Editing- Beginning Timeline

 

Hello!

I initially began my editing process in iMovie, as reccomended by a member of Group Meeting #2 and a friend from CBTV. However, despite waiting and redoing the same edits millions of times, my timeline consistently loaded each clip irregularly and would undo my changes. The clips would either claim to be "missing" or would load in very poor quality. I don't know who lost it, but it wasn't me. 

So, I decided to try ClipChamp. I had used ClipChamp earlier in the year for the One Word Project and the Soundscape Project and had a pretty painless experience, so I switched my clips over to there.

My timelie went from looking like this-

To this! Although it is a minor setback, I am a lot more confident that my clips will stay now. Redoing some things is worth it knowing they will not be deleted.

More on this next week, along with CCR research and wrapping up this year's portfolio project. Thanks for reading! See ya later.

Editing process- Soundscape

 

Hello!

A big part of setting is contributed by sound. In my project, I need background noises such as objects falling, cars, and people. I intended for my setting to come across as a city, despite my character being in a secluded area, like a back alleyway or on a seperate street at night. 

Because production occured in an empty parking lot, I needed to collect sounds to create a city soundscape and add to the tone of my opening. Here is what I found:

I am using the website Pixabay for non-copyrighted sound. All of my sound effects were recorded during production, but the room tone that I did not have in my filming location I easily found by searching up "city sounds." In doing this, I found natural, indistinct audio that will work well along with the natural sound from my footage. I added them into a folder titled "audio", and downloaded them from Apple Music. Looking forward to seeing this come together! Thanks for reading.

CCR Question #1

 

Hello!

Today I am conducting research for the first CCR question:

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

What's good about getting this question is that I actually formulated my idea on a specific issue initially, so I have a lot to say about it. As well as this, I still have my research from my initial blog posts on genre, so that will definitely help me. While taking notes in class, I jotted down that when answering this question I need to be sure that I-

• Discuss the genre and the changes to it that I made
• Discuss genre is shown VS how I showed it
• Discuss representation

First I want to discuss the genre, as it seems like a good basic introduction for my interview. Describing the genre and how it's typically shown firstly will contrast my take on it later.

    The drama genre, despite being interpreted in many different forms, such as thriller, coming-of-age, and even romance, carries a similar theme of hardship throughout all of it's pieces. Many dramas tackle topics of moral struggle, mental health, and the complexities of life as a whole. Targeted mainly towards teenagers and young adults, drama films often touch on real-world issues and provide takeaways that leave you thinking at the end. It's common throughout these films to utilize low-key lighting and close ups, emphasizing both realism and emotion. What I love about drama films is that despite weaving around various subgenres, they typically avoid sugar coating issues and provide realistic performances for an abundance different situations. 

I think this is good for the basic genre description. I don't want to add too much about dramas as a whole because I could go on forever. The most important part of this description is to contrast the standard depiction with my own version of it.

    My take on this genre throughout my film opening was very similar, in the sense that I tackled a real world issue and depicted the complexity of adolescence and growing up too fast. Using dark lighting, close ups, and tracking shots throughout my piece, I emphasized my protagonist's emotions and depicted her navigating the world both physically and emotionally. Throughout my props, makeup, and costuming especially, I added many elements of realism that add to the overall storyline and represent my genre well. 

I want to be sure to emphasize the point that this topic is not typically viewed as serious as it is due to the lack of age-accurate casting. In this way, I technically do challenge the usual reflection of adolescence that consumers are used to.

    

    I challenged the idea of adulthood in my piece. In a typical drama, it's standard to cast an adult to play a mature role, but in mine I wanted to touch on the issue growing up too fast, and children feeling the need to replicate the adult things that they see. Casting myself for this role especially, I challenged the common casting in popular movies and TV shows of adults to play roles where they are in high school or college. By depicting a real kid doing these mature and unsafe things, I wanted to make it as real as possible. Normally if this issue is addressed, the person speaking on it is an adult themself. In being the messenger, I wanted to go to lengths to depict the troubled childhoods that you normally don't see in films and not sugar coat the topic at all. 

This is a good moment for me to piggyback off of the topic of casting and now mention representation.

    Because of this, I aimed for age accuracy for this piece on purpose. In representing my protagonist in this way, I reflect the seriousness of my topic and put into perspective how young some kids really are when they try to grow up too quickly. As well as this, I intended on this story to be about a young girl, because women specifically, from a young age feel pressure to conform to beauty standards and society's view of what a girl should be. There are many powerful stories like this, and growing up watching Mulan, Little Women, and Legally Blonde, I wanted to create a subtle commentary on womanhood as a whole, and how no matter where you are at in life, there are always unreachable expectations held over you. My protagonist in particular, is at the same time too young and too "old", representing the way that in adolescence or as a teenage girl specifically, it feels hard to find your place in the world. My film intro almosts acts as a PSA not to go down the wrong path, and shows the repercussions of biting off more than you can chew.

Wow. That's wordy. I will definitely workshop it so I have time for...you know...the other THREE questions...

But it's better to have a lot to say and to have worked with a purpose than not! In a seperate document I will condense each of my answers, but for now I think I have a lot of good stuff to work with. Catch ya later!

Sources:

MasterClass. (2021, September 3). Guide to movie subgenres: 21 popular film subgenres. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-movie-subgenres

The Knowledge Academy. (2024, May 22). What are filmmaking techniques? A comprehensive guide. https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/blog/filmmaking-techniques/

My own blog! Blogger (2025, January 23). Portfolio Project Genre #2

https://fionasfeed67.blogspot.com/

Cinematic on iPhone

 

Hello!

While filming, my cameraman made a discovery. Due to a certain scam through a certain Facebook Marketplace, we didn't have the camera we expected to shoot on. Because of this, we had to resort to filming on my 4 year old iPhone 13 on 42% battery. However, (not only saying this to be optimistic), I do think that shooting with a lower quality camera gave our footage a certain look that really added a lot to the visuals. The flash on the phone made the glitter pop more and specifically using the "cinematic" setting captured the movement really well. It added a lot to the rough, messy theme I was already working on, since my protagonist, herself is also on low battery in a way.

Although I would choose to shoot on a camera next time, I think we did really well with what we had. I'm excited to sort all of my clips out while editing and see what I can make with it. For the future, though, I really do like the effect given with "cinematic." The creation of depth throughout the entire picture really immerses you into it and creates a great touch in my project. Thanks for reading!

Group Meeting #2

 

Hello!

These are my notes taken from the second group meeting. This was a different bunch of people so I got a lot of good input. Here is what I jotted down:

• use final cut camera app for best quality video
• film each CCR scene with each angle first
• develop CCR idea!!!!!
• different costumes for each "character"
• purposeful imperfection
• imovie on desktop works well
• uppbeat.com for non copyrighted audio
• consider a variety of rock/metal/house music
• play on phone speaker rather than importing, sounds more authentic (?)

Regarding the possibility of re-filming, that all depends on the quality of the videos after I export it into my editing software. Worst case I will reshoot, but I honestly don't feel that I need to. I got pretty good advice regarding both editing my opening and beginnging scriptwriting for my CCR. My next mission is to find the audio and create a soundscape. More to come!

The Look- Dressing the Part

 

Hello!

The makeup look behind this project was very important. I depended on a certain visual to imply not only a night out, but a LIFE out, and a lack of supervision and self control. Because I had to capture this girl's story in a 2 minute timeframe, it was very important that I provide enough context strictly through costuming and mannerisms. Due to the lack of dialogue in my piece, this was extremely important as well. Because this girl is so alone, I decided on not even giving her a name, let alone human interaction throughout this opening. I wanted it to be assumed that she lacks a support system, so much so that she is shown completely alone throughout the entirety of the opening. 

I am no model or drag queen, but one thing I do know how to do with makeup is look like a MESS, and thankfully that is exactly what I expected myself to do. I figured a mess of mascara, eyeshadow, and glitter would get the job done. Here is what I ended up with. Thanks for reading!

The look:    

The aftermath:

         

Getting creative- propmaking

 

Hello!

Because I don't think it's realistic (or legal) for me to acquire a cigarette for my film opening, I am determined to make one myself. This prop is extremely important to the general message of my project, as a young girl depicted smoking is the epitome of irresponsibility and early maturity. However, as I am a young girl myself, I'll get arrested if I try to buy a pack (because I'm sure the cashier knows every trick in the book, regardless if it's "for a film"), and I don't know anybody who smokes or is at least trying to quit smoking. Because of this, I need to get creative. It may be for the better that it looks a little homemade anyway, since I'm pretty sure showing a minor smoking on film is a felony. Regardless, enjoy this tutorial! It could be helpful for film projects, halloween costumes, or withdrawls.

Here is what you need:

1 index card

Tape

Short fingernails

Step 1:

Take an index card and flip it so that the lined side is upright and the shorter side is towards you.

Step 2:

Take a piece of tape and set it at the end of the short side farthest from you.

Step 3:

For the cleanest possible look, fold a small portion of the index card along its width.

Step 4:

Roll along the length of the index card until it is a small tube roughly the size of a cigarette.

Step 5:

Tape along the end to ensure it won't unravel.

DISCLAIMER!!!! ****not a real tabacco product

And you're done! It looks realistic enough to maintain the seriousness of the message while not committing any crimes against the state or either of my lungs. The paper translates great on camera and hopefully provides you with the effect you're looking for. Tune in next time to follow my production process!

Creation of Company Logo

 

Hello!

I just created my company's logo, which will be used for my film opening project. Although it looks basic, it holds significance to both me and my film opening beneath its surface. With neon sign lettering, my logo will fit in well with the night-life, edgy tone of my project, while also reflecting a hot pink, confident touch.

Reflecting both girlhood and womanhood, these choices intentionally represent the messy transition of finding yourself and your place in the world while also navigating the hardships women face in today's society. This logo demonstrates both the power in feminitity and the light of self discovery, which are both themes I aim to reflect in my opening. I think it's very fitting for my brand and an important message that I want to reflect at the same time- you can be professional and hardworking while also confident, feminine, and bright. Click the link below to watch me make it! Thanks for reading.

Creation of logo

Color schemes

 

Hello!

As I begin the production process tomorrow, my brain is already looking forward. The editing process for me occurs while the camera is still rolling, and before it a lot of the time as well. I feel like envisioning what is captured already into my software helps me to figure out what exactly I need from my cameraman and from myself, too. Specifically, my mind is on the coloring of the film itself. Coloring is extremely important to mood and reflective of the style of the director themselves.

Although Wes Anderson's color scheme is not what I aim to recreate in my project, I'm absolutely in love with his aesthetic throughout his films and his dedication to art through architecture, costuming, and prop design. In the Grand Budapest Hotel, (shown to the left) he was also said to be picky with the movements in his scenes, as he wanted them to look as fluid and satisfying as possible, famously stepping in the actor's place during the prison's food scene to ensure the movements looked exactly how he wanted. This dedication inspires me and helps me to be sure of every scene before I move on to the next, prioritizing consistency and happiness throughout the production and editing process over everything else.

More similar to my expectations, the color palate of David Fincher's Fight Club is exactly what I'm envisioning. A dark, almost mysterious mood is created throughout this movie through the coloring alone, and forms a tension as the atmosphere around the main character shifts from blues and grays to yellows, reds, and blacks. Although I'm not filming an entire movie tomorrow, I do want to imply that if the opening were to have a film following it would have a plot twist or some sort of dramatic ending that will have been foreshadowed by the opening and developed throughout the entire film.

I obviously cannot rely too much on the colors captured through the camera, so this is a future me problem for when I begin editing. Just something to think about. Thanks for reading! 

Lighting

 

Hello!

Lighting is a very important part of any piece. It provides context, mystery, and location. I am using a specific approach for my project, and that is to create no lighting at all.

Although I have access to ring lights and projectors, I am seeking to create a realistic looking piece, not glamorized or flashy. I want to use only the streetlights or the dim lightings within the alleyways. This will make my enviornment recognizable as a sketchy outside area without having to put in any work for it. Utilizing access to different parts of my city will hopefully make the production process go as smooth as possible. 

Here is what I'm envisioning:

Props

 

Hello!

I start my production process next week, so that means I need to gather every prop that I need to ensure my vision is met. Because my setting is on a simple street corner, the most visually important part of my film intro will have to be me! I have made several posts about costuming and style inspiration before, and now it's time to gather everything I need and finalize my props and look.

Things I need:

• A cigarette (fake or real, I don't discriminate)
• A lighter (which will not be used)
• A fur coat (which will be donated by my lovely best friend's mom)
• A pair of heels (from my mother)

Things I have:

• A purse
• Body glitter
• Shimmery eyeshadow
• Hundreds of hair ties

If I can't find these objects then I will make them in a seperate blog post. We're reaching the final stretch of planning! More to come...

               

Character Development

 

Hello!

Today's research is based on character development. This can work in either direction- a change for the worst or for the best. A character's initial values are usually evident throughout the beginning of any story or film, and the way they change by the end of it defines the development of their personality and moral values. 

Google defines character development as "how a character has changed throughout the story", and there are apparently 5 types of it: honesty, responsibility, learning, reflection, and experiencing. By this logic, character development is only a shift in personality from "bad" to "good." However, I have my own definition of it. 

I consider character development to be more like timeline throughout a person's life. They have low points and they have high points, but their life overall is a straight line. Regardless, in life a character moves forward despite the challenges ahead of them, and their stories all end regardless of good or bad choices. The way they end their stories is the true judgement of their combined experiences. True character development is the combination of every action despite fluctuations in behavior, and what a character does with the things they learned throughout the timeline of their story. 

That's why I agree with this depiction in particular, specifically how the character is said to have changed "for better or for worse." I like the idea that a character's story arc is not linear, and that there is no way to go throughout your life without making any mistakes.

Mise-en-scene: set

 

Hello!

My film opening will contain two different backgrounds. They are fairly simple, but there are a few variants of locations I can choose from. I am planning on shooting around Weston Town Center. There are many back alleyways behind different shops and in between the parking lots that I can use, which will look good lighting-wise too.

I'm not planning on using any outside lighting for a more realistic look. I also will be filming along the road wherever there are few cars, either around my neighborhood or by the playground near my house. The official setting will likely be decided day of, since I'm unsure on the rules on filming around different public places and I am looking for a low populated area. I am trying to pick a location that is generally deserted to add to my themes of isolation and rejection.        

         

"Outgrown" Storyboard

Hello! 

I've just finalized my vision for "Outgrown" in a storyboard. Most dialogue and movements will likely be improved, but at least this way I have a solid foundation for my cinematographer- one of my friends who owes me a favor and has a good camera. The only things left to map out are my company logo and filming date, which will be in a blog post of their own. Here is my blueprint down below. See you later!

Media Theory

 

Hello!

The media theory I am looking to integrate into my project is Roland Barthes's symbolic code. I absolutely love the use of symbolism through objects in film, and I love having to pay attention so closely to the small details in order to figure it out. Here are some of my favorite examples of this:

In Coraline, the contrast between the real world and the "Other World" is hugely represented not only through the button eyes of Coraline's other parents, but also by the color palete, difference in soundtrack, and overall mood. By depicting Coraline's real room in dull, gray colors, it automatically looks worse in comparison to her lively, purple, warm-lit room in the "Other world." Matching the other room to Coraline's brightly-colored palete as well, the Other World is made to seem like she fits into it more than she does in her true reality. This manipulation is genuis because it convinces even the audience that despite an undertone of uncertainty, the Other World makes Coraline happier and feel more accepted than hers does.

The Devil Wears Prada serves as an amazing example of symbolic code through costuming and character design. In the begining of the film, the main character Andy is very awkward and out of touch with her femininity. She has not explored any forms of self-expression and seems comfortable in her familliar lifestyle. She sticks to the same sweaters and unflattering silhouettes and doesn't "care about fashion." However, after getting a secretary job at Vogue by attempting to expand on her journalism degree, she begins to self-reflect and undergo a series of changes in order to adapt to the style and expectations of her new enviornment. Throughout the film, it's evident that the more dedicated Andy is to her career, the more out of touch she becomes with the girl she used to be. This juxtaposition through costuming represents Andy trading in her old lifestyle and morals to fit into a more confident, career-driven persona. This also spikes a large debate of whether Andy lost or found herself when comparing her confidence VS her happiness at each end of the film. (Unrelated but this look LIVES in my head.)

My take on it: The overall message of my opening is to show what happens when a kid tries to grow up too fast. Besides me looking young, I also plan on collecting a costume that looks like someone trying to seem older than they are- small dress, makeup, etc. The item in particular that I'm seeking out is specifically high heels that are too big for my foot (which shouldn't be hard since I'm a size 5.) I'm trying to make my character look like she literally and figuratively has not grown into herself yet. Putting a close up on my heels will symbolize the space between where my character is and where she wants to be. This physical depiction of forced maturity acts as a metaphor for the loss of childhood innocence and the dangers of growing up too fast. Through these high heels, I plan to tell a lot about the character, and how she is desperately trying to fill a role she is not yet ready for.

Major Inspiration + Idea for Portfolio Proj

Hello!

This is what sparked my idea for my film opening- walking scenes. Whether it's down a hallway, street, or flight of stairs, these iconic scenes give great insight into the character, as you see the way they act in their enviornment, the clothes that they wear, and the way they interact with the people around them. Because of this, I decided that the best opening for a film should do all of these things, and it serves as the best introduction to my character and her narrative world.

My idea for my project is heavily inspired by these scenes. My main character is a young girl (most likely played by me.) She is shown getting kicked out of somewhere, either a club or bar or something of that type because she is too young. As she stumbles through the streets, she attempts to find her way home intoxicated, dropping things along the way- a high heel, a cigarette, dollar bills. Exhausted, the credits end as she drops to the ground with the title above her head. There will be one clip after the title of her waking up the next morning, miraculously home to act as continuation of the story. 

I am looking forward to filming and will make a storyboard in my next post. Stay tuned!

Group Meeting Reflection #1

Hello!

Today we had our first group meeting in class. My idea is somewhat finalized, but they helped me discuss and consider some other elements of my project that I would not have on my own. These are some notes I have taken regarding what I could include in this opening:

• Outfit/heels should be a little too big- not grown into herself yet
• Think about title ideas (Youth, Grown Up too Fast, Hand Me Down, etc.)
• Could have a cool effect with voiceover/music
• Search a thrift store for costuming
• Handheld camera/shaky camerawork to look unstable or drunk
• Could add something with a phone- call a ride home (?)
• Stumbling through road
• Amplify the high heels as she walks
• Muffled party music in the beginning
• Sketchy area sounds- sirens/yelling in the background
• Consider font choice and coloring
• Watch "Trainspotting" film opening (I was told it was a similar idea)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LuxOYIpu-I

I do like a lot of these ideas and I will try to integrate them into my final storyboard. I will look for the final pieces for my costume and research movies with similar aesthetics to get inspiration. Until next time!