Overcoming an Obstacle

☆ Obstacle ☆

During the process of production within my film opening, a crucial role existed in the props, mainly the newspaper that I planned on using as the medium for the final reveal. It was meant to fill a major role in the opening, and the absence of it would change the entirety of the opening. The issue that occured in the ordering process of this prop was the delayed arrival time. Of course, running into an issue is inevitable within larger projects, so it is crucial to be prepared and have a backup plan- the decision that was to be made was required to be quick and effective. 

Plan Shift

Originally, the newspaper was to serve as a provider of a plot-shifting realization that only the audience experiences. Without the access of this prop in time, I had to adjust and use an alternative that would give the same effect, so I decided that a wanted poster would be effective in this. The wanted poster, alike to the newspaper, conveys the message of the antagonist's, D.K.'s, deceptive nature, putting emphasis on his criminality further. The opening remains just as suspenseful, correlating to the thriller genre that it surrounds. 

Here is the wanted poster that I created in replacement of the newspaper:

The change that occured within the mise-en-scene of props also affected a change of setting in the opening. As a newspaper fits naturally within a diner setting, a wanted poster within a diner felt unnatural. To maintain visual sense within the opening, a change in setting was required. I decided to have the opening change from being set in a diner to outdoors, as the setting of a park was my backup plan. This change will allow the wanted poster to remain in its natural setting, either pinned to a post or a tree, allowing Darlene to come upon it in a natural state. 

Reflection

Though when I first decided on choosing a 'backup plan', I did not foresee actually being required to use it unless I was not able to gain permission to film within a diner. Fortunately, I did make the backup plan in case of unforeseen issues within the production process, allowing a somewhat smoother transition. The park's location allows for new opportunities such as the atmosphere, framing, and the utilization of natural lighting and an open space. I feel that this may put even more emphasis on Darlene's isolation and vulnerability as she is in the absence of others, being somewhere natural and in the lack of help. At first, the change was a bit frustrating, but I found that even when things do not go as expected, they can still lead to improvements within the filmmaking process.