“The One Man Show”: Director, Actor, and Screenwriter
Clark Monroe was born in Olongapo City, Philippines on November 23,1986. Clark Monroe has a multiracial background, being born to an African American father and a Filipina mother. Clark studied Acting for Film at Robert Wald Actors Studio in San Diego California and Acting for Theatre at the University of California San Diego Extension and is studying under Acting Coach John Swanbeck, director of Big Kahuna (not to be confused with Imperial Beach’s amazing Hawaiian restaurant near my house #supportlocal) starring Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito. Catch Clark’s full story on SDVoyager.com!
Join our journey as we create Work Entropy’s first episode!
For those of you who tuned into Episode 9: Deciding to Take the Leap Ft. Clark Monroe last October, you’ll remember that Clark offered to direct a commercial for Work Entropy and Andrew still had a wild beard. Now, months later, the pieces are falling into place as we prepare to film our first commercial in the coming weeks!
Now, dive in with us to learn what it takes to bring an idea to life!
Planning: Success Starts Here ?
It takes a LOT to create content. Even for a short commercial. A 30-45 second commercial still takes hours of filming, editing, and most importantly PLANNING.
1. Sharing of Ideas
Starting with the idea, it’s important to share ideas and brainstorm with each other. This first step of collaboration is so important because it allows the team to think beyond their own perspective and mesh different ideas together.
2. Focus on Vision
Don’t forget why we’re here and what we’re trying to accomplish. What’s the big picture? What’s the message you are trying to convey to your audience?
At Work Entropy, we understand that in the gig economy we are all a business. By identifying each individual as a capable business, it is our mission to reduce work entropy in the gig economy by connecting the community with the right tools and information to build healthy partnerships.
With this understanding, we connect to our true vision: Provide an equal opportunity to all individuals to tap into their skills and do work that they are truly passionate about; without the labels.
3. Scripting
Moving the ideas and your vision into the planning stages starts with the script. The script is the backbone of the process as it outlines the reality that is being created within this commercial. This will inform the rest of the downstream pieces of creating a commercial. Plus, you can’t really have a commercial without a script – right?
4. Budgets
Referencing the script, the budgets can start to be created based on resources, locations, and ultimately the storyboard that brings it all together.
Pre-Production: Getting Organized and Setting Expectations ?
The “stage” is now set through the planning process and this is where the work really begins. Having a clear outline from the planning process adds the context and expectations to finalize and set the actual storyboard.
1. Finalizing the Script
Since the planning process helps flesh out a lot of the unknown variables, it’s important to circle back to script and finalize it! There are many variables that could result in changes to the script:
- Resources (number of actors, props, wardrobe, craft services, etc)
- Locations (indoor/outdoor, free public places, private events, etc)
- Storyboard (What does this actually start to look like when it comes together? What other new or changes ideas come to life or die in this process?)
2. Storyboards
In the 1930s, the Walt Disney Studios developed storyboards as a tool for creating engaging and coherent stories. A storyboard is series of sketches that maps out a story and allows filmmakers to visualize the sequence of the plot. Story sketches are created to depict the key storytelling moments of a film.
Open Studio: Storyboards | The Walt Disney Family Museum
In fact, it was so powerful that it flourished as one of the earliest forms of a project management system and many forms of this are used across different industries today – almost 100 years later!
3. Pre-Production Shot List
The source of truth and roadmap for your cinematography team. This translates the simple storyboards into detailed angles to ensure that lighting, angles, and right equipment is used to bring the vision to life.
4. Shoot Dates
With the storyboard and shot list laid out, it’s time to lock in dates. This can now be done because the team can take into account the location, the lighting, and the required time of year, time of day, and location to get the results needed from the shoots.
5. Casting of Talents
Now that there are dates, there’s now a schedule to communicate to your cast and crew as you’re acquiring the talent (actors, cinematographer, editor, craft services, etc.).
Production: Lights, Camera, Action! ?
Work Entropy’s commercial production begins in May! Stay tuned as we share more about production and post production in our future episodes as we share our story!
- Solidifying Production/Shoot Date(s) ? WE are here!
- Call Time
- Crew
- Talent
- Blocking with Scripting
- Setting up Equipment
- Camera(s)
- Sound
- Lighting
- Dry Runs
- Actual Production
- Using Storyboards
- Camera Angles for planned shots
- Pick-Up shots
- B-Roll Camera
Together (WE) Thrive