Potential Cast list

The Boss
Devin Escobedo 

Body Guards
Andrew Sapienza
Camryn Wigglesworth
Maliek Alterno 
Justis Nevaro 
Shawn Cacciola 

Hackers
Cameron Cabral
Mary-Margaret Steber
Allie Carr 
Lissi Strom 

Runners
Brady Zimmerman 
Thomas Townley 

Casting Process

Before Casting our film my partner and I discussed what  traits we would like to see in our actors. After discussing we decided that our actors, besides the main character, must be divided into two categories. Those who are smaller and less threatening (to play the hackers) and those who are larger and have a more intimidating presence (to play the hit-men). With these traits and mind we will cast an ensemble of at least 7 and at most 15.

     
 Casting for the main character was already taken care of as we wrote our script around who we were casting. 'The boss' will be played by Devin Escobedo an 11 year old with extensive acting experience. Despite her age she is very threatening and will do justice to the role.

Research

The Shining: Movie Analysis
The shining is a thriller/horror movie that is relatively similar to the type of film my partner and I are hoping to create. We do not want our film to be horror so that is the only difference.  The movie begins with various shots of a car driving down a long winding road in the mountains. The long-shot establishes the distance the road stretches.and how far the car is travelling. The aerial shot of the Mountains illustrates their height and the remoteness of their location, this gives the viewer the feeling of being trapped and also letting the viewer know that the car is leaving civilization. Another shot using rule of thirds shows the road the car and the mountains all in one shot signifying that each are important. The incidental music is meant to set an ominous tone and it is very effective.

Research

Get Out: Movie Analysis
Get Out is a suspense/thriller film similar to what my partner and I are hoping to create. The various camera shots, angles and movement contribute to the overall eerie mood. In the beginning of the extract an establishing shot is taken of what looks like a wealthy neighborhood. A man walking enters the frame. A close up on the man's face establishes that he is uncomfortable in this setting. He speaks something along the lines of 'it's hard being a black man with all these white people in this neighborhood' indicating that the conflict in this movie will be racially charged and will likely take place primarily within the neighborhood he is walking in. A wide-shot using rule of thirds shows the viewer that the man is being followed by a vehicle contributing to his uncomfortable state. When the man is being dragged away by the figure that steps out of the vehicle a high angle shot is used to represent that the man being dragged is less than or inferior that whomever is dragging him. There was upbeat incidental music played while the man was being dragged away which was contrasting to what was happening on screen. This was used to indicate that for the kidnapper dragging the man away was a fun and jovial, meanwhile for the viewer (and the man) it was terrifying. This furthers the eerie mood. The dim and almost orange lighting used in the scene also contributes to the eerie mood. When filming, my partner and I will consider all of theses techniques to add to the suspense of our film.

Research

The sixth Sense: Movie Analysis
This move is a suspense/thriller very similar to what my partner and I would like to create. It features many shots angles and editing techniques to add to its suspenseful quality.  One shot featured is a mid-shot of Anna Crowe to establish that it is dark out and that she is dressed in an evening gown also to show that their home has been broken into and the window is shattered. another shot is a close-up of Bruce Willis shooter to establish that he is psychotic and is clearly tormented. The last shot featured was a high angle-shot of Bruce Willis to show the immense pain he is experiencing after being shot.

Project Selection- My decision

I have chosen to do the film project for my AICE Media Studies Class. I am an aspiring director and this project would allow me to practice directing the actors in the scenes. I am taking a theater class as well as directing class so I have experience in the field. My partner a prolific writer and fellow theater student is very well suited for the project a well. My partner and I have determined that I will assume the role of director and she will act as the writer/editor. Although all decisions made will be mutual. We would either like to do a comedy or drama for our film. Both my partner and I are visual beings and will enjoy projecting our vision onto the screen in film format. Creating a film has been a dream for both my partner and I and we are very eager to use this project as an opportunity to fulfill that dream.

Project Selection- Film

Throughout the progress of my AICE Media studies course I have found my interest for film has only expanded. In the beginning of the year the class watched the movie "All the President's Men" and Mr. Elsbree explained the devices used in the film to create suspense. Such as various camera angles and overlaying music. I had never stopped to consider these aspects of film and I found it very intriguing. Additionally, after watching "Ferris Bueler's Day off" and  it's documentary counterpart I realized that although a large portion of the success of the movie is due to it's actors, an even larger portion is due to the editing. The raw footage of FBDO would not have been entertaining if the editing crew had not shortened it and picked out the best parts. With my team members I would work on editing our film to be the best it could be. I'm a part of the SHS theater program and I am currently taking a directing class. I am extremely interested in directing and I would love to possibly make a career out of it. This is why doing the film project would be an excellent choice for me

Project Selection- Magazine

Based on my experiences in AICE Media studies I have found my interest for print journalism has increased. In class, we analyzed magazines and I found that the devices that journalists use to entice the reader were very effective. If I were to choose to do the magazine project I think I would thoroughly enjoy implementing some of these devices into my own article. Examples of these devices would be the selection of fonts and colors, the titles of articles, and the way sentences within the article are phrased. I am also fairly artistic so creating a format for the magazine cover would be very enjoyable. Additionally, when the class viewed the film 'All the President's Men' we gained an understanding of the editing and revision process involved with print journalism. When creating my magazine I would work closely with my partner/group to create the most appealing and factually accurate article. Overall, I think I would be well suited for the magazine project.