I'm Back in School + Making A New Blog

Well, my whole high school career has gone by uncomfortably fast, and now I'm a senior. I'm just going to make this short: for senior year, I'm going to be using a new blog. I plan to do as much film work as possible this year, especially outside of eComm. So I'm leaving the older stuff that I'm not too proud of behind, and embracing the now and future. I'm linking the new blog to my website, so clients and people can see my newer stuff. I don't think I'll take this blog down yet, so unless you remember this link, you likely won't be able to find it anymore. This isn't a goodbye, just more of a "see you later." My new website is called Ariel Seemann's Productions. The link is here. Here's what it looks like:

All I've done so far is create it, changed the colors, and changed the picture to one of my own. I'm going to go work on it now. Well, so long to this domain. Time to go places.

Small Summer Update

I'll make it quick:

-It's July, I still haven't done most of the things I said I would do in my last updates post. I guess while I'm on though, I'll make a few edits to the website to make it more professional and readable.

-I've been really busy this summer. I've had concerts, college visits, family trips, AP summer homework, ACT Prep, and I recently got a job. I planned to do some filming late July, but that's coming up quickly and I haven't done any pre-production work besides the script (and if I'm being honest with myself, I don't really like the script I wrote anymore). So I regret to inform you that the short film I planned is postponed until further notice. I think since this is my first time organizing my own idea into a film that I probably want to start something on a much smaller scale, kind of like the self-portrait I made. Something simple that won't take a lot of time or people to put together. Maybe I'll revise my script and film it in the fall, ironically when I have less time but am more focused.

-School starts back August 17 (I think).

That's all I can think to say right now, the heat is getting to my head. Be back on when my senior year starts!

The Hidden Premiered

Well, the title pretty much explains most of it. After months of work, arguments and compromises over the story, tons of caffeine, pop tarts for breakfast on set, seemingly endless film days, and sleep deprived editors, we showed off our finished, polished movie on the big screen. It was an emotional moment for us, letting outsiders see our baby and applaud it. My contribution to the film was as a writer and art director, so here's a little reflection on it.

As A Writer

Well, the first job I had in The Hidden was as a screenwriter. We discussed the story, and split it up so we each had a part to write. I had the first part of the 3rd act. We spent a lot of time with the script, and read and revised it both privately and with the class to see what they thought. And after that, we all met together and revised it vigorously to make the script you all know and love (well, probably not yet). For that job, I was really in my writing element, so I enjoyed it a lot. One thing I need to work on like I do with all my writing: revising. Usually I would leave it alone for a long time, then go back and change everything I no longer like. But we were a little rushed for time, like we were for the whole film. It was hard to figure out what elements of the writing were good, and what needed changing.

As An Art Director

Everybody had to apply for a production role. I didn't really feel too strongly for any production role at first, but I applied to be Art Director, citing my work in Sentio. Well, I ended up with the role, and I quickly began studying what to do with the script. I think the first thing I did as Art Director was during the end of Pre-Production: making a prop list. I read the whole script a few times, and wrote down whatever items I noticed were being used. I got everything one filming day at a time, and usually showed up with everything we needed. For some of the props, I asked around the classroom if anyone could get this or that. Occasionally, I had something at home I could use. As a sort of last resort, I bought some props at the dollar store.

The first day on set, Señor Director Brady Stanfield told me I was in charge decorating the set, taking pictures to keep the continuity of the set, and a magical thing called resetting (the art of running into a room to reset all the props into their original place at the beginning of the shot). I took resetting to heart. The word "Reset" became a mantra, a spell, a calling. Anybody could say it, and thump thump thump...boom! I burst into the room and frantically start moving things. As we all got closer as friends as the film progressed, it became an inside joke. Recently, I was awarded with the Reset Award for my contribution to the film.

At times though, I got a little lazy, and a little too careless with props. Twice, we had to get a prop or two by leaving set. For the most part though, I had everything. Especially when we were nearing the end of filming, I got pretty lazy for the film in general, and doing anything on set. So that's definitely something to improve for next year's film.

In Conclusion

I'm really proud of working on my very first feature film. There was a lot that I could've done better, but it was still a great step to take. I'll keep this all in mind for next year's film. I will be working on this blog as well as another project over the summer, when I have more free time. Until then, see you guys!

Sort of Life-Changing Analysis of a No Film School Article

So as a little assignment, we're looking at a popular filmmaking site, finding an article that pertains to our specific interest in film, and blogging about it. While I'm still trying to figure out where I fall specifically as a filmmaker, I've always liked writing, and I've written parts of the script for The Hidden and some short films. So I guess I'm more of a screenwriter than every other role.

Anyway, the article I'm referring to is here. I was a little taken aback by the title. I had always thought of screenwriting as a type of structured writing, instead of a liberal prose like any other work of fiction. This really opened my eyes to what makes great screenwriting, well, great.

You don't have to completely confine your script to exactly just what's on the camera. If the plot calls for it, you're allowed to use descriptive and figurative language in the action lines. In fact, it can strengthen the really impactful parts in the story, eg. the huge eyes-pop-from-the-skull plot twists, the protagonist thinks they've saved the day but, unbeknownst to them and the audience, they only made things worse, a sudden unexpected change in mood that, if done well, the audience will the think the temperature in the theater dropped.

Being descriptive can also really guide the actors specifically to create the mood of the film. So, instead of writing "Ben looked at Sarah," it's more specific to write "Ben peered into Sarah's eyes, trying to see if she actually had a soul after that horrid statement." It can really tell a lot about the characters your actors are portraying outside of dialogue.

With everything though, you can overdo it. You don't need it when the story won't benefit from descriptive script writing, like describing a camera movement or characters having a simple conversation during the exposition. It slows the pace of already slow-paced scenes, and portraying them as significant will bore your audience to death.

Before you write your script, you should know the story inside and out, forwards and backwards, everything stated and unstated, and how all these little points connect into your film. So, like I said earlier, save the big words and metaphors for the hugely impactful, hair pulling, nail biting, parts in your story. Think of a script as a film on paper (which is basically what it is). What parts do you want your audience gasp or cry or scream like they would if they were reading your film as a book? Then, buckle up and stretch your fingers, and write a jaw-dropping script.

Where Have I Been? + Changes Coming Soon to This Blog

First post of 2018! In May...

Hello again readers! I've expected to write another blog post sooner, but if you've followed, you know that I've been working on my first feature film, "The Hidden," over these past few months. Well now, we are done with Production, and the editors are working hard and overtime in Post to finish it for the premiere. That means I have some free time to work on other things.

First of all, Mrs. Smith informed us all about creating a portfolio. Not a blog, but a website specifically for showing off our best work, specifically for the senior show. I'll still keep this blog up, and probably link to it, but just to tell you, that's coming up. (Future Ariel: This is my website).

While looking for videos to put in my portfolio, I realized something: I can do A LOT better than that. Recently, I've had a burst of creative energy which resulted in a new scripts. Plus some scripts I've written and pitched, but they didn't get anywhere past that. I'll make a few revisions and get a crew together. Altogether: 2-3 short film ideas. Originally, I didn't think I could work outside of class because I couldn't get a crew together, but dumbly enough, I just realized I'm in a whole classroom full of filmmakers. I probably don't need a huge crew for a few short films, and there's plenty of sources to find actors. So after The Hidden and during summer, I'll be busy working on short films.

Another thing: change up the layout and coloring of this blog, because it's always nice to improve your design skills and change up your blog a bit. I don't think this layout has changed in... 2 years probably? Yeah.

Well, that's basically it. Also "The Hidden" premieres on May 9th at a local theater. I'll write about that, probably as part of my reflection. School's out in a few weeks, so yeah. I'll keep it in mind to update over the summer about short film filming, so until then, see ya next time!