Hello blog readers!
Setting/set design is without a doubt one of the most important parts of an immersive film (along with a soundscape of course). As I have mentioned before, I intend for my opening to look somewhat artistic and play with different colors, lighting, and props. Here's a scene-by-scene breakdown of what I will be including as far as set design and location!
Scene I:
Set -
For this scene, I will be filming in my room. To establish the idea that it is late, I will be sure that the room is dark (filming at nighttime with blinds closed) and that there is only subtle light coming from Sylvie's desk lamp. The atmosphere should make the viewer feel the tiredness that Sylvie is experiencing in the moment that is what causes her to want to wander away from her schoolwork.
(Something like this)
Props -
1. Cork board with pins, postcards, and travel maps will be hung on the wall (shown in the initial shot) that symbolizes her love and longing to see the world.
2. Textbooks will be placed on her desk, alongside a pile of "homework" to represent that she is meant to be studying (I will most likely rent some SAT practice books from the library).
3. Obviously, a laptop will be used in the scene, which Sylvie uses to scroll on Travel + Leisure.
Scene II:
Set -
The scene begins in Sylvie's bedroom again, but this time with bright, high key lighting that is associated with morning light. Filming around 8:00am will help achieve this look, as my room and house gets the best natural light at this time. A tracking shot then follows Sylvie shifts the setting to the kitchen, where it is also very bright with morning light. The scene is a contrast to the previous as Sylvie feels refreshed from taking a study break and getting some rest, seeing the world in a slightly brighter way than at night, when she was overwhelmed.
(Natural lighting examples)
Props -
1. Sylvie uses her cell phone in this scene when her friends text her to meet them for a beach day, it's a common device that teenagers have today and the fact that the scene includes friends spamming in a group chat represents a frequent and recognized part of teenage life (from personal experience).
2. When she goes to the kitchen, Sylvie notices a pile of college flyers that her mom left her to look at, along with a note. I will be designing these myself, making them look realistic and relevant to the story. This prop is meant to evoke a feeling of annoyance for Sylvie, who upon seeing them rolls her eyes.
3. Next to the pile of college flyers, I would like there to be a breakfast plate that Sylvie's mom left her. To me, this is an important element to make it clear that Sylvie's mom is not a "bad mom", she still cares for her daughter, but simply like many parents, has a path mapped out for her that isn't ideal for Sylvie. Also, because her mom was painted in a negative light in the first scene, I intend for this detail to make her seem more neutral.
4. After Sylvie texts her friends, agreeing to meet them at the beach, she grabs her bike, bathing suit, and sunscreen before bolting out the door. These props don't really have any alternate meaning, but rather make it evident that she is in fact going to the beach.
Scene III:
Set -
For the beach scene, I would like the atmosphere to feel nature-connected, reflecting Sylvie feeling calmer away from school and college nonsense. To get the brightest daylight, I will be filming around noon when the sun is at its peak. If you're wondering what beach location I will be filming at, I have two options! The first is Ft. Lauderdale By-The-Sea and the other is Miami Beach. On filming day, I will choose which of the two I would like to film at depending on which is less crowded. However, both are great options because they have nice boardwalk areas and there's always some secluded spots that would be perfect to film at!
(Miami Beach)
(Ft. Lauderdale By-The-Sea)
Props -
1. When they sit on the sand to chat and relax, I will make sure to include props such as beach towels, a novel, beach bags, and classic beach snacks like watermelon. As a girl, when I go to the beach with my friends, this is exactly the type of setup we have and I would like the props in this scene to mimic that of a group of teenage girls from my own experiences!
Scene IV:
Set -
Finally, for the "daydream" scene, I would like to film at Miami International Airport. However, I know that airports are usually very crowded, so this take will be very short, with only one shot, simply showing Sylvie at the airport looking at the departures board to show her desire to leave her hometown and explore the world.
(A very accurate representation of what the shot will look like!)
Props -
1. For this scene, Sylvie is going to have a suitcase in her hand (of course) as well as a boarding pass (having parents who keep old documents pays off!).
I hope today's post helped you get a brief idea of the visuals I will be including in my film opening and how I intend to execute them! Get excited because next up: audio design!
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