Getting on Set

For my summer mentorship I finished all my 10 hours with an additional hour at Manhattan Beach Studios. At MBS I was able to go in the office of the production for the TV series, Revenge. I was able to meet with the graphic designer, set designer, and the production manager. I was mentored by the production assistant where he first showed me around the office where everything happens behind the scenes. My mentor showed me a bunch of small aspects of film like the prop part, I got to learn a lot about product placement and how each prop used needed to be given the okay in order to be used, and how the design of the set would always have to be worked out a long time before it's actually time for the set to be set up. Christian Abella brought me into the warehouses where they have all the sets, I was able to touch all the cheap made set. I say cheap because they don't really use any authentic things to make, let's say the houses or bar. I even got to see a metal Asylum that was actually made of wood. Manipulation plays a key role in certain types of shows and movies, making the audience feel as if the actors and actresses are actually in a beach house or roof top but are actually just in front of a blue or green screen. Even though it was mostly shadowing because it was actually quite a slow day of production, I was able to bring props around and helped Christian bring some of the props to a scene they were shooting. It was a great experience to be able to go on but for me I am leaning now more towards post production, specifically editing. Though I do enjoy how it's like to be able to be in the chaos of setting up a scene and whatnot, but I will be focusing more on putting together a show or movie.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why

I plan on interviewing I-Poly's ROP Video teacher, Mr. Miller. I took his class last school year and learned a lot of aspects of film making I didn't think about before, Miller is experienced in the field of film production as he used to be a camera operator and has a Bachelor's in Film. Not only will it be convenient for me but having him for a year makes it easier to ask any questions I personally want to know and what would help for my Senior Project.

2. You have to ask 5 questions. What additional questions do you plan to ask?

Since I basically know his personal work experience, I'll strive more towards questions involving aspects of film editing, directing, or camera directing. Considering I have to narrow my choices down from film making because there are many aspects of it, I'll be asking quite a few questions for each of the choices I have.

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1. List your topic here: Film Production

2. Write a question that helps to focus your research this month.

What are all aspects of film production or film making you should know before proceeding to get into the industry?

3. Post the working bibliography (WB) on the right hand side of the blog and share it so anybody can view it.

The Working Bibliography is posted on the right hand side of my blog and will send you straight to it once clicked.

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship Component

1. Link to Mentorship log:

• https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnNXjVogCP5NdFowVGsxenhNaS1IanQ1SHZkT0otM3c#gid=0

2. Manhattan Beach Studios Contact Info:

• Location: 1600 Rosecrans Ave. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
• Christian Abella - (951) 310-4985

3. Questions Raised

• Is organization key to a successful production?
• What's necessary to do before getting or attempting to get into the film industry?
• Is it possible to work your way up in the production business?
• How many aspects of production is there?

4. Most Important Thing Gained from Experience:

• I learned that in order to be in film production you need to be very organized with everything. Everyone has responsibilities, to handle their things and to be organized with them. My mentor for example, he handles the props for the sets and when they're not being used he organizes them and labels any type of prop, whether it's small, big, valuable, or useless and puts them where they could possibly used later on. Productions are always thinking ahead of time before going into the scenes. When the scenes have to be set up, the props should be put where they'll know to get and place. So organization and planning ahead is so very important in the aspect of film production.  

Senior Project Topic:

• From the beginning of being introduced about the Senior Projects I knew I was going to do Film. The only problem I had was what about film I was going to talk about. For me I understand somewhat every aspect of film from pre-production to production to post-production. Before my mentorship I was mainly leaning towards post-production where it all comes together and where editors get to work. But since going to my mentorship at MBS, I'm more so leaning towards just production and being on the set and having everything prepared, there's so much going on during production that it's hard to cover all. So though what I did didn't really change my mind about Film at all, I have a better understanding of it now and it has made me more confident in doing Film for my Senior Projects.