Thursday, December 5, 2019

editing blog

Today in class we did not edit. This is because we have not begun filming. However, we will begin filming tomorrow after school. So, during class today we discussed how we will edit our footage. My group and I decided since we will be filming on an iPhone, we will edit on Imovie. This seems to be the most simple way considering our short timeframe. We also have heard from other students, they find this the best way to edit. Additionally, for our last project, my group and I used Imovie to edit. So, this seems like the best method since we are all familiar with it. Also, we will be editing outside of class, and our computers at home do not have sophisticated software like Pinnacle Studios to edit footage. Moreover, we will edit our footage over the weekend by using our groupmate's MacBook laptop. While she will be doing most of the editing, we have discussed in advance how we will edit the video. Most of the scenes will be edited as-is. So we will not alter the footage, however, we will change up some of the other scenes. For example, in some scenes, we will try to add different lighting or slow down the timing. We agreed that even though it is more difficult, this will help make the project look more professional.
Moreover, when we edit, it will take a lot of time to go through all the footage and pick out the usable shots. Then, since our videos can be longer than 1 minute and 15 seconds, this process will be longer. This is because we will film as much as we can, so we do not have to go back and re-film later on. Then, since we have a time limit for our video we will need to trim and cut footage. Luckily, we have been watching other students edit, and understand how to do most of this. Additionally, sound is an important component in the editing process. Specifically, because this project is a music video. So, we will need to not only mute all sound, but add in the song we chose, "I Gotta Feeling." We have figure out how to do this on Imovie. This is another benefit of using iMovie. Overall, we have not started editing yet, but we know we will get it done fast, and have a plan on how to do it.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

filming blog

The Thanksgiving Break has passed and we have not filmed. This is because of Thanksgiving day and Black Friday. It affected our plans, since everyone was busy. Specifically, one group mate, Amanda, was out of town. So, while we had planned on filming with out her, it did not work out. This is because there is only 3 of us. So, while we can film with just 2 people, it is difficult to find other people to use their free time to help us film. Therefore, we decided to just wait until she is available to film with us. So, this friday after school we have plan to film. We will all meet up at the group mate’s house closest to the school. Hopefully, the filming goes well so we can start editing. Unfortunately, we will be somewhat rushed since we are behind some our other classmates. But we have already talked about how we will edit. This will help us since we can easily complete our editing this weekend. So, once we film, the project will come together very fast. 

In the meantime, we will continue to discuss how we will film. We have talked about what we will bring to our group mate’s house to help film. We will each bring multiple outfits. This is for the different scenes of us doing different things. Additionally, we will secure a car to help drive us to different places. Then, for the other props we will not need additional preparation. This is because our group mate will have most of the things at her house. Our plan is to first start off at her house with the living room scene. Then we will change locations to the mall. Next, we will shoot multiple scenes out side, having fun. We will need to get to the different places in a short amount of time. This is because it is after school, so we only have so much time before we need to go home. This will make the process difficult since the places we need to go are far from eachother. However, we are all determined and will make it work. So, now that we have a date and plan, the project will soon be completed.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

filming blog

This past weekend, my group and I did not film anything for the music video. We could not film because my group and I all had prior plans we could not change. However, we are planning on filming soon. Although this weekend is not ideal to film we have no other option since one of our group mates will be out of town for the Thanksgiving break. So, to make up for her absence my other group mate and I had to secure other actors. We asked 3 other people to help us film and act in our video, so it comes out good. We are hoping this will take no longer than one day of filming. Additionally, to start the filming process we checked out a camera from school, since we would be unable to over break.
However, It is difficult right now to figure out filming because we all live far from each other. We each live about 30 minutes away from each other. This would not be as much of a problem if we could film at school. Although, for some reason we are not allowed to. Additionally, our video requires a lot of props and equipment, and a type of transportation. This is because we will be going to multiple locations, and doing different things. This also affects the filming process because we need to find a day where we all have multiple hours free, and someone to drive us places. Moreover, we are all helping by preparing to film. One of our group mates is helping by collecting props. While another is helping organize the people who will be helping up during the video. So, while we might be delaying the actual filming of our video, by preparing we will be able to film in a shorter amount of time.
Moreover, when we film we have decided to not use the camera provided by our teachers. Instead, we will be filming on our phones. This is because we have heard from some classmates that the cameras are difficult. Also, recently I helped some other students film their video with their phone and it was very simple. Since we most likely will not have so much time, this seems like a good solution. Also, we have been adjusting and discussing our video. We have made some changes, and new descions about what we will be doing. For example, we decided it will be best for us to film in the evening so we can film some shots at night. Then, to do this, we have talked to our teachers about how we will film at night. They explained how we could film at night, and be able to see in the dark lighting on camera. Overall, while we have not filmed yet, we are very prepared to start filming. Hopefully, we will pick a date soon, and complete filming.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Storyboard Blog

The storyboarding aspect of the filming process is crucial. The planning of the whole music video is on the storyboard, which you need to complete the project. Each box is about 6 seconds, so my group planned to fill out twelve boxes. The reason we chose to do twelve boxes is because the limit is one minute and thirty seconds. Also we did less boxes then the actual music video is we believe we might film a lot of footage. We will aim to follow the storyboard as closely as possible. Yet, we might go off track slightly because there is a lot to include. We will be including a variety of shots to enhance the quality of our music video. For example, POV shots and over the shoulder. The POV shot is to add variety to the film. Also to show clearly what that charter is doing at that minute. These shots are to engage the viewer into the music video. Also we will be including various editing into this. For example we will have jump cuts to reduce the amount of time things take. The jump cuts will also keep the viewer intrigued. Also we will have cross cutting to show what one actress is doing while it is also focused on another. This is meant to show that the actresses are meeting up with people. This is important to know so when it occurs later in the music video it is not random. Our storyboard includes a lot of planning. For example, we planned out all of our shots and editing. One sene will have an extreme close up of someone putting their makeup on to go out. Also an important part of the music video is the sene  of us going shopping because it shows we are getting ready for something. Establishing shot is also very important to the music video. The reason it is important is because it introduces characters. To add to this, it shows the viewers the setting. The storyboard is very useful to the director or directors. This makes it abundantly easier for them to do things. This includes where to put the camera. Also how to move the camera, also how to edit these clips. It is very important to know exactly what you want to include in your music video so filming can go smoothly.



Music Video Planning Blog

Our music video will take place in a variety of locations. In the beginning, we will start with scenes in a house getting ready to go somewhere. During these scenes we will change costumes and makeup to transition into a new location. The next location will have bright lights and other details representing a party environment for our final filming shot. We will include other locations such as the shopping mall in between those two scenes depending on which lyrics we use from the song “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas.  Regarding health and safety, we intend to follow certain guidelines in order to ensure that our music video does not risk the lives of anyone. Our music video is not violent, and there will be no shots that include these types of scenes. The song we chose is upbeat and the music video has a similar tone. Not only will we attempt to create an exciting music video, we will also try to do our best with health and safety. This is a very important component in our music video since our health and safety comes first.
      We will include props in our music video to enhance our scenes and to give the audience a more detailed performance. To list a few, we will need makeup, red solo cups, party accessories, etc. Each shot will call for different materials for us to use and we have many to shoot. Since we are filming in a party setting we will need decorations or party-themed items. Without props, our music video would most likely lack excitement and the audience would be less interested. Another part of our music video that is highly important is our costumes. Initially, our costumes will be shown as regular clothes from just sitting around. Then our film will show us getting ready to go have fun and live life to the fullest in our new outfits that we dressed up in. Our costumes play a key role in our music video because it transitions the mood of the scenes and gives the audience an idea of what the purpose of us filming is. More specifically, our costumes will consist of dresses and other accessories that match our film setting and score.
      Starting with November 18th, in class we came up with the song that we all decided on and begun to brainstorm for our upcoming music video. We made a lot of progress and planned out all of our ideas to combine them and move ahead with the process. On the 21st, we plan to start organizing our storyboard to have a better idea for our final product, as well as working on the planning blogs to make sure we are ready to start filming. After we finish these tasks, we will film all of our scenes until they are complete and we are satisfied with the work that we have produced. My group will have to film outside of school since all of the locations we chose do not involve the school. This means that the filming process will take place during the weekend or after school on a week day. From here we will begin to edit our footage and revise whatever needs fixing. We will work on this part until the deadline on the 9th, because we will have finished everything else and from my last filming experience the editing took the longest to finish. Each day we will work to further the progress of our project and to create a product to our best ability. Currently, we are still planning our music video but very soon we will move into the next steps for the project.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Planning Blog Music Video

Location-

Codes and Conventions

While my last group project, the commercial, was completed, it could have been better. I should have had more input on the decisions, and been more involved. However, I was unable to be as helpful as I could have been because I was sick and absent. Additionally, my group and I had trouble in the later stages because we did not plan well enough in the beginning. Our storyboard was helpful, but we should have made it more detailed. Not only that, but everyone procrastinated in some way on the project, making it more stressful that it had to be. However, I did learn a lot about the film making process. Specifically, like I said before, the importance of planning, and know as many details possible before you start shooting.
Now, we have a new project: Filming a Music Video. For our music video, my group and I chose the song “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas. The Black Eyed Peas are a well-known music group who create fun pop songs. We chose this song because after a lot of debate, we came to the conclusion this would be the most practical. This is because while we liked other songs better, we had a more complete idea on what we would do in the video for this song. Additionally, the  genre of this song is Pop, which would typically have a more upbeat, fast video. Pop songs have a catchy chorus, and contain little to no profanity which makes this genre perfect for a music video project.
For the video, our costumes will consist of relaxed sleeping clothes, then nice dresses. This is so we can first do a scene showing us doing nothing, and then getting ready to go out. Next, our lighting will be regular indoor lighting, and then bright fun colorful lighting. This is to show the comparison between a boring day inside, to the feeling of a fun night out. Then, for the acting part of it, we will have around 3 actors in each scene, and they will be mostly excited and happy. The 3 actors will mainly be all of us in the group, and we will be in a cheerful mood like we’re about to go out. Additionally, the makeup in the video will range from almost none to a “going-out” look. As we are relaxing in the house doing nothing, we will be wearing almost no makeup, and then during the video we will show us looking better with more makeup as we are going out. Moreover, will have a wide variety of props. For example, red solo cups, purses and accessories, makeup/makeup tools. Lastly, our setting will be in a house and then outside or in a fun, going out place. The house will be used at first to show us doing nothing, and then in the scenes as were getting ready, we will then be outside or in fun “party” areas to show us going out and having a good time.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Filming

For filming our commercial, we had an unexpected issue. Unfortunately, I was absent on the day we filmed because I was out sick the whole week. However, I was in contact with my group mates as they were filming. They informed me of any descions that needed to be made. For example, any location change or help with adjusting the commercial because of my absence. I know that overall the process went very smoothly, and they were able to complete all their filming in one day. The filming was also helped by one of their friends holding the camera. This helped make up for my absence since some on the scenes included all 3 of my group-mates. Additionally, I also know that they followed the storyboard we created, and did not have to adjust it too much. Lastly, I have watched the raw footage and would say it came out very well, and now the next thing we will do is edit it.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Editing

Today in class we tried to edit our footage that we filmed last week. However, there were many technical difficulties with the computer. This made it difficult to even start editing because the footage would not transfer into pinnacle studios. This is because we could not even locate the Pinnacle Studios App. So, to solve this problem, we used one of our group mate’s computer (Mac Book air). Our plan was to edit our footage using Imovie. Then, we ran into another issue with this too. The issue was because we were not planning on using this computer, we could not properly prepare it for editing. The computer needed a software update for Imovie to work. So then we were trying to update the computer during class to then load Imovie. Unfortunately, we were unable to do this during class because of time constraints. Then, we were worried because we did not want to fall behind the rest of the class. This is when we realized all the computers in then class were not working to edit. So no one in our class to properly edit, and we all will do it next class. But now we still have an issue of saving our footage. So our teacher helped us and the class figure out a new way to save footage so we will have it next class for editing. He instructed everyone in the class to dump the footage on google drive.This is very important because even though we can not edit, we needed some way to save our footage so it does not get lost. Luckily, this was a very easy process as our group is very familiar with how google drive works. 
However, this was still overall a very frustrating day because nothing seemed to be working. I also had very high hopes, and was excited to finally be here to work on the project because I was absent for many days of filming. Moreover, we now have a plan for how we will edit our footage next class. Hopefully, all the computers will be up and running, and we will have Imovie as a back up. 

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Story Board Blog


Today we began and completed our storyboards in class of our upcoming commercials. Since our commercial is 30 seconds long, each box of our storyboard represents 6 seconds of film so in total we used 5 boxes. In our anti vaping commercial, we will be using several kinds of shots in order to fully enhance the audience in the commercial and keep them interested. Some shots we used were point of view shots, over the shoulder, high angles, and finally wide shots. Although we may have to change some scenes, these are the planned camera angles and movements we will be using in our commercial. During our editing process we plan on using jump cuts to transition between our different pieces of film, the reason being that we want this commercial to really emphasize what each scene is saying.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Editing Lesson Blog

Today in class, we learned about editing. We first talked about the camera procedures and how to edit and import/export footage. The teacher taught us that when working the camera, we must be very careful with it and understand all the steps in order to not get confused while filming. It is important to shoot as much footage as possible to avoid any retakes once in the editing stage. Additionally, it is essential to remember to charge the camera before filming, and keep in mind it takes a while to charge. Next, to film, you must press the red button to start and then again to stop. Also, we learned about the SD Card, and how no filming can be done unless it is in place. To assure the SD Card is in properly, the side that says SONY should be facing you. Without the SD card, the camera is unable to record any footage, so it is pertinent to know how it works. The tripod is also a key component in filming, so you should know how to work the legs and the movements. The legs are simple to understand. To adjust the height of the tripod, you must remove the clips from the stands and pull them out to make it taller, or push them in to make it shorter.
Moreover, once we had finished discussing camera procedures, we moved onto the first part of the editing process, which the teacher discussed for the majority of class. To dump footage, you must remove the SD card from the camera and place it into an SD card reader (which should be plugged into a computer). Now, it is important to create a folder on your desktop with a distinct title to put your footage into. Next, you should check for your footage in the DCIM folder on your computer. If it is not here, then you can check in the private folder, once there you press on AVCHD, and then stream. From here, you should highlight all your footage and move it into your previously-made folder. Now that the footage has been dumped, it needs to be imported. It is imported by opening up Pinnacle Studios, and then locating your footage folder in the pop-up screen. Once it has been selected, pinnacle studios will scan for media, and import anything you select.
Lastly, we went over the second part of editing. After importing all footage, it should all be available to edit by pressing the edit button in Pinnacle Studios. This is now called your raw footage. You can now drag this footage to the bottom of the screen onto your second track. The teacher explained to us the various tracks; One is for titles and words, two is for footage, and three is for sound. Next, out teacher taught us how to cut footage. There is a red line that shows where you currently are in the footage. This should be dragged to the cut-off point in your footage, and then adjusted until you are satisfied with what is left-over. We then learned how to create a title, which is done by simply pressing the "T" button, and typing your title. This should be moved on the first track. Lastly, we went over how to add music, which is added the same way footage is added. It is important to know that sound should be shut off in your original footage, so background noise is avoided. The sound should be imported in the best quality, and in MP3 format. Finally, after all this is done, the final product should be saved to the desktop by pressing the Save As button.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Planning Blog

   As a group, we have decided to do the anti-vaping commercial. In our commercial, there will be a student walking towards the bathroom, they will then enter and begin using the vape(USB). After their use, “lung cancer” will wait outside the bathroom and begin to walk up to the student that vaped, “death” and “addiction” will follow and eventually circle the student. It will then fade or dissolve into a close up of the students face where they will be overwhelmed with the effects of vaping. At the end of the commercial, there will be a voice over, stating something to the effect of  “After vaping, you may be stuck with these effects forever” The commercial will then end with the warning signs of vaping.

  1. Props: For our anti-vaping commercial, we will be using a USB as dangerous vaping device, shirts with labels on them:“lung cancer” on one shirt, “death” on another, and finally “addiction”.

  1. Costumes: We will be using a casual, school appropriate clothes to represent the student vaping in our commercial. To represent the effects of vaping, we will be using T-shirts with labels on them “lung cancer” on one shirt, “death” on another, and finally “addiction”.

  1. Schedule: 10/10- We are preparing our commercial by listing our props needed, our costumes we need, our schedule for planning, the location of our commercial and finally, the backup plan if our original plan does not go through. 
10/14- We will be creating our storyboards for our commercial to explain each segment in the commercial.
10/22- We will be filming our commercial on the school campus where we will film our original plan and possibly our backup incase the original is not what we were hoping it to be.

  1. Location list- For our commercial, we will be filming near the bathroom and the classroom. We will be using these locations as it portrays perfectly where vaping occurs throughout the school day. We may change or think of new places in the school to shoot the video, however, for now we have chosen the bathroom.

  1. Backup Plan: If our original plan of using the bathroom is not able to be followed through on, we will switch locations to the bleachers by the football field as it is secluded and could be another place for vaping to happen.

Monday, October 7, 2019

Research: Commercial Conventions

 Conventions and codes are used throughout commercials to get the viewer or consumer, more interested in the product. An array of conventions and codes can be used during an advertisement, some being: lighting, music, sounds, and overall story and plot of the advertisement. Each example of conventions draw the audience in more to the actual commercial, whether it be through emotions or curiosity. 

  Conventions are the familiar and predictable forms of media that brands use to communicate certain ideas or convey a desired impression. How certain words and phrases become conventions is through repeated use to the point where the audience is actually anticipating the phrase again. In our commercial, an anti-vaping campaign, we will focus primarily on the health effects of vaping in the long term so we will use the conventions of constant repetition throughout the commercial. 

Introductory

My name is Lucy, and I am a student at Fort Lauderdale High School. I am in 10th grade, and I am 15 years old. Currently, I am taking 4 AICE classes: Media, Thinking Skills, English, and Euro. Last year I took and passed: Marine, Global Perspectives, and General Paper. I enjoy taking AICE classes, however, I find it difficult sometimes because I procrastinate. This is a struggle I am working to overcome soon. Moreover, I’ve had an extensive education because of the various schools I’ve attended. I went to 3 different Pre-K’s, 2 different elementary schools, and then switched from a Private Jewish Middle School to a Public High School.

Additionally, I have a very average family, 1 sister and 2 parents living at home. However, my sister just left to college 2 months ago. This transition has been very difficult for me because I consider my sister my best friend. When she was at home, we would do everything together, and could say anything and everything to each other. The best days are when she drives up from school and comes to visit. Although, even though it’s been tough without her, I have gotten closer with my mom. My moms side of my family is from Australia, and we visit there every few years. I would say Australia is one of my favorite places in the world. I haven’t been there in 5 years and i miss it so much, especially because my family lives there.

Lastly, I enjoy playing tennis, but I haven’t played officially yet. I want to join a club or a team as soon as I can, but it’s hard to find one. Besides playing tennis, I have a job outside of school at a farmers market. I am excited to get more experience and apply somewhere more official. I am also a part of the Surfrider club and find it a very fulfilling experience. That’s all there is about me, and I’m so excited to continue taking media and pass the class.