Final post

 Hey Bloggers it's time you see what I have been up to!

CCR 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W40JWGYqJRP1bZXa5fY2ZCDxT8O8Li0e/view?usp=share_link

CCR 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18DOYPuq60ABhR94INCYe4f0F0lSVELIo/view?usp=share_link

FILM OPENING: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19aUK5k5M9eCIMIJXzZqYPg-RD5VlRBvB/view?usp=share_link

FILE: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HJ8uT6vWAycbB8f2uG_DFL7bXMZipcov?usp=share_link

 One last reflection

Hey Bloggers, it's Hayden. This is going to be my final post before my film and CCR's are made accessible for you to see!  

 

   For the past seven weeks I've been working on this project, and honestly, I couldn't be happier with the way that it's come out. Originally, I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do. I practically about to doing something that many before me have already done, practically following a plain routine, and I kept telling myself that it wasn't going to be a regular routine that there was going to be something different about it that maybe the person falls in love at the end or their mundane life is changed for the better. Although, after explaining this to the people around me I realized that those ideas got nothing to do with any of my interests and it's not something I would find myself passionate about. So, after many collaborative talks with my peers, advisors, and mentors, I decided to do something that felt closer to me. So, I settled into the genre of psychological horror as it is probably one of my favorites. All I do is watch movies and it is always the number one genre, either thriller or horror. 

    I will admit that I am a procrastinator and that may have caused some setbacks in my overall production, however I'm pretty proud of my opening. I like the routine shots that I was able to achieve. While editing for thefirst time, I was really impressed with the coloring, especially in the bathroom scenes as I mentioned many times that it got the clinical coloring I wanted. Even with the setbacks of location and time management between my brother and I acting in two different shows, my brother playing Adam in Beetlejuice and I myself as Sophie in Mamma Mia. I was able to push through those and ensure that my filming took place within the classroom and at home.

     I'm also grateful to all those who participated in filming both in the opening and my CCR's. So, I wanted to additionally thank Cole Diaz, Brandon Diaz, Sarah Diaz, Timothy Petraitis, Jana Gonzalez, and Brianna Gutierrez for being a part of something so special to me. I was also grateful that I could include so many small Easter eggs that meant something to me whether it was the name of the podcast or my production company. It's the little things that I like to stick with. Filming both CCR's was originally stressful for me as I find it hard to manage other people to get the result that I want, looking back now I found it really fun to work with people I love knowing that they are spending their time trying to perfect and help in my vision.

    Overall, I hope this project portrays my vision as I saw it, and once again thank you Cambridge for this opportunity, I am so grateful for having gotten to learn and practice what I know now.

Post about post-production (editing) of CCRs

For my first CCR, the podcast I utilized Adobe, Canva, and iMovie to put the CCR together. On Canva I made the podcasts cover page and general screen while I used Adobe's podcasting method in order to record my audio and then I pasted it together and downloaded it off of iMovie this was in order to properly record it, so that the animations on the Canva would still work even though I did run into trouble with the downloading process I do believe it all came together. Additionally when making the audio sound for the theme music I used an online piano app in order to avoid copyright but also to get the result that I wanted.

 

For my second CCR the interview I didn't find much I needed to alter, I put my clips into iMovie and cut them as necessary, then I layered sounds over some clips using the recording setting within iMovie while layering that with the copyright free music I obtained off of Pixaby. I was also able to create a title slide through iMovie.

 Post about production of CCRs

When filming my first CCR, I decided to cover question one and two in the medium form of a podcast. As I previously mentioned, I was inspired by Stephanie Soo's podcast Rotten Mango, and I attempted to create something similar in both dialogue and Content. I began filming in my backyard with my two friends after providing them with the script, this was difficult as outside variables interfered with the recording process, however I was able to use editing software's to ensure that the information was spoken clearly and coherent. I utilized Adobe, Canva, and iMovie to put the CCR together. On Canva I made the podcasts cover page and general screen while I used Adobe's podcasting method in order to record my audio and then I pasted it together and downloaded it off of iMovie this was in order to properly record it, so that the animations on the Canva would still work even though I did run into trouble with the downloading process I do believe it all came together.

For my second CCR I covered the third and fourth question through the format of an interview however, I originally wanted to do a solo interview with myself and my cats to mimic those celebrity kitten interviews I found trouble in filming proper angles and getting my cats to participate as they are living beings with minds of their own. I decided the next approach to keeping a relatable interview style would be something like that of the Drew Barrymore show and to keep the liveliness of my cats I named the character Drew Barrymore, to Drew Barrymeow. Still keeping that couch setting and comfortability between the host and guest, I was able to go through the questions needed to be asked while maintaining a calm and somewhat cat-filled environment. Then I edited my clips on iMovie Creating a title slide and sound effects while I also used Pixabay for a song intro .

 

Creative Critical Reflection #4

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

Throughout my project I utilized lighting and filters to provide the cold clinical effect that would detach warmth and humanity from the character, while making his routines seem more unsettling. The character Connor is emphasized to be the one bringing that energy into the rooms with lively characteristics. This can be seen in the classroom scene as the mise-en-scene of the room is upbeat the drawings and seating spacing is contrasting to emphasize the juxtaposition between. For my editing software I used apps like Adobe, Canva, and iMovie to put together my production logo and film opening. Adobe and Canva were specifically used for the purpose of creating my production logo as I began layering backdrops on Adobe I was able to create the text and logo through Canva utilizing background and sound effects which I was able to access copyright free.

Thankfully, all these programs were accessible to me through school provided platforms like Clever, and apple connections for iMovie. I was briefly taught how to use Adobe by my teacher Mrs. Stoklosa while I also had the time to tinker around with the app on earlier projects. Additionally, growing up I would play around with iMovie so utilizing its advanced functions on my computer has taken my editing skills further.

These software apps helped me alter camera angles and un-needed/uncontrolled variable featured in shots. I was also able to change the colors on iMovie which gave me the lighting I wanted that I couldn't achieve. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned how to edit and alter scenes as I believe I will use this to my advantage in the future.

 

Creative Critical Reflection #3

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

    Before going into this class I had never edited and film with a purpose and with quality, maybe using iMovie on a road trip with my brother at most. Although since our first project in this class that I documented I feel as though my eye for shots has altered allowing me to understand how I need to shot something in order to get the effect that I want. My ability to transition is still being developed but it has advanced since the start of my journey, through this process I have also discovered my interest in merging and creating sounds and additional effects for mise-en-scene. This element of filming is additionally intriguing for me as I am interested in musical theatre I surround myself with mine-en-scne all the time. This project has been engaging for me as I take the time each week to work and reflect on the status of my project onto my blog as you have been witness to my planing, peer review, editing, and filming so far. I have taken the time to make a script and storyboard to ensure I get the shots I wanted.

    When filming the production I had difficulty accessing some props like a hand scrubber and blood so I had used alternatives towards them like instead of fake blood I used grenadine syrup. I also noticed that my brother held the floss odd nothing I could fix for my project as it didn't offset much it just made the scene awkward but so is the character so it works. I did find it difficult to film the classroom scene originally but once I found a willing enough teacher the classroom became accessible and the project became real though I could only film in the morning it was up to me to ensure I would wake up and arrive on time.

    Overall, if it wasn't for this class I don't believe I would have ever out myself out there to learn new editing and filming techniques, this year was the first time I had ever opened Adobe or layered sounds. I am excited to use this skill in the future as an skillset is beneficial to hold under you belt. Although, I am not as talented as most kids in CBTV I wouldn't compare my level to their because Im proud of myself and some things I have learned.

Creative Critical Research #2

   

Creative Critical Reflection #2

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

    My media product is targeted towards horror/ thriller genre enthusiasts around the ages of 15-25 as "the gender profiles for horror movies are women being around roughly 42% and men are 58%" for these ages according to Gilbey, Alex. "Genre: Horror Films." cmp alex gilbey, 2015, cmpalexgilbey.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/8/7/38878453/horror_film_research.pdf. This film will specifically be geared towards individuals who prefer the psychological aspect to frightening situations as they may feel as it provides an uneasy familiar feeling. During the beginning of the production I choose to utilize the cold lighting in my bathroom similar to the light you would see within a hospital, I also ensured that the environment and space I utilized was organized cautiously as I felt it better represented the character. Each shot taken within the bathroom additionally left out his face until the close up in the mirror to provide my audience with anticipation. Each also began slow and quickly faded into more aggressive behavior to represent his emotional and mental state. Then the class room scenes wide shots and medium shot were used to represent the emptiness of the room and the proximity and contrast in personality and behavior between the student and teacher. 

    For my production company Phantom Productions we have released our film opening on YouTube to gage audience reactions in order to understand where we stood after going through the comments left on the video we would schedule to refilm our production to abide to the commentary we deem as fit or beneficial and then post that newly filmed edition to a film competition. To ensure that audiences are able to view my content I would also publish my opening onto Vimeo through Amazon Prime Video Direct.