A Memorable Production Period.

 Creative Critical Reflection

1.     How does your product use or challenge conventions AND how does it represent social groups or issues? 

Our product uses social groups to show how people of various ethnic backgrounds use it. The setting of our commercial was at a school. This commercial shows how people of all demographics use this product. Emphasizing its efficiency for students like working on home working assignments or even for personal use such as listening to music during their free time. I can also say to the extent of its purpose for students it can be useful for students and people of all age ranges. Its clean aesthetic, lack of harmful toxins, and energy efficiency lessons all MacBook product's carbon footprint worldwide. Recently due to new Apple policies the MacBook is made up of recycled aluminum to lessen environmentally harmful metals and waste into ecosystems.  Allowing the MacBook to be great overall.

2. How does your product engage with audiences AND how would it be distributed as a real media text? 

The product engages with audiences by showing them how they could use it themselves. Demonstrating different services built within the MacBook, and software application provided on it. These were goals made for the audience to recognize while watching the commercial. As real media it would be distributed primarily on television, social media applications, and YouTube. The purpose of broadcasting this commercial on television is to target all age groups. Reaching an older audience how has access to more financial funds to purchase the product presented. Advertisements on YouTube are to target the younger audience. Although our commercial is to persuade the viewers to buy a MacBook the younger generation can persuade themselves as parents to buy it. Social media platforms are advertisement to widen the range of viewers.

 

3.     How did your production skills develop throughout this project? 

The difference in my skills prior to production is drastic. I didn’t know basic terms used in the media industry. My knowledge on terms to describe transitions, camera shots, and camera movements were very slim. During the production period I found myself often using filming terms to help my peers understand what I am talking about. Learning this new set of vocabulary help me greatly. I found myself using this skillset to enhance our commercial and piece together the vision I pictured. In comparison I would no longer consider myself as an amateur but more so a person who is learning and quickly growing their skillset. The production period has led me to this conclusion. My production skills have developed significantly during this filming project.

4.     How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project? 

 

In this project we integrated technologies such as software, hardware, and online websites in various ways. The product represented is a MacBook, a product well known for completing tasks online very efficiently. Providing different application software with great quality. During filming our actors showed different software applications the MacBook is accessible to. In addition, the editing surface iMovie that is provided on a Mac was used to edit our project and ensure high quality. This software was essential to our commercial considering iMovie provides various `editing options and styles. For our ending scene with the apple logo, I used jpeg to png converter to get a clear and precise Apple Logo for our project. These revisions aided to our project with the help of technology.

The Ending of a Pleasant Experience

 Our production period has been memorable. Originally discussing ideas and concepts for our commercial to finally getting our final product. My favorite part of the production was definitely filming. Considering different filming shots and camera moments to create a smooth commercial. As the "director" of the film I was able to direct my actors on what they would be doing each scene. Conducting different takes if the scene did not come out the best. In addition to using cues to start moving and initiate the action in the scene as. Cues were also helpful for marking the locations of the actors should be standing. The editing part was also very entertaining. Learning different traditions, cuts, audio input, or even sound effects my skills have grown.

 

Crediting Our Detailed Editing

 Today was our last day of editing. Putting the finishing touches of our commercial I was so determined to accomplish. Finalizing little aspects that were missing prior. Today I added several details to our commercial. Previously I surfed the internet for appropriate background music to fit the concept. I brought up several instrumentals with my group but they declined those suggestions. After several minutes of continuously scrolling through Youtube and Spotify, a lightbulb went off in Jacob's head. This idea was to use a song made by a very talented singer. On many social media platforms, an underground artist named PinkPatheress went viral. Famous for her soft voice and soothing instrumentals she quickly gained a following. Her birth name unknown caused people to like her for her mysterious qualities. The topic of conversation was which released song by fit best. Willow and Lucy stated several songs but the lyrics didn't flow well with the commercial. Jacob and I agreed that the song "Passion" would go amazing for our commercial. This is due to the long intro of instrumentals that is soothing and would match the aesthetic an Apple product would appeal to. When importing the audio file into Movie I experienced trouble transferring the audio file to an MP3. I sought help from my group mate and was able to solve this problem. After picking a song our next goal is to pick an Apple PNG logo. The original logo was too basic and with editing service, it was hard to add the Apple Logo to the video without the placement being awkward or visually displeasing. This is a challenge we struggled with and in the future, we plan to overcome this but for the time being, we made alterations. We decided on using a black background screen and Apple outline commonly used.

Excellence in Every Take

Today was the start of our editing.  Last class, we finalized our production and were ecstatic to start filming. After a successful filming process, my group and I were ready to edit. before editing, I shared several ideas on sound effects, background music, and different transitions we could use in our commercial. The software used to assist us in editing was Imovie. Software provided on all Apple Products, including Macbooks. When all scenes we filmed were uploaded into Imovie I noticed that our commercial was too long. Reevaluating the scenes I suggested that we shorten the intro wide shot to be shorter in time. Cutting the length of that and the following of our actor lucy was typing was very beneficial for our ending product. Consistently rewatching scenes over and over to see if they flowed well was something that helped me a lot. By doing this I noticed that some scenes could be perceived as awkward or too slow. To solve this problem in scenes like our actor lucy walking I shortened it in time and also sped up her stroll. Even though Jacob was our designated editor since he is best at it I assisted him a lot. Jacob and I collaborated to see everything come together. Seeing my vision while filming comes together while editing. During the short period, we had of class I discussed what I wanted to get started on for the next class. This discussion was necessary to provide editing ideas and allow our group work to flow smoothly. Next class, we will get started on our ending scene. Picking out or logo, slogan, and background music is crucial to our commercial. Since these aspects of the film makes such an impact on our work we haven't made a finalized decision on what we should do. Next class my goal is to research some fitting logos and slogans that go well with the concept of a MacBook.

Trouble in Paradise

Hello everyone! The filming process has been very hectic. Constantly reevaluating shots we have already taken our group reviewed our past works. Acknowledging the possibility of retaking some of the scenes since the prior shots weren't perfect. So we made sure our actors brought a change of clothes since we decided it would be best to not confuse the viewers with a random wardrobe change. After analyzing our filming area and the surrounding media studies students we came to conclusion that it would be best to change location and film inside of class instead. Filming outside tends to cause trouble due to the attention we get from other students and faculty. In addition to the fact that our filming period is also during lunch. With these various variables in our past production period it caused some scenes to be sloppy. This change of plans made filming a lot easier for us in the classroom. Although the classroom did come with problems on its own with so many students there we persevered. Having to direct all over again with a different environment was difficult. Surrounding students were loud and we no longer had a storyboard to follow.  The volume in our classroom was intense and our thoughts were hard to process and make clear. This complicated the filming process a lot. Finally over it my group tried to follow the storyboard as much as I can rather than coming up with new ideas on the spot., After retaking various scenes I concluded that our original shots were better. After finalizing everything we gathered all of our bests shot and forwarded them to our editor Jacob to get started on next class. As I have previously said in my introductory blog i have always had a passion for editing. The cutting, adding of sound effects and transitions always interested me. I can't wait to see the commercial come to its finalization.

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.