Storyboarding Finale

 Well, here it is. The end of my storyboard. 

Shots 31-36

Description: These shots show some of the briefcase's contents up close and place emphasis on the file folder.

Shot 37-42

Description: These shots show the protagonist talking with someone he can't see. This creates suspense as the voice seems to be the person who wanted the protagonist to have the briefcase.

I plan to begin filming next weekend so I hope you stay tuned.

Storyboarding Part 2

 Here is my second storyboarding post! This post covers everything from after the briefcase guy puts the briefcase down to when the protagonist opens the briefcase at his home.

Shots 19-24

Description: These shots continue the awkwardness of the elevator scene as well as explain how the protagonist gets his hands on the briefcase.

Shots 25-30

Description: These shots illustrate the protagonist's hesitance to open the briefcase but also show his surprise at what he finds in it.

Tomorrow, I will be making my final storyboard posting and I am looking forward to begin filming next week.

Storyboarding Part 1

This week, I will be posting about my storyboard for the film opening. The beginning of the project, up until the briefcase is placed on the floor, is shown below. Here we go!

Shots 1-6

Description: These shots establish the setting and the main character. 

Shots 7-12

Description: These shots give the audience more characteristics about the protagonist and set up the unusual situation in the elevator. It also establishes a focus on the briefcase.

Shots 13-18

Description: These shots show the confusion of the protagonist as to why the man with the briefcase is acting strangely.

Stay tuned for more of the storyboarding later this week!

Costumes

 Here are the costumes for my film opening!

Protagonist: Chase J. Arnold

Costume Description: The point of the outfit is to cement the setting. The outfit is very formal and, mixed with the surroundings, the audience can tell the story starts in an office building. I figured the outfit would be quite boring without an accessory so I decided to have the protagonist carry a black/orange laptop bag for a splash of color.

Briefcase Guy: No name

Description: This is the guy who is in the elevator with the briefcase when Chase walks in. He is meant to be unrecognizable so he wears a black hood with a black hat and shades. Since he likely doesn't work at the office, he wears jeans as well.

These costumes fit the roles I'm going for with these characters and I'm excited to see them on set.

Props

Hello again. Today, I will be showing you some of the props I will be using in my film opening.

Prop 1: The Briefcase

Description: The briefcase is going to hold all of the other props as the briefcase is the one-stop shop for the agent's equipment. It holds all of the essentials that an agent would need to conduct a mission.

Prop 2: The "CONFIDENTIAL" File

Description: This file will contain the briefing of the mission the agent is tasked with. The scene won't show the contents of the file because it's conveyed later in the movie.

Prop 3: ID Badge

Description: The main purpose of the ID badge is to give our retired agent his clearance back, and reveal to the audience the agent's name.

Prop 4: Passport

Description: The mission would likely take the agent overseas, thus, a passport is needed to leave the country. Also iconic locations like London or Paris can be used in the film.

Prop 5: Memory Stick

Description: The mission requires the extraction of data from another person's computer. Since this needs to be done discretely, a USB memory stick is perfect.

Prop 6: Tablet

Description: The tablet is how the agent is given updates on his mission as well as reporting progress back to base.

Prop 7: Recording device

Description: The recording device is meant to be used by the agent to secretly record conversations without others knowing.

Prop 8 Camera

Description: The camera would be used by the agent to record photos or video evidence. The camera is not a smartphone so the data captured by it is not as easily traceable.

Prop 9: Money

Description: Every mission comes at a financial cost. Cash is less traceable than credit/debit cards. The prop itself is not real money though, it's fake.

These props cover most of the essentials an undercover agent would need to carry out a mission. I already had all the props lying around my house except for the file and ID badge. The file was made by gluing a paper slip with "CONFIDENTIAL" written on it to a regular folder and the badge was made with a free template found online and by laminating it with my picture.

Set Scouting Success

Another aspect to be attended to during the planning phase of production is set scouting. Since I want my first scene to take place in an office building, well, I went looking for one. Yesterday, I went around town and beyond, looking for a place to film part of the opening. 

Here are the viable options I was able to scout:

1-A three-story building near Ultimate Software. 

Pros: Has an elevator, doesn't require masks

Cons: The elevator is outdoors as all the office's doors lead outside

2- A four-story building, near Broward Health Clinic.

Pros: Has 4 elevators all next to each other, 100% indoors

Cons: There may be echoes from the open design of the building

3- My dad's office building, near the former YAA Museum.

Pros: Having a connection with the building's owner may make filming easier

Cons: Most areas of the office require security clearance (employees only) and will require a little more driving since it's not in Weston.

After considering all the choices, I'm going with the second option. Even though the sound may echo, the set itself is too good to not use. The 4 elevator hallway looks very nice and the lobby is very spacious. The inside of the elevator is roomy and looks modern. The path leading to the different office suites is partially carpeted and well lighted. 

Beginning Production

This week, I am starting the actual production of my film opening. There are lots to do such as set scouting, outlining, storyboarding, and scripting. 

As of now, I have a general thought on what the outline of the scene will be.

The Outline

The scene begins with a tracking over-the-shoulder shot of our main protagonist (name yet to be decided), as he walks toward an elevator. Judging by the outfit of the protagonist and the surroundings, it seems he is leaving an office building. 

As the protagonist walks toward the elevator, a series of mid shots show his entire appearance and he stops in front of it. Then a close-up on the call button of the elevator with the protagonist's hand moving into the frame to push the button, then out again.

Then, a mid-shot from outside the elevator shows the protagonist getting in the elevator as the door closes behind him. In the same shot, another man can be seen already standing in the elevator holding a briefcase. The two men stand in awkward silence for a couple seconds and then the protagonist tries to break the ice with a joking "Long day huh?" The other man is dressed in a black hood with shades. The other man does not respond to the protagonist but instead places the briefcase on the floor (close-up).

The elevator door opens and the other man walks away without the briefcase. The protagonist calls out that he left his briefcase. The other man ignores him and disappears. The protagonist crouches down and picks up the briefcase confused (close-up).

The scene cuts to the protagonist in what is presumed to be his home. He opens the briefcase on a table and is surprised to see money, a passport, and a file folder labeled "CONFIDENTIAL" among other items. There is a panning close-up of the contents of the briefcase. The protagonist suddenly looks up from the briefcase, as if someone else was near. Then, a mysterious voice from the corner says, "We need you to come back in." The last shot before the cut to title card is a low angle of the protagonist from the side, showing both the protagonist sitting down and a silhouette in the corner.

Of course, this is subject to change as with any movie production. The finished product is often very different from the original idea. While I believe the filming shouldn't be a problem, I hope the footage doesn't run too long because we only have around 2 minutes.