Sketches and Composing

I've completed my rough sketches of the sets and have started the opening scene's storyboard. I had worked on the music a bit beforehand, but am just now starting to work out the timing. The script will be altered a bit by the timing of the song, but it shouldn't be anything major. Pre production is especially critical in this project because once the song is done, I have to animate to it. It doesn't leave a lot of room for flexibility later, so I have to do it right the first time.

Also, I hope to post some media to the blog to spice it up a bit. Hopefully once "A Diverse Portfolio" is more complete I can find somewhere to host so I can post it here.

Ta!

Update

Probably should have posted this little service announcement before I posted the script, but my Capstone has now become a narrative musical short done in stop motion animation. Big change, I know, but hey, I wasn't planning to keep this blog going either. Now I intend to, to keep myself on track and to open myself up to other people's input and ideas, should anyone else become interested in what it takes to make a stop motion.

I made a minor revision to the script, I added a third alternate chorus at the very end, where Death comes for Jake. The song is entitled "A Diverse Portfolio" by the way. I worked on a few sketches for some of the simpler sets. Next comes more sketching, detailed storyboards, and the song. Ta for now.

First draft of my script-COMPLETE!

COLD OPEN:

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM – 7:30 A.M.

The sun rises, casting a rectangle of light through the window on a sleeping figure.

The clock switches over to 7:30, setting off the alarm.

JAKE, (early 20’s) an eager young go-getter sits up. He yawns or rubs his eyes and plants his feet on the floor.

He gets up and walks sleepily across the room, off camera.

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT – BATHROOM

Jake showers. We see a silhouette. Jake brushes his teeth.

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM

We see Jake from behind, dressed in a blue suit, standing in front of a mirror. His briefcase is beside him.

JAKE

♪ This is it, I’m going for it

Four years leading to this moment

I’m gonna get this job! ♪

He straightens his tie, nods to his reflection, and grabs his briefcase.

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT – HALLWAY

Jake walks down the hall towards the front door. There are PICTURES on the wall. He stops to look at two in particular. One is of his smiling parents. The other is his college diploma, which is askew on the wall.

JAKE

♪ I made

Honor roll and Dean’s List

All it took was a little persistence

(beat)

I think they would have been proud. ♪

Jake straightens his diploma.

INT./EXT. JAKE’S CAR/ROADWAY

Jake is driving his BEAT UP CAR aggressively.

JAKE

♪ I spent the last summer of my life

Diversifying my portfolio

And I feel fine

I spent those days really beefing up my resume

And I think it was the best use of my time ♪

He honks the horn twice.

Jake turns into a parking lot and we see the impressive COMMUNICOM INTERNATIONAL building.

INT. COMMUNICOM – LOBBY

Jake looks around in awe as he approaches the front desk. A woman is seated behind it, and a man is standing with his back to Jake, talking to her.

Jake sees the woman talking to the man, and is instantly infatuated. MARY/WEDDING THEME plays. The woman turns to look at Jake, and the man turns, seeing Jake for the first time.

JAKE

I…

The man cuts him off.

ROY KING

♪ Well, well, well you must be Jake

(ROY shakes JAKE’S hand)

And right on time I see

(ROY checks his WATCH)

Step right this way, we’ll have a chat

And see what we can see ♪

ROY ushers JAKE into an elevator.

INT. COMMUNICOM – ROY’S OFFICE

ROY goes over JAKE’S resume while JAKE sits nervously.

ROY

(While reading Jake’s resume)

♪ Mmm Hmm (positively)

Mmm Hmm (positively)

Mmm Hmm (positively)

Mmmm (Negatively) ♪

(He looks at Jake)

♪ Young man, your work is quite impressive

There’s a problem though

You’re after a manager’s position

And you don’t have the know-how, bro.

I know that’s not what you want to hear

Don’t let it spoil your ambition

But turn that frown around because

I can offer you an entry-level position! ♪

(CELL DOOR SLAMS SFX)

JAKE manages to force a smile.

INT. COMMUNICOM – JAKE’S OFFICE

JAKE sits in a poorly lit, cell like room, typing on a computer.

JAKE

♪ This isn’t quite what I had in mind

But Momma didn’t raise a quitter

And with student loans coming due

It’s the money I must consider.

I spent the last summer of my life

Diversifying my portfolio

Now I realize

Maybe I should have been making some memories

Maybe there’s more to life… ♪

MONTAGE

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM (MORNING)

Alarm goes off. JAKE’S hand slaps it to turn it off.

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT – HALLWAY

YEAR 1 GRAPHIC. Jake walks briskly down the hall with a bored expression on his face. His diploma has gone crooked on the wall again. He straightens it.

EXT/INT. JAKE’S CAR

He drives to work.

INT. COMMUNICOM – JAKE’S OFFICE

He types in the dark room.

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM

Alarm goes off. JAKE’S hand slaps it to turn it off.

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT – HALLWAY

YEAR 5 GRAPHIC. Jake has gained weight. He wears a wrist brace on one arm. He walks slower than before down the hall, slouching. His diploma has gone crooked again. He reaches out his arm to straighten it, but then waves it off.

EXT/INT. JAKE’S NEW CAR

He drives to work in a NICER CAR.

INT. COMMUNICOM – JAKE’S OFFICE

He types in the dark.

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT – BEDROOM

Alarm goes off. JAKE’S hand slaps it to turn it off.

INT. JAKE’S APARTMENT – HALLWAY

YEAR 10 GRAPHIC. Jake has noticeable lines under his eyes. He’s got a grey streak in his hair. He’s gained more weight, and walks slower than before. His diploma has gone extremely crooked. He doesn’t even glance t it.

EXT/INT. JAKE’S NEW CAR

He drives to work.

INT. COMMUNICOM – JAKE’S OFFICE

He types in the dark. He closes his eyes.

INT/EXT. A BLACK BACKGROUND

Young JAKE and MARY are dancing in a waltz-like manner.

MONTAGE END

INT. COMMUNICOM – JAKE’S OFFICE

JAKE awakens with a snort. The dance had been a memory or a dream. He’s old now, with white hair. He begins to type. The light flickers, making the room dark for a moment, then burns steadily. Jake looks around, but doesn’t see DEATH behind him. DEATH approaches JAKE as he’s typing and touches his shoulder.

CUT TO BLACK.

END.

Capstone Attendance Blog

1. What has this week been like for you? A: Hectic.
2. If you could change anything in how you did your capstone, what would it be? A: More polish on the recording, a better site design.
3. How close is the final outcome to what you originally thought it would be? A: Pretty similar. There's always more to do, but you have to meet deadlines.
4. If you had one more month to work on the project what would you do? A: Again, more polish and a better site design.
5. What advice do you have for me about working on my capstone? A: Set realistic goals.
6. 
   
7. 1. Address the efficacy of the approach we took in this class. A: It depends on what the goal is. I do feel better informed about what to expect, and now have at least some idea of how to plan it out.
8. 
   
9. 2. Discuss whether or not the breakdown of the project development was advantageous. A: Yes, of course. It will help to realistically plan for all stages of the project.
10. 
    
11. 3. Discuss the advanges and/or disadvantages of the student guest speakers for forming your own approach to capstone. A: It's always useful to talk to people who have done what you're doing. Perhaps some  presentations from less "superstar" capstone students would be more realistic than those who have spent several years and thousands of dollars though.
12. 
    
13. 4. Were there any assignments that you thought were particularly helpful? Please elaborate. A: The timeline. It forces you to think about the actual process of making your capstone.
14. 
    
15. 5. Were there any assignments that you thought were particularly useless? Please elaborate. A: None that I can think of.

1. 
   

Progress Report

First off, there was a rather big change to my idea. My original idea was to shoot a live action narrative musical. The project now is a 3 to 6 minute stop motion animated musical. This change came about for a number of reasons, including my own desire to become better at stop motion, and the fact that the weather would be against me for shooting a live project outdoors.
Concrete progress includes the composing of the song, character sketches, set designs, script, etc. I'm still studying some of the more artsy aspects of the project.
My mentor and I have met every Monday this semester.
My timeline has changed significantly as the project itself has changed.
The final puppets still need to be fabricated and I'd like to tweak the song a bit more.

Secondary Mentor Profile

Ideally, a secondary mentor's skill set would compliment your primary mentor's, giving you a place to turn with any question. You could find a secondary mentor anywhere you know a knowledgeable person who's willing to help. A bad secondary person would be someone not content to play a supplementary role.

Secondary Mentor Candidates


Mr. Pfaff, whom I initially thought of as a primary mentor candidate, suggested himself as a secondary mentor. Also, Mr. Louis's video skill could prove useful.

Mentor Profile

My Capstone Idea


My idea for a capstone is a narrative short film that is also a musical.

What am I looking for in a mentor?

• Someone with technical expertise and the desire and ability to share that expertise.
• Someone open to mentoring a project that's a bit unusual.
• Someone creative.
• Someone who will help keep me on track, but remain civil.

Susan Tennant


I have had Professor Tennant in a few classes before, and think that her video expertise and emphasis on artistic lighting could add a tasteful visual element to my production.

• What are your expectations of a capstone student? 
• to finish the project as professionally as possible, Meet all deadlines and be committed to their capstone.
• Are you available for mentoring next semester? 
• Yes
• Are there any project types besides music videos that you are not interested in working with? 
• I prefer documentary over features. I cant program but I can work on the front end of interaction design projects. I also dont consider trailers as a capstone merited project
• Do you have any recommendations for a secondary mentor? 
• someone who is not in the direct media but knowledgeable about the way the media is used.
•  Anything else you might want to add?   
• its good that you are working through these logistics prior to your capstone semester. Good luck

Mark Pfaff


Professor Pfaff's advanced audio course was the highlight of the audio track for me. His expertise on all things audio would  add extra polish to my capstone, which is just as much an audio project as it is video.

• This sounds a bit out of scope for me. I've been keeping my distance from film projects, except as a secondary mentor for audio, since I really just don't have the expertise to supervise that sort of thing. I'd be happy to help you out with the audio components as you go along, but I don't think I can be the primary mentor for it. Let me know how it goes.

Joseph Defazio


I've never taken a course with Professor Defazio, but his areas of interest complement my capstone ideas well. His background as a composer would also be very useful.

•  What are your expectations of a capstone student?
•         Dedication, hard work, timeliness, attention to detail, creating a stellar project
•  Are you available for mentoring next semester?
•         I am unable to confirm this at this time so my answer is: maybe.
•  Are there any project types that you are not interested in working with?
•         I am not qualified to sponsor a 3D style project.
•  Do you have any recommendations for a secondary mentor?
•     No. They are the same for the Primary Mentor.
•  Anything else you might want to add?

• Not at this time.

•