Creative Critical Reflections

 CCR #1

CCR #2

Film Opening. Tied to Strings.

Here is my film opening Tied to Strings, I hope you enjoy!!

Reflection.

 I cannot believe that this project is over wow.

  I'm gonna be honest, not always in the creative process do I feel the most motivated, sometimes I feel a bit of an imposter syndrome where I feel like my ideas are not good enough or portrayed well enough, but I'm glad that in the end I was happy with the product and I know that I have learned so much and I was already able to apply so much of my knowledge that was waiting to be shared and implemented, so as I reflect I want to just push the brakes and acknowledge to myself how far I've come! 

I learned so much about writing and building a narrative with character through this project, and I know that's going to be worth using in A level!

The BIG Cookie

Hello! I'm Martina Rodriguez and this is my Creative Critical Reflection for my film opening titled Tied to Strings. My story follows a young girl named Nat, who discovers her purpose and passion for art at an early age; is full of creative ambitions from youth. As an artist, she second guesses the value of her art and attaches it to her self worth, she is hesitant about sharing her creations with the world... afraid of what the consequences may be, towards the end of the opening we see she struggles to pursue it, and it looks as if she's leaving her childhood and creativity behind. Now we don't exactly know why that is or what experience made her feel this way, so there's this ambiguity and anonymity created in the film opening, the plot is not entirely black & white from the get go. 

What we DO know is that the film opening is centered around this character that is on the cusp of becoming. Which is conventional and typical of a Coming of Age film. 

#1. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups/issues?

Now, according to MasterClass, there are 3 characteristics that encompass the storytelling of a Coming of Age movie.

1. Character and Growth

2. Dialogue

3. Social Commentary

However, there is no inner monologue OR dialogue to explain what's going on through the character's head at the beginning, there is no quirky little explanation that sets up the character's thinking patterns and the plot, (not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just not the way I wanted to tell it). It's simply showing us who this person is and what this person does with their free time. The struggle of maintaining that creativity is ultimately what will be addressed in the plot. Will she continue to create? Will she keep on pursuing her passions?

The protagonists conflict is an example of Character vs. Self and Character vs. Society. In this case both of them very much intertwine, as her interactions with society are affecting the way she treats herself and therefore perpetuating this preconceived notion that arts are not as important as other disciplines.

Okay yes, I understand that these movies typically follow through the narrative with an inner monologue that gives a view into the characters mind, like _______ but I didn't want to give too much away at the start of the film even though it's gonna have to get introspective eventually.  I didn't want the viewers to know 100% where the story was going. 

ISSUE #1

According to the source give kids art, the changes in outbox thinking faced a gradual decline... and even in figure 2 we can clearly see that by the time adulthood is reached, creativity is no longer at the 80% mark it once was at 5 years old. But what is to blame???  are the education systems squandering creativity?? Is it social media that's turning people into human dodos?? Follow the rules, do as your told, fit in; all horrible advice. 

ISSUE #2 

https://www.amacad.org/news/american-opinions-about-artists

The fact that the character in the film opening begins to believe that her passions and that art is not a major contribution to society is scary, but she's not the only one. 

 NORC at UChicago surveyed a share of the public opinions on certain professions, and 42% believed it contributed some while only 22% believed it contributed a lot.

The film opening serves as a representation of all artists and younger generations who may have felt discouraged at some point by the societal norms and beliefs instilled in our communities, and even in our governments. 

women in creative industries

#2. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

 And since Coming of Age films are very human, and heartfelt, I feel that's the greatest genre to give these values and notions a place in the medium. Which leads me to my target audience, for this film would be on the younger side around 12-22 years, targeting teens to young adults due to the subject matter dealing with growing up and adapting to the world, I believe this would be the appropriate audience.  In a way, everyone can take something away from this film, even adults who have passed beyond this transitional period can find something meaningful in this piece, since the artists importance, particularly female, continue to be underrepresented. Not everyone may identify with the piece, not everyone may understand the piece, but it's important to bring awareness! 

https://phys.org/news/2011-04-teenagers-dont-college-sociologist.html#google_vignette

In other words, teens find coping methods such as avoiding situations and difficult conversations... but that can become maladaptive, so having this product out there would bring light to these conversations and these issues as well as inspire audiences to consider the perspective that being an artist has meaning and value. Some food for thought.

 https://www.givekidsart.org/why-art

My best options for distributing the piece as a real media text would be through social medias and websites, where I can build a brand for myself and push my work out there. It's good to take advantage of the tools alloted in this digital era so that the media texts can gain more exposure and bring awareness. Film festivals are also another great way for media texts to be distributed, as they strive to give student filmmakers recognition even through awards ceremonies!

CCR #2

HOW DID YOUR PRODUCTION SKILLS DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT.

Hi My name is MARTINA RODRIGUEZ I will be the host of this podcast ready to discuss more about the behind the scenes of creating this film opening. So discussion questions... fire away! 

 Going into this, I've always put a lot of thought into my work and trying to make sense of a story... what is the purpose, and what will people take away from it. The message has always been super important to me but as to how it was conveyed... that was was not really something I'd have to think about. Moreover, I've practiced making commercials, all sorts of promos, and music videos where I would build on the idea to help find a unique way to market it, but to have to create the product and storyline itself... AND execute it...?!? that was entirely new for me. I had lots of trouble with writing this opening and understanding how to structure it... it tested my resilience if anything, I had to be open and take a risk in order to get a much more successful product! So research was definitely a component I relied on... and watching more movies has definitely expanded my mind and provided a good framework for me to understand how to write and create my own story. My writing skills definitely got better with this project, and I was able to tap into my creativity to connect the dots in a new way!  But in the end, it was rewarding, and I feel like this story is worth sharing! I learned to let free of what others perceived and went with my gut and what I believed! Once I was happier I got more creative. 

 I wanted to use this project as an opportunity to bring on a cathartic experience... one for me to learn from in numerous ways. That I did. I'm going to admit, I chose a pretty difficult topic. It was difficult because it was so personal, and at the beginning I felt like I didn't really know what the plot was even gonna be about after the opening, I was grappling onto my feelings for inspiration, and that was working to my detriment. I also had little experience with screenwriting, and pairing that inexperience with a contentious topic created quite the obstacle for myself. When I started, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to establish a strong sense of character for the audience, so I researched and looked for ways to do so. I learned that when building the character, there has to be an external motive that drives the plot, but also an internal realization that is implicit but acts as the conclusion/resolution in the end, and leaves people satisfied.  

HOW DID YOU INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGIES-- SOFTWARE HARDWARE + ONLINE --- IN THIS PROJECT?

For starters, I was able to use the Sony Alpha 7 IV: Full Frame Mirrorless. My uncle, who works at Comcast NBC universal and got his bachelors at full sail has been a huge mentor for me throughout the years, and I learned from him that it's not necessary to always have equipment that is the latest and the greatest, but (if you have a sort of budget) it's definitely important to do your research on cameras and equipment to know what to spend your money on. I have another camera but that one is more like a consumer camera, moreover the crop sensor doesn't allow for a full frame and clear image, as opposed to the Sony Alpha 7, so that's what I preferred to go with for a more polished look. 

As for lighting, I made use of the practical lighting and made an effort to film in daylight, so the images wouldn't look so artificial. For the shots with young nat, the lighting couldn't be super super bright as I liked creating a tone that felt more melodramatic, so the blinds where there to help stop so much sunlight from creeping in. And for the yearbook picture, I used my ring light to light my actor!

I have been editing with the Adobe softwares for almost 4 years now, and although I've been meaning to learn how to use DaVinci Resolve, I didn't want to risk switching over when I knew these 8 weeks were going to be tough to juggle. Editing is my favorite part of the production process and I was able to put those skills to use in this project. I knew that my photos and videos had to be recorded by myself, so a challenge I faced was matching the color of the yearbook photo with the background ones in the back. I solved this issue by going onto lumetri color where I lowered the midtones in order to get a cooler feel in the background, but I also balanced it out with some saturation so the color of the face didn't get washed away. I loveeee getting creative with the graphics, and for the animation I did on Tied to Strings it was super simple and regal, but it also added something to the story. The purpose of the two Is stretching out in different directions was to make people feel like they were going to meet in the end, but because the I's are soooo far out from each other, the intent was that there was a knot midway and this whole rollercoaster in between that is out of frame. The editing of this graphic was super simple as all I had to do was type out my text with the Bebas font and add two line shape layers, I carrot down to the keyframes and press "add" where I can then select trim paths, allowing me the option to toggle in the keyframe where I wanted the animation to start and finish.

Even towards the end, once I was finished with my opening I thought about including it on my social medias and uploading it to YouTube so people could easily access it.

Editing (for reals??) day 2.

 finally feeling like my opening has some sort of structure, I feel absolutely relieved. That's a picture of my sister up above that I took of her in my room against a grey wall, I figured it be a great way to replicate a yearbook photo. I'm gonna make a quick blog that gives a rundown on my CCR progress, and I will be wrapping everything up TOMORROW!

I did take some Inspo from this film H.A.G.S short !!!

EDITING! (for reals)

 I used this website free pik to download the polaroid frame that I'm using for the snapshots!!!

You can already see that the story is coming along much better, I think having it told through the years is necessary because it nods to some of the conventions of the typical 'Coming of Age' trope but the music bends the genre conventions a little bit, it takes the story into a Drama as well which I absolutely LOVE.

I filmed the rest today. I am so proud of myself for taking that risk and the more that I've practiced I feel like I understood the assignment more and more.

this is a clip I took from the editing, showing baby nat creating and the previous creations on the side to give the viewers context.

So... what's plan B?

PLAN B.

Filming today. 

I got some shots yesterday but I plan on getting the rest today and the baby shots tomorrow... this blog post is going to cover everything! Update on script, shot list, music, genre, because there's not much time to do it all. 

Ideas

I went on short verse and found this really cool yearbook video that I thought might give me some inspiration...

H.A.G.S short

Script

My issue with the last script was that there was so much dialogue, and as I begun the process of editing with that last storyline,  it was lacking in emotion and honestly, it felt kind of corny. Since this film opening can only be at max 2 minutes, I didn't want it to start off that way, I thought about taking the direction of show don't tell. 

"Her" as in Natalie 😅 That one line with the parent I'm thinking of changing it to "what are you now so afraid of nat?" 

SHOT LIST

My issue last time was... there was no shot list! I mean yes there was a storyboard, but I think that having the shot list helps to organize the ideas quite a bit as well, I want to do a storyboard for the shots I'm filming tomorrow, but it's difficult since it's gonna be at another house, and it's hard to visualize just how competent the baby will be... but we're gonna try LOL!

INT. HOUSE-- (consists of cutaways and inserts)

The main purpose of the shots in the old house are to create nostalgia, and show that the baby has always been happy creating.

1) Wide (WS): Baby walking against the window smiling (SINGLE, EYE-LEVEL) -5 secs

2) Medium (MS): Baby drawing, focused; adult hand guiding her in the corner (TWO-PERSON, SHOULDER) 

3) Close Up (CU): Baby hand, taking new colored pencils and drawing (OVERHEAD)

4) Medium (MS): Playing with dog, hugging and comforting each other

5) Medium: (MS): Baby in the closet finding clothes to wear, fashionable (HIGH LEVEL)

6) Long Shot (LS): Baby dancing in the mirror, posing with purse in hand (HIGH LEVEL)

7) Medium Close Up (MCU): Polaroid camera snapping a picture (GROUND/SHOULDER LEVEL)

EXT-- NEW HOUSE (consists of cutaways and inserts)

8) Flip book of shots of Natalie growing up 

9) Establishing (ES): Pulling luggage into the new house

10) Snapshot of Natalie with boxes moving in to room

Tied to Strings Title Graphic Appears on screen

INT. THE ROOM (still 12 year old Natalie)

11) Wide (WS): Grabs light blanket flowing in air 

12) Worm's eye view: Natalie pulling blanket over to make the bed

13)  Close Up (CU): Natalie putting up lights to film

14) Medium (MS): Natalie setting up go pro, recording video

15) Go pro image shown (Natalie singing with microphone)

16) Medium Close Up (MCU) Natalie snapshots with polaroid and friend

EXT. BACKYARD (16 year old Nat)

17) Long Shot (LS): Natalie jumping in the pool (Back view) -- go pro

18) Long Shot (LS): Shot of Natalie from inside the pool, swimming in (go pro)

18) Wide Shot (WS): Natalie swimming inside pool (go pro)

19) Wide Shot (WS): Natalie swimming inside pool (Sony)

Music

Okay so I use a site called envato elements and that's usually where I find the music I'm going to use, it's not free... but I know there are some assets there that you can download without a subscription. I made a folder with some of the sounds I plan on using. 

I found the right music!!!! I wanted to find something nostalgic, I ended up not going with any of the ones in my collection and choosing a sound that I found just now on envato! It's upbeat, nostalgic, and doesn't sound so corporate, it holds some mystery but it's still playful just enough. 

Taking a risk: is it worth it?

Yes.

I'm gonna be honest I've been feeling a little bit awkward with the direction this project has taken because it didn't really feel like there was much meaning to the storytelling, and the message wasn't direct enough.

I've had lots of experience with all facets of production yet I don't have much experience with screenwriting... I've practiced making commercials, all sorts of promos, and music videos, but I've never actually practiced making films before. I have to admit, I had lots of trouble with writing this opening, it was frustrating and I almost got discouraged... but everyone has got to start somewhere and I still have time to fix it!! So instead of lingering on in those emotions of stress, I looked for solutions and answers.

Back to the roots

To fix my issue with the storytelling, I went back to the overall theme and purpose of the story, which was to eventually show that the character found success as a creative and grew less and less fearful of rejection. This character was almost living like a double life and realized she had to choose between fitting in, and being her true self, but then took full ownership of who she is!

Researching

I thought I would go back in and do some extra research... this video made some really great points and proposed different ways in which a film may start, some pretty neat structures!!

I am thinking about still using some of what I filmed but I'm going to shift the way it's told, I will overlay some of the audio that I got 

What have I been up to: everything.

Editing!!

I chose to edit using Premiere Pro since I'm already familiar with the program and thought it would make the process a whole lot easier.

  I started by editing the flashbacks so that I could nest them and focus on the sequence where the character is older and creating. Once I'm done with the line edit I will be adding the titles!!! Thankfully I've chosen the name of the film.

There's not much to uncover here as I'm just adding the clips and making sure the pacing of the video and conversations is good and not awkward... once I get into graphics I will have to explain a lot more!!! 

What Problems have I ran into??

For the sake of time, I don't think I will be able to include the last portion that is in my script, I wrote more than I could actually fit... so I think I'm just going to roll with the flashbacks and establish the character before all else. 

Also the audio in this one clip has an annoying tap noise that I can't get rid of... I'm gonna find a different take to see if it works better because it's really bothering me.

 

After editing the flashbacks, I needed to start on the real bulk of the editing and that's when I knew I'd be heavily reliant on the music to drive the emotion forward.

My favorite part is you guessed it; EDITING. I'm an editor first and I always will be above all aspects of production, it just brings me absolute joy. it all just comes together and it's my way to experiment with the style and the flow. 

An idea arose!!!

For context: When I was shooting these shots I was in the garage, and there's a mirror that was in front of where I had set up the tent... you follow me??

***Pic for reference

So when I had the lights out, my camera was practically incognito, you couldn't see anything but the fairy lights that illuminated the tent, but then a funny thing happened, the tent went out of focus and thats when I got the glorious shot of BOKEHHHHHHH. I immediately knew after that, I was going to abuse tf out of this bokeh shot to enhance the lighting in my videos. This wasn't a shot I meant to get, but I'm really happy it happened because it wasn't my initial thought to include bokeh!!


So this was my result!!!! (with no vfx needed, simply practical)
But how did I remove the black??? Let me explain.


After uploading the footage into the software, I tapped on "Effect Controls" there's an option below the opacity called "Blend Mode," which allows for a different stylized appearance of the video, adding more dimension. I chose the Screen blend mode.

The End Result!!!!

Look what I got just from NOTICING THE ENVIRONMENT!!!!! Yay. Yay. Yay. 

Film opening title????

 I thought of the name Tied to Strings...

For some context, I took inspiration from this saying, and I thought it would work amazingly well in representing the film opening as a whole. I thought of this because the character of the story feels so influenced by the commentary provided by others of a certain significance in her life, that she withdraws from her own full potential. I like that the title is a metaphor and is relevant to the story without giving too much away.  I also love having the repetition of the consonant "t" which makes it more memorable, killing two birds with one stone!

So that brings me to my next question... what type font will I choose??

I found an article highlighting the evolution of Typefonts, which gave a brief history from Bauhaus to the post-digital era. The font style that intrigued me the most was much more minimalist, and I can imagine that will correlate best with the title strings. I like serifs, I'm still looking into it but once I'm done filming then I will finalize my choice.

This is a motion graphic video sample I found on YouTube of kinetic typography. I just looooooove the beginning of this sequence, it's super captivating and since the title card will occur at the beginning, I need it to set the tone for what the storyline of the film might entail.

filming day 2!

 

 So we just finished filming the first flashback with the young characters!! They're dressed in the white polos and I printed it out the scene with the lines highlighted for them to reference from the script while I got to set up the equipment and props.

Here are some of my fav stills!! (raw footage that I have yet to color grade)

This scene took some time to film but I was super grateful that my sister's friend was able to portray the boy in the film opening, I decided to treat them to a well deserved Menchie's!!

In the next blog I'll be sure to detail the title of my film opening and its placement!!!