Blog 21: Mentorship

• My Mentorship Log has been updated.
• My Mentor is my aunt, Violeta Duran. Her phone number is (626) 252-6536 and her email is violeta.reinaga@gmail.com. I emailed her a copy of the yellow verification sheet that requested her to confirm my hours, which may not be done immediately since she just had a baby this weekend.
• The most important thing I gained from this experience is ironically experience. I now have much more knowledge and insight in the field of independent film, which I would not have acquired if it wasn't for I-Poly.
• Mentorship has helped me answer my EQ since I now have some perspective on the side of independent film that I had not been exposed to in the past- the technical, "behind the scenes" side of independent film. The most essential thing to creating an independent film may be the minds behind the type of work I did for mentorship.

April Blog

Some interesting news I recently found out: one of the films that my mentors worked on, and I served as a production assistant and extra for, will be featured by a film festival. The film will be exhibited at the TCL Chinese Theater at a date I have not yet learned. I'm really excited to see how everything goes, and it's astounding to see my 3rd answer in action. The film was completed on a low-budget and now it will be shown at one of the most famous locations in Hollywood. I didn't have any speaking parts and I wasn't a full time production assistant, but I'm glad to be a part of what my mentors have created.

Blog 20: Exit Interview

(1) What is your essential question and answers?  What is your best answer and why?

 My EQ is "what is most essential to creating a profitable independent film?" My answers are:

• In order to compose a profitable independent film, good dramatic presentation must be present and the film will be a satisfactory investment for both the filmmaker and the viewer.
• In order to compose a profitable independent film, one must be in the mindset of seeking profit in the form of monetary gain by taking advantage of distribution and marketing techniques.
• In order to compose a profitable independent film, one must collaborate with an ideal ensemble of fellow filmmakers.

My best answer is my 1st answer because filmmakers and viewers alike will enjoy a film that has throught-provoking material and good composition, from both a technical and dramatic perspective. I arrived at this answer because it's one of the most basic fundamentals of filmmaking. Although the most "profitable" films on a monetary note are always everyone's favorite, independent films typically generate less revenue, are more provocative with complex themes, and are not made for the general market like a blockbuster film.

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

I arrived at this answer as I was defining "independent film" at the beginning of the year. Between my research and an interview with my mentor, I learned that the term signifies the means by which the film was financed. This is how most people define independent film, however some would argue that unlike blockbuster films, independent films have the freedom to express themselves. With that, I researched the psychological background on the enjoyment of films to deduce that dramatic presentation makes audiences feel more empathy, immersing them in the story.

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

The only problem I have is that my senior project grade has not been updated nor posted in months, so I have no idea how it will be reflected in the rest of my grades. Additionally, the grading system transition has made some other classes less punctual to be reported. The issue is out of my control, but to attempt to resolve the problem, I have asked when the senior project grades would be available, let alone up to date.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

My two most significant sources were psychologist Dolf Zillman's scholarly journals titled Mechanisms of Emotional Involvement with Drama, and The Role of Empathic Distress in the Enjoyment of Cinematic Tragedy. The sources applied to my best answer, analyzed the role of empathy in cinema, and provided psychological insight on film/viewer relationship. The research was fascinating and informative, a combination generally not evident in research.

Blog 19: Independent Component 2

(a) I, Richard Reinaga, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.
(b) Since my independent component 2 was a film trailer, my sources would be my interviewees: Philip Miller, and Violeta and Miguel Duran.
(c) My Independent Component 2 Log is up to date.
(d) I completed a trailer for the screenplay I wrote for my 1st independent component. The link to the copy can be found under Blog 14: Independent Component 1. Through the trailer, I wanted it to allude to what I had written but didn't want to give away too much. 

As I worked on my 2nd independent component, I updated my log with a quick but detailed summary of exactly what I did each day. 

I have the trailer on my flash drive which is available upon request. I am posting it on Youtube, here is the link.

This independent component helped me answer my EQ by supporting my 3rd answer: In order to compose a profitable independent film, one must collaborate with an ideal ensemble of fellow filmmakers. My two main actors were individuals who I have worked with in the past and have grown close to. The experience was undoubtedly enjoyable and I love the product.

March Blog

I've recently been provided with a list of independent films by Sabrina Colin, one of my peers who appreciates independent film as much as I do. I was told are very provocative and enjoyable. I've seen 3 of them so far, so I can't wait to see what's next.

1. Lifeguard
2. Stuck In Love- really good film. Both relatable and not too cliché.
3. And While We Were Here
4. White Frog
5. Keith
6. Sassy Pants
7. KaBoom
8. The Babysitters
9. The Paperboy
10. Werewolf Boy
11. One Day
12. Turtles Can Fly
13. An Education
14. The Way Way Back
15. Now is Good
16. Spectacular Now
17. Mysterious Skin
18. Dirty Girl
19. Twelve
20. The Last Word
21. Never Back Down- Not sure if it's independent, but was still well worth watching.
22. The Final- Strange and sadistic at times, but it was funny for me.
23. The Other Woman
24. Struck By Lighting


On a side note, I'm in pre-production of my independent component. I'm still gathering actors to play the main characters in my trailer, and I'm really looking forward to see how everything turns out.

Blog 18: Third Answer

What is most essential to creating a profitable independent film?

Answer #3: In order to compose a profitable independent film, one must take the initiative necessary to leverage relationships with fellow filmmakers.

• Strategic collaborations don't compromise the vision
• Not all film crews get along harmoniously
• The department at which a crew member finds themselves carrying out tasks with the most favorable results is unique to them

Research sources I used: 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 33.

The most optimal filmmaking mindset might not be present in every crew member, therefore production managers must instinctively choose crew members for the greater good of the project.

Blog 17: Fourth Interview

1. What is most essential to creating a profitable independent film?
2. How would you define "profitable" in the context of independent film?
3. What factor contributes most to the success of an independent film?
4. What about independent film appealed to you?
5. Which departments do you most enjoy working in?
6. What do you enjoy doing most in terms of independent film in general?
7. How highly do you prioritize exposure when it comes to independent film?
8. How highly do you prioritize revenue when it comes to independent film?
9. Have significant relationships between yourself and other crew members been created as a result of one of your projects?
10. In the case of independent film, do you most value exposure, revenue, relationships, or the process?
11. How does one usually begin the writing of a screenplay for an independent film?
12. Do you find that working in several departments is a heavy workload, or would you say it allows you to utilize and apply all of your special skills accordingly?
13. How can one determine the marketability/niche market of their project?
14. How does one go about distributing their film?
15. By what means does a producer or director gather actors or other crew members?
16. For a low-budget independent film, what are production designers responsible for doing and how can they best carry out said tasks?
17. How do filmmakers acquire novelty props that they plan to implement into their project?
18. How can location scouts gain access to private locations?
19. How do sound designers act to convey the emotional accordance of a scene through the use of music and sound effects?
20. What is the most advantageous way for the actors, cinematographers, editors, and sound designers to manipulate the perception of a scene in order to achieve its optimal effectiveness on an audience?