Here it is, my completed film opening for ‘Inescapable’.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HA15UOOOapp_z_NhGERAv22MagA984M7/view?usp=drivesdk
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Monday, April 1, 2024
Portfolio Project: Reflection
Reflecting on my film project, I can see how much I've grown and learned throughout the entire process. One of the most significant areas of growth for me was in terms of technical skills. I went from having a basic understanding of camera techniques to mastering various aspects of cinematography and editing, which allowed me to bring my vision to life.
Moreover, working on this project taught me the value of preparation. I learned to effectively research and storyboard which is a skill I can use in any future occupation whether it be within the media sphere or not. Through this process, I not only improved my filming skills but also gained a deeper appreciation for cinema and its creativity.
Beyond technical skills, this project also provided me with opportunities for personal growth. As I faced challenges and made decisions throughout the filmmaking journey, I gained valuable insights into my strengths, weaknesses, and creative preferences. This awareness has allowed d me to approach future projects with greater confidence and clarity.
Furthermore, seeking feedback from peers, teacher, and audiences allowed me to evaluate my work critically and identify areas for improvement. Embracing feedback with an open mind has been critical in refining my craft and pushing the boundaries of my creativity.
Overall, my film project was not just about creating a finished product; it was a transformative journey of learning, growth, and improvement. As I come to the end of this course, I am grateful for the lessons learned from this project and excited about the opportunities for further exploration and development in the future as media is a constantly changing component integrated within our society.
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Portfolio Project: CCR presentation touchups
Chapter 22
Today, I completed the answering of two of the four CCR questions. I made progress by finishing the voiceover for my Canva presentation, which I had to re-do, and synchronizing it with the slides on CapCut. To enhance the sound I added some background music and sound effects. Completing this task marks a step forward in honing my presentation skills and refining my presenting skills. These small achievements contribute to the overall success of a project, and I'm quite pleased with the outcome. Please view the full presentation below, and note that considering I have given myself the time to I will continue to improve my project.
Questions answered within presentation:
How would it be distributed as a real media text?
How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Portfolio project: CCR presentation
Chapter 21
Today, I dedicated time to developing one of my media products for my CCR. Specifically, I focused on refining my Canva presentation. However, I'm still in the process of figuring out how to incorporate my existing voiceover into it. My goal is to complete both of my media products by the end of next week. Please view the link attached below, which is where you will find the current version of my Canva presentation.
Friday, March 29, 2024
Portfolio Project: CCR questions #2
Chapter 20
Today I will be answering the remainder of the questions for the CCR, these questions will be integrated into a Canva presentation as my second media format with the exception of the second question. Please note I will be using information derived from previous blog posts, as most of them have already addressed these questions.
How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?
Discuss the technologies used within production—apps, devices, tripods—and how they were used and contributed to the development of the theme. End with conclusion of what I learned and how to apply it to improve for the next time.
In working on my project, I made sure to take full advantage of technology by using online sources for research. I spent a lot of time browsing the internet, checking out different websites to gather all the information and ideas I needed. Whether it was reading articles or watching educational videos, I found a ton of useful data online. This was beneficial as the internet is constantly changing and I had access to the latest updates and different perspectives within my genre. Additionally, I could find videos and pictures to help me understand things better which I integrated within my blog posts. Using online sources not only made my research easier but also helped me get inspiration for my film.
iPhone 13 (hardware)
The camera I used to capture the shots was the iPhone 13. I used the tool bar to adjust exposure when needed as my film is lit quite dimly, this allowed me to enhance the visibility of certain shots.
[Click the image to purchase]
Phone stand (hardware)
I utilized phone stands similar to this one that I had around my house. I used them for shots where I wanted stability and a steady look, without distracting from the action within the frame.
[Click the image to purchase]
Camera stand (hardware)
For many shots, I needed higher or eye-level angles, which I achieved by stacking books and items (empty trash bin) on top of each other and then placing the phone on the top. This method allowed me to adjust each angle and shot precisely as I wanted, as holding up a phone steady for long periods can be challenging.
CapCut (software)
CapCut an app I downloaded, served as my primary editing software. I used several options from its toolbar, including sounds for stings (leitmotif), background music, and diegetic sound. Additionally, I utilized text for credits and the overlay effect to create the impression of a house camera's POV.
I’ve decided to include the following question within the GRWM.
How would it be distributed as a real media text?
Introduce the target audience and how they are chosen, acquired, and maintained by engagement through techniques such as editing and mise-en-scene choice. Then talk about realistic methods of distribution—a small film company typically wouldn’t be distributed through a large distribution company. Streaming services such as YouTube would suffice.
‘Inescapable’’s target audience are between the ages of eighteen and sixty five and over, with no specific gender caps. The thriller opening captivates its audience by creating suspenseful scenes with fast paced cuts and stings, these editing techniques allow the audience to feel engaged as if they were feeling as tense as the protagonist shown on screen. Additionally, the mise-en-scene choices develop the story, specifically the props. The wig suggests a disguise, while the suitcase the protagonist leaves with implicates she is going away for some time or in other words fleeing.
Considering this information, I would distribute through YouTube a platform accessible to everyone with a digital device. The streaming service also allows for movie distribution with optional to seller applicable additional fees, often between the range of $2.99 to $19.99, according to Lifewire’s “How to Rent or Buy Movies on YouTube”. Depending on where one is situated the price can seem more or less expensive, however seeing YouTube is a worldwide distributor, according to YouTube's terms of service, that likely would not be an issue seeing the audience is so wide. Just for reference, if 0.1 percent of the population purchased this film that would be approx. 7,951,000 people since the population size is 7.951 billion and continues to grow everyday. If the film ‘Inescapable’ were to be priced at the minimum price of YouTube movies that are distributed, which is $2.99, the film would make roughly $23,769,490.
Open with link or view image: https://datacommons.org/place/Earth?utm_medium=explore&mprop=count&popt=Person&hl=en
Open with link or click image: https://www.youtube.com/static?template=terms&noapp=1#:~:text=The%20Service%20allows%20you%20to,and%20advertisers%20large%20and%20small.
Open with link or click image: https://www.lifewire.com/youtube-movie-rental-service-review-1846117#:~:text=YouTube%20movie%20rental%20and%20purchase,to%20start%20the%20play%20process.
How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
Describe how the beginning of the project was—research, planning, and storyboarding. Discuss changes to the project and why, for example, cutting sections because of time issues. End with a comparison of where I started, finished, and how far I’ve come.
Throughout the school year, I've had the opportunity to complete several media related projects assigned by Mrs. Stoklosa, my media studies teacher. Among these is the sound project which challenged me to create a two-minute scenario reliant solely on audio for comprehension. This project helped me developed essential skills in layering and editing sound, crucial elements in the production of a thriller. Whether it was the subtle footsteps or the tense stings, mastering these techniques enhanced the outcome of my film opening.
For instance, during the sound project, I learned about layering of sounds, creating a realistic soundscape, utilizing environmental noises and diegetic sound. Moreover, with this knowledge in hand I was able to gain knowledge in how to synchronizing sound in the future with on-screen visuals, a skill applicable across various film productions.
Another valuable assignment was working with research charts. These charts serve as our primary source of information for media context essays, requiring thorough research skills. This process not only served as a learning experience but also highlighted the importance of meticulous research prior to essay composition.
While these assignments didn't necessarily create a fully ready media product, they were components of a successful project execution. Through these experiences, I've enhanced my proficiency in media production elements and effectively applied them to project creation, resulting in more favorable results.
A struggle I faced throughout this project was time management. From the beginning, I realized I had overdone the storyboard; originally, I intended to show the protagonist leaving her house and entering a car where another scene would take place, however, this exceeded the time given frame. Additionally, incorporating multiple angles within a single scene presented a significant challenge in staying within the time limit. While these diverse shots added depth to the scene, they also complicated the pacing. Ultimately, I had to make tough decisions and trim certain angles to ensure that other elements wouldn’t be obstructed. This highlighted the importance of effective time management and prioritization in the production process.
Reflecting on the various media projects completed this school year, I'm amazed at how much I've learned and grown. From developing audio storytelling skills to improving my research abilities, each project presented its own set of challenges and lessons. Overcoming obstacles like time constraints has taught me the importance of effective planning and prioritization. As I look forward, I feel more confident and prepared to tackle future projects within the media sphere.
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Portfolio Project: CCR question #1
Chapter 19
Since the question I plan on addressing first is one of the densest ones, I will be dedicating this separate blog post to it. I will address this question while in a Get ready With Me(GRWM), as I believe it suits the topic I will discuss. The question reads, “How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?”. For this question I will begin with an overview of my thriller genre. After establishing the key elements of thriller films and identifying which ones are incorporated into my film I can examine in detail how these components are integrated into society and what or whom they may symbolize. Then I will discuss what all these elements come together to represent. Please note I will be referencing points made in previous chapters of my blog as well as my class notes regarding the CCR questions which I have dedicated a separate blog post to breaking down. Additionally, I will be adding a few of the images I want to include in my GRWM.
Script
Hi, I'm Eden Baloul, and today I'm going to be talking about "Inescapable," specifically focusing on its opening scene.
As a thriller, "Inescapable" captivates a diverse audience, with a variety of age groups and not setting any gender boundaries. Audiences are drawn to the genre's ability to keep them on the edge of their seats, and "Inescapable" accomplishes this by creating suspense while telling the story. The presence of an antagonist constantly keeps the protagonist, Catalina, on edge, intensifying the audience's engagement. Sound plays a crucial role in conveying this tension, with stings used to intensify the tone at certain times and classy piano music at others, setting an elegant tone. All adding layers to the narrative and further developing Catalina's character. Throughout the film, I used low-key lighting and avoided showing a clear shot of my protagonist, which I learned from Christopher Nolan’s Inception, can add to the mystery of a film.
Catalina, serves as a protagonist, challenging typical stereotypes associated with women in thriller films. Instead of portraying just a seductive woman who is essentially an accomplice to a powerful man she is portrayed as a sophisticated, elegant, and fiercely independent woman who is that powerful person.
The narrative of "Inescapable" revolves around three key points: Catalina's disguise (wig), her act of fleeing (suitcase), and her constantly being watched(camera/window POV). These elements establish the conflict of the character, drawing the audience deeper into Catalina's story. Since the film lacks dialogue, the audience is dependant on visuals to understand the narrative. This way of telling the story helps viewers feel more involved, letting them see how Catalina handles dangerous situations quickly and effectively in order to protect herself.
"Inescapable" isn't just another thriller; it reflects on today’s society. Catalina is representative of strong women in a male dominant sphere. We’ve all heard the saying “marry rich,” and typically it refers to men being the rich ones and women being those who need the man. Catalina is strong, rich, feminine, and knows how to protect herself, which is something that still today many women are assumed to be incapable of doing, needing a man’s protection, like him handling the gun, which in this film she does herself. Additionally, the security cameras are a symbol of the constant surveillance we face in today's world; nothing goes unseen or unheard.
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Chapter 6 To understand the sequence in which I was to show my credits throughout the opening, I searched online. I found two main routes I ... -
Here it is, my completed film opening for ‘Inescapable’. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HA15UOOOapp_z_NhGERAv22MagA984M7/view?usp=drivesdk
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Chapter 1 When deciding how I wanted to approach this project, my focus reached towards those having visual interest. Specifically, develop...