Agustin's AICE Media Studies Blog

     This is the link for our groups finished film opening sequence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKZhsYhflb4&list=PL-o9lSw9faThVJJxMcfET01nRPWQeYg1W      By- Agustin Del Rio, John Arricivita, Rahul Barua, and Justin Hoyt

    This week on Wednesday we were given time to work on our portfolios and start tidying up and finishing everything with the due date coming up. I took this time to work on the editing of the CCR my group and I recently finished filming. I also reviewed some of my previous blogs to add some more pictures and refine the overall look. We also got more evaluation of our portfolios from our teacher, and overall, it all seemed to be looking good and on time to finish by the required date. I plan to finish my portfolio by Monday, and possibly take one last look on seeing if I could refine and style my blog even more.

      With some of the extra time we had we decided to make this feel all the bit more real by creating a poster of what we envision the movie poster for this incredible film would be. One of our group members, Rahul, took the responsibility of editing and creating a masterpiece which engulfs all of the deep emotions that 'John' felt within the film opening. Although the poster may not be up to a professional viewpoint, it sure does fit with our comedic & satirical film style. Another reason of why we created this poster is because it also correlates with one of the four questions asked by Cambridge in the CCR, having to do with engagement and distribution of the media. Below is the poster:

      After reviewing the footage for my CCR, I came to the conclusion that it just was not good enough. I felt that it felt short of what I could really do. It felt rushed, improvised, and just overall not up to my expectations. On the day of the filming of it, we didn't take it too seriously, we were getting frustrated on things and the explanations and overall reflection part of the CCR didn't seem sit right after reviewing it. I felt as if none of us were prepared on the day and we just wanted to get it over with. So on second thought I will keep the interview style of the CCR but I will scrap everything but the interviewer and pretend it is an over the phone on TV interview. In which I will just voiceover over things like clips, images, bloopers, and more to really and deeply answer the questions correctly and formally.

      Today we filmed our CCR. The creative part of this Creative Critical Reflection was in the way in which we filmed it and the way it's going to be edited. It is meant to seem like an interview styled video with a comedic but serious effect. In the edit we will also be including voice-overs, clips, bloopers, and more to further develop and elaborate on our points presented during the interview. Below are some pictures taken on the day of the filming process:

     For our CCR, we are thinking about meeting up together as a group again this weekend so we could get them all filmed in one day and edited after. As for the scheduling it will either be this Friday in the afternoon or Sunday morning because of other activities and plans everyone has going on. What we are almost sure on is that the creative part of the CCR will be an interview styled reflection. As a group we will all answer some questions and reflect on our work and what we have learned. On our own we will also do one on one interviews answering the 4 required questions from Cambridge and reflecting on what we learned as an individual instead of a group this time. In the editing process of our CCR’s we will also include bloopers, screenshots, and more to show what we were talking about and analyze specific clips and photos to show what we learned.

      Previously, we thought Justin had access to the editing software 'Adobe Premiere Pro' at home, but after trying to install it on his home computer, he realized his laptop could no longer run the software. Although this is an inconvenience, it is only minor because Justin still has a class in which he could access Premiere Pro every other day in school. He said he gets roughly half the class for free time since he finishes his assignment early, so the editing won't even take as long as we first anticipated when this inconvenience arose. Hopefully we will be done with the film editing this weekend or the next so we can begin on our CCR's.

      The editing will be mostly done by Justin as he already has great experience with Adobe Premiere Pro and is the only one with access to it from home so the work can be done more efficiently. He will be updating us on everything he does but we all have also suggested ideas and thoughts on how the editing should be done and what should and shouldn't be included. After every edit we will also review it as a group and agree/disagree on it for a change or if it is a great addition.

    We received  answers from our teacher on our editing questions from last class. For the editing software question, we were recommended to use programs such as iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or any other highly rated apps. We were also told that the YouTube Audio Library is also great for extracting and and finding great copy right free sounds and effects to use for our editing. As for the editing itself, we were told to familiarize ourselves with one of the programs or whichever we found the most user-friendly so when it came to the time to edit we didn't have to start learning then and lose time. Fortunately, we already have a group member familiarized with Adobe Premiere Pro because he is a part of Film class which teaches you how to use the editing software. Despite of Justin already knowing to edit, I myself also learned and familiarized with one of the editing software's, Adobe Premiere Pro, so I can have input and add recommendations...

      In class on Monday, my group and I were called up to receive an evaluation of where we are, where we should be, how are we doing, and things like that; a review. We went over the simple things like in saying how we recently completed our filming, and how we're now on the process of editing. We talked about the opening itself, showed the rough cut, our inspiration, and more. We did have and asked a question about editing. We requested recommendations for editing, everything from software to sound and more. Hopefully, by next class or sooner we will have everything we need to know about editing answered and our process for it can speed it up, as the due dates are closing in on us real fast. Other than that, we understood we were on track and doing things well and right.

      As I said previously, the filming itself went by way easier and more fun than expected. We were not really stressed out by any of the problems we ran into as we had to make do with what we had and decided we couldn't do much about it. Overall, I think it all ended up going really well and I'm happy with how it turned out. The only real problem which we were bummed out about was about the length limit of the film opening. It is required to be around 2 minutes as a maximum which we thought was a lot until we started filming. We then realized it is a really short amount of time and that's still to do without cutting, editing, and more. We filmed over 5 minutes of raw footage and had to scrap 2-3 of our scenes bringing our total time up to 2:28 but we also still had to cut some in the editing process which will bring it down to the two minutes. Now all that is left is to edit and refine all the footage and then start working on our CCR.

    The filming went by pretty smoothly and easier than we expected. We ended up finishing it all in about 3.5 hours, with some adjustments to the script and mise-en-scene like background, character placement, prop position, and more. The day itself was way more enjoyable than we had imagined. We initially thought it would be stressful to manage the filming and also hard to execute our thought process, but since our choice of style for the film opening was comedic and satirical, our inexperienced filming and slight mistakes fit in perfectly and if anything added to the overall feel. Here are some pictures taken on the day: My favorite scene taken:

      Today is the day we have been highly anticipating and struggling to organize for, filming day. I woke up to a feeling of relief that we were finally going to be able to film today. Although it wouldn't be until 2:00 PM in which we would meet at Justin's home to film. Before getting ready to go, everyone made sure they were bringing everything they were assigned: the props, costumes, filming equipment, and more. I myself thought I would bring an extra piece of equipment that we may of ended up using, my dad's GoPro. Although I forgot I had this while making the list of supplies we had to bring, I thought I would bring it anyways and we might be able to improvise some cool shots with it like P.O.V., handheld, etc. Other than all of that we all spent the start of our days waiting and preparing for the filming to commence.

      Over spring break, I went on a mini-vacation to both Orlando and Naples, and I thought I wasn't going to be able to work on my portfolio in ways other than developing more ideas and refinements for our filming which was coming soon. However, the hotel I was staying at in Orlando had a library, with computers free of access to everyone staying there. So, I thought I may as well spend some of the time I had free in the library working towards learning how to use some editing software. Over my 6 day stay, I spent anywhere from 10-30 minutes at least each day familiarizing myself with Adobe Premiere Pro and even practicing by making short 5 seconds clips.     I found this YouTube tutorial from "Justin Brown - Primal Video" really helpful and beginner friendly in introducing and teaching the basic and necessities of Premiere Pro:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cdpBq5EYFI

      With all of our vacations coming to an end this upcoming weekend, along with spring break, we didn't have much time left to accomplish our goal of filming during spring break. So it was all left up to the last day of spring break, Sunday, March 26th. We decided this was our best and only option left because we would all be home the day before school started again. One thing we weren't sure about was if we were going to finish filming that day, because previously we planned to have two separate days to film so we wouldn't overwork ourselves and we would get ample time to get the filming right. So even though the one day might not of been enough, we decided on it because we at least wanted to get started on the filming before spring break so we had some sort of progress and evidence to present

      We have run into troubles with filming on two separate occasions now. One of them was unexpected and unavoidable as it was due to sickness, but the second we had nobody to blame but ourselves. Either we didn't clear our schedules enough or we just weren't clear and transparent enough towards  each other. So, for the meantime with 3/4's of our group out and abroad over spring break we had time to reflect and wait until our schedules open up and align with one another. Since I was one of the 3 on vacation, I didn't have much time to work on my portfolio or much at all. All I could do was reflect and plan on everything we were going to work and look over things like filming location, props, scripts, etc. to make sure everything was going to be great and refined once we actually got to filming.

      Previously, we had planned to film on the first Friday/Saturday of spring break. Unfortunately, we have encountered another problem. One of our group members thought he had cleared or had no plans for this upcoming weekend but was met to his surprise with an early vacation he thought he was leaving for on Sunday morning. We thought about filming without one of our group members but then we came to realize another problems. While some of us cleared our time for the mornings of Friday/Saturday others cleared their afternoons, so everything ended up being disastrous mistake with none of our time adding up to film on the day we had though to of cleared up for the second time.     As of right now we are figuring out the perfect date for filming this time. With clear and transparent communication this time of when and all the specificities so another mismatch in our filming date doesn't occur again.

    With spring break coming up, this gives our group a sufficient amount of time to work on the actual filming of the movie opening. At first, our original filming day was interrupted by one of our group members being sick. So the date was postponed to the first Friday and Saturday of that spring break week. We don't know if we will need both days but we emptied our schedules ahead of time just so no interruptions get in the way this time. After we finish filming we will most definitely start the editing process as soon as we can to perfect and make our visions a reality. We probably wont finish the editing process because of it being spring break and most of us having plans during spring break to spend time with the family and things like that. Hopefully though, everything will end up working out in the end one way or another.

      We had been developing the storyboards and scripts, and also purchasing and acquiring the much needed props and costumes for our upcoming filming day we had scheduled. Then, as our much anticipated filming day was about to take place, illness struck. Luckily it only affected one of us, but this not only ruined our means of filming with all group members present, but it affected the house and location in which our set for the filming was going to take place.     There are always rough patches and bumps on the road, but you can never finish something if you don't learn from it and continue striding on. For the meantime our filming was postponed, but this gave us ample amounts of time to be more than ready for when we are ready to film.

      As for our filming equipment, none of us had anything on the professional side or were willing enough to spend lots of money on something we didn't know if we would use more than a handful of times. So we decided like most other groups, that we were going to use our phones to film the movie opening. We would probably end up using whoever had the best phone which we found out it was Justin who had the latest phone out of all of us, which was the iPhone X. This would guarantee us the best quality out of everybody's phone. I also had a GoPro which wasn't so new so we tested the quality and it ended up being worse than the phone but I thought I might bring it anyways to see if we could make some nice shots happen like Point of View and along those lines.

    With the storyboard being completed we moved on to purchasing and collecting the props and costumes that were necessary for our filming. Some of us already had some of the basic props and costumes, whether it be everyday utensils and objects or even specific clothing for particular situations like a suit, army uniform, etc. Our schedule was tight because we already selected our first day for filming, so we didn't have time to purchase the best of costumes through the use of online shopping. Instead we had to make do with what we had access to. We managed to acquire most of the costumes and props we needed and they looked appropriate enough for what we thought it would of been. Below are some pictures of the costumes and props we purchased:

      After we developed the script for our film introduction, as a group we collectively threw together our ideas and thoughts of how we thought the film introduction itself would build up to look like. After that, one of our group members, Rahul, made a rough storyboard of what the film will plan out to look. We reviewed it, gave feedback, made some changes, until we were happy with it. This will converting our ideas into physical images we can translate into the real set and mise-en-scene for the filming. Storyboard can be seen below:

      It has been a while since we last met as a group to work on this project, but throughout this extended leave, with all the ideas and discussions we had on our film opening, Justin put together a rough script in which we all revised and approved. The script doesn't go over dialogue or much, but it does include all the important stuff like mise-en-scene, camera angles, and more. We have also started working on a story board to put the words into picture. After the story board all that will be left is to pick out setting which we already have some picked out, and to buy the costumes and props we may need for filming. After that all that is left is the filming and putting together/editing of the film. Below is the script we constructed:

    We have finished most if not all of the ideas and have now started working on a script and what specific shooting locations would be perfect. We already have various parts of the sets and costumes picked out, as a collective and to buy in the near future. For example, a military type costume, the typical dark camo, with a helmet, and we will make it look worn out and dirty to encapsulate the war-like setting. The location for the racing scene will most likely be on a road at night fast forwarded to make it seem like it is an actual race with cuts to the inside of the car with the character wearing one of the racing outfits with the helmet. We plan to have a story board by the next time we meet up so we set up schedules and start working on the actual filming process of the film opening.

     We have planned out most of the things, we're just missing things like when and where to film, how, etc. The film introduction will be based on one character that has lived multiple lives, has multiple personalities, but cannot vividly remember them unless he is reminded of it. We have roughly worked out how it is going to start. It's going to be like a fast-paced morning routine with flashbacks/memories of his past lives based on things he experiences in the morning. For example, he opens his closet to pick what to wear and he sees a suit, a quick flashback inside his memory appears in like a black and white fashion of him giving a speech as the president. Some other flashbacks we thought of include switching through the tv channels and a war movie comes on and he encounters a flashback of being in the middle of the war. Many other small flashbacks that we are not sure of like making breakfast, a professional chef. Driving to work, NASCAR /F1 driver. At ...

 We still haven't decided on things that are too specific but we have some rough ideas for what we want to do. Our favorite idea so far is a comedy thriller. It is going to show 1 character and his multiple personalities or lives he is living at the same time. The opening for the project could be something along the lines of a fast paced collage/edit of all the different lives the character is living. Other than that we don't have much established like the setting and everything else.

 I decided that I am going to work with Rahul, John and Justin. We decided that for our task for format component 1 that we will do the film opening task (video). We briefly discussed what our film might be about, for example we said we were leaning more onto the side of making almost like a horror comedy but its not really scary its more of the intent of actions might be scary but it will comedic. Other than that we didn't have a plan on location yet.

Spider-Man 1 Scene 1 Pan Shot This pan didn't give much emotion but it served as more of a filler and introduction shot to the movie as the narrator talked about the backstory. It also introduces the setting of New York City. It sets a very action-packed but also ominous tone while panning as there is constant street noise and things going on but also foreshadowing to the villain and its problems later to come in the movie. Scene 2 Close up Shot This shot focuses on the head and upper torso, the directors probably chose the close up shot to express the vivid and powerful emotions that the character is feeling. It creates a sense of suspense, uneasiness, and fear. You can see all the tiny details with the close up, the spider bite, sweat, facial expression, shaking, and more. Scene 3 Point of View Shot This shot helped us see the characters troubles and actions through his view, it also helped show the emotion more because the viewer feels as if they are the one struggling and get i...

Side note- all these videos were submitted to my teacher as a Canvas Assignment because of trouble uploading to blogger because of file size/error  Video 1- Point of View Shot Description of Shot- A shot that gives the audience a view from a character's perspective by positioning the camera right where the character's eyes would be Experience Creating it- The shot was fairly easy to make except for the fact that I had my phone right in my face so I could not see very well. I walked and turned very slow to produce almost a scary or ominous feeling like there was something around the corner. Video 2- Pan Shot Description of Shot- The horizontal movement in which the camera moves from right to left from a central axis Experience Creating it- Very plain and easy shot to produce, just standing in a corner of a room and slowly moving the phone panning across the room. Video 3- Tracking Shot Description of Shot- A shot in which the camera physically moves sideways, forward, or backwa...