Hi Cambridge! This is the last post I will be making about this portfolio project. Here I will just share the links to everything.
Film opening: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jp7l6WxZ8fnqkQpuxNy0AJkzAp6cC70H/view?usp=share_link
CCR Question 1 and 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qNFeZcrdjA70SvzkLIXIXQkVODRzoBUa/view?usp=share_link
CCR Questions 3 and 4: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12umDEi5pYMQJvHBEZvzIcH2ue7C21s3J/view?usp=share_link
Hii blog!!! Today I will be sharing what I did for my CCRs. I made two different videos, and each one had a different style.
For Questions 1 and 2, I did an online interview. I chose this because it made my answers feel more natural, like I was having a conversation. It helped me explain my ideas in a simple way. At first, it was a little hard to talk on camera, but after practicing, I felt more comfortable.
For Questions 3 and 4, I made an investigation video. This one was more about explaining and analyzing my work. I talked about my choices and showed examples to make everything clearer. This format helped me go into more detail.
Overall, making my CCRs helped me understand my project better. Using two different styles made it more interesting and showed my creativity. Even though it was a bit challenging, I learned a lot from the process. Here is some footage:
Hii Cambridge!! This is the last blog post where I will be talking about the production of this project. In this blog I will be explaining a little about the editing of my CCR. Editing was an important part of making my CCRs. It helped turn my recordings into clear and organized videos.
For the online interview, I edited out mistakes and pauses so it sounded smooth. I also added videos to support what I was saying and make it more interesting. I kept the editing simple so the focus stayed on my answers.
For the investigation video, the editing was more detailed. I also added videos and clips to help explain my ideas better. This made it easier for the audience to understand and kept the video more engaging.
One challenge was making everything flow well and not feel confusing. I had to watch my videos many times and fix small mistakes.
Overall, editing helped improve my CCRs a lot. Adding videos and pictures to both CCRs made them more interesting and helped explain my ideas more clearly.
How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?
1-- Discuss hardware (cameras, lighting, microphones, phones...)
For my project I used my own phone for recording. I did not have any cameras, and I think my phone's cameras is very good. Because my film opening does not have any dialogue, there was no need of a microphone. All of the sounds will be included during the editing. I decided to film in my own room because I can change the lighting easily. For the flashbacks, I opened the curtains and turned the lights on to make the scene look colorful and happy. For the present scene, I closed the curtains and adjusted the lighting of my room to make it look more dark.
2-- Discuss software (editing tools, filter...)
At first, I was going to use Adobe for my editing, but after talking to my friends, I decided to use Premiere. I downloaded the app to try it out and I really liked it. There is a lot of transitions available, and it is not so hard to edit. For the filters, I preferred to use my own phone. The filters available on iPhone are really good and when I was trying it I realized that it made my scenes look better. I also used Canva for my logo. Canva is a great editing tool and it was very easy to add effects and animate the logo to look exactly how I wanted it.
3-- Discuss HOW/obstacles
One of the main challenges during this project was filming most things by myself and with limited equipment. I only had my phone to record, so I had to find ways to position the phone and film the scenes without help. Sometimes it was difficult to get the right angle or make the scene look natural. I also had to record in my own room, so I needed to adjust the lighting by opening or closing the curtains and using the lights in my room to create different moods for the scenes. Another challenge was the editing process. I had to make sure the film opening reached the required time of at least 1 minute and 55 seconds. When I added transitions between the clips, I noticed that the video became shorter, so I had to adjust the clips and sometimes extend some scenes to reach the correct time again. Even though there were some difficulties, these challenges helped me improve my problem-solving skills. I had to be creative, try different ideas, and adjust my editing and filming choices until I got the result I wanted.
Script:
Interviewer:
Alright, so today we’re doing a little house tour while talking about your film. My first question for you is how did your production skills develop during this project?
Me:
Honestly, a lot more than I expected. At the beginning I just had the idea for the story. I knew the film would be about a woman trying to find the person who killed her sister, but I didn’t really know how to turn that idea into actual scenes. While I was filming and editing, I started understanding more about how shots work and how each scene can help tell the story.
[Entering the room]
Interviewer:
So… this is where the movie magic happened?
Me:
Pretty much, yeah. Most of the scenes were filmed right here in my room. I didn’t have a camera or anything professional, so I just used my phone. At first I was mostly just trying to get the scenes filmed, but as I kept working on it I started paying more attention to things like camera angles and lighting.
Interviewer:
And did you look at other movies before making your film?
Me:
Oh Yeah, I watched a few film openings from suspense and drama movies. I noticed that a lot of them start pretty slow and emotional and then slowly build tension. That’s something I tried to do in my film too, especially with the flashbacks and the darker scenes later.
[walking around the house]
Interviewer:
What do you think was the hardest part of making the film?
Me:
Probably filming by myself. Since I didn’t really have help, I had to put my phone in random places around the room to get the shots I needed. Sometimes I had to try a few times to get the angle right.
Lighting was also something I had to figure out. For example, in the flashbacks I opened the curtains so the room looked brighter, and for the present scenes I closed them so everything looked darker and more serious.
Interviewer:
And editing? How did that go?
Me:
Editing was actually kind of tricky. At first it was hard to organize all the clips so the beginning of the story made sense. At one point I added transitions and somehow the video actually got shorter, so I had to go back and adjust some scenes.
Interviewer:
What about the music and sound?
Me:
That took some experimenting too. I wanted the beginning to feel more emotional because of the memories of the sister, and then slowly become more suspenseful when the main character starts looking for the killer. So I tried a few different sounds until it felt right with the scenes.
[going back where we started]
Interviewer:
So after making the film, what did you learn from the whole experience?
Me:
I definitely learned a lot about filming and editing. I understand much better now how things like camera angles, sound, and pacing can change how a scene feels. But honestly… I also realized this kind of project might not really be for me. I didn’t really enjoy writing the blogs, filming everything, or planning the whole production. Even though I didn’t love the process, I still learned a lot from it and improved my skills during the project.
In this blog post I will be sharing my answers for question #3 of my CCR. My script will be on the next blog, with the question #4, because I will answer both together.
How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
1- Reflect how process evolved throughout the production.
My process evolved throughout the production because my first ideas were much simpler than the final result. In the beginning, I focused on recording the main scenes and telling the story clearly. However, I realized that I needed stronger visual details and better pacing. I added more close-up shots, black screen pauses, and the scene of the dead sister’s hand with blood to make the opening more dramatic and suspenseful. This showed me that production is not just about filming what you planned first, but also improving your work as new ideas develop.
2- Discuss how you did the research.
For research, I looked at real film openings, especially from drama and suspense genres, to understand how they use camera shots, sound, pacing, and editing to create emotion. I paid attention to how flashbacks are used, how tension is built, and how music changes the audience’s reaction to a scene. I also researched sound and music styles that would fit my opening, because I wanted the transition from sadness to suspense to feel natural. This research helped me make better decisions.
3- Discuss your approach to production.
My approach to production also improved. At the beginning, I was focused on recording the scenes. Later, I started thinking more about lighting, camera angles, and what each shot would look better. For example, the photos represent memories, and the scene of the bloody hand suggests the crime without showing everything. I also had to solve some problems while filming, because I had to create some scenes at home and sometimes film by myself. This helped me become more creative and learn how to work with the resources I had.
4- End with a reflection on where you started and where you ended. What did I learn?
Looking back, I can see that my skills improved during this project. Even though I learned a lot about planning shots, filming, and editing, I have to be honest and say that I did not really enjoy the process. I did not enjoy writing the blogs, recording the scenes, or planning the project, and I realized that this type of work may not be something that is for me in the future. However, even though I did not enjoy it, I still developed important skills during the process. I became better at organizing my ideas and solving problems. So even if this project showed me that film production may not be the right path for me, it still helped me grow and learn new skills.
Hi blog!! Today I am going to share my ideas for my CCR.
So my first idea is a house tour. I really enjoy watching those interviews where the celebrity is answering questions while making a house tour. I feel like this is a very good idea because I would be able to answer all of the questions while making an entertaining video. I also plan to show a few pictures of my film opening and production process during this interview. So while I am speaking, it would cut to the pictures. That would make the video more fun to watch and show my process more clearly. Here is an example in case you have never watched it.
Another idea that I have is a podcast. This one is more simple but still fun to watch. I really like podcasts so I feel like the process of filming would be more enjoyable. I would need to buy a microphone, to make the setting look more realistic. I also plan on showing pictures of my production during the podcast, even though that is not very common in normal podcasts. I do not think that I would use a normal setting either. I want to film it in a more comfortable place, here are some examples of what I am talking about.
Another idea, is the interview HOT ONES. In this interview, a celebrity answer questions while trying spice sauces. This is a very fun interview to watch, and I also think I would have so much fun filming it. The only problem is that I would have to buy all of the sauces and I do not know if I am going to like them or not. The plan is also to show my pictures during the interview to show the progress.
Hi Cambridge! Today I will be researching about the second question of my CCR. At the end I will also show you the script that I made. I will answer question #1 and #2 on the same video, so this script will be answering the first question too.
How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?
1- Target audience (age range, gender, common interest)
My target audience for this film opening is adults (between 20-40 years old), given that it is a suspense movie, where there will be a lot of death. I believe that most young people would not enjoy such a brutal and sad movie. For gender, women would be my target. Because this movie also has a bond between sisters, I think women would be able to identify with the characters more deeply. The common interest would be a movie where there is suspense, drama, action and that can make you cry.
2- Discuss production choices to target this audience
To target this specific audience, I made the female main character look strong and sensitive. She is seen dealing with grief and suffering because of the death of her sister. At the same time she is planning something big, and trying to kill someone. I think this balance between these two emotions will attract many women, even if they are very different from each other.
3- Discuss how you plan to make the film available to the audiences
I plan to make this film available to the audiences through YouTube. I am starting, so I need to be realistic and chose a platform that accepts small creators like me.
Script-
My dad: Hiii, It’s so good to have you back!!
Me-: Thank youuu!! Im sooo excited to be here!!
Dad: I need to ask you questions about your new movie, it was sooo good!!
Me: Oh thank you!! That’s very kind
Dad: So tell us a little bit about what it is about and how you did everything.
Me-Sure!! So this movie is a drama with suspense, and at the same time that it’s going to make you cry, it will make you stay focused at all times. Basically, the main character lost her sister, and during the movie you will slowly understand what happened and why she is so hurt and angry.
Dad: Wow, that already sounds so good. Who did you make this movie for? Like, what kind of audience do you think would watch it?
Me: I think the main audience would be adults, maybe between 20 and 40 years old. Because the story talks about death, grief, and revenge, it’s a little heavy, so I don’t think it’s really made for younger people. I also think women might connect a lot with the story because the movie focuses on the relationship between two sisters, and that emotional bond is very important in the story.
Dad: That makes sense. And how did you make the character interesting for that audience?
Me: I tried to show the main character as both strong and emotional. She is dealing with a lot of pain because she lost her sister, so you see her sadness and grief. But at the same time, she is planning something big because she wants revenge on the person who caused it. I think showing both sides makes her feel more real and makes the audience more connected to her.
Dad: Oh my god I love it!! Tell people how can they watch it!
Me: I will release it on YouTube. Since I’m starting as a creator, YouTube is a really good platform because it allows smaller creators to share their work and reach a big audience. It’s also easy for people to find and share the film.
Dad: oh yes for sure! Did you follow the usual rules of the suspense and drama genre or did you try to change them?
Me: I mostly followed the rules because I think they work really well for this type of story. For example, the theme of grief fits perfectly in drama because it’s something many people can understand. But at the same time, the way the character reacts to that grief is not very normal. That’s where the suspense comes in, because the audience starts wondering how far she might go.
Dad: And what about representation in the film?
Me: Representation was really important for me. I wanted to show the main character as a real person with complex emotions. At the beginning, I show flashbacks of her with her sister so the audience can see that she was loving and caring. That helps people understand her before they see her darker side. I also didn’t want the female character to be sexualized or shown as weak. Instead, she’s emotional, strong, and complicated, which makes her feel more human and realistic.
Dad- That’s great thak you so much for coming Julia!!
Me-Of course!! Thanks for having me!!
Hi Cambridge! In this blog post, I will explain why I decided to edit my film opening using Adobe.
I chose Adobe because I wanted to have more control over my project. I did not want my film opening to look basic, I wanted it to look more cinematic. My teacher recommended this program at the beginning of the year, and we practiced using it in class. Because of that, I felt more confident choosing it for this project.
Adobe gives me many tools that help improve the quality of my video. For example, I can adjust brightness, contrast, and color very carefully. This was important for my film opening because I wanted certain scenes to feel different from others. By changing the lighting and colors, I was able to create a specific mood. It also allows me to control the timing of each clip. I can choose exactly when a scene begins and ends. This helps me control the pacing of the film. Being able to control this timing helped me tell my story in a more specific way.
Another important reason I chose Adobe is because of the sound tools. I was able to lower the background music when necessary and make sure important sounds were clear. Sound is very powerful in film because it helps the audience connect emotionally to what is happening on screen. If the sound is not edited well, the scene can lose the impact.
I also liked that Adobe is used by real filmmakers and media professionals. I think that using a professional program made me take my project more seriously. I believe Adobe was a great choice for my project because it allowed me to create a film opening that looks organized and well edited.
