For this post im going to talk about how I plan on developing my lighting scheme, since lighting is probably going to be one of the most important parts of my project.

Because my genre is a teen drama mixed with psychological elements, lighting is going to help set the tone without me having to over explain anything. I dont want the lighting to feel all bright and happy, especially in the kitchen scene. Even though she’s dancing and acting normal, the situation itself isn’t normal so the lighting needs to subtly reflect that. While still having good quality lighting.

For the bedroom opening scene, I’m thinking of using more natural and softer lighting, maybe slightly dim, so it feels calm but also kind of heavy (like the only real light source is the windows). Since the voicemail from her dad will be playing while shes in bed, I dont want the lighting to distract from that moment so keeping it simple and more natural will help the focus stay on her reaction and the audio (as well as the fact shes not moving and just laying there untill its basically over.)

In the kitchen scene, I plan on using cooler lighting tones instead of warm ones. Cooler lighting usually gives off a more serious or detached feeling which fits the theme wayy better than a warm lighting. 

I have a ring light that I can use to control brightness and direction, especially for close ups of the pills and her face, etc. The ring light will help make certain objects stand outwithout lighting up the entire room too much.

For the scene at Lexi’s house (the secondary girl, not sure if I mentioned her confirmed name has been picked as Lexi) , I want the lighting to feel more harsh and direct since theyre outside and obviously the sun is a thing also that scene is more confrontational and in a way awkward stronger lighting or sharper shadows could help make it feel slightly uncomfortable. 

I dont want it to look overly produced, but I also dont want it to look accidental. The goal is to make the lighting look intentional but still realistic

The only scene i can see myself using warm lighting is the bike scene since I want it to be captured by the sun to really show the time of day and also highlight and contrast her features 

Overall my plan is to experiment with different lighting setups before filming fully. I’ll test how the ring light looks in different positions and see how cooler vs more neutral or warm tones affect the mood. Lighting is something that can completely change the feeling of a scene so even small adjustments could make a big difference in how the final project turns out and as easy as it looks... I can tell it won't be as easy as I wish it would be.

Logo!

 Hello everyone,

I've come with some exciting updates!

I have confirmed all my characters names, plot holes, props and finally... and officially,

my logo!

Here it is:

I've decided to my logo with a theme of illumination, bright, or something in between this since for some unspoken reason the "name" 'Lumina' has always stood out to me,

Maybe it was also influenced by the meaning of 'ilumina' in Portuguese means to bright or lighten something and overall a pretty word.

Originally I wanted to do something inspired by my favorite artist, TV Girl, and planned to include one of their own characters (Valerie) and include a picture of a vintage woman's face:

But unfortunately this would've gotten copyrighted.

So here is the process of me finally creating a logo, using Canva!

link: Logo - Creating

Props - Illustrated production process

 For this post i'm going to talk about the props I’ve collected so far for my project!

Since the story focuses on Cami’s addiction, the pill bottles are really important. 

So far I have 4 pill bottles and 2 empty medicine blister packs

The pill bottles are actually from either old, expired medicine or empty bottles i've gotten around family members house and asked to take. I found some of these in an old medicine box at home. I plan on removing the original stickers and printing out a new prescription label with Cami’s name and information on it to make it look more realistic. I think small details like that will make the scene feel less fake and more believable.

The blister packs (the metallic things the pills stay in.. just learned thats what they're called) Since they’re the main focus in the kitchen as well as the bedroom scene, i plan on reusing them, and throwing them messily around to add to her character behavior/atmosphere.

Having multiple pill bottles instead of just one makes it look like something that’s been going on for a while instead of just randomly placed there or for a natural/normal use. The blister packs also help add to that effect, especially in close up shots when she’s organizing everything. Like they were just restocked or adding to her depression look.

For other props, I’m still gathering things. I’m planning on thrifting for an older looking backpack since the original backpack I was going to use broke... and for Cami so it doesn’t look brand new i dont plan on using my actual school backpack as much as I want this to look realistic I dont want it to look out of place. I also thought about using aluminum foil in the secondary character’s hair to show she’s bleaching it, since that’s an easy way to show personality without explaining it. As well I plan on getting an Amazon paper bag and covering the logo to use as the box that will be hidden under the fridge.

Overall, props are more important than I originally thought, especially for a project like this where visuals matter a lot. Even small changes like switching labels or using everyday objects can make everything feel more realistic.

ECTASY - draft script

 I finally set down a name for my film... ECTASY, as well as the drug it is also a word used to describe an overwhelming feeling of happiness which contrasts perfectly with my story!

For this post im including my script / storyboard draft for the opening of my project. This is still very rough and mostly just to map out shots, timing, and ideas. The story itself is staying the same or atleast the idea of it but things like shot order, pacing, or dialogue might change once filming actually starts or as I go on with my research and new ideas flow.

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ECSTASY

SHOT 1

Credits, fade of title with audio message left by her dad 

speaking of... bla bla bla, go to rehab, ill be coming home soon,

Opening –

Over long shot girl laying in bed.

Turn to the side, voice message still playing but ending

Shot from the side as she turns, 

SHOT 2

Maybe walking to kitchen? or just cut to her entering the kitchen

SHOT 3

IN kitchen, clicks play on music.

Music transitions from diegetic sound to non diegetic (sound bridge)

Dancing in the kitchen 

SHOT 4

Putting pills in.

Lots of pills.

SHOT 5

Opening something (grabbing bowl) or still dancing.

Drops pills on the ground.

sighs or curses...

Shot from the ground/under smt grabbing pills from the ground

Finds something under the fridge/tile

Shot from behind the fridge focused on her picking up the piles then the box.

takes the box out, shakes it curiously, shot now medium shot.

put it on counter and opens it

(A lot of stuff that I can use to symbolize drugs?? not sure what yet...)

Shakes it.

Looks at it weird.

“holy shit….”

(realizes what it is)

SCENE 6

Shot on bike riding with backpack.

Hair blowing on wind but not in a aesthetically way

Throws bike on ground.

Infront of a different house.

SCENE 7

Knocks on door.

Girl with a cigarette and messy hair like mid hair bleaching. (maddie)

Answers the door.

“what-“ -maddie

About to close door on her face.

Cami stops door from closing.

“wait wait wait” -cami

“hold on” -cami 

Takes drug out and shakes it a bit.

“no- I don’t car-” -maddie

“holy shit.” -maddie

Shakes head noddingly. and says under breath "thats what i said..." 

“that’s a shit ton of- (ecstasy)" Tittle shows cuts off before she can say it.-maddie 

(this will prob change as im not so sure if this is how i want the title)

“I know…”

“like a shit ton..! Camila where did you find this?” -maddie

“idk I js kind of found it.” -cami

“you js ‘kind of found’ an insane amount of drugs?” - maddie

Cami nods.

Madi finally lets her in.

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Again, this is really rough draft of my script that I actually did mid planning of the plot, during class, so obviously its not finalized but i'm still excited about having the main idea laid out. In my head it much more detailed and flows better so this will likely be edited, as well as the language although they are 16-18 years old I dont want to curse too much otherwise it'll just seem pushy and overall unneeded.

Also if I end up thinking this might be too heavy or need to be censored i might change my idea for those reasons as well.

Media Theory - representation

 For this research post i'm going to talk about representation theory, mainly based on Stuart Hall (since it connects really well with the story i'm planning and the themes im focusing on)

Representation theory is basically about how people and groups are shown in media, 

and how that affects the way the audience understands them. Instead of just showing someone as a stereotype, media can either reinforce those stereotypes or challenge them by showing more realistic and "human experiences" 

In my project this theory is important because the main character (which i'm not set on the name yet.) Cami, has a constant drug addiction (spoiler!). A lot of the time in films and shows addiction is either overdramatized or romanticized which can make it feel either craved in a way or just unrealistic. 

I want to represent her in a more 'grounded' way by showing her more casually but not boring and dreadful instead of only focusing on extreme moments specially since its only the start of the film. Simple actions like organizing weekly pills, or listening to her dad’s voicemail unaffected as if shes used to it, or being alone in her kitchen help display her as mentally unstable/avaliable without pushing it to a whole dreamy, or even euphoric way.

This is something that is also done really well in Euphoria. 

Euphoria - Rue

The show represents addiction and mental health through everyday moments, visuals, and emotion rather than constant drug dialogue which always makes it so tiring to over hear about, and overall sounds forced but Euphoria really displays the characters and their actual personalities so well...

For example Rue is often shown alone or doing some voiceover from her perspective, or going through routines that show her dependence without needing to explain it directly. This makes the audience understand her situation while also feeling more connected to her as a character as well as actually enjoying the show.

By using representation theory in my project I'd really want the audience to see "Cami" or whatever name I end up using as a real person rather than just “a drug addict.” The overall goal is to show her struggle in a realistic way but intriguing way that just from my film opening someone would actually want to see more! 

Using visuals and actions to communicate meaning, this theory will influence how I take certain shots, use lighting, and decide what moments to include in the opening so the representation feels intentional and not just random.

If representation theory caught your attention, these links might help give further understanding I probably didn't provide

https://guilsboroughschoolmedia

https://fiveable.me/understanding-media/

https://www.youtube.com/watch

Group Meeting #1

 Last class we had a group meeting, where basically a group, or person working on the project would stream their blogs and we'd all give each other advice and tips.

This is how it went.

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Originally I got put in a group meeting with 5 people, myself included

(For privacy reasons faces were covered)

One of the boys in my group had a (in my opinion) really.. questionable idea,

The idea overall wasn't bad at all, just really hard to achieve since it requires a whole army, and its not that I don't believe he is skilled enough as I'm sure he is, especially with a camera, but making a whole army with actors under the age of 18, and only around 6–10 people, might not be the best idea. Although it wasn't the brightest idea mentioned, it gave me a reality check on who to cast and use as my actors.

Another girl in my group agreed with me, she basically listed the same facts as me as well as gave me some suggestions on my own film.

I went last when it came to group suggestions since my group was really excited to share their ideas and I didn't want to get in between anyone, but that gave me less time to receive any advice and barely enough time to explain my plot. Because of that, I didn't receive as much feedback as I'd wish, but just hearing everyone share their ideas gave me a really good validity check as well as new inspiration.

Specifically about my plot which is almost finished (get excited...) as well as great ideas like intro shots and new lighting techniques I should definitely use.

At first I know I originally wanted a very heart heavy, lighting based, intro film, but after the meeting I got my mind set in a more teen drama direction. I don't know if my idea is the best, but so far I am very excited about it.

For this post im going to summarize my project idea as well as my main inspiration, since at this point I finally have something close to a solid plan (i'm spooked)

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The genre i'm going with is a teen drama mixed with psychological elements but very teen-young adult based. I wanted something that feels emotional and realistic, but also slightly unsettling, without fully crossing into thriller... since I was having a pretty hard time with the storyline for this, I finalized an idea about mostly entertaining but still realistic,

 The story is about a girl who for now is named Cami, who has this drug addiction and and due to some past incidents she has been going to rehab for around 3 weeks now but has been skipping it regularly. 

The opening starts with a voicemail from her dad talking about her needing to go, which sets the tone right away before anything is actually explained specially by showing that she is unbothered by it as if she has heard this before. (i'm very excited about this part)

Most of the opening focuses on small moments instead of big dramatic scenes, so mostly rising action instead of the climax. Cami is shown in her kitchen dancing around and organizing her weekly pills, which is meant to feel normal at first. 

When she spills them from either grabbing something, or dancing, and crouches down to pick them up, she ends up finding a box under the fridge which is later revealed with drugs. This moment is kind of the shift because it shows how addiction follows her even when she’s "trying to move forward" (not really but thats the best way I can word it). She then takes the box to her friend Madi’s house, and the opening ends shortly after a interaction where Madi doesn't want to talk to Cami from a insinuated previous fight, then she ends up getting lured in by Cami's finds.

My biggest inspiration for this project as mentioned in every blog... is Euphoria, 

especially in the way it tells the story visually instead of overexplaining everything. The show focuses a lot on routines, music, and emotion to show what a character is going through, which is something i want to reflect in my own project. 

The use of voiceovers and audio, but instead of doing my own characters voice over as that sounds tacky and childish if not done right, I want to give context with voice messages, setting, and character design

I also have some specific shot ideas that i want to try. One of them includes getting a shot of my friend riding her bike while im filming from the back of another friend’s truck driving in front of her.

 I think this could create a really smooth and cinematic shot that still feels natural and fits the tone im going for. Shots like this would help the project feel more "dynamic" without overcomplicating it

For now, this is definitely the storyline im going with, although small changes might be made as i continue planning and testing shots, specially since i have other ideas of how the plot may progress. I still want to keep the project flexible since ideas usually change once filming actually starts. But for now this idea feels the most exciting and realistic for me to produce, and it fits the genre and inspiration im aiming for as well!

Please checkout Euphoria clips to further understand the character I am heavily inspired by,

Clip - Party

More realistic clip that really inspired me

Another Clip

Research Of Choice - Target Audience

For this research post im focusing mostly on target audience as well as kind of mixing in representation and planning since they all connect (and i cant really talk about one without mentioning the other)

Since im still fully deciding between a teen drama and something more mature psychologically, the main target audience would be teenagers and young adults.

 Most films and shows in these genres are made for people around my age since they focus on emotions, relationships, pressure, and mental struggles, which is basically what the "teen life" revolves around anyways. Even if the situations are dramatic or unrealistic the feelings behind them usually arent, which is what makes them so relatable.

Genres in TV (this article gave me so much inspo towards other films i can look into for this project, thought it was pretty cool and you should take a glance at it)

A lot of teen based productions rely on the audience seeing themselves in the characters (which will be really hard to do in 2 minutes...). If the characters feel fake or forced,then the audience isnt really going to care about what happens to them or mostly what they go trough

Teen dramas usually show things like identity issues, friendships falling apart, family problems, feeling isolated, or not knowing where you belong, which are all things most teens experience at some point of their lives. This is something i want to keep in mind when planning my project, because overdoing it could make it feel corny and cheap in a way, but underdoing it could make it so boring

Representation also plays a biggg role here. If the characters dont feel realistic or human then the whole story wont really land. I want the characters to feel like real people not just some stereotypes or exaggerated versions of teens you usually see in movies. Small things like facial expressions, body language, or silence can say more than dialogue sometimes, which is something ive noticed a lot in the productions ive been researching. (like Thirteen for example)

Another thing ive noticed is how simple most settings can be in teen dramas. A lot of scenes take place in schools, bedrooms, hallways, or other everyday locations that even tho very casual they have so much small details that really give information about the plot/character without just throwing it in your face. Using familiar locations makes the story feel more believable and less like a movie thats trying too hard. This is something that will probably help me later on when it comes to location finding and planning shots (specially since it makes it much easier for me to find everyday settings)

Keeping the target audience in mind will help me figure out the tone of my project. I dont want it to feel childish or overly dramatic (even tho its literally only 2 minutes.)  Finding that balance is probably going to be harder than I think, especially since i tend to overthink things the second i finish planning.

Overall, this research helped me realize that knowing who im making the project for is just as important as the idea itself. If i dont keep the audience in mind early on ill probably end up making it more biased for what I'D want to see not the audience

Regardless i will continue to research and update you all through my journey of media.