Hello, things are proving to be quite difficult and a little stressful as time goes on and I am unable to get as much done as the day before due to constant new strict quarantine rules. As you know, finding props was difficult to do and is now even more so, I mentioned that I will be taking a modern alternative route. My idea for that so far is to use my Alexa. I will be doing research on the legalities of that, which i will be including in my upcoming posts. If that is not possible I will just use a phone playing music instead. In regards to the outdoor filming, that is going to be taken out and replaced with some more indoor scenes, and I have some ideas for that, those scenes will be replaced by the flashback idea I had and allows for more time to do so within my time frame. For now, going outside in public is just too risky a position to put myself or my cast in. I deeply apologize for the lack of quality within my most recent postings, this week has been extremely disorienting with all of the COVID-19 information, news and need to start nationally socially isolating. My next week’s postings will be back to their normal standard of care and quality I usually do my best to maintain.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Editing Techniques Part 2
How will I utilize these techniques?
Cutting is most definitely inevitable within this piece. It is a part of the majority of films and other productions out there. So are rolls, especially so in my own film opening because I have to provide the opening credits As for the rest, I have already come up with many ways I could use them in my film opening. For example, as soon as I saw the term J cut, I knew that would be used in the very beginning. The screen would be black for about five seconds as a song is playing in the background, and the title appears, showing the subject of the sound after it had been playing for a little while. Jump cuts can be beneficial for shortening the time so that I can fit it within the time frame. The montage editing technique suits the first thirty seconds of what I have already filmed to convey a message and emotion immediately from the start, so even though all I will be producing of my story is the first two minutes of it, the audience can already develop an understanding of the kind of outcome this film will have, as well as the underlying message of it.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Editing Techniques Part 1
Since I have filmed half of the production opening already, and will soon begin editing, I figured it was highly important to do some extra research on editing techniques, and explore my options. To begin with, I am going to go over every term. Then, I will discuss how I can utilize each technique within my piece, how it works and how it may not work.
Cut - A transition where one shot is immediately followed by another. This is a commonly used technique within film editing in general
Continuity Editing - Visual editing where shots are cut together in a clear and linear flow of uninterrupted action. This editing technique serves to maintain a continuous line of time and space.
Continuity Error - When the actions or elements of a scene don't match across shots.
Cross Cutting - Used to give the illusion that two storylines are happening at the same time by rapidly cutting back and forth between them.
Cutaway - The interruption of a continuously filmed action that is related to said action.
Dissolve - When the end of one shot overlaps the start of the next one to create a gradual scene transition.
Eyeline Match - A technique that lets the audience know what a character is looking at by utilizing a closer shot of their eyes looking at something, and then cutting to whatever it is they are looking at.
Fade - A visual effect used to indicate a change in time and place.
Iris - Not usually used in cinema anymore, though extremely popular during the silent era, a wipe that is a growing or shrinking circle depending on whether the film is opening or closing.
J Cut - An editing technique that first allows the audience to hear the sound from a shot, and then see it shortly after.
Jump Cut - An abrupt cut that creates a lack of continuity between shots by leaving out parts of the action.
ex: In the Mood for Love (2000)
L Cut - An editing changeover between one shot and another in film, where the visual and audio shift at different times.
Matched Cut - A cut joining two shots with matching compositional elements. This helps to create strong continuity of action.
ex: A Space Odyssey (2001)
Montage - A sequence of shots assembled in juxtaposition of one another, to create an emotional impact, condense a story, or convey and idea.
ex: Psycho (1960)
Roll - Graphics or text that move up and down the screen, typically used for opening or ending credits.
Rough Cut - The first editing pass done for a film. Usually is polished up for final takes.
Shot Reverse Shot - The alternating of a series of over-the-shoulder shots, used to convey a conversation taking place to capture who is saying what, and their reactions.
Cut - A transition where one shot is immediately followed by another. This is a commonly used technique within film editing in general
Continuity Editing - Visual editing where shots are cut together in a clear and linear flow of uninterrupted action. This editing technique serves to maintain a continuous line of time and space.
Continuity Error - When the actions or elements of a scene don't match across shots.
Cross Cutting - Used to give the illusion that two storylines are happening at the same time by rapidly cutting back and forth between them.
Cutaway - The interruption of a continuously filmed action that is related to said action.
Dissolve - When the end of one shot overlaps the start of the next one to create a gradual scene transition.
Eyeline Match - A technique that lets the audience know what a character is looking at by utilizing a closer shot of their eyes looking at something, and then cutting to whatever it is they are looking at.
Fade - A visual effect used to indicate a change in time and place.
Iris - Not usually used in cinema anymore, though extremely popular during the silent era, a wipe that is a growing or shrinking circle depending on whether the film is opening or closing.
J Cut - An editing technique that first allows the audience to hear the sound from a shot, and then see it shortly after.
Jump Cut - An abrupt cut that creates a lack of continuity between shots by leaving out parts of the action.
ex: In the Mood for Love (2000)
L Cut - An editing changeover between one shot and another in film, where the visual and audio shift at different times.
Matched Cut - A cut joining two shots with matching compositional elements. This helps to create strong continuity of action.
ex: A Space Odyssey (2001)
Montage - A sequence of shots assembled in juxtaposition of one another, to create an emotional impact, condense a story, or convey and idea.
ex: Psycho (1960)
Roll - Graphics or text that move up and down the screen, typically used for opening or ending credits.
Rough Cut - The first editing pass done for a film. Usually is polished up for final takes.
Shot Reverse Shot - The alternating of a series of over-the-shoulder shots, used to convey a conversation taking place to capture who is saying what, and their reactions.
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Filming updates
Hello, this week has been extremely hectic and a little bit confusing due to one really big factor that is most definitely messing up my ability to follow the schedule I had planned to follow and have shown on previous blog postings. Quarantine and practicing social isolation, as well as many places shutting down due to COVID-19, this is making scheduling and filming pretty difficult. Though I am pretty prepared, considering this film opening doesn't need many actors, and the majority of filming is taking place within my own home, finding somewhere public, outdoors, and not crowded, will prove to be a challenge.
To start off with, going back to my challenge of finding an essential prop will be an even greater challenge, as non-essential stores places are being ordered to shut down across Broward County. So I am planning to replace it with a more modern piece of technology that I already own. Another part that was essential was the printing of newspaper articles regarding the issue presented within my own piece, which will also prove to be difficult. This time, not difficult to find but difficult to print out. My home printer is currently broken, and the only way I was able to print them out was through my dad's office printer, which is currently very restricted for workers such as my dad now with the strict social policies being implemented surrounding this pandemic. I will try to ask my dad when it's his turn to return to the office to print some out for me, or ask for the printer to be fixed considering the time we have during this quarantine.
With this in mind, I will be coming up with new ways to replace the things I will unfortunately have to cut out or modify quite a bit. However, I am halfway done with filming anyways, and will soon start editing after I've planned how the rest of my filming will go. For right now, this posting is about the changes that will officially will have to be made to my project. Stay tuned for my next postings introducing my new ideas and ruling out which ones don't work.
To start off with, going back to my challenge of finding an essential prop will be an even greater challenge, as non-essential stores places are being ordered to shut down across Broward County. So I am planning to replace it with a more modern piece of technology that I already own. Another part that was essential was the printing of newspaper articles regarding the issue presented within my own piece, which will also prove to be difficult. This time, not difficult to find but difficult to print out. My home printer is currently broken, and the only way I was able to print them out was through my dad's office printer, which is currently very restricted for workers such as my dad now with the strict social policies being implemented surrounding this pandemic. I will try to ask my dad when it's his turn to return to the office to print some out for me, or ask for the printer to be fixed considering the time we have during this quarantine.
With this in mind, I will be coming up with new ways to replace the things I will unfortunately have to cut out or modify quite a bit. However, I am halfway done with filming anyways, and will soon start editing after I've planned how the rest of my filming will go. For right now, this posting is about the changes that will officially will have to be made to my project. Stay tuned for my next postings introducing my new ideas and ruling out which ones don't work.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Costume and Makeup Design in Action
In my last posting I showed the ideas that inspired the makeup and costume I had in mind for my film and these are the results! Morgan, the actress for my main character, Maya Palmer, who are both 19 years old, was able to bring a perfect set of costumes. I provided jewelry and makeup.
The outfit consisted of a white t-shirt, a loose denim jacket
thrown on top, a pair of baggy denim jeans, and black boots.
For jewelry, we decided on a low hanging lapis lazuli necklace, and a pair of 60's-70's inspired leopard print geometric earrings.
For makeup, I decided to do something more natural that accentuated her eyes, lips and the high points of her face. *Disclaimer - I will be mentioning products I used, none of which are sponsored.* On her eyes, I used a couple of different eyeshadow shades from the Morphe 350 palette, Fenty Beauty's Diamond Bomb: How Many Carats?!, Clinique kohl eyeliner pencil in the shade intense black. On her nose and cheekbones I used Clinique chubby stick sculpting highlighter, and finally on her lips a simple clear lipgloss with Rimmel London's Oh My Gloss!
1) I began with using this light brown shade as a base for blending the colors together smoothly, mainly focusing it in the crease with a small blending brush.
3) Lastly for the eyeshadow part, I used this shimmery golden shade and swept it across the lid to contrast the deep crease, further helping the illusion of wide, big, awake eyes.
4) I topped off the eye look by doing a blurred out line of the Clinique kohl liner right by the lash line, with a blended out wing for wider eyes, and then lining her lower waterline with the same liner. Then, I added a little bit of the Fenty Beauty glitter product lightly to her inner corners of her eyes for an extra pop.
The outfit consisted of a white t-shirt, a loose denim jacket
thrown on top, a pair of baggy denim jeans, and black boots.
For jewelry, we decided on a low hanging lapis lazuli necklace, and a pair of 60's-70's inspired leopard print geometric earrings.
For makeup, I decided to do something more natural that accentuated her eyes, lips and the high points of her face. *Disclaimer - I will be mentioning products I used, none of which are sponsored.* On her eyes, I used a couple of different eyeshadow shades from the Morphe 350 palette, Fenty Beauty's Diamond Bomb: How Many Carats?!, Clinique kohl eyeliner pencil in the shade intense black. On her nose and cheekbones I used Clinique chubby stick sculpting highlighter, and finally on her lips a simple clear lipgloss with Rimmel London's Oh My Gloss!
Steps for the eyeshadow look:
1) I began with using this light brown shade as a base for blending the colors together smoothly, mainly focusing it in the crease with a small blending brush.
2) Then, I took this rusty, deep brown shade with a smaller precision brush and focused on only the crease, to deepen the shade and give the illusion of bigger and deeper eyes, barely blending it to keep the deepened look.
3) Lastly for the eyeshadow part, I used this shimmery golden shade and swept it across the lid to contrast the deep crease, further helping the illusion of wide, big, awake eyes.
4) I topped off the eye look by doing a blurred out line of the Clinique kohl liner right by the lash line, with a blended out wing for wider eyes, and then lining her lower waterline with the same liner. Then, I added a little bit of the Fenty Beauty glitter product lightly to her inner corners of her eyes for an extra pop.
Friday, March 13, 2020
Props, Costumes, Makeup Inspiration and More!
I have officially started filming! So I had to come up with some inspiration, again using Mural for my inspirations, and in my next blog posting I will show the results of this inspiration come to life. To start, I made one for the clothing, jewelry and makeup that goes into the character's personality. Though it is a retro, seventies kind of look, it is not taking place in the past. It is taking place in modern times. The purpose of having this as important is to develop the personality of the character, her likes and interests. It puts a face to the issue I am presenting through my production, forces people to humanize Black transgender women by putting my character in a setting of getting ready into her favorite clothes, surrounded by her personal items.As for the radio that is an important prop for the very beginning, the radio in mind is one that is hard to obtain and so I will change that either by eradicating it entirely or by another plan, I was thinking of a phone however that is a little more difficult to do, but it can be worked around. And as for the remainder of my filming process, there isn't much left to do. My schedule though will be completely turned around, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, school being canceled, many places being shut down, and the encouragement to self quarantine/ practice as much social distancing and isolation as possible, filming dates will be extremely altered. Once done, the editing part and the rest of the blogging process, as well as my creative reflection, will run much more smoothly.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Target Audience and Production Distribution
Throughout my blog postings, I have thoroughly discussed representation, the conventions of representation within the drama genre, and how I am challenging those conventions based on the research I have presented. Now, establishing the target audience of my production is important in order to further research what platforms are best for their outreach. The representational aspect is most vital, as young Black transgender women hardly ever see themselves on TV, and if they do it's rare that the representation is good representation. However, these women and girls won't be able to see it if I don't cater to a more general target audience on popular platforms within said audience. For age range, my target audience would be heavily focused on Gen Z with some focus on Millenials. Though this is the target audience at a more general level than race and gender identity (and I will be doing research solely on platforms that cater to this target audience) I am hoping that a wide variety of people can see my piece, especially people who weren't aware of this epidemic of violence against these women, or people who have views that contribute to overall violence and hatred. I want people to see them humanized and in an intimate light, one that leaves them understanding that at the end of the day people are people and despite their differences to them that doesn't mean that they are any less deserving of safety, happiness, and basic human rights.
Regarding how these productions are viewed, it is obvious that watching cable television is becoming less and less popular with newer generations in the consumption and viewing of various forms of media, films and TV shows especially. It's all about streaming, streaming, streaming! Instant gratification leaves us all impatient the minute an ad plays because we want the content we asked for right then and there. This applies for all media, not just film. People are willing to pay for premium memberships such as Spotify and Apple Music for endless skips, free access to any song without needing WiFi, and no advertisements, and within film people are subscribing to streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Of course, it is also obvious that for upcoming amateur film makers and producers, these are not attainable goals for a very first production to get out there. So what are some ways to get your work out there on popular platforms that are still realistic?
Regarding how these productions are viewed, it is obvious that watching cable television is becoming less and less popular with newer generations in the consumption and viewing of various forms of media, films and TV shows especially. It's all about streaming, streaming, streaming! Instant gratification leaves us all impatient the minute an ad plays because we want the content we asked for right then and there. This applies for all media, not just film. People are willing to pay for premium memberships such as Spotify and Apple Music for endless skips, free access to any song without needing WiFi, and no advertisements, and within film people are subscribing to streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Of course, it is also obvious that for upcoming amateur film makers and producers, these are not attainable goals for a very first production to get out there. So what are some ways to get your work out there on popular platforms that are still realistic?
YouTube
YouTube is the world's second largest social media platform, with over 500 hours of videos being uploaded every day and more than 1 billion hours of watching time every day. The popular age range of watching is about 18-24 years old, but now there is a wide variety of ages consuming it's content for a diverse set of reasons. Due to this, this would be a great platform to post my first production to gain an audience.
YouTube's History:
- On October 9th, 2006, it was announced that YouTube would be purchased by Google for $1.65 billion USD.
- The first advertisements rolled out in 2007, allowing for content creators to profit off of making videos by monetizing their videos.
- In May 2010, YouTube served more 2 billion views a day.
- In March 2013, YouTube was seeing over 1 billion active users monthly.
YouTube's Important User and Usage Statistics:
- 6 out of 10 people prefer online video platforms to live TV.
- By 2025, half of viewers under 32 will not subscribe to a pay-TV service.
- 95% of American 18-24 year olds use YouTube in an average month.
- In 2015, 18-49 year olds spent 4% less time watching TV while time on YouTube went up 74%.
- YouTube can be navigated in a total of 80 different languages, covering 95% of the internet population.
- YouTube is watched at over 1 billion hours a day, more than Netflix and Facebook video combined.
- YouTube is the world's second largest search engine and second most visited site after Google.
“57 Fascinating and Incredible YouTube Statistics.” Brandwatch, www.brandwatch.com/blog/youtube-stats/.
It may come as a surprise that Snapchat is landing on this list, as it is predominantly a social media
app. However, as of 2019, Snapchat came out with yet a new feature on its app called Snapchat
Originals, an extremely clever marketing strategy on their behalf considering their main consumers
are Gen Z, who also are more likely to stream shows and films, and it's all free for the consumers
while the people behind Snapchat and the collaborators for their Original shows profit majorly. It's a
win-win! Here are some statistics and facts regarding the success of these Snap Originals:
Snapchat
It may come as a surprise that Snapchat is landing on this list, as it is predominantly a social media
app. However, as of 2019, Snapchat came out with yet a new feature on its app called Snapchat
Originals, an extremely clever marketing strategy on their behalf considering their main consumers
are Gen Z, who also are more likely to stream shows and films, and it's all free for the consumers
while the people behind Snapchat and the collaborators for their Original shows profit majorly. It's a
win-win! Here are some statistics and facts regarding the success of these Snap Originals:
- "Time spent watching shows on Snapchat has tripled this year alone"- Sean Mills, Snapchat VP of original content.
- Over 18 shows reached monthly audiences of over 10 million viewers, 12 of which are original productions.
- Originals are monetized by two or three six-second unskippable ads.
- Reaction lenses make it easy and a fun, interactive way to interact with their show's biggest moments.
Constine, Josh. “Snapchat Becomes the Mobile HBO with 12 Daily Scripted Original Shows.” TechCrunch, TechCrunch, 10 Oct. 2018, techcrunch.com/2018/10/10/snapchat-originals/.
Vimeo
Vimeo is an ad free, free video viewing platform and is one of YouTube's competitors. It
became the first video platform to support high definition videos in 2007. Vimeo allows
users to upload and promote their videos with a degree of customization "not found on any
similar service".
- 90 million registered members on Vimeo
- 170 million monthly viewers on Vimeo
- 20% of B2B marketers in North America use Vimeo to distribute content
- 710,000 of Vimeo users are on a premium membership
- 70% of Vimeo users live outside of the U.S.
- 42 million Vimeo users are in the U.S.
- Vimeo has users in over 150 different countries
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
How to make a realistic cardboard radio Example of the end result Materials: - Pieces of cardboard box in the common size of three... -
In previous postings I have analyzed genre conventions within drama, representation within genre, researched the experiences of the people...
-
My short film, Reaching Equilibrium, is about a teenage girl named Evelyn who was recently diagnosed and starting treatment for bipolar ...
