Film Opening and Creative Critical Reflection ⭑ Links ⭑

⭑ Film Opening and Creative Critical Reflection Links ⭑ 

After months of planning, filming, and editing, my Portfolio Projects is finally complete! This entire journey has given me a new perspective upon the way in which filmmaking is done- from strategically framing the shots within my film opening to creating an in depth analysis within my Creative Critical Reflection. Within each stage of this project- researching, producing, and editing- I have been given the great opportunity to gain skills in various areas- from creating a historically accurate piece to using the Premiere Pro editing software. 

This final blog is purposed to be a collection of my filmmaking throughout the Portfolio Project. My film opening and Creative Critical Reflection videos are linked below. I hope you enjoy watching as much as I enjoyed making it!  

The Fine Print Film Opening

Curtains Drawn Podcast CCR

The Silver Screen Show Interview CCR

  

Final Reflection

 ⭒ Final Reflection ⭒

As the Portfolio Project comes near to the end, I would like to reflect over the entire process- from the very start within the stages of research to the final conclusion within the production and editing of the Creative Critical Reflection videos. This project arose from a concept- one idea that sparked, and then was turned into on entire production that has shaped my journey as a first time filmmaker. 

The Film Opening "The Fine Print"

The film opening that this project revolves around requires careful planning and quick problem solving. Darlene's character development, the prominence of visual storytelling over auditory storytelling, and the incorporation of dramatic irony within my film opening create an engaging production. All of the choices that were made within the entire process- pre production, production, and post production were were done on purpose to not only reinforce the thriller genre, but also to maintain an authentic 1950s setting. 

During the production process, adaptations were made. Working toward maintaining authenticity within set design, choosing costuming that truly reflects the 1950s era, and final touches within pre production such as the addition of a pearl necklace to the costuming of Darlene's character- reflect the demand that filmmaking requires. A skill of the most prominence that I developed within the production of my film opening is quick and effective problem solving. Within the filming process alone, I was required to ensure framing was correct, stability of the camera was effective, and the lighting was how I intended. 

Creative Critical Reflections 

The two Creative Critical Reflection videos that I produced allowed for in-depth analysis and reflection upon my film opening. It allowed me to go into detail about not only the creation of the opening, but on a deeper level exploring the ways in which it is a part of a broader area of ideas- such as the issues that it represents. For the first CCR, I conducted a podcast in which I incorporated both visual and auditory media sources to elevate its engaging tone. Within this CCR, I discussed genre conventions of thrillers and audience engagement. The second CCR had an in-depth commitment to the vintage atmosphere, emulating my film opening. To achieve the styling of a 1950s TV interview that I aimed for, it included not only the black and white filter, but a sign reading the title of the show, "The Silver Screen Show", era appropriate costuming with the black dress and black button up, and props such as a vase of flowers. These decisions created a full circle connection to the film opening as they shaped my reflection process in not only what the audience hears, but also what they see. 

Skills Gained Throughout Portfolio Project

Throughout the Portfolio Project, I gained a stronger understanding of visual and auditory storytelling, cinematography, and editing. I expanded my knowledge significantly on the platform Adobe Premiere Pro as I utilized it greatly throughout this project for editing. I utilized the platform for trimming audio and video, overlaying visual elements, and overall to create an engaging piece in both my film opening as well as my Creative Critical Reflection videos. The research that surrounded both the film opening and CCRs helped in my understanding of the strategic effort that is required in filmmaking- how every small detail that seems insignificant is actually extremely significant. 

Creative Critical Reflection Post-Production

⭒ Creative Critical Reflection Post-Production ⭒

The Editing Process

The editing process for my creative critical reflection videos is crucial to bringing together all of the elements of my project. I strived to produce a reflection that is engaging, refined, and reflective of certain aspects from my film opening, stylistically. From edits in audio recordings to adding in video sources, each step in the editing process was done strategically to create an effective reflection. 

Trimming the Audio

The step to begin the editing process was trimming the audio recordings. This aided in ensuring that the responses were clear and were rid of any pauses that were unintentional and in enhancing the clarity by making sure the recordings were paced well. The major importance in this step comes from the requirement for strong responses within the answering portion of the creative critical reflection questions, so clarity was crucial. 

Here is the process of trimming the audio recordings:

Importing/ Structuring in Premiere Pro

After the editing was complete on the audio files, I then imported them to Premiere Pro. During this process, there was a lot more ease added as I named my audio recordings in the order at which they belonged, so when it came to importing them, there were no confusions. For both CCR's I aligned the visual elements to be in line with the audio, precisely in order to create cohesion and clarity. Though this was an extra step, it is definitely necessary so that the audio has a heightened level of clarity. 

Here is what the editing process on Premiere Pro looked for the audio and visual elements: 

Refining the Visuals

    TV Interview 

For the 1950s television interview style CCR video, I wanted to fully emulate these vintage elements by paying attention to detail in order to achieve authenticity in the time period. To do this, I converted the colors of the videos to black and white to enhance the accuracy of the interview. I also designed a sign for the background of the show with a vintage inspired font to reinforce the authentic set design as if it is a real 1950s talk show. This sign is demonstrated in my previous blog on my production process. These elements blend together to create an immersed 1950s atmosphere and aid in the selling point of the time in which it is set to be filmed.  

    

    Podcast

For the podcast video of my CCR, I focused on the addition of visuals to maintain audience engagements. As podcasts can become quite bland, the use of clips from not only my film opening, but other film openings such as one that I utilized from The Shining in comparison with the elements that are present within my own film opening. I strived to place the media in areas of the podcast where it would not be overly distracting and where they would create an elevated sense of reinforcement to the points that I made throughout the podcast. 

Creative Critical Reflection Production Process

 ⭒ CCR Production Process ⭒

For my creative critical reflection, in order to immerse the audience fully, conducting a 1950s style television interview provided a way to reinforce the areas that defined my film opening. To achieve this, I strategically designed my set, costuming, and props to replicate that of a vintage interview, reinforcing a feel of an extension to my film opening. 

Designing the Set

In order to create an authentic 1950s style interview, I created a sign, utilizing Canva, that reads: "The Silver Screen Show". The sign serves as a backdrop and elevates the overall set. Though simple, it adds a sense of realism and reinforces the era. Positioning the sign on the wall behind the desk in the center draws attention to it, aiding in creating a focal point for the audience. To make sure that the desk did not look too bland, I made sure to add a few details. I added a flower lamp that emits warm light, which enhances the vintage feel and some flowers in a vase to elevate the set. 

Here is one of the images of the 1950s television interviews that I referenced to design my set: 

 

Here is a visual representation of the sign that I made:

To create this set, it required me to move my room around quite a bit. I wanted to film on an empty and larger wall, so I had to move my bed to the other side of my room and put my desk in the area in which the interview and podcast will be conducted. 

 

Before

After

Costuming

To further reinforce the 1950s, vintage setting, I carefully selected the costuming in order to correlate with this. I wore a black, strapless, cinched at the waist silhouette dress which carries out the styles that existed in the 1950s. This adds a heightened amount of realism to my Creative Critical Reflection. 

The Filming Process

The 1950s style interview was the first portion that I filmed. My brother served as the host of the show and I was being interviewed. The filming went smoothly and I feel that the use of the microphone aided a lot in the quality of the audio when I listened back to it. I ensured to incorporate a variety of shots in order to maintain interest in the interview, avoiding blandness. 

The podcast portion was the next portion that I filmed. To emulate the true conventions of a podcast, I ensured that I included a portion to act as a sponsor of the episode. Of course, the sponsored advertisement is related to the attributes of the film opening. There was no change in the shot throughout the entirety of the podcast because after watching solo podcast, this trend was apparent throughout many. The filming process for the podcast overall, also went smoothly. 

Here is a visual representation of the advertisement that I created to appear on screen while I narrate the advertisement:

Eyes Of A Generation.com. (2016, October 23). TeleTales #90. . .The Real Beauty Of The RCA TK30 - Eyes Of A Generation. . .Television's Living History. Eyes of a Generation. . .Television’s Living History. https://eyesofageneration.com/teletales-90-the-real-beauty-of-the-rca-tk30-notice-the-lighting-in-this-1/

Creative Critical Reflection Question 4

✧ Creative Critical Reflection Question 4 ✧

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

The role of technology in the creation of my film opening is a major aspect of reflection. As I answer the question- How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?, the utilization of various tools can be addressed in connection to the ways in which they shaped the entirety of the final product of my film opening. 

Here are my notes that I used to create my outline: 

Breaking Down my Approach

• Planning/Pre Production-  

-Canva for the creation of major props- the love letter, wanted poster, and use within the credit sequences-- allowing me to ensure an authentic vintage, 1950s atmosphere

- Research elements such as websites that allowed for me to view archives-such as the love letter- to elevate my understanding of the era in order to refine my filmmaking process

- Blogging and peer feedback sessions that aided in the process of my approach to the project during the planning portion

• Production Process-  Hardware and Filming

- No use of hardware within filming, but it was done on an iPhone 16 camera -- image quality elevated compared to older models 

- Natural lighting techniques-- such as the shooting into the light to create a lens flare in one shot to create an emphasized dreamy look to enhance the juxtaposition 

• Post Production Process-  Editing/Sound

- Use of Premiere Pro-- refining pacing and adding audio elements to create an enhanced version of the visual storytelling

- Integration of 1950s- inspired fonts within the production to enhance realism present

- Layering of music and voice-over and adjustments that were made to the volume, strategically creating a balance-- in order to maintain suspense without excluding the content of the voice over

Technology served as a significant portion of my process of creating my film opening. Discussing the ways in which I utilized the different tools and platforms and how they contributed to the final product will provide a large reflection on the ways that my project came together as a whole. This question aids in tying together my entire experience while working on the Portfolio Project as it shows the way that technological aspects are crucial to the filmmaking process, giving insight to how real world productions are made and the strategic steps that are followed to ensure a successful film. 

Here is my script for the question 3 & 4 of the Creative Critical Reflection, it will be in an interview form. 

Creative Critical Reflection Question 3

⭑ Creative Critical Reflection Question 3 ⭑

Question 3 -How did your production skills develop throughout this project?- 

As the finalization of the Portfolio Project is near, one of the most significant areas of reflection is present within question three of the Creative Critical Reflection- How did your production skills develop throughout this project? This question allows for a thorough reflection from the beginning stages of research and planning to the final product of my film opening. This question will be reserved for the last question that I answer due to the natural transition into the finalization of the entirety of the Portfolio Project. Due to the ways that this question captures the essence of the entirety of the project, this decision can be reinforced. By structuring it this way, my CCR can come to a full circle, resolving ending, and I feel that this is the best way to approach this project's reflection portion. 

Breaking Down My Approach

In order to remain organized within approaching this question and planning the script, I will address each section within my project and evaluate the ways in which my skills were built upon. Here are the notes I utilized in order to create this outline: 

• Research and Planning:  The initial research within my project into thriller genre and 1950s era. The ways in which my decisions were shaped by the research. Putting emphasis on researching genre conventions, historical elements, and techniques within filmmaking- whether visual or auditory, will aid in the creation of authenticity.
• Production Challenges & Adapting:  The way in which my original plans shifted during production process- such as adjustment in shooting locations and refining the choices in props, which occurred in order to maintain realism. Discussion of the ways that problem solving and decision making are major aspects of the filmmaking process and how they guided my growth within this process. 
• Post- Production Process:  The process that I experienced using Premiere Pro- as someone with no experience using the platform outside of AICE Media. The skills that I developed within editing will be discussed within this question of the CCR. Portions of the film like the credit sequence, balancing music and voice over, and other editing techniques that I built upon will also be addressed as they shaped the entirety of the opening. 
• Final Reflection:  Comparing the start of the project and where I am currently at and how this experience shaped the ways in which I have grown in result of this project. 

Creative Critical Reflection Question 2

✦ Creative Critical Reflection Question 2 ✦

Question 2 -How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?-

In addressing this question, there are two areas to be considered: engagement with the audience and distribution practices apparent within my film opening.

The first step in outlining the audience engagement is identifying the target audience of my film opening. The research on the target audience of my opening is detailed within one of my previous blog postings. This is what I will utilize for reference in answering this question. My opening naturally resonates with the pre- existing advocates for the thriller genre, although with the addition of the retro setting- having it set in the 1950s- the audience is widened, appealing to fans of classic cinema as well. 

Past identification of the target audience, analyzing the ways in which my film opening engages the audience is required. The use of dramatic irony, in the way that the audience is provided more information than the central character Darlene, accentuates the suspenseful elements present. The audience is able to recognize the conman's deception while Darlene remains unaware demonstrated through the visual element of the wanted poster where by Darlene walks past, unattentively. The use of this within my film opening brings a deepened audience connection as the audience becomes invested.  

The second part of this question involves how my film would realistically be distributed. Due to my film being new and independent, it would not be released widely in theatres. Realistically, a more practical approach in distribution would be through platforms such as YouTube and Vimeo, which allow for the posting of these projects and would make accessible to audiences. In addition, another threshold for releasing this project would be through smaller streaming services that release amateur films. Another intriguing option for distribution is a smaller, independent theatre that releases smaller films. This would provide the classic cinematic experience while maintaining realistic in distribution practices for this smaller film. 

Here is my script for the question 1 & 2 of the Creative Critical Reflection, it will be in a podcast form. 

As far as the podcast format goes, I will record it within a video rather than audio in order to elevate the engagement. I will utilize a microphone that I own. It looks similar to this: