We Have a Storyline and a Plan!!!

So I have spent the week brainstorming. All sorts of ideas that I could follow to open my adventure film have been looked at. So the first step of brainstorming (and probably the funnest) was looking into movie openings and the endless objectives one can accomplish in simply the opening. After sifting through about 2000000 objectives I came down to the decision that I want to use my 2 minutes of film opening building my character. Considering my genre is adventure and since the characteristics associated with character development were already researched in my previous post, I thought this was the best way to commence my film. I watched a couple videos, the best being below, that gave me insight and tricks to really develop a character in the mere opening of a film. The video addressed aspects such as camera movement, shots, challenges, dialogue, and other various techniques that have clarified what I have to do to build a strong character.

As I watched the videos having to do with introductions in film and what not, I drifted. Yes I did, and its only reasonable because, well you know, YouTube can possess its viewers into losing track of time and staring into a screen. However, it turned out oddly beneficial. I ran into the same YouTuber from the video above but it was about the best long taste ever filmed. As I watch the video I was attracted to the feel, texture, and content that a long shot is able to provide. So thanks to this video I got the idea of approaching my film opening through a long take to really provide the short amount of time with the most information possible. Take a look at some of this extraordinary master shots and enjoy CineFix's awesome and extremely up-to-date YouTube channel. Similar to the previous video, CineFix provide in depth information on how these takes were done and how they provide the scene with tons of elements such as movement, mise-en-scene, establishing setting and situation, and the list goes. 

So now for the fun part, the STORYLINE. So the scene will start off with a mother reading an adventure novel to a young boy (between the ages of 10-12) that seems to have fallen asleep. Little importance is given to the woman but as the camera inches backwards and pans we understand the love for adventure evident through the posters and props. The boy looks over his shoulder and to check if lights are out and then grabs the controller to press play on the DVD player. A movie begins to play and we can see it is Indian Jones. The boy then gets up, without his face being revealed yet, and walks out of the room slowly inching through a series of "challenges" to get to the kitchen for his midnight snack. As he's on his own journey he passes by his mothers room and overhears a conversation between his mom and someone on the phone. The dialogue reveals that she is a treasure hunter but the boy doesn't pay to much attention to it. He continues through the series of "challenges" and finally makes it to the kitchen. As he reaches into the fridge, the lights turn on and his mother is there. She tells him he's got a lot to learn and its time. The boys face is finally revealed and seems eager to learn. 

I'm looking to have an environment that is clearly present day (by the appliances and home arrangement) but there is a clear love for history and its treasures. As the young boy faces his "challenges" on his journey to the kitchen there will be props spread out that hint at treasure hunting and adventures, such as pictures and journals. Keep in mind I am looking to film the majority in one master shot so there will be challenges but that is part of the learning curve.

I will be posting some story board drawings soon and addressing shooting schedules and all those other procedures. Stay tuned!!!!