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:

-Group Meeting-

☆ Group Meeting ☆

The group meetings that took place in class today (3/12) had a significant contribution to the development of my Portfolio Project. During our discussions, my group members and I were able to receive and give each other feedback on all aspects of our project, not only the film opening, but also our ideas that are in development about the creative critical reflection. It allowed for a fresh perspective and aided in the refinements that were made to our projects. 

During the meeting, my group members and I started by sharing the outline of our openings as well as our ideas in progress about the ways in which we will approach the creative critical reflection- such as the formatting. We discussed the progress of our opening, some challenges that came across, as well as our final touches as we approach our final products. We shared with each other what we have so far, providing a visual display of the work in progress that is taking place over the editing platforms. We offered commentary about specifics of each person's project such as editing choices and cinematography. It was extremely beneficial to collaborate during the meeting as it allowed for reflection and revision.

One of the more prominently effective components within the group meeting discussion was the feedback exchange. We offered constructive criticism to each other, offering not only items to be improved, but also items that were done well and were effective to our projects. We also discussed our creative critical reflection ideas. This allowed me to brainstorm certain aspects- especially the format that it will take place. Before the group meetings I was completely unsure of my approach to formatting the CCR, but now, I feel reassured and I have a better idea about how I will approach this portion of the project. 

Creative Critical Reflection Question 1

★ Creative Critical Reflection Question 1 ★

Question 1 -How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?-

In approaching this question, there are multiple items to consider. The first is conventions of the genre, more specifically for my film opening, this would mean the conventions of a thriller. Research on conventions of thriller genres was completed in one of the earlier blog posts- which aids in the smoothness of this process. The next thing that should be considered is the ways in which genre conventions in my own film opening were either embraced, challenged, or both. For my piece, I would approach this section by addressing the use of juxtaposition and the way that without the elements of audio, my opening could not thoroughly be categorized as a thriller to the extent that it does. The last thing that the first question will include is discussion of representation. More precisely, the choices made in the way that individuals, groups, events, or issues are illustrated within the production. For my film opening, this would mean due to my 1950s setting, the way in which the woman is oblivious to the conman's deception demonstrates the heavy reliance on men resulting in trust where it is not due. This would represent some of the issues within society during this time era. It would also address individuals- the way in which people are perceived compared to the reality.  

In address to the conman's deception, there are many contributing factors into the way that not only how he is so deceiving- but also how Darlene, the central character is unaware of it. One of the major developmental factors is within the audio element of the voice over in which the conman reads the letter that he sent to Darlene. The phrases have an underlying tone that serves as a contributor to the eeriness of the tone, such as the way he talks about running away often and some business that he is required to attend to. Another, more minor detail is the image on the wanted poster. To ensure naturalism within the opening, the photo is more of a "paparazzi" photo rather than staged, but without knowledge, he appears to be an average man and does not look a criminal- one of the major tactics of a conman. Other factors that contribute to the accentuation of this "issue" is Darlene's innocent nature. She is a young girl, which contributes to her naive nature. Her lack of questioning within the letter as he speaks in such a manner that is not normal is what really emphasizes the problem that persists within the film opening. All of these factors are definitely worth addressing within the production of question one of the Creative Critical Reflection. 

Post - Production Post #2

 Post - Production Post #2

As the editing process approaches finalization, one of the final steps to achieving the final product is curating the credit sequence portion and inserting the audio elements. These final steps are what make the opening whole. 

Inserting the Audio Elements

The two primary sources of audio within my opening- the suspenseful, thriller music and the voice over of the conman- are what shape the entirety of the film opening. The music is what shapes the genre of thriller- without the opening is not genre characterized- due to my technique of utilizing juxtaposition to develop the setting and tone. The voice over is also a crucial element due to the added context and eerie tone as the conman's phrases serve as subtle hints at his deceptive nature. The added elements of both of these sources of audio are what finalize my project in the context portion. 

Editing Part Two- Designing the Credit Sequence

The credit sequence is required to reflect the 1950s aesthetic, so the font for the title was carefully selected among several, demonstrated in one of my previous blog postings. Simultaneously, the credit sequence could not distract from the visuals that occurred previously, so an impactful yet undistracted sequence must be created. The first step was downloading the font and applying it to Premiere Pro. This step was challenging, as I do not have any previous experience utilizing custom fonts. So, many YouTube videos later, I finally was able to insert the font! The next step was curating the credits such as director, actors, etc. This part required some research as well- as the order of these has patterns within the genre of thrillers had to be represented. There are other elements that also emphasize the thriller genre within the credit sequence such as the way in which the credits are displayed- within color and/ or movement. The research for all of this is highlighted within one of my first blog postings as it was a beneficial element to keep in mind in the development of the entirety of the opening. Here is a visual representation of the beginning of the credit sequence of my film opening: 

Adobe in a Minute. (2016, October 11). Premiere Pro CC : How to add new fonts [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bHVHjmKX1s

The Adobe Guide. (2024, June 8). How to add new fonts to Premiere Pro | Quick tutorial [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOvfSYex3js

Adobe Made Simple. (2024, October 5). How to ADD FONTS in Premiere Pro [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebZSB7wvzNI

Costume Creation

 Costume Creation 

The costuming process of Darlene's character will define not only her character, but the setting of the film opening as it is set within the 1950s. Every detail that exists within Darlene's costuming choices is to reflect her innocence and youthfulness as well as the styles in the 1950s. Every element that was chosen contributed to the enhancement of the visual storytelling within my film opening. 

The Dress

One of the main aspects of costuming Darlene is the dress. It is a vintage inspired, pastel blue, small white striped, puffed sleeved short dress. The small details of the dress combined contribute to the overall effectiveness of the dress. Not only does the dress match with the 1950s styles that I aimed to represent, but it defines Darlene's character as the dress is shorter, indicating youthfulness, and it has puffed sleeves that emphasize her feminine look. A sense of contrast is also present within the dress as the pastel color clashes against the darker elements that surround the narrative's themes. (The dress is visually represented in the pre-production post on the mise-en-scene element of costuming that I completed in a previous blog.)

The Addition Of A Pearl Necklace

A spontaneous decision that I made as I got ready in the morning of filming day was the addition of a pearl necklace. Initially, I had not planned on encorporating jewelry, but after doing a thorough amount of research on mise-en-scene elements that existed within the 1950s, I found a common pattern of pearl jewelry. Elegance was emphasized within the overall look of Darlene's costuming, making the choice effective. It also added a touch of femininity, reinforcing elements that I aimed to create within her character. 

Post - Production Post #1

 Post- Production Post #1

Editing Process Part One

The editing portion within filmmaking is an essential process allowing for a cohesive piece to be developed, emphasizing the raw footage. The first phase within the editing process is importing the clips and developing timing of each clip to establish seamlessness. The application Adobe Premiere Pro was what I utilized to organize the footage as well as cut them to the correct timing that portrays the opening the most efficiently. 

Importing/Organizing Clips

The initial step prior to the start of the editing process is reviewing the footage from my phone and selecting the clips that I will use for the final opening. This is crucial because during the shooting process, I ensured to record multiple takes of the same shots in order to allow myself options within the editing process. The actual editing process then began at Adobe Premiere Pro where I imported all of the raw footage into the app and dragged it over in the order that correlates to my storyboard. Once the clips were arranged in sequential order, the process of trimming each shot to the correct length began. This step is extremely crucial to visual storytelling within the thriller genre especially due to the heavy reliance on timing to create an unsettling tone. I examined each take ensuring that the opening transitions smoothly and that the overall flow is maintained. 

Here is a visual representation of the beginning of my editing process:

Refinements

While going through the first portion of the editing process, I paid strict attention to the timing. Due to the reliance on visuals within my film rather than dialogue, I had to ensure that the pacing of each clip was correct. I ensured to pay attention to longer clips within the facial expressions of the central character, Darlene in order to portray her pure innocence and naive nature as well as the zoom into the wanted poster as it required longer on screen time to accomodate to the viewers reading the titles and to emphasize the chilling tone that I aimed to create within my film opening. 

Shooting Process

✦ Shooting Process ✦

The Production Process

The production portion of my Portfolio Project is the result of strategic planning and preparation. Each detail has been finalized to play a role in the process of shooting the actual film in order for the filming to go smoothly. Every small detail from prop creation to recording of the voice over will collectively work together to ensure the shooting process to be effective in its portrayal of character and setting within my film opening. 

Preparation

The night before filming, in order to be prepared, I organized the props in order to give myself a clear visual representation of how the set would look. Utilizing a cork board, I pinned the wanted poster and other advertising papers to ensure that it would look exactly how I visualized. This gave me a chance to plan the placement of the papers before arriving on set to film. Additionally, I printed the love letter and folded it into thirds, resembling the way in which it would be folded to fit into an envelope, adding some wear so that it does not look like a freshly printed paper. This contributes greatly to the realism that I aimed to create within my film opening. 

Another portion of the pre filming phase is the recording of the voice over. The voice over is a portrayal of the conman within the film who reads over the love letter. This is effective because it gives the conman a presence within the film without his existence within the visual elements of the film. The recording portion of the voice over consisted of trial and error, but it came together in the end very well. Though it took time, the realism and smoothness was perfected, adding to the authenticity within the film. The recording was done by my brother which was a major help, he was very patient with me even when it took some time to be perfected, which I am extremely grateful for! The recording of the voice over taking place before shooting was done on purpose in order for me to pace certain shots within the filming process. 

⭒ Filming Day ⭒

The morning of the shoot, I began getting ready using YouTube tutorials on vintage style hair and makeup in order to contribute further to the realism present of representing the 1950s era accurately. After, I dressed in my pastel blue, striped dress and white flats to fully bring together Darlene's feminine and innocent look. 

We arrived at the park early in the morning, in order to minimize the chance of interruption by people as well as to take advantage of the soft, morning light as this is a contributing factor in two major elements within my film- juxtaposition in visual and auditory elements and the correlation that surrounds Darlene's innocence, naiveness, and youthfulness. After searching for a location within the park, I finally landed on the perfect spot that brought just the right amount of sunlight that I was in search for. Rather than filming in a shaded area, a more open sunlit area was chosen as this lighting, though more difficult to avoid shadowing while filming, elevated the nostalgic, 1950s atmosphere by adding a sense of delicacy. 

After posting the wanted poster to a nearby tree, I was satisfied with my decision to print a couple other ads that were to surround it because it added a naturalistic effect. Due to my inability to film the opening myself, because I serve as the actress for Darlene, my parents aided in recording shots. My parents had a very well execution in the filming process, which I am very grateful for, especially considering the heat. This process went significantly smoother due to the storyboard, providing a visual representation of the shots to my parents due to their lack of knowledge on shots and angles. The storyboard was definitely a crucial element in the shooting process, a lack of this would have resulted in a significantly less effective filming process.

Here are a few behind the scenes images of the filming process:

During shooting, an unplanned, but effective element came in place. As I walked under the tree in which the wanted poster is displayed, a contrast between sunlight and shade created a successful tone shift, bringing about some sense of erriness within the element of lighting. This also served as a symbol of the conman's lasting presence upon the film opening, with the unintentional shift in lighting that presented opportunity for a more elevated sense within the visual storytelling as well as within the suspenseful elements. 

Post Filming

After filming, I carefully took down the papers that I had posted up on the tree. Before leaving the filming location, I looked back on some of the footage to ensure that the shots went smoothly. This gave me a sense of reassurance, as all of the shots were perfect and matched exactly how I envisioned them to be. 

Jackie Wyers. (2018, September 19). allie hamilton “the notebook” vintage hairstyles | 40’s [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYu9alV1rZs

Zabrena. (2014, August 18). Historically accurate: 1950s makeup tutorial [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asq-cojjnTU

Storyboard

☆ Storyboarding ☆

The Storyboarding Process

Within the process of development of the Portfolio Project film opening, one of the most important steps is storyboarding. Storyboarding provides a visual representation of exactly which shots and angles will be utilized within the film. It serves as guidance in not only planning, but a guided outline for the actual filmmaking process- within the production. For my film opening, I utilized storyboarding to organize my ideas and ensure that my techniques are informed and make sense within the development of the film. My film opening, in specific, is unique in the way that the tone is required to pertain to the 1950s setting that the film is set within. The storyboarding process aided in this in the way that all of these elements are displayed visually. 

 

Here is the storyboard for my project:

Updates After Shooting
The shooting process for my film definitely was driven by the storyboard. The process was extremely smooth as I had my plan outlined visually. As each shot was already planned and served a purpose in development, as I was shooting, there was some assurement as to what I was recorded was contributing to a well planned final product. The storyboard, as it is physical, I was able to take it with me while filming. This was a major aid because I served as the actress in the film, therefore I was not able to record it. The visual representation helped in giving the cinematographers- who do not know these shots and angles- a good idea of how they look.