Production: Day 1 Filming Behind the Scenes

 After school we decided to go get one of our favorite foods to start off our 1st day filming good. We all got chicken tenders and fries from a place called Heuy Magoos. Once we were done eating, we began Filiming. We started off with the arguing scene between “Jae” and the side girlfriend while our main character “Sabrina” was changing. We got quite a lot of scenes done this day and went home right after.

Production: Cast and Crew

Before this whole journey, I barely knew any of these individuals. But overtime we got closer and became almost like family. In the video below I share fun moments we had together. I hope you enjoy.

Production: Location, Location, Location

We chose Piper High School as the set for our film because it offered a sense of familiarity and comfort for everyone involved, as we are all students ourselves. Being able to film in a setting we know well allowed us to authentically capture the essence of high school life, from the bustling hallways to the intimate moments shared between classmates. With Piper High School as our backdrop, we were able to infuse our production with genuine emotion and relatable experiences, creating a film that resonates with audiences on a personal level.

Pre-Production: Script

On February 26th, we took a significant step forward in our creative process by focusing on writing and discussing our script and dialogue. With a shared vision for our film, we began the task of translating our ideas into compelling storytelling and authentic character conversations. Through collaborative discussions and brainstorming sessions, we carefully crafted each scene to drive the plot forward and deepen our characters' development. With our collective creativity and passion, we worked to capture the heart of our story, aiming to make it resonate authentically with our audience. This stage marked an important milestone in our filmmaking journey, paving the way for the realization of our cinematic vision.

 Script

Walking to class on her phone carrying books

*Toxic gf and side piece arguing*

Sitting in class zoned out (background talking muffled)(looks stressed)

*phone buzzes* (mom texting her about grades)

Bell rings

Walks up to her friend (conversates)

Phone rings (toxic gf-Jae)*looks flustered*

Friend: “why is she calling you? “

Sabrina: “what do you mean?”

Friend: “She’s not good for you?”

Sabrina: *rolls her eyes and answers the phone*

*arguing*

*hangs up wipes her tears in the mirror*

*friend walks in*

Associate: “girl did hear that couple arguing this morning?”

Sabrina: “no, who?”

Associate: “I think her name is Jae or sum. I don’t know the other girl”

*voices in head: “wait my Jae? My gf”

Sabrina: “I gotta go” *looks more sad and confused*

*walks out bathroom and bumps into Jae*

Jae: “u good bae?”

Sabrina: “not right now. Leave me alone.” *tries to walk away with tears in her eyes*

Jae: *tries I don’t to pull her* “stop what are you doing?”

Tray: Bruh she said leave her alone *pushes jae*

Jae: this ain’t got nun to do with you. Back up

Tray: *yells* BRO MOVE THE FREAK BACK! you’ve done enough bs for today

*jae walks away*

Diamond: “come here” *hugs sabrina*

*sabrina sobs*

~Fast forward~

Jae: “what are you talking about? I seen people posting you and this guys on their story. Like wassup?.”

Sabrina: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN?”

Sabrina: “Why are you worried about what other people are posting? I already told you what it is”

Jae: “I’m so confused! Like… I knew you wasn’t gay for real.”

Jae: “I DONT CARE. You can’t be like that”

Sabrina: “Your just yapping. I’m even more confused”

Jae: “ight bruh. It’s good. I gotchu”

*hangs up*

Pre-Production: Storyboards

In the following class session, our focus shifted towards the practical aspect of visualizing our film as we transitioned into creating storyboards following the completion of our shot list. With clear directions provided, we embarked on the task of planning each scene meticulously, documenting crucial visual elements such as description, camerawork (shot size, framing, angle), camera movement, composition, lighting, and editing. Additionally, we were tasked with describing the sound design for the film, including dialogue, sound effects, and music score. Armed with 3-4 storyboard templates from class, we began the process of translating our ideas into visual narratives, ensuring that each storyboard clearly depicted the progression of our film while adhering to the outlined directions. Through this hands-on exercise, we gained invaluable insights into the practicalities of filmmaking, laying the groundwork for the realization of our cinematic vision.

Pre-Production: Save the Cat Beat Structure and Exposition of Film

On February 15th, our group progressed to exploring the Save the Cat Beat Sheet Narrative Structure and delving into the exposition of our film. With a focus on crafting a compelling narrative arc, we embarked on a detailed examination of the key beats outlined in the Save the Cat methodology. This framework provided us with invaluable guidance in structuring our story, ensuring that each plot point resonated with emotional depth and narrative cohesion. Additionally, we delved into the intricacies of exposition, meticulously considering elements such as mise en scene, dialogue, narration, and flashback to effectively convey essential information to the audience while maintaining engagement and immersion. Through collaborative brainstorming and creative exploration, we laid the groundwork for a captivating and immersive cinematic experience

Save the Cat Beat Sheet Narrative Structure
Define each beat by describing the plot points of the film opening.
Beat 1: The Opening Image		Protagonist in the clinic
Beat 2: Theme-stated		Nurse talks to protagnist about consistenly getting in trouble
Beat 3: Set-Up		Nurse note showcasing protagonist’s name
The Hook		Antagonist beats him up again
Exposition
Indicate the exposition techniques you will be using to convey the background story of the world of the film and describe how they will be used. E.g., Narration: John will do a voiceover of who he is and a description of the world he lives.
Mise en scene
Pan	Showcases setting and main character
Narration	Tyler does a voiceover of what’s been happening to him at his new school
Zoom Out	Showcases protagonist & antagonist

Pre-Production: Defining the Setting

 Following our detailed character development session, our group shifted focus to defining the settings of key scenes within our film during the subsequent class period. Recognizing the pivotal role of setting in shaping the tone, atmosphere, and narrative trajectory, we engaged in collaborative discussions to pinpoint the locations that would best serve our storyline. Through thoughtful consideration of factors such as time period, geographical context, and cultural nuances, we meticulously crafted immersive settings that would enhance the authenticity and impact of our film. This exploration of setting provided a solid foundation for our storytelling process, laying the groundwork for evocative and compelling cinematic experiences.

Location (Where?)	Time Period	Landscape (Indoor/outdoor)	Tone		Social Economical Status, governing principles of the place and culture
High school in Miami, Florida	Present day	Indoor (school hallways, classrooms, bedrooms, bathroom)	Emotional, introspective, with moments of tension and drama		The high school setting reflects the social dynamics and pressures faced by teenagers, including academic expectations, peer relationships, and cultural influences.
Number of Locations	Location	Landscape (Indoor/outdoor)	Time of Day	Tone	Lighting Source
6	High school & Bedrooms	Indoor	Afternoon	Emotional	Dark and gloomy

Pre-Production: Defining Characters

After establishing the crucial elements of a logline for our film project, our group delved into defining key aspects of each character, ensuring depth and authenticity in their portrayal. Through meticulous discussion and brainstorming sessions, we meticulously crafted nuanced profiles for each character, encompassing vital details such as age, gender, class, social status, ethnicity, sexuality, regional identity, abilities, appearances, lifestyle interests or preferences, political values, and professions. This comprehensive exploration enabled us to breathe life into our characters, enriching their backgrounds and motivations while ensuring they resonated authentically within the context of our narrative.

Defining your Character

Age 16	Gender Female	Ethnicity Black/Africa American	Sexuality Bisexuality
Identity or title: High school studen	Class and social status: Middle-Class High School Studen	Abilities: academic skills, creativity, communication skills, emotional maturity, and resilienc	lifestyle interests: she enjoys photography and music which calms he

Moral Values: Loyalty, honesty, compassion, integrity, and resilience

Struggles: academic pressure, relationship conflict, self-discovery, friendship dynamics, and coping with betrayal

Costume: Baggy Clothes

Frizzy hair Natural Makeups

Props: milkshake, phone

Pink and black are 2 colors used to describe our character

Supporting Character
Jae Age:16 Gender: Female Ethnicity: African American Middle-class Sexuality: Lesbian ·       Tall ·      Brownskin ·       Curly hair · Smiley ·  Judgemental · Upset · Unserious ·Playful ·Disloyal · No makeup · Messy bun Tray Age:16 Gender: Male Ethnicity: African American Middle-class Sexuality: straight · Tall · Brownskin ·  High taper ·   Athletic ·  Serious · Upset

Pre-Production: Developing Film

An important part of developing a film is creating a logline, which was our next step.

Developing a Film
Creating a logline
Protagonist	Inciting incident	Protagonist's goal:	Central conflict:
Sabrina	ae, commits a hurtful act out of jealousy	Sabrina seeks to navigate her relationship struggles and academic pressures while finding solace in her friendship with Tray	Sabrina must confront the betrayal caused by Jae's jealousy and reconcile her feelings while maintaining her resilience.
Define the logline for your film. Ideas should be clear, concise, and enticing.
Logline: A struggling high school student in Miami must navigate her tumultuous relationship with her girlfriend while finding solace in her childhood friend, until jealousy leads to betrayal and challenges her resilience.
In the vibrant corridors of a Miami high school, Sabrina, a troubled student, grapples with the complexities of her tumultuous relationship with Jae, her girlfriend. Seeking solace, she confides in Tray, her steadfast childhood friend, amidst the swirling drama. As the anticipation of the school dance mounts, tensions simmer, eventually boiling over into a startling betrayal that tests Sabrina's resilience. Against the backdrop of pulsating beats and hushed conversations, Sabrina finds herself engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions in this emotionally charged romantic drama. The palpable tension is only heightened by the flickering lights and murmured voices, as Sabrina confronts the harsh realities of love and loyalty. Amidst the chaos, she must navigate the delicate balance between her heart's desires and the sobering truths of her relationships, leading to a compelling journey of self-discovery and growth.