Gears are Turning - Portfolio Project Blog Post #6

 GEARS ARE TURNING

NEW IDEA ALERT

My group met on a call to discuss some new ideas, and for once, we were all there and ready to go. After scrapping the alien-monster-creature-thing idea, we had some difficulty coming up with something new, but thankfully, our brains decided to wake up and our ideas began bubbling up. So, here's what I've told you so far: female protagonist, lone survivor, office, trains. Pretty simple, right?

EXCEPT NO.

WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW

Our story follows a woman who is the final human being on Earth after an assumed apocalypse has rid of all other beings. On her own, she is fighting to survive by gathering materials, searching various buildings. She is first introduced to the audience in an office, where she begins her mission, and then she continues wandering into a factory. At the end of the opening, she hears and sees a train headed toward her in the distance, and a frightened look is plastered on her face.

THE FINE DETAILS

In our meeting, we discussed some possible shots to include within our opening narrative. A big challenge we were facing was a way to introduce our story in a unique and attention-grasping way. Since I have been to the office location before, I remembered a detail that I think will definitely benefit us: there are security cameras with live footage throughout the building. This news was a big hit, and we all agreed that security footage of the protagonist entering the building will be a great way to begin our opening in an interesting manner. I also think that this is a great subliminal indicator to the audience that this character may not be as alone as they think, and perhaps something is watching them. 

I mentioned in my previous post that I desire for our opening to have an intimate moment with the protagonist, in which their animalistic, survivalist ways are put to a halt for a quick moment. But, without other humans to interact with, how can we highlight her inner emotions? The answer:

Twinkies.

Seriously. 

While searching the office, we plan on our protagonist stumbling across the kitchen, where she begins to loot the drawers and cabinets. In one of these compartments, she finds some twinkies, and a little twinkle in her eye (haha) shines for a brief moment. Though we don't want to put some Disney-style glisten in her eyes when she sees this treat, we do want to put emphasis on her facial expression. These twinkies mean a lot to her. Perhaps they bring forth a memory of some kind.

In the office, we also plan on her seeing an old measuring cup of Cuban coffee, where she rushes to take a sip straight from the container. Personally, I really want to make sure it's obviously Cuban coffee because that could introduce a minor detail about our character: her heritage.