Slight change of plans

So, I just got out of the banquet, and it ran MUCH longer than expected. What was supposed to be a concise evening turned into three hours filled with impromptu speeches delivered by people who, let’s be honest, do NOT know how to give speeches. While it was amusing at times, the endless stories and awkward pauses definitely wore me out. However, amidst the chaos, I had many reasons to celebrate: I won MVP for the second year in a row! It felt great to be recognized again by my teammates and coaches, but the entire event also got me thinking about my senior year (next year) wrestling banquet. It’s hard not to imagine that I'll feel that bittersweet twinge, knowing it'll be the end of the road for me in this sport I’ve loved and poured so much into.

Anyway, I’m getting off track here. By the time I left the banquet, I was feeling completely exhausted but still determined to push through and film. I called Mateo and Gio, hoping to rally our spirits and get things moving. However, it turns out we were all feeling the same way—worn out and a bit drained. They both agreed that Sunday would actually be easier for them, as they had other commitments that would require us to rush filming if we tried to go ahead today. It was a relief to have that understanding, and we decided to regroup and tackle this fresh tomorrow.

So, the updated plan is to knock out the two bedroom scenes tomorrow, and once Alex arrives around 2 or 3pm, we’ll film the first and last scenes that he’s in. I’m still feeling good about this weekend overall; I think we can capture some great moments together. If everything goes smoothly, I hope to jump into the editing process next week. Until then...

Off to a great start!

So, as I planned, we filmed the poetry scene in the auditorium during TV! It took a bit longer than expected, primarily due to the comedic aspects of the script that kept us all giggling between takes. Working with my best friends made the process even more enjoyable, but it also introduced some challenges. We found ourselves cracking up at the most unexpected moments, which added to the fun but also made it hard to stay focused. I underestimated how tricky it would be to nail the lines while maintaining character, especially with such a goofy script.

Despite the hiccups, I really like the way the shots turned out on camera. The lighting in the auditorium created a really vibrant atmosphere, and I think it captures the essence of our playful performance perfectly. To top it off, our friend David happened to drop by and lent us a hand by holding the boom pole, which made the process smoother. 

Overall, I feel good about how everything went, even if it took a bit longer than we planned. I’m really excited for the weekend ahead; we’ve got some editing to do, and I can't wait to see how our hard work transforms into a finished product. I expect the rest of filming to go well too!

Equipment

For equipment, I plan to do as I did last year. I messaged Jim from Becon-TV (a program here in Broward County where students have access to equipment) and asked for a camera (Sony A73), a tripod, a 3pt light kit, and then a Shure microphone, a boom pole, and wireless lavaliers from my school's television production program (of which I am apart of). 

Here are the screenshots of my conversation with Jim:

(Mateo and I are splitting the camera, much like how Mariana and I exchanged equipment last year)

I was initially concerned about audio, which I got lucky with last year (since there was no dialogue or anything in my film opening). I have never filmed a short film or any kind of segment where I needed to capture dialogue without the appearance of microphones, making me a little nervous. During our TV class, Mateo showed me how to connect wireless lavs to a Shure mic on a boom pole and then to a camera, which makes it sync up all at once. 

The rest of the equipment is pretty self-explanatory—a camera to film, a tripod to set it on, and lighting. Though it's been a while, I am familiar with this equipment and expect little to no technical hiccups during production. 

I picked up equipment from Jim and checked out the rest during TV! All is well and set to go!

A Busy Weekend Ahead!

I’m thrilled to share that this weekend is all about filming for the short! Since I’m diving headfirst into my acting role, my friend Mateo has generously offered (or rather, accepted my pleas) his skills as the cameraman. I felt it was vital to touch base with him and Gio during our TV class this week to confirm our filming schedule: (this unfortunately was a verbal interaction, so I'm unable to insert screenshots here)

Friday

This Friday, we’re set to film an exciting scene in the auditorium—specifically, the poetry scene that I’ve been eagerly looking forward to. The ambiance of the auditorium works great, and luckily, it's empty right when we're able to go. However, there’s a little twist; I had originally wished to keep filming after school on Friday as well, but Gio has an appointment, and Mateo is also busy with his own short film project that same night...

Saturday

With that in mind, we’ve decided to film most of the remaining scenes on Saturday after my wrestling banquet, which should be an eventful evening on its own! The event starts at around 12pm, and I suspect should be done by 3-4pm. That being said, Gio (and possibly me too) has a party that night, so I'm aiming to tackle the room scenes and the library scene (I made some edits to the script) before then.

Sunday

Once Saturday is wrapped up, we’ll regroup on Sunday after Gio returns from church. The plan is to tackle any remaining scenes then. I also have two very brief scenes to film with Alex, who’s getting here from New York by at 2 PM. With everyone’s schedules in mind, I feel grateful that we’ve managed to carve out this time together.

Looking ahead, I’m feeling really positive about how everything is shaping up. I’ve mapped out what we need to accomplish over the weekend, and I’m confident we have more than enough time to film everything we want. It’s been such a pleasure to work alongside my friends, who are always willing to help me. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our filming adventure. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!

The Grand Unveiling: My Screenplay is Finished!

 After a long week at states (where I places 4th by the way!!! WOOO!), I finally got back today (Sunday) and wrapped up my screenplay. 

(on the podium!!!!!!!^^^^^^)

It only took weeks of brainstorming, tweaking, rewriting, and debating over whether or not one scene was actually funny, but I've concluded my screenplay is finally done. How to Dump Your Boyfriend is officially in its final form (until I decide to rewrite it again five minutes from now). But for now? I’m calling it finished. And honestly, that feels pretty damn good. Like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

This whole process has been… a ride. Writing a comedy short film sounds fun—and it is—but it also meant staring at a blank page and trying to force my brain to be funny on command. Turns out, forcing humor is not the move. It came easier on some days more than others, but eventually, it all came together. I realized that the heart of this short film wasn’t just about a breakup—it was about the absurdity of overthinking, the ridiculous things we say when we rehearse conversations in our heads, and the universal struggle of trying to sound cool while your brain is having a full-on panic attack. I wanted it to feel real, but also just exaggerated enough to hit that perfect comedic sweet spot. 

One of my biggest challenges was definitely timing. In a five-minute short, every second counts. Every joke has to land, every pause has to feel intentional, and every scene needs to move the story forward without dragging. I was initially overthinking how to transition from one 'bit' to another, but I think simple cuts ended up working out fine.

In addition to scheduling and some more planning (like storyboarding and whatnot), I hope to film most scenes before 3/16 when my boyfriend, Alex, gets here. That means taking this script from words on a page to actual moving, talking, living characters. I already know this part is going to be just as chaotic as writing it—if not more. But I can’t wait! It's been far too long since I've made some kind of video/segment. For now, I’m just taking a second to appreciate how far this idea has come. From a random “what if” thought to an actual, structured screenplay that I’m proud of.

Without any further ado, here's my screenplay below (Mrs. Stoklosa and anyone else who might be stalking my blog, please get back to me with any critiques! I am NOT sensitive in that sense):

How to Dump Your Boyfriend Screenplay

What's all this talk of 'states'??

 
I realized that I keep referring to states keeping me busy, but I've yet to explain it! I mentioned this last year a lot during AS Media, since it was a huge inspiration for my film opening, but I am a wrestler. This year I was very fortunate to qualify for the State Tournament again in March (6-8). I didn't place last year, but I've got a feeling this year is going to be a LOT different. I wont be able to work much on my portfolio project during this time since I'll be super locked in, but I've planned accordingly to not let it set me back. Wish me luck!!

                                                                                                 (silly picture my mom took of me at regions^)

Meet the Cast (and characters)!

So, I am SET on my cast for this project! The process wasn't all that interesting, but it deserves a mention nonetheless. It ended up reflecting my real life, which is funny but also cute since this piece reminds me a lot of my best friend. I'm also taking this introduction as a chance to go more in-depth on the characters themselves, without any further ado...

Meet Rebecca!

Rebecca is the main character of this film. She is 17 years old, like myself, and is a witty, dramatic, and slightly over-the-top girl who treats breaking up with her boyfriend like it’s a high-stakes performance. She’s pretty charismatic and confident in most areas of life, except when it comes to confrontation. Instead of just ending things directly, she turns the breakup into an elaborate, theatrical production with the help and encouragement of her best friend. Rebecca is a little chaotic, often overthinking situations and making them more complicated than they need to be. Despite her dramatic nature, she has a good heart and genuinely wants to do the breakup "right," even if her methods are ridiculous.

I will be playing Rebecca mostly because as I write, I hear myself saying her lines in a very specific way, and I guess I'm becoming a bit of a control freak here. I want to get this right, and that starts with properly emulating the main character. Also, as I've mentioned before, I see the friendship between Rebecca and Mia as a reflection of my friendship with my best friend Gio, so who better to play the role right?

Gio as Mia!

Mia is the super cool best friend character; she encourages a lot of the mischief that powers this comedy and is super supportive of Rebecca. If I didn't already give it away in the last introduction, this role will be played by my best friend Gio. Unlike other "nepo" cases that cast poorly, I have a lot of trust in her. This isn't either of our first times acting (together too), and I know our chemistry is gonna look great on screen. Mia is more chill and practical, the type to say, “Just text him and be done with it,” but also the first to grab a cowboy hat when the plan turns into a Wild West showdown. She’s the ultimate best friend: supportive, fun, brutally honest, and always having her best friend's back. 

The bummer of a boyfriend.. played by my very own :p

Okay, I'll admit that this one was mostly a convenience casting. I was telling him about my project over a FaceTime Call and saying how I was struggling to picture someone to play the role (the character, Liam, is only in the first and last scene but needs to be casted regardless, lol). He (jokingly) said that he could play the boyfriend.. but it wasn't the worst idea. I've never seen him act (he never has) so I had to test his skills. Of the four-ish lines Liam has, Alex nailed them! There's no way you could really mess it up though; it's just nonchalant "okays" and "yeahs." About the characters, Liam and Rebecca have been dating for a few months of their senior year. He isn't the most goal-oriented guy and is SUPERR chill, maybe too chill, never picking up on Rebecca’s hints that she’s over the relationship. After a while, the lack of effort got old. He's not a bad guy; it's just that his clueless nature stopped being cute, and his gross, childish habits have caught up with him. My boyfriend, Alex, is the total opposite but he'll play the role just fine. (he's the cute one on the right of the photo!!)

With casting done (very easily at that), my short film is on track! I'm hoping to film my scenes with Gio after states (which ends march 8th) and finish up the two scenes with Gio the week before spring break! That way, I'll have the beginning of break to edit and still have time for any final touches!