Lockdown: A Short Film by Gracie Crone by Gracie Crone https://padlet.com/graciecrone/Lockdown This is my journey writing, directing, filming and producing a short film, entitled Lockdown (working title), showing the thoughts of 9-year-old Jaime as her school goes into a lockdown. Starring Penelope M. as Jaime and Chloe R. as Hannah. The role of Olivia is TBD. en-us 2016-09-07 16:03:04 UTC 2025-10-09 17:16:06 UTC hello@padlet.com https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/d4/ee/95/d4ee952ba7909cfbb0ac654312d15680.jpg Week One graciecrone https://padlet.com/graciecrone/Lockdown/wish/122267753 Hello all! This is my first post to Padlet, and my first post about my upcoming project. I have finally made the bold decision to create a short film. I will be updating this blog (hopefully) twice a month with information about the creative process, and I will do what I can to photograph the lovely child actors that will be starring in my film while they are on set!

Now, I absolutely do not expect this to be easy. I know that I might have scheduling conflicts with my actors (all of the actors I would be using are under the age of 13!), but I can easily work around that. I also have had experience with failed animation films. They failed due to one reason: lack of time to produce it. Typically, the hard stuff comes out in post-production, and I've accepted that.

I've always wanted to make a short film, and I guess I've never really found a valid reason to do it. Well, at least, a valid reason where I would actually HAVE TO follow through. Now, thanks to Mrs. Jackson and Shark Hour, I am going to go through the entire creative process and bring myself to create the most amazing short film I have ever dreamed to make! Of course, I've already acknowledged that this will not be an easy feat, but I will succeed.

I am planning to take many photos (both on-set and off) of me and my actors, and I will upload them to Padlet whenever I get the chance to export them. I will also upload videos/trailers for my film once I have gotten to that point in production, as well as uploading photos and videos of auditions. Until then, I will update regularly. Thanks for reading!]]> 2016-09-07 20:16:35 UTC https://padlet.com/graciecrone/Lockdown/wish/122267753 Week Three graciecrone https://padlet.com/graciecrone/Lockdown/wish/126061266 Hello again! I'm back with more news about the creative process and how Lockdown is coming along! First of all, I have officially cast my principal child role. Nine-year-old Jaime will be played by Penelope M! I know she will be absolutely incredible in this role and I cannot wait to start working with this talented young actress.

I am looking forward to the near future. I am expected to start filming in late December and conclude near the end of January or beginning of February. My post-production will take place in February and March, and I am planning to (if budget allows) throw a premiere party for cast members. I know this film is not going to be professional-quality, but I want to make it as good as it can be, and with as many talented children as I know, I will certainly be able to get talent somehow.

Last week, I had no idea what my film was going to be about: only that I wanted to work with child actors to open up some opportunities for young hopefuls like myself. Now, I am already working on my screenplay. On Thursday, I read several articles about anxiety in children as character development for Jaime, and looked at some existing amateur screenplays for inspiration and ideas.

I have always wanted to make a short film, and this project has given me the chance to do it and premiere it to my peers. I also have tried to create short films in the past, but never completed the post-production of them. Now, I really do have to complete the film, and be satisfied with it, and I'm very excited for this opportunity. This project will help me in many ways that I am not even able to comprehend yet. I know that I will learn many techniques for my camera, as well as different filming techniques. I will also learn how to direct, and how to write for screen rather than stage, which is what I've always been doing. 

Thank you for reading, and I will be sure to let you all know how my film is coming along in week five! Stay cool, my friends!]]> 2016-09-23 16:01:24 UTC https://padlet.com/graciecrone/Lockdown/wish/126061266 Week Five graciecrone https://padlet.com/graciecrone/Lockdown/wish/133338502    This week was a very productive week for me. I was able to successfully complete my screenplay and begin developing my visions for costuming of each character. I have also cast Olivia, the main character Jaime's older sister. 

I knew exactly why I decided to start this project, but I'm learning more reasons why I wanted to do this every day. I know that I love theatre, acting, writing and film, but I really loved the experience of writing this screenplay. In the two weeks it took me to write a script for film, I was able to explore my character development abilities. I did decide to make several changes to my initial idea, in the sense of the characters and their personalities. That's alright, though, as I like my updated ideas much more. The characters have much more depth now than they did before, and you can see much more of a character arc in Jaime as the story plays out.

I've learned a lot about myself during the course of this project so far. First of all, I had no idea that I would have such strong creative ideas and inclinations when it comes to characters and costuming. Secondly, I know now that it sounds phenomenal to work with child actors and actresses, providing them with opportunities to star in short films locally and with familiar faces. I also discovered many things about myself while writing the character of Jaime. I took a lot of my personal experiences with anxiety and stress as an elementary schooler, and incorporated them into who Jaime is and what her values are. 

Hopefully, before next week, I will have finalized my cast list. Soon, I hope to start filming, then dive right into post-production. 
Until next time, Gracie.
]]> 2016-10-26 14:31:40 UTC https://padlet.com/graciecrone/Lockdown/wish/133338502 Week Seven graciecrone https://padlet.com/graciecrone/Lockdown/wish/133338825 Welcome to my fourth blog entry! I have officially reached two months of hard work on Lockdown, and, oh goodness, I only have till February to finish this up. I know it won't be easy work, but I'm nearing crunch time and it's almost time for me to meet with my cast for the first time!

I know I could probably be more organized, but that's really the primary improvement I think I could make In my organizational skills. I've recently contacted my actors and their parents, but I have yet to cast the role of Olivia, the main character's older sister. I have a few ideas for actresses to play her, but I need to contact the candidates before moving forward with too much.

Coming up, I know budget will be a concern. I don't really have much money to make this film, and, come to think of it, I'm not sure I even have a proper camera. Still, I need to purchase costumes and props, and find a film location. I know I need a classroom location with a closet for one of my scenes, but everything else I will be able to find without a problem. I will have to figure out where I can access the classroom (preferably without having to pay a rental fee... lol!), but otherwise, I think I can manage.

Most of my class time on Thursday was spent planning out a skeleton for my schedule. I have nothing confirmed, but I know that I would like to begin filming in November and wrap in December, before Christmastime, to allow my actors to spend the holidays with their families, free of stress. I have also received confirmation that Penelope and Chloe, my two first-choice actresses, will both be participating in the film. Penelope will be playing Jaime, the principal role, and Chloe will be playing the supporting role of Hannah. I am absolutely thrilled to work with such talented young actresses.

Well, this is the end of my second and final blog entry for October. Thank you so much for reading. Check back soon, and I'll keep you posted!

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