PROJECT:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Qn3B_wtg3OgPfwJnNiPNBDFIKV6Xb1Vu/view?usp=sharing
CCR #1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cNw3roXwk_ulIdLzr6ZKQOQEli9uwn8-/view?usp=sharing
CCR#2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eesokqust2B0zvhpEs169cNsGHYZuGzF/view?usp=sharing
For my second CCR, I opted to do something more formal and traditional interview. That way, I could sit down and actually break down everything about how I created the film, from development to editing. I was really specific about how my technical proficiency increased as I went along with the project, especially since I started out not knowing much technical stuff. Understanding how to edit, get the shot right, and build tension using lighting were all large parts of my development as a filmmaker. I also reviewed how different technologies helped the project along, from camera equipment and lighting setups to post-production software and internet resources that helped me learn new techniques. One of the advantages of this format was that it permitted me to keep my answers tidy, making sure that I thoroughly explained my creative choices and how they were used in the thriller-action genre. It wasn't as fast-paced as my TikTok-formatted CCR, but it gave me the space to think about the project as a whole and to convey my ideas in a more detailed and analytical way. Overall, completing both versions gave me an equal avenue of presenting my work—one more enjoyable and lively, while the other provided depth and comprehension of the whole film process!
For my one of my CCRs, I thought instead of just having a sit-down interview straight-up, I'd do something different. One of the largest ways people are consuming content now is short-form type stuff, so I thought it'd be neat to make my CCR more TikTok-style-ish! I worded it as if someone was going to just bang on my door and begin questioning me about my film release, like those quick and informal street interviews. This helped make it not so scripted and spontaneous, but it remained engaging and still hit all of the major points. I wanted audiences to feel as if they were being brought in on the conversation, so that the answers sounded more organic and compelling. Since thrillers are all about tension and pace, I enjoyed that this kind of interview actually did reflect the tone of my film in a really cool way. And social media is such a huge part of how movies get promoted now, so it was an easy decision to do a CCR in this kind of environment. It was such a groundbreaking way of completing the required questions in a fun and interactive manner!
During our last group session, we went through all the work of every member since the deadline is approaching. Candelaria, who was ahead in her project, showed her film opening and received positive feedback. The team liked the timing of the inserts and how the music complemented, although we suggested altering the font of the credits. Candelaria also shared her Creative Critical Reflection (CCR) idea, wherein she would play Dorothy from *The Wizard of Oz* and walk along a yellow brick road, describing her project, with characters representing her team members. We all enjoyed it as a fun and creative way.
Sofia, who is editing and filming, informed us that she's had some difficulty with her story but is adapting. She's going to do her CCR in her character's point of view, which we all thought was a wonderful and fitting choice because her character is an investigator. Sofia also explained the process of her title lettering, which actually turned out well and was just right for her film's atmosphere.
Alexis and Lucia were going about finalizing their concepts for their CCRs, and Alexis was contemplating making a documentary type of video. Both knew they needed to get some shooting in, so I suggested they just go ahead and get their clips done as soon as possible to give them extra time to edit and work on their CCRs. The meeting went well, and great to see everyone supporting one another's work and ideas.
Technology was implemented in every aspect of our production, from preparation through the last cut. While shooting, we utilized a camera to get good images, and clear images despite our poorly lit setting. Because we filmed our first movie in a night garage, we had a problem with lighting and were forced to incorporate various forms of lighting technology to create a spooky yet visually clear setting. We utilized LED panel lights and dimmed their brightness to avoid overexposure but yet maintain the thriller atmosphere. Additionally, practical light sources, i.e., porch lamp, were utilized to make the scene realistic as well as suspenseful. To get static shots in the event of an extreme emergency, we utilized a tripod but also employed deliberate handheld panning to convey the panic of the escape scene. From an auditory point of view, we utilized off-camera microphones as opposed to the camera's onboard audio in an attempt to achieve better dialogue and ambient sound quality.
Foley effects were also crucial in the film—after filming, we incorporated additional sound effects such as footsteps, heavy breathing, and struggling noises to enhance it all the more thrilling. We edited the sequence using [editing software] in the post-production process and experimented with various cutting patterns to build suspense. Quick cuts, sound layering, and color grading were employed to give the thriller-action sensation. Online courses were also very much a part of the project. We discovered thriller tropes on websites and online tutorials, color grading effects to add to the look of our film, and royalty-free music websites to find a soundtrack that created suspenseful tension. Online collaboration tools also helped us to share draft versions, get feedback, and work on our final product successfully. Using all of these technologies enabled us to create a professional-looking and engaging thriller sequence, showing just how much hardware and software went into what became the final product. For each of these questions, I am considering doing a creative skit in which a man shows up at my door and inquires about my profession.
I'll be like, "I do opening films," and he'll be like, "Oh really? Explain." Then I'll go on to explain how my skills were built up over the course of the project, talking about things like cinematography, sound design, and editing. I'll break it down in simple terms informally, like I'm speaking to someone who's interested but doesn't know anything about filmmaking. As I explain, I'll intercut some scenes from my first movie to demonstrate my point, for example, camera angles, lighting, and how I improved my editing. It'll make it more interactive and personal and allow me to demonstrate my improvement with ease. For question 4, I'll have the man ask me, "How did you use technologies – software, hardware, and online – in your project?" And I'll respond by just explaining the process I undertook for each of the technologies.
I'll talk about the software I used to edit and design sound, the camera technology I used to film, and how I used online facilities to learn new things and debug. When I mention each of the technologies or the tools, I will include footage of the software, hardware, or web tools being utilized, and how they assisted in getting the film made. I will try to keep it relaxed and conversational, as if I am speaking with someone who is interested but not a tech person. This will allow me to discuss the technical information without bogging down the viewer.
My own production experience was very naive, with only a general idea of rudimentary shot composition and general editing standards at the beginning of this project. However, through working our way through the different stages of film production, I learned considerably more about cinematography, sound design, and post-production techniques. The most significant development was probably my ability to plan and produce visually interesting and tense shots. I learned how to create suspense with camera angles, using close-ups to emphasize emotions, low angles to intensify some scenes, and tracking shots to place the viewer in the protagonist's position. I also learned a great deal about lighting—I at first struggled with having the correct balance of being noticed and creating atmosphere in our own dark garage studio, but with experimenting with LED lighting, lighting for practical scenes, and color grading in post, I was able to achieve my spooky thriller aesthetic without compromising on visual clarity.
Besides cinematography, my editing knowledge also significantly improved. I realized how to time out scenes to be suspenseful by cutting from one shot to another at the appropriate time to build tension. I realized the power of sound design in framing the audience's experience—through the use of Foley effects, ambient sound, and silence at appropriate moments, a lot was contributed in making the escape scene more intense. I also grew more confident in applying advanced editing methods like layering of sound, color tone manipulation for mood, and quick cutting to create tension. My collaboration skills also improved. I learned how to clearly communicate my creative vision, work on shot planning together with others, and adjust to problems like reshooting some scenes because of lighting inconsistency or cleaning up our audio to prevent background noise interference. Overall, this project truly enhanced my ability to take an idea and develop it into a well-structured, interesting, and engaging film sequence, and I am much more secure in my filmmaking skills.
For question 3, the gentleman will ask me, "How did your production skills develop throughout this project?" I will respond by discussing how my skills evolved from start to finish. I will mention that my initial grasp was rudimentary and that it mainly consisted of shot formation and editing but the more I progressed, the more I learned about cinematography, sound mixing, and editorial approaches. I will explain how I came to master suspense in camera shot building and lighting, how I refined editing to establish tension, and how I built more confidence when using sound design to amplify experience. I'll provide examples within the movie itself, like before-and-after photography, to clarify how skills develop over time. I will be honest and straightforward, describing how each step assisted me in becoming a good filmmaker.
My own production skills were very basic, including merely elementary know-how of simple shot building and simple editing techniques, during the early stages of this project. But as we went along through the different stages of filmmaking, I learned much about cinematography, sound design, and post-production techniques. The most significant accomplishment was, maybe, my ability to create and develop visually pleasing and suspenseful shots. I learned to create suspense through camera angle, using close-ups to emphasize emotions, low angles to intensify certain scenes, and tracking shots to put the audience in the position of people like the protagonist. I also picked up a lot on lighting—I stumbled at first with attempting to capture the proper mix between viewing and establishing atmosphere within our dark, garage workshop setup, but with experimenting with LED lighting, lighting for practical shots, and color grading post, I was able to achieve my creepy thriller aesthetic without sacrificing visual definition.
My editorial abilities were also increased beyond measure aside from cinematography. I came to know how to cut alternately between the shots at the appropriate time so that tension was built in the scenes to be most tense. I also derived the power of sound design to mold the perception of the audience—through the use of Foley effects, background sound, and silence at the appropriate times, a lot of contribution was done to make the escape scene engaging. I also became more comfortable using sophisticated editing techniques such as layering sound, color tone manipulation for atmosphere, and rapid cutting to build tension. My collaboration skills also grew. I figured out how to clearly communicate my vision, collaborate on shot development, and facilitate problems like reshooting certain scenes when there were inconsistencies in lighting or improving our sound to avoid interference from extraneous background noise. Overall, this project truly enhanced my ability to take an idea and turn it into a structured, engaging, and compelling order for a film, and I feel much more capable in my career as a filmmaker now.
In response to question 3, the male interviewer will inquire, "How did your production skills develop through this project?" I will respond by explaining how my skills improved from start to finish. I will describe that my initial impression was general and that it was mainly regarding shot construction and editing but in the course of time, through the process, I learned much more about cinematography, sound mixing, and editing styles. I'll explain how I learned to become skilled at suspense building with camera angles and lighting, how I developed my editing skills to build tension, and how I became more confident in the use of sound design to enhance the experience. I'll have concrete examples from the film, like before-and-after photographs, to show how skills increased over time. I will be truthful and easy to understand, explaining how every step improved me as a filmmaker.
