Production: First Steps

 As we began our first steps into production, communication quickly became one of the most important parts of the process. Before finalizing anything, we wanted to make sure everyone involved felt heard and comfortable, especially our actors. These early conversations helped shape our script, our locations, and our overall plan.

Communicating With Our Actors

One of the first things we did was communicate directly with our actors to hear their thoughts and ideas. We wanted their input because they are the ones bringing these characters to life, and their perspectives helped make the scenes feel more realistic.

One idea that stood out came from our actress Nadia, who plays Audrey. She suggested that Audrey be running with headphones in, and during her interaction with Matthias, one of her earbuds gets knocked out or she pulls it out out of annoyance. We really liked this idea because it does more than just add realism. It immediately tells the audience something about Audrey. She is focused, in her own world, and clearly committed to her routine. The interruption of the headphones shows her frustration and feisty side, while also emphasizing that Matthias is disrupting something important to her. This small moment helps show Audrey’s personality without her needing to say anything, which makes the scene feel more natural and character driven.

Here we incorporated her piece of advice. This piece of advice helped us realize how small, physical actions can say a lot about a character. The earbud getting knocked out visually shows Audrey’s focus, frustration, and feisty personality, while also emphasizing how Matthias disrupts her routine. This change made the interaction feel more natural and helped elevate the script from a rough draft to a more polished and intentional version.

Adjusting the Opening Scene

Another major discussion focused on the opening of the film. Originally, the story leaned heavily into Audrey and Matthias arguing right away. After talking it through, we realized that starting with too much conflict might make Audrey seem unlikable or annoying, which is not what we want for our protagonist.

While Matthias’ personality comes through easily in the argument, especially with his cocky and confident attitude, we realized that Audrey’s dedication was not being shown clearly enough. Yes, she is running, but that alone does not fully communicate how disciplined and goal-oriented she really is. Because of this, we revisited an alternative opening that we had already discussed but were unsure about including.

After talking it through, we confirmed that we did want to add this alternative opening. Instead of starting with only the argument, the film would begin by showing Audrey’s routine at home. This includes her making a smoothie, preparing a healthy breakfast, and getting ready for her run. This sequence shows her dedication, discipline, and motivation, especially with her birthday coming up. It helps the audience understand who Audrey is before any conflict begins, making her more likable and relatable rather than immediately argumentative.

Changing the Filming Location

During this planning stage, we also decided to change our filming location. Originally, we planned to film at Peace Mound Park, but after communicating with our actors and considering everyone’s travel distance, we realized this might not be the most convenient option.

We decided to switch to William B. Armstrong Dream Park instead. This park became a great compromise because it is closer to all of us, making it easier for everyone to attend filming days. The park also offers a beautiful setting. It has a scenic bridge and a waterfall, which would look great in the background and help elevate the visual quality of our scenes. Choosing this location allowed us to balance practicality with aesthetics.

To better visualize how this location would look on screen, we included some pictures we found online of William B. Armstrong Dream Park. Seeing these images helped confirm that this park was the right choice for our film. The scenery is bright and open and it would help to add visual interest to the background of our scenes. These elements help create a calm but cinematic setting that fits the tone of our rom-com.

Scheduling and Availability

Availability was another key topic we discussed early on. Everyone involved has different commitments, so finding a day that worked for all of us was necessary before moving forward. After comparing schedules, we decided that Sunday would be the best day to
meet.

Sunday worked because it avoided conflicts with rehearsals and other responsibilities. For example, my partner Zunairah was not available on Friday or Saturday, which made Sunday the most realistic option. Having a set day helped us feel more organized and confident about continuing production.

Since today was Sunday, we were able to meet up at the park and see the location in person, and it honestly exceeded our expectations. While we did not take many pictures of the bridge or waterfall, the areas we focused on ended up being perfect for our scenes. The open grass and long sidewalks immediately stood out as strong filming spots, especially for Audrey’s running scenes.

The weather was nice, and the lighting felt natural and bright, which is really important for our film. There are not too many trees blocking the light, so the area stays well lit without feeling harsh. The sidewalks were also visually interesting, with a mix of brick and concrete, which gives us options. Both textures look good on camera in different ways, so we plan to decide later which one fits the scene best.

Overall, the park feels open, clean, and visually pleasing without being distracting. Seeing the space in person helped us imagine how the scenes will look and how Audrey’s run can feel natural and cinematic. After visiting, we felt even more confident that this location works well for our film, both visually and practically.