Final Submissions

CCRs:

    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1thSsPNCJKiW6UxMmxlD8eamMYIYe_jRa?usp=sharing 

Film Opening:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b7z6SikrQu2gnOhkEU_27bhI0yKTMORz/view?usp=sharing

 Film Opening Music by "Power Music Factory":

    https://youtube.com/powermusicfactory

Portfolio Reflection

We've reached the finish line.

    It's a bittersweet feeling. On one hand, I'm relieved to have all that workload finally lifted off of me, making a project that I really am proud of. On the other hand, I truly enjoyed the process, and am so glad I had the opportunity to learn and develop film for my own. 

    I couldn't have done it without my partner Nico. He helped keep me on schedule and motivated me to maintain a consistent pace. Not only that, but we developed a great chemistry, throwing ideas in the air and having it (miraculously) work out in the end. I had the opportunity to grow as a team member, learning to effectively balance the project's workload between the two of us. Even if we didn't see eye-to-eye on everything, we learned to compromise and still incorporate elements from both of our ideas.

    One of my greatest takeaways from this project is that editing stinks. I mean, it really stinks. The overall process is so incredibly tedious, with such little room for error (especially when you have a particular vision in mind). I can't imagine how difficult editing gets as it progresses in complexity; I have a newfound appreciation for editors.

    On the contrary, mise-en-scene. Writing a story and fully developing my protagonist was one of my favorite parts of the project before filming. Mise-en-scene elements allowed me to subtly tell the story through the set, lights, and colors. I understand that editing can be utilized to meet a similar goal, but I really don't care. Set design resonated with me the most - I felt like I could bring a fictional world to life, making it truly feel real.

Overall, this was an amazing project. I had a lot of fun throughout the whole process (apart from editing), learning about a field I was mostly unknowledgeable about. The next post will be my final submission for the project - I hope you enjoy.

CCR Post-production

 Here it is: the (not very) long awaited CCR post-production post!

Editing, as per usual, was the least favorite step in the whole film process, despite not being as egregious as the opening. Fortunately, I did manage to add some visual appeal to my 'storytime' CCR. Take a look:

I really like how this turned out. The drawings, intentionally simplistic, were done by me via Photoshop. I wanted the drawings to feel as if they were a figment of the imagination, a visualization of the story itself. To really drive this feeling home, I made use of a subtle 'pop' sound when the images appeared on screen.

I previously mentioned how I was somewhat limited in resources due to my time in Puerto Rico. That was a severe understatement. The editing process entirely took place on my mother's laptop, which lacked my usual Adobe Premiere Pro software. Additionally, the laptop lacked the processing power to smoothly carry out the editing process, often freezing and even crashing.

Luckily, I quickly fixed the problem. I downloaded an free & open source editing software called Shotcut, which (thankfully) didn't have a very steep learning curve.

The software actually closely resembled Premiere, meaning I could quickly transfer my skills over. As for the crashing & freezing,  "CTRL + S" was my best friend. I would constantly save before and after every demanding process, just to make sure I don't lose any progress. It was tedious, but definitely worth the effort.

My time editing really shows how I took the resources I had available for granted. While I did anticipate the poorer performance of the laptop, I was most definitely underprepared for the editing hassle. 

That's all for now! Make sure to check out the CCRs soon!

CCR Production

 CCRs were far from smooth sailing.

First off, I am currently on a trip in Puerto Rico, meaning the filming and editing (which I will cover in the post-production post) processes are much more complicated. I am writing this in the comfort of my grandparents' house, with hardly any functioning internet.

Inspired by my grandmother's profession (and the old reclining chair in the living room [see below]) as an author, I decided to improvise on filming and execute my CCR in the form of a bedtime story. I'll discuss the obstacles and development of Nico and I in the third person, as if the past few months were the events of an epic fantasy.

While this idea was shorter notice, it (thankfully) wasn't too complicated. A major concern I had was keeping the CCR visually appealing, since sitting in a chair and narrating a story wasn't exactly riveting. I decided that I would edit in sketches related to the narration, adding some visual flair on top of the inserts used. I'll make sure to include those in the post-production blog entry.

As for the other CCR, I wanted to juxtapose the much more relaxed counterpart. The premise was simple: I'll be performing a task and using a variety of shots right in the action. For example, I'll be preparing a meal, and there will be shots in the microwave - imagine a lot of motion and cuts.

Filming this was a lot of fun; my parents helped me record shots using two phones, synchronizing the audio for each cut. One tricky part was continuity, since there were so many cuts maintaining the same dialogue. I didn't have any access to a wireless microphone, so I had to pay much attention to keeping the same rhythm and tone between cuts. I had to repeat sentences over, and over, and over...

That's all for now, make sure to tune into the post-production post to see how editing turned out! 

CCR Question #4 Research

Here we are, the last question of the last component of the portfolio project. Question #4:

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

Similar to question #3 (check that out in the last post), this question doesn’t require much research. Having said that, I do want to break down all the technology I did use during the production of this process in advance.

Software

• Browsers (Safari, Google chrome) to research and access Blogger
• iMessage, Google Drive, & OneDrive to communicate and share files with group members
• Adobe Premiere Pro for editing 
• Camera app on the iPhone for filming

Hardware

• iPhone 15 for filming & communicating
• Laptop & PC for editing, researching, everything really
• Wireless microphones for recording audio in loud spaces
• Condenser microphone for recording voiceover throughout opening

Online 

• Blogger to document production process
• Art of the Title to look over openings & credit sequences

Pretty straightforward, just figured I should plan things out for recording. That’s all for today!

CCR Question #3 Script

 Alright, question #3!

"How did your production skills develop throughout this project?"

Luckily, this question is more personal than the last two, so less research needed. Rather than break down the question itself, I figured I could go straight into the script.

 ——————————————————————

    Working on this project from start to finish allowed me to dive into every aspect of production. I had the opportunity to research and develop techniques in set design, filming, lighting - the list goes on. Having said that, this project was far from 'smooth sailing.' 

One of the most prevalent issues throughout the entire process was planning and scheduling. We had to determine filming times, locations; we needed permission to film in public areas - there were so many roadblocks on the way. This project provided me with the chance to improve my production skills, not only in film but as a team. Our opening is the byproduct of lots - and I mean lots of trial and error. 

    Outside of planning, I really developed my skills in set design and lighting, which were my favorite elements of production. This project gave me a new perspective on the minute decisions you see in film; each color, light, prop - each poster on the wall is a thoughtful decision made by producers. Not only do I better understand the overarching effect of set design, but also the intricacies that work towards that certain goal. 

     Since Nico and I have been involved in every step of the project, editing became more of a creative tool than ever before. Simple elements like the pacing of cuts now had a huge effect on the overall tone of the film. As a result, my skills in editing grew more deliberate and precise; we had a vision, and editing was necessary to achieve it. Having said that, I still don’t like editing. I’m convinced no amount of practice can sway my opinion on editing.

 

CCR Question #2 Research

Alright, time for question 2 of the CCR:

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

    This question boils down to two parts: a discussion of target audiences and the steps I would take towards reaching that audience via distribution. My film caters to its target audience primarily through representation and relatability. I intend to engage with a younger audience, roughly the same age as the film's protagonist, a late teenager. Ryan (the protagonist), despite his rare condition, undergoes the same hardships as any other teen; he deals with feelings of isolation, and has to balance class alongside his extracurriculars. As a teenager myself, I think Ryan's character can be highly relatable with people my age. 

    As for distribution, I began researching ways to share my content without the budget and level of expertise as a major company. One viable distribution practice would be through independent theatres, which screen films from smaller filmmakers. While this would be effective for more dedicated movie buffs, it doesn't necessarily focus on my target audience. Uploading on YouTube, however, might appeal to young adults. While the age demographics on YouTube are somewhat equal, 25-34 year-olds are the most prevalent users (Dunn, 2024). YouTube would be an easy and cost-effective way to share my product. 

That's all for now, tune into the CCR posts in a week or so!

References

Dunn, N. (2024). 32 YouTube Statistics 2025: Key Insights & Trends You Need To Know. Top 32 YouTube Insights and Statistics of 2025 That You Should Know About. https://www.charleagency.com/articles/youtube-statistics/

Group Meeting #2

    Today we had a group discussion on our film opening, discussing our progress and obstacles with filming. At this point, were just wrapping up with editing and starting to move onto the CCR, so a lot of the discussion was focused on the smaller details. I was having a bit of difficulty with the editing process, so this was perfect. Here's a recap:

    One of the trickiest areas for me during editing is sound design, which (luckily) was a frequent discussion topic today. Audrey had some really creative approaches to sound, using both sound motifs and a self-composed score. While I don't think a sound motif would be necessarily effective in my sort of film, I think composing my own score can really help in developing the story. I have a pretty substantial background in music, including music production, so this idea isn't too farfetched. She described her score as dissonant and synth-oriented, however; I think I would instead make use of classical music. 

    Another topic brought up today was the CCR. Most members of my group, including me, were struggling to find a certain direction to take for answering the four questions. I do have a few ideas cooked up, but I'll leave those for future blog posts throughout the week.

That's all for today - tune in next time!

CCR Question #1 Research

 Another major section of the portfolio component is the Creative Critical Reflection, or CCR. As the name implies, the CCR is an opportunity to discuss our film opening while expressing the progress we've made along the way. The CCR is divided into four questions, but we'll only be focusing on one today. 

The question is as follows:
"How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?"

Earlier in my posts, I actually take a moment to discuss the typical conventions in a sports drama, but I primarily focused on the visual elements seen in film. This is a good opportunity to delve into the storytelling elements of a sports drama. 

According to The Script Lab, a sports drama "incorporates dramatic elements into a sports storyline. These films tend to examine the more gritty and intense aspects of the sporting world" (Buffam, 2011). A prime example of this is Sylvester Stallone's Rocky, which depicts the ups and downs of the titular Rocky Balboa. I actually researched this film when reviewing the inclusion of credits in an opening sequence. 
My film opening most definitely utilizes these conventions. The entire premise of the plot is built around the struggle of my protagonist, who battles a terminal illness while seeking to defy the odds. 

The next part of the question is actually one I overlooked when writing opening's story: how the film represents social groups or issues. Ryan, of course, is ostracized by his condition; he is forced to dedicate extensive time and effort just to live healthily. As a result, his life falls into monotony, as his need to stay fit overshadows his desire for excitement and adventure in his life. According to National Library of Medicine, muscular dystrophy affects roughly 1 in 5000 people worldwide (LaPelusa et al., 2024). Initially, Ryan's condition was only a springboard to establish an ongoing conflict and motivation for the protagonist. I didn't put much thought into seeing Ryan as a member of a severe minority group. On a broader scale, Ryan represents the constant struggle those with MD undergo. In many cases, muscular dystrophy can lead to degeneration of myocardium, causing heart complications in patients. Ryan is an example that his condition, no matter how severe,  does not define who he is as a person. 

Researching this question really made me consider how characters can act as a representation for entire groups. While I did research the condition, I failed to study up on how it affects people on an emotional level. I hope to represent those with MD as persistent, overcoming a constant struggle. 

That's all for now - check out my CCR later to see how I answered this question.

References 

Buffam, N. (2011, March 26). Sports. The Script Lab. https://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/991-sports/

LaPelusa, A. (2024, February 26). Muscular dystrophy. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560582/

Brightness & Saturation

 When Nico and I were working on editing, we came across a bit of a disagreement. The film takes place in two places: Ryan's home and a public gym. I wanted Ryan's home to come off as less vibrant and more monotonous, mainly illuminated by dim natural lighting. On the other hand, the gym was supposed to act as a more vibrant contrast, a sneak peek to the more exciting life Ryan will discover in pursuit of his powerlifting competition. 

But here's the issue. Nico wanted to desaturate the shots at the gym to show that, even in a public environment, Ryan is still pretty empty, lacking any sort of direction. On the other hand, I wanted the gym to be intentionally bright, putting Ryan out of his comfort zone. We decided to take a desaturated version and its original side-by-side. Therefore, we could see if the light was too excessive, or if the grayer appearance is a little too obvious. Here's how it looks:

On the left is original, while the right is more desaturated. It isn't an extreme difference, but it is somewhat noticeable. We eventually decided on sticking to the original, to show that Ryan is out of his comfort zone. This is especially noticeable when you contrast the brightness of the environment with his darker clothing, making him appear as a 'black sheep' at the gym. While the change is pretty minor, it goes to show how even vibrancy can make a huge difference in storytelling. I didn't realize how big of a role saturation played in conveying emotion subtly.

That's all for today! The film opening is starting to take shape - exciting!

Continuity at the Gym

 So, as I mentioned in a previous post, we were missing some props and costumes in our first day of filming at the gym. This was a bit of an issue, since we did end up getting certain shots, but were missing some of the most crucial parts of the story. Namely, the inclusion of Ryan's gym buddy and the discovery of the flyer. We ended up filming at the gym a second time, recording the shots we weren't able to before.

In the couple days between our first and second filming sessions, I managed to lose my contact lenses. This really isn't a huge deal, since I just had to take my glasses off when filming. The tricky part? Remembering to take my glasses off - it's surprisingly hard to remember to intentionally impair my vision. This leads to a few shots here and there in which I was wearing my glasses. Exhibit A: 

If you look closely, I'm only wearing glasses on the left side. This isn't a super noticeable detail, and this shot will only last for about a second, but it breaks the realism in the scene. I tend to be a perfectionist, so I decided to nitpick through every shot to double check if I was wearing glasses. Thankfully, I caught a lot of the slip-ups on the day of filming, so we still had the proper shots. 

I mentioned this when I blogged about the first day of filming, but it is really important to have everything down to a tee. With limited time to film, it's super important that we had a game plan from the get-go. But things (like losing my contacts) happen, and you have to be ready to adapt. 

That's all for now, see you next time!

Finishing the Study

Alright, as I mentioned previously, the study room was practically finished, apart from some diagrams and sketches to show Ryan's work research as a med student. I had two major goals: showing his obsession with his research, and hinting towards his condition.

My first plan of action was sketching out a few diagrams of the muscles, with intentionally rigid and sloppy linework to drive home that sense of obsession. Here's how it turned out!

This was a step in the right direction. It showed some of his research as a medical student, but it didn't scream obsession to me. There wasn't enough clutter or chaos to really portray what I had in mind. So I went back to the drawing (haha) board. To really spice up the setting, I decided to use different types of paper. On top of that, I needed more diagrams. Way more. I started using sticky notes, printer paper, lined paper, and pages from my brother's old journal (sorry!). Here's the finished product:

THIS is more like it. The larger papers show the less detailed diagrams, focusing on the overall shape and appearance of the human body, while the smaller papers from the journal go into detail about different muscles. Lastly, the sticky notes are used to show Ryan's own personal thoughts, gauging how much more research he needs to carry out on certain groups. I think the system to each paper helps show that Ryan has a method to his madness, and isn't entirely crazy.

This process took way longer than expected. On top of that, I sort of procrastinated this part of the set, and that really came back to bite me. Having said that, I think it turned out pretty good!

That's all for now, tune in next time!