CCR Brain Storming

    Hi, blog! Welcome back. Now that I have finally finished my film opening, I feel relief lifted off my shoulders. I am incredibly proud of what I could complete over a long period. Since it is not the norm to do long-term projects in a school setting, now that I don't have anything to add to my film opening and it is completed, I can confidently say never get intimidated by a long-term project. Considering that initially, I was scared and found myself not knowing where to start.

     However, I have not yet reached the finish line of this Cambridge portfolio project. The next step that I have to plan for is the creative critical reflection (CCR). I will be making a script and preparing accordingly to record myself. Although my teacher mentioned that a script is unnecessary, I feel that I would be better off studying off a script. I was not sure how to get creative with my CCR, but I was able to see students' past work and felt inspired by multiple ideas. One of the ideas that I liked was recording myself first and responding to the four focus points and then editing in visually appealing images. More specifically, provide a picture of the information that I am talking about. 

Main idea to the CCR:

Purpose: short video, respond to four questions, express personality.

Some images that I could use to describe the Rom-Com target audience:

            

[Two Teenage Girls Watching Movie On Laptop in Bedroom](n.d). Two Teenage Girls Watching Movie On Laptop In Bedroom StockPhoto - Download Image Now - iStock (istockphoto.com)

[Three females sharing a a bowl of popcorn] (n.d). women-watching-movie_credit-shutterstock.jpg (800×600) (beliefnet.com)

Alterations Made

    Hi, blog! Welcome back. In my previous post, I had mentioned how I had chosen the final two songs that would be incorporated into my project. However, while I was editing, I quickly realized that the songs I had downloaded were not what I needed. Since the audio was altered once I downloaded it, it started a brand mark behind the music. The random statement incorporated in the audio would be confusing behind my film opening. This problem did put me in a state of distress. Luckily, I was able to find another website that did offer to download the authentic sound without any catches.  

Link:

https://www.bensound.com/

The two songs that I used: 

    Also, I have been able to conclude my editing, and I will provide a quick rundown of things that I added. I decided to include my credits throughout the first part of my film. I was unsure if I wanted to have the credits at the beginning of the film or together at the end. While I was editing, I tried out both options, and I decided that the flowing of the credits at the start of the film would be the best fitting. As well as to provide the title at the ending of the film. I am aware that is not stereotypical of what is usually seen in the cinematic industry. However, for my specific genre, it was acceptable. 

Final Decision On Music

     Hi blog! Welcome back. A while back I had done some research in hopes of finding good copyright- free music. Now that it has gotten to the time that I have to choose the songs that I will be including. I was able to find a wide variety of options on the website Sound Stripe. Luckily, the process of searching for a song was relatively simple. Considering that the website offers the option to separate the music into different moods or genres.  

Music Catalog | Stock Music | Soundstripe

    I had to choose two different songs. Due to the fact that the beginning of my film is more down and not as upbeat. The song that I thought to be the most fitting for that section of the film was "Those Lost". This song was considered to be sad, reflective, and calm. However for the ending of the film a more upbeat song was needed, so I searched in the happy section. This lead me to find the perfect song that is called "Happy Feet". 

 

Thoughts While Editing

     Hi blog! Welcome back. As I had mentioned in my previous post I enlightened you guys on my recent journey of editing my film opening. While I did mention how I was experiencing some struggles, I was able to quickly overcome them. While I was editing I thought about where I should include the placement of the title of the film. Considering that I know that many films start off with the title. However, I believe that for my specific plot and just how my film opening is turning out, the most logical placement of the title would be at the ending of the film. 

    Furthermore, this clip is the closing scene of my film. Therefore, what I had in mind was to make the tittle pop up as the door is closing behind me. I am pretty sure that I have established the final title- Adjusting to the Bubble Wrap. Once you are able to see my whole film opening the tittle will fit accordingly. 

Editing Process

    Hi blog! Welcome back. The last post that I had uploaded was last week when I was finally able to conclude my filming. My goal was to complete all the editing throughout my spring break. However, I underestimated the lack of free time I would have. Likewise, my parents had a last minute trip planned out and that ended up ruining my plans of dedicating a lot of my spare time to edit. Luckily, I was able to bring my laptop along and have actually spent the past two days editing. 

    I have ran into many inconveniences while trying to edit. For starters, I had many clips that I had to cut because they were too long. For some reason I could not figure out how to cut the clips since I am still learning exactly how to work Adobe Premiere Pro. Furthermore, when I was trying to cut one clip I accidently deleted the audio to all the other ones. This freaked me out because I thought I was going to have to reupload all the clips with the original audio. Fortunately, google saved the day and enlightened me on the fact that there is simply a button that offers you to "undo" what you just did. Disregarding the little bumps I have dealt with I am almost half way done. So far I have 58 seconds of the video edited. 

Reflection On Filming

   Hi, blog; welcome back! So yesterday I was able to meet up with my friend. I am so relieved to announce that we were able to conclude all of the shots that we needed. I can not explain how much stress was lifted off my shoulders since I wanted to get all the shots because I was not particularly eager to schedule a new day to film. Something that was not a part of the original outline but added was how my other friend got included in the film starring my best friend. My friend had never been in a film or had to be an actor in any movie. However, she did a great job, and all the shots turned out great.     

     I will admit the cutest part was my friends dog being incorporated in the film.  Another character was added yesterday. It was my friend's dad. We included him because Madison is walking out her front door in one of the scenes. Therefore, we wanted her dad to respond bye to her to indicate that she was now leaving. I will not share too many details because I will not spoil anything. I have to focus on editing and making sure there are no shots to be re-filmed. I did not consider how shots filmed on different days can end up with different lighting. Hopefully, it is not something noticeable, and I will be able to keep all my shots. 

A clip that might be included and is really cute:

A General Update

     Hi, blog welcome back! A couple of posts prior, I had mentioned my hypothetical filming schedule. However, the days that I had arranged with my friend did not work out. Since she had an entire plan for those specific days. In general, our schedules weren't aligning properly. This was something that I knew could occur. Finally, we could pick a day that worked for both of us. Therefore, this Thursday, we will be meeting up after school to film the remaining scenes that are left hopefully. I hope that we will wrap up filming to focus on editing. 

    I have picked out my costume design that will be featured in the following scenes.

This dark concept illustrates the character's parallel at the beginning of the film and how she develops by the ending—considering that nature would have changed her appearance due to her new love interest appeal. The color black will indicate a sudden change since she was wearing bright colors at the beginning. The change will allow the plot of my film opening to flow effectively. 

First Group Meeting

     Hi, blog welcome back! Today in class, we had the opportunity to get together in groups. I was excited to see what my peers had to say about my progress on the film opening so far. I started by explaining the plot of my project and then continued to ask them for advice on some things I was struggling with. The problem that I asked them for help on was suggesting songs to put in the background of my film. Considering that since I have started editing the introduction of my movie, I noticed that it seems too quiet. They all suggested similar ideas and gave their input. Some of the ideas they offered included music in the beginning while she's scrolling through social media and then cutting it out to have the dialogue. Also, to provide music throughout the whole film and lower it when the dialogue is needed. Lastly, diegetic sounds such as the keyboard clicking and her liking Instagram pictures. 

    I proceeded to consider everyone's ideas. Since everyone had a good point and offered me ideas to consider, although all of them could work if I wanted them to, I decided that the diegetic sounds would be the most fitting for my film. Since I had already recorded those shots, I believe that I will go back and rerecord. Also, I will include music in the scenes of me getting ready to fill the background. 

Production Company

     Hi, blog welcome back! I am proud to announce that I created a production company. My production company is called Cano Production. First, let me explain how I made my production company and what resources I used. I researched and figured out what websites would allow me to create my logo. I quickly found this helpful website that gave me no trouble designing my logo. The website is meant to supply free assets for your next video project. I figured it would be the perfect website to scroll through and see what they had to offer.

Link:

Free Video Templates for Premiere Pro | Mixkit

      At first, it was overwhelming with the variety of templates they had to offer. I was aware that I was looking for a simple design and nothing too extravagant. I believe it would be the best fit for my film opening. After finding the perfect match, I decided that the Spin And Twist Tittle Block had the ideal balance of plain and simple. I then changed the white font to pink and inserted my companies name. 

Update on Adobe Premier Pro

   Hi, blog welcome back! In one of my previous posts, I mentioned having trouble downloading Adobe Premiere Pro on my computer. After discussing my issue with my teacher, she advised me to delete files that I no longer use and transfer things to an external drive. Once I did that, I was finally able to download it. Therefore, I decided to try it and not completely give up on trying to download it.

    I did not consider how different all the features would be on the Adobe Premiere Pro. Therefore, instead of starting to edit my video, I spent time trying to figure out how to do everything. I got carried away when figuring everything out and did not start to edit. I will admit I tried to look up YouTube videos to see if there were any tips and tricks. At least I could figure it out, and I cannot wait to start putting my clips together. I believe this weekend I am going to continue to film. 

Scene Development

   Hi, blog welcome back. Today I am going to bring you guys along on how I chose to establish my opening scene and how it will lead you into the plot of my film opening. Before I even started filming, I had talked with my teacher so that I could receive some input on specific ideas I had to develop my storyline. Considering that I knew what I wanted my storyline to consist of, I could not figure out a way to establish it. My teacher then proceeded to suggest a few ideas and that left me to then evaluate what would be the best fit for my film. I ended up narrowing it down to begin my film with a close-up of me scrolling through social media. 

  The reason this shot was chosen was due to the purpose it would serve in the following scenes. For example, in the close up you can see how Maddie looks upset while she is scrolling through Instagram. This shot is what sets up the whole story. The story is how detrimental it can be for someone to start to compare themselves and want to rush into something, even if they never had an interest in it, to begin with. The film then begins to explore a series of change. 

    A movie that has a similar opening scene is the movie Eighth Grade (2018).

Target Audiance

   Hi blog welcome back! I realized that I hadn't specified what my target audience for my film was aimed to be. For starters, from what I have gathered within my research is that Rom-Com has a very specific target audience. In many films, the typical audience consists of females, 13–20-year old's, and interested in lighthearted films. Also, it mentions how adult Rom-Com has an older target audience such as 15–40-year old's. Typically, the interest of the audience was love, fashion, friendships, and conflict. 

LINK:

Target audience for Romcom's (slideshare.net)

Clueless (1995)

Mean Girls (2004) 

    These two films were made within a significantly different time. Even so, the storyline and target audience were relatively the same. This goes to show how the target audience is consistent. Similarities would include the main character being a female, the groups seen in school, someone is considered better than the other. 

  To focus on my film, my target audience would include the main character being a female. I will also focus on the constant need to fit in. As well as the importance of having a love interest. My film will appeal to the teen side of the Rom-Com world. Since my film would be more so lighthearted. 

Titles- Fonts

   Hi blog welcome back! Today I wanted to review some fonts I had in mind for the title and the credits. Before coming up with a list of fonts I did some research. I looked into what were the most popular fonts utilized in the cinematic industry and a specific list was offered such as Bee, Univers Thin Ultra Condensed, Triple Condensed Gothic, and Tall Skinny Condensed. Then, I shifted over to google docs and I wanted to see if these fonts were offered to me. Unfortunately, I came to the quick realization that I don't have access to those fonts. 

What is the most common font used in movie titles & credits? (justanswer.com)

    What I had to do instead was choose a list of my favorite fonts. Then, just to put it into perspective I typed the possible title into the document and tried to establish which one was the best fit. The reason I like these fonts is that it brings attention to the title as well as engaging the viewer. For the credits I don't have a specific font in mind. For now, I am just going to start to edit the shots that I have gathered so far. Once I have some idea of what my final product will look like then I will further evaluate the fonts.

ABeezee

-Adjusting to the Bubble Wrap

Comfortaa

-Adjusting to the Bubble Wrap

Lora

-Adjusting to the Bubble Wrap 

Merriweather

-Adjusting to the Bubble Wrap

Oswald 

-Adjusting to the Bubble Wrap

Struggles With Editing Software

    Hi blog welcome back! So what I have been trying to figure out recently is how to get Adobe Premiere Pro to work on my computer. Since thankfully my school was able to provide us with free access. When my AICE media teacher shared this information with us, I was so happy. Considering that Premiere Pro is known to be quite expensive- it rounding to be about $239. For my projects in the past I have used DaVinci Resolve. This editing software never gave me a problem and my projects resulted in quality work. 

Logos:

  

    The issue I have been dealing with when trying to download Premiere is that my mac is one of the older ones. As a result, the updates that are needed to obtain this server are ones that I do not currently have. Then, once the download didn't work, I tried on my other computer. Leaving me with another issue, the issue was that my computer was a Microsoft. What this left me to conclude was that I might just have to stick with DaVinci. My other option is to try on my sister's computer. I will keep you guys posted.