Continuing CCR

 

CCR Idea and Questions

Week 8 Post 2

Currently, I am going through my past blog posts and using that information to reflect upon the CCR questions. So far, the CCR is a great way to look back on my project and see what I thought I did well, and what I did not. I did some more research for other ideas that I want to discuss in my CCR.

I think I have decided to do an interview type CCR. I think that the athlete with news reporter style matches the theme fairly well. Of course, I do not plan on just talking for multiple minutes without any type of interactions within the video. I plan to incorporate examples of films related to my genre, part of my production, and different aspects to my film, like editing, etc. 

I think I am going to have my mom film and ask the questions to me. I can try to edit her voice, so it sounds like different people asking the questions to me. 

Although I want the CCR to look appealing and not be completely boring, I do not want to stress about the editing, and iMovie is the easiest to use for me. I will already have the videos of my phone, and it is a lot simpler to use. If I need to edit something in specific, I can still use Davinci, or other editing things on my computer.

Starting CCR

 

Creative Critical Reflection

Week 8 Post 1

When I first saw we had to include a "CCR," I honestly had no idea what it was and that I would have to put my creativity forth. After viewing a PowerPoint and examples of CCR's in class, I had a much better idea, but also became a little stressed in the creation of it. The examples we viewed were really good, which set a high expectation for me. 

Sometimes athletes do interviews where reporters ask them questions and they have the team's logo on a backdrop, so I want to try and do something adapted to this. This incorporates the sports aspect and can get the questions answered. I can also edit in research and examples.

At first, I was thinking of doing something similar to Vogues 73 Question interviews, which celebrities answer 73 questions rapidly in one single shot.

Then, I started to think that this could be difficult, as I do not have time to go to the rink and film this, and that doing this at my house could be boring and not related to the project. It would also be difficult to remember all of the information without the script in front of me.

Citations:

“73 Questions.” Vogue Videos, www.vogue.com/video/series/73-questions.

FINALLY FINISHED

Stress :)

Week 7 Post 3

Not going to lie, this week and DAY (omg so stressful) was so crazy trying to film this. I ran into so many conflicts, and it freaked me out, and I cried multiple times. BUT... I FINALLY FINISHED FILMING!

So let me explain just today. Basically, I had something for my friend at 2:30, so I was supposed to film at 1:20 at Rink by the Beach, but I had her thing got moved to 1:30, so that was one thing. Then, like I said previously, Pines had finished renovations. I found this out by calling the rink, which they not only said they were done but that they had skates and the calendar was right, which said there was a 12:30 skate. This would have been great because I could make it to my friend's thing. We got there and they said there was no skate. This made me so angry. I MEAN SO ANGRY. I was then going to go a skate at the Rink by the Beach at 8:30. This made my mom mad because we had birthday dinner for my brother, which I was going to make my brother leave his own birthday dinner early to help me, which BTW he was willing to. Looking back at this, it made no sense to do this, and I understand why it made her mad. There was a skate on Monday at 12:30, but my brother was not going to be here anymore, so I would have to ask Noah and Maddox again. This was also a risk because Pines is apparently very unreliable. Then my mom suggested I skip my friends party and film at 1:20. Then, we remembered that our friend has this synthetic ice rink, which is basically like plastic ice, which we were able to use. THIS WAS SUCH A RELIEF. Also, the place is like 5 minutes from my friend's house so I would be able to make it in time (hopefully). We filmed and all was well. The only thing was that they were using half of the rink for storage, so we had to make sure that stuff was not in the shots. Then I rushed over to friends and MADE IT LITERALLY 2 minutes before she got there. It felt like an action movie running from the car to her house so she would not see me. 

I was so thankful I could shoot at our friend's place and so relived I was able to finish filming. I am now finishing editing and decided to add some music. I found uncopyrighted music and a song that my mom liked. 

I started to edit today and will hopefully finish tomorrow. 

I decided to use the font Tw Cen MT AND put the title at the beginning.

Again... the videos will not load here, so, here are some pictures.

Update

 

Update

Week 7 Post 2

Ok so basically, I finished editing the part that my mom had filmed for me. I think I just want to make some of the cuts a little cleaner and faster. I like where it is at right now and think that the beginning part is a great place for the credits and title. I am cutting it close with timing which I really did not want to do and am annoyed that it happened. 

I am filming the last part tomorrow and even have an actual camera to film it. The renovations at the rink in Pembroke Pines (where I filmed the first part and was originally supposed to film) are completed, so THANKFULLY, I can film there. This was such a relief because I was not going to be able to make the timing of the one in Lake Worth. I have to decide whether or not I want to re film the first part, so the quality is not too different. To be honest, the phone quality was not even half bad, so I will probably keep it.

Another thing I have to decide on is whether or not I want to put music over the first part because there are currently background noises, which I do not like.

With finishing filming tomorrow, I plan to be completely done latest MONDAY. 

Partially Filming and Some Altering

 

Some Issues and Changes

Week 7 Post 1

So... today I was planning on filming the entire project. We were supposed to meet at 12:30pm and film, but when I had got to the rink, they were renovating the ice. Luckily, I had gotten there a little early, so I could let Noah and Maddox know not to come. I had gone a little early so that my mom could help me film the beginning, and then the boys could just help with the one ice stuff. Fortunately, I was still able to film the off ice stuff, which my mom had filmed for me. She did an O.K. job LOL. It sometimes took a view clip to get right, but we got it done. 

The videos are not loading on here, so here are some pictures...

So, with the renovations, there are no skates for this week. Since I need to have time to edit, I need to film this week, but like I said, Noah and Maddox are both going away, so I think my brother is going be in the film, and his girlfriend can help film. We were thinking that we would film at a rink in Pompano Beach, called Rink by the Beach. It is a little further compared to the Ice Den, but those skates are usually crowded. From the one time I skated at Rink by the Beach, it was not crowded at all, so that would be great!

I will give updates in future posts!

Tuesdays are for Filming

 

Tuesday, March 22

Week 6 Post 3

So, we decided that we would film on Tuesday. We could either do 6am or 12:30pm. I know that I had said in the last post that we were going to do 6am, but I did not realize there was a 12:30pm. The decision comes down to which would be less crowded, but since it is spring break, the 12:30pm may not be as crowded as it usually is. 

Anyway, Noah and I had called our friend, Maddox, to help me, which he was willing to. I made a group chat with the two of them where we will discuss what time. When we called Maddox, I explained the project and he was very intrigued. He also plays hockey, so he is able to be a part of the project. Both Noah and Maddox are on my team, and they recommended that if I needed more people, I could always text in our team group chat and someone would be willing, if not to offer them service hours LOL.

This is the calendar for the dates and times for skates...

Honestly, I cannot wait to film so that I have something more interesting and, something in general, to blog about!

What I'm Thinking

 

Thoughts Before Filming

Week 6 Post 2

Filming is right around the corner, and I am super excited! The plan is either for Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, bright and early, AT 6 AM!!! Honestly, it is going to be hard to wake up that early, but that is the only time it will not be super crowded. My friend, Noah, who will be filming and most likely in it, has been to the rink this early a number of times before, and even went before the SAT one day, which good for him LOL. I personally am not a huge morning person, like at all actually, so I kind of feel bad that Noah is going to have to deal with my attitude at 6 am. 

An issue has taken place, and it is my fault. I was not responsible and did not wear sunscreen, which now I am extremely burnt and in A LOT OF PAIN. The reason that this is an issue is because I can barely put on regular clothes so putting on hockey gear is going to hurt a lot. The cold rink may feel nice, but the gear most definitely will not. Hopefully, it will start to feel better in a few days. FINGERS CROSSED!

Group Meeting

 

Discussions

Week 6 Post 1

Today in class we had the opportunity to meet with other students in the class to discuss our projects and receive feedback/advice. This was super helpful, and I think that everyone in the group had gained something from the meeting. The groups were random, but we all worked and discussed well together.

I had presented my project first. I explained the basics in a simple way so that everyone could understand. Since I have not filmed yet, I could not reflect on that aspect, like other group members were able to do. They liked the idea and thought that focusing on sound was important. They also thought that I should not use music if I do not need to, because the sound would be important. I had also told them the title of my film, which they liked. With this, I asked them when they thought I should put the title, beginning or end? They thought beginning.

Questions that they had were where I was filming and how I would work around being in a public place. The ice rink I am planning to film at has early morning opportunities to skate, which are usually less crowded, which I am lowkey dreading LOL.

Overall, this experience was very helpful for my group and I, as well as a great way to see the progress everyone else has made!

DaVinci Resolve

 

Learning to Edit

Week 5 Post 3

Before this class, the only editing I have done was on iMovie. At the beginning of the school year, we were given the name of a free editing software, DaVinci Resolve. When I first opened it, I was overwhelmed with all of the different sections, dropdown bars, and names of things I have never heard of. I explored a little and edited my first piece of the school year, which was our 'One Word' project. We were given one work and had to depict it using no words, just visuals. When editing, I just had to merge the clips together, shorten them, and tighten them if needed. Although this sounds simple, it took me quite a while. Knowing this, I know I need time to really focus on editing this film.

DaVinci Resolve's website restates the following... "DaVinci Resolve is the world's only solution that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics and audio post production all in one software too! Its elegant, modern interface is fast to learn and easy enough for new users, yet powerful for professionals. DaVinci Resolve lets you work faster and at a higher quality because you don’t have to learn multiple apps or switch software for different tasks. That means you can work with camera original quality images throughout the entire process. It’s like having your own post production studio in a single app! Best of all, by learning DaVinci Resolve, you’re learning how to use the exact same tools used by Hollywood professionals!"

The following is what is included in the software...

EDITING: The edit page is the world’s most advanced professional non-linear editor. The familiar track layout, dual monitor design and traditional workflow makes it easy for new users to learn while still being powerful enough for professional editors. It’s perfect for larger projects such as feature films, television shows, streaming, commercials, documentaries and more. The edit page features drag and drop editing, context sensitive automatic trimming tools, fully customizable keyboard shortcuts so you can work faster, and a library full of hundreds of titles, transitions, and effects that you can add and animate. You also get complete media management, organization and timeline management tools.

CUT:  The cut page is perfect for projects with tight deadlines that you have to turn around quickly. It’s also great for documentary work. The cut page has a streamlined interface that’s fast to learn for new users and designed for speed. Features such as source tape, dual timelines, fast review, and smart editing tools help you work faster than ever. The sync bin and source overwrite tools are the fastest way to edit multicam programs, making it easy to create perfectly synchronized cut aways! Everything on the cut page is action based so every click does something. That means you’ll spend more time editing and less time hunting for commands. Plus, the scalable interface is great for portable editing!

COLOR: The DaVinci Resolve color page is Hollywood’s most advanced color corrector and has been used to color and finish more high-end feature films and television shows than any other system! It’s also approachable with exciting new features designed to make it easier for new users to get great results while they continue to learn the advanced tools. For example, new primary control sliders will be familiar to anyone that’s used image editing software, making it easy to adjust contrast, temperature, midtone detail, saturation and more. The color page has an incredible range of primary and secondary color grading features including Power Windows™, qualifiers, tracking, advanced HDR grading tools and more!

FUSION: The Fusion page lets you create cinematic visual effects and broadcast quality motion graphics right inside of DaVinci Resolve! Fusion features a node based workflow that makes it faster and easier to create sophisticated effects and animations than you could ever create using a layer based approach. You get hundreds of 2D and 3D tools for visual effects and motion graphics, along with advanced animation curve and keyframe editors that allow you to create incredibly organic and realistic animations. Fusion has everything from point, planar and 3D camera tracking to rotoscope and keying tool for creating photorealistic composites, stunning animated titles, 3D particle systems and more!

FAIRLIGHT: The Fairlight page features hundreds of pro tools for audio post production. It’s like having a professional digital audio workstation (DAW) built into your editing and color system! Familiar keyboard based editing tools let you work extremely fast, especially if you’re moving to Fairlight from another system. The incredible new Fairlight Audio Core lets you work with up to 2,000 tracks at a time with real-time effects, EQ, and dynamics processing! You get sample accurate editing tools, advanced ADR and Foley, and Fairlight FX such as reverb, de-esser, hum remover and more. You can mix and master stereo, 5.1, 7.1, and even the latest immersive 3D audio formats, all within the same project!

MEDIA AND DELIVERY: The media and delivery pages have everything you need to import, manage and deliver final projects. While you can import and organize footage into bins on both the cut and edit pages, the media page gives you a dedicated full screen workspace so you can focus on preparing footage, syncing clips, organizing footage into bins and adding metadata before you start editing. The media page also lets you clone camera media cards for backup purposes. The quick export tool lets you output and upload files to YouTube, Vimeo and Twitter from anywhere in the software, but the deliver page gives you total control over all encoding options and formats, along with a render queue for exporting multiple jobs!

Citations:

Blackmagic Design. (2022). DaVinci Resolve 17 | Blackmagic Design. DaVinci Resolve 17. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve/

Working Alone: Pros and Cons

 

Independent Working

Week 5 Post 2

Starting this project, I knew that I wanted to feel a connection to it and really make it someone I could relate to. I wanted it to be based on something that makes me unique, which has always been me playing hockey. Keeping this in mind, no one in the class has this in common with me, leading to me working alone. 

To be fair, this is not the only reason I wanted to work alone, I just prefer doing so. I think that I am able to pace myself, use my ideas, and ESPECIALLY NOT WORRY ABOUT SOMEONE NOT DOING THEIR WORK.

Like I had started to explain, there are pros to working alone, but there also cons. Here are some of the realizations I had made about this project...

PROS:

- The first thing to mention is not having to worry about someone not doing their work. I have this issue a lot when I work in groups. I am the type of person that does not necessarily trust that other people will do their part of a project, also do it right. Because of this, I would rather just do it on my own.

- I get to relate it to me. As I talked about before, I wanted to feel a connection to film so that I would one have more knowledge, and two be interested. It is kind of hard-to-find girl hockey players, especially in South Florida.

- Splitting the work is always a little difficult when working in a group. One person ALWAYS does more than another, and most of the time it is usually me, so I would rather just make it myself.

- ^ This relates to pacing a little, too. I get to go at my own pace and work on my own manner.

- I do not have to explain my thoughts and get to have my own visions.

- do not have to find mutual times to film or do work

- no extra communication

- no disagreements

CONS:

- No one to give input or ideas. Of course, it is easy to ask someone else a question, but it would be nice for extra ideas that has insight on the film.

- overload of work

- someone may be better at editing or filming 

Clearly, the pros outweigh the cons :)

Shot List

 

Camera Shots and Stuff

Week 5 Post 1

Within my film opening, I will be utilizing different camera shots to serve different purposes within the video. I created a shot list to show this.

First, I did some research on what a shot list was. 

A shot list is a document that maps out what will take place in a film, or video, that describes each shot within the film or video. It creates a checklist for the project by forming a sense of direction and preparation for the film crew.

What goes into a shot list?

• Brief description of shot/characters
• Scene number/shot number
• Shot type
• Camera angle
• Camera movement
• Camera equipment
• Framing (aspect ratio)
• Location
• Setup times
• Sometimes audio notes, or prop mentions

I watched the following video to help guide me...

My shot list:

Shot #	Subject	Shot Description
1	door/hand	close-up
2	walking	mid-shot
3	feet	close-up
4	stairs	mid-shot
5	rink	establishing
6	boys	long shot or mid shot
7	face	close-up
8	bag	close-up
9	pads/socks	close-up
10	pants	close-up
11	skates	close-up
12	shoulder/elbow pads	close-up
13	jersey	close-up
14	hair	close-up
15	helmet	close-up
16	stick	close-up
17	walking towards ice	mid-shot
18	ice	close-up
19	stick/puck	close-up/POV
20	skating	close-up
21	skating/shooting	mid-shot or long shot
22	boys/dialogue	mid-shot/over the shoulder
23	judgement	mid-shot
24	me	close-up

Citations:

Maio, A., Alyssa Maio Alyssa Maio is a screenwriter from New Jersey, & Alyssa Maio is a screenwriter from New Jersey. (2021, July 7). What is a shot list? examples and a brief definition. StudioBinder. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-shot-list-example/ 

Time Management

 

NO PROCRASTINATING

Week 4 Post 3

One thing that I DID NOT WANT TO DO was procrastinate this project and wait until the last minute. I wanted to put a lot of thought, time, and heart into this project. If I waited until the very end, it would be rushed, and my fullest potential would not be used. By taking my time with this, I could put my fourth more effort.

Here is BFI Film Academy input on Time Management in the Film Industry...

• having good time management puts you in a better frame of mind as you aren’t stresses
• with good time management everything can be planned well and so it all runs smoother
• time is money and if people are late then it might mean that more money has to paid to the actors or for the equipment which might be borrowed
• everybody else in the crew is expecting you to do your job and if you do it incorrectly or are too slow, it slows everything else down too
• it’s a competitive industry and being late just won’t cut it

They also give information on how to improve time management.

• spend time planning and organizing that makes sense to you
• priorities the important tasks and get them done
• plan for the next day before you go to bed
• don’t spend so much time on social media as it limits productivity
• make a to-do-list and follow it
• be realistic about what is achievable in the time you have and don’t set the goals too big

Citations:

ellagrace25. (2015, March 10). Time Management in the film industry. BFI Film Academy. Retrieved March 6, 2022, from https://ellagrace25.wordpress.com/2015/03/10/time-management-in-the-film-industry/#:~:text=%20Time%20Management%20in%20the%20Film%20Industry%20,in%20the%20crew%20is%20expecting%20yo...%20More%20

📹Filming Plans📹

 

The Filming Deal

Week 4 Post 2

So based off the rinks in South Florida, I think I will most likely film at Pines Ice Arena. It is the most familiar to me, and the one I would be most comfortable filming. Also, I know a lot of the kids that play here, therefore they could help with participating my film opening if I needed them to.

When it comes to who is filming the project, this will most likely be my friend Noah, who also plays hockey. He can not only film this for me on the ice, but also be in it. I asked him the other day if he would be able to help me within the next few weeks, which he agreed.

Due to the help of storyboards, (which can be found in one of my previous posts) the filming process should not be too difficult in figuring out what comes next but may be difficult in trying to get the right angles, lighting, and sound. Because of these little things that add a big part to the film, I may film certain scenes more than once. Also, in order to make sure the sound is loud enough, I may use 'Voice Memos,' found on the iPhone, to strengthen the sound. I can overlay this sound to the videos if needed.

I plan to film right before or during spring break, which school ends on March 17 and starts again on March 29. I hope to do this sooner rather than later, because I need time to edit, continue my blogging, and do my CCR.

According to New York Film Academy, they suggest taking friends to the location, tell them what to do, and take a LOT of pictures, from different positions. 

Citations:

Academy, N. Y. F. (2017, May 5). The beginner's guide to the filmmaking process. Film School And Acting School Of New York Film Academy. Retrieved March 3, 2022, from https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/the-beginners-guide-to-the-filmmaking-process/

Switching it Up

 

Changing the Story

Week 4 Post 1

Throughout the thought processes of ideas for my film opening, I was always positive I wanted to focus on the sound and visual aspects. I wanted to make sure that my purpose was established and understood well. Although, after discussion, I had changed some parts of my project. Here is what I changed...

At the beginning I wanted the end of the opening to be me getting hurt by one of the boys trying to "push me" out of the sport. I had decided to change this because I did not want to have two different conflicts happening at once. These conflicts would be the gender inequality and an injury. In order to focus more on the gender inequality, I took out the injury part. This was swapped with the new idea I had thought of.

To explain this, many rinks offer hockey players the opportunity sort of like "free skate," but for hockey and most of the time not for free LOL. Most rinks, you pay and for whatever amount of time, you can play hockey with you friends, take a lesson, practice, etc. A lot of the time, while playing with your friends, teams are made and scrimmages for fun take place. The gender inequality is again brought to life when I ask to participate in the games that the boys are playing. They think I am not as good as them, cannot keep up, and do not want me playing on any of their teams. 

I decided to change this part of the film because instead of creating a whole other conflict of being hurt, I continued on what a girl may face in a boy dominated sport.

For me, I was lucky that I changed this early, that way further in the project I did not face any last-minute issues while trying to establish a new part of the story.