Final Video Reflection

 The last step to finish the project is the reflection, the reflection is 4 questions that we are supposed to answer in a creative way. I started the first and second question of the reflection I just need to edit it. My idea behind the first video was to have one of my friends come to my house and play the role of a journalist from UF. My friend will interview me in different parts of the house like someone would in real life. During filming of the video, we encountered some problems such as wind, loud noises, and the script.

We were able to solve these problems by using our quick thinking skills in the spot. The wind during production was a problem because it would blow the script while also adding noise to the film. I decided to move the scenes where I was outside the backyard until later so the wind would pass. The loud noises weren't really unstoppable so we had to deal with planes and noisy neighbors. The way I was reading the script was in a way that was very  close to the camera, what ended up happening in one of my clips was that the paper was obstructing the view of the camera, and had to be filmed again. 

For my second reflection video I will be answering question 3 and 4. Question 3 and 4 were left for last because they were shorter than the first 2. Since the total video has to be from 7-10 minutes I planned that if I do a little over 5 minutes (5;20) in the first video I could do 3 to 4 minutes and that would be more than sufficient for the videos (8 to 9 mins).

 Since the second video is shorter, I decided I could make a fake podcast with one of my friends. Since the film "Mirage" will be seen by many an interviewer will probably invite me to his show. Since I know this idea is pretty basic I decided that the podcast will take place in the everglades that way the video can be more entraining. The video will start with me and the interviewer in a boat and will end when I finish asking the questions. 

Editing

 After we finished recording, we knew most of the editing involved with the video, but what impressed me the most was how easy it was to add the background music. We used Upbeat, a website that allows you to install 3 free background music choices from a vast selection. For the editing, we decided to use ClipChamp. Mariano and I have used ClipChamp in the past because of how simple the editing process is. 

After installing ClipChamp, you will receive a free tutorial on all the buttons and different actions you can add to the video being edited. A problem we ran into while editing was that since there were only 3 available downloads on Upbeat to use the sound, we couldn't download and add them to the video. A simple solution Mariano devised was to put the sound on the website while we played the video. As mentioned in past blogs, the main technique that I use during the process of editing and filming is to put myself in the audience's POV. 

I used the audience's POV while editing to see how the editing choices affected my feelings toward the film. For our opening, we used 3 different background music sounds that matched the film. The first sound we used was a calm, unsettling sound that helped the audience understand that the film would be horror and build tension. While this scene was going on, we thought it was a great idea to add the credits because there weren't any important events taking place, just the introduction of Frank.

For the second sound included, we used a calmer but still unsettling background music. During the scene, the undiscovered shapeshifter walks up to Frank and stares at him nonthreateningly. By adding this sound, the audience could tell that the dog wasn't normal and could be the monster that was previously stalking Frank. 

Lastly, the 3rd sound had to be heavy, scary, and jumpscare-type because during the scene, the shapeshifter reaches out to Frank to grab him, but Frank quickly runs away. Blending the sounds together was a difficult part of editing the background music. Without blending in the sounds, the film would look choppy and unappealing. To approach this problem, I had the idea to match the sounds with the scenes taking place by managing the fading of the sound and volume. 

UpBeat

ClipChamp

Recording

Last Tuesday, Mariano and I went out to record since we had all the shots and storyline organized. We decided to wait until nighttime for a scarier setting. Some issues we encountered while recording were camera quality, chasing scenes, and the number of helpers. I believe that if we had a third person while recording, the video could have been more successful. 

The first part of the recording was filmed at Mariano's house. His dad helped us record the first shot since Mariano and I were in the shot. Zach Simpson is a friend who has also helped us during part of the filming. I decided that Zach could be a good assistant because he has taken the class in the past and had a dog we could use for filming. In the opening Zach's dog was used to introduce the shapeshifter, his dog didn't give us many problems and we manipulated his movements with treats. 

Since it was nighttime while we were recording, the camera quality was a little blurry. To counter this problem, we decided to add light from a phone flashlight. This problem gave us a good idea: lower the lighting so the dog "shapeshifter" could look more menacing. A technique that really helped me during the recording was to put myself in the audience's spot. This way, I can tell what feelings the audience is experiencing.

Lastly, we made so many changes to the original plot of the story due to the reality check. Our original idea for the introduction of the shapeshifter would of been to show a dog with poor lighting convert into a human but after 7 tries we decided it would be better if we introduced him a different way. One of the problems I didn't see coming was my imagination vs. reality. When I was planning for the opening, I had so many great ideas, such as introducing the shapeshifter, but they all came down once I started recording them in real life. This problem did critical damage to our original idea of the opening, but it we countered by walking around the neighborhood and thinking of new ideas. Walking around the neighborhood helped me come up with new ideas because I could put myself in the setting Frank is in and let my imagination run wild.
 

Schedule

For the recording process, my partner and I are going to start next Monday because since none of us are going anywhere for spring break we have the whole week to record. Before you look at me like a dummy for pushing the project more, I need to explain how I will tackle this part of the project.  For the recording process we will start Monday and end Wednesday, I don't think it will take us 3 days to record but just incase something comes up we have an extra day. Luckily my partner and I both have access to cars, this will help because we wont need to wait for our parents to take us or pick us up from filming locations. 

The editing of our project will be completed Thursday. For the editing process of the project I will go to my partner's house and collectively finish it. For the shape shifter's transformation to look realistic we will need to add effects that hide him but aren't too noticeable. This is a problem we have encountered but my partner is currently looking for a solution since he is better at editing than I am. 

 For sound, most of the opening will be quiet because it represents Frank's life until the shape shifter appears which will result in the music being louder to match the scene. I will also implement eerie sounds so the audience believes that the shapeshifter will appear. I will use the sound techniques i learned in the past to make the audience feel anxious while watching.

 

Preparation for ending reflections

 Today in class I learned that I really want my opening to be a thriller coming of age, this is because I can relate more to the main character “Frank” both of us being teens. The final reflections are hard because they need to be in someway creative. I would say I'm a creative person because I came up with an idea immediately. My idea would be to have someone  come up to me as a paparazzi asking me the questions I need to answer. 

Another idea I came up with would be to go to the everglades and act like a nature researcher. I will relate my movie about the shape shifter to the evolution and change in animals. I will also include part of the video on a boat while on the way to the Everglades. This idea is very creative since I haven’t heard any ideas like that from my peers. 

A problem I came across with is that me and my teammate pushed the recording process of the project too much. A good way of seeing this mistake would be that while we were pushing it back we were also planning how we are going to record and what shots to use, making it easier for us to complete the process faster. The places we plan to record in are behind the library, my partners house, and the street. We will use extreme close ups many times throughout the opening to really show the fear that Frank is experiencing. 

Planning

 Before my teammate and I start recording the opening I want to have a clear and specific pathway to finish the project. Having editing, recording, acting, and more elements is crucial to have planned for a production to turn out successful. 

For the main actors,  I will be Frank and my parents will be Mr. White and Mrs. White. My partner Mariano will be involved with recording the scenes. Before we start recording I will have to specifically explain the actors how they are supposed to talk and act including body movement. For the opening I want the Mr. and Mrs. White to be a Hispanic married couple that does not have time to pay attention to Frank due to work. Frank is a lonely teen that is trying to find a passion.

For the editing part of the process, my partner will do most of the work because he has more experience editing. Even though he will be doing it, I will be helping him and give him ideas to add. We will be forced to work together because he has the skills for the editing and I have the plan set up with the specific details I want to include.

For the recording my partner and I wanted to get our hands on more professional recording equipment like a camera but didn't succeed. For the recording process we will use an Iphone 15 and an Iphone 13, the camera quality is good on both on them but limits the potential of the scenery. The color grey will be a dominant color through out the opening because of the point of view of Frank being sad/ depressed.   

Sound

One of the most important elements in horror movie is sound, in horror movies sound is used to match the intensity of the film this can include jump scares, and quiet moments. For my film, my teammate and I are planning to use as many natural street sounds to match with real life.

As I was completing my research I found a website called ArtlistBlog that helped me decide which sounds to use and how to use them. Something I really liked from the website is how there are sounds you can test out. I came to a conclusion that I would like including many scenes that had Frank's POV, I will use this by adding breathing sound effects or just Frank talking to himself. 

By doing some more research about sound in horror movies, I also found out that the suspense of a scene relies heavily on sound. For example in horror movies when there is about to be  a jump scare there is low to no sound. This is because it creates tension, I will add this sound technique to my opening to create a greater suspense when the shapeshifter is near. 

In the past, my class has practiced making sounds and experimented with sound by making a whole story based in sound. This assignment we had in the past will help me complete the opening and have a higher realism.  

Creating characters

 MasterClass and Studiobinder are two websites that helped me create my characters for the opening. Studiobinder helped me understand the process of understanding what is a character analysis and MasterClass took me through the steps. 

 Frank is 5,10 feet (177cm) and weights around 165 lbs. (74kg), he comes from a Hispanic background. Frank spends most of his time playing videogames and doing graffiti around the town.  Frank is a 17 year old boy that doesn't  perform many activities and is lazy. Frank likes to play pranks on his parents and friends. Even though he doesn't have many friends, he knows everyone in the town.

Mrs.Gavidia and Mr.Gavidia are Frank's parents, they are also Hispanic and focus on their company to stay afloat. They know Frank as a playful teenager and give him a lot of freedom in his daily life. Frank's parents although attentive, don't spend as much time with Frank. This takes a toll on Frank and makes it hard for him to communicate with his parents. 

Not much will be given about the shapeshifter in the story because his main features are being mysterious and malicious. The shapeshifter will have a dark aura and will never stick to one shape exactly, this is  to catch his victims off-guard. The shapeshifter will come in different transformations, as a cat, parent, teacher, and friend. 

Some of the details in the characters are prone to change, I will start choosing my settings by going into apple maps and search parts of Hollywood and  Weston. I haven't tried it yet but my idea is to use their POV shots around town to find the ideal filming locations for my opening. I will also include different shots in school, Broward library, and my house.

  

Filming necessities

 Before we start the filming of our opening, my teammate and I are finding locations to film in that will properly represent Crestwood. Crestwood is a dark and quiet city that was known for its depressing environment. I thought the area of Hollywood murals in a cloudy day will be a good place to record because its dark like appearance between the buildings around the city.

Some of the equipment we need to prepare before filming is the clothing, camera, and a stabilizer. For the clothing, I want Frank to wear typical used teenage clothes to better fit his role in the movie. The stabilizer can help the recording be more stable and look more professional that is why I believe is a must for the recording process. For the camera we are planning to use an iPhone 13 camera, but if we get the opportunity to use a higher end camera we will.

Lastly, something the project is missing, is a character analysis for frank. Having a character analysis for the characters in the opening is important so the actors properly know how to portray the characters. For the opening, we will need a character analysis for Frank, his parents (Mr.Gavidia, Mrs.Gavidia), teachers, and the shapeshifter. 

Yet again, MasterClass saved my day again and provided me with a clear guide on how to create deep meaning to my characters. In the article it was stated that making your characters someone you relate to is important to the story line because you can have a better point of view with the character. Other elements such as inner conflicts and flaws are also important to humanize the characters.

Story board

 Today, my group partner came to my house to plan out the story board. During the creation of the story board, my teammate and I discussed how shadows are such an important aspect to our opening. The shadows in the opening will allow us to hide the shapeshifter and include symbolism of the shapeshifter. The shadow helps symbolize the shapeshifter because they can take any form and are sinister.

The story board we made is only a rough outline of what the opening will include. One problem my team will encounter is to find the specific places to record the opening in. I was thinking of places near us but none came to head. I talked to my teammate about this and we came to a conclusion that recording by Hollywood due to all the different settings we could use.  

My group and I still have a lot of planning left to do, this story board will be just an outline for our further research and creating of the outline.

What I want to leave my viewers with: My story line blends elements of supernatural horror, mystery, and psychological thriller. It explores themes of disbelief, determination, and the consequences of confronting the unknown. The unexpected ending, where Frank is erased from the memories of his entire town, leaves a lasting impact and raises questions about the nature of the shapeshifter and its motives. Overall, my story creates a sense of unease and leaves the reader with  thoughts about the consequences of facing the supernatural.