How we’ve been affected by Covid-19

This year, I am in the A-Level Media Studies. Last year, I did AS Level and unfortunately, Covid-19 affected the end of our year. I am telling you this now so you know that Covid-19 has affected my time in Media Studies for two school years. This year for school, I am doing school online, so obviously some changes had to be made when doing school and working with a group to film/edit/plan. We all had to make sure before we agreed to be a group that our parents would be okay with us being together to film or do any other steps. It wasn’t too difficult to plan our film because we could do that over the phone. We all did certain parts of the storyboard and script and worked together to make the film fit all of our visions. The script was a little difficult to work on at separate times because we wanted to make sure we all agreed on it. To reduce the trouble, we made sure to read over it together after it was done and make changes together. The next thing was the storyboard, which was easy to do with the script. Filming was a little difficult because we had to make sure that the restaurant we wanted to film at would allow us with Covid-19 and social distancing. We also had to make sure that parents/families were comfortable with people being in houses. Luckily, all the parents/families and the restaurant were okay with us filming. In the restaurant, we wanted to film when it was less busy, however, because we did not want to have our masks on during the film. Editing was difficult just because we would not be able to all edit since only one person had the software. Ben did most of the editing, whereas Joaquina and I did most of the acting and planning. This worked for us because it highlighted all of our strengths. As you can see, because of Covid-19, a lot of changes had to be made. Because we’ve been living in this “covid world” for a while now though, we were able to make it work. I’m extremely grateful that my group was able to get together to film and that we worked so well together. Thank you for coming along this planning/filming/editing journey with me. I can’t wait to show you the final product.

Editing

At this stage, we can finally start editing. This is a little more difficult, due to our current situation. Amy and I chose the music for Ben to use. We emailed a few people but only two responded. King Princess's manager and Danger Incorporated's manager gave us approval to use their music. From King Princess, we would be using the song "Cheap Queen" and from Danger Incorporated we would be using the song "Diamonds." Although we had other songs that we wanted more, we were glad to get approval from any of the artists. The next thing Ben wanted us to do was tell him how we wanted the film to be editied. Joaquina and I both agreed that we wanted it to be editied similar to how many young adult/lgbtq+ films are edited. This means that there were little to no transitions. It also meant that the editing made the film look very smooth, with not a lot of cuts. Just like everything in our film had the conventions of lgbtq+ films, we wanted our editing to be the same. We hoped that even without the plotline, it was obvious our film was in the lgbtq+ genre. Through our editing, clothes, young characters, and dialogue, we hoped to achieve that. We also told Ben that when we watched the film, we wanted to feel a sense of contentment and excitedness for the characters. We told Ben that if he could do that with editing, it would be great. He said he would try to make it happen and that he had the same vision as us. It's great that our whole group had the same vision and was excited to see our project come alive. Ben told us that there would be no exterior shots because we did not have time, which was the only thing that we missed with the conventions. We're finally done with our film and I'm so excited, I can't wait for everyone to see it. Stay tuned on the next blog to see how Covid-19 affected filming, editing, and more. 

Starting to edit: Choosing clips

 Welcome to another blog! Last time, we wrapped up filming. Now, we move onto the editing portion. Due to Covid, editing is different from usual. We used to have time at school to film together and pick clips, but none of us are going to in-person school. We decided that we would find a way to make it work. We all went through and chose the clips which were fine. We got to look back on filming and how much fun we had. We picked the ones we like best and organize them into a separate folder. I liked watching the clips because it reminded me how fun filmmaking can be. We had a lot of clips that we had to shorten. Sometimes we film two takes in one video and had to crop it. This made it so that when it was time to edit, it would be quicker. We all decided that Ben would you most of the editing, that being his strong suit. It feels surreal to be almost done with the experience. We’re all very excited to see the final product. We are dedicated a lot of time and effort and are ready to start piecing together the final project. In the next blog, we will continue to edit. I plan on taking you guys every step of the way. See you next time!

Filming Blog: My room

 

Today, I’m gonna be blogging about the rest of the filming at my house. We had to film a scene with Cassidy and Jade on the phone. Cassidy invites Jade to hang out and we shot that scene in my parents' room. After that, we had to record a scene of Cassidy and Aiden on the phone. We went line by line using multiple cuts so would be easier to edit. The next scene of Cassidy and shit on the phone with set up the same way. I was filmed on speaker so you could hear the other person. The last scene that we filmed was the one that took the longest. We were all very excited and nervous because it was the kissing. It was suspenseful and awkward, which was what we were going for. We tried to get a few angles to see which one works better. After we picked when it was finally time to film it. It took us a while because we couldn’t stop giggling from the nerves but eventually, we got it done. After that scene, we were done filming. Although we might need to do re-shoots, this is what we need for now. We all talked a little about the project and hung out before going home. We all liked filming together and thought it was a good group. Next, we have to start editing. We’re all really excited to see the film come together. See you next time with more details!

Filming Blog: Filming at my house

Welcome to our second day of filming! With how well yesterday went, we were excited to film today. Today would be our last day filming, except for re-shoots (if they are needed). Everyone came over to my house. Ben and Aitan even came, even though they weren’t in any of the scenes. We needed as many people to help us film as possible. I had my room ready to be shot and we started. First, we did the scene of Jade, Paige, and Cassidy talking on the bed. Jade asked if she could do the girls' makeup and we shot that scene in the bathroom. We all worked together pretty well, we even had a few laughs. Like last time, we tried out different angles for each scene. Whichever angle looked better, we ended up using. In the bathroom scene, I have a big mirror so we had to work around that to assure that the cameraman was not in the shot. I had to sit on the sink and let Gleda, who plays Jade, do my makeup and “mess up“. I enjoyed filming the scenes because we got to see the chemistry between Cassidy and Jade. Then, we did the other bedroom scene. Here, the girls were shown watching a movie when Jade lays her head on Cassidy. I can’t take wait to tell you more. Stay tuned!

Filming blog: Aitan's car and house

 

Hello, welcome back! in today's blog, we are moving on. Today, we are going to talk about filming at Aitan’s house. Last time, we talked about the diner. That was the hardest place to film because of the circumstances. It is a public place and there were other people there. Nonetheless, we were able to successfully fill mosh scenes and make it out in time before the dinner rush. The scenes at Aitan's house were probably the easiest. Before that though, we had to film the scene outside the diner. Aitan, Ben, and I were the main focus. The purpose of this scene was to demonstrate how uninterested Cassidy was. To tie in later plot points, we had to show a struggle in the relationship. That day, we also filmed the scenes in Aitan's car. The boys were able to read their script without it being shown on screen. Atain’s house after that was fairly quick. It didn't take long to get the scenes between Cassidy and Aiden and we were able to wrap up reasonably early. We are definitely proud of the work that we got done in one day. We can't wait to see how the rest of our filming turns out. Tune in next week to see how it goes at my house.

Filming Blog: Diner Scenes

 

        Hi there! Today, we're blogging about the scenes we shot. We were able to finish filming the scenes at the diner. It felt like the whole process was worth it. We filmed the scene of Gleda walking into the restaurant. We also decided to get the scene of the 5 of us over with. That scene was the one that took the most time. We pulled a table close to ours and were able to set up the camera there. It took a few tries because we kept getting interrupted. It was frustrating to have to keep repeating the same lines, but hey, that's show business! We filmed Jade walking towards the booth. It was interesting to play with camera angles to get certain people's reactions. We ordered food, in order for the scene to seem realistic. We ended up taking it to go, but it looked good on camera. After we finished filming, we took pictures of the location for the owner. We are also going to use those pictures for our website. Now that we're done with those scenes, it's time for the next ones. We still have to film at Aitan's house and mine. Stay tuned for more behind the scenes! 

Filming blog: Setting up

 

        Welcome back! In today's blog, we are finally starting to film. The most important part about the first day was setting up. We had the location booked already, so that stress was over. It took us a while, so we were happy to finally have it done. One of the best parts about filming is the cast. This being a school project, it was a rare opportunity that we got to chose who we wanted to work with. Outside of our group members, we had two other people. Luckily, they are both my close friends. Gleda plays the role of Jade. I thought this would fit because she is almost like real-life Jade. Also, she is LGBT and understands the role. Aitan, our other friend, plays Aiden. We knew they would both be good at helping with the scenes. Aitan was good at helping us focus on the task at hand. All of us being friends, we did get distracted a few times, but nothing too out of hand. We printed out storyboards and scripts for everyone to have. We used Aitan's car as transportation. We set up in a small area, where we knew we wouldn't bother other customers and got to filming!

Planning: Getting approval for music

 

Last week, we went through the process of picking music. Now, we are onto the second part of the process. We have to obtain the right to use this music. This way, we won’t have complications when it comes to publishing the film. Because a lot of these artist are well known, most of them have managers. A way that people contact most artists are through their managers. What we decided to do, was email each artists’ manager and ask for permission. All it took was a quick google search. When we get that email, we have the thumbs up. We have not heard from the artists’ managers yet. We are getting slightly nervous. If they don’t respond in a few days, we will contact them again. If that doesn’t work, we have to find another way to input music. We really feel that this short film would not be the same without songs like these. This indie LGBT soundtrack would complete the short. We do have the back up options of the songs that we discussed earlier. We could include those, but we are hoping we don’t have to. Overall, we are just excited to start filming. I will update you when we get approval for our music.

Planning: picking music for film

         Now that we overcame the obstacle of picking the location, we have to pick the music. We felt that, for this short film, the music is paramount. We thought it would be good to have options to choose from. Each of us picked three songs. We made a playlist with them and listened to each of them a few times. We picked the four songs that we thought would fit the best. I really enjoyed the process. This genre of movie is something I really love. A lot of music I listen to comes from soundtracks. I chose Thunder by Roy Blair, Motion Sickness, and Homegirl by King Princess. I picked these songs because I genuinely enjoy them. Most of these are LGBTQ+ which I think is appropriate. We all sent our song suggestions to the group chat. We ended up taking a week to listen to the songs and then choosing. We picked two of my songs, which I was excited about. We also chose one of Amy’s and one of Ben’s. After listening we prepared to include them in our film. This project has become something inspiring to work on. Now that everything  is official, we are getting ready to film. 

Planning: Getting approval to film at Moonlite Diner

 

        We went into this process already knowing where we wanted to film. Moonlite is a well-decorated small retro diner. It's not far from where we all live and isn't big enough to be busy all the time. That was perfect for filming. Before we even started to film, we had to get approval. This process, we assumed, was going to have multiple steps. Our group member, Ben, called to assure that they had certain policies. After a few calls, he was able to speak to the owner. The owner explained that we had to go online and fill out a form, and email it to them. I went online and found the form. I emailed them a few times over the course of two weeks or so. After we didn't receive a response, we had to come up with another solution. Amy decided that, since she lives the closest, she could drive there and attempt to speak to someone about our request in person. The manager said that he would talk to the owner and call us back. After we didn't receive a call, we, again, had to call. Amy called one last time and was able to work out something with the owner. He asked us about our film and after we described it, he loved it. He agreed to let us film for free, as long as we take new pictures of the location. We were so happy to finally solve the problem of location. 

Social Media/ Marketing blog

        These past few days, our group has been creating all the social media. We need all these accounts to expand our reach. The more people that run across these accounts, the more possible viewers for when we release our short film. For this step, we had to make four social media accounts. We created a new email for the accounts, so everything would be organized. I made the Facebook account since I knew the most about the app. We came across an obstacle, regarding the name of the account. Facebook only allows users to name their pages real names. After I told the group, we all agreed that we could name it after the main character, Cassidy Jensen. I was also assigned to do the YouTube account. This was simple to do because YouTube is already linked to Gmail. Amy did the Twitter account. This setup was fairly easy, considering all she had to do was sign up with the email. Ben made the Instagram account. The last thing we had to do was put them all onto a website. We used a program called Wix and all worked on it. It only took us a few days and was a great tactic to create our brand. All we have to do is set up to start filming. We're definitely excited for the next steps. 

Storyboarding for film

We’re definitely moving along with our project. This past week, we finished the planning for the filming of our short film. We have done everything from pick a title to figure out location. We are so excited to be able to count the days. This week, we all helped piece together our storyboard. The storyboard helps later on when we have to worry about camera placement. We sketch out the overall look of the scene and any specific angles or movements. Because there are three of us, we were able to split up the pages so it wasn’t as much work. We each took on a few scenes and talked about how we envisioned the shots. It got us even more excited about getting ready to film. We tried to organize the scenes, so the more the audience watches, the more they feel for the characters. For example, the main character Cassidy is supposed to be set up as relatable for queer teenagers. To relay this, we had a shot of her with the love interest’s head on her shoulder. She had a shocked expression and it was clear that she was freaking out. This comes full circle with the genre of the film being LGBT+. We wanted to make a short film that accurately represents the anxieties of being “in the closet” and in a relationship. Not only is it an interesting thing to film, but it is something that a lot of the LGBT+ community go through. Recently, there have been a few LGBT+ films in the limelight. Only a few of those, although, are accurate representation. That’s why it was so important for us, and me especially, to tell a real story.

Planning for short film

 

        Since my group and I have already finished writing our screenplay, it's time for us to start planning. We have been provided with a list of things we need to have thought out. That is very helpful because it's easy to lose track of what we need. The first thing we had to think out was our schedule. As of today, we've set aside the days from November 16th to the 23rd. We chose these days because two of the members of the group might be away for thanksgiving. Also, with the holidays coming up, one of us might be out of the country, so we feel it's important that we film as soon as we can. The next thing we had to think of was the location of our scenes. The opening scene, along with a few others, takes place in the main character's room. For those, we are going to use my room, as it is most fitting for Cassidy's (the main character) personality. Along with my house, we are going to be using Aitan's house. He s a friend that will be one of the actors in the short film. We are also going to film at one of our local diners and following their protocol for filming. In between certain scenes, we will also be filming in cars. Besides our three group members (Joaquina, Amy, and Ben), two of our friends, Gleda and Aitan, have volunteered to be some of the main roles in our project. Health and safety is definitely the most important factor in filming this year, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We fully plan on wearing masks everywhere we go and avoiding seeing anybody, besides our families, the week before we film. Since we won't be needing to do any stunts for any of our scenes, we are mostly trying to stay safe from the virus. For props, we don't need anything specific, besides the phones that will be used in certain scenes and things for mise en scene, like the food, and decoration for the rooms (posters, furniture, etc.). The last thing we need to plan is the costumes, which we decided are going to be very casual and modern, with each outfit fitting the character's personality. 

        

Short film vs. Full length film

 

Now it's time for me to compare and contrast the films. Although I enjoyed both, I definitely did pick a favorite. I felt more connected to the full-length film for a few reasons. I loved the way the characters made you feel for them. They both had a very charismatic sense to the protagonist in the sense that you rooted for them the whole way. In both the short and the feature film, they have antagonists to fight against. The objective in both is to save the supporting characters from the creatures. One of the things I really liked about the full-length film was the expansion of the storyline. They were able to explain a lot of things that my group and I were confused about. We discussed, after viewing the short film, that we weren't sure what the bright green dolls were. The feature film was able to provide clarity as to how they differed. We all agreed this was due to the amount of time they had to tell the story, in comparison to the 7-minute film. Something that they had in common was the action.  Both films had you on the edge of your seat, which I appreciated. It really gets the viewer interested in the outcome of the characters' adventures. I feel that this is key to a successful movie. Something I mentioned in a previous blog was the animation style. It was another way that I felt invested in the characters, Being able to see the emotion that was put into these films made it a great experience. I'm glad I gave these films a chance. 

Research 9, the film

 

I was very excited to watch this film, but also kind of nervous. I had seen the short film and thought it was definitely interesting. With the short film, I went into it not knowing anything about it. With the film, I had already had a sort of preview as to the characters and it was about. I knew that I had to give it a chance like I did the short film. It didn't turn out the way I expected but in a good way. The short film gave off very dark energy. Whether it was because of the lighting design or the events that took place, I felt very nervous for the main character, 9. Along with the protagonist, there were a few other characters. 5, 6, and 7 were 9's friends. One of the things I appreciated is that they had a female character. It may seem minor, but it's important for viewers to have that influence. Especially if they're children. This film also has a very unique way of showing character development One of the characters, 1 begins as fearful and shy, but ends up sacrificing himself to save his loved ones. There were a few moments where his friends weren't the most confident in his skills to help them. They all did their part in assisting, like 6 giving him advice, and 7 help save some of her friends. I felt that the ending was very appropriate. It tied the whole film together in an accomplishing way. I ended up enjoying this film more than I thought. It was interesting to be able to compare it to the short film and see how the director expanded on the story. 

Research "9", the Short

 

    Earlier today, I watched the short film "9". Before even watching, this interested me because it was made into a feature film. As a student in a college-level media course, I can only imagine how much of a dream come true it must've been to be able to make your short film into a full-length film. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to like the film because I tend to be particular about the animation styles I prefer. In the beginning, it definitely interested me, but not enough that I would've watched it on my own. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the animation. This short film has a way of getting you invested in the characters. They definitely started this by showing you the friendship that the character, 5 and 9, had. After that, they introduce the antagonist and the way it kills 5. It seems to be a sort of, almost robotic, spider-like figure. The rest of the film shows the different ways 9 outsmart it. An aspect of this that I enjoyed was the varying perspectives. It presents, at one point, a POV of what the antagonist sees, which was a good way of emphasizing the pressure 9 was under. I also appreciated the use of character development. 9 was clearly terrified of this creature, but he knows he has to find a way to survive. This short film has a way of growing on you and that is partially due to the endearing emotion that is expressed by the characters. Again, the animation style allows you to see the malevolence that exudes from the spider-like creature and the anxiety that is plastered on 9's face. I am definitely excited to see how Shane Ackman, the creator, expands on this story in the full-length film. My next two blogs will be analyzing that and how they compare. 

Genre choice for film

 We had a couple of options for what genre we wanted to label our short film as. There was LGBT+, comedy, and romance. We took enough time to research all of them thoroughly. We went through all of the common aspects of each. We were able to immediately rule out one of the genres. The comedy one didn't necessarily fit with the vision that we have for the short film. We were able to break down the ideas and compare them to the other two options. We considered the romance genre for a while because of the love triangle that is shown. While it is a very present part of the film, we didn't want it take take away from the message. We had to step back and look at the bigger picture. We want it to stand for all the LGBT+ teens that could use support. We felt that the LGBT+ genre was most fitting for our film. We believe the pitch is great as it is. It previes the audience to the LGBT+ aspect, along with setting the tone for it as a teen film. It stamps it as a tool that can be used for guidance. This piece will have the beautiful blend of giggles and tears that is so desired in coming of age movies. We could not be more excited to continue this journey as amateur filmmakers. This class has introduced us to the passion we have for promoting love through a screen. We are so ready to begin the process to do just that. 

Genre Research- LGBT+, Comedy, and Romance

 Some examples, CAMS in the LGBTQ+ genre, for costumes the characters usually wear modern clothes. this is because they are usually set in present day. Some common angles in this genre usually. With movements, this genre usually has tilts, pans, zooms and tracking shots. Sounds of this genre include music from either LGBTQ+ aritsts or music about sexuality. The Mis-en-scene usually is influenced by mood or tone. The lighting is usually adjusted to reflect how the character(s) is feeling. With clothing, movies in this genre can show character progression thruogh how they express themselves with their clothes. The editing in this genre is pretty standard, there is more of emphasis on drama. An example from this genre is Love Simon. Some elements I like about this genre the chemistry between the actors can be really good, and the movies can be really representative of the community. An element I dont really like is that some of these can be very stereotypical. For Comedy, some examples of CAMS is that some of the clothes can can be very goofy. Angles can range from being normal, or being really expressive. movies in this genre usually has tilts, pans, zooms and tracking shots. Music in this genre is usually goofy. Mis en scene usually has an emphasis on keeping things entertainingly funny. An example of this genre is WaterBoy. An element I like is that I can get a lot of enjoyment out of these movies. An element I don't like is that these movies can be a bit too childish. For romance, examples of CAMS are the characters usually wear modern clothes. this is because they are usually set in present day. Some common angles in this genre usually. With movements, this genre usually has tilts, pans, zooms and tracking shots. Sounds of this genre include music about love. For Mis en Scene scenes are usually  influenced by mood or tone. The lighting is usually adjusted to reflect how the character is feeling. With clothing, movies in this genre can show character progression thruogh how they express themselves with their clothes. The editing in this genre is pretty standard, there is more of emphasis on drama. An example from this genre is The Notebook. An element I like is that movies of this gnere can be really touching. An element I don't like is that these movies can be unbearably corny and tend to get repetative.

Genres my group and I are researching!

 The genres that my group will be exploring and researching are the LGBTQ+, comedy, and romance genres. My group and I agree that the film we are planning on doing fits in best with these genres. They share similarities of fun and young adult movies, which is what we hope our film will be. To start off, our film will be centered around a young girl who is figuring out her sexuality and if she likes girls, while also being in a straight relationship. Because we will be focusing on LGBTQ+ relationships, it would make sense to research the LGBTQ+ genre. We are excited to research the LGBTQ+ genre because we want to learn more about it because it is not a common genre. We also hope to bring light to LGBTQ+ relationships, which need to be talked about in the media more. Also, we think that romance will be a good genre to explore and see if we want that to be our genre. Our film will have 2 relationships, but they will not be the focus of the film. We have Cassidy's (the main character) relationship with her boyfriend and we also have her relationship with the new girl, and if she wants that to be romantical. We might not choose to do a romance genre, however. This is because the center of our film is not as much about her relationship with the new girl or her boyfriend and more about her exploring if she likes the new girl and exploring her sexuality. This will be a good genre to research, though. Even if it not the main part of our film, it does play an important part. Cassidy is trying to see if she wants a romantic relationship with a girl. The last genre we might research is comedy. This genre we are the least likely to do. Our film is about sexuality and romance and, even if it is funny, that will probably not be the basis of our film. We will look into it, though, to see if we would like to do it and what it entails. All of these genres have their similarities so it is our job to explore how they are different and decide on one. 

The pitch for our film!

When 16-year-old Cassidy catches feelings for the new girl, things get complicated in her relationship. This film explores the realization that many LGBT+ youths experience. 

Deciding to work with my friend!

 This past week, I picked who I wanted to work with. I already had an idea of what I wanted. I had the genre picked out and a vague idea of what I wanted the theme of my film to be. I was talking about my excitement for the class with my friends over a video call and we had an idea. One of my best friends, who is in the same class as me, proposed that we work together. I've known her since freshman year and trust her so much. I thought it was a good idea. Not only will it be fun, but I know we will be productive. I know that she is a very focused student and will work with me, instead of leaving me to work alone. This was a problem that I had last year. In my media AS level class, I decided to pick my group based on fun. Although I knew it wasn't the best option, I didn't fully understand the extent of the work we were going to be. This was not a good idea because it ended up costing me in the long run. Although we had fun in class, after school, I was pretty much left alone to do almost everything except filming. It ended up being very frustrating and it took the passion that I previously had out of my work. I am grateful for being able to work with Amy because we have similar interests, but different strengths. While I'm more creative than she is, she's great with a lot of other things. Her problem-solving skills are something that I can see being very useful throughout this project. As for what my film is about, you'll have to wait and see! Until then, I'll keep you updated throughout my steps to a final piece.

Back and excited for more

         My name is Joaquina and I’m a junior at Fort Lauderdale high school. This is my second year taking AICE media. This year I am taking A level. I am extremely excited because I love learning about film. Last year, I fell in love with the class and everything about it. I had a fun group and we were able to be creative throughout the whole process. My favorite part about this class is the freedom to create. Not only that, but the guidance provided by our teachers makes it easy to do that. They are very thorough with their instructions, which I appreciate. During my spare time, I like creative writing and hanging out with my friends. My hobbies are perfect for this class because they help with writing scripts and filming. This being my second year, I’m already accustomed to storyboarding and all the other steps in preparation to film. I already have a few ideas as to what I want my short film to be based on. As far as genre, I have so many options. I have been very interested in coming of age films lately. I want to write a short film that represents the unspoken struggles. I think this year has been difficult for many and I want to make something entertaining. I love making people laugh, and being able to do that through film would be great. As far as the school year in general, I am nervous about online learning. I have faith that everything will work out in the end.

Audience and Institution Practice Essay

DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF FUNDING ON MEDIA PRODUCTS

In the world of media, there are many aspects that lead to creating and releasing a successful film. One of the factors that go into that is the amount of funding that is put into the process. The amount of money put into the filming, distributing, and advertising correlates to how well it will do. While sometimes, they do not make a lot of money because of the storyline, despite the budget, that is not usually the case. 

To elaborate on that, funding is such an important aspect because it determines things like casting and production value. For example, the Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, was released in 2017 and made around $1.3 billion. I believe that a big reason was that the actors that were hired were very internationally well-known. Emma Watson, who played the main character was previously in the extremely successful movie franchise, Harry Potter. That, alone, can be a motive for fans to want to watch it. When it was released, that was one of the main reasons that I went to the theatre to watch the premiere. Although, casting alone cannot determine the grossing of a movie. Ugly Dolls is a good example of this because of how poorly it did after its release. With such big stars, like Nick Jonas and Kelly Clarkson, one would expect it to at least break even, but it only made around $32.5 million. That being said, the marketing strategies used by the film were weak and only had a few ways of promotion. Therefore, the amount of funding put into those details was not enough for it to be a hit. 

Another reason that funding makes a big impact on media products is that, without it, movies wouldn’t be able to be as vastly distributed as they tend to be. Spiderman Homecoming was one of the highest-grossing films of 2017 and part of that was because of its marketing strategy. They did a lot of synergy and cross-promotion with big companies like Target and General Mills. They funneled in money into advertising before the film came out to get viewers excited. This was all possible because of all the money the directors put into everything, which ended up being a good move on their behalf. Everything stems from that because money runs everything in the film industry. The creators of The Lego Movie Part 2 took a similar approach and spent a good amount of their funding cross-promoting companies like Discover and Burger King, which allowed them to reach bigger audiences. The movie hit theaters and grossed around $192 million, over double of what it took to make it. 

In conclusion, funding is a major part of the media industry. It provides possibilities for better casting and marketing strategies, which can then lead to higher grossing films and successful franchises. Money is what keeps the industry moving, after all. 

Extract Practice- 24

        The way this extract is set up is very strategic. Everything points to the theme of distrust.
In the clip, it is clear that the man is interrogating the woman he expresses, physically and
vocally, that he does not believe her. Both the woman and man, although, are pressured under
surveillance, which just further proves the theme. There is serious acting and all the details work
to portray a suspenseful feeling on the audience. It could very well be that the director wanted
this to be considered a thriller.
In scene 1, we are presented to the main characters. We are shown a man walking into a
room with metal furniture, where a woman is seated. We are, then, shown that they are being
watched by cameras. In this scene, the director makes a point of showing his skills when it
comes to various camera angles and movements. The multiple over the shoulder shots, for
example, are strategically placed to direct the focus towards the man's analysis of her. It provides
the first example of how he acts because of the fact that he does not trust her. The use of the two-
shot when the two main characters are shown close up in the room is to build suspense. It points
to the act of interrogation and serves to be a physical example of how they are getting “closer” to
discovering her full plan. The importance of them two being the only people in the room is that
they are in isolation and the man is trying to get disclosed out of her. The use of sound in this
scene is to grab the viewers’ attention. The opening of the door is to symbolize the beginning of
the scene and of the intensity. Scene 1 was mostly to introduce the setting and set the intense
tone of the extract.
        In scene 2, the man's lack of trust in her is most intensely introduced in this part of the
extract. The constant showing of the people in the camera room is to show their nervousness and
the way everyone is on the edge of their seat. The man is seen to be aggressive towards the
woman for reasons that are slightly exposed in this scene. Also, the audience is finally able to
hear the characters converse. That is the most important use of sound in this scene, as opposed to
scene 1. Another example of the director's use of sound is the falling of the table when the man
throws it. It provides a way for the man to show his anger in a way that isn’t hurting the woman.
In this scene, the director plays around some more with different angles, one of which being the
low angle. This can be seen when the camera is pointed towards the clock. It is shown from the
point of view of the woman. That is another camera angle that adds to the meaning of the clip.
By putting the audience in the spot of the woman, nervously looking around, it allows them to
feel the tension of the scene. The ticking sound that comes from the clock when it is focused on
is to symbolize the passing of time and how they are running out of it. Their clothing suggests a
serious, dark mood because of its lack of color or specific design. This scene, in general, does a
better job at expressing the theme and mood, due to its use of sound and other mis en scene
details.
        Scene 3 starts with the woman warning the man not to hurt her and claiming that he will
lose his job if he does. Her low tone tells the audience that she is nervous and scared that he will come close to her and harm her. Another part of the mis en scene is the makeup. The actors are
made up to look natural and tired. This is to show that the man has been trying to get information
out of the woman for a long time, hence his rising levels of aggression towards her. Eventually,
he cracks under the pressure and physically attacks her. The editing used in this part is a split
screen. They simultaneously show the people in the camera room, who seem to have a level of
authority, running towards the room where the man is hurting the woman. This is used to show
the importance of the protection of the woman and how she has to remain untouched, as she said
in the beginning. Another way they played with editing that ended up affecting the scene was the
eye line match shot. It shows how the camera room people came in and saw the intensity of what
was going on in the isolated room. This adds a lot to the theme of distrust because it proves that
they both needed to be watched for a reason. The woman, being a criminal, and the man being
biased against her and her plans. Another part of the mis en scene was the setting and the
lighting. Not only does the scene take place in a dark room with cool, harsh undertones, but it is
also placed in a room that has minimal decoration and ray tones, lacking emotion. Overall, scene
3 has the most attention to detail than the other scenes and reveals the most about the other
characters.
        The director’s goal of entertaining with suspense and thriller was definitely achieved. A
theme of distrust and lack of belief pulled through with the use of camera angles, movements,
editing, and mis en scene. Everything from the sound to the setting was well planned out and added up to a well done extract.

CCR

        This is my CCR for my final task. I decided to do it in an interview style. I felt that that would be an entertaining way to provide my answers for the questions provided. I also added examples of certain aspects of the short film clip. I had a family member assist me in filming so it would me easily understood, as opposed to filming by myself.

Final movie

        This is my final project. This two minute clip serves as a preview to a movie idea my group and I came up with. It contains a variety of angles and camera movements. It also plays around with sound, lighting, and editing.

Music Video Project

        This is my music video project. My group and I picked a fun song and filmed together. It was a good way to learn more about production. I was able to play the role of actor and director, which was very exciting and involving.

Commercial Project

        This is my commercial project. I learned a lot about angles and movements. It was a great way to work on camera work. I also learned how to properly use SD cards.

Re-Editing Blog

        These past few weeks, things have been extremely different. Due to an increase of COVID-19 cases in our country, a lot of things have changed. A few rules have been put out by the government, including the "social distancing" rule. We are not allowed to leave our homes, unless it is for necessities. It all feels unreal and has affected everything. One of those things is our schooling. Our AICE Media Studies class' assignments, along with other classes, are all now completely online. Along with this class' assignments goes our final project. We were not able to finish editing together before the global crisis happened and now we can't see each other. Because of this, our group member who had the software we are editing on has been the only one able to finish. 

        Despite the struggles, we have been able to overcome them and conclude working on our 2 minute video product. Before we turn in anything, we have to work on our Creative Critical Reflection, or CCR. This is a video presentation answering four questions. The questions are all regarding our final project and the process of creating it. My group and i all decided to each do ours in an interview style. We thought it would be a fun and creative way to go about answering the questions. The video has to be a minimum of 15 minutes, so we have to plan it out perfectly. After we complete that, we will be able to turn everything in. That will be the end of our experience with this class. 

Coronavirus difficultly blog

With the recent outbreak of the covid-19 virus it's been very hard to get anything done. Our school has been closed and communications with teachers have been cut off. All we Have been able to do is our CCR project. We have been getting instructions though remind and canvas. Those are the applications that we use to keep in touch with our professors. With this time off, we have been able to discuss future plans for our film. Not being able to see anyone due to isolation has been trying. We can't get our refilming done. As a result, we've been editing what we have. We are trying to make it perfect and add requirements from our own ends. We plan on adding some shots done without the location being shown so it matches up. Editing-wise, we have to add key details, like audio. We have to add non-diegetic sound, amongst others. Because one of us specializes with editing more than the other two, they will be working on that while we help him find music and things like that. We have sent requests to some artists for permission to use their music in our film. We are still waiting on a response so we have a backup. We are all set with most of our details and preps other than music. All our edits are done and voice overs are finished. It's been a very difficult time but we're pulling through.

Struggle to re-shoot blog

        Recently we have been trying to re-shoot. we are aware of the upcoming deadlines. We are nervous that we will not have enough time together as a group. We have been struggling to film. There have been a couple obstacles n our way. The main one has been a risky global epidemic called the coronavirus. It is highly contagious and has led to the changes of various things worldwide. For example, schools have all been closed for at least two weeks. During that, assignments are still due. Group projects have been difficult because of the fact that we have been told to be “socially distant”. We are facing a lot of trouble with re shooting our video. The COVID-19 virus has put us in a tough spot. Our parents are not letting us leave our homes. Because of this, we are very worried about the progress we can make, if any. Our project needs to be complete. The quality of our video is at stake. Things only continue to get worse for public health. We may be put in a state wide quarantine. There’s even rumors of martial law being put into place. It’s extremely troubling.

Reshoot planning blog

        Lately, we haven’t been able to reshoot. We have had struggles finding a right time to. For example, last weekend we wanted to film. Unfortunately, I was out of town. Because there are scenes with two people in it, there had to be three people involved in filming. During the week, it gets even more difficult. We all have afterschool activities. One of us even has a job. our plan is to film this weekend. Saturday would be difficult, so we think it will be on Sunday. It will be a struggle to get transportation because the shooting location is farther from where we live.Although it will be difficult, this weekend is the most convenient. Aside from school, spring break is coming up and so is the due date. We have to reshoot because we were missing some angles during the peer review. One important one is a low angle. We also wanted to provide a better variation of filming techniques. We feel that it will make our film more appealing to the audience. We also have to focus on editing after this weekend. We need to add some important details. Things like the music and subtitles are missing.

No reshooting blog

        After receiving our constructive criticism from our peer review we now know what we need to accomplish during our re-shoot. A few points we need to address are our camera angles, audio, time and plot development. It is in our best interest to fix our errors, so we can knock this out of the park. We need to add more scenes establishing the story/plot. we will do this by making any confusing spots better explained.We also need to shorten the film to meet the two minute mark. Some specific camera angles need to be added as well. This is to give an all inclusive felling of our film. Some of the audio hadn't come trough therefore making it difficult to hear any dialogue and understand our plot. The fine details of our project need to be tweaked so there is nothing left to chance. We all agreed to meet on Sunday, a bit earlier than our last meeting . This worked out due to our schedules lining up. Thanks to our director (Ben) getting a new phone our filming should go much smoother. this is because there will be less of a chance of hiccups such as phones loosing battery or filling up on storage. We hope to have everything perfect by Sunday so we can really focus our efforts on editing. We will make sure our tittles are done ans spread out evenly. We are really in our home stretch of this project. Thanks to us planning every little step out. We hope it come through that our best efforts have gone into this film. the experience was really enjoyable and exciting.  

Peer Review blog

When doing the peer review we got some helpful critiques. We were told some helpful insights. What needs work is our audio. We devised what we think to be a clever idea. We would have our main actors use Bluetooth earbuds and use them as mics. We will keep them out of sight for immersion purposes. When importing the files into the editing software, some audio files got corrupted. We are going to have to re-shoot some scenes. The audio we are missing is pivotal in communicating the story. It’s very important that we either get those audio files back. We may even have to re-shoot those scenes. Some of our titles are missing. Of course this is due to time constraints. We will have them completed in time for submission of our project. I also plan on color correcting the shots and scenes. I’m still considering using fades for scene transitions. I plan on checking out different fonts and maybe alternate colors for the titles. We are very close to having our work done.

Filming and editing blog

This past weekend we filmed. We spent a few hours at Andrews house with Ben. We the storyboard to shoot some scenes. We got distracted a few times. because this project has brought us so close, it was like filming with best friends. Besides the joking around, we were very focused. We found it easy to shoot the scenes. We were very interested in the plot. We found ourselves having to Derail from the original storyboard a few times. We had some ideas change throughout the planning process. We were able to execute them with no problem. Something we didn’t predict was the weather. It was colder than we had expected and made the outside scenes frustrating to film. The inside scenes were simpler but we did have other things to focus on. The lighting was an aspect that we had to pay close attention to. We wanted to make sure that it fit the mood of the scene we were filming. we had to re-shoot a few scenes due to the acting or the misunderstanding during the directing. Andrew’s house provided a good setting that went along with what we wanted the protagonist to portray. Overall, it was a good experience and we were able to work efficiently while still having fun. It was a good end to the filming process and we were ready to start editing.

Planning filming blog

        Currently we still haven’t been ready to film yet. One of our group members left Class, so puts a significant delay on our work. We are planning on filming this weekend. it should be a troublesome time getting everyone together for filming together of our group members left Class. We're visiting film at my house first, because it may be a well controlled environment, so we are going to be ready to get that scene done faster and more efficiently. we are going to film the start of our project, this may be the scene where we first see our main character typing in his computer, he will then get a telephone from an unknown number asking how “things” are going. Next we are visiting film in an alleyway or neighborhood because itis that the scene we would have liked our now absent group member to film that scene.
        Our main struggle is getting the people we'd like to be there. one in all our main actors works on Friday and Saturday. Our director also includes a job on Sunday. So we'd like to film at later times. This puts an excellent tighter time constraint on us. We’ll have less daylight time to figure in so we must be precise in our work. We are just hoping that everything goes to plan and zipgoes wrong. we'd like to conserve our time. We only have such a lot daylight by the time we are able to film. We're currently keeping tabs on our plan. We must be concise in our scheduling. Anything can suddenly change at the drop of a hat. we've complete faith in each other. It’s important to make sure we are all on board with our ideas.

Filming plan blog

        On Friday, one of our group members did something we didn't plan on when we started this project together. Freya switched out of our AICE Media Studies class. Because of that, a lot of things have to change. She is no longer in our group which means less hand on when it comes to filming and editing. This Friday, we were going to film in Freya's neighbourhood. She let us know that she was no longer going to be able to do that. Due to that obstacle, we had to find another spot to film. After discussing with the group, we finally found a location. Andrew mentioned that we could film at his house. Even though he had to work until a certain time, we could meet up after.
       The plan was to film some scenes inside his house and others outside. We could do the office scenes in an office area inside. The street ares could be filmed around his neighbourhood. The plan is to film everything on Friday. Because it is only two minutes, we figure we can film everything before it gets too late. Even if it gets dark, it will help with the mood of the scene. If anything goes wrong, we decided we can always film more on Saturday. It gets slightly difficult because of where we all live. We all live in different cities, but know we can make it work regardless.

Filming Plan Blog

        This week, we started the planning for filming. It was the first weekend that we had the option to film. The original plan was to head to Freya’s neighborhood after school on Friday and film. After that, we would all go home to meet up again on Saturday at Ben’s house. There, we would film the indoor office area scenes. After discussing with the group, we decided that we couldn’t do that. This weekend, we all had plans. Whether it was mandatory family plans or school events, it would have been very difficult to film properly. Not only that, but location was also an issue. Freya and Ben live further away than Andrew and I and transportation was not available to us.
        Because of those obstacles, we had to change the plan. We had to pick a time and place to film that was convenient for all of us. As mentioned before, the first thing we had to consider was time. We found that next Friday would’ve been a decent day for all of us. One of our group members had to work so we thought it would be better if we filmed later in the afternoon. That was mostly because of the fact that he plays a role in the 2 minute clip. We hope to be able to see through with our plan. Completing the storyboard got us excited about the plot and the idea we have. So, although we were not able to film this weekend, next weekend will be dedicated to it. Freya’s neighbourhood is a perfect place to film and now we just need to execute the idea.

Planning blog: storyboard

 
      This blog is all about the storyboard. The storyboard is outlining the story, or plot, of what we are recording. We do this so that we have some help when we film. Sometimes, we can get confused about what we are filming. The storyboard helps with that. It shows, scene-by-scene, what we have to film. It helps with reminding us how to go about the filming. Things like how to set up the camera and what angles to use are documented. Overall, it makes the entire filming process easier. It allows for us to be able to focus on the quality of the scenes and not technicalities.

Planning Blog Titles

For this google slide, we had a good bit of arguing about who gets credit for what. We all contributed a lot to this project. The first thing we discussed was who gets to name the company and studio. we ended up choosing the most professional sounding ones. For the name of who was going to be the editor, it was pretty simple because one of our members has the experience and offered to do it from the start. we wanted to give a fair share of the credibility so each of us got to have our name on some sort of the production and studio. We decided to give Ben the writer label because the plot was his idea. We gave Andrew the producer label because most of the filming will be done at his house. The director label went to Joaquina because she will be filming with the camera. And we gave Freya the story by the label because she will be the one making sure we follow the story board.

Planning Blog (Location, Participants, etc)

For this google slide, we had to discuss a lot as a group. The first thing we talked about was the location. We tried to pick locations that were convenient. Also, as a team, we all had to decide what we were each going to do. Whether it was filming, acting, or driving. Health and safety-wise, we had to take into consideration a lot of things. It was mostly about the surroundings. The last thing we had to agree on was the schedule. It was simply because we easily established that we wanted to be time-efficient. My group works very well together.

Planning blog (Sound Script)

The sound is very important in this production. For sounds I would need to record keyboard typing and things like that. We want to use music from Good time, as it has the aesthetic I want. Things like the sound of cars and a city are important as well. As for the dialogue, we need to have good acting and delivery to make the writing really effective. I was mainly focused on sounds that were possible for us to get. We need to have a god use of diegetic sound, as well as non-diegetic.

Planning Blog (Shooting Script)

For the shooting script, it was a tough process. We didn't have an exact idea on what would happen in the story. We mostly made it up as we went along. with time constraints, things were getting stressful. Luckily we were able to get a story ready. I wrote with the thought of what was possible for us to shoot. Some things were difficult to portray in writing. Hopefully They'll be easier to put into action. But for now I'm happy with what we have. And that's very important.

Title Research The Dead Zone

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film? There were 20 titles displayed during the opening sequences to the film.

What images are prioritized in the opening sequence? The images prioritized in the opening sequence were of the setting the film took place in.

What connotations do the images carry? The connotations the images carry was that there is fear to be had in an open and calm looking setting.

How is this genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? This genre is reinforced through symbolic and technical codes by establishing a tone of isolation through cinematography.

How does the film establish enigma from the outset? The film establishes an enigma by creating curiosity of were its people have gone, and why the town is empty.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? The strategies used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience were using eerie music and creepy scenery.

How has technology been used effectively? The best way technology was used was by having a tracking shot on one target location in each shot creating an inclosed feeling. The editing of the title at the end made the audience look closely to then have a big reveal of the start location of the movie.

Title Research Final Destination

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequence? There are 26 titles in total displayed in the opening sequence of the film.

What images are prioritized during the opening sequence? Animations of gruesome deaths that are portrayed by x-rays take the center stage in this opening sequence.

What connotations do these images carry? The connotations these images carry are ones that let you know that death could be lurking around the corner.

How is the genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? The genre is reinforced through symbolism by giving an unsettling feeling and technical codes by having a CGI opening.

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset? The film establishes an enigma of “who is going to die and how will they die?” by foreshadowing the deaths that take place in the film.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? The strategies this film uses is extreme gore to high adrenaline music.

How was technology used effectively? Technology was used effectively by having a complete CGI opening that was impressive for the time.

Title Research Se7en

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequence? During the opening sequence, there are exactly 30 titles displayed.

What images are prioritized during the opening sequence? Images of swat teams and police during a hostage situation are prioritized during the opening sequence.

What connotations do these images carry? The images carry a connotation of intensity and urgency.

How is the genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? The symbolism of a red sky during this situation to show the darkness and intensity of the situation. On the technical side the opening is completely computer generated.

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset? The film establishes an enigma of whether or not the situation will be resolved by showing the preparations needed for such an unpredictable scenario.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? The film ensures that it will appeal to its target audience by keeping the viewers on edge, keeping them guessing on what will happen.

How was technology used effectively? Technology was used effectively by making the opening 100% CGI. Doing this allowed the filmmakers to get camera angles that would be harder to get if they were using real cameras.

Title Research Hostage

How many titles are displayed during the opening sequence? There are a total of 37 titles in the opening sequence.

What images are prioritized during the opening sequence? Images of grimy fingers are prioritized to disturb the audience.

What connotations do these images carry? These images carry a connotation of intensity and disturbed images.

How is the genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset? The opening uses very close up angles to give a feeling of claustrophobia.

How does the film establish an enigma from the outset? The main question it proposes is who are we looking at.

What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience? Great cinematography is used to reel in the audience.

How was technology used effectively? Technology was used effectively by making the opening 100% practical.

Title Research watchthetitles.com

        For our project, our group looked into titles. We went onto www.watchthetitles.com to help us research. The website's structure makes everything easy to locate which makes it easier for my group to do research. It gives us better ideas on how to place our titles. We learned how the placement of titles highlight significant parts of movies. When we looked through the website we saw many different genres. Theres also different cateegories which made it easy to find what we were looking for. Its convenient to show the beggining sequences only so that we dont have to watch movies just to see the first two minutes. Every movie is shown with a title and a title sequence. We learned the title is shown to spark interest from the viewers. It captures the audience's attention. Titles are placed in order, from most important to least. For example, director, actor, camera crew, etc. It gives background for the production of the movie before the credits. Genre also typiclaly affects movie fonts. Lastly, title sequences build the mood of the genre.

Title Research www.artofthetitle.com

        This website is based around the opening scenes of well-known movies and TV shows. It mainly focuses on title sequence design, spanning the film, television, conference, and video game industries. I tried to research specific movies, but they only have a select few. After scrolling through the website for a while, I got a better feel of what it was on. It showed opening scenes of various movies that were perfect for studying. When it came to my group’s research, we tried to mainly stick to thriller movie opening credits because that it what our project will be. One thing that caught my attention was the amount of credit given. I learned how many people take part in creating a film or TV show. For example, in the first two minutes, they showed the names of directors, producers, creators, sound developers, etc. The credits always start with the name of the movie and end with the directors name. Each name is on the screen for around 3-5 seconds. They really pay close attention to the mood those first two minutes place on the viewer. It is important because it’s how it draws the audience in and gets them interested. It sets the tone for the rest of the movie. I really enjoyed looking around this website. It seemed easy to use and practical for researching all types of genres.