BTS of filmin

Before filming my opener, I transformed my garage into a set, I took out the cars and set up tables and fold up chairs. These behind the scene images show the process of my prep for the filming and how I created mine en scene to reflect tension in the opener.

First, I cleared out my garage to open up space and so it wouldn't look to cluttered on camera, I did intentionally kept some background elements like the bikes and the white drywall to enforce realism that shows the informality of the meeting and secrecy. 

I positioned a small foldable round table in the center of the frame to act as like a focal point of the scene, I placed 2 chairs down for the majority of the scenes, but when I pulled the third seat for the main character it was to symbolize the contrast of the characters, as their chairs being white and the same reflect their rank in this ladder, but for the main character the chair was bright orange subtly drawing attention to the character. 

The props on the table (alarm clock, file labeled top secret, and bag with sugar in it) were arranged to fit certain themes, The file labeled top secret was to show the audience that the things in that file were of top secrecy. I played around with positioning to make it not look to overly decorated. 

I used my dad's tripod to test placement. Adjusting the height and angle to create a slightly wide shot that captures both characters and the props/environment. The overhead lights made the scene look more natural and realistic, by having ha
rsh shadows I could enhance the tense, gritty atmosphere I was going for. 

Overall this stage in production was important because, it helped me refine the visual storytelling before filming, by arranging my props in the way I wanted to, I ensured the scene would feel intentional and not just random