I took out many shots while filming the final film as I realized that I would go over the two minute limit with my original script and that it was a bit boring. Instead of having a full sequence of me toasting a bagel for breakfast, I decided to overlay the sound of the toaster oven toasting my bagel then showing the toasted bagel to save time. This also applied to the choice of discarding the shot of me eating the bagel and replacing it with a shot of the clock and the sound of me taking a bite of it. I liked this idea over the previous as it was a little less conventional, and it also gave the feeling that time was blending together as the sounds of my daily routines mixed with the image of another.

I filmed my final product in the span of one day from the time I woke up to the time I went to bed. I was struggling to position the camera in a way that would be interesting or add meaning to the plot since I had to act as the main subject of the film. Because of this, the camera remained stationary for most of the shots with little camera movement throughout the film. Another challenge was figuring out how to implement the journal in a way that comprehensively carried the dialogue in a timely manner. Originally I wanted the journal shots to be that of me writing the journal entry down in real time, but positioning the camera was very difficult and while editing I realized it would make the film way too long. I compromised by taking still shots individual chunks of the entry and then dispersing them throughout the film.

ANOTHER DAY

WRITTEN BY

JENNIFER HUYNH

AICE MEDIA STUDIES

2020

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

Jenn opens a green book and pauses before she begins to write about her day.

JENN (in text)

It’s been a while since I wrote.

Things are different now…

People aren’t really living anymore.

INT. BEDROOM – MORNING

Jenn wakes up and checks her phone. She sighs and lays in bed for a few more seconds before getting up.

JENN (in text)

I missed class again today.

But instead of missing my bus,

I missed a video call.

INT. BATHROOM

Jenn showers as a faint ticking plays in the background. She toasts a bagel and checks the clock it’s almost 3 pm.

JENN (in text)

I guess I should clarify what I meant when I said

that people aren’t “living.”

It just feels like someone

hit the pause button on the world.

INT BEDROOM

Jenn sits at her desk turning on her computer. She grabs a green box of incense and lights a stick. She begins working.

JENN (in text)

I miss my friends, 

I miss getting ready in the morning

I miss working, I miss going to the beach,

I miss a lot. Lost a lot too.

Time, promises, identity…

INT BEDROOM – NIGHT

Jenn watches the final scene of a movie. When it finishes, she yawns and shuts off her computer and gets ready for bed.

JENN (in text)

But everyone I love is safe and healthy.

That’s all I can ask for.

I hope this ends soon for everyone’s sake.

Jenn finishes getting ready for bed and pauses looking at the mirror. She turns to her bookshelf and grabs a green book.

JENN (in text)

When this is all over,

I won’t hesitate to live anymore.

Jenn finishes writing down her sentence and shortly after she shuts the book and turns off the light.

CUT TO BLACK

ANOTHER DAY

WRITTEN BY

JENNIFER HUYNH

AICE MEDIA STUDIES

2020

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

Jenn opens a green book labelled “journal” and pauses before she begins to write about her day.

JENN (in text)

It’s been a while since I wrote.

Things are different now…

People aren’t really living anymore.

INT. BEDROOM – MORNING

Jenn wakes up and checks her phone. It’s 2 pm. She sighs and lays in bed for a few more seconds before getting up.

JENN (in text)

I missed class again today.

But instead of missing my bus,

I missed a video call.

INT. BATHROOM

Jenn brushes her teeth as she showers

JENN (in text)

I guess I should clarify what I meant when I said

that people aren’t “living.”

It just feels like someone

hit the pause button on the world.

INT KITCHEN

Jenn scrapes cream cheese onto her bagel and takes a few bites. She brings her afternoon breakfast into her room and sits at her desk turning on her computer. She grabs a green box of incense and lights a stick. She begins working.

JENN (in text)

I miss my friends, 

I miss getting ready in the morning

I miss working, I miss going to the beach,

I miss a lot. Lost a lot too.

Time, promises, identity…

INT BEDROOM – NIGHT

Jenn watches the final scene of a movie. When it finishes, she yawns and shuts off her computer and gets ready for bed.

JENN (in text)

But everyone I love is safe and healthy.

That’s all I can ask for.

I hope this ends soon for everyone’s sake.

Jenn finishes getting ready for bed and pauses looking at the mirror. She turns to her bookshelf and grabs a book labelled “journal” and sits down at her desk.

JENN (in text)

When this is all over,

I’m going to live ferociously.

Jenn finishes writing down her sentence and shortly after she shuts the book and turns off the light.

CUT TO BLACK

Color in Quarantine

In my film I decided to use the color green as an accent color throughout the scene. Green is the color of healing, safety and strength. In my script, I write into a journal about how the world has changed, but I also write about hope and the positives of the situation. I chose the color green to help stimulate a sense of change with the shift in society as well as my attitude on how I should live life. The color green will be seen in the journal (cover) that I write in as well as the plants on my windowsill.

I had to scrap my previous film due to Covid-19 as it has kept me from meeting with my actors to film. Instead, we are now working on documenting or creating a story of our lives under quarantine. Many of my classmates now have to work alone. I don’t see any issues working independently as I’m used to it, but it will be much more difficult for me to remain on task in working on my film. I could easily see myself put off filming until the deadline is really close, and that can affect the overall quality of my work.

I ordered a tripod for my phone in order to film. I also finished revising my script to it’s final form. I’m planning on checking out some film equipment over spring break such as a microphone and some lights. I also ordered the props I needed for my film, but they have yet to arrive. I’ve found another potential actor to play Martin in case the original actor is no longer available. As of now, Camille is set to be played by me.

I have barely worked on my video since I turned in my story board. Some personal conflict with my actors have lead to a halt in productivity as well as scheduling issues. I plan to use spring break as my main filming time. Martin’s actor is starting to get cold feet and I’m afraid I may have to find another actor. Due to my work schedule, I haven’t been able to have a free day to film. I’m starting to get worried about the deadline, but I believe I can pull through.

Since the last time I worked with my actors in this film, one of them canceled due to scheduling issues. I have to find a new actor to play Camille. This does not stress me much because if worst comes to worst I’ll be able to play her myself. The original Camille was not able to play the role anymore as she had to take on more hours at work. I was anticipating these issues as I knew working alone and relying on external friends to act would be much less convenient. I still need to rewrite my script into a finished version, and as we shoot I’ll have to change up the script according to what feels comfortable to me and ‘Martin’