Final Project

 Enjoy my final project!

Creative Critical Refelction

Here is my creative critical reflection!

Key moments

    One of the changes we did to the film opening was editing the lighting by changing the saturation. The lighting started off very bright to reflect the bliss calm in Berkley's life before the pandemic. When she gets the warning of said pandemic the lighting drastically changes to be very dark to mirror her strong emotions of confusion and distress. This last-minute editing effect was done to add a layer of symbolism and meaning to the project and further portray the emotions of the main character.

    The editing process of the final project was also a key moment as we were not able to be physically together as would be ideal. There were some difficulties with sending each other our edited portion and having it be of high quality; but in the end, after trying serval different platforms to upload the videos, we made it work. Additionally, my CCR was not exactly as I had envisioned it, I had to shift locations from my aunt's house to my grandma's house as there were fewer people and less noise. Still, I had to work around her limited schedule as she did not want to leave me at her house alone and I could not move any furniture as I had planned. Unfortunately, my sister who had agreed to interview me got a stomach virus which meant I had to quickly change my plan for my CCR. 

More of the CCR script

    I have finally finished my CCR script answering questions three and four as well as including a final statement (see below). As I said previously I do want my creative critical reflection to be more serious with some sitting down and talking straight to the camera I still want it to be creative and not bore the audience to death. I'm not sure exactly how I will film it but I plan to incorporate my sister in the process as my cameraman potentially walking around my cousin's house with me as I talk.

    She might also ask me the four questions though if as an interviewer, cameraman, or passerby I am still unsure. For the wardrobe I am considering changing into multiple outfits or wearing a consistent, more formal attire thought. I also plan to incorporate bloopers, behind the scenes, and videos of topics discussed in the CCR and planned out in my script; such themes include the goggle folder and or shared canva files.

CCR Script (part 2):

Question 3: How did your production skills develop through this project?

We did a lot of research prior to properly starting our film opening; this included two case studies of Clueless and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Aside from the genre research, there was also research on the setting, the early 2000s. 

After we landed on the title “Birthday Blues” we also researched more into the phenomena.

I toke charge of drawing out the storyboard to set up the plot; we also wrote a brief plot summary and eventually a script to break down each scene. To keep ourselves organized, we made a schedule that included filming dates, editing dates, and other to-dos. 

The constant evaluation and organizing kept my team on track for not only the deadline but also keeping up with every step and component of the project such as incorporating a production company.

When filming, both Berkley and I were each behind a camera to take the most advantage of our time given that Dani was acting. There was quite a lot of reshooting as Berkley and often got into each other's shots. A great deal of time was spent posting ourselves and Dani in such a way that we could film several shots at a time without interfering with one another in the shot whether it be through a mirror or in the corner of a scene.

Working in a team brought more skills and perspectives into the film opening. Editing is not a skill I am exceptionally great at but I do know the basics. When it came to editing our project we split it up; my scene did not require as much editing as others like Berkley’s with the need to add credits. I chose to focus on switching between two cuts of the same scene without losing continuity as a means of enhancing my editing as it was within my skill set and I knew it would add to the scenes. Dani handled most of the special effects like editing the title since she had the most experience. However, it was still a learning process for us all and there were several instances where we turned to our groupchat and helped one another resolve our issues such as learning how to make our title ‘melt’ down. Working with a team also allowed us to venture into ideas outside of our comfort level such as editing emergency text alerts. 

When we came up with ideas like editing our title to look as if it was blowing out, we often only had a vision and evolved our product along the way as we acquired new skills. We were always coming up with new ideas for the title and actively tweaking it. A lack of knowledge or skill never stopped us and we were able to learn, persevere in the face of uncertainty, and grow as producers. 

Question 4: How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware, and online - in this project?

To produce the film opening, we firstly used our iPhones to film in conjunction with natural lighting times according to the shots. For the fonts of the credits, warning text message, and title font, canva was used. 

To animate the title procreate was used for editing after we had established the font from canva. Dani had to rewrite the title from scratch tens of times to get the full animation of all the letters, melting, and blowing out effect down within the limits of procreate and to assure it ran smoothly. 

Every document we made whether it be research charts, font options, or to-do lists was shared with all the team members. We had a google folder where we kept a script, schedule, research, plot overview, and organized unedited. What we made on canva being a mood board, to-do list, fonts, credits, and text was shared through our emails on the website.

To edit we used a combination of iMovie for the simple editing portions and adobe premiere for the rest like the credits and title. Such platforms were comfortable for my team as in past media projects we had used them. 

Our group chat in iMessage was our main form of communication aside from when we met in person. Through the group chat, we were able to quickly communicate and share our opinions regarding the project’s aesthetic decisions like fonts. It came to be especially helpful during the spring break and the week after as I was out of the country in Mexico on said dates and still needed to keep in touch with my teammates. 

To document the entire process I heavily used blogger and was on it almost every day. At the start I found it to be slightly confusing to manage our find my way around the tools but with time and the help of my teammates I learned. I had an issue where not all my blog posts were showing up on my blog and with help, I was able to change the theme and fix the issue. Once I got the hang of it, blogger allowed me to share my thoughts behind artistic choices made in the film opening in an accessible and easy-to-digest format.

Final Statement:

My team put a lot of thought, planning, and effort into the film opening. We were constantly working around challenges as a collective. Consistent communication even in the face of a physical absence on my behalf or weeks allowed us to create a piece that we can all be proud of.

This project taught me the importance of compromising and being open to the new ideas of others. There were times when the font we choose as a group was not my first pick but without the challenging of perspectives that arise in a group, the film opening would not have come out as phenomenal as it did.

If I could do this project again I would have us all be physically present for its entirety and have more in-person meetings to dedicate to the project rather than conversing over text message. I would also improve the editing by making it more gradual and the shift in scenes and saturation be more noticeable after the opening instead o during.

Thank you for your time, I hope you enjoyed!

Creative critical reflection plan

    Regarding the creative critical reflection, I have decided I need to make a script to condense all my research and ideas in a way that answers all four questions adequately (my plan for the first two questions which I have worked on for today underneath this). For the actual presentation of the CCR, I want it to be more serious, almost like an interview, inspired by the director's and actors' commentary at the end of Euphoria season two episodes.

    The script will likely not be word for word in the CCR as I can not be actually reading it but will rather review it several times before filming. I want the lighting to be bright and plan to sit in a well-lit area of my cousin's house in Mexico where I am staying at. My person will likely be sitting on either the right or left third and two phones will film facing me at different angles to avoid one continuous shot of myself. Editing the questions in one of the fonts utilized in my film opening will also aid in adding dimension to my CCR.

CCR Script (part 1):

Hello, my name is Paulina and this is the process of how my film opening came to be.

Question 1: How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

The genre of my film opening is coming of age, such films, according to the Princeton Buffer, focus on a main character’s personal growth whether it be mental, emotional, or romantic. These types of films often revolve around a big change or decision such as graduating high school or young love. It is also common for coming-of-age films to be semi-autobiographical and occur during the teenage years. Most films are dialogue heavy and or utilize narration to portray the shift in the main character's emotions. 

In regards to the setting, it is everyday ike so the audience can relate; for example, clueless is set in a high school where learning, gossip, and fun emerge, an experience everyone can connect with.  

In my film opening, we chose to challenge the romance that is typically linked with the coming of age genre. Although the ending may hint that the main character is off to see someone, the film opening does not show a special someone that is part of her life. She exists in a world independent of others and romance, making her personality and emotions the main focus.

The lack of dialogue and narration gives a more raw insight into Berkley’s private life. The audience gets to see her simply exist in the bounds of herself.  As a young teenager, she still holds on to some childish traits; she is the center of her own world, she is content with just being herself and doing ‘dumb’ girly things like taking her time getting ready or meticulously picking out an outfit. Her youthfulness also hinders her ability to properly understand and respond to the situation around her which has grown to be a major crisis much bigger than her as a person.

In contrast to popular coming-of-age films like clueless, Berkeley is not filthy rich. There is no outfit generator housing millions of pairs of denim, skirts, and dresses. She is part of an average middle-class family, representing both the creators and the population at large. Additionally, since she is Hispanic, the character steps outside the typical blonde American teen like Regina Geroge in Mean Girls. 

Most coming-of-age films follow the typical white girl with meaningless issues and fail to experiment outside such bonds. The conflicts teenagers face are often cast aside due to their young age, but despite them being hidden behind a young face they are still as real and valid as problems adults face. 

Question 2: How does your product engage with audiences and how will it be distributed as a real media text?

According to the Independent Cinema Office, coming-of-age films have a target audience of teenagers between the ages of 12 to 18 due to the current sense of reliability the audience shares with the characters. 

According to the guardian, such audience consumes media that is easily available and fast, commonly on the internet. A combination of social media sites such as Instagram, Twitter, Google, and Youtube are go-to resources. 

The global pandemic issue within our film opening engages with our target audience as it is an issue that they too have faced. The audience can relate to being a different person pre-pandemic and having to adapt and even grow up in the face of a pandemic. The sense of bliss established at the start of the film opening mirrors the ignorance and naiveness that teens were once part of. With time and maturity, material things like a new shirt or a pair of boots become detached, one's needs shift to things that actually matter which is what the film opening eludes to at the end. The very foundation of the plot addresses a real issue that has dramatically changed lives and altered the meaning of being a teenager and as one I can attest to this.

Since we are amateur filmmakers, it is realistic for us to distribute our media opening through resources such as Youtube and Instagram given their easiness and availability for creators paired with their already established presence in the daily use of our target audience.

Editing plan

     Now that we have organized the unedited footage, we can start to edit and since we are working in a group of three it is only fair that we divide up the editing. We agreed that Berkley was going to edit the first third of the film opening being the establishment of the setting by depicting the main character's room. Dani got the second third which consists of the main character getting ready and choosing her outfit for the day. This means I got the last and third part of the video where the main character is walking out of her house and reacts to the news of a new global pandemic.

    To edit my part I used iMovie and first imported the best takes from our organized files. After organizing them into chronological order, I cut out the ends and start of the scene where you can hear both Berkley and me directing. Even though it was not yet finished, I sent my teammates what I had edited so far for a second opinion and I subsequently changed a fade between scenes to a direct cut. I then finished editing making sure that the continuity between the flipping of two shots depicting the same scene was smooth. I then sent my teammates my video again for their approval. Dani and Berkley also sent their videos in our group chat and we all liked each other's work. 

Credit font vote

    It's time to finally move on from the title and focus on the other visual lettering of the portfolio project, the credits. We made three pages of font options (looking back on it maybe three was too much, two would have sufficed) on canva. To narrow it down, the three of us picked one or two of our favorite fonts which we then voted on. As a team, we were left with two options and decided to hold a poll consisting of our nearby families (including the maid that works at my cousin's house in Mexico which I am staying at over spring break) to come to a decision.

The plentiful options

    My people, the maid and my aunt, both voted for the second option which ironically I was leaning towards as well. Berkley in addition to her dad and sister all liked the first option more; this left Dani's side to be the tiebreakers. Dani, her mom, grandmother, and brother voted for the first option while her dad and grandfather voted for option two; this left option two as the clear winner 5 to 7. We plan to have the first font announcing the position such as editor and actor, and the second font creating the actual person.

Winner font!

Second choice