a sip of his drink awkwardly 

NATI looks a little stunned but plays it off with rolling her eyes and saying 

NATI: "whatever"

EXT. THE BOARDWALK - NIGHT

HOWIE and NATI walk along the boardwalk walking closely together

HOWIE: "wanna watch the sunset? Or are you ready to go?"

NATI: "its funny you say that I've actually been wanting to watch the sunset for so long. 

HOWIE: "oh perfect"

EXT. THE BEACH - NIGHT

HOWIE and NATI walk up to the beach and sit down. 

Moment of silence

NATI: "so you thought i was cute huh"

HOWIE: "i still think you are"

Nati looks to the side and mouths

NATI: oh my god *with a freaking out face*

She looks back at him and acts nonchalant

And smiles 

NATI: "what are your plans after highschool" 

HOWIE: "Honestly all i know is that I want to have something of my own" 

NATI: "that's respectable... anything specific?"

HOWIE: "don't make fun of me, but I've always wanted a family bakery, just the idea of like working with the people you love, making it not feel like a job. I also just want to make sure my family is taken care of, i know how it feels to not have much growing up."

NATI: "aw thats cute, its not what i expected"

HOWIE: "What about you?"

NATI: "A stay at home mom" she laughs

HOWIE makes a bru face 

NATI: "im kidding im kidding but um, i want to be a dancer, i  know its not easy, but I've always had a strong passion for  it, like uts the only way i can express myself without being  judged, it makes me feel at peace"

HOWIE: "show me some of your moves"

NATI gets up and grabs him arm

NATI: "okay but im not doing it alone 

HOWIE: but i dont know how 

NATI: don't worry ill teach you some simple steps.  

NATI and HOWIE do simple ballroom dancing

NATI: And a one to three four, one two three four

HOWIE: okayy this isn’t that bad

NATI says excitedly: YOU LIKE IT?

HOWIE: woah woah don’t get too excited

They both laugh and continue to dance

Music gets added

A few seconds later, howies phone won’t stop ringing

NATI: are you gonna get that ?

HOWIE: no it’s okay

Continues to spam his phone

NATI: I really think you should get it

HOWIE: I said it’s fine

Nati gets a weird vibe and goes to grab and give howie his phone when she sees a picture of another girl with the name babe on it

Natis heart drops and her expression changes

NATI: are you serious?

HOWIE: what?

Nati shows the phone

HOWIE: uh

Nati: UH? UHH? Wow I just wasted a whole day with a cheater and a liar. You’re a piece of shit.

HOWIE: Lets just talk, can we please

NATI: no, i’m over it, you barely had me, and now you’ve completely lost me. 

Nati walks away from him and he’s seen watching her sadly 

FALL 

EXT. TOWN CENTER 

HOWIE walks out of restaurant with a bag of food and is on the phone 

HOWIE: “ever since that beach day we just weren’t the same and i wasn’t feeling the relationship anymore. 

Pause

HOWIE: yea i know i know alright my hands are full, let me call you later. 

HOWIE hangs up the phone. And is walking a little when he notices nati through the window of a coffee shop. 

HOWIE gets excited and begins to walk faster towards where nati is until he stops when he sees her with another guy, her boyfriend. 

FLASH BACK OF NATI AND HIM AT THE BEACH of them laughing. 

HOWIE stays frozen but walks away turning his back towards the window.

NATI turns when HOWIE’S back is facing her and she gets distracted from her boyfriend 

NATI’S BOYFRIEND: “hello im talking?” 

NATI: “sorry babe i thought i recognized somebody”

NATI’S BOYFRIEND: “oh ok, anyways i was saying”

NATI faces the window again and the boyfriend's talking becomes murmured. 

WINTER: 

NATI AND GAVIN are shown watching a movie

They’re cuddling while watching kung fu panda 

Gavin is shown admiring Nati while she laughs at the movie

He strokes her hair and she turns over to him and smiles

GAVIN: I love you 

Natis smile slowly fades: Oh

Background of movie pauses

GAVIN: Oh? You’re not gonna say it back?

NATI: I just feel like it’s too soon

GAVIN: We’ve been together for months, I do everything for you and I genuinely love you. Do you not feel the same?

NATI: I- I

GAVIN: You know what, Fuck this. I try so hard for you Natalia and this just confirmed you don’t feel the same way I do.

NATI?: Gavin stop please. Don’t yell

GAVIN: DON’T YELL? I TELL YOU I LOVE YOU AND YOU SAY OH. WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL NATI!

NATI: I do love you, can we just stop and finish the movie? We were having such a nice time.

GAVIN: Fine, but i’m letting you know right now, if something like this ever happens again, we’re over. 

SPRING

 EXT. FRIENDS HOUSE- NIGHT

Show all the friends together 

and people in different areas of the house (MASTER SHOT) until camera sees HOWIE 

HOWIE IS STANDING WITH A A GUY AND A GIRL

GUY FRIEND: “so i heard nati and her boyfriend broke up”

GIRL FRIEND 1: “ Yea, to be honest their chemistry was never there, she told me it was because she could never open up to him. 

GUY FRIEND: “oh so like are you back on that, cuz if you don’t i will”

HOWIE: “bro can you chill” 

GIRL FRIEND 1: “damn guys can she like, get here first?” (funny) 

NATI walks in through the front door and takes off her coat

GUY FRIEND 1: “oh look speaking of”

HOWIE turns towards NATI 

 

NATI’S friends go from the kitchen to the door to say hi to her, they all hug her. 

FRIEND: “want a drink?”

NATI: “yea sure” 

HOWIE AND HIS GUY FRIEND 1 ARE SITTING and howie on phone

GUY FRIEND 1: “welp i'm gonna go shoot my shot, you go have fun on your phone”

GUY FRIEND 1: “so i heard you and gavin broke up”

NATI: “yea i don't really wanna talk about that” she walks away from him

GUY FRIEND 1: wait hold up we can talk about something elsee (says in a desperate tone)

Howie is shown laughing at him 

Guy friend walks back towards howie

HOWIE: thats one way to shoot your shot

HOWIE: I guess im up

Howie approaches the ping pong table where Nati and her friends are in the middle of a game

HOWIE: let my play this round (to another guy friend)

Guy friend 2 leaves

GIRL FRIEND 2: look who decided to come play

Howie laughs and then smiles at Nati

Nati awkwardly smiles back

HOWIE: Eye for eye (while he looks at Nati)

Nati: okay

Nati and Howie look into eachothers eyes as they shoot to determine who goes first

Nati makes the hole

Nati shrugs her shoulder in a petty way

HOWIE: okay okay

Shots of them playing

Howies team wins and they cheer

Howie pulls Nati aside

HOWIE: how was that for a game?

NATI: I let you win (smiling at Howie)

Two shot of them looking at each other

THE END 

TITLE CARD 

CREDITS 

JUST KIDDING the script is not done...

So, WE DID THINK it was done, but in fact, it was not. We met up with our teacher to just run her by the short film and how it may be a little longer than 5 minutes. However, when we told her the idea about the seasons and how we're only doing three out of all four seasons: summer, fall, and winter, she highly discouraged only using three seasons and insisted that we incorporate all 4 seasons, she said that would most likely be the biggest critique of our short film. So, we will now be switching the ending to spring instead of winter and replacing winter with the point of view of the female protagonist. 

Honestly, I think this will only make the film better, my only fear is that it'll be too long for the teacher's liking or for Cambridge's liking. But, I am really confident in this piece and think there is nothing we can take out, everything fits perfectly. 

After the fall scene where the male protagonist sees the female protagonist with her boyfriend, comes winter, we came up with the idea to incorporate more of her side, since the fall season was mostly the male protagonist's (HOWIE) side. I also think it a great idea since in the beginning it's purely a third-person point of view where it is very neutral, and as the film goes on, we get to learn more about the characters. 

And since we are adding the idea of the film being structured by seasons, we would like to use title cards every time there's a change just to give context for viewers of time and place. 

To make sure we are progressing instead of being stuck on the script, we began the shot list. Doing the shot list is a bit difficult just because there are sooo many shots, especially of dialogue and of all the different scenes. But I know we'll finish it in no time, it just won't be an easy breezy task. 

FINAL SCRIPT

 here it is in all its glory!!

just in case : script 

changes in our script and our inspirations

 So me and my partner Nati had finished our script, but to me, it felt unfinished and it felt like it was a film opening rather than an entire story with a middle and end. I went to my friend in class to ask her for her feedback about the script, she also agreed that it felt very unfinished and that it lacked a middle and end. We were originally going to leave the script as both protagonists do
not end up together and both left in heartbreak. However, after this critique, we needed to find a way to elevate the story. 

I recently watched the show "One Day", and this show was truly heartbreaking. It depicts two people who meet and immediately connect with one another, after graduation they write letters to each other and try to stay in contact as much as possible. The show has 14 episodes and spans over 14 years, each episode is a new year. And each year there is always something keeping them apart, whether it's people or work, until they finally end up together. But in the end, she dies, and they never get their happy ever after.

Though my short film wouldn't necessarily have that type of ending we wanted to adapt the change in every year to the seasons of a year. So our short film begins in summer, and then goes to fall, then ends in winter. We didn't want to include spring for a few reasons, two of them being time, and the fact that the beginning, middle, and end match with every season. 

Once Nati and I really understood what our plan was to make the film better we began writing. 

One thing we did have in mind though, was time. Our teacher wanted it to be 5 minutes max, and our short film is most likely going to be about 7 minutes long, I really like every part of it and would really not like to take anything out. 

Next post you will be seeing the FINAL SCRIPT!