Buster Keaton Ideas

I generally don't incorporate this variant of comedy into my films, but one potential idea I had for my "Two Cents" film involved a small visual gag in a more serious film. One of the suspects about to be interrogated by the chief detectives is running away and fearful for his own safety.

Initially, he dresses up as another detective and covers his face so he won't be revealed, the chief detective doesn't recognizes him and walks through the door next to the hiding person. The person undresses quickly but then hears the detective on the other side of the door, he quickly hugs the inside of the door as it opens so that he's hiding in plain sight.

First Project Script + Progress

First project: Although I haven't begun filming my opening project, my mock-documentary is almost finished being scripted, and actors have been cast for each role. I plan to begin shooting near the beginning of this week, and into the following week on campus.




Script (working)
​

Opening monologue by narrator

opening shots consist of VARIOUS VIDEO GAME FOOTAGE, WITH VIGNETTE OF GAMER JAV JAVINSON (JAVIN DANA)

Narrator

Welcome to "EXTREME GAMING BEHIND THE SCENES" Where we get the dirt on the hottest gaming icons and interview them with no respect to their private lives while providing absolutely nothing of substance! Today we have Jav Javinson of Super Smash Bros. Melee fame. He is considered... THE WORST FIGHTING GAME PLAYER IN EXISTENCE. 

Shifts to just outside the interview building (pre-interview)

Jav

So I heard I'm being interviewed because I'm one of the best video game players in the world? I mean I don't like to brag but...

Cameramen stare at each other, uncertain.

Cameramen 1

Well uhhh, like.

JAV

Great! I'll be plucking my eyebrows until you're ready, see you there.

Cameramen both sigh.

Interview scene

JAV

I've been dedicated to playing games competitively for about 18 years now, and I'm 17 years old...so it's kind of a big deal. I haven't broken into the mainstream competitions yet, I've been spending years honing my craft in the "underground scene". Which is why I haven't won a single tournament...or a match.....I'm indie as f*ck so I can get away with it.

NARRATOR

Javinson has been tearing up the indie scene with a white hot record of 0-124 in Super Smash Bros Melee, yet he refuses to quit the sport, showing absolute determination and perseverance.

JAV

You know I have a family to feed so I take my profession very seriously.

Javin pulls out a bag of Doritos from his backpack, eats them on screen obnoxiously for a few seconds.

NARRATOR

We sat down with Javinson to play a round of his game of expertise and test his skills, because we couldn't think of any remotely intelligent questions to ask!

​

Two Cents Storyboard

Part 1: Two Cents

My first project of the year is based of a screenplay written by Gregor Peach in 8th grade, revitalized into a mystery suspense/cheesy spy film. It follows a detective team on the hunt of a world renown thief by the name of Two Cents, who always leaves two pennies (1984) at the scene of every crime and is always on the run. A young female intern takes interest in the man pursuing Two Cents who dedicated his life to hunting him down, and the two become friends. The female meets Two Cents later the same night she meets the detective, who proposes to her that they work together to commit crimes and make money together, she begins to live a double life.

Unsure of whether I want to turn this into a four part series or just a one of film. (Screen play would be re-written for the script).

Part 2[?] The Worst Video Game Player in History

Satirical Documentary of someone so bad at fighting video games, but goes to multiple conventions to compete. Features one on one interview with gamer who really sucks at everything but is on such a high horse and thinks he's being interviewed because he is one of the best.

Shot List/Setting/Storyboard for Chapman Project

Potential Scenes for shooting:
- Streets near Catlin (to the northwest of campus)
- downtown Portland (likely Pioneer square)
- Park near Garden Home Recreation Center

Shot List:
1. Mid sized left to right pan of me (actor) getting up from the ground, start walking.


. more fast paced scene, person riding skateboard, falls+rolls off (the roll transitions back into more relaxed scene, as they're lying on their back again)

Chapman Project Outline

Story Elements:
Rather than track a "day in the life" of me, I'd like to start from the most stressful point of the day, with various harsh lights and sounds for around the first 20-25 seconds of the video, only to be interrupted by a pin fall (or a ringing of a toaster or alarm, maybe something more subtle like a candle going out and the smoke emerging) which would transition into the more calming

I'll probably have a narration going on throughout the film, but I'd like for it to be more sparse and separated between each of the segments of my film, with brief pieces of monologue at the beginning of the relaxed and intense moments. I'd like the film to end on with an open shot with my actor/actress looking outward with a feeling of resolution.



Cinematography:
I want my film to be focused on very drastic shifts between ambient, relaxing elements and more erratic and out of control themes with a precise yet seamless transition. I want this to symbolize mood changes and my perception of the outside world as a day occurs.

Props/Motivated Lighting for Silent Film

Describe in detail how you will use props in your film to add dramatic value to your silent film, have props function as characters or externalization of character.

Most of the possible "externalization of character" stems from the use of costumes that add certain degrees of flair or ridiculousness (as my lead wears a stereotypical superhero attire, with plenty of wild designs across the spandex). I suppose a common thing associated with superhero costumes would be the large amount of gadgets and tools that accompany the hero. I want to give my aged hero his own signature "lightning bolt" of sorts that he carries around (to try to look threatening I guess).

Describe situations in your film where you will use motivated or unmotivated lighting.

Although lighting doesn't play the largest of roles in my narrative, I could definitely see having a strong motivated lighting scene during the beginning when the lead (out of his super suit) is in his office, dark lit with only a lamp light alongside his desk. He would grab his mask and outfit hung on the wall alongside the desk and as the scene finishes, he'd switch the light off as the scene ends in the pure dark.

Treatment Form: Silent Film

Working Title: Super Senior

Central Character: Super Senior

Central Character’s Dominant Need: TO SERVE JUSTICE

Other Major Characters:  Robber (antagonist)

Settings: street/school

Occasion / Event: Robbery in place

Major Conflict / Dilemma as it appears in ACTION Super Senior isn't strong enough to stop the robber.

Resolution: Makes him laugh so hard the robber passes out.

How Central Character changes by the end:  Realizes where his true power lies.

Visual Treatment:

• Color Choices for Filming
• Warm
• Cool
• Vibrant
• Black & white

Lighting Choices

• Dramatic
• Natural
• Dark
• Bright
• Other

SubGenre

• Horror
• Slasher
• Thriller
• Suspense (not exactly but close enough)
• B-Movie

Costumes

Normal Clothes

All black (including mask for robber)

Red and Yellow Spandex (for superhero)

Props

Water Gun
Sack

Locations

Catlin/Home/Street Downtown