For our second milestone we had decided to begin shooting by the 12th of March but this got pushed ahead to the 15th of March because of scheduling issues. However, we have finished with our set design and test shoots, as well as casting. We also conducted a table read which proved to be very useful.
During the test shoot, we had trouble figuring out how to place our two characters in a dinner scene of the movie and how to best light them. After a few tries, we managed to figure out how to achieve the best lighting at night, though it was quite frustrating at first. During the test shoot we were also able to check each frame of the storyboard and decide how it looks and whether the shot works or not.
After we finalized the actress for the mother role, we conducted a table read during which we were able to gauge how the actors perceived the characters as well as hearing their suggestions and notes on how to improve the script. The table read was successful as we were able to have a good conversation about the story and what elements worked and what elements did not.
Furthermore, we also finalized a composer for our film. After sending him some samples from movie soundtracks (such as Her and The Social Network), and talking to him about the script, he gave us his first draft of the mothers theme. We had planned to have three different themes, one for the mother, one for Deniz and one for AIA. However, we decided that AIA and the mothers theme should be a variation of the same theme, with the mothers theme sounding more natural, with a piano and strings, and AIA's theme sounding more electronic. The mothers theme is also important as we want the mother humming her theme within the movie itself, therefore it has to be something catchy , something one can hum easily.
By next week we will start shooting and will continue till the 22nd of March, after which our post-production period will start. We're all equal levels of excited and stressed as the days of the shoot draw nearer.
