Production Blog

 Hello everyone! Welcome back to our final blog about our short film adventure! Now that we've wrapped up filming and are deep into post-production, our promotional efforts have become our main focus. Bringing a project to life is only half the battle getting people to see it is just as crucial. Valentina has been working her magic on our film's website, which has become a central hub for our promotional strategy. She's been consistently updating it with engaging content - new blog posts that give behind-the-scenes insights, comprehensive cast bios that help our audience connect with the team, and ongoing production updates that keep people invested in our journey. We're particularly excited about the countdown feature we're adding, which we hope will build anticipation and keep potential viewers eagerly waiting for our release. Driving traffic to the website has been our first major challenge. We've been strategic, linking the site in our social media bios and creating QR codes on our promotional materials, but getting people to not just visit, but actually stay and engage, requires extra creativity and persistence. Alyssa has been phenomenal in designing our promotional postcards - true works of art in their own right. These aren't just simple flyers, but carefully crafted pieces featuring a striking image from one of our key scenes. Each postcard includes a QR code that seamlessly directs people to our website and social media pages. Our distribution strategy has involved leaving these postcards in local coffee shops and around school, but we're constantly brainstorming how to ensure they reach our target audience. Beyond traditional marketing, we've been diving deep into community networking. This means reaching out to local film communities, connecting with fellow filmmakers, engaging with influencers, and leveraging word-of-mouth promotion. Every conversation is an opportunity to spark interest in our project. Despite the challenges, our team remains incredibly optimistic. We've realized that promoting a film demands just as much effort and passion as creating one. Seeing people react positively to our content and show genuine interest in our project makes every challenging moment worthwhile. To everyone who has followed our journey from the beginning - whether by reading these blogs, supporting us on social media, or simply sharing our project with others - we are deeply grateful. We can't wait to share our final film with you and hope you'll love what we've created as much as we do!

Production Blog

 Hello everyone! Welcome back to the blog! Now that filming is officially wrapped, we’ve shifted our focus entirely to post-production. Editing is where everything starts to feel real, where separate shots and scenes come together to create the full emotional arc of the story. While there’s still a long way to go, we’ve already made solid progress in assembling the film’s structure. The first step was organizing all of our footage. Since we filmed out of sequence, we had to carefully sort through the files and label everything correctly. I went through each take with the team, selecting the best ones based on performance, composition, and lighting. This process took longer than expected, but having everything properly arranged makes editing much smoother. One of the main challenges so far has been weaving the flashbacks seamlessly into the present-day scenes. These transitions need to feel natural, almost like I’m slipping in and out of memories without the audience feeling a harsh cut. To achieve this, we’ve been experimenting with different techniques—soft fades, match cuts, and even playing with sound bridges to blur the line between past and present. As we worked through these edits, we hit a few creative roadblocks, so we asked Alyssa, Valentina, and Olivia for their input. Alyssa had some great feedback on pacing, suggesting that we hold certain flashback moments a little longer to let the emotion fully sink in before cutting back to the present. Valentina helped with the visual transitions, recommending some subtle fade techniques and color adjustments to make the shifts between time periods more distinct yet seamless. Olivia had useful insight into how certain expressions and movements played on screen, and she pointed out which takes best conveyed the emotional depth of my character. Their creative input helped me see the footage in a new way, and after implementing their suggestions, the edits started coming together more smoothly. Color grading is another major focus. The flashbacks have a warmer, golden tone to make them feel nostalgic and full of life, while the present-day scenes have a slightly cooler, muted palette to reflect my emotional state. Finding the right balance has been tricky, but after a few test grades, we’re getting closer to achieving the look we want. In the coming days, we’ll continue fine-tuning the pacing, adding effects where needed, and making sure every scene flows seamlessly into the next. That’s it for today’s update! Next time, I’ll share more details on our promotional efforts and the challenges we’ve come across. Thanks for sticking with us through this journey. See you in the next blog!

Production Blog

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the blog! Today marked a huge milestone for our project—we officially wrapped up filming! After weeks of planning, scheduling, rescheduling, and countless hours of work, we finally shot the last scenes of our short film. It was a long but rewarding day, and I can’t wait to see how everything comes together in the editing process. For our final shoot, we focused on the date scene flashbacks and the moments where my character is hanging out with friends while those memories resurface. These scenes are crucial because they add emotional depth, showing the contrast between my present and the past. We wanted the flashbacks to feel warm and nostalgic, while the present-day scenes had a more distant, almost disconnected tone. We started the day by filming the date flashbacks with Olivia and me. These were some of the most visually dynamic shots we’ve captured so far. We wanted to create a dreamy, romantic feel, so we used a lot of soft lighting and close-up shots of small details. The goal was to make the audience feel the warmth of our relationship before tragedy strikes. For locations, we kept it simple but meaningful. We filmed in a café next to mine and Alyssa's houses, capturing moments of laughter and lighthearted conversation. Then we moved outside to shoot some playful walking scenes, with Olivia and me enjoying each other’s company. The golden hour lighting worked in our favor, adding a beautiful, natural glow to the footage. Once we wrapped up the flashbacks, we shifted our focus to my present-day scenes. These moments show me with my friends, yet mentally detached as I get lost in the memories of my past. We filmed at a casual hangout spot, where I was surrounded by conversation and laughter, but my expressions and body language told a different story. To emphasize this emotional disconnect, we played with different framing techniques. We used a lot of over-the-shoulder shots and close-ups of me staring off into the distance, lost in thought. Meanwhile, my friends remained slightly out of focus, making it clear that my mind was elsewhere. These small details will make a big difference in how the audience interprets my grief. Thank you to everyone who’s been following along with this journey. The next phase is all about post-production, and I’ll be back soon with updates on how everything is coming together. Stay tuned, and as always, thank you for being a part of this process!  

Production Blog

Hello everyone! Finn here, checking in with today's blog update. We had a bit of a slower day today, which honestly came as a welcome breather between our more intense filming sessions. I spent most of the day collaborating with "our director" on the behind-the-scenes promotional work, focusing specifically on building our presence on Instagram and TikTok. We've been posting behind-the-scenes snippets and making the rounds at school to generate buzz about our project, which has been surprisingly fun - turns out people are genuinely interested in student film productions! We experimented with different types of posts and hashtag strategies to maximize our reach, analyzing which content seemed to get the most engagement. It was refreshing to take a step back from the frenetic pace of filming and focus on the marketing side of things for a change. While working on social media, I helped draft several posts that captured the current mood and progress of our production. The interactions with our small but growing audience have been really encouraging - people are asking questions about the process and sharing positive feedback on the teasers we've released. Between managing our social accounts, I joined Alyssa to finalize the design for our promotional postcards. Her design skills really shine in the layout she created - we made sure the postcards had this dark, moody aesthetic that perfectly reflects the film's tone while still being eye-catching enough to grab attention. The slower pace today allowed us to be really meticulous about these promotional details that might otherwise get overlooked when we're rushing between shots on filming days. It's easy to forget how important the marketing aspect is when you're caught up in the creative process. After wrapping up our work on the promotional materials, we gathered for a team meeting to nail down our upcoming schedule. We collectively decided that Wednesday will be our final day of shooting, which feels both exciting and slightly bittersweet. We carefully reviewed everyone's availability and were relieved to find that the stars aligned perfectly for Wednesday - no conflicts or scheduling issues to work around this time. Even with a slower day like today, we managed to accomplish a lot in terms of preparation and planning. The team discussed final details for Wednesday's shoot, including some wardrobe adjustments and location setups that needed addressing. By the end of our meeting, we had a solid plan in place that everyone felt confident about. There's something satisfying about seeing our promotional efforts gaining traction while simultaneously preparing for our final day of filming. The connection between the marketing side and the production itself feels crucial to the project's ultimate success. With all the groundwork we laid today, there's this palpable energy building for tomorrow and especially for Wednesday's final shoot. I'm genuinely excited about the progress we're making, even on these quieter days that allow us to focus on the less glamorous but equally important aspects of filmmaking.

Thanks for following along with our journey! I'll be back with another update soon, and I can't wait to share how our final day of shooting unfolds. Stay tuned!

Production Blog

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the blog! After an intense day of filming yesterday where we captured both the boat parade aerial footage and the crucial car sequences, today was all about diving headfirst into the post-production process. The first order of business was creating a structured environment in Premiere Pro, where I meticulously sorted our footage into categories: drone shots, vehicle sequences, and a miscellaneous folder for potentially useful B-roll. This organizational step might seem tedious, but it saves countless hours of frustration when searching for specific shots later in the editing process. Reviewing the drone footage was a genuine thrill—the sweeping vistas of the boat parade captured the exact cinematic quality we had envisioned for our opening sequence. I was particularly impressed with how the 4K resolution preserved the intricate details of the water's surface texture and the colorful parade vessels below. Some challenges emerged immediately: several boat parade shots ran longer than ideal for maintaining viewer engagement, prompting me to experiment with subtle speed adjustments that enhance the visual flow without creating unnatural movement. The color grading process for these shots focused on enhancing the water's natural blue tones while adding contrast to make the boats visually pop against the background. The car sequence footage presented more significant technical hurdles, primarily due to the stabilization issues I mentioned yesterday. Warp Stabilizer effects helped with minor camera shake, but for the more problematic shots, I had to employ careful cutting techniques, blending multiple takes to create the illusion of one continuous, smooth sequence. Audio editing proved equally challenging—the wind noise during our vehicle shots created inconsistent sound quality that required extensive cleanup work using Premiere's audio effects suite. I ended up replacing some of the original audio with ambient car interior sounds from our sound library to maintain a consistent audio experience. The transitional sequence between the aerial footage and the car scenes became my creative playground today. Rather than employing a standard cut, I developed a visual motif where a downward-tilting drone shot seamlessly blends into an upward-tilting car interior shot, creating a fluid connection between these distinct environments. Music selection has been another significant focus—finding tracks that enhance the emotional tone without overwhelming the visual storytelling requires careful balance. I've been experimenting with several options from royalty-free libraries, focusing on atmospheric pieces that complement rather than dominate our narrative flow. Looking at tomorrow's agenda, I'll be tackling some of the dialogue scenes we filmed, which present their own unique challenges in terms of continuity and performance consistency across multiple takes. While there's still substantial work ahead, seeing these initial sequences take shape has energized the entire team about our project's potential. Thank you for following our filmmaking journey! Tomorrow's blog will address some scheduling challenges we're facing and our strategies for overcoming them while maintaining our creative momentum. See you then!

Production Blog

 

Hello everyone! Finn here with another blog update. After watching Conner on the editing process for a while, I decided to jump in and start learning some of these techniques myself. It's been quite the eye-opening experience to see how all the pieces come together. I've been sitting alongside our main editor, observing the workflow in Premiere Pro and gradually trying my hand at organizing footage into sequences. The learning curve is steep, but there's something incredibly satisfying about seeing how each clip can be manipulated to tell our story more effectively. My first attempts at stabilizing those problematic roller shots from the car scenes were honestly pretty awful - I cranked the Warp Stabilizer settings way too high and ended up with that weird jelly effect that makes everything look unnatural. After some guidance, I've gotten better at finding the right balance between stability and maintaining the organic feel of the footage. The rooftop scene editing has been a great introduction to pacing and emotional storytelling. I'm learning how important it is to let certain moments breathe while cutting others more rapidly to build tension or release it. Our music situation is still complicated with those copyright rejections from PartyNextDoor and Cigarettes After Sex, but watching our team navigate these challenges has taught me about the real-world aspects of filmmaking that go beyond just the creative elements. I've started experimenting with color grading too, though I'm definitely still a novice. The difference that even small adjustments can make to the mood of a scene is fascinating - warming up the car interior shots makes them feel more intimate, while cooling down the rooftop scene enhances that urban nighttime atmosphere. Audio mixing is another aspect I've been trying to wrap my head around. Balancing dialogue against ambient sound and music requires such a delicate touch, and I've gained a whole new appreciation for professional sound editors. Working with the footage we captured has really highlighted the importance of planning during the shooting phase. When we have multiple good takes to choose from, editing becomes so much more flexible and creative. I'm also learning about the importance of maintaining continuity between shots, especially in scenes like our car sequence where tiny details like the position of Olivia's hair or the lighting patterns need to match across different takes. The more I learn about this process, the more I understand why editing is often called the final rewrite of the film. So many storytelling decisions happen in this phase that dramatically impact how the audience will experience our work. That's all for today's update! I'll be continuing my editing education while we prepare for our next filming session. Thanks for following our journey, and I'll see you in the next blog!

Production Blog

Hello everyone! Finn here, taking over the blog today to talk about our promotional efforts for the film. As we keep pushing forward with filming and editing, we've also started working on the marketing side of things to make sure our project reaches as many people as possible. We've been developing social media accounts, a website, and even printed postcards to spread the word about our film. I worked with the director to set up our social media pages on Instagram and TikTok, which we chose specifically because they're perfect platforms for sharing behind-the-scenes content, teasers, and regular updates on our progress. Our Instagram strategy focuses on posting high-quality stills from our footage, behind-the-scenes clips, and stories that document our day-to-day work. For TikTok, we're planning more short-form content like quick behind-the-scenes moments and glimpses of the filming process that show the energy on set. Valentina has been absolutely crushing it on the website front. She's creating this awesome central hub for everything related to our film, with sections for the story, cast and crew information, and eventually our trailer. The website has this clean, cinematic look that perfectly matches the tone of our film, and she's currently adding a gallery section to showcase our best stills and behind-the-scenes photography. Alyssa took charge of the physical marketing with these really cool postcards. They feature this striking image from one of our best scenes, along with the film title and a QR code that takes people directly to our website. We're planning to distribute them around school and leave them at local coffee shops and creative spaces where indie film enthusiasts might hang out. I won't lie – setting all this promotional stuff up alongside actual production has been pretty overwhelming at times. Managing social media accounts isn't just about posting whatever whenever; we need consistent, quality content that builds interest without giving away too much. Even though it's a lot of work, seeing our film's online presence grow is incredibly exciting. We know that building a strong digital footprint is crucial for getting our film noticed, especially as student filmmakers without big distribution channels. We still have plenty left to do, like scheduling regular social media posts, finalizing website content, and coordinating our marketing timeline with our production schedule. It's a balancing act between creating hype and making sure we can deliver on expectations. That's all for today's update! Tomorrow we'll be back with more news about our editing progress and what's next on the filming schedule. Thanks for following our journey, and I hope you'll check out our social channels – links are in the bio!

Production Blog

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the blog! And happy 17th birthday to me! After all the scheduling problems and planning stuff, we FINALLY started filming with our female lead, Olivia. Our first scenes with her focused on the car ride sequences that we needed to get right. Since we already filmed some background shots earlier, we had to figure out how to fit her performance into what we already had. The car ride is like super important for setting up the whole mood of the film, so we were really careful about how we framed everything. Olivia played her part perfectly, bringing this quiet tension that was exactly what we needed for these early scenes. Filming in a moving car is seriously never easy, but we managed to make it work somehow. We got these awesome close-ups of Olivia staring out the window that showed her emotions without needing any dialogue. The over-the-shoulder shots from the backseat helped show her perspective while driving through the city, which gave this cool sense of her being isolated and deep in thought. We also took some profile shots from the passenger side to highlight her expressions while the streetlights made these dramatic shadows across her face. It looked so cinematic! Lighting was probably the biggest challenge for these scenes. Some shots came out way darker than we expected, but after messing with the camera settings and trying different angles, we fixed most of the problems. We'll enhance some of the lighting in post-production to bring out more details anyway. After finishing the car scenes, we moved to the rooftop scene, which is honestly one of the most visually cool moments in our whole film. We found this perfect rooftop with an amazing cityscape backdrop! One thing we didn't expect was how windy it would be up there. The gusts were way stronger than we thought, which made getting clean audio super difficult. Despite that annoying problem, the visuals turned out absolutely beautiful. Tomorrow, we're planning to go through all the footage and start putting together the scenes we've shot so far. We'll also talk about any reshoots we might need and get ready for the next round of filming. As always, I'll keep you guys updated on everything! Thanks for following our journey, and I can't wait to share more soon! See you in the next blog!

Production Blog

Hello everyone and welcome back to the blog! Today I'm taking about the challenges of production scheduling that every filmmaker faces. While we've made excellent progress on our opening scene, several roadblocks have emerged that have slowed our momentum. The most significant hurdle is our ongoing search for the female lead. Since we haven't finalized an actress due to availability constraints, we pivoted to shooting background and transition elements first. Unfortunately, without our lead locked in, key scenes remain on hold, making it increasingly difficult to maintain our shooting rhythm. Coordinating team schedules has proven equally challenging. With everyone juggling different commitments jobs, classes, sports activities finding days when everyone is free feels like solving a complex puzzle. We've had to reschedule numerous times, and even when we do manage to gather, unexpected conflicts sometimes arise at the last minute. Mother Nature hasn't been particularly cooperative either. The wind made capturing stable roller shots for the car scene nearly impossible, and we're now closely monitoring weather forecasts before scheduling our next outdoor shoot. We simply can't afford to waste a precious filming day if conditions aren't favorable. Despite these setbacks, we're not letting our production stall. To maintain momentum, we're focusing on editing the footage we've already captured while simultaneously working on a revised filming schedule that accommodates everyone's availability. Through it all, we're maintaining a positive outlook. Thank you for following our journey! Be sure to check tomorrow's update where I'll reveal our final choice for the female lead and share details about several important scenes we've managed to film despite the challenges. See you then!

Production Blog

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the blog! If you’ve been keeping up, you already know that my group and I are working on a short film about the loss of someone important and the tragedy that follows. Today’s blog marks the first step toward finishing that film.  The opening scene kicks off with some drone shots and pan shots of the boat parade before transitioning into a car ride with the female lead. We’re still figuring out who our female lead will be due to scheduling issues, so we decided to film these scenes without any characters for now.  The drone shots came out pretty easily—honestly, the hardest part was waiting for the boats to pass by. The car ride scene, though? That was a whole different story.  Valentina, Alyssa, and I met up and debated where to film. After some discussion, we agreed that Lighthouse Point would give us the best backdrop. We took Conner's car and headed over. Once we got there, Conner's and I switched seats so I could drive for the scene. Alyssa and Valentina were in charge of capturing over-the-shoulder shots of me, making sure to highlight the road and lights in the background for that cinematic feel.  Meanwhile, Conner took side shots of me from the passenger seat, focusing on capturing my face and emotions. Conner also had the tough job of getting roller shots using the gimbal. That didn’t go as smoothly as we hoped. We were driving at about 40 miles per hour, and the wind hitting the gimbal made it super unstable. After a few tries, we decided to push through and use small clips that we’ll edit together later. We’ll revisit this part once we lock down the song for the opening scene.  That’s all for today’s blog! Tomorrow, I’ll be updating you on the editing process for these first few shots. Thanks for tuning in—see you tomorrow!

StoryBoard

 

Slide 1

Scene Description: Aerial view of a boat parade at night, Christmas lights reflecting on the water.
Camera Angle: Drone Shot – Wide

Slide 2

Scene Description: Crowds enjoying the parade, glowing city backdrop.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot – Street Level

Slide 3

Scene Description: People on a boat laughing, taking photos.
Camera Angle: Long Shot

Slide 4

Scene Description: Lights shimmer on the water, people in holiday spirit.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot

Slide 5

Scene Description: Full parade scope as the city skyline glows.
Camera Angle: Drone Shot – High Angle

Slide 6

Scene Description: One boat stands out, creating a visually appealing transition.
Camera Angle: Tracking Shot – Following a Boat

Slide 7

Scene Description: Protagonist drives, female lead in the passenger seat, holiday music playing.
Camera Angle: Medium Shot – Inside Car

Slide 8

Scene Description: Female lead smiling at him, window lights reflecting in her eyes.
Camera Angle: Close-Up – Female Lead

Slide 9

Scene Description: Looking out the window, admiring holiday displays.
Camera Angle: Over-the-Shoulder – Passenger POV

Slide 10

Scene Description: Passing houses with Christmas lights.
Camera Angle: Roller Shot – Front of car

Slide 11

Scene Description: Driving through a neighborhood, festive atmosphere.
Camera Angle: Two-Shot

Slide 12

Scene Description: Looking out the window, admiring holiday displays.
Camera Angle: Close-Up

Slide 13

Scene Description: Coffee date at night with the Protagonist and Female Lead.
Camera Angle: Two-Shot Pan

Slide 14

Scene Description: Coffee date moves to an outside park.
Camera Angle: Dutch

Slide 15

Scene Description: Casual, warm conversation between them.
Camera Angle: Wide-shot (showcasing backdrop)

Slide 16

Scene Description: Female lead laughing, happiness in the moment.
Camera Angle: Long shot, contrast protagonist and Female Lead from rain and background

Slide 17

Scene Description: Female lead turns to him: "Let’s go to the rooftop."
Camera Angle: Medium Shot – Inside Car

Slide 18

Scene Description: City skyline, intimate setting.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot – Rooftop View

Slide 19

Scene Description: Female lead sitting on the edge, looking over the city.
Camera Angle: Medium Shot – Female Lead Sitting on the Edge

Slide 20

Scene Description: She smiles at him warmly.
Camera Angle: Close-Up

Slide 21

Scene Description: Protagonist sits beside her, skyline glowing behind them.
Camera Angle: Over-the-Shoulder

Slide 22

Scene Description: Soft laughs and conversation, bond feels real.
Camera Angle: Medium Shot

Slide 23

Scene Description: A tender moment as hands touch.
Camera Angle: Close-Up

Slide 24

Scene Description: Female lead's joyful expression, light-hearted and safe.
Camera Angle: Close-Up – Female Lead’s Joyful Expression

Slide 25

Scene Description: Two silhouettes against the cityscape, peaceful and intimate.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot – Two Silhouettes Against the Cityscape

Slide 26

Scene Description: He blinks… and suddenly she’s gone.
Camera Angle: Slow Motion – Protagonist’s POV

Slide 27

Scene Description: Protagonist hanging with friends, obviously out of it.
Camera Angle: Slow Motion – Protagonist’s POV

Slide 28

Scene Description: Protagonist practicing his sport, taking his mind off the matter.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot

Slide 29

Scene Description: Protagonist attempting to move on, talking to barista.
Camera Angle: Over-the-Shoulder

Slide 30

Scene Description: Protagonist hanging with barista and friends.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot

Slide 31

Scene Description: Protagonist thinking of barista while hanging out with friends.
Camera Angle: Close-Up

Slide 32

Scene Description: Flashback to ex-girlfriend.
Camera Angle: Two-Shot

Slide 33

Scene Description: Shocked expression as realization hits him.
Camera Angle: Extreme Close-Up

Slide 34

Scene Description: Bowling with friends, darkened expression.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot

Slide 35

Scene Description: Playing basketball with friends, looking more cheerful.
Camera Angle: Tracking Shot

Slide 36

Scene Description: Hanging out with friends, appearing happy.
Camera Angle: Montage – Medium/Wide Shots of Friends

Slide 37

Scene Description: At the gym, working on himself and focusing on other things.
Camera Angle: Long, Establishing Shot

Slide 38

Scene Description: On the treadmill sweating, obviously working hard.
Camera Angle: Close-Up of Sweat

Slide 39

Scene Description: Boxing, serious expression.
Camera Angle: Wide-Shot, Many Cuts to Show Action and Fast-Paced

Slide 40

Scene Description: Cuts to more working out (Pull-Ups).
Camera Angle: Tilt Shot

Slide 41

Scene Description: In mirror at gym, drenched with sweat, done working out.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot

Slide 42

Scene Description: In the library reading a book (finding peace).
Camera Angle: Wide Shot

Slide 43

Scene Description: On the beach during sunrise, relaxed and at peace finally.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot, Emphasizing Emotions and Background

Slide 44

Scene Description: Spending time with dog, obviously enjoying himself.
Camera Angle: Two-Shot

Slide 45

Scene Description: Back on the original rooftop, seemingly happy, as though the loss of his girlfriend no longer affects him.
Camera Angle: Aerial Shot into Close-Up of Face

Slide 46

Scene Description: More time spent with friends, in the park.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot

Slide 47

Scene Description: BBQ with close friends.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot, Pan Around Friend Group, End on Protagonist’s Face Showing Immense Happiness

Slide 48

Scene Description: Protagonist goes to bed after BBQ.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot

Slide 49

Scene Description: Dreams of ex-girlfriend and time on the rooftop, never truly got over it.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot

Slide 50

Scene Description: Protagonist gets out of bed and showers to clear his mind.
Camera Angle: Wide Shot through Shower Glass, Only Silhouette is Seen

Slide 51

Scene Description: Protagonist gets out of the shower and stares at himself in the mirror.
Camera Angle: Close-Up, Over-the-Shoulder

Slide 52

Scene Description: Protagonist seen in bed, tearing up and contemplating something.
Camera Angle: Close-Up

Slide 53

Scene Description: Protagonist seen sitting on a window sill, flashback of ex one final time.
Camera Angle: Medium Shot

Slide 54

Scene Description: Stepping onto a chair, holding the old photo.
Camera Angle: Medium Shot – Stepping Onto a Chair

Slide 55

Scene Description: Protagonist in obvious, immense despair.
Camera Angle: Medium Shot

Slide 56

Scene Description: Pulling out a rope, decision made.
Camera Angle: Close-Up – Pulling Out a Rope

Slide 57

Scene Description: Protagonist ties the knot, hands trembling the entire time.
Camera Angle: Close-Up – Tying the Knot

Slide 58

Scene Description: Tears drop onto the floor, silent impact.
Camera Angle: Extreme Close-Up – Tears Drop Onto the Floor

Slide 59

Scene Description: Phone screen lights up: "Hey, it’s been a while, could we talk?"
Camera Angle: Close-Up

Slide 60
Scene Description: Black screen with the text written "You're not alone."

Script

 

Silent Echoes

FADE IN:

OPENING SCENE – BOAT PARADE & CAR RIDE

WATERFRONT – NIGHT

(Drone Shot – Wide) A festive boat parade glides across the water. Christmas lights shimmer on the waves, illuminating the night.

(Pan Shot – Slow Sweep)
Boats of all sizes, decked with glowing decorations, drift by. Families and friends cheer from the shoreline.

(Close-Up – People Laughing on a Boat)
A group of strangers pose for a picture, their laughter spilling into the night air.

(Wide Shot – Street Level)
The waterfront is packed—crowds, street vendors, and the glow of city lights.

(Handheld POV Shot – On a Boat)
The camera moves through the celebration—warm, inviting, alive.

(Tracking Shot – Following a Boat)
A particularly well-lit boat sails by, creating a visual transition into the next scene.

INTERIOR OF CAR – NIGHT

(Medium Shot – Inside Car)
The PROTAGONIST (17, quiet, observant) drives, the FEMALE LEAD (17, warm, carefree) in the passenger seat. Soft holiday music plays.

(Close-Up – Female Lead Smiling)
She looks at him, catching the glow of passing Christmas lights in her eyes.

(Roller Shot – Side View of Car)
They pass houses decorated in bright colors, the holiday warmth spilling onto the road.

(Tracking Shot – Car in Motion)
The world outside blurs—peaceful, dreamlike.

(Over-the-Shoulder – Passenger POV)
She watches the lights fly by, eyes reflecting their glow.

(Close-Up – Protagonist)
For a moment, he looks content—genuinely happy.

(Wide Shot – Car from Behind)
They continue down the empty road, silhouettes against the festive backdrop.

(Medium Shot – Inside Car, Casual Conversation)
She playfully nudges him. He smirks, shaking his head.

(Close-Up – Female Lead Laughing)
A light, unburdened joy in her face.

(Over-the-Shoulder – Female Lead Bumping His Arm)
She leans closer, teasing. He grips the steering wheel slightly tighter.

(Medium Shot – Inside Car)
FEMALE LEAD
(softly, smiling)
"Let’s go to the rooftop."

ROOFTOP SCENE – LOVE TURNS TO ISOLATION

ROOFTOP – NIGHT

(Wide Shot – Rooftop View)
They sit at the edge of a quiet rooftop, overlooking the city below. The skyline glows beneath them.

(Medium Shot – Female Lead Sitting on the Edge)
She swings her feet idly, staring out into the night.

(Close-Up – She Smiles at Him)
Soft, inviting. She reaches for his hand.

(Over-the-Shoulder – Protagonist Looking at Her)
He watches, absorbing her presence.

(Medium Shot – Soft Laughs & Conversation)
They share quiet moments, their bond real.

(Close-Up – Hands Touching)
Fingertips just barely meet.

(Wide Shot – Two Silhouettes Against the Cityscape)
For a moment, everything feels perfect.

(Handheld Camera – Playful Exchange)
She leans into him, bumping his shoulder. He smiles.

(Close-Up – Female Lead’s Joyful Expression)
FEMALE LEAD
(whispering)
"I wish we could stay here forever."

(Extreme Close-Up – Protagonist’s Eyes)
Something flickers behind them—something unreadable.

(Medium Shot – She Leans In for a Kiss)
He blinks.

(Slow Motion – Protagonist’s POV)
And she’s gone.

(Extreme Close-Up – Shocked Expression)
He looks frantically around.

(Wide Shot – Rooftop Now Empty)
No sign of her. The city lights below seem colder now.

(Over-the-Shoulder – Looking at His Hands)
Empty. Trembling.

MIDDLE SCENE – LIFE GOES ON, DEPRESSION LINGERS

VARIOUS LOCATIONS – MONTAGE

(Medium/Wide Shots of Friends Hanging Out)
Laughter. Games. Coffee shops. A normal life.

(Over-the-Shoulder – Coffee Shop, Protagonist Orders a Drink)
The barista smiles. He smiles back, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

(Close-Up – Bird Flying By in Park)
He watches it.

(Flashback – Quick Cuts of Female Lead Laughing)
She was so alive.

(Back to Present – Medium Shot – Protagonist Alone on Park Bench)
He blinks. His smile fades.

(Wide Shot – Friend Calls His Name, He Fakes a Smile)
FRIEND
"You good, man?"

(Over-the-Shoulder – Playing Video Games with Friends, Loud and Fun)
The room is loud, but he is silent.

(Close-Up – Game Over Screen, Protagonist Zoned Out)
His hands are still on the controller, but he’s somewhere else.

(Flashback – Extreme Close-Up of Female Lead’s Face)
FEMALE LEAD
(soft, concerned)
"Are you okay?"

(Back to Present – Over-the-Shoulder – Friend Nudges Him)
FRIEND
"Bro?"

(Forced Smile – Wide Shot – Friends Celebrating Win)
He nods. He pretends all is fine.

(Close-Up – A Single Tear Forms – Quickly Wiped Away)

(Wide Shot – Walking Home Alone at Night, Isolated, Dimly Lit)

(Over-the-Shoulder – Looking at Phone, No Messages)

(Close-Up – Text Draft: ‘I Miss You’ – Hesitates… Deletes It.)

FINAL SCENE – THE HIDDEN PAIN

PROTAGONIST’S ROOM – NIGHT

(Wide Shot – Looking in Mirror, Tired Eyes, Lost)

(Over-the-Shoulder – Silent Breakdown, Face Tense, Fighting Back Tears)

(Close-Up – Whispering to Himself)
PROTAGONIST
(barely audible)
"I can’t do this anymore."

(Wide Shot – Walking to Closet, A Devastating Realization)

(Close-Up – Pulling Out a Rope, Decision Made)

(Extreme Close-Up – Tightening the Knot, Hands Shaking)

(Medium Shot – Stepping Onto a Chair, Holding the Old Photo)

(Close-Up – Tears Streaming Down His Face, Final Moment)

(Over-the-Shoulder – Looking at the Photo One Last Time – Goodbye.)

(Extreme Close-Up – Tears Drop Onto the Floor – Silent Impact.)

(Cut to Black – Sudden, Shocking.)

TEXT ON SCREEN

"You never know what someone is going through."

(Phone Screen Lights Up – A Text Appears: “Hey, are you okay?”)

(Final Message on Black Screen: “You are not alone.”)

FADE TO BLACK.

END.

Other Information

 Location

Our group will be recording at the beach, an apartment building, Las Olas, coffee shops, and more areas alike if needed. These places such as the beach will all be used for date scenes and flashbacks, while places like Bayview Park, and the gym will be used for scenes on "working out". The Apartment rooftop will be used for the scene of the female leads' disappearance. We might use a few other places to film "hangouts with friends".

Participants as of right now:

Actors:

• Finn O'Brien 
• Alyssa Jaidane
• Ella Agnese

Roles & Positions:

Director: Conner Cleary

Co-Director/s: Ella Agnese, Alyssa Jaidane, Finn O'Brien

Producer: Unknown

Filming & Editing: Conner Cleary, Alyssa Jaidane

We'll all be taking turns in the filming process and sharing ideas when we start editing the movie.

Health:

Nothing in our group revolves around having to do anything dangerous or being in situations that could lead us to trouble but we will have parental supervision. There are members of our group who are certified and licensed in CPR as well which could possibly help if we run into an issue and each of us could contact the emergency services.

Schedule:

Filming days: 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/18 

Editing days are: 2/14, 2/19, 2/23, 3/1, 3/3 

1/19/24: Prepare for the filming. Talk about props, makeup, lighting, who will handle the camera, acting, and other details. Take care of the minor aspects in advance of filming.

1/27/24: We'll start shooting at the apartment building, focusing on certain scenes. This will provide material for our future production blogs, which will be due later on. Then we'll move on to other places like Las Olas, the beach, coffee shops, etc.

2/3/24 - 2/10/24: On the second and third filming days, we'll aim to complete as many scenes as we can, taking advantage of the weekend to minimize the need for additional filming days later this month which is easier this year since some in our group have cars.  

2/14/24: Start editing the scenes we've recorded, covering most of our scenes. Depending on how many scenes we manage to edit, we'll decide whether to complete the editing on the first of March or postpone some edits for a bit later.

2/17/24 - 2/18/24: Last days of filming. As they fall on the weekend, the aim is to complete all filming. These two days will be utilized for shooting at any chosen locations if necessary.

3/1/24 - 3/3/24: Both days are dedicated solely to editing the remaining scenes. On 3/1, we will address any necessary revisions to edits made earlier. On 3/3, we will focus on editing the final shots.

3/9/24: Gather to discuss our completed project, review the film, discuss any changes to the film review blogs, write our CCR, and submit our final task.

Our backup plan :

If a participant in our movie can't continue, we'll either find replacements or eliminate their role. We're flexible with the schedule and can adjust to accommodate everyone's needs, especially in case of serious issues. We've already talked about simple solutions for any challenges that may arise in the making of our movie.

Thank you guys for checking in today! That's all and I hope to see you back soon!

Title Design

Hey guys! Welcome back here are our current plans for the title design.

Working title: Silent Echoes

    •    The opening credits will appear in traditional overlays throughout the film.

    •    The film title will fade in over the boat parade scene, reflecting on the water.

    •    Crew and cast names will appear in subtle corner overlays during key moments.

    •    The text will be minimal and unobtrusive, blending seamlessly with the visuals.

    •    The rooftop scene will feature a soft fade-in of credits as the protagonist and female lead talk.

    •    The final credit will appear as as a black screen once the Female Lead disappears.

    •    Font size and placement will change to fit the tone and framing of each shot.

    •    The last screen will display a message about mental health awareness before fading to black.