FILM OPENING

Most Wonderful - Film Opening

Dir., Written and Edited by Martin Vallecilla, Produced by Maria Ojeda, Cinematography by Beatriz Rocha, Starring Martina Rodriguez and Alex Gomez.

FILM OPENING

CREATIVE CRITICAL REFLECTION

Most Wonderful - CREATIVE CRITICAL REFLECTION

CCR Pt. 1

CCR Pt. 2

Violence in Hispanic Families in the United States: Incidence Rates and Structural Interpretations | Office of Justice Programs. (n.d.). Www.ojp.gov. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/violence-hispanic-families-united-states-incidence-rates-and#:~:text=Approximately%20one%20out%20of%20seven

Chazelle, D., Chazelle, D., Gosling, R., Stone, E., DeWitt, R., & Simmons, J. K. (2016, December 7). La La Land. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3783958/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Zinnemann, F., Levien, S., Ludwig, W., Rodgers, R., MacRae, G., Grahame, G., & Nelson, G. (1956, November 23). Oklahoma! IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048445/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Media Portrayals of Religion: Christianity. (n.d.). MediaSmarts. https://mediasmarts.ca/diversity-media/religion/media-portrayals-religion-christianity#:~:text=In%20this%20same%20way%2C%20Christians

Anderson, M., Faverio, M., & Gottfried, J. (2023, December 11). Teens, Social Media and Technology 2023. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2023/12/11/teens-social-media-and-technology-2023/

Revelation 22:21

THE END

Producing this film-opening and the CCR's were both their own little different experiences. The intensity of editing a cool, funny, and informative CCR feels kind of similar to the intensity of setting up dates and getting everyone together to film for the film opening. The biggest moment in the process of finishing this project was definitely when I finished the script, which meant the opening was ready to film. Then definitely when we set filming dates with the final actors and a super talented behind-the-cameras team. Of course, filming day was amazing.

Changes to the film's opening were minimal. The biggest one was the genre focus, of course changing the actress for Luz, and the dialogue for Luz. This film-opening was supposed to be more Musical but ended up establishing the romantic drama side more. The urgent change of actress for Luz was a huge moment in this project, as it was probably one of the most stressful moments, but thankfully Martina pulled through and she gave an amazing performance that checked every box for the character. The change in dialogue was more customary. After revising it with my cinematographer Beatriz and my friend Mafe (who offered her house for the shots where Luz walks out of the house) I decided to change and simplify Luz's dialogue so it could appeal more to the target audience.

John 19:30

FOLEY AND FINAL TOUCHES

Foley was an experience. I think this was harder than filming. Getting the right sounds and even mixing the sounds. Everything had to match and be synced perfectly. Finding DIY options for sounds and having to get even the smallest detail. I think this was the main obstacle in producing this film opening.

This was the sequence for my Foley project. I decided to put the mute version of the film opening into a new project and work on audio there so it wasn't too much on my computer and it could run smoothly. I started with easy sounds such as bed sheets rumbling and sitting down. I think the easiest but also the hardest sound was doorknobs. I could not get my house to get completely quiet so getting those sounds was almost impossible. Luckily, my trip to Tampa helped a lot as my aunt's house in Tampa is so much quieter than my house in Weston. So I recorded most of the doorknob sounds there. I think mixing was a huge obstacle but I enjoyed getting through it. As a musician, mixing is a big part of my process. Equalizing footsteps was something I never thought I'd do, but I did it. Putting the exact reverb preset and equalizing the right frequency for some sounds, just to make them sound a little bit more realistic and for them to match the film correctly.

I was not going to add music to Joshua's section but it just felt too empty. I used an original instrumental I had made some days before filming so it would fill up that space that was missing. All music in the film opening was written, recorded, produced, and mixed by me. Wanted to keep some of that originality :)

Exodus 19:3

EDITING

In terms of editing, this was a quick process. For 2 minutes, I just had to sync the shots, browse through the disk, and do some minor color correction. Obstacles came in with choosing the right transition for the text and syncing music and shots. 

This was my first time coming this close to Premiere Pro and even though I had to do some research, it was an amazing experience. 

In terms of transitions for the text, I decided to use the Find Edges Stylize video effect with automation so the color change would serve as a transition. With that, I added a small fade in so it wouldn't be as harsh.

During this part of the film opening, I decided to automate the warmth of the shot for it to rise as the music started. This decision was made for 2 reasons.

1. So the next shot wouldn't be so harsh for the viewer, as it went from very dark lighting to very bright lighting.

2. To symbolize Luz's mood was improving and the music served as that catalyst for her emotions to brighten up, hence why the warmth of the shot was automated. 

There was very little I had to do in terms of fixing. Lighting really worked in our favor and all the shots were in very good framing and locations. 

John 4:28

 FILMING DAY

Our filming day was incredibly successful, we didn't have to set up a second date as we got everything in one day. We had to go to a bunch of different houses but it all paid off. All the shots for Joshua (Alex) were shot in my house and the shots for Luz (Martina) were shot in Bia's (Cinematographer), Martina's, and my friend Mafe's house. Every setting fit well with the other one and we were able to get the perfect shots, using Bia's camera and my phone camera.

It was a super fun day, I will record my progress on editing tomorrow and Foley.

=

Psalm 118:24

FILMING (Again)

I say again because we are going to film the same shots we had already filmed again. That means the part where Luz comes out of her house and sees Joshua on the other side. Tuesday, March 26th is my next filming day, and all of Luz’s scenes will be done then. Wednesday, March 27th will be Joshua’s turn, as he is available then (nobody else was).

After filming some scenes for my friend Beatriz’s short film for A level, I realized how good her camera is! I asked her if we could use it for mine and she agreed, all I have to do is get a memory card. Also, my dad came for Spring Break and while shopping at Aventura, we updated my iPhone up to a 15 Pro! Meaning: Better camera = better shots. So we don’t have to rely just on the camera, we can use my phone!

With the 15 Pro camera I can play with focus depth, swap focal length and get an overall better quality for my shots. This update is an amazing opportunity for easier and better scenes, especially for the ones I have in mind.

Genesis 5:2

 THE CAST

Martina Rodriguez as Luz

In previous posts, I showed my friend Sofi as Luz, but due to medical family issues, there had to be an urgency call. Martina checked all the boxes and let’s not even mention her amazing acting, shown in multiple of our school plays. Martina fits perfectly with the character of Luz and what I had in mind for her.

Having to take Sofi out of the film opening was a tough decision, mainly because we already had shots filmed and we already had established a lot with her. But obstacles always have solutions, and Martina came through to save the day. I’m very excited to work with Martina, with the certainty it’ll turn out great.

Alex Gomez as Joshua

While brainstorming for the character of Joshua, I had a talk with my friend Male whom had already taken the class and is in TV Production. I asked her if she knew a guy who could dance and act (now the film is more about acting than dancing but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯) and the first name that came to her mind was “ALEX GOMEZ!!!!!!!!!!!”. I had met him a while before that but then the night after Male told me about him, I talked to him at our school’s Middle School night, where we exchanged numbers and began talking about the film opening.

Exodus 33:11

CLOSE UPS.

I want to begin my film with a close-up, the first shot that will be seen is a very tight close-up of Luz wiping her tears away after she is done crying. So I decided to do some research on the effects and composition of close-ups. I found this video by Studio Binder that explains really well all composition aspects for close-ups even about camera lenses and how these decisions affect meaning and effect.

The purpose of a close-up is to show emotions and clearly, that is my main effect with the shot I have in mind as teary eyes are shown, symbolizing the character just got done crying about something tragic or sad in her life. The purpose of this shot being the first shot in the entire film is to foreshadow that something negative will happen with Luz as the film progresses as explained through the plot of the film in my blog post Luke 15:7. 

There is one close-up that really inspired me in terms of how close the shot is and the aspect ratio. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris' Little Miss Sunshine uses a close-up as the first shot in their film. It shows Olive Hoover's eyes behind a pair of glasses. This shot is shot in a 2:40:1 aspect ratio which leaves a wide perspective on the character's eyes. This aspect ratio is the one I chose to use in my film. I want to make it feel like there should be space but there really isn't. In the Studio Binder video, it was explained that wider aspect ratios are meant to leave more background space. Even though I will use a wider aspect ratio, I want Luz's eyes to fill up the screen, to convey that there should be space in the shot, there should be space for peace in Luz's life, but there isn't.

In terms of how much of Luz's face will be shown, it'll only be her eyes, to show her private life IS private, she hides what goes on behind closed doors to even her most appreciated people such as Joshua. But then all of a sudden, when she's outside, her full body is shown. This symbolizes she acts a certain way at home and a different way when she's outside with Joshua or anyone else. Her personality changes according to the situation and who she's with.  

2 Samuel 6:15

 Sound List for Luz’s fragment.

1. Hands moving/Rubbing face

2. Sobbing

3. Bed sheets

4. Headphones moving

5. Diegetic music

6. Footsteps

7. Stings/Swells/Rumble

8. Door

9. Leaves rustling

10. Birds chirping

11. Wind

12. Street ambience

13. Small Breaths

14. Humming

Foley Ideas for each

1. Rubbing hands against each other

2. Dialogue/Record in set

3. Rub clothes or bedclothes

4. Move cables against each other/Slightly rusty headphones moving around, kinda cracky sound

5. Editing

6. Shoes that fit the character against desk (for natural reverb)

7. Sound libraries

8. Door (???)

1. According to Instructables, most door foley sounds are just recorded from a door recorded at a closer proximity

9. Moving paper against each other

10. Whistling (Most probably sound library)

11. Blowing/Fan

12. Sound library/Live recording

13. Dialogue/ADR

14. ADR

Foley Artistry for an Action Scene. (n.d.). Instructables. https://www.instructables.com/Foley-Artistry-for-an-Action-Scene/

Acts 2:1

 FIRST FILMING DAY!

We filmed a very small 25-second fragment of the opening but I think it came out very good! Some changes had to be made and we didn't get to film a dialogue part but we will do that next week. We were a little limited on time so I think we might even redo some shots, but overall it came out very good. Next time I'll make sure to bring a bigger speaker so Sofi (The actor for Luz) can follow the music better and with more confidence. The headphones were blocking most of the sound which led her to rely more on cues than on the actual song. 

My back still hurts

  My idea was to overshoot, so I took some shots of Sofi's shoes as she walked from the side. I also took another one from the front but didn't emphasize that one much as it came out a bit rough. I still tried to include it but I think I'll end up removing it. with a different shot. Maybe one that circles around her or tracks her from the front. 

Beatriz was there to help! She helped me with transportation and filming some of the shots. She did an amazing job especially with tracking shots and following cues. 

The Team (Mafe behind the camera)

2 Corinthians 6:2

FILMING!

I am so excited to say today is the first filming day for my film opening. With help from my friend Beatriz whose taking AICE Media A Level, we're gonna record Luz's shot outside of the house, where she dances and finds Joshua across the street. I made a group chat with everyone involved in the film opening, but 2 of them are off to field trips right now, which means I will have to do the rest of filming next week. The good thing is next week I have more time after school to work on it, and so do the people helping me including the actors and production team. 

For today's filming, we're going to film on my friend Mafe's porch (I'll include a picture when I post about today). Beatriz is gonna bring a small microphone to record a small dialogue from Luz and we will use our phones to record. I have a phone camera stand but it'll be mostly tracking Luz as she walks and dances, so I borrowed Mrs. Stoklosa's stabilizer to help with that. 

I chose to film at 6pm because it is close to the sunset with daylight savings. It's not too dark but also not too bright. It also works for everyone due to school hours considering the actress for Luz lives considerably far away. 

I had some issues and questions in terms of sound with this scene. Luz will be dancing along to music, which means she has to listen to the music while filming, but I also need the music somewhere in the background to sync the scene with the song. The problem is I don't want the mic attached to Luz to extract that music and be heard within the dialogue audio. I asked Mrs. Stoklosa about it and she advised me to film the dialogue part first and then record the choreography, they do transition from a mid shot to a close-up which works to film them separately. 

After filming this shot, I want to start researching LUTs for the shot. I do want a softer, kind of pastel feeling to the opening and film overall, so I want to look for LUTs and filters with these characteristics. I am gonna use freshluts.com to look for possible LUTs and get a feeling for the film. Some possible options for the LUT include The Bubble is Pink and YELLOW&PURPLE. But I do want to reflect on these after I film to see if they fit with the scene. Magenta Day 01 also looks good

I will update you on today's success in my next blog post!

Ephesians 5:19

 MUSIC CHANGE

After the group meetings, there were a lot of decisions I made that I started to doubt. Not in a bad way, as these decisions might've been unrealistic and difficult to execute with the resources I have. I decided to change the music, it'll still be original music made by me, but one I've already made. This means the genre will also change, this is actually a positive change. This will fit more with the American setting of the film, if it were set in South America, salsa would be a good choice, but it's set in Florida.

In terms of the song I'll use, I have some choices.

1. A composition I worked on for my French competition. 

After performing this song and winning in the competition, receiving a lot of good comments from my teammates and even the judges, my friends even asked me to make it an actual song and release it. It is a very nostalgic song, it has a soft sound with a simple chord progression. The structure of the song would assist well with the opening shots of the film, especially with Luz's introduction. I can picture her dancing along to the song's instrumental.

2. A song I made last year titled 'Candles'

'Candles' is a grand song, it has big samples and bouncy drums, and it leaves space for choreography. I think it would suppress a lot of the soundscape though. Even though for a musical, the music is essential, I do want the soundscape to still be heard, so the viewer can be immersed in what is happening. This would be a great song if I decide to create a more resolving sense to the opening scene, if not, it wouldn't be a good choice.

3. A song I made last year titled 'EVERYTHING'

This song would work well if I decided to go for a more dreamy style to the scene. I would have to make the colors and the song agree which could work well, it all depends on the final production decisions. This song has a more hip-hop vibe, which allows for more dancing and does leave space for the soundscape, but it sounds a little bit too modern. One of my biggest pet peeves with films is when the music doesn't really correlate with the setting and idea of the film. 'The Great Gatsby' is an incredible film, but I think using music from Kanye West and Jay Z's 'Watch The Throne' and other modern compositions really threw me off, I expected more coherent music with the setting of the film, the 1920's.

The best option from these 3 would definitely be the song I made for my French competition. The song checks every box, it is just the only one that isn't produced, so it brings more work to the table. But it'll most probably end up being the better choice.

Songs of Solomon 1:2-4

 POSSIBLE SCRIPT (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Genesis 22:14

 'LA LA LAND' Script

After the group meetings, I found a lot of different resources that would help me a lot with my production. One resource that really stood out was the script for La La Land, my main inspiration for my film opening. I wanted to analyze one scene to have a sense of direction for my script. which I will be working on next week.

Proverbs 27:6

 GROUP MEETING!

Last class, I met with a couple of classmates to discuss our projects. I would've liked to have a picture with them to include on my post but we forgot to. Everyone in my group had great ideas for their film opening, every single one was different but creative and some were even surprising. A lot of the ideas they had actually inspired a lot of the thinking I'm doing right now. Editing techniques I would've never imagined and story fragments that would flow nicely with my story.

My group had very good advice for the questions I had, they advised me to stay realistic with my locations. To keep it simple and work with what I can not necessarily with what I want. Budget, time, and accessibility are important factors. I had an issue with one scene as I was debating on how to access a certain location I wanted to film in, but my classmates directed me well on making the more accessible decision rather than the one I wanted the most.

Corina was one of my classmates that really helped. Away from being a big part of those who gave me advice for my location issue, her blog had some resources that would really help with the development of my film opening. The script for La La Land and even videos to inspire techniques. Corina's blog had great content and noticing she had similar ideas to mine, her blog has become a great bunch of resources for me to access. 

Matthew 1:1

 Shot list

Luz

1. Close up: Luz’s face , eyes closed, wipes off a single tear running down her cheek. Puts her headphones on.
2. Mid shot: Luz looking down to her phone and playing a song through her headphones, stands up and walks by the camera and leaves the room.
3. Long shot: Luz opens the door and leaves the room. Door on the right third of the shot.
4. Mid shot: Shot from behind Luz, she is walking through her house towards the door, notices a letter on the counter.
5. Tight close up: Shows what the letter is. “Divorce”
6. Long shot: juxtaposing when she left her room, now the door is on the left side of the shot. She leaves the house and a bright light shines on the neighborhood.
7. Mid shot: Now she shows a glad, happy face as she dances along with the music she is listening to.
8. Close up: Luz’s face as she says the line that introduces Joshua.

Joshua

1. Mid shot: Closed door, opens after 2 seconds and shows Joshua leaving the bathroom after he showers. He walks through the hallway into the kitchen and grabs fruit while he reads something on his phone.
2. Close up: Joshua’s face shows he is interested in what he is reading and seems happy about it.
3. OTS: Shows his phone as he reads a devotional by one of his friends. 
4. Mid shot: Shows him walking towards his room, which is right by the bathroom.
5. Mid shot: Focused on book that is on the bed and shows him blurred out in the back. The book reads “Holy Bible”, Joshua puts on his shoes in the back of the shot and walks out.
6. Long shot: Front door of the house from the inside shows him leaving his house.
7. Mid shot: Shows him walking gladly knowing he’ll meet with luz
8. Close up: Joshua’s face as he says the line that introduces Luz.

Jeremiah 29:11

 SCHEDULE

Week Four (2/26-3/3)

- Find locations

- Write score and record

 

Week Five (3/4-3/10)

- Setting up choreography according to score

- Filming (first few shots)

- Start editing and set up LUT

 

Week Six (3/11-3/17)

- Filming (last shots)

- Edit edit edit edit

- Receive feedback

 

Week Seven (3/18-3/24) 

- Finish editing

I want to leave spring break as a time to find out if anything has to be changed and reflect on any decisions that could improve the project.

Luke 15:7

 THE PLOT

Conflicts:

Character vs. Self

• Insecurities

• Doubt

• Guilt

Exposition/Introduction:

The film’s story starts at the beginning of Spring Break with the introduction of Luz, a very enthusiastic and joyful girl who uses music to numb her emotions and the disaster going on in her home and mind. She is shown in her house, a dark, isolated, disorganized place, putting on her headphones and playing the theme track to the film. This brings her peace. She walks out dancing along to the song, and while she walks out, the music calms down and she finds the person who brings her the most joy, Joshua.

Joshua is a calm, loving, and passionate boy. He enjoys music but it is not really his safe space as it is for Luz. He has a very special connection with his parents. He begins his spring break by having a light breakfast with his parents, he talks to them about Luz and about his plans for the week. He leaves the house with a smile on his face and expects to find Luz.

Rising Action:

A couple of days and hangouts into spring break, Joshua notices Luz is kind of unmotivated to have fun, she isn’t as bright as she was before, and her personality is not the fire it was, now it’s just a small spark. He decides to look more into her personal life and be involved, but secretly, to see if he can let her figure out what’s going on and see if she can get to a solution, symbolizing this has probably happened before and he wants her to be more resilient.

Luz is going through a crisis with insecurity and guilt, fueled by her parents’ daily comments and her own mind giving her negative words. Her heart is constantly broken by the terrible view her parents have on her and as she distances more from Joshua, the worse the situation gets, showing how important Joshua is to her. Luz’s situation demands she take some distance from Joshua for some time and think about her current state of mind.

Climax:

Luz cuts communication with Joshua completely, and while this is in between Joshua’s expectations, it scares him. He starts to look for her around the places they normally go to, her house, the park, and even at school, but she’s nowhere to be found. Joshua asks Luz’s parents about where she is but they seem not to care. At this point, Joshua has the police involved.

During the search for Luz, Joshua finds a pattern in the places he looks in. Papers with small haikus lead to a final destination for rest, but it seems like Luz is plotting to disappear from those around her. He ends up finding her deep in the wetlands outside their town. She is deep in tears and lost, when she sees Joshua she doesn’t keep running, but at the sight of him, looks at him in awe and runs to hug him. They end up coming back to the town and the authorities start to research the situation

Falling Action:

After a good amount of research, the authorities find out the reasons for Luz's disappearance and come to the conclusion it was all based on her parents’ mental and verbal abuse. The three start some type of family therapy which after a couple of sessions seems to be working.

In terms of Luz and Joshua’s relationship, they come back to their good terms and promise each other to never leave the other alone. They promise commitment and love in any situation, support, and guidance. The ending shows Luz and Joshua in a deep embrace looking at the place where Joshua found Luz.

Inspirations:

Away from the clear love story and musical inspiration from La La Land, unconditional love is inspired by Song of Songs, one of the poetry books in the Bible. The plot of the story is inspired by Luke 15:1-7, Jesus’ parable of the Lost Sheep, and also Luke 15:11-32, Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. This is a story of redemption and unconditional love, representing Jesus’ love for His love.

Song of Solomon 1 NLT - - Bible Gateway. (n.d.). Www.biblegateway.com. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song%20of%20Solomon%201&version=NLT

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 15 - New Living Translation. (n.d.). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+15&version=NLT

2 Samuel 6:14

 
LOOKING INTO INSPIRATIONS

LA LA LAND's Plot

Aspiring actress Mia Dolan unexpectedly meets confident pianist and jazz fanatic Sebastian Wilder during a traffic jam, where they exchange a rather disrespectful interaction. Mia works at a coffee shop in the Warner Bros Studio backlot while Sebastian goes from gig to gig looking for a steady job, holding his dream to open up his own jazz club. Mia and Sebastian have multiple encounters in different, random places, which they see as a sign they are meant to be. They go on unprepared but intimate dates that allow them to develop a relationship. 

Mia and Sebastian move in together and become a couple, they both support each other with their dreams and help each other to achieve their artistic desires. Sebastian encourages Mia to write her own play after she repeatedly fails to gain a role in any production. Sebastian on the other side joins a contemporary jazz band that fuses his passion with modern rhythms. Mia doesn't know much about Sebastian's job but she keeps supporting him. She ends up going to one of his concerts where she realizes he is drifting away from his dream and his original passion. They end up in a discussion that puts their relationship at stake. 

After staying for a while at her parents' house, Mia receives an unexpected visit from Sebastian where he tells her she has an audition for a role. Excited to revive Mia's passion, Sebastian picks her up early in the morning and takes her to the casting call, where she ends up getting the role. This job, though, ends up taking Mia completely away from Sebastian, to the point she builds a life with another man whom she even has a kid with. Sebastian ends up going back to his original dream of opening his jazz club. Mia and her husband go to LA and accidentally end up at such jazz club, where a montage shows what Mia and Sebastian's life would've been like if they ended up together after Mia got the role, resolving at the jazz club, showing the reality is they both went their own way.

WHY LA LA LAND?

La La Land's story is not my focus of inspiration, but the way it is made, the color schemes that are used, and the techniques included. The musical numbers in La La Land really help pave the way for the story, especially using motifs that flow through the movie and create similar feelings in different films. The development of the song 'Mia and Sebastian's Theme' through the movie, as more instruments are introduced and the louder it gets, helps the story to develop along with it. 

How Damien Chazelle played with color is something I definitely want to include in my film opening. While describing my characters in a previous post, color was something essential for both characters, as they help show contrast in their purposes. Mia and Sebastian wear mostly primary colors through the beginning of the film, but then as their relationship develops, their colors start to combine, going from pure yellow and red to purple and dark blue. This is shown more through the characters' costume design, which will definitely be an important factor in my film opening.

Mise-en-scene is also essential in La La Land, shown in many scenes but mainly in the ones where dancing and singing happen. Usually when musical numbers that only include Mia and Sebastian happen. The 'Dancing in the Stars' scene is a great example of this. How it all foreshadows 'City of Stars', a song that strengthens their bond, and shows their relationship revealed in their intimate dancing. Another scene that stands out is the scene on the hill, where they look over LA and have their first dance together.

I want mise-en-scene elements in my film opening to help develop more context and tone than the setting. I want the background of my shots to show the emotions the character might be feeling and use it to combine the two characters' personalities. Using elements such as props, costume design, lighting, and location.

The dances, except for the opening number, are a big inspiration for my film opening's choreography. Having 2 main characters that are involved in a romantic relationship allows partner dances to occur. The techniques used in shooting these dances are some I also want to use in my film opening. Take as an example 'A Lovely Night' which is the scene on the hill with the view over LA. It's a long master shot that follows the two characters around as they dance, sometimes the camera stays still but the shot remains interesting due to the ongoing movement from the dancing. This is a technique I want to include in my film, to make the dancing the emphasis of the shot by letting that create movement.

There is a very quick scene in this movie that is a signature Damien Chazelle technique. The Whip Pan Shot. I want to try and include this in my film opening, maybe even try and make that the first thing that is seen in it. It's aggressive and quick, but satisfying, especially if it syncs with the music. The shot creates a sense of coherence and relationship between the two characters being shown, and I want to convey that same feeling in my film opening, developing context and a relationship between the two main characters.

After rewatching this film, I realized how much it works as an inspiration for my film opening. From its genre to its mise-en-scene elements, the shot and movement techniques used, and even the sound of the music. Damien Chazelle has an amazing style, Whiplash is another film that I love and also works as a secondary inspiration for my film opening. 

Chazelle, D., Chazelle, D., Gosling, R., Stone, E., DeWitt, R., & Simmons, J. K. (2016, December 7). La La Land. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3783958/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1