Editing Process

Today the class is working on editing our commercials. I came in late and my group was already working. I helped turn on the computer as it was unplugged. Checking on the file, I saw again that most of what we shot wasn’t there but we still had enough to work with. We took at least six takes of each part, but only two showed up in file. I’m sure we can still work with it. When we tried to open Pinnacle Studios we couldn’t get it to work, as with the rest of the class, so instead we started to focus on sending the important takes to our own google drives. For this process, we went through each part of the commercial.

I had, along with my group members, debated on each shot and which would be the one we would eventually use. We got through all but the last shot, along with the audio backups, because the computer wasn’t loading the videos. In the end we sent the rest of the last shot that we hadn’t reviewed. We also sent all the audio files that we could because we didn’t have headphones ready to hear them. When sent, we now have reassurance that if the computer is to be wiped to keep it working that we have the important takes to work with.

This is far from what I had expected today to be like. I wanted to get everything done, only in need of the background music. I have been looking for songs to use in the background, but we haven’t truly decided on something. We didn’t really get to work on editing today but we are a good team and I’m sure we can finish within the rest of the time we have. Still enjoying this project, and can’t wait to see it developed further.

Filming Process

The other day we had filmed for our commercial. It was fun! We went to and claimed building 17 easily, able to shoot with out a problem. We started on the second floor hallway, taking several takes, and then moving outside. Again, we took multiple takes. I was the one filming while Madelene was the main actor, Josh caring our things while he wasn’t acting. We were quick, as the camera only had 30-40 minutes on its battery life. Eventually we moved to the first floor, and took lots of takes. I directed Josh and Madelene in where they should start and act. They were cooperative and trusted me to direct them, so everything went smoothly.

When we were to move onto the last few shots we had a little problem. In our minds we imagined the places to be closer then they actually were, so we filmed a few different endings. Once we completed that we decided to do the same process again but with the tripod. We experimented a lot with the shots(tracking and angles) but we still wanted something still to fall back on if the handheld wasn’t what we wanted. At the end we decided to record the few lines again so we could seamlessly edit them in later without messing with the ambient noise. This took up the last of our time and the cameras battery life. When we got back to the classroom we swiftly returned the equipment and acquired an SD card reader. We dumped the footage onto the computer, making our own folder although it took a few attempts.

For some reason the file we created doesn’t have everything we shot, which isn’t ideal when wanting to find the perfect take to use, but at least we had a few for each part of the commercial we planned for. Hopefully this won’t be a problem, but I doubt we will have to reshoot anything, even if we were able. Anyway, my group worked well together. Before we started to film I was a little worried if it was going to be difficult, but it went by in a breeze. Everything we did was efficient. Can’t wait to start editing and working towards our finished product.

Storyboard

Today in class we were supposed to create our storyboard, but, our group had already finished the storyboard in previous classes. The storyboard we worked on is for Building 17, but if we need to, we can film in lots of separate locations. 

The first shot is of actor M walking down a hallway(maybe a tracking shot?), eventually leaving the building through the double doors at the end. We have planned to have music in the background, where it is actually what actor M is listening to, so actor M will need to wear headphones. The next shot will be actor M beginning to walk down the stairs after leaving the hallway(maybe a wide shot, showing the surroundings?). In the third shot(probably wide) actor M reaches the bottom of the steps as actor J walks across the screen. Actor M gets actor J's attention with a "Hey, wait up." Then the fourth shot shows actor M catching up to actor J, and the fifth is of their shoes(specifically actor M's Converse), actor M asking "Want to listen?" to actor J. Continuing the fifth shot, the camera is still as the two actors walk out of the shot, with text appearing and a voice-over reading the words, "Converse, keep it simple."

 We have been struggling a little with the sound, though we are still working to find a song. Also, we think that each shot will vary in length, each one might not be exactly 5 seconds. Here is a picture of the storyboard:

Editing Lesson Blog

Today we learned about the filming and editing process. We learned how to check out the camera, tri-pod, SD card and reader. It was a little complicated but necessary. Hopefully when we actually do it, it will be more simple. Then after that we learned the editing process. My group and I asked about some specific things for our own commercial. After we also talked about some details of the voiceover and so on. I’m excited to work on the project and can’t wait to get started!

The actual editing process was some things that I have seen before. I made sure to take notes on specific orders and some titles of things I needed to know. The Pinnacle Studio looks like a good program, if a tad slow, but I can be patient. I hope it won’t take long to eventually edit our commercial. The actual process included opening the computer and dumping all the takes into a personal folder. Then opening Pinnacle Studio and importing the takes into the program. Then dragging the takes to the bottom. There were three layers, the top being the titles, the next being the video and then the sound/music.

You could delete the music or the video to isolate one, overlaying it. We could use that to voice over. We also learned some of the transitions, though I’m sure we will only use the regular cut. But we might try out some, not sure. We also learned how to put text on the screen, which we will use for the last part. We have already started working on our storyboard, so we have some idea of what we need to do already. I think this project will go smooth.

Planning Blog for Converse Commercial

Today we are planning our commercial. Figuring out the props, costumes, schedule, locations and our backup plan for if anything goes wrong. We want our commercial to be simple. Just following a normal student, and eventually revealing they’re wearing converse. The slogan we are going for is “keep it simple,” and “made by you.” 

Props: definitely a backpack(not branded or too distracting). Maybe a binder/folder/notebook or book, to show more context of the actor being a student, but it’s not completely necessary. We want the actors to look natural.

Costumes: keeping with the “natural” and “simple” theme, we want the actors to wear their own non-branded clothing, enough to give them personality but not enough for them to distract. In the event we cannot use the clothing worn, a jacket will be used to cover it up.

Schedule: today we are planning and we might draft the storyboard. Next class we will complete the storyboard with definite shots. Then the next we will film. Having planned so thoroughly, filming shouldn’t be a problem and won’t take more than 30 minutes to accomplish. We don’t quite know what editing program we are using so we aren’t sure if it will be difficult, but we will make sure to have plenty of shots to choose from.

Location list: for what we have in mind, all we need is a hallway, stairs and a somewhat open place. It could be the balcony hallway of building 5, the media center stairs and the patio in front of it; It could by the second floor of building 21, the stairs and the walkway next to it; Or it could even be the second floor hallway of building 17, the stairs and the stone path by it. Any of these locations can be used, and there are plenty of others we have planned for if some don’t work out.

We have talked about each backup plan within each subject, and can’t wait to execute our plan!

Research Conventions

My group started to work on our commercial project today. We will be creating a commercial about converse. We had to choose from a list of topics, including Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts, Wendy’s/McDonalds, and Nike/Converse. We decided against doing a chain restaurant because we couldn’t think of any strong ideas on the spot. Once we thought more about converse, we saw that it would work the best.

We started to research more about converse. Like their past slogans like “made by you” and the like. We saw that most of their recent commercials were all about the diversity in daily life. This is great since our school is very diverse and we can only shoot on campus. All in all, Converse is looking to be a great choice for us to choose for this commercial project. 

In class we started working on ideas for various shots that are commonly used in their commercials. We noticed that they used a lot of closeups on their actual shoes, and generally revealed their brand towards the end. We plan to storyboard our shots like theirs. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough class time to discuss this all in class, so we decided to plan via group chat!

Introductory

Hello, my name is Breanna. I am in an AICE Media Studies class, and I will be using this blog to record my experience during my projects. This class interests me because it is about filming, and I was raised up on movies. Filming something has always been of interest to me. Coming into the class, I had already known some things, but there are lots of things I don't know. I am ready to learn about it.

The class has already done a project about the genres of film, and we have been told on the projects to come; such as a commercial and even a two minute film at the end of the year. Ever since I heard of this I have already started to brainstorm, as I know that creating a good idea and film takes time. So far I enjoy the class, and two of my friends and I have decided to work together all year, Madelene and Josh. I live near Madelene and our moms are close friends. I know Josh from biology last year.

I don't have much experience in recording my everyday life, in social media or otherwise, but I think writing these blogs will be easy. Hopefully this class will be fun, and I can get everything done in time in a way that my group wants.