Progress February 2024

 February is coming to its end, and I would like to share my progress so far. During this month, we made sure to advance with the Pre-production so we are able to start filming during the next months. We mainly focused in creating characters and coming together to create a plot for our film. After giving life to our characters and deciding the plot, we moved on onto the casting phase, which was a complicated process, but we were able to find the right people to represent the characters.

Casting

 Casting is the process of selecting actors to portray characters in a film, television show, play, or other performance. It's a crucial step in the production process, as the actors chosen can greatly influence the success and reception of the project. My team as the casting directors are responsible for finding and auditioning actors. We are planning to cast our classmates to find the perfect fit to bring our characters to life!

Casting decisions can have a significant impact on the overall tone and direction of a project, so it's important that we find the right actors who can bring the our characters to life in an authentic way. Successful casting can elevate a production and resonate with audiences, while poor casting choices can detract from the storytelling and audience engagement. 

Connotation

 Today in class we learned about connotation. Connotation is a fundamental aspect of language that goes beyond the literal meaning of the words. It refers to the set of associations, emotions and implications that a word carries, that may vary depending on context, culture, and personal experiences. Understanding connotation is crucial when creating our script since it influences how words are interpreted and the impact they have on the audience.

Connotation adds depth to language, allowing people to convey shades of meaning beyond the explicit definition of a word. An example of this is the word "home." On a surface, it simply refers to a place where someone lives. However, its connotation evoke feelings of comfort, safety, and warmth. Connotations can be categorized into positive, negative, or neutral. Positive connotations evoke positive emotions or associations, such as "generous," or "success." Negative connotations, on the other hand, evoke unfavorable feelings, like "failure," or "misery." Neutral connotations lack strong emotional tone and are objective, such as  "book," or "chair."

Moreover, connotations are not limited to individual words but can also extend to phrases, symbols, and even nonverbal cues. For instance, the phrase "silver lining" carries positive connotations of finding hope in difficult situations, while symbols like a dove may connote peace or purity. Nonverbal cues, such as body language or tone of voice, can also convey connotations that complement or contradict verbal communication.

Connotations are also influenced by personal experiences and associations. A word that may have neutral connotations for one person may evoke strong emotions or memories for another based on their life experiences. For example, the word "cat" may carry positive connotations for someone who grew up with beloved family pets but negative connotations for someone who has had traumatic experiences with cats.

However, the use of connotations is not always straightforward and can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Different individuals may have different associations with the same word, leading to  confusion. Connotations can also be subtle and subconscious, making it challenging to control how they are perceived by others.

In conclusion, connotation plays a vital role in language and communication, adding layers of meaning and emotional resonance to words and phrases. By understanding the connotations of words and how they differ across contexts and people can communicate more effectively and evoke the right emotions through our script. 

Pre-production.

 Pretty girlz kill concept is solidified! Now the pre-production phase begins, my teammates and I now have to proceed to one of the most difficult part of production where we have to plan every aspect of the production. This includes casting our actors, deciding our filming locations, designing the sets and costumes, and creating storyboards to visualize scenes. We plan to use StudioBinder to facilitate this process, and to storyboard, plan shots, and manage production schedules more efficiently.

Plot

 What was meant to be an enjoyable evening of laughter and fun at the school dance turned into a tragic night, a student was brutally murdered in the school bathroom. After the incident everyone in town was in a wave of shock and mourning but for Layla, Mia, and Lauren something was ignited inside them by this tragedy, they were devoted to uncovering the murderer and bringing a stop to the spread of Lauderhill Killings by bringing them to justice by themselves even if they don’t completely trust each other after the incident.

Characters

 The genre and title are already decided! Now we have to bring the characters to life. Everyone wanted to participate in the filming, so we assigned a character to each of us, and gave characteristics and decided the personalities of our characters. 

The first and one of the main characters is Layla Smith, interpreted by Jazmin Hill. Layla would be considered the stereotypical class president. Standard goodie-two-shoes, but she opposed bending the rules to get what she wants. Determined but nosy which makes her the main detective of the story, which also leads to her having suspicions on everyone. 

The second character is also a protagonist, and is Mia Monroe, played by Chnicsha Ross. Mia is the more bubbly one out of the group. She makes corny jokes but still makes people laugh. Can be a bit clumsy and ditzy at times. Very outspoken; she is very engaged with other people outside her friend group. She could be popular but just isn’t.

Then there is the character played by me, Lauren Grace. Lauren is on the more introverted and shy side, but not too closed off. When needed she can get rowdy. Has a great head on her shoulders and is very rational. Even though Mia’s the funny one, Lauren is low-key funny without trying and when around people whom she is comfortable with. And is a nice person all around.

Our antagonist, Bailey Baker, is played by Kenya Foster. Bailey is a very stereotypical popular cheerleader who is for the most part a social butterfly, is nice to who she likes but for the most part is very snarky. Keeps her main life private, but what people would describe her as is you either hate her or you love her.

And finally Patricia Dunn, a side character played by our classmate Isabella. Patricia wasn’t really a part of the school, she was new, but was described as a wonderful person, sadly her story ended.