#43 CCR 2

 Hey everyone, today I will be showing you all my CCR 1:

    The final CCR is divided into two parts. I provided detailed explanations and incorporated specific examples to ensure my answers were thorough and effective. This approach demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the questions and reflects my engagement with the principles of AS Level Cambridge Media Studies.

    In this CCR, I created a Q&A-style YouTube video, and I genuinely enjoyed the process. It took around four hours to complete, but everything flowed smoothly, and I had fun throughout. In the video, I presented the questions and answered them with detailed explanations. Despite feeling nervous at times and worrying that I might make mistakes, I pushed through and gave it my best effort.

    The time and effort I dedicated to elaborating on these questions reflect my commitment to answering as thoroughly and effectively as possible. This approach not only showcases my engagement with the project but also highlights my understanding of the principles underpinning Cambridge Media Studies at AS Level.

    I completed all my editing using CapCut, as I am not yet a professional, and this app was the most accessible tool for me to use until I learn more advanced editing techniques on my own or with more complex software. Creating this CCR has been an invaluable experience because it helped me become more comfortable with the editing process, as I managed everything independently, from my room at home, without assistance or external guidance.

    I found answering the questions relatively straightforward, thanks to the level of detail and effort I had previously invested in my group film project. This preparation made the CCR process smoother and allowed me to provide thorough and well-structured responses.

    For my CCR, I dressed in semi-professional attire because I wanted to ensure my video conveyed a serious and thoughtful tone, rather than coming across as though I didn’t care. I did my makeup, styled my hair, and completed all my personal grooming essentials to feel and look both polished and professional. This effort boosted my confidence, and I absolutely love how my CCR turned out—it’s exactly what I envisioned, and I feel incredibly proud of the final product.

    I believe I did a great job managing the editing process independently. The project reflects both my dedication and my growing proficiency in media production, which are fundamental aspects of Cambridge Media Studies at the AS Level.

#42 CCR 1

 Hey everyone, today I will be showing you all my CCR 1:

    My CCR is presented as a concise PowerPoint with a voiceover, where I answer the questions displayed on the slides. The CCR is divided into two parts, with the first two questions answered thoroughly in the initial five minutes, and the remaining two questions covered in the second segment. I provided in-depth explanations and included specific examples to ensure my answers were comprehensive and effective.

    The PowerPoint is intentionally kept brief so that it complements my voiceover rather than distracting the audience. This design choice ensures the focus remains on my spoken insights and the knowledge I am sharing, rather than the visuals on the slides.

    Before recording, I wrote down key notes that I wanted to ensure were included in the video. These points were essential as they helped inform the viewer and kept my presentation organized. One challenge I faced was ensuring that my CCR aligned with the planned script and timing. If I’m being honest about my process, it turned out to be a bit more challenging than I had initially anticipated.

Difficulties:

    I screen recorded my PowerPoint and then did a nice little voice over nothing to big nor nothing to small at all. The reason it came to that simple point was due to the fact that I was having a lot of trouble with my first Idea that I wanted to do. My first idea was making a zoom call and rescoring my whole screen and have a little rectangle of me in a conner talking so you could see I was a part of this, and it was truly me, but everything key going sideways and it took me just 2 hours trying my best to make it work and it would not work. 

#41 Final Project

Here is my groups final product, the film is called "The Forgotten":

#40 Reflection on the overall project/class

 

    Looking back on this project, the thing I appreciated most was the opportunity to work collaboratively and bring our creative vision to life. It was such a rewarding experience to transform an idea into a finished product, especially as a team. Of course, there were obstacles along the way—like reshuffling plans and the challenges of editing—but we stayed focused and put in the effort to overcome them. Personally, managing my time efficiently and navigating the complexities of editing were the toughest hurdles for me. Despite these challenges, seeing everything come together in the end made it all worthwhile.

    Editing was one of the biggest challenges for me throughout this project. Before taking this class, I wasn’t confident in my editing skills and often found the process difficult. To improve, I started using CapCut and spent time watching tutorials on YouTube, which made navigating the app much easier. A friend also stepped in to help me understand how to use the tools more effectively, which helped me take advantage of the platform’s features. Although editing wasn’t originally supposed to be my role, I ended up handling it on my own. Fortunately, everything came together in the end, and I was able to complete it successfully.

This video helped me a lot with my editing skills and hopefully it can serve you the same purpose:

    Managing time throughout this project was undoubtedly one of the toughest hurdles I faced. With so many people involved, it was incredibly challenging to coordinate schedules and plan key dates for filming. Everyone had different commitments, and this often resulted in delays and some stressful moments for me. The constant struggle to align everyone's availability meant I ended up taking on extra tasks to keep things moving forward, as some group members simply couldn’t contribute as much. Despite the obstacles, I worked hard to overcome them and ensure the project was completed successfully.

    Taking on such a significant portion of the work added a lot of stress and frustration for both Madison Velazquez and me. But I’ve learned that this kind of situation is often inevitable when working with a larger group. Despite the difficulties, I stayed determined and committed to getting everything done on time. I gave it my all and worked as hard as I could to ensure we achieved the best possible outcome.

    Putting effort into anything truly pays off, and this project was no exception. Throughout the process, I learned the value of hard work and dedication as I saw my efforts come to fruition. Taking this class has been an incredible experience—I’ve gained so much knowledge about filmmaking and production. One lesson that stood out to me was the importance of choosing reliable teammates or working with smaller groups. Madison V and I shared the same commitment to the project, and that made all the difference in successfully completing it.

#39 Let's edit

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today we're talking about the editing process of our video and how everything turned out with the group.

    The editing in our film seamlessly transitioned from scene to scene, utilizing a variety of visual and auditory effects. Techniques such as fades, glitches, and sound manipulation were carefully applied. These post-production choices enhanced the film's ability to clearly convey its genre as supernatural horror to the audience. 

    These effects have made my film more effective in advancing the plot and enhancing its clarity for the audience. The sound design adds suspense through its unsettling non-diegetic elements. For instance, when Madison Velazquez shown on the swing, the following scene transitions to an empty swing accompanied by the sound of a drop. This use of sound and visual editing creates a sense of unease, leaving the audience anxious and questioning the events of the film due to its surreal nature.

    Using these editing techniques, I was able to effectively showcase various angles and camera shots in my film. For instance, one scene features three girls walking, with the camera transitioning from their movement to a slow pan that reveals me standing in front of them, accompanied by a glitch effect. This editing choice evokes fear in the audience, as it appears that the girls are unaware of my presence. Such elements reinforce the supernatural nature of the film.

These are some images that we had took of editing:

#38 News Report Scene!

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today I will be talking about the new report scene that I filmed with Madison Velazquez at her house.

     I went to Madison V's house so we could film the next part of our project. To make it clear that we were portraying different characters, we carefully chose contrasting outfits. For instance, in the earlier scene, I played the supernatural figure, dressed in all blue to evoke suspense. In the news clip, however, I wore a combination of white and blue to present myself as professional and trustworthy, making the distinction between the characters even more apparent.

    Before we started filming, Madison V had prepared a script to help us memorize our lines more effectively. She focused on making it as realistic as possible, aiming to capture the tone and style of an authentic news segment. I shared the same vision, ensuring the script contributed to the credibility of the scene and felt natural to the audience.

These are the scripts:

    Having a script was incredibly helpful in keeping everything organized while we brought our scene to life. It ensured that we stayed on track and made the filming process much smoother overall.

    This scene brought an essential element to our film by showing the reactions to the mysterious disappearances of the girls. It provided consistent updates, keeping the audience involved and aware of the events as they unfolded. These updates played a vital role in helping viewers follow the storyline and fully understand the plot, making the progression of the film much clearer.

#37 Breaking down the meet up

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today I will be talking about the date my teammates and I met up and I'll be saying what we did and what took place in that hang out.

    After editing, the break began, and it was time for us to focus on finishing our blogs, revising our footage, and completing the CCRs. The main challenge was coordinating our schedules since we all had different plans during the break, making it difficult to find a day to meet and finalize everything together. Despite this, we worked around the obstacles to push forward.

    During the break, I spent most of my time in Orlando, while the Madisons were away on vacation for part of it. Nicole stayed in Hialeah with my mom, which made it even harder for us to get together since we were all spread out. To make it work, we planned one final meeting, and since I live in Kendall, it ended up being the most convenient location for everyone. On the afternoon of March 29th, we all met at my house to wrap everything up.

    Once everyone arrived, we talked about our video while enjoying some snacks. We then sat down and watched the entire opening again, making adjustments to smooth out any transitions that felt rough and tweaking some of the sound issues. After polishing the small details and incorporating additional transitions, we finally completed the project. With everything finished, my teammates headed home, and the day wrapped up successfully.

    With the video finalized, the only remaining task was completing the blogs. This was something I had to tackle on my own.

#36 Detail to Details

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today I will be talking about the detail to details of our film.

    We carefully designed our film to leave the right impression on viewers. The contrast in our clothing played a significant role in this. While my teammates and I wore vibrant, colorful outfits, Madison V stood out by dressing entirely in black. This choice symbolized her mysterious and dark nature in contrast to our innocence. The deliberate comparison between her and the rest of us added depth to the overall storyline.

    To create the illusion of blood, Madison V applied red paint under my nose. This detail subtly hinted at her involvement in something sinister—perhaps harming or killing someone. As the film progressed, the paint seemed to intensify, showcasing her growing threat and supernatural influence, while reinforcing her untrustworthy nature.

    The swing that Madison V had been using earlier transitioned into an empty seat that mysteriously started moving on its own. This detail added a chilling sense of suspense and left viewers intrigued about what might have happened. The unnatural movement reinforced the supernatural themes of the film, drawing the audience into the fictional world we’re creating.

Transitions on the swing set with Madsion Velazquez:

 
        From this:                                                               To this:

The transition is done using a glitch effect, which heightens the audience's discomfort and leaves them with an uneasy feeling. This detail contributes to the suspenseful atmosphere and reinforces the eerie tone of the film.

#35 Let's get an update

 

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today I will be updating you all on what's going on with our project of the 2 min film opening.

    My group came over to my house, and from there, I drove us to Party City. The store was almost empty and didn’t have many supplies since it was going out of business, so we couldn’t find the props or fake blood we had planned to get. While walking through the aisles, Madison Velazquez and I noticed some red paint, which could work as a substitute.

This is a picture of the exact same paint we had found: 

    After leaving Party City with the red paint, we headed to a park nearby. Madison Velazquez decided to sit on the swings while Nicole Gonzalez focused on filming multiple shots of me. To add a touch of realism, we used the paint under Madison’s nose, giving the impression of blood and enhancing the eerie vibe we were aiming for in our scenes.

    Madison Velazquez then filmed Nicole Gonzalez, Madison Anglin, and me as we walked and chatted nearby. When we looked ahead, we noticed the swing Madison had been using earlier was now eerily moving on its own, even though it was empty. This added a mysterious touch and perfectly captured the supernatural vibe we’re aiming for in the film.

    The next scene captures our surprise and growing unease, which leads us to walk away. As we continue discussing how strange the moving swing was, the camera reveals me up ahead, completely drenched in blood. Suddenly, the screen cuts to black, leaving an unsettling and mysterious impression on the audience.

    The sudden black screen leaves viewers wondering about the next twist and draws their attention to how the story will unfold. It builds curiosity and ensures the audience stays hooked on the opening sequence.

#34 What's the plan?

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today we're talking about what will be the plan for the 2 min film opening and how it will be done and set in place. this blog will lay it all out. 

    This weekend, my group and I plan to head to my house and the Larry and Penny park to start filming the opening scenes. The natural surroundings at the park will help us craft a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere, perfect for setting the tone of the film. By blending the outdoor elements with our ideas, we aim to create a truly captivating start to our project. 

    We’ve made it a priority to ensure our film reflects the vision we have in mind, and a lot of that depends on how we use the environment and the props. Every detail, from the natural surroundings to the smallest elements, plays a role in bringing the supernatural theme to life. Editing will also be crucial in amplifying this eerie atmosphere. As we prepare to film this weekend, I’ll make sure we keep all of this in mind so that the final product truly captures the mood and tone we’re aiming for.

    We’re planning to use props from Party City, such as flashlights or other objects that will fit perfectly into the eerie tone we want to achieve. By carefully selecting these items, we’ll be able to enhance the paranormal theme throughout the film. Incorporating the props effectively during filming will also make the editing process smoother, allowing us to bring out the supernatural elements with precision and creativity.

Visual of the park we will be filming at:

            This is how I want to edit it                      This is the actual Larry and Penny

    The vision I have for this film is deeply rooted in creating a chilling atmosphere through every element, from the setting to the effects. I plan to use editing tools to darken the sky, setting a foreboding tone, while a trail of fog will coil around me and my group, adding an ethereal, otherworldly vibe. Props like fake blood, which we’ll pick up from Party City, will enhance the supernatural feel of the narrative. Each detail, carefully crafted, will ensure the visuals and editing work together to immerse the audience in the eerie world we’re building.

This is the fake blood were planning on getting for this film:

Here are some props That we will possibly use in our film:

                       

    The props we’ve picked out are a key part of showing that our project is rooted in the horror genre. Because the storyline leans heavily into the supernatural, the props will act more as tools to enhance the plot rather than taking center stage. The eerie and otherworldly effects we want to create will rely heavily on editing, making sure every detail adds to the atmosphere and aligns with the vision we’ve set for the film. 

This video helped me see some ideas I would like to add into my groups project:

#33 Plan Craft Pt.2

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today we're talking about the plan for the 2 min film and the craft in the making. This is the part 2 and the final part of the plan, let's begin shall we.

    The film opens with a thick blanket of fog rolling across the screen, creating an eerie and unsettling atmosphere right from the start. Accompanying this visual is a haunting melody, designed to grip the audience and set the tone for what’s to come. Earlier today, my group and I spent time reviewing several movie introductions, drawing inspiration to craft a unique and engaging opening for our own project. This brainstorming session helped us refine our ideas and set the foundation for a compelling start to the film. 

    We all appreciated this particular idea from one of the films because the way they used lighting created an undeniable tension that kept us on edge. The atmosphere felt unsettling and suspenseful, which is exactly the kind of effect we aim to achieve in our own work. It really showed us how crucial lighting is in building the right mood for a horror film.

    We all agreed that we liked this font for our opening because we want it to set a tone before it starts. The font makes the film curious and also provides a backstory which is good.

    One concept we came up with was to integrate dates throughout the film to establish a clear timeline. This approach helps guide the audience through the progression of events and keeps the plot cohesive. By providing a structured sequence, we can ensure the story unfolds in a smooth and engaging way, while also adding depth to the narrative.

    This ties directly into the detailed planning we’ve done, ensuring that every aspect of the film reflects our vision while allowing us to explore the genre and narrative with depth. By focusing on even the smallest details, we’re able to fully immerse ourselves in the process. The movies we analyzed have inspired us and provided valuable guidance. Our film’s opening will be haunting and thrilling, designed to immediately captivate the audience and set the tone for the rest of the story.

#32 Plan Craft Pt.1

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today we're talking about the plan for the 2 min film and the craft in the making. However, there will be a second part due to a lot of information so stay tuned.

Here’s the outline for my planning process:

    The film begins with a black screen displaying text that provides an important backstory with key dates to set up the plot. The scene transitions into dim lighting accompanied by suspenseful non-diegetic music to create an eerie atmosphere. My three friends arrive for a sleepover, and we spend the night chatting and having fun. As the night progresses, strange things start happening objects move out of place on their own, and unsettling noises echo throughout the house. Fear begins to set in, and we turn on some lights, but the dim and ominous lighting remains. Suddenly, doors begin closing seemingly by themselves, and we achieve this effect by using strings to simulate paranormal activity. As we confirm there’s no one else in the room, confusion and terror grip us as we struggle to make sense of the mysterious events unfolding around us, building suspense and keeping the audience captivated.

Here’s an idea: 
    Toward the end of the film, I could try sending a text message for help instead of making a phone call. As the message is being typed, the phone suddenly glitches, and the screen freezes before I can send it. The eerie part? The words on the screen start rearranging themselves into a cryptic and unsettling message. This twist would add a chilling layer of suspense, leaving the audience wondering if something supernatural is controlling the situation. 

Example of what the shot will look like:

Here’s a unique idea for the film:

    As the tension builds, the characters discover an old, dusty mirror hidden behind a curtain in the room. At first, the reflection seems ordinary, but as one of us approaches it, the mirror starts to distort and reveal shadowy figures that move independently from the rest of us. The figures whisper cryptic messages that we can’t fully understand, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Suddenly, one of the shadows in the mirror aligns perfectly with a character’s movements, as if the mirror is trying to absorb them. The suspense escalates as we try to break free from its eerie pull, leaving the audience on edge.

#31 Storyboard

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today we're talking about the storyboard I came up with and as well as worked with my group so we could better plan out our project and how we wanted our film opening to come out/ play out as.

These are the final product of our storyboard:

    Planning everything out on paper was a great idea that I vocalized to my team and ended up working amazing for us. Other than making everything smoother, all my teammates got to input their own ideas onto a piece of paper and made it come to life as a team/ group we are. This planning sheet was not as detailed as it could have been, but we just put little thing that would click to us while we filmed like a director uses there notes in films.

    While we looked at this and it was not as detailed as we wanted it to be, it would leave some rooms for more creative thinking and last minute add on, on filming day. This sheet was made for us to open our minds on creativity, film making view, and to use the skills we learned over the year and be open minded to the art that is film art. Lastly, we loved this sheet, and I think it was very much needed and helpful in our process of producing our film.

#30 Adapt and Overcome

    Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today we're talking about how my group, and I ended up changing our plans for what house we wanted to film our 2 min film opening at. 

    The first adjustment we’re making is changing the filming location from my house to a nearby park called Larry and Penny. This location will not only make the editing process smoother but also be more practical for everyone involved. It’s a thoughtful change that will help things run more efficiently while offering a fresh setting for the film.

    This change in location will significantly impact how we handle both lighting and sound. At my house, Madison Velazquez was able to easily control the lighting using switches, which gave us a lot of flexibility. However, since we’re now filming in the park, we won’t have that same advantage. Instead, we’ll rely on editing to create the darker tones and mysterious atmosphere we want. This approach will help us maintain the suspenseful mood, even with the new challenges of shooting outdoors.

    One of the changes we made was deciding to replace the idea of editing a supernatural creature into the film with something more hands-on. Instead, one of us took on the role of the supernatural creature. This shift adds a personal touch and allows us to explore the character’s presence in a way that feels more organic and engaging. It’s a creative decision that brings a unique dynamic to our story.

    Originally, we planned to edit a supernatural creature, like a ghost, into the film, but we decided to take a different approach. Instead, Madison Velazquez took on the role of the supernatural being herself, adding a unique dynamic to the story. This choice allowed us to create suspense and intrigue in a way that felt more personal and engaging for the audience.

    This change also encouraged us to incorporate props into the film to enhance realism. One example is the fake blood we used on her during my scenes, which added a more authentic and impactful element. By using practical effects instead of relying solely on editing, we were able to create a more immersive experience and bring the story to life in a way that felt genuine and engaging.

#29 The Setting

        Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog! I'm here with another post, and today we're talking about the setting of me and my groups setting for our 2 min film opening. I’ve always believed that the setting of a film is incredibly important, and it’s no different for mine. My group and I decided to shoot at my house, as it allows us to have full control over the environment. We can adjust the lighting exactly how we want and arrange objects to fit the scenes perfectly. This setup gives us the freedom to focus on all the small details, making the final product even stronger and more visually effective.

    At Madison Velazquez’s house, we have the ability to adjust the lighting to suit each scene. By sliding the plastic all the way up, we get the brightest setting, while sliding it down creates complete darkness. This flexibility is perfect for achieving various lighting effects, and it gives us the creative freedom to experiment with different moods and atmospheres for our film.

    At Madison Velazquez’s house, we’ve identified the best spots to film to enhance the atmosphere of the scenes. The staircase and curtained windows are perfect for creating an eerie vibe, adding depth to the supernatural elements. The backyard, which overlooks a lake, offers a hauntingly beautiful setting, especially for night scenes featuring one of the characters. Additionally, we’re exploring whether the bedrooms and the office could contribute meaningfully to the story. Another idea we’re considering is filming around the block in the dark to intensify suspense and mystery.

    To bring out the best in my settings, I’m relying on specific camera shots to highlight their unique details. Wide shots are essential for capturing the full scope of each location, while aerial shots add a dynamic perspective that enhances the atmosphere. These techniques help me present the settings exactly as I imagine them, drawing the audience into the world of my film and making every scene more immersive and engaging. 

Visual from the movie "lights out 2016":

    One example of how I plan to use a medium close-up is to emphasize the eerie atmosphere by pairing it with dark lighting. The addition of a prop with unique lighting will also play a key role, creating a contrast that adds to the unsettling mood of the scene. This combination of techniques will enhance the horror elements and make the visuals even more impactful for the audience.

Another visual from the movie "lights out 2016":

    One way I’m planning to showcase fear, anxiety, and suspense is by using a bedroom as a key setting. I’ll frame the scene with a wide shot, which allows the background to play an important role in adding depth to the character’s emotions. This approach helps convey a sense of vulnerability while emphasizing the eerie atmosphere of the room, making the moment more impactful and engaging for the audience.