Creative Critical Reflection

CCR's

Here are my official CCR's, I hope you enjoy, and thank you for taking the time to watch!!

CCR #1 (Host Show):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfDYAxoB1xw

CCR #2 (Autocomplete Interview):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0o2BGQ0sbI

goodbyes

Reflection

We have officially reached the end of this insane project..whaaaaaaaaaaaat

It's unbelievable. I have learned a lot about myself and my talents from this great learning experience. I've been challenged from the beginning, from needing to use imagination to come up with a plot, to carrying out my ideas and fixing problems when they didn't go as planned. I did a decent job of organizing myself since I stuck to the timetable I set for myself at the beginning and we even managed to go ahead of schedule at times. 

One of the highlights of the year was undoubtedly being able to use the information I learned during the projects on my own initiative. For example, I would shoot from perspectives and viewpoints that I felt would best explain my story, then I would edit to convey meaning. The mis-en-scene, however, was probably my favorite aspect by far. Having the freedom to dress and design my characters in ways that improve the narrative piqued my curiosity, and I started to pay close attention to the details involved in each choice. Ranging from makeup, clothing, hair, and way more. Just like the big blue watch we used which tied to the story really well.  

Additionally, I'm rather pleased of all my partners and I's abilities to communicate and solve problems. We were honest with one other about our thoughts and beliefs, eager to listen to one another, and unafraid to express disagreement.  Naturally, issues came up, but we all remained composed and cooperated to find a solution. We brainstormed together to come up with a solution when we discovered we made a mistake while shooting. 

This endeavor also forced me to reconsider my boundaries. I didn't think I was particularly good at editing in any capacity until I was in charge of the sound for the opening. It took me some time to get the hang of it, but when I did, I felt certain that I had completed the task and that I was averagely competent at it. I will definitely keep this in mind for future assignments. Not only did I surpass my own expectations in this regard, but I also believe that the magnitude of the project made me question my capacity to complete it; yet, I'm happy to see that, hopefully, our efforts paid off.

Well blog, it was one hell of a ride...until next time :))

Film Opening

 MY FINAL FILM OPENING

WORLD PREMIERE DROPPED 

GO CHECK IT OUT 

PEACE OUT ✌️

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cqjmmQrnYA

OMGOMGOMG

 Sunday, March 31, 2024

FRICK

WHY'S IT ALREADY SUNDAY??? 

Let me start off by talking about everything I've been doing. My CCR's, editing, re-shooting, and stressing. 

Yesterday I recorded my second CCR, which is the Autocomplete Interview. Everything went great..but just wait until I tell you what I just noticed not too long ago. 

So, first we went to the Dollar Tree to get a cardboard poster so we can create what we needed. This was the inspiration:

this is what we made

It looked WAY less wrinkled in the final recording but it worked our pretty well. We printed a Google logo and drew up the rest. To cover the questions I cut up strips of paper and glued the end of it to the poster. 

Kinda made a mess but this is what Carsons bed looked like after..

We used a tripod to record so the camera was steady and not shaky, we put the script against it so I can easily read off of. Carson stood behind the camera as the 'interviewer' asking the questions. 

Before filming, I made sure all the questions that we are expected to answer were incorporated. And I missed one, which was the one about technology, so I had to quickly make a paragraph for it and this is what I added. 

"As for technology, I used lavalier microphones to get the best sound, a Canon camera to get bright and clear visuals, a tripod to keep shots steady, and other props that helped make this film come together smoothly. I used iMovie to edit the opening which, since I was already heavily familiar with, it was easy for me to navigate around different settings and buttons."

BUT as I was editing this and reviewing, I completely missed a WHOLE question. I don't even know how I missed it, so I searched my cameral roll and recently deleted and only found ht bloopers to the question, but not the real one. Tomorrow, after school, I will record that last question I missed. 

Here's the blooper of the question I missed.

Now, editing!!

I used capcut to put my credits quad it turned out perfectly. 

I definitely recommend using CapCut for this since it offers MANY different effects, fonts, colors, and other settings. 

For music, it was difficult for me to choose which sounds fit perfectly. For the first scene, I used bensound, with the song 'rainy day.' 

For the first flashback scene I used purple planet which has a variety of different sound and foly effects.

For my title, I called the film 'Luna', aka the protagonists name. iMovie offers a setting to create your own title and it had one which fit nicely, so I didn't use any special website for that. 

  

For the night scene, where Luna leaves the restaurant, I used a song that was sad to establish Luna's mood. I used bensound for that too. The song is called 'tomorrow.' 

Towards the end of the opening I used bensound again with he sound 'pulseandpause,' which gave the film a heightened suspense. 

For my production logo, I was originally going to use this.

Then I thought it's too simple, and I really liked the typewriting effect, so I searched how to do it and I've been trying to edit that on Adobe Premiere Pro. It's been giving me some difficulties and I can't understand why so I will just ask a friend who knows how to navigate this app well, tomorrow at school. 

I also re-recorded the last part, where the killer shifts to Drive, but when I put it in the film it was way too light. So, tomorrow I'll be re-shooting that one part again so it looks like it's being taken at night. 

Editing is the only think on my mind right now to complete, so I will just be working on that throughout the rest of the day today and all day tomorrow. 

ccr #1... DONE

Thursday, March 28th, 2024

YAY

After practice this morning, I came straight home and got ready to go film my first CCR. I made sure Vicky was up and getting ready too. 

BIG SURPRISE: Vicky wore a very short wig, like a blonde bob cut 

The setup was absolutely PERFECT. We moved some things around, like the two comfy chairs, we put a table in between with a plant and two mugs. Well, in that picture the mugs aren't there but it was in the final. We used the TV and screen shared a picture of a nice, settling background to set the mood.. or whatever it is real hosts do. I also came up with the idea on the spot to use the TV as an engaging role, for example, when I talked about specific scenes it was shown on the screen, which kept the conversation flowing. It looked like this: 

I thought this was a cool and fun way to show media, to add live pictures, rather than just talking the whole time. It's a way the audience were also able to visually see what we were talking about exactly. 

This was the full setup:

We had to re-record so many parts over and over again because we couldn't stop laughing throughout the recordings. Vicky was stress drinking and finished two full Coke cans which was hilarious.

We printed two separate copies of the script and placed it on a chair in front of us that we can read off of. I purposely made the text at a large size so it wouldn't be too difficult to read. But me, being the super blind person I am, couldn't barely read off of it so I stuttered several times, causing us to delete and record again. 

Towards the end of the 'show,' we made Vicky her own personal logo, which was shown at the end of the actual recording. 

She sort of looked like Ellen DeGeneres which was really funny.. her accent made it even better. After my practice today, which is until 6:30, I'm planning on going to the dollar store or something to get a small poster and all the things I need to create my board for the second CCR. Hopefully I can complete that tonight. The only I really have left to do for my host show is to just edit. I need to layer sound effects, such as audience clapping and relative things like that. 

As I was reviewing the script before we recorded, I noticed that I was missing a question that we had to incorporate. I checked my other script for the Autocomplete Interview and noticed it wasn't there either, so instead of adding another paragraph/part to the CCR, I will add that question to the second CCR. Oh yea, the question is about software, technology, and all that confusing stuffs.  

For costumes, I wore a green flannel and jeans, something simple and not too extravagant. As for Vicky, she wore a plain white t-shirt and a tuxedo, coming off as elegant and professional. and can't forget the WIG!

here are some BLOOOPERSSS

5 days closer to due date!!

ccr #2

 Wednesday, March 27th, 2024 

Script #2

Damn, I haven't been on here in a little while. Well, I'm back! This is basically the LAST week until everything is due. Lots to revise and lots to still do. I think I'm pretty much on task, I have been editing, and I know how much you guys want me to talk about that. But, that's still in the process and I'll talk about it soon, I swear! Now, the second CCR. I searched ways film actors answer questions about themselves and any film they were in and I came across a Autocomplete Interview which I thought was pretty fun. 

That's an example I really liked and that's what I'll be striving for, but of course with my own questions. 
Instead of 'WIRED' I will call it 'HOOKED'.

My name is Agam Gago, and I'm here for my HOOKED autocomplete interview.

[behind camera] Here are some questions about your upcoming film Luna.

Alright, let's get to it!

Who is Luna's intended audience?

Luna's target audience comprises teenagers, typically aged 15-18. More precisely, the film is aimed at teenagers struggling with abuse, as this theme forms a significant aspect of the storyline that many people relate to. Luna aims to amplify voices often marginalized in mainstream media, offering a platform for representation and empowerment.

How does Luna captivate this audience?

Through its content, the film Luna connects with its audience, as the challenges faced by Luna, the main character, resonate with many young teens navigating the complexities of life, relationships, and personal safety, offering an exploration of gender-based violence and resilience. By centering the narrative on a female character of Latina descent, Luna confronts stereotypes and amplifies underrepresented voices. The thriller genre serves as a vehicle to engage viewers with gripping suspense while delivering a powerful message of empowerment and hope.

How will Luna be distributed?

Luna will be exclusively available for streaming on YouTube, ensuring accessibility to a global audience. As an amateur filmmaker, it's unrealistic to expect my films to be featured on paid streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, etc. Instead, I'll be sharing my work on YouTube to garner attention and kickstart my career in filmmaking.

What research and planning went into Luna's opening?

Before delving into plot details, my initial step was thorough genre research. During this process, I stumbled upon the thriller/mystery genre and became captivated. The blend of thriller and mystery is marked by its gripping, suspenseful ambiance and emphasis on unraveling a central enigma or crime. While my narrative doesn't necessarily revolve around a crime, I was drawn to crafting a tale about a young girl navigating life's challenges. Thus, I began delving into media representations of abuse stories, particularly those involving young teenage girls, to inform my approach.

How did you approach the production of Luna?

Following my research, I moved into the planning phase. I established a rigorous schedule to maintain timing discipline. Subsequently, I embarked on creating a script, sketching a storyboard, compiling a shot list, and integrating all necessary mise-en-scène elements. Also, since I had to get somebody to let us film in their restaurant, I had the PERFECT friend, Rasheli Daluwatta, who also played as one of the main waitresses. 

Collaborating with a cinematographer from a minority background, Carson Broderick, [pops his head in the camera], enriched Luna's visual language and narrative depth. These preparatory measures enabled me to envision and meticulously plan the desired appearance of my opening scene. From location scouting to casting decisions, every aspect of Luna's production was guided by a dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices and challenging dominant narratives.

How has your process evolved throughout Luna's development?

At the project's outset, I found myself very uncertain about the direction for my film, prompting extensive research that proved invaluable.However, one night, I laid awake until 4 am, jotting down every idea that came to mind, ultimately clarifying the plot. While I may have gone a tad bit overboard, I at least had a concrete concept to work with. Planning consumed much of my time, though in hindsight, I recognize the need for even more thorough preparation to streamline production processes. The initial day of shooting was relatively successful, save for my oversight of forgetting to include a backpack in all the night shots—a mistake my parents amusingly pointed out upon viewing. But, one thing I didn't do, which maybe I should have, was re-shoot those shots, but it would've taken a really long time...like really long. Moving forward, I'm committed to ensuring the correct props for each shot to avoid such oversights. 

Huge thanks to HOOKED for this opportunity. Reflecting on this journey, I initially felt inadequate for such a project. Yet, previous experiences, like the Music Marketing and Film Pitch Project equipped me with valuable insights on tackling large-scale endeavors systematically. These preparatory projects throughout the school year significantly bolstered my filmmaking skills, particularly in planning and production stages, underscoring the importance of thorough brainstorming and organization alongside filming and editing.

That's my second CCR script! Tomorrow, I'll be filming the first CCR, which if you forgot, is the host show.

Here's my intended schedule for the rest of the break:

last day

 Friday, March 22nd. 2024

DONE FILMING

Yesterday, we FINALLYYYY finished filming. 

We got to the restaurant at 9:30, it started raining which complicated everything because the rest of the scenes were all outdoor settings. Some scenes were difficult to record (like a tracking shot) because it was on a bike, and Carson couldn't keep up without keeping the camera stable. We had to come up with a new idea, and since it was a medium shot, I just put one foot on the pedal and the other on the ground to push myself forward. 

We were there for a little over an hour and decided that we will start editing on Sunday. I don't quite know when I'll start the host show of the CCR because Vicky is brutally sick, so I'm waiting for that to wear down. I've also gotten sick, with a horrible sore throat, which gives me the opportunity to get more stuff done quicker, but also leaves me with barely any motivation. 

Tomorrow, I'll start working on my presentation, and creating my full script for it.