October Blog

Due to several presentations, tests, and quizzes for all classes, making time to watch films has been very difficult. Therefore, my list for next month remains the same:

Donnie Darko

Garden State

Another Earth

Primer

Upstream Color

Cyrus

Jeff, Who Lives at Home

However, I have started writing my screenplay for my independent component. A few pages have been completed, but ideas don't come out of thin air. I'm not quite sure how to show how I've worked on it, but the scene opens with a few kids' first day of school. They all give the teacher a hard time.

Research and Working EQ

1) My working EQ is: "What is the most essential aspect in regard to the creation of a successful independent film?"

2) Some possible answers to my working EQ are:

• To show dedication in exposing a controversial social issue through the use of thought-provoking material, in addition to a unique story and/or characters. 
• To maximize profits by getting a film with a gimmicky idiosyncrasy retained in a film festival.
• To leverage relationships with fellow filmmakers in order to create strategic collaborations that don't compromise the vision.

3) The most important source that I have used that has helped me come up with an answer to my working EQ has been my source #19 in my WB; It is the second scholarly source that I have used, and the author is astonishingly verbose in concisely describing the topic in the greatest of detail. All of my other sources have gradually acquainted me further to the topic.

5) I've decided to have 2 mentors: my aunt and my uncle. They are both independent filmmakers that live together, and work in different departments. My aunt works as a writer and in the art department, while my uncle mostly directs and produces. Having 2 mentors that work in separate departments of independent film should help me broaden my area of expertise on the topic of independent film.

Independent Component 1 Approval

1) For my 30 hours, I plan to write a screenplay of my own, since my topic is independent filmmaking. For the second independent component, I plan on shooting my screenplay after it is perfected.
2) To show 30 hours of evidence, I could submit drafts of my screenplay, on each due date a more refined and completed version.
3) This component will definitely help me explore my topic in depth since the work is hands-on as opposed to repeated research of independent film. This component will also help me apply the research I have done in a cohesive, orderly fashion.

September Blog

Due to extensive research, cornell notes, and studying for tests, I wasn't able to watch all 10 films, as I had planned. In addition to the workload, watching that many independent films would have been emotionally exhausting for me. Nontheless, my interpretations of the films were as follows:

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: This film was really remarkable. It could be a bit confusing at times, but the film essentially challenges the expression "ignorance is bliss." Both the characters and the idea that the main character is trapped and lost in his own mind make this film truly unique.

Tiny Furniture: This film will appeal to some, but the plot isn't really sophisticated or complex in any way. Many events do take place, but the film could easily be summarized in one sentence: "After Aura gets back home from college, she finds herself facing the drudgery of everyday life."

True Adolescents: The film details the camping trip of two teenagers and one of their much older, yet equally immature cousins. It has a very distinct and appealing mood to it, and like most independent films this one is very character-driven and the plotline is fairly ambiguous.

I plan to watch and evaluate as many of the remaining films as possible in my next monthly blog:

1. Donnie Darko
2. Garden State
3. Another Earth
4. Primer
5. Upstream Color
6. Cyrus
7. Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Second Interview Questions

1) My mentor is Violeta Duran, and she is a high school teacher in Torrance. She works as a writer/producer, and in the art department of independent short films and web series. The latter is an on-the-side job, but it's pertinent to my topic.

2) 5 questions about mentor's background:

• How does one usually begin the writing of a screenplay for an independent film?
• 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?
• What made you want to help produce independent films?
• Is there any department which you find more enjoyable to work in? If so, which?
• Are there any unique and easy tips or tricks in the art department you would like to share?

Blog 5: Project Reflection and Working EQ

The Pentagon:

1. Positive Statement: As a result of what I have completed so far, I have undoubtedly learned a great deal of information on how to advance, create, and manage an independent film.
2. EQ Content: My 4th source in my working bibliography has helped improve my understanding of my topic, since it details and analyzes how a film is financed, which is essentially how most define an independent film.
3. So far in the senior project, everything has worked sufficiently well. The research checks haven't been too frequent to keep up with (although good sources will gradually become harder to find as the year progresses), and the designated time to take cornell notes on Fridays is relieving. Additionally, the class blog is incredibly helpful for us to keep up on assignments.
4. Like I said, quality research will become harder to find as the year progresses. Although the research checks have not been too frequent yet, we will soon have to dig through the internet and spend hours upon hours hoping to find quality sources and trying not to stumble on an article that we already found.
5. Finding Value:

• A potential question I would like to study this year is: What is the most essential aspect in regard to the creation of a successful independent film?
• For my mentorship, I will help my mentors on the set whenever they need help, and I will keep up with film festival research that they need me to assist with.

August Blog

In an effort to gain some more engaging insight on independent films, I will view and evaluate 10 over this next month. Most of the films were recommended to me by my mentor, with plenty of variety in terms of big names and big budgets. The question I plan to keep in mind while viewing these films is, "What is the most important aspect consistent within independent films?" Here are the films I plan on watching:

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2. Donnie Darko
3. Garden State
4. Another Earth
5. Primer
6. Upstream Color
7. Tiny Furniture
8. True Adolescents
9. Cyrus
10. Jeff, Who Lives at Home