Tuesday, October 29, 2024

#4 Our 30-second Creation!

 My first official video...😖

For our first video assignment, we were tasked in creating a 30-second silent film with a cohesive plot. We were able to work with a partner, individually or someone outside of the class (as background characters).

The first step of this video was to create a storyboard with the plot, the camera shots used, and the number of scenes. This was particularly my favorite portion because of my love for writing (and wanting to create the most creative plots). 



The plus to the video, is that sounds (synchronous/non-synchronous) can be included into the film, so it is entertaining and understandable (and for the audience to be immersed in the video)




So, what did I do?


I decided on creating a film called "The Dish", which conveyed a story of a chef stressfully cooking for a critic and delivering it to him. I was inspired by Ratatouille and my parents' career in the food industry, and since we were making dinner the day of recording, it was perfect. 

For the video I had my brother, and my father help me with recording, and have my brother feature as the infamous critic. 

For the video, it began in my kitchen with an over-the shoulder shot to see the food and stress of the situation just off the body language.  The second scene comprised of a mid- shot establishing a new character, the critic. (dun dun dun...). The third scene was from a high angle to show the finished product, and it was handheld, to emphasize shaky/nervous feeling of the chef. The fourth scene was at a low angle, two-shot, with focus on the critic to make him seem demeaning or scary. The fifth scene was a close up on the critic, taking a bite out of the food, and to see the expressions on his face. The sixth and final scene is another two-shot with the chef initially questioning whether critic liked it or not, yet the critic gave her the nod of approval, which led the chef to jump in join. 


Another important aspect was the sound, from the title music to the beating drums indicating extreme stress, and the joyful/congratulating music in the end, lets the audience be immersed in the film. It was all synchronous sound, emphasizing what the creator (myself) was trying to convey 

Here are some more pictures on how the story board came out:









How it came out!

Since I had done this project with my father and brother, there came a lot of bloopers and mistakes...

for example, the kitchen scene took the longest (since my brother is shorter than me...getting the correct shot took some work) 





Another scene, of the chef delivering the food, my brother kept on LAUGHING. Don't get me wrong it was a fun process, but it was JUST.MOVING. FOOD. Like, c'mon we have to be professionals around here. 




Although there are some design and framing elements i would change/add, I feel good with the final product...Take a look! 😊


Saturday, October 26, 2024

#3 Our Digital Notebook !

 Now this is life…Canva…


When I heard how we are taking our notes for this class, my face actually lit up. Instead of the usual notetaking method, Ms.Ortiz (our media studies teacher) opted to assign a digital notebook. 


To create this digital notebook we use the great app called CANVA (this is not a paid promotion, totally wish it was…sponsor me Canva). This assignment not only calls for the notes and correct information from the textbook but CREATIVITY. Thank you Ms.Ortiz




The HomePage…


The first step towards creating this notebook is the homepage, this is what captures the audience (or Ms.ortiz or anyone who she shows it to.) A little “me” plug, Ms.Ortiz had actually shown my notebook to the author of the current AICE Media Studies textbook during her training, which i find very exciting. Enough about me, back to this notebook...


The homepage had to consist of a title, all units (8) with links to a page for each, and some imagery.

And this is how mine came out:







Each Unit...


So, for the notes themselves, they are housed in the pages of our quote unquote website. Each page has about 8,000 px (pixels) of length, large enough for each chapter, right? Nope. At least not for me i can be a try hard at times. My first chapter/ unit fit in the page WITH SPACE, then came along 2.2... This dealt with everything about camera shots, angle, frames, and composition, which is VERY CRUCIAL information. I just thought to put as much as i can onto the page, because *cough* *cough* i am a try hard. 

Well, it all came in handy because Ms.Ortiz said she loved how it looked, and asked if she could use it as an example (oh yeahhhh...-this was said not sarcastically)


The Gallery / Walkthrough

Doing a little flashback, after completing our first chapter, we had to "check out" everyone's homepage and how the notebook is coming out. [I will be honest, I was just ready to finish my work and go home, but I kept on], so I turned my tablet around (device I was using at the time), so people can see and i was wondering as to why, no one stopped to look at mine, until one girl came up and said, "where's yours" to which I replied "right here, of course..." because obviously that's the only place it can be, but turns out my tablet was off almost half the time... (embarrassing...); although, when I turned its back on (and ensured it did for the rest of the time), people said it looked great and professional, I call that a win. 

This is how it looks so far...





I can't wait to continue this notebook and see the completed look later.... 

Friday, October 25, 2024

#2 Analysis of Film Opening!

 

Analysis of film opening

To further drive my Harry Potter obsession…


In class a  few days ago, we were tasked with analyzing an opening of a film, and of course I chose what I knew best, Harry Potter. (Specifically Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ). 

The task consisted of watching the two minutes of a film opening and to analyze the camera shots, angles, and compositions, a perfect assignment for this class. 


Initially…


I was confident in knowing the movie and that this task will be soooo easy (girly– you thought wrong). Once i began rewatching the movie, it clicked to me how complex and so much stuff it has JUST IN 2 MINUTES.




 It's an amazing movie don’t get me wrong, and i had a blast watching it and writing so much about it, but i ended up filling TWO COLLEGE.RULED. SHEETS OF PAPER.BACK-TO-BACK MAY I ADD– My hand was out for the count after that. 







Throughout the assignment…


There was a realization on why the director made the choices he did. (yes i made sure the director is a guy). The establishing shot or really a black screen, was to symbolize the dangers coming, but if i have never been in this class (or watch the movie), that would’ve been overlooked. 


Another realization was how important the ministry of magic scene was. The extreme close ups and shallow focus on the minister (leader/man performing monologue), made the scene more intense, it brought more importance to the subject at hand. Additionally, a camera shot that also gave hints towards the future plot in the movie was the one facing the minister’s back. This (from what I learned), represents hiding. There is something that is hidden from the audience, and from some people in the film and it will be revealed to the audience later. 


Final Thoughts…


I want to do another assignment such as this just so i can examine further different films and TV shows of my choice (honestly, I just might do another Harry Potter movie). I am excited to further my skills in media analysis, more so than already, because tbh [to be honest] every time i am watching a certain show/commercial/movie/tik Tok/YouTube video, I am analyzing the choices and effect of those choices. 


Sneak Peek (well, not really) ...

Here is a link to the movie opening, and I hope you see how great it is (it will be great)! Enjoy and see you next time!


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (pt.1)



#40 CCR Pt.2 !!

 Here is the link to the Canva presentation:  https://www.canva.com/design/DAGjoWwIWP0/6nZDE6Ch8uFFcYFw0Y5A6Q/edit?utm_content=DAGjoWwIWP0...