1st Semester Entertainment Final

Half-Year Highlights and re-caps

1) Throughout this first semester in school, with the help of some class mates, I made a PSA and a Short Film. In addition, I also am currently working on a feature film where my role is completed through location scouting. 

Suicide Prevention PSA

The PSA project was my first video project of the semester. It was a PSA to help show awareness and hopefully prevent suicides. It took around 2 and a half weeks to completely finish the PSA. We faced actor troubles as the actor did not show up for the scheduled film time. In order to recover, we used someone in our film crew as an actor, and it turned out to work fine. I learned how to compensate for challenges that I face under pressure. I also learned in the post production phase, how to edit a blur and how to use it to benefit the video and sync with the song. The feedback I was given was to make a smoother ending because it was a little abrupt. We changed the actor for the film because he did not show up. I liked it overall, and thought it brought a strong message. 

The Babysitter Short Film

This project was an entertainment video that I helped produce that took around a week to film and edit. This short film was by far the most challenging project that I have ever worked on. My team initially planned on making a different short film, but ran out of time, couldn't get actors, and didn't have the right locations in order to make that film the best that it could. Because of that complication we did have to switch gears and make a new completely different short film. I learned how to make a film and stay calm with a short deadline. The feedback I was given was to make a stronger storyline. We ended up changing the entire short film with a new story line and actors. The overall opinion I have about this short film was that I am very impressed with the quality of the film for the given time we had to work on it. (Unfortunately I cannot include the video for copyright issues).

2) In class I spent most my time brainstorming for ideas that would help make the video as good as it could be. I stayed productive after the making of my projects by watching YouTube videos of new editing and filming techniques. If I was given 8 hours to finish a project, but ended up finishing it in 7, I would continuously revise the editing and color correction to make it look as good as possible and to keep myself busy. Outside of class I enjoy making YouTube videos as a content creator.

3) My strengths in film production consist of video editing and location scouting. I maximize my strengths by editing outside of school. Everyday I go out and drive around, I am finding new locations that I could end up using in a future project.

4) For improvement, I could work on becoming a better cinematographer. I need to film more in order to improve my skill in this area. I also need to just sit and play with a camera to get familiar with the different buttons and functions.

5) In class we were greeted by 2 amazing guest speakers. Our first guest speaker taught us how to use our skills and abilities to move forward in our lives for a future career. He told us his story and how he got to where he is now. I can use this information to help me expand my abilities and learn more techniques along the way. Our second guest speaker watched one of our classmates videos and gave them feedback on how to improve the short film. The ideas he put in my head will aid me in future videos and movies to upgrade the quality of them.

6) In November, our class took a trip to a movie theater that had 4XMD technology. I learned about all of the different elements that make a movie unique and stand out. I am going to use this knowledge from the technology to add new elements and dimensions that I never would have thought about including. I think this new technology will benefit the movie industry by adding a whole new way to watch a movie and create more opportunities for filmmakers to make their movies to accommodate the 4XMD.

7) I loved the group effort in the feature film the most so far this year. I think making one really big film that everyone in the class is involved with is a great and exciting idea. I would like to expand my skills in the following semester by learning to become a better cinematographer. Overall I took away how to get things done under pressure and with an upcoming deadline despite the difficulty of many complications. Next semester I want to make sure I becoming a very talented and skilled cinematographer. I enjoyed taking this class and am surprised to have already finished the first semester in my entertainment video class. I cannot wait for the upcoming semester and how the feature film will turn out. 

Justice League MX4D Experience Blog

My Reflection of Justice League in MX4D

MX4D is a total immersive environment where you actually “feel” the action on the screen from the built-in motion and effects in seats around you. Before I watched Justice League in MX4D, I was very excited to get to experience 4D which I have never experienced before, and to a movie I actually wanted to see. The experience didn't meet my expectations, because I thought there was going to be 3D glasses included, but there wasn't, which kind of eliminated the 3D aspect that is supposed to be in the fourth dimension. 

My favorite part of the experience was the strobe light that sunk to the gun shots and flash of lights in the movie. I liked it because it made me kind of flinch and feel like I was really looking at a gun being shot. My least favorite part of the experience was the squirt of water that would hit your face during a water scene. I didn't like it because it distracted me from the movie. 

I would say that MX4D didn't exactly enhance my overall opinion of Justice League. It didn't make me hate it more or love it more. To me it was just a new way to watch a movie.

I think that in the Feature Film we are currently working on could be a similar experience to Justice League because we are also making a super hero like movie. I would want the scents and chairs to move more in sync with the movie than Justice League though.

MX4D to me is a great first experience to watch in your life. I would recommend MX4D to anyone who has never experienced it, but I do not prefer it over 3D and regular movies. I would prefer classic viewing from films over 3D or 4D because I believe movies are made and intended for the audience to view it normally instead of these special effects. 

I would add 3D glasses to the experience, because I feel that with the glasses, the audience would actually get to fully experience 4D at its full potential. This effect may be potent enough to bring people all around and from their houses back into movie theaters.

I loved my first experience and I'm very thankful that I was lucky enough to live in the area near a 4D theater to be able to experience it. Although I enjoyed it, I don't think I would go back and pay more money to watch a 4D movie when I get the same or better experience from simply watching a movie on a Dolby Sound system that they have at movie theaters.

Can Gamers Survive A Parkour Simulation?

Thoughts, Opinions, and Observations

I watched a 22 min video on how a YouTuber who plays games got a group of other YouTubers to try and act out the game in real life. For this episode, they looked at the game 'Mirror's Edge' which is all  about parkour. These YouTubers get a professional parkour instructor to teach them easy parkour techniques. During the making of this video I noticed they used a tripod during the stable talking shots, but when it came to doing parkour, they took the camera off the tripod to give the video that handheld feel. Towards the end of the episode, they used go-pro cameras on the YouTubers as they attempted the course themselves. Overall, I liked the episode do to the entertaining topics and film techniques and transitions to captivate my attention. 

Raising Dion Short Film

My Review

This short film was a very entertaining one to watch. In my opinion this short film had all the elements for a good superhero movie. Its about  a kid with multiple superpowers including telekinesis. Filming with a kid as the main actor, can be very difficult, but all the actors seem to come together very well in this short film. The animation and special effects of the powers is phenomenal. Drones, pans, zooms, are all included in this short film. The editing, directing, and cinematography is all done very well. After watching the short film, it left me wishing that there was a full feature film.

Camera - Tips and Tricks for Film Production (cinematography)

Tips and Tricks to keep in mind while filming

As with any film production, you need a cinematographer. Whether you use a good one or a bad one, the tips in this video will help develop your filming skills even further. If you are filming a character walking from right to left, the next scene should keep that same direction to not confuse the audience.  That same rule applies to the 180 degree rule when doing interviews, so that you don't switch sides and confuse the audience. If you don't have a camera, you can always use your surroundings to steady your shot. Another very important tip I learned was that if you are filming someone at a window and they fall black into the background while the natural light outside overpowers the frame, put new/extra light on the person to reverse this camera effect. I was very interested in becoming a better cinematographer, and this video gave me tips to do so. 

Short Film "The Elevator"

Review

This short film is designed to be a comedy. It uses a boring scenario such as riding an elevator, and makes it entertaining and funny. The short begins with a man on the first floor who needs a ride to the top floor. As he goes floor by floor, each floor contains more people until the elevator is full. The man notices the weight limit of the elevator and uses his phone as a calculator to guess each persons weight to see if it is safe to still take the elevator. Eventually a very big man is walking towards the elevator and he freaks out and gets off. He gets on a different elevator which he later discovers everyone on it is sick with the swine flu. There is no actual talking in this sort, but a story is well told and it achieved its comedic goal.

Things to Know About Making Short Films

What people don't know:

The interesting thing about the video I watched was how these following tips are not rules and are not cliché like be prepared and storyboard your shots before you shoot them. This video goes in depth with specifically short films and how to make them cinematic. A good short film should be max 15 min and have an optimal 10 min length. When telling a story inside the short film, try to keep it short and simple. Don't drag out the story for so long, tell it quick. Short films are actually a great way to jump start a feature. If you make a good short film that has a long enough storyline, it would be a good idea to try and transform it into a good feature. For example the movie Napoleon Dynamite was primarily a short before it was a feature. All of these tips are incredible useful and you should keep these in mind next time you make a short film.

How to get Smooth Camera Shots

What I learned from this video

I watched a YouTube video that was 8:41 long that taught me a lot about how to take smooth, cinematic shots.
I enjoyed this video as it compares a hand held shot to a warp stabilizer, which is a very important tool in order to take careful and stable shots. I also learned that if in your footage, the shots are blurred or have motion blur, you are going to have to use a higher shutter speed. By using slow motion, camera shots can be stable and look very clean! If your camera can't shoot in slow motion, try 4k and then using the post production technique during the editing stage to pan and zoom the shot in the editing to make it seem as if the camera was zooming and panning. Finally, by using just a simple stabilizer, you can film a very long, fast, and smooth shot. All of these techniques are almost essential in the making of a film to have smooth shots.

Becoming a Video Editor

Before Research

I would consider myself an experienced video editor at the moment. I've been editing for about 2 years now. During and before the summer I ran a successful YouTube channel that gained over 250 subscribers. Today I edit videos for the 3rd best violinist in Europe that came to the US for college and is a part time vlogger. I also edit for school projects, and what a video editor means to me is someone that creates the vision of the director by piecing together video clips, adding color correction, and music. Despite my knowledge, I could always learn more.

After Research

Video editing is the process of manipulation and rearranging video shots to create a new work. When editing there are certain goals that video editors are expected to achieve. These goals include removing unwanted footage, choosing the best footage, create a purpose from the clips, add effects, alter the style, pace or mood of the video. All of this takes place in the post-production phase. There are many reasons to edit a video and your editing approach will depend on the desired outcome. This is what it means to become a video editor.

Source: http://www.mediacollege.com/video/editing/tutorial/definition.html

Becoming a Costume Designer

Before Research

For my menu items, I chose that during the production phase, I would like to learn more about becoming a costume designer. To my knowledge, being a costume designer means choosing out the appropriate clothing for the actors to wear, in order to fit the scene. It also means doing the hair of the actor. As I am very interested in the current and modern style, I feel like I would fit this position.

After Research

After completing my research about becoming a costume designer, I have learned new things. Not only do costume designers dress the actor in the way they feel looks best, but also to balance the scenes with texture and color. The costume designer may also collaborate with hair stylist, wig master, or makeup artist. They also typically seek to enhance the actors personality through the color and clothing choice. There are 3 main kinds of designers including freelance designers, residential designers, and academic designers. After researching about Costume Designers, I have learned so much about them and their positions, and they will be included the next time I'm taking on the role of a costume designer.

Source: https://www.theartcareerproject.com/become/costume-designer/

Short Film Blog

The Stalker

For this specific short film, we used Jackson Chein's script. The concept of the script was about a guy who goes on a hike by himself through the woods. Inevitably, a stalker is watching him, getting ready to take him out. The hiker comes equipped with a little self defense, and ends up winning the fight and surviving after all.

In the film, I was primarily the costume designer. During the production phase I made sure the actors were wearing the appropriate clothes for their role in the film. In the post-production phase, I was the co-editor. I helped sequence and order the clips in a certain way that would make the film run smoothly.

Technically,we needed a camera to film (obviously). We also needed a boom to record solid audio quality. Finally, we needed to get a hold of a computer with a good processor in order to edit the video to its potential.

When our group began this project, we had a solid idea for a short film. The idea was great and we set up all the dates, but when it came to the film date, our actors were busy or working, and we could not film what we needed. After we changed the script, we used our technical skills to film and edit the film. Second, we used our communication skills to figure out a film date and get new actors, willing to film at our designated time. Third, I used my leadership skills to set the film date and location for where we were going to film. As a group we all had to collaborate to think together of a new script when the last film fell through. Finally, I used my project management skill, despite all the obstacles, edit and turn in the short film on the due date and well on time.

Next time, I would definitely get more reliable actors that could show up when and where we wanted. That's what I would change or focus more attention to next time I will create a short film.

I would like to keep the same film crew together for our next film, because we all feel comfortable with each other which helps keep things from being awkward. I would also keep the same cinematic effects that we have.

I am going to make sure the actors have a free schedule on the filming date in order to avoid the catastrophe that happened during the making of this short film.

Although it was stressful and pressuring to start over on a new script, filming this short film was fun and exciting. Overall I am impressed and grateful for how the film came out despite all the complications we had to overcome.

Suicide Prevention- PSA (Personal Project Blog Post)

Q&A

What was the concept that your group came up with for the assignment?

As a group we all came to the concept of Suicide Prevention. We all felt that this topic was important, but we had to think of a way to film a video without offending anyone. It also had to be appropriate for everyone to watch so a lot of planning went into this PSA.

What was your process?

After coming up with our topic we immediately began to think of ways we can create this video to avoid the controversy. We came up with the idea of a silent film with music in the background. Next we started coming up with songs that would fit out story perfect, and then we found 'Mansion' by NF. Then we began to storyboard and plan our events in order that they would happen. We wrote a script and came up with roles for each member of the group (I'm the editor). Of course we then started filming the video which took us about 3 days. Finally, I edited the video and uploaded it to YouTube.

What was your role in the process and what did you learn along the way?
I was the Final Editor. When the filming was over I put all the clips together, color corrected, and used special effects to express the true meaning of this PSA. I learned a lot during my editing that I've never used before. I learned how to color correct, blur and follow through the screen while blurring, and matching a song with what happens in the video. 
How did you use your Technical and Professional Skills for the making of the PSA?
I used my technical skills and techniques of filming to help come up with certain angles to help us get a good shot. I also used my knowledge of editing to piece together a great final product. Professionally, I helped create a group chat for all the members in our team so we could communicate and plan our production schedule furthermore. I took leadership when I came up with the idea of Suicide Prevention and to make our video silent with music in the background.
What would you do differently and why?
If I was to do this PSA over again, I think I would definitely take more time in the filming process to make sure we get the perfect amount of shots to fully bring in together the film. More shots and including them into the final edited video would solidify our storyline.
What would you do the same and why?
I found that the editing tactic of putting music behind the film really helps bring out the storyline without the use of voices from the actors. I would also use the blurring special effects on future videos, just because I learned how to use them very well.
What experiences will you draw from to enhance your next project?
I think storyboarding helps us a lot especially for long term. While editing its nice to have the storyboard to order the time of your events. As you film as well, the storyboard helps keep you on track form what clips need to be filmed and where.
General thoughts and conclusions?
Overall I really enjoyed making this PSA and I hope it makes an impact on others and those watching it.

End of the year Video Reflection

Technology

I learned how to work the cameras and film using cool techniques that make the films look more professional. I learned them from watching other videos and films for inspiration and from Mr. Coopers teachings. It was important to learn these techniques, because this is the field I want to work in. I did face technical problems with the cameras. My greatest strength is editing and my weakness is  being a cinematographer. Every time I create a film I improve my cinematography. I am going to look for a career using video editing techniques. I would change the angles and little mistakes made in my films. 

Collaboration

It is important to work with your peers and collaborate with them in video. In fact, this in my opinion is the most essential part to creating a good film. I learned this skill from being randomly placed in a group with members I may not even know. My strength is helping come up wth video ideas, and my weakness is following through with all of those ideas. The challenges I faced were arguments about what we should do next with the story, but besides that everything went great. I am going to pursue a future and career with what I've learned. 

Communication

This I believe is the second most important skill for video. I learned how to take and implement ideas with my classmates. It's very important to lay down your ideas with the team and talk with them in order to create the best film that you can. My strength is talking to my team and my weakness is giving constructive criticism on ideas they may have during the film because I think it's rude. I will use these skills in school to gain better relationships with the people around me. 

Project Management

Even though I may not edit everyday in class, I always turn in my project by the due date no matter what. I have never had a late project. I always use my filming time as efficiently as possible as well. My greatest strength is turning projects in on time. My weakness to project management is not using everyday I get to its fullest. 

Leadership

Being a leader in video means taking responsibility for your team. I learned leadership by nature and time. I faced challenges by little arguments of ideas. My main strength is knowing what to do and taking initiative. My weakness as a leader is planning everything out. I will you the leadership skill I have learned for just about any situation. 

End of the year Animation Reflection

Technology Skills

While in Animation I learned a lot of technical skills. I learned them from tutorials and teachings. Its important to have these skills in order to pursue an animation career. I faced many challenges including confusion and computer difficulties with the program. My strengths include 3D modeling and after effects projects. My weaknesses include using photoshop and illustrator to create a scene. I may use my special effects skills to add them to any future video I may make. I would change the details I never added when I made my projects. 

Collaboration Skills

Collaboration was a large part of e-Communication in animation. Especially in our final project collaboration was a huge part in order to finish the project as a group. We all had assigned roles and we worked together to complete the task at hand. I personally didn't face any challenges because everyone got along very well in my group. My collaboration strength would be contributing in projects by using my animation skills. My weakness would be to bringing ideas to the table. I am going use these skills in my work in order to help out. 

Communication Skills

Communication is very similar to collaboration. Getting along and talking to figure out each persons position in the project was important. Also communication was important even while working alone. In case you have a question its important to have communication in order to ask your peer a question. I had no challenges in this field. My strength for communication is talking and assigning roles. I will use this skill in work as well.

Project Management Skills

Arguable the most important skill to learn and have for the rest of your life. You learn this skill by being responsible and turning your projects in on time. I typically didn't face any challenges, but if I did, it would be not enough time to finish a project. My strength for project management is turning things in on time. My weakness would be to rush and lack detail on those projects. I would change the amount of time I spend messing around when I could be adding more detail.

Leadership Skills

Being a leader means taking responsibility for your team. Its important because no team is successful without a leader. Again, which my team we didn't have any leadership problems because we all just did as we were told, and that was that. I would say as a strength that I am very good at taking initiative. My weakness would be that I am not always the right leader for every job or project.

Animation Plausible Impossible

Mirror

It is plausible to think that you could simply walk through a mirror. The Reason is because when you see your reflection, you could think you could go straight through it. The reality is that it is physically impossible to walk through a mirror because it is a physical object.

Telephone

In this scene, a telephone is using the cord to jump rope with Mickey Mouse. For a little mouse, if he knew how to jump rope it is plausible to see how a long cord can be spun in order to jump rope. But, yet again it is impossible because phones don't come to live, and a mouse doesn't know how to jump rope.

Cards

Cards as we all know, need to be shuffled. But can they shuffle themselves? The answer is obviously no. But in a cartoon like this, they used cards that come to life shuffle themselves, which makes sense because thats what cards do.

Pen Rifle

When Mickey is running away from the cards chasing him, he picks up a pen and used the ink as ammunition against the cards. Pens are infamous for exploding or releasing ink, which makes this scene plausible to happen. Although, he uses a button or lever on the pen to shoot the ink, which is not the case in real life because you can get ink to the tip of the pen but not completely shoot it out, making it impossible for this to happen.

Fan

Finally, Mickey manages to hold off the cards by turning on a fan, which ultimately blows them away. This is very plausible, as fan do blow wind and air, which cards are vulnerable to blow away from. The only impossible reason for this scenario is that a mouse cannot turn on a fan by himself.

Movie Trailer - Entertainment

About:

My music video was about The Breakfast Club. I worked on this trailer with a large variety of people. The people in my group included Luke and Ainsley. Together we accurately filmed and editing this movie trailer compared to the original one. I learned about tracking, overlaying sound when editing, and using the boom mic. This project was difficult in getting costumes and all the actors to show up at once. The location was easy to find and record in. This was not one of my favorite projects, but the experience is what counts. 

Music Video - Entertainment

About:

I made a music video with Andrew and Chris. It was a remake of the song Wiz Khalifa - See You Again ft. Charlie Puth. This music video took a lot of planning and inspiration form other videos to make. The storyline of the video was made by Andrew and I. It was a lot of fun making, shooting, and editing this project. I also synchronized the filming to the music. During the editing I added filters. This was one of my favorite entertainment project so far. I learned how to plan and synchronize beats, during the making of this music video.

Professional Project Review - Music Video

Saint Motel - Benny Goodman

This music video has many good video shots. I noticed the birds eye, worms eye, and panning when watching this music video. Birds eye is when the camera angle is lifted or in a higher point of view than the scene. Worms eye is the opposite. Its when the camera angle is below or from under the subject. Panning is when the camera moves side to side.

 This music video makes a great example of these camera shots. I plan on using these camera shots to film my own music video. This band is very popular and is known to include stories in their music videos. 

In my music video I will incorporate these techniques. This music video has also taught me to include a story inside the video itself. Saint Motel is one of my favorite bands and I love to see their videos.