My final reflection

 My final outlook on this project-

I am happy with my plotline and how my characters were viewed in the scenes. The obstacles, such as editing and my footage not uploading, were a big issue, but I was able to get over them in the end. I liked my film idea, I believe it is an original and different piece than what the rest of my class did.

I am proud of myself for all the work I did by myself to complete this project, but I wish I had done a better job at time management and not procrastinated as much. I feel like if I didn't procrastinate to the very last minute, this film could've been better. But for what it is now, I believe I did a good job. 

Editing CCR

 Editing this CCR was easy for me because I already knew how I wanted the video to lay out. I filmed with two phones to get different angles of myself being interviewed.

The footage from both cameras will be clipped to show different reactions to the said box of props.

These are photos from editing-

These were hard to edit because all the clips were hard to piece all together, but I was able to finish it in the end. The links were difficult to obtain because my OneDrive had low storage, and Clipchame was not uploading all of my footage.

My final piece (CCR and Opening)

These links below are to my CCRs and Film Opening-

 https://www.canva.com/design/DAHECvhVb18/514N3oiV6TQ8uPEyBpooEQ/watch?utm_content=DAHECvhVb18&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h86af978f77

CCRS

CCR production

 My CCR, discussed in previous posts, will be an open-the-box type of video. Where I have props from the set and talk about the CCR questions. 

I finished all my prep for my filming, so I collected all the props I used in my opening to present to my viewers. The two videos will be split into questions 1 and 2, then 3 and 4. As my teacher says, this is the best way to split the questions.

Below you will see inspiration interviews from celebrities-

CCR #4 (portfolio project)

 For my last CCR, I will do the following-

The question is, 

How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware, and online – in this project?

I was confused about this question, even after my teacher did a presentation on the CCR questions, but my research from the sources below helped me.

Software- 

My software for this opening was my storyboard and moodboard that I made for my characters. This helped me envision my storyline and how I want my characters to be represented. 

Hardware-

My hardware includes the props and equipment I used, such as the tripod I used in the flashback scene in the opening. My costuming is also part of the hardware. The outfits I put on Cecilia were meant to represent a bright character, as she wore warm hues.

Online-

I didn't integrate online elements into my piece because this film is supposed to be a flashback to the 1970s. So I wouldn't say that I used online elements for my project.

My script is here!

my sources-

Creative Screenwriting. (n.d.). *Writing the genre hybrid: Romance*. https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/writing-the-genre-hybrid-romance/

Aldredge, J. (2021, June 11). *5 genre filmmaking elements every rom-com needs*. PremiumBeat. https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/rom-com-genre-filmmaking-elements/

CCR #3 (portfolio project)

For my third CCR, the following is how I will approach the video.

The question is, how did your production skills develop throughout your project?

I will answer this question by explaining my step-by-step process for why I chose the romance genre and how I made my film follow its conventions. Since this is supposed to be a film opening, I will explain how I used specific shots and certain techniques to try to get the real essence of a movie.

My obstacles and issues will be discussed, along with how I overcame them, and what I did to work around them.  Since I dont have any real camera equipment, I will speak on the fact that I onnly used my phone and my teachers tripod to film. 

My script is here!

I will end with a reflection on my overall piece and comment on my production as a whole.

CCR #2 ( portfolio project)

 This is CCR number 2

The second question is how the product engages with audiences and how it would be distributed as a real media text. Who is your target audience?

For me, this is a simple question; all it is asking is who I want my production to be watched by and how it is put out for my audience to see.

For the first part of this question, how does my production engage with audiences? I want to explain how my production describes the dream scenario people want in their lives. Such as the love at first sight or true love/ soulmate fantasy. My production will be a fiction movie to give my audience a movie to look up to, and have couples go to this film together to feel more connected to each other. 

The second part of the question is, " How do I want my movie to be distributed?

In class, we learned how movies are distributed a certain way for a bigger audience, money, or to increase their fan base.  My movie will be distributed in the movie theater then the production will go to popular streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu.

The last part of this question asks who my target audience is. My target audience would be the majority female and people of a younger age. Such as ages through 18-32. This film is a love story so I want my audience members to have a strong connection to the film.

My script for this CCR is here!

my sources-

Kringelbach, M. L., & Berridge, K. C. (2012). The joyful mind. Scientific American, 307(2), 40–45. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3539503/

MovieWeb. (2023, June 15). Romance movies have affected how we perceive love.
https://movieweb.com/the-danger-of-romantic-movies-in-how-we-perceive-love/

CCR #1 (portfolio project)

 As my first blog post fully introducing my CCR, the questions about my film production I will post about after my opening has been completed.

The first question - How does your production use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social group issues?

My teacher presented the CCR questions and gave us details on how to correctly answer each question. For this question specifically, she told us to do the following-

• start discussing genre conventions
• end with representation
• talk about how your genre conventions are ...

Since my opening genre is a romance, my genre conventions consist of the 'meet-cute', character-driven plot, emotional tension, and emotional vulnerability.

As my film surrounds how Cecilia dies, Louis is telling the story of how they met to his grandchildren. I am trying to create emotional vulnerability in the opening to show that he truly loved her while she was alive. 

My script is here!

I wish for both of my CCR videos to be a more nostalgic interview between the interviewer and the director.  My film's opening is a remembrance of a loved one. 

My sources-

First Draft Pro. (n.d.). A short guide to writing romance. Retrieved from https://www.firstdraftpro.com/blog/a-short-guide-to-writing-romance

Issues and Sound

 My most recent obstacle for my opening was my male actor having to keep switching. My original actor had plans that came up that he couldn't miss, and I couldn't change the filming day. Many cancellations later, with 5 different people, I called one of my guy friends on the day we were filming, and he agreed to be in the opening. So I was able to have my two main characters in the end.

My sound for the opening has no problem, but I want to enhance the sound by using Foley sound. The scene when Cecilia is walking away from Louis. The clip is listed below to show the exact moment I am talking about. 

editing process #2

 

The photo above shows all of my clips in ClipChamp. I am going to my grandparents' to record the last bit of voice-over I have to finish, and I hope to fully start editing by Monday. There is a filter on the clip selected in the photo above because that is the filter I will use for the entire flashback scene between Cecilia and Louis. Now, the photo below is the exact setting I have for the filter to create a contrast between the past and present.

My plan is to finish editing before March 9th so I can. Begin recording my CCR and completly finish my film beofore my spring break starts on March 16th.

Editing Process (portfolio project)

 This blog is about talking about how my filming has completed, the only thing to do is record a voice-over and actually edit. Below you will see clips and behind-the-scenes from my filming today and screenshots of my clipchame video. Since I have now completed filming, I want to go straight into editing so I can think about my CCR. 

I used a tripod in certain scenes to try to get the controlled camera work, but in some clips, you will see the camera shaking from my hand placement. I tried to make the clips as clean as possible. I will get the voice-over by March 2 and hopefully finish my editing by March 6.

Group meeting

 In class today, we were in group discussing everyone projects and their progress so far. There were seven people in this group including myself talking about the footage and storylines we all have. Three of films were murders, either in the comedy, mystery, thriller category. The thriller and mystery are similar to each other because they both create an ominous personality to their killer and show their victims instantly to the audience. The murder comedy inspiration is more of a Dumb and Dumber opening. The student said his inspiration is the film 21 jump street. Showing 2 dumb police officers solve a crime. 

Two of the films were thrillers creating a anxious view towards the audience. One with a murder and the other with drama, simliar to squid games. Both have started or finished filming. Their blogs, kyz12345 and lellylemons, consists of their bloopers and footage for their opening. The last person in the group, alanasbubblyBlog, is a coming of age comedy which shows fruendship and struggles of life. All of these are inspriations to my blog to enhance it and movtiavte my filming.

My production progress

 This blog post is to announce my progress so far in creating my opening. The screenshots below show that I have started filming and only need to film the ending of my film. My grandfather, who is involved and who is actually the main character, is going to send me a voice recording of him reading a script I have given him for the scene at the end. The clips are uploaded to my OneDrive to be then edited on a clipchame, a video editor app. 

I have the props that my female character, Cecilia, is going to have on her person. Sunglasses, a white handbag, and flowers sticking out of the bag. This will create the "sunshine'' type of personality I will portray her as. For Louis, my male character, I have a brown leather belt and gold rings. I don't want a lot to be attached and/or seen on Louis because I am having him seen as a simple character by my audience until they explore his character more. 

Obstacles of my project (portfolio project)

 This blog post is to speak about my issues with my project as of right now. From the previous blog post, I have explicitly said how my main setting will take place in Las Olas, a boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.  But I do not have the time with my schedule to drive so far. So I came up with the next option. There is a town center closer to me with restaurants and stores just like Las Olas.  It is more efficient for my actors to show up at the location so I can film faster.

Now that I am announcing a new location, I will start the official filming tomorrow. Another main obstacle I'm facing is staying on track with my schedule. When I posted about my schedule, I talked about trying to stay on task and not lose focus. But I have been a bit behind with the things I need to do for this film's opening. So I will be updating my schedule and adding new things to the list I need to accomplish.  

My company logo (portfolio project)

 For this blog post, I will be introducing my company logo to you all. As this is my first "film" for my company, I want to create my logo as something that is close to me. So I will be using a painting I have made to use as my logo. This painting is very dear to me as it is the first painting I made that I truly care about and am very proud of myself for. 

As this painting is illustrated with colors of white, gray, and black, I want this to represent my company. Since my first film is a romance, and this doesn't show any warm hues or representation, this painting is what I want to show my target audience. That this company is about creativity, and I am passionate about the things I care about.

Audio(portfolio project)

This blog post, it focuses on audio throughout my film opening. To go off based on my research, audio is 50% percent of the overall cinematic experiences for audiences around the world. Various types of sounds create the full sound bridge. Sounds such as non-diegetic, diegetic, sound perspective, sound motif, sound effects, and artificial sounds. The most important sound, in my opinion, and the sound I will be using if the sounds in my opening don't go as planned, is the Foley sound.

Foley sound is when you create your own audio reflection on the screen. This is used when sound is lost or needs to be replaced. For my opening, I really don't have a per fence but I would rather not have to use Foley and everything be perfect the first go around, but obviously it won't be like that. Saying that my opening takes place outside, with the sounds of birds and trees swaying in the wind, will be focused on when there is no dialogue. While my two main characters, Louis and Cecilia, are talking, I want there to be background noise. Going back to the birds and trees, but I want the background characters to have murmurs. Not a loud enough conversation that the audience will understand the side conversations, but loud enough that there is straight silence. 

Since their is a festival going on for the storyline, I will be using background music in the background. Shown below are some of the audios I will be using.

festival

people talking outside

festival

my sources-

Dark Horse Institute. (n.d.). How sound design plays an important role in film. https://darkhorseinstitute.com/how-sound-design-plays-an-important-role-in-film/

Maria. (2022, February 17). How to use sound in movies to tell your story? Filmstro.
https://filmstro.com/blog/how-to-use-sound-in-movies-to-tell-your-story/




Character Development (portfolio project)

 Character development is a significant part of telling any story. Movies such as 10 Things I Hate About You and Groundhog Day show the male lead progressively maturing throughout the film towards their situation and/ or love interest. This character development appeals to audiences across all types of media. While movies like Legally Blonde and Pride and Prejudice feature female leads with significant character development, they show the women as powerful, independent women who know what they want. Which connects to the target audiences, who are a majority of women watching the film.

In my film, I want the male lead to have a subtle personality to show room for improvement. As the most important part of my film, the flashback towards the end of the opening, his personality should be subtle but also noticeable. As my character is walking through Las Olas, he is just a calm, cool person minding his own business. However, for my female lead, I want her to be happy, blooming, as she walks into his point of view. Having a type of aroma around her is comparable to sunlight and happiness. Bringing said happiness into the male lead's life.

Movies with character development-

Mis-en-scene #2( portfolio project)

 My lighting in my film opening will be determined by the sun's positioning when we film at Las Olas. Las Olas is a boulevard, as I have mentioned in my previous posts. The area is outside and is either lit by street lights at night or by the sun, as it is an outdoor area. As I want my final part of my opening to be the two main characters in the street, I want the lighting to hit my female character's face to symbolize her "lighting up" the male protagnists world.

As we continue to film this week, my costuming and props will be finished, hopefully by the first official date. With my props for my male main character, little to no will be added to his person. I want this character to be bare for the audience to try and understand who he is, what he likes, etc. Movies like these will have my target audience intrigued and interested in wanting to know what the movie is about.

The movie listed below is the film "Before Sunrise", which is a beloved romance movie where the couple is madly in love with each other, with deep connections and character development throughout the film.

my sources-

Google. (2026). Search results for "Before Sunrise". https://www.google.com/search?q=Before+Sunrise

Marder, H. (2020, August 21). 24 of the most pure, swoon-worthy, unproblematic male movie characters of all time. BuzzFeed. https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahmarder/best-unproblematic-movie-men

Mis-en-scene element(portfolio project)

 This blog post is going to be about my props and costuming. In my previous post, I talked about my locations and costuming. However, this post will be about how my characters will come to life with the costuming and props coming together. The idea for my male protagonist in the climax of the film opening is to have warm hues in his wardrobe. So with my outfit already inspired, as mentioned in my previous post I have done more research. Men in the 1970s wore bellbottom jeans with bottoms ups top downs. Many mismatched outfits showed others how you liked to be dressed. For my male character, I want a statement piece collar with light blue bellbottoms and his hair combed over to the side, as most men wore it in the 70s.

For my props, my female character will be having a type of bag that has trickets, particularly falling out of it. I want flowers, cds, and tickets, based on the storyline, to be in her bag but for the audience to see. This will create an interest in my male protagonist and show the audience why he has a liking for her. Research shows that props, particularly in romances, are supposed to symbolize emotion and the atmosphere of the scene within the film. Which shows that the props that I want for my woman lead will be perfect, as they are subtle for the opening and will be effective for the storyline to come.

This is from the famous movie Titanic. The necklace shown in this image is a significant part of this film connects the beginning of this film to the end when the credits roll.

My media theory( portfolio project)

 This blog post is to show which media theory my film opening represents. My film opening is represented through the Binary Opposition Theory. As this film is to show a loss in a family, the film is to show the two main characters' lives together before one of them passes. The theory explains the experiences of life through the concepts of opposites, so my film will show this by showing the two main characters experiences with each other and showing how their relationship is built on their interactions. 

Movies that have used this theory are Harry Potter and Twilight. In Harry Potter, there is a clear separation between "pure-blood", which are wizards with wizard parents, and ''muggle-born'', which are wizards with normal parents. This dynamic is between characters such as Hermione and Draco, which creates tension between the two. In Twilight, there is a clear dynamic between vampires and werewolves, for the two characters, Edward and Jacob.

my sources-

Ehrhaskewa. (2017, October 16). Claude Lévi‑Strauss: Binary opposition theory. https://ehrhaskewa2.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/claude-levi-strauss-binary-opposition-theory/

Blakeley, S. (n.d.). Binary opposition in literature: Concept & examples. Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/binary-oppositions-in-literature-list-of-examples.html

Other films that have this theory-