A Fulfilling Filming Experience

Filming has been such a memorable experience. Previously our group assigned designated roles in the group for the filming process. Jacob is the editor, willow and lucy are the actors and I was the director. My job was to do all the filming and organize each scene using my storyboard to assist me. As soon as we get permission from our teachers to go outside and film my group was ecstatic. Rushing to our set location to assure that we get the right lightning our group quickly made it to the courtyard also known as the senior patio. Since our commercial is promoting a MacBook our group found a table in the shade and all agreed that it should be the starting location of the commercial. Our group incorporated different camera shots and movements like a wide shot, cutaway shot, tracking shot, and more. The tracking shot scene was the most effective in our filming process. Easily switching from each actor and making the commercial flow well. The scene that caught all of our attention was the last. In that scene, we showed all angles to capture all three angles. During the moment of filming the sunlight beautifully lit on our actors making the scene look bright. To capture this scene and make sure all actors were in the frame I had to climb the side of the stairs. As a director, I knew this angle was crucial taking the risk I climbed up and I was rewarded with an eye-catching shot. Since I'm a high school student and don't have the privilege of using high tech to film. My group and I were very satisfied with the ending scene. As soon as we were done filming all the video clips were sent over to our editor Jacob. Jacob immediately started editing. He gathered instrumental music and sound effects. I can't wait to see the final product of our commercial. Our group has all played a part in this process and our collaboration skills were crucial in this assignment.

Storyboard Blog

 Storyboard Blog 

 

First Slide:  

The opening scene is to introduce the audience to our product. For this commercial, it will be the Apple Macbook. We will film a student working on a macbook as a wide shot. This scene is crucial to emphasize the fact that Macbooks are useful to people of all ages and are easy to use in public spaces as well. This scene creates a story for the commercial 

Second Slide: 

In the second scene our main goal was to show different tasks the Macbook can accomplish. In this scene we include the act of using the computer and a students everyday activities. Since the commercial will be shot at school, the actors will be wearing casual clothing. Editing will incorporate an insert shot of what the student is doing on their Macbook. 

Third  Slide: 

Since the commercial is from a student's perspective, the next scene will show the student placing their laptop into their backpack for easy transportation around school. This will be a close-up shot of the student and the shot will also include when the student leaves the room. 

Fourth Slide: 

This fourth scene will be a tracking shot of a second student walking passed the first student. The main location for this scene will be the senior courtyard . The tracking shot helps easily segway to the scene of the next student who is also completing different tasks on a Macbook. 

Fifth Slide: 

The fifth scene will show the second student actor using the macbook in a different way such as listening to music. The shot used will be a cutaway shot. After that shot is made an ending scene of the apple logo and a zoom out scene. 

Planning Blog

 Props:

Since my group and I decided to produce an apple MacBook, our main prop will be that laptop. Another prop that will be used in filming is a school backpack or whatever a student chooses to carry their school supplies in. 

Costumes:

In our commercial, two members of the group will represent our subjects trying to convince you to purchase our item. The actors will be wearing casual and school-appropriate clothing.

Schedule:

On 9/22/21, our group researched conventions of MacBook commercials.

On 9/22/21, our group established props, costumes, schedule, location, and a backup plan.

On 9/28/21, our group will create a storyboard for our 30-second ad.

On 9/30,21, our group will begin the filming process for the necessary shots for our commercial.

On 10/6/21, our group will edit and add sound to our commercial.

Location:

As for our location, our group does not have a set/ main location but will be filmed throughout the school in various places. For example, most shots will be filmed in our classroom but for other shots, like students doing their homework on the go, there will be footage from the lunchroom.

Backup Plan:

If the weather prevents our group from filming, we will have to move all shots to our AICE media studies classroom since it is from a student's perspective.

 

Research Blog

• In typical MacBook commercials, the MacBook is displayed with a user that is displayed as a real person, not an actor. Sometimes a famous celebrity will make an appearance. 

• An Apple commercial will usually sneak in a few features of the product very subtly, like how it is easy to slip the laptop in a backpack and carry it on the go. 

• Specifically, the MacBook commercials are usually shot in black and white, with still photos being displayed. I believe the intended effect of being shot in black and white is making the commercial more recognizable. Since the MacBook commercials are usually shot in black and white, it is easier to notice that the commercial being shown is an Apple commercial. 

• To add variety, Apple utilizes people of many different occupations and origins in order to show that their products are for everyone.

• Musically, they use simple scores that have an inspiring tone. 

• They use close ups shots of their laptop in use in order to display the use of the product.

Group Blog

 Today we were told what our current assignment would be. The assignment that we are currently working on is our commercial. While discussing what our current classwork would entail students were shown several examples of commercials made by students from prior school years and learned about our blog (Which I'm currently writing on). This was to create a basic concept for us to understand used as an example to reference for future circumstances. Some of the videos we watched created a flow of ideas in my mind. While watching them I couldn't help but think about what commercial I should film. After the assignment was fully explained I gathered a team. My group-mates are Jacob Pineiro, Willow Rivera, and Lucy Rodriguez. I partnered up with them since they are all very hardworking people who care about the quality of their work. The group will ensure that the final product of our commercial will be authentic and precise with these qualities. As a group, we exchanged socials and got planning right away. During our planning, we organized which roles each of us will be assigned. Jacob is the editor, Willow and Lucy are the actors, and I am the Camerawoman. My role in the group is to do all the filming and organize the production. This role is crucial to ensure that our commercial doesn't get disorganized. After roles were assigned as a group we raised several ideas on what our commercial should be about. After several civil debates, we all agreed that our commercial should be promoting a MacBook. We created a layout of how we wanted our commercial to be filmed. In chronological order the commercial will be filming the computer, Person (A) typing on a computer, Person(B) watching Youtube, Person (A) closing the computer and placing it in their backpack and walking away, and end scene with MacBook and apple log. Our next step is to create our storyboard and then start the filming process.

Introductory

Hello there I am Kai Lobban! Although I'm fourteen years old and a sophomore in high school I have many goals and aspirations set for myself. Regardless of my young age, I have always worked too hard to achieve success. With that drive, AICE Media Studies has caught my attention. As a child, I have always found the process of production and filming fascinating. I spent time looking at the behind-the-scenes of many films and movies to see how the production undergoes. My favorite behind-the-scenes clips to watch were always Marvel Movies. Most of my free time went into being a YouTube. Where I spent hours learning how to film and edit like some of my favorite influencers and nitpicking at any flaw in my editing. Although I wasn't a big sensational hit I enjoyed watching the final product of my videos. I felt somewhat satisfied to see my handwork pay off. While taking this class I'm ready to fully understand and comprehend different terms and vocabulary used while filming. With this newly obtained knowledge recognizing the use of different editing in upcoming movies and tv shows will come with ease. During this course, I have already learned the use of sound in movies and how it could make a drastic change to the emotion of the plot. As my mastery develops, I plan on using the information I learn and applying them to assignments a group projects that I will do in class. Throughout the year it is a goal of mine to further my knowledge and know more than I do now. Carrying the knowledge I gain from this class to adulthood and beyond. Overall, Media Studies is a class that piques my interest. As the school year continues I can't wait to compare my growth from years prior. Younger me would be pleased to see me continuing the hobbies I once had and developing to be triumphant. I have faith in my skills and I can't wait to make my teachers, peers, and as well as myself proud!