Visual Metaphor Proposal
I. Project Title: The Five Stages of Grief
II. Team Members: Justin Lau and Qishan Bai
III. Concept | Storyline:
1). What is the piece (article, poem, story) for the narrative voice over? Or who are you going to interview?
5 stages of grief: What they are and how to get through them | CNN
We will write an original script based upon this article and research on the 5 stages of grief, using the script for our voiceover.
2). What’s the story about?
A person visually goes through a representation of the five stages of grief, with a sixth stage to show them getting “acceptance” , finding meaning and ultimately hopefulness in the end. All the while voiceovers for each stage of grief will play in their respective scene and/or shots.
3). Which part of the story are you going to focus on?
We will show a representation of all 5 stages but put emphasis on a 6th hopeful stage as a final message.
4). What kind of style/aesthetics are you going to pursue?
The film will primarily be in black and white and in slow motion to emphasize each stage, with the camera framing purposefully obscuring the subject’s face. The film will later shift into color and normal speed, and will have the subject’s face be unobscured, to which finally they will be seen with another person as a sign of hopefulness.
IV. Execution Plan:
1). What equipment are you going to use when shooting the movie? (cell phone, DSLR camera, sound recorder, stabilizer..)
Cell phone, DSLR camera, and stabilizer.
2). Which locations will it be shot at? When is it? Day time/night/unknown? Why?
Ordinary spaces that have a gloomy aura to them, then transitions to more cheerful spaces. Primarily daytime for outdoor shots, possibly nighttime with appropriate lighting for indoor shots. We want to shoot these locations at those times to emphasize grief can happen anywhere, with the lighting to better show the subject in black and white.
3). What are some challenges you might encounter and how will you prepare?
Choosing actors and finding appropriate locations. To prepare for these challenges, we will ask around for people who would be willing to act for our film and try to find some professional actors in our school like someone in the reality show team. We will also schedule and take the time to scout out potential locations appropriate for our filming.
4). How will you collaborate? How will you divide work? (Gantt Chart below*)
Caya will be primarily responsible for filming and Justin will be primarily responsible for editing. However, both will assist one another in their respective roles whenever it is required. Both will work together to address and prepare for the challenges above.
V. Storyboard Draft
VI. Schedule
| Task | Owner | Start Date | Due Date | Duration | Task Complete Percentage |
| Storyboard | Justin | 4/23/23 | 4/25/23 | 2 days | 5% |
| Script Writing | Justin | 4/26/23 | 4/30/23 | 4 days | 10% |
| Voice Over Recording | Caya | 4/30/23 | 5/3/23 | 4 days | 20% |
| Scouting for Actors & Locations | Caya | 4/26/23 | 5/1/23 | 5 days | 30% |
| Filming (for 3-4 Scenes Review) | Caya and Justin | 5/1/23 | 5/4/23 | 3 days | 50% |
| Editing (for 3-4 Scenes Review) | Justin | 5/2/23 | 5/4/23 | 2 days | 70% |
| Filming ((for Rough Cut Review and Final Presentations) | Caya and Justin | 5/4/23 | 5/10/23 | 6 days | 80% |
| Editing (for Rough Cut Review and Final Presentations) | Justin | 5/4/23 | 5/10/23 | 6 days | 100% |