Links to "Over It" and CCR's:

Hi Cambridge! Here it is! I hope you enjoy watching them!

Here is how you can access "Over It":

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZDdhM0T6lMs3_8mQLTGF6ftI1Qk8J2T4/view?usp=sharing

Here are the Critical Creative Reflections (CCR's):

Questions 1 and 2:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Uw3Ww_oFDyM43i0b0TPYlnSTRk2Yfw0l/view?usp=sharing

Questions 3 and 4:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SS1xiGPhJIX4L_vXSNKh11AdJxbedD2F/view?usp=sharing

Final Reflection:

Hey Cambridge! I'm finally done with the Portfolio Project! This has been such a journey! I've had such a variety of feelings towards this project and a bit of stress from time to time!

When I first heard about this project, I was very overwhelmed! I thought it would be extremely difficult to do on my own and I wasn't very confident about it. But, little did I know, working individually would be the best method for me. If an idea popped into my head, I immediately used it and didn't have to check if another person liked it. I could also work at whatever hours of the day I wanted and could get it done on my timeline!

After my teacher explained the rubric and all the important info, everyone in my class immediately had ideas. But I didn't even know what genre I wanted to use. So, I felt behind compared to everyone else right of the bat.

To brainstorm, I started thinking about film genres I'm interested in so it would make it more fun! That's how I came up with Coming-of-Age. But, I had still not come up with a plot. My teacher told me to gather inspiration from other films and my life. That's how I came up with having her runaway. 

A24. (2017). Lady Bird [Promotional still].

My teacher also recommended I find a reason for her (Jess) leaving. During one of our discussions, she proposed having Jess become pregnant! I was shocked that a teacher would recommend portraying something as controversial as that, but I loved the idea! It was something unusual but entertaining! And that's how the film 'Over It' was born!

After that, all the small details about production just started to flow. I enjoy very dramatic and full of plot-twists films so I utilized that in my own film! I came up with the idea of her boyfriend being apologetic for the way he reacted. I feel like this adds another depth of conflict to the film and makes it more engaging.

My filming process was fairly easy. Since I made a plan and list of shots, I was all prepped for filming day. I also had my friend, Crosby, as the actor which made it very fun! 

I was so relieved after editing was over. But then I found out about the CCR. After all that work, I have yet another thing to do. I felt very frustrated at this point but I knew I had to power through it!

I started working on my CCR's right away. I didn't have any unique ideas I wanted to use, so I created an interview and a director's commentary. The editing process was kind of difficult compared to the film opening since it wasn't just adding audios, but also removing and adding clips of multimedia. 

Overall, I'm super relieved and happy this project is over!! I've put so much effort in and learned so much! I'm so glad to be done, especially since spring break is next week so I can relax and recuperate from this project. 

Editing of CCR's:

Hi Cambridge! Today I'm going to be editing together both of my CCR's (the interview and director's commentary). One of my problems in editing that my teacher always points out is that I keep a lot of excess shots in scenes, so I'm making sure I don't do that today. 

For both CCR's, I uploaded the clips I recorded onto a google drive folder and began uploading them into Clipchamp.

Interview:

Starting with the interview, I began cutting down the clips and adding in the audio elements I had my mom record. Next, I made sure it had lots of cutaways, so it stays interesting and quick for viewers. I also added in my mom's voice over and some clips of multimedia that's relevant to what I'm discussing. Finally, I added credits/citations from my previous blogs for any resources I used.

Here's a little timelapse of me editing it: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M31K0NUYD3EAoigQTxoOazhxrnMuLd75/view?usp=sharing

Director's Commentary:

Now, onto the commentary! This is almost the exact same process, I cut down the clips and added cutaways, so it stayed engaging. Finally, I added in my multimedia, credits/citations, and I'm done!!

Here's a little timelapse of me editing it: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u5NCo4EaAZz2jaNbfL5jZ48-D2G-ZYDK/view?usp=sharing

I feel like celebrating!! I'm so happy! I can't wait for you to enjoy this Cambridge! Today's editing was highly tedious as I had to keep re-watching it! Stay tuned for my reflection and the links to my projects!

Production of CCR's:

Hi Cambridge! On Sunday I filmed CCR #1, the interview one! I think it went very well! 

My setup had a lot of trial and error, but I finally got it as I envisioned it!

So, the first step of production was choosing an outfit/costume. Since it's an interview, I wanted it to be formal, so I veered towards a dress. Here it is shown below!

Next, I had to choose an enticing but not distracting setting. So, I used my living room couch. This sounds very casual, but as you can see from the photos below, my house has a very modern aesthetic. I included the pillows for a pop of color and the edge of the painting. I also played around with the lighting. I opened all my blinds and also turned on some of my overhead lights.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dP58lqh8lzOdEaQTmZWtHd8PbfSBjqhq/view?usp=sharing

Some obstacles I went through involved the camera framing. Since it was an off-camera style, I needed to be looking at someone, but I kept looking down at the computer. So, my idea was to prop it up on a table, on a stool, on a pillow! It was almost like playing Jenga, but it came out really well. 

I also kept accidently getting my computer with the script in or the pillow that I was using to prop it up in frame. So, I had to get my tripod at the perfect angle, to where I was framed correctly and there were no tools in the background.

Filming it was very easy; I only had to do two full takes. The only reason I re-did it was because my posture was very bad and I was hunching a lot. So, in the second take, I made sure to sit up straight and I also added more hand movements because my body language was looking very boring.

1st take:

2nd take:

Finally, I got my mom to record the interviewers voiceover and I was done!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hey Cambridge! On Tuesday, I filmed CCR #2, the director's commentary. The process was fairly easy!

I started by choosing the location of my guest room. There are these woven baskets on one of the walls that are very visually appealing so I thought it would be perfect for the job. I was brainstorming that I would sit on the bed (It wouldn't be shown) and you would be able to see the baskets in the back.

Next, I started recording and used my step stool and pillow method again for the script. I also didn't use a tripod this time. Instead, I placed my phone in the middle of my computer and started recording. One major obstacle I had during the filming of this is that my phone wasn't on my eye level. So, I had to stack socks to raise the level a bit.

When I finally got to filming, it only took one take! 

I'm so happy to be done with this now! CCR production is a wrap! I'll let you know how editing goes!

Research & Script for Question 4 of CCR:

Hey Cambridge! Today I am researching my last CCR question! It's based on the question "How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?" 

Here's my sub-questions from my teacher:

- Discuss technologies/hardware's/software's used

- Discuss how you used these technologies

So, this is pretty easy to address since I've been crediting all the resources I've using on my blogs. I just went through them and here's a quick summary:

• I used YouTube for research on Coming-of-age movies and tutorials.

• I used Pinterest to compile inspiration for my character

• I used Google translate to create the maps audio

• I used Canva to create props, a logo, and a planner for myself

• I used Pixabay to collect my copyright-free sounds

• I filmed and recorded by foley audios on my iPhone 16 pro.

• I used ClipChamp to edit it all together

• I used the Voice Memos app to record my voiceovers

• I used Google drive to compile all my clips together

• I used Blogger to document my entire process of this project

Anyways here's the script to my CCR #2 (Director's commentary) addressing both questions 3 and 4!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wJJ0utgojoMdh0-fQc-GeBHy7gNH2EK90S1owgUS4GQ/edit?usp=sharing

Research & Script for Question 3 of CCR:

Hi Cambridge! Today I'm sharing my research and script for my CCR #2! I will be addressing the question "How did your production skills develop throughout this project?"

Here are the sub-questions that my teacher gave us:

- Reflect on production process

- Discuss research and planning

- Reflect on where you started and where you ended

My blog posts cover all this information, starting from the beginning of the year (Aug 27th). So I didn't have any research I had to do. Instead, I just reviewed my past blogs and reflected on my feelings and mindset then!

One of the things I definitely wanted to touch on in my CCR is my improvement in editing. I rewatched all my past projects, and I definitely had a breakthrough! My first few projects are almost embarrassing to watch and now I'm much more confident.

So, without further ado, here's my CCR #2 script discussing questions 3 and 4!  

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wJJ0utgojoMdh0-fQc-GeBHy7gNH2EK90S1owgUS4GQ/edit?usp=sharing

Now I'm in the home stretch and almost done with this project! I can't wait to be finished!

Research & Script for Question 2 of CCR:

Hi Cambridge! For today's post, I'm researching the question "How does your product engage with audiences?" and "How would it be distributed as a real media text?" 

Just as I did for question #1, I have broken down sub-questions that I got from my teacher! Here's a summarized version.

- Discuss target audience

- Discuss production choices

- Discuss how you plan to distribute your film (realistically for amateurs)

Target Audience:

My target audience is teens and young adults from ages 14-20. It's mostly meant for female audiences however both genders can enjoy it. I made my film opening very similar to a typical teen's life (other than the pregnancy) to make it more relatable. I know firsthand, what types of movies my age group enjoys watching, so I took this into consideration.

Production Choices: I already discussed these in past blog posts but here it is again:

- Non-diegetic sounds

- Naturalistic lighting

- Hand-held camera movement

- Close-ups on face

- Shallow depth of field

- Teen actor

- Micro-gestures

- Montages

- Messy bedroom

Distribution Plans:

My teacher recently released an in-depth lesson on distribution that I went through. 

So, based on this, I started researching realistic methods for amateur film makers to distribute their films and found... 

- Sundance Film Festival (a lot of indie films gain recognition)

- YouTube movies (free streaming platforms)

- Showing film in classroom settings for educational purposes (by partnering with local schools) 

I added my script for this interview to the CCR #1 research blog as well. But here it is again if you didn't see it. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fwIJFRJ3JbOQzaryzHrN6ImlJZLIKp8vYdyKjoI8sxk/edit?usp=sharing

I don't think this script will get altered at all, but if it does, I'll make sure to update you!