I am surpised at how much my project has changed from conception until now but I am proud of myself. (So is my mom, she cried!) This was an awesome class and an awesome opportunity. I hope my local animal shelter gets some donations and some pets (even if its only one) get adopted. LOVE TODAY!

First, I am going to submit my project to my Facebook account. www.facebook.com

I think this website will be useful because it is the source that I turn to reach all of my family and friends. In addition to my own personal status update, I plan to submit the link the Hancock County Animal Shelter Foundation fan page. They also post updates to their fan page that will reach additional people in our community.

Next, I will re-submit my information to www.hcasf.org to ask again for their support. If the final project is received well by the shelter, I will ask for their permission to submit the link to our community newspaper www.reviewonline.com. This is a good source because it should catch additional members of my community who are not members of Facebook.

Finally, I will submit my project link to my apartment community website via the Resident Portal system at www.windsorcommunities.com. This page requires a log in but is accessible to all community members where the information will be displayed under the “pets” section. Since this is a section that is not checked regularly by non-pet owners, I will I will encourage residents to visit it using word of mouth promotion. I will also promote my YouTube page www.youtube.com/mmcpher1 using word of mouth promotion.

Right now, my project stands in the pre-production stage. The majority of filming will take place this Friday, October 15^th. I already have my locations and props picked out as well as the actors I will use in the film. As previously mentioned, one of my largest obstacles I face is the acting skills of my cat.  I have done a couple test shoots and am confident in the persuasion of treats as well as the angles I can use to produce the desired results. The rest of my filming (if necessary) will occur on Sunday, October 17^th, which is also the day I have set aside to edit.

I feel confident in my projects ambition and progress as in addition to classmate and instructor support I also have two friends in my apartment community that are familiar with filmmaking that I have been conversing with since the start of the class. They have given me some equipment to borrow as well as recommended software and websites to consult for technical support. I plan to use Windows Movie Maker but also have CS5 editing software that I am attempting currently to understand for editing. The estimated completion date is set for Monday, October 18^th.

N/A

 

Page:      1	DURATION:  0:30 seconds	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The protagonist is shown sleeping while her cat tries to wake her. When the cat finally wakes her, she looks at the alarm clock, realizes the time and begins rushing to get ready.  The director is trying to tell the audience that she has overslept.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): No sound/dialogue.
media list:   N/A

 

Page:      2	DURATION:  0:15 seconds	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl runs out of her apartment and towards the bus as the bus pulls away. The director is demonstrating that girl is late for work based on her attire.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): No sound/dialogue.
media list:   N/A

 

Page:      3	DURATION:  0:20	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		When the girl arrives to work her boss calls her into her office and points to her watch. She next packs up her desk and exits the building.       The director is trying to convey that she has just been fired from her job.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): No sound/dialogue.
media list:   N/A

 

Page:      4	DURATION:  0:15	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl rides home on the bus, opening a text message that reads, “I think we should see other people. ” Director is leading the viewer to believe that her boyfriend just broke up with her.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): No sound/dialogue.
media list:     Works cited: May need to give credit to HTC and Sprint unless the text message can be read without showcasing the cell phone maker and service provider information.

 

Page:      5	DURATION:  0:05	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl checks her mail and finds past due bills.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): No sound/dialogue.
media list: N/A

 

Page:      6	DURATION:  0:10	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl comes home after a horrendous day and is greeted by her cat. The director conveys that despite everything her cat brings her comfort.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER):   No sound/dialogue.
media list:   N/A

 

Page:      7	DURATION:  0:20	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl has a series of time where she watches TV, eats junk food and lounges around in her pj’s. She eventually falls asleep. The director is showing that audience that the girl is headed on a downward spiral of laziness.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): No sound/dialogue.
media list:   N/A

 

;

Page:      8	DURATION:  0:15	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The cat, having observed this behavior, is concerned for the girl. The next morning he is shown waking her up. The director is telling the audience that the cat  is concerned for his owner and is encouraging her to make a change.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): No dialogue.
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

 

Page:      9	DURATION: 0:15	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl wakes up and begins cleaning her apartment. The director wants to convey that she is ready for a change!
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): No dialogue.
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

 

Page:      10	DURATION:  0:15	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl starts working out, her cat encouraging and working out with her. The director is showing their friendship.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): N/A
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

 

Page:      11	DURATION:  0:10	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl begins searching the classifieds looking for a new job. Her cat again, by her side, encouraging her.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): N/A
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

 

Page:      12	DURATION:  0:05	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl is shown interviewing for a job and a handshake is exchanged. The director is indicating that she got the job.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER):
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

 

Page:      13	DURATION:  0:10	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl is leaving the interview and bumps into a boy. A connection is made. The director is leading the audience to think that this will be her new boyfriend.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): N/A
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

 

Page:      14	DURATION: 0:10	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The guy comes over to her apartment to watch a movie. In the happy moment, the girl looks at her cat. The director is leading the viewers to believe that in her new happiness the girl may have forgotten about her cat.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): N/A
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

 

Page:      15	DURATION:  0:15	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		Girl goes to animal shelter to adopt her cat a friend
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): N/A
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

 

Page:      16	DURATION:  0:10	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		The girl brings the cat home and introduces her to her cat. The two become instant friends.
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): N/A
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

 

Page:      17	DURATION: 0:25	Project name: Love TODAY	Author: Mayghan Mcpherson
		Frame description
		As the girl turns off the lights (with her cats beside her) text begins to scroll…
narration / VO (VOICE OVER): “Sometimes we think we are here to take care of our pets when in fact, maybe they are here to take care of us. Don’t forget to show support to those pets who are still in need of a home. If you are unable to offer a home to an animal in need, food and money donations are accepted to provide them with the support needed until they are given the opportunity to bring joy to someone’s life. Support the humane society and your local animal shelter. Love Today.”
media list:   Love Today  – Mika

Act 1

Fade in:

The camera pans in to show a girl sleeping in bed and a cat standing on the bed beside her, nudging her to wake up. The girl wakes up and looks at the alarm clock, leaping into a panic as the audience assumes that she has overslept. The girl begins bustling around her apartment getting dressed, brushing her teeth and getting ready (quickly) for work. Her cat looks on while she exits her apartment in disheveled attire.

Cut to:

The girl exiting her apartment and running to the bus only to find that it is pulling out of the station. The bus doesn’t stop despite the fact that she’s running after it.

Cut to:

The girl arriving at work with a guilty look on her face. She is called into her boss’s office and the boss points to his watch. The audience is lead to believe that she has been fired as she next leaves the office carrying a box of desk items.

Cut to:

The girl getting on a bus (looking depressed) as the camera pans to show her cell phone with a text message stating “I think we should see other people.”

Cut to: 

The girl returning home sluggishly, checking her mail only to find tons of passed due bills waiting for her. The girl makes her way upstairs to her apartment and opens the door and finds her cat waiting. She sits down on the couch petting her cat, reveling in what was a crazy day.

Cut to:

A montage of days and nights passing are shown where the girl is in sweatpants watching TV, sleeping and eating ice cream. Her cat, having observed her behavior for the last several days, looks on concerned as she falls asleep in her messy apartment. Although no words have been spoken the audience knows that the girl has hit an obvious low point and that her cat is concerned for her.

Act 2

Fade in:

The sun rises the next day and the cat hops on the bed, like before, and begins nudging her to wake up. {LOVE TODAY by Mika begins to play.} For whatever reason the girl wakes up and looks at her cat. By her facial expression the audience assumes that the girl is ready to make a change.

Cut to:

The girl cleaning up her mess around the apartment and picking up garbage while the cat helps.

Cut to:

Getting into her workout clothes and a workout sequence in shown, each exercise her cat participates with her.

Cut to:

Sitting at the table the girl begins looking for jobs while her cats sits beside her, a “high five” is exchanged after the girl circles what appears to be a good find in the classifieds.

Cut to:

The girl getting dressed for what the audience assumes is an interview while the cat looks on, also dressed up, wearing a tie.

Cut to:

The girl is shown smiling getting onto the bus and next happily waiting for her turn in line for an interview. Shortly she goes into the office she is shown shaking hands with a guy who we assume is her new boss as if she has just gotten the job.

Cut to:

Exiting the building, she literally bumps into a guy and we assume a

“love” connection is made.

Cut to:

A dance and music sequence as the girl and her cat participate in the song, playing instruments and dancing along to the music.  Everything seems to be going perfectly.

Cut to:

The guy that she met knocks on her door, bringing her flowers. She introduces him to her cat. The girl and the new guy sit together on her couch with popcorn, waiting for a movie to start while her cat sits close to them on the floor. It appears that all is well again. The girl looks down at her cat and is shown escaping the moment while the wheels are turning inside of her head.

Act 3

Cut to:

(2:50 into the song) The girl and boy are next shown running down a hallway hand-in-hand searching for something that is unseen by the audience. The pair point to something and then exchange smiles as their facial expressions display that they have made the perfect selection.

Cut to:

The girl walking down the hall of her apartment building excitedly with a hidden object. She opens her apartment door to find her cat, as usual, waiting for her. She kneels down and reveals a girl cat that she has adopted. The cat exits the cage and the two cats “smell” each other and the audience is led to believe that a friendship forms.

Cut to:

“Scenes of friendship” where the two cats, play together, eat together and show affection to the girl. Finally the girl is shown getting ready for bed and as she turns off the light, the two cats settle for bed in her room.

Cut to:

Scrolling Text (3:36 into the song) “Sometimes we think we are here to take care of our pets when in fact, maybe they are here to take care of us. Don’t forget to show support to those pets who are still in need of a home. If you are unable to offer a home to an animal in need, food and money donations are accepted to provide them with the support needed until they are given the opportunity to bring joy to someone’s life. Support the humane society and your local animal shelter. Love Today.”

Fade out.

End!

You can be sure to see lots of animals and images associated with pets including animal shelters, veterinary treatment, companionship, toys, treats and playtime.

Examine the marketplace for your client. What is the appeal to different age groups and foreign markets?

There is a wide target market when it comes to the pet adoption market, as companionship is a concept that is desired by most of the population. However, this becomes more predominant for young adults who are without children/marriage and middle-aged – senior citizens who are single, divorced or widowed.

Look at and list recent successes (i.e., sales). Formulate an overall idea of what audiences want and then make a short list of all the reasons they should connect with your client based on your project concept.

People are attracted to stories with happy endings. For my project I will be focusing on encouraging adoption from young professionals. For this reason I will show the benefits of pet companionship and the happiness that pets create, not the depressing side of pet overpopulation. I will also demonstrate that caring for a pet is easy and they often bring more to the relationship than we can as humans.

Genre:

Short film/Comedy/Documentary/Musical

Setting

1. Where and when does the typical project take place?

The typical project takes place in either one of two locations. The first is inside of

an animal shelter and the second is in a playground/dog park where the

animal, typically a dog, is shown playing.

2. What visual images are associated with the typical setting?

Again, there are two typical settings. The most common location (an animal shelter) is associated with images of caged, sick animals looking sad. The second location is outside in a playground where blue skies and green grass is often the backdrop of happy, playful animals. 

Characters

3. Describe the typical heroes or protagonists.

 

An animal (cat or dog) that is desperate to be adopted.

4. What types of supporting characters would you expect to find?

The supporting character is typically a human that we assume is the owner.

5. Are the roles in these generally more masculine or feminine?

This is dependent on the animal; for a cat you typically find a feminine character and for a dog, a masculine character.

Plot

6. What are the conflicts you would expect to find in this genre?

An outreach to viewers to adopt a pet as overpopulation is resulting in the euthanasia of millions of animals annually.

7. Describe typical plot structures in this genre.

The problem is displayed to the viewer and either the sadness in the final outcome is displayed or the joy in an adoption is shown.

Iconography

8. What objects and images do you expect to see in a film of this genre?

 

Mood/Tone

9. Is the typical project optimistic or pessimistic?

The typical project has a pessimistic tone, attempting to pull on viewer heartstrings in attempts to encourage action.

10. Light or dark?

Dark. Again, showing the painful truth in pet overpopulation.

11. Comedic or serious?

Serious.

12. Eerie or wholesome?

Wholesome.

Cinematic Style

13. What are typical shots (framing) and camera movements?

The typical shots include slow moving frames, which result in the viewer connecting to the long displaying image of an animal. Also, important contact and donation information is typically displayed at the end making it important to “freeze” on an image for several seconds.

14. What is the typical lighting like?

When filming in a shelter, low lighting to convey the seriousness of the issue, at a playground, bright and sunny to show happiness.

15. What editing techniques are typically used?

There are not many special effects or advances editing techniques used, instead most projects are on focused on displaying long lasting images of animals.

16. How is sound typically utilized?

In most videos examined you can expect to hear animal sounds (barking, meowing) displayed overtop of a lyrical track.

 

Theme: Human/Pet Companionship

Title: Love Today

Tag/Logline: Most days we take care of our pets. Some days they are there to take care of us.

 

The camera pans in to show a girl sleeping in bed and a cat standing on the bed beside her, nudging her to wake up. The girl wakes up and looks at the alarm clock, leaping into a panic as the audience assumes that she has overslept. The girl begins bustling around her apartment getting dressed, brushing her teeth and getting ready (quickly) for work. Her cat looks on while she exits her apartment in disheveled attire. The girl exits her apartment and runs to the bus only to find that it is pulling out of the station. The bus doesn’t stop despite the fact that she’s running after it. When she arrives to work her boss points to her watch and the audience is lead to believe that she has been fired as she next leaves the office carrying a box of desk items. The girl gets on the bus (looking depressed) and the camera pans to show her cell phone with a text message from Will staying “I think we should see other people.” The girl returns sluggishly to her apartment and checks her mail only to find tons of passed due bills. After a horrendous day, the girl opens her apartment and finds comfort in her cat waiting for her as she opens the door. She sits down on the couch petting her cat and a montage of days and nights passing are shown where the girl is shown in sweatpants watching TV, sleeping and eating ice cream. Her cat, having observed her behavior for the last several days, looks on concerned as she falls asleep in her messy apartment. Although no words have been spoken the audience knows that the girl has hit an obvious low point and that her cat is concerned for her.

The sun rises the next day and the cat hops on the bed, like before, and begins nudging her to wake up. {LOVE TODAY by Mika begins to play.} For whatever reason the girl wakes up and looks at her cat. By her facial expression the audience assumes that the girl is ready to make a change. She starts by cleaning up her mess around the apartment while the cat helps. She later gets into her work out clothes and a work out sequence in shown, each exercise her cat participates with her. Next, sitting at the table the girl begins looking for jobs while her cats sits beside her, a “high five” is exchanged after the girl circles what appears to be a good find in the classifieds. The girl then gets dressed for what the audience assumes is an interview while the cat looks on in a tie. The girl is shown smiling getting onto the bus and next happily waiting for her turn in line for an interview. Shortly after, she is shown shaking hands with a guy who we assume is her new boss as if she has gotten the job. Upon exiting she literally bumps into a guy and we assume a connection is made. A dance and music sequence is shown as the girl and her cat participate in the song that is playing. Everything seems to be going perfectly as the girl and the new guy sit together on her couch with popcorn, waiting for a movie to start while her cat sits close to them on the floor. It appears that all is well again. The girl looks down at her cat and is shown escaping the moment while the wheels are turning inside of her head.

Next, the girl and the guy are shown running down the hall of an animal shelter pointing and laughing until the girl shakes her head as if she has found what they are looking for. The girl then comes home to find her cat waiting for her, as usual, as she opens the door further to reveal a cage in her hand. She opens the cage and a cat walks out as they greet each other and sniff each other in approval. It seems now that the story has the perfect ending and everyone is happy.

 

Love Today Actors Shown

Client name:  Hancock County Animal Shelter Foundation

 

Established: 1991

 

Current branding: Foundation for the better treatment of animals.

 

Related clients/associations: Hancock County Animals Shelter, Petfinder.com

 

If part of a larger organization, position in structure: Humane Society of the United States

 

Position in society (wealth, influence, etc): Charitable

 

Client’s service (what they do, believe in, or are interested in): The humane treatment of animals. Also providing food, shelter and veterinary care for animals until a permanent, loving home is found.

 

Where is client based and what is their reach? Hancock County, WV, however there reach extends throughout the Ohio Valley.

 

Mission statement, operating procedures, etc.: “The Hancock County Animal Shelter is dedicated to the welfare of all animals in our community. We are responsible for:

1. The sheltering of unwanted, abandoned, stray or impounded animals

2. The education of the public concerning the proper care of animals and fostering responsible ownership.

3. The responsible placement of adoptable animals in our care

4. The humane disposition of unwanted, unadoptable, sick or injured animals” (hcasf.org, 2010)

 

Stance on their competition: While my client is a non-profit, they strongly oppose “live pet” stores and puppy mills suggesting if your buy an animal, food or toys from these establishments “you are supporting cruelty to animals in some of the most disgusting and vile forms.” (hcasf.org, 2010)

Ambitions or desires for the future: Increased percentage of spayed and neutered animals, resulting in a lower number of euthanized animals annually which is caused by overcrowding.

Chronology/milestones of important events in the client’s

development: “The caring residents of Hancock County, WV passed a $150,000 building levy to aid the Foundation in the construction of the new facility. This was the first such Levy to pass in West Virginia history.” (hcasf.org, 2010)

 

Are there current changes/developments in their story? If so, what? How? “Today, the shelter is run in a humane manner. Incoming animals are assessed, vaccinated, and wormed. All animals are spayed or neutered either before leaving the shelter or by use of a voucher system after the animal is placed into a home.” (hcasf.org, 2010)

 

Do they utilize a recognizable spokesperson? If so, who? If not, who (if there could be only one) would best fit the client? No. They would best benefit for having a spokesperson who is known for their love of animals.

 

Does the client have a masculine or feminine, quality of voice,

mannerisms, manner of speech, personality, etc.

 

What is the character’s favorite color? Food? Season? Composer, author, and/or artist (if any)? My client loves the spring time which brings new life, new beginnings and beautiful weather!

 

Do they like animals? What kind? Do they like the character? They LOVE animals!

 

Are they happier indoors or out? Outdoors.

 

Do they enjoy physical labor? Mental gymnastics? Physical labor.

 

Are they self-loathing? Meaning, do they seem to just simply emulate something that is “better” than they are and/or does what they do operate in a fashion that if they were ultimately successful they would work themselves out of a job? No.

 

What does the character admire in others? Loyalty.

 

Do they aggressively exist solely for profit and fiction is fine or do they view themselves as on a mission? For the record, there is nothing wrong with profit, but these options are intentionally set in extremes. My client is motivated solely for the benefit and well-treatment of animals.

 

What is the client ashamed of? People who do nothing to help.

 

What are the client’s weaknesses in character? What are their strengths? My client is motivated, loyal and trustworthy. Their weaknesses lie in not sympathizing with individuals who are ignorant of the immense problems that society is facing.

 

Does the client enjoy traveling? Going out among people? Yes, my client is a friend to all!

Does character set trends or follow them? Conventional? Sets trends, marching to the beat of their own drum.

 

What are the client’s political leanings (if any)? Liberal

 

Does the client rely most on thinking, feeling or physical sensations? Basically, which does the character trust most? Feeling.

Thank-you for checking out my blog! My name is Mayghan and I am a Master’s degree student currently studying Integrated Marketing Communications at WVU. I created this blog as a requirement for my Digital Storytelling class. This semester I will be creating a digital short for my local animal shelter, promoting the welfare of animals. Mistreatment of animals and overcrowning is a huge problem affecting our world today. It is my greatest hope that in addition to performing well in the class that I am also able to encourage others to support their local shelters by either donating supplies or adopting a pet!