AICE Media Studies

Hello guys, I'm back! Making a short film in high school is already tough, but when you’re working on a tight deadline and actors start dropping out, it gets even harder. Our original script had more characters, but two of our actors couldn’t make it to the shoot, and we didn’t have time to find replacements. At first, it felt like everything was falling apart because those characters were crucial. Instead of panicking, we had to think quickly and adjust the script for a smaller cast. We identified which parts of their roles were essential and figured out how to combine them into the remaining characters. Surprisingly, this actually made the story more focused and helped us cut out unnecessary details. With fewer characters, filming became simpler, and the schedule wasn’t as stressful. Plus, we found that a smaller cast allowed for better performances, as we could dedicate more time to each scene. These changes ended up strengthening the film, even though we initially thought they’...

  Today, while filming, we had to make many cuts and take numerous breaks, but it definitely came at the cost of our own personalities. As we worked together, I noticed that we joked around a lot and struggled to stay serious during filming. However, we still had time to make suggestions and correct our work, even though it took several takes. In our final scenes, we had to redo certain shots repeatedly because we kept breaking character. There were times when we all gave up on a scene, but after editing, you might catch a glimpse of one of us looking away to smile or laugh. It kind of reminded me of the acting on Saturday Night Live —the sketches are so funny, and the actors often can’t stay serious. I think this will actually make the scenes feel more natural and fun, like you’re watching a real group hangout. Another thing we tried was filming in one continuous take, since we were staying in one room for most of the film. However, we found it a bit harder than expected, as we ...

Welcome back to my blog! Filmmaking is all about planning, but sometimes things don’t go as expected, and you just have to adapt. One of the biggest challenges we faced during production was scheduling—everyone’s availability was all over the place, and we realized we only had one full day where the entire cast and crew could be together. That meant we had to film almost the entire movie in just one day. At first, it felt impossible, but instead of stressing, we got organized and came up with a game plan. We mapped out the most efficient way to shoot each scene, making sure we weren’t wasting time moving between locations. It was a long day, but we kept the energy up and worked as a team to keep things moving forward. There were definitely moments when we felt rushed, but we stayed focused and made sure each scene was done right. Even with the time crunch, we still paid close attention to details like lighting, camera angles, and performances. Everyone gave their best effort, and someh...

Hey guys! I’m here to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the props and dress code we used while filming. During pre-filming, we often rearranged objects to fit the scene better. Luckily, we filmed in a spacious area—Callie’s living room—which already had plenty of blankets scattered around. These could easily be moved around for various scenes. As for the dress code, since we were filming right after school, most of us just carried our pajamas with us and changed later. There weren’t any specific color requirements, so the outfits looked more natural. For props, we used a candle to create an ominous atmosphere and to add a bit of flickering light to the scene. It helped shift the mood just right. To make it feel more like a typical slumber party, we also used a deck of Uno cards, showing that we were just hanging out and playing games. Natalie even made a tarot card deck for a specific scene that was part of the script. When it came to more sensitive props, we had a bottle of pills f...

For the editing of this project, Nijah is conducting it. All the group members explained their ideas of how they'd like the video to look. Nijah hopes she can execute everything they want to include to make it a perfect thriller/horror film. The shots that they took during filming were perfect to edit and make smooth transitions between the different scenes. While filming, the group also recorded diegetic sounds that would be edited into the film to create a more eerie sense. Such as a creaking door, or a loud bang on the floor. These sounds contribute to a perfect film. The group discussed the atmosphere they wanted to create, and Nijah was determined to bring those ideas to life through editing. Nijah carefully selected each shot to ensure that the pacing of the film remained intense and suspenseful. Every transition between scenes was carefully planned, with the goal of maintaining tension throughout. The diegetic sounds added an extra layer of realism, pulling the audience into...

For our film, we carefully chose the location, and we decided on Callie's house. The decision process involved several discussions about each of our living situations and what would be most convenient for everyone. Since we all attend Fort Lauderdale High School, it made sense to pick a location that was closest to the school to save time and make it easier for everyone to get there. We started by ruling out my house because I live in Hollywood, which is much farther from the school than the other options. Then we considered Natalie and Janiah’s houses, but they both live in different areas as well—Natalie in Plantation and Janiah in Pompano. Both of these locations would also have been too far for our group, so they were quickly taken off the list. With these options eliminated, we looked at Callie's house, which is conveniently located near the school. Callie’s family was also very accommodating, as they didn’t mind us filming there, making it the perfect choice for our group...