VIDEO LINKS

 “AIRBALL” film opening

CCR #1

CCR #2

Final reflection

   This project was interesting to say the least. I learned a lot throughout this journey; my film making has improved drastically. Not only my film making but also my understanding of it. The experience I gained from this project helped me understand shots, angles, and composition better, so that I can create a cinematic masterpiece. I incorporated diverse genres, comedy conventions, and dialogue into my project to show the skills and techniques I’ve learned along the way.

  The project also helped me with other things such as, time management and group work. Little stuff like that can make a big difference not only in school but also in real life. Skills like that are going to be very beneficial in the future. For example, say I have a cooperate job in the future where I have to turn something into my boss before a certain date, I can manage my time well to get my boss the stuff he needs before the due date.

  Overall this project was tiring, time consuming, and a lot of work. But it was also fun and I learned a lot from it. 10/10 would recommend!

CCR post-production

   Hey blog! Right now I will be discussing the process I took to edit my CCR videos after filming.

  While making my CCR video I made very short clips so I didn’t have to memorize a lot, which made it 10 times easier while filming. But, it made the editing process way harder; I had to make sure each video was cut perfectly so each clips seamlessly transitions.

  I started off with just cutting each clip to the right length, then I put them all into an editing software, and then I put all the clips together already cut. The first video was fairly easy to edit, and the second one more challenging. But I got the job done! In the second video I also added cliche and funny sound effects to make the game show a little more fun.

  Overall, the editing process wasn’t to bad especially because the software I used (Premiere Rush) was easy to maneuver.

CCR production

   What’s up blog! I recently finished filming both of my CCR videos, and here’s how it went. I decided to go with my original ideas; for my first video answering questions 1 and 2 I did the game show and the second video answering questions 3 and 4 I did celebrity carpool.

  After filming both videos, the first one was way more difficult. It was very hard to portray the atmosphere of the game show, so the video ended up being slightly underwhelming. As for the second video, it was far easier than the first. It was pretty easy driving around, having a conversation, and answering questions. It was also pretty fun listening to music and riding around with my friend.

  I also wrote down a script. It helped me to answer the questions and know what to say.  It also made the process way quicker because I didn’t have to think about what to say beforehand.

This is part of each script from both videos.

I used this stabilizer to film both videos. In the first one I used it to prop up the phone while we were talking at the table, and for the second I used it to keep the camera as still as possible in the car.

CCR #4

  I will share my script for the first set of CCR questions in today's blog with you guys! The two questions I will answer are: "How did your production skills develop throughout this project?" and "How did you integrate technologies—software, hardware, and online—in this project?"

Here is the script:

- It begins with the driver picking me up, and I get in the car.

- Driver: (Turns down music) What up Gabriel, how are you.

- Gabriel: I'm doing great man, I'm excited for this car ride...

- Driver: Alright, put your seatbelt on, and let's get this show on the road.

Do you want me to play anything specific before we start or are you okay with this?

- Gabriel: No, this is just fine.

- Driver: Ok, I know your production "Airball" recently released. Huge fan by the way.

- Gabriel: Thank you. I really appreciate it especially because my squad and I worked really hard on the production.

- Driver: No problem.

I do have a few questions regarding the film.

- Gabriel: Fireaway. Ask me anything

- Driver: Ok, first question. "How did your production skills develop throughout this project?"

- Gabriel: My skills got progressively better throughout the filming process. In the beginning, my group was using simple shots that looked good but weren't enough. Slowly as we filmed we figured out what shots and angles looked best for certain scenes.

- Driver: Wow I just thought you guys picked up the camera and started recording.

( both start laughing )

- Gabriel: No, it's much more complicated than that. (smile, then quick laugh)

Sometimes we aren't even holding the camera. We use technologies like stabilizers and tripods.

- Driver: About that, "How did you integrate technologies—software, hardware, and online—in this project?"

 

- Gabriel: Good question. We used a few technologies, but the main ones were hardware and online. A good example of this is in the voice-over in the beginning. We used a microphone (hardware) to record the voice-over, which was way better than using a phone voice memo because the microphone's audio is more clear. After recording it we put it into a sound system, edited it,  and it was done. (online aspect)

- Driver: So technology is very important for projects like this.

- Gabriel: Yes. Very important.

- Driver: Well, that's all I have for you today. Thank you for carpooling with me and I hope to have you back again soon.

- Gabriel: Anytime man! it was fun while it lasted.

CCR #3

   In today's blog, I'm going to discuss my idea for the second video of CCR questions. For this set of questions, I will be doing a car interview. This is where the driver/host will ask questions to their guest.

A great example of this is James Corden's carpool karaoke. He takes guests in his car drives them around and sings with them, but instead of singing, I will be answering questions.

  I really like this idea because it seems fun yet simple. I can get my point out easily while still being entertaining. These videos were very popular a couple years back, and I want to spark up the trend again. 

Wyatt will be like "James Corden" my designated driver/host.

I'm going to answer CCR questions 3 and 4 with this idea.

CCR #2

  I will share my script for the first set of CCR questions in today's blog with you guys! The two questions I will be answering are: "How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?" and "How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?"

Here is the script:

- Music playing and crowd clapping as the host walks in...

- Host: I am Wyatt Taylor and I am here with another episode of  "Educational Trivia." In this show, we ask questions to our guests and they must answer them in the best way they can. The better they answer the more points they get.

- Today we have a special guest Gabriel Lemoine(crowd clapping) why don't you introduce yourself, Gabriel.

- Gabriel: Thank you, Wyatt,  First of all, I want to say thank you for having me on the show. I'm Gabriel Lemoine, and I'm ready to win this thing!

- Host: Ok then! Let's get right into it. (crowd clapping) Today's topic is Media production.

- Gabriel: This is one of my favorite topics Wyatt. I've been studying it for a few months now and I think I've got the hang of it. I also recently completed my portfolio project.

- Host: You should have no problem with this then. OK, first question... (reads of big card) "How does your product use or challenge conventions?"

- Gabriel: Wow! Starting off hot with a great question... One of the main conventions in the comedy genre is contrasting characters, and in my project, we used this convention. Our main character, JD, and his older brother are the contrasting characters. 

- Host: Hmm... Tell me more.

- Gabriel: JD is a hard-working and passionate character, but he just doesn't have what it takes to be great. Yet, his older brother Jason didn't work as hard but was just naturally talented.

- Host: Interesting... Let's see how you did. (drumroll) Gabriel that was the number 3 answer for 27 points.

- Host: (crowd clapping) Not bad kid. Our next question is, "How does your product represent social groups or issues?"

- Gabriel: Good question Wyatt. Well, our film isn't only a comedic production it has a deeper meaning. 

- Host: What meaning exactly are you talking about?

- Gabriel: The meaning is that no matter how hard you try, you can still be overlooked and might not get better.

- Host: Hmm... I never really thought of it that way. Anyway, let's see how many points you scored... "Drumroll please." (drumroll) That was the number 3 answer for 34 points.

- Gabriel: Oof, that was disappointing.

- Host: Don't worry if you get the number 1 answer on the final question you can still win.

- Gabriel: OK I'm ready for it!

- Host: Alrighty, last question. "How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?"

- Gabriel: Oh wow Wyatt this is a big question!

- Host: Can't mess up now this is to win it all.

- Gabriel: Our target audience is mainly young male figures. Which is why the sports aspect of the production works well. Males are typically the mass consumers of sports around the world. Don't forget about the comedic aspect of the production. I mean who doesn't love comedy, it works well in most films.

As for distribution. Our film will be available on a wide variety of streaming platforms, but for the first 2 months, you will need to rent or buy the film. After that, you will be able to watch it for free anytime anywhere. My production crew and I feel that the more platforms we can distribute our film on the better.

- Host: Last one, best one. Gabriel, I think that was your best answer yet. 

- Gabriel: Thank you Wyatt you know I try my best.

- Host: Hey! Can I get a drumroll, please? (drumroll) Gabriel that was the number 1 answer for a whopping 43 points.

- Crowd cheering and Me celebrating.

- Host: Great job man! Thanks for coming to the show, it was a great time. Hope to have you on again!

- Gabriel: Thank you so much, Wyatt, I'll be back soon. I had a blast coming and answering questions.

Group meeting #2

  Hey, blog! So today in class we had our group meeting #2. Since most of us are wrapping up our film openings, Mrs. Stoklosa decided we should have another group meeting. I felt it was a great time to have one, because of the fact that we are wrapping up, and our group can give us some advice and insight. 

  My group started off by sharing each other's names and genres. We all then shared what the hardest part of their project was and any challenges they faced. Each one of us had our fair share of challenges, for example, Ryan shared that in one of his shots he had to film a picture burning in flames. Since he wanted to get the perfect shot, if anything was off he had to reprint the picture and light it on fire again. Hannah also had some struggles; she needed fake blood for one of her shots and she thought it would be fun to make her own. So she searched for a recipe, got the supplies, and started making it. While following the recipe the blood didn't look right and kept coming out wrong. One time it came out to runny another time it was brown. She decided to go on a limb and just eyeball the ingredients, and it worked! She eventually got it down and it looked great.

  Also since we were starting our CCR we discussed that as well. Most of us had not started besides Ryan and I. We both had just started writing our scripts. Even though most of us had not started we still discussed some of the ideas we had for this task. We were also giving each other ideas and feedback on ideas they already had.

  The meeting was great we were all collaborating to help each other be better and do better.

Picture from group meeting today.

 

CCR #1

   The first question of the CCR ( Creative-Critical-Reflection ) is about discussing topics such as genre conventions and representation.

  After the lesson, Mrs. Stoklosa taught us about the CCR. I was pondering on how I should complete this, and because she gave us some examples it helped me even more. She showed us podcasts, Reality TV shows, and game shows. All these examples helped me come up with the idea of a family feud game show, but instead of a whole family, it's just me!

  So the plan is to have Wyatt be "Steve Harvey" or the show host. He will ask me questions and I will have a red button to press when I have the answer.

This is a great way to answer the CCR questions and have some fun while we are at it.

Editing process Pt 2

   In this post, I'm going to discuss the editing process in more depth. After cutting the shots and putting them together for each scene, we have to figure out a way to transition from one scene to the next.

  Not only do we have to worry about editing the shots we also have to make sure the sound is right. On shots where there are voice lines, we have to make sure there is no noise in the background, and if there is to dim it out. Also, the beginning of the opening includes a voice-over so we have to incorporate it into the opening. Another aspect of sound is the dietetic sound used when JD is in the gym, benching with headphones in. Once he puts the headphones in music starts playing, and the music will be intense fitting with his hard workout.

In the picture above, we are figuring out what transitions or effects we are going to use. Although I am not a fan of this; I am going to suggest to my group a normal cut with maybe, an establishing shot before the scene.

Editing process Pt 1

   In this post, I will discuss our process of editing this project. We finally completed filming and all we have left is editing.

  The first step in this process was downloading all of the photos; once the photos finished downloading we sent them to Wyatt's computer. Wyatt then transferred all the photos into an editing software, to choose the best clips, and discard the rest. After choosing these clips we must cut them up, cutting the clips allows for the shots to transition into each other very well.

In this, we can see the clips being cut so they transition seamlessly into each shot.

  

  Even though we are not fully done editing, I believe we got the hang of it, and editing the rest will be fairly easy.

Coaches office

   In the coach's office scene; JD has a serious talk with Coach Marcus. Coach Marcus talks with JD about his passion for the sport and whether he wants to follow through with it.

  This scene took us some time, to be honest. We were laughing and goofing off during it, so we couldn't focus. It was funny because Coach Marcus (Noah) had to keep a serious tone but his lines were very unserious. Even though it was funny we all knew we eventually had to focus/lock in and complete our task. 

  The location. It took us a little bit to find where to shoot this scene. My initial Idea was to shoot it in my coach's office he was unavailable after school to let us in. So our good friend Abe let us borrow his house for this scene and the bedroom scene. Even though the office doesn't fully look like a coach's office, it looks professional and does the job.

This is one of our shots from the coach's office scene. The use of the over-the-shoulder shot was great for the conversation.

Basketball Scene

     In this blog, I will discuss the basketball scene. In this scene, JD is having a 2-on-2 practice with his coach and teammates. We filmed this scene on an indoor court at LA Fitness. When we first arrived a couple people were shooting on the hoop we wanted to use, but shortly after they had finished and left. Once they left we went right into filming.

This is the court.

  Most parts of filming were fairly easy; the part we struggled with was filming character's lines. There were people on the other side of the court we were using so it was excessively loud in the gym. By excessive I mean loud enough to disrupt the line, but every so often it would get a little quiet and then we would record those parts.

  Filming this scene was fun because in between shots, we would shoot some baskets and mess around. It was also very funny making the shot where Wyatt or "Player 1" fell.

The shot of Wyatt falling.

Overall, this scene was fairly easy to film despite the tiny obstacles we had to get past.