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Final product

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Critical reflection Q&A

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Critical reflection questions

(idea behind the way I decided to present my answers)

I worked on the reflection questions as I was working on the production. my idea for the display of the questions was to present them as a virtual magazine as I felt like it was fitting due to the themes of beauty seen in the film.

As I was looking for inspiration I came across one of the covers for the comic that the film 'Helter Skelter' was based on and felt like it would be very interesting to recreate it with the mannequins. it would also be a good way in include intertextual references.

These images were what I used as a reference to take the photos for the magazine pages and below I included a side by side of the inspiration and what I came up with.

This is a side-by-side of the 'Helter Skelter' comic and a mockup magazine cover I created.

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Credits - post production

As I was starting to work on the credits and all the text that needed to go over the film I was having "difficulties" on how to refer to the mannequin or how to refer to her in a more meaningful way, that's when I came across the musical 'My Fair Lady' starring Audrey Hepburn.

The musical is about a poor flower girl named Eliza Doolittle, who is transformed into a "proper lady" by professor Henry Higgins. Higgins makes a bet that he can teach Eliza to speak and behave like someone from high society, crafting this fake identity for her. As Eliza changes on the outside, she starts to question her identity and independence, realizing her transformation was more about pleasing others than becoming her true self.

How do the stories connect?

In the film, the mannequin represents the rigid, constructed version of femininity. One that's imposed rather than chosen. Just like Higgins molds Eliza, society (especially cis-heteronormative patriarchy) molds women and especially trans women into its narrow definition of what is “acceptable,” “passable,” or “beautiful.”

In 'My Fair Lady', Eliza starts to lose her sense of self because her transformation isn't for her; it's for others to accept her. Even though she gains social mobility, her self-authenticity is lost. In my film, I show the pressures to "pass" or meet beauty standards, creating a version of femininity that is alienating, almost as if it's a performance rather than an expression. The cracking seen at the end is representative of the dysphoria, pain, and loss of identity.

Symbolic connection - pygmalion and the mannequin

the story of 'my fair lady' is based on the myth of pygmalion, a sculpture that falls in love with a statue he carved. Higgins like pygmalion sees Eliza as a project. in my film, the mannequins is a literal statue. Lifeless until molded, polished, and “perfected.”

Trans context - beauty standards as violence

like I've mentioned, there may be many interpretations to the film as people can view their experiences with their body image trough my character, however my personal interpretation and intention was for the character to be trans.

For trans women, failing to "pass" and to be seen by their biological sex can mean violence, discrimination, or invalidation. This idea of "building" a woman is not just for aesthetics; it becomes a matter of survival and safety. In my film, I try to show how some may look perfect on the exterior but feel isolated, dehumanized on the inside, as well as how this addiction to perfection leads to more problems.

This was just to give out the context to why I decided to name the mannequin after Eliza Doolittle as there are many connections between the musical and my film.

In the film, she is referred to in the credits as Eliza Dollittle, playing with the words doll and Doolittle.

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Draft #1 - production

when I started putting everything togheter I decided to change the introduction for something that would explain the story world better with just a few words similar to scene sin the 'substance' where we see words in the screen to emphasize the message.

After many trial and error with AI videos I got a few ones that worked really well and they can be seen in this first draft of the film.

At this stage most of script was just a place holder and I then changed it by adding and cutting the ones. that didn't make sense.

During production I also decided that some of the script would be said inside her head to herself so I lowered the volume and added an echo sound effect and you can hear well the bits that have that effect. I did this as the AI software I used didn't make her lips move so I use this effect on scenes her entire face is visible. The sounds coming out of her mouth (no echo effect) only appear when details of the set are seen.

How the character sees herself vs. How the audience sees her

I decided that she sees herself as human but wants to look like a mannequin (artificial). However, there are inconsistencies, which were purposely done to show how our perception of ourselves is always changing. Sometimes we are happy about it and other times we aren't. Those inconsistencies to confuse the audience about were also done what she actually looks like (human or mannequin?), yet they know she is mostly artificial by the end.

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Experimenting with AI - production

AI is something I personally don't like, however I felt as it was something fitting for me to use in this project as it its about artificial beauty.

I used AI to add movement to the mannequin and make her less static in order to confuse the audience and make them wonder if they were looking at a mannequin or a human.

In this particular video I used my own imagine of the mannequin and gave the AI a prompt.

^in this photo the prompt and reference image are visible.

in this scene the mannequin is asleep and having a static shot of her laying in bed would be quite boring to the audience. by having the breathing movements on the chest it creates an eerie feeling to the viewer.

In this video compilation I combined all of my first experimentations with AI. I believe the first two be the most successful compared to the others as they weren't really what I had in mind.

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Reworking storyboard - pre production

After some thought I felt as the story world wasn't well established to the audience as it goes straight into the mannequin crying and doing her make up.

I decided that by using some magazines, articles and social media I could do a montage that establish the audience giving them an idea of what the film is about.

The media will comment on celebrity bodies, cosmetic procedures, and weight, things that have been suggested by society, making people believe those things have to be perfect all the time. The Majority of the media will also be sexist, which will help emphasize to the audience how much society pressures women to always have the perfect appearance.

The montage will be similar to a Windows computer error, which is sort of reminiscent of a computer virus.

Metaphorically, I felt like body image issues could be represented well by a computer virus/error, especially like the one shown in the video, as they usually get worse progressively.

I also like how the windows start appearing slowly and their pace is increased. in a way it's reminiscent of how media was spread, from the 50's to now. this not only links to the changes in beauty standards over time but also increases the tension due to its fast pace.

*UPDATE*

I ended up doing a different introduction as this would take too much time and I wanted to use that time for my own footage.

I decided to so something with writing similar to 'The Substance'.

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Test shots - pre production

As I still had time, I decided to do a few test shots to see what works and doesn't.

This is a compilation of all the shots I felt were successful.

I believe that the set is quite poor in terms of color and textures compared to the sets in the films I looked at specially 'Helter Skelter'.

I personally think that what I need t do to improve the scenes aesthetically and add more meaning I should make her room feel beautiful, almost as if the room is an extension of her strive for perfection on herself. this will show how she wants everything in her life to be beautiful and perfect.

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Pre production/mock -ups preparing for final productions

As I was testing the flash scene, I realized that the duration per shot of both the photo of the mannequin and the white photo to create the flash effect was too high when I first did the shot types table.

After several tries, I found out that the mannequin photo should be 0.2 seconds and the white shot should be 0.1 seconds and then sped up in order to create the effect I want.

Now by having this prototype in can simply replace the placeholder photo of the mannequin I used in the video with the new photos which I will eventually take.

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Preliminary exercise

I wanted to use this preliminary exercise as a practice and as a test for the film, using similar lighting and camera angles that will be seen in the final production.

Both of these shots are what I envision for the close-up shots I have in my storyboard, where the mannequin is looking at herself in the mirror.

I believe these are successful as the lighting against her creates contrast making her appear dark which creates that eerie atmosphere I want. where you can see it's a human figure yet its stiffness tells you other wise.

I was also able to achieve a grainy quality with my camera due to the dim lighting. This will be something I will use specially on the second vanity scene as the grainy quality will connote a bad feeling/atmosphere.

In the final production, I wanted the lighting on the opening scene to be warmer, which I wasn't able to achieve here, so I will do something similar to what was done in 'Jennifer's Body'. I will incorporate lamps that have warm lighting as well as candles. I will keep the lighting against the mannequin to achieve a darker, almost silhouette effect on her, as well as having warmth in the scene caused by the lamps and candles.

This video was a test for how her arms will move. As I was recording as well as moving her arm I realized that the movement of the arm wasn't natural. To fix that and assure that it's perfect I will use a tripod to have my camera be static, which will allow me to focus on the arm movement.

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Connections between media theories and the story

As part of the media studies course, we've learnt about different theories and how they help shape media as well as analyze it. For my film, I've chosen three key theories that best relate to my production:

-Stuart hall's encoding/decoding model

-Roland Barthes' semiotics theory

-Todorov's narrative theory

Stuart hall - encoding and decoding model

Hall's theory suggests that the media producers encode messages into their work, but the way audiences decode those messages may vary. He identifies three types:

preferred reading- audiences fully understands the meaning and agrees with intended message.

negotiated reading- audience pertly accepts the meaning but interprets in in their own way.

oppositional reading- audience rejects and misinterprets the intended meaning.

Given that the main meaning behind the film that I wish to convey to the audience, I am hoping that by carefully using macro+micro elements I will be able to help the audience have a preferred reading of my text (as outlined by Stuart hall's theory).

Roland Barthes - semiotics theory

Barthes' theory explains how signs, this can be images, objects or words, create meaning. a sign has:

-signifier - the physical form (mannequin).

-signified - the deeper meaning (rigid beauty standards and feeling of being trapped in a body).

I use semiotics in my film through the mannequin, here's how:

Mannequin as a sign

Denotation - lifeless, rigid figure made out of plastic

Connotation - artificial beauty standards and the idea of being trapped in an identity you don't resonate with making it almost not alive or not authentic.

Cracking and peeling of the mannequin

Denotation - mannequin physically breaking apart.

Connotation - inescapable gender dysphoria faced by trans women and societal pressures.

Todorov - narrative

Todorov's theory suggests that narratives follow a five stage structure:

-equilibrium

-disruption

-recognition

-repair

-new equilibrium

^ Disruption, recognition, and repair can all be put under a category called disequilibrium.

As the film is can only be 2-3 minutes long , I have decided to focus only on the equilibrium and the disruption. this leaves the story on a cliffhanger, creating intrigue and making the audience want more.

The equilibrium will have a sense of stability, even if it's uneasy due to it being a mannequin. The disruption will then be the mannequin seeing the cracks and having the actual screen starting to crack.

By applying these theories, I aim to create a striking and meaningful message that resonates with the viewers in various ways.

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⋅˚₊‧ Introduction & Guidance on how to navigate my blog ‧₊˚ ⋅

*please introduce the name of each section in the magnifying glass in order to find them. you may also scroll all the way to the bottom to see the blog from the beginning. -initial ideas -microelements -macro elements -production and distribution company -mood boards -textual research -shot-by-shot analysis -shot list -storyboard -audience research -film title and meaning -media theories -preliminary exercise -pre-production

-production

-post production

-critical reflection Q&A

The post below includes a link to the final product.

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Shot list

This is a list of all the shots I want in the film with a brief description of what they show as well as the impact they have on the audience.

This will guide me when the time to film comes, as well as when building the set.

*The timing for each shot will change as I start producing the film and start to understand what works best.

I gave each shot 6 seconds however this will change as pace will increase as the film gets closer to its disequillibrium.

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Pre-production - story board #1

This was my first go at the storyboard. I had most scenes visualized in my head, however I had to think of a way to make them all connect and I had to think of a hook that would make the audience want to watch more. This story board is just my initial idea and eventually I will create a more organized and clear version.

Eventually I decided to move a few scenes around as I thought the suspense of not having seen the full figure right away would create the atmosphere I wanted. so instead of having the close up shots of the vanity at the end I have them at the very beginning after the shot of the mannequin from behind.

This allows me to make the audience think the figure is a human and once they get to the fourth and fifth shot they will be confused and the horror atmosphere will be established.

In this beginning extract of the story board I also added a scene that connects the vanity scene to the computer scene where the mannequin edits her photo. in that extra scene, the camera pans down to a phone and instantly a montage of photos will be seen. this allows me to show the mannequin took photos of herself without having to move her (as I can't since its a static figure).

That scene will be done similarly to this scene from 'The Bling Ring' (2013, Sofia Coppola).

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Shot by shot analysis

As this sequence of 'Jennifer's Body' is very similar to what I want my opening scene to look like visually, so decided to do a shot by shot analysis for me to understand what was done by Karyn Kusama to make the scene so effective.

The "I Am a God" scene in 'Jennifer’s Body' is a pivotal moment that encapsulates Jennifer’s transformation into something both terrifying and seductive. Her confidence and eerie detachment from the horror she’s inflicted solidify her shift from victim to predator. The lighting, warm yet unsettling, highlights her supernatural allure (similar to what I want to do in my film), while her calm, almost amused demeanor contrasts with Needy’s shock and fear. The line “I am a god” underlines Jennifer’s newfound power. This scene perfectly embodies the film’s feminist horror themes, exploring female agency, desire, and the monstrous beauty of revenge.

Mise-en-scene

Lighting

-Low-key light establishes the nocturnal setting while adding to the horror aesthetic through chiaroscuro effects, creating deep shadows and heightening Jennifer's presence.

-The use of warm colored lamps juxtaposes Jennifer's supernatural detachment and the eerie atmosphere. The contrast between warm and cool tones creates a sense of cognitive dissonance for the audience.

-The use of pink light also works as a polysemic signifier, originally associated with softness and femininity, yet during this scene it juxtaposes Jennifer's monstrous transformation, subverting expectations and reinforcing her deceptive allure.

Props

-Vanity serves as a symbolic prop that represents Jennifer's self-obsession and societal beauty standards.

-Phones function as a device that reflects teenage culture and situates the narrative within a contemporary setting.

-Lighter which works as a sign of Jennifer's supernatural transformation, visually confirming her invulnerability and reinforcing her god like status.

Costuming

-Jennifer's attire functions as a code of representation, reinforcing her character as the 'popular girl' archetype.

-In contrast, Needy's higher cut shirt and glasses act as a sign of her 'nerdy' persona, which reinforces binary oppositions between the two characters.

-The contrast of their attire serves as an example of binary opposition (Levi Strauss), helping the audience distinguish the two by having Jennifer as a hyper-feminine and confident character and needy as a nerdy and reserved personality.

Cinematography

Movement

-Minimal movement is used except for the pan at the beginning, which directs the audience's attention to the setting and establishes the scene.

-The camera is mostly static through out the scene. this may create a sense of unease mirroring how Needy feels (trapped).

Composition

-central farming is used in the scene as the director wants you to focus on the characters and their conversation rather than the background. the only important mis en scene props the director wants us to focus on are all being held by the characters (lighter and phones) showing their relevance to the scene.

-The close up shots also help the audience seeing their expressions. Jennifer's self assured and dominant expressions and Needy's confusion and discomfort.

-The camera goes even closer to Jennifer's face as she is burning her tongue which focuses the audience's attention on that detail and reinforces her supernatural transformation.

-The dark lighting frame created by the lighting creates a closed frame which reinforces the idea of Needy feeling emotionally trapped in the situation as well as passing this feeling to the audience, as we feel trapped in the moment with them.

-A standard focus maintains the clarity of the background without detracting from the conversation

-The only scene that uses a deep focus is chip's scene, which shoes his detachment from the situation happening between Needy and Jennifer.

Editing

-The scene uses simple straight cuts which construct a linear narrative and aid continuity. The straight cuts also avoid unnecessary visual distractions.

Sound

Diegetic

-The diegetic sounds in the scene is the dialogue between characters, the song playing in Jennifer's room and the police sirens outside Chip's room. the sound of sizzling created by the lighter burning Jennifer's tongue is also present.

Non diegetic

-This scene doesn't use nondiegetic sound as there is no feeling to be emphasized more than what it already is by the diegetic sounds.

synchronous

-the sound of the lighter and the sizzling of Jennifer's tongue forces as an example of synchronous sound and intensifies audience immersion.

asynchronous

-The sound of music playing in Jennifer's room. The audience can't see where it comes from. The use of music creates a juxtaposition between Jennifer's relaxed spirit and what she's saying.

-The sirens are asynchronous sounds as only the red and blue lights are seen, insinuating the cars outside. Using the sound of police sirens lets the audience know that the police are starting to be involved in the cases of the murdered boys (killed by Jennifer). This helps expand the story world beyond what is happening in the main setting.

this exercises was done to helm me focus on different aspects of this particular scene as its quite similar to what I want to do for my film (in terms of lighting and mine-en-scene) and allowed me to think of the production more in-depth.

I aim to replicate the use of low-key lighting and warm hues, as it creates shadows and contrasts between the warmth and safety feeling associated with warm lighting and the use of the mannequin.

the use of close ups will also be crucial to my film not only because that will help me move the mannequin without making it unnatural but it will also reinforce the mannequin's mood which will be represented by tears.

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Textual research

As I was doing more research on films and TV shows that have similar scenes to the one I wanted to do, I remembered this scene from 'Euphoria' (2019, Sam Levinson).

This scene reflects a theme central to my film: the relentless pursuit of perfection, pushed to a breaking point. Highlighting how striving for an ideal can become excessive, leading to deeper struggles.

The mirror shots stood out to me, particularly in how they use warm lighting, contrasting the horror of her obsession. This helps create an unsettling yet beautiful atmosphere-something I want to incorporate in my own film.

Something I like about this scene is how the camera moves with the beauty tools as Cassie drags them across her skin. This is a clever way of emphasizing the frustration she feels and helps make the audience feel discomfort due to how harsh she is being with her own skin, almost making it seem as if she is punishing herself for not being perfect enough. The use of this technique adds to the emotional weight of the scene, showing how her need for perfection may lead to self-destruction.

This scene has influenced my approach to lighting, framing, and perhaps movement (as it wasn't something I initially thought of doing). This helped me shape the unsettling yet intimate tone I want for my film's opening.

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Ideas related to mise-en-scene

As I mentioned I wanted the credits to and movie title to be part of the of the actual mise en scene. I also mentioned how I wanted a scene where the mannequin is looking at herself in the mirror/vanity. I decided to merge both ideas and have the vanity scene be the opening of the film

I had an idea for the film title after looking at images I found on Pinterest. As I want the shot to be from the mannequin’s back (in order not to reveal she’s a mannequin right away), showing her looking, I thought of having the movie title be a lower back tattoo, but out of Rhinestone glitter.

The tattoo will say ‘esoteric’ but in cursive.

The font inspiration was the opening scene of 'Jennifers Body'.

As seen on my most recent moodboards, there are dolls in one of the vanities. As a doll collector myself I thought it would be interesting to use them as props for the set. I will use blonde dolls which will further emphasize the theme of ideal beauty presented in the film. these dolls will be something the mannequin aspires to look like and looks up to for referencing in the way she looks.

Another (newer) source of inspiration for the film, as it was released after I had done the initial moodboards is the photoshoot of sky Ferreira for I.AM.GIA,  directed by Daniel Sachon and photographed by Indiana Piorek.

These photos and videos are very similar to what I want to do for the film. From the colors to the set, everything is very similar. What I like about this is the use of vintage props, the color pink, and the femme fatale theme.

I also really like the sound used. it creates sort of a sinister atmosphere which works well with the femme fatale scene. I would say the sound is contrapuntal as it sort of contrasts with what sky is doing to the men. something like this would be really interesting to do in my film as it could add a sense of twisted mind the mannequin might have.