Mise-en-scene

 

In this activity, we were given a character that we had to develop and had the liberty of developing in any way we pleased. The primary goal was to ensure it was clear and easy to understand. In the development of our character, every piece we put into our presentation should make it easier for anyone to understand who we are trying to create. 

Jenny Garcia is a college student studying environmental science. She is outspoken, driven, and passionate about climate activism, often organizing campus events and rallies. Standing at 5’5”, she has dark brown curly hair and brown eyes. Her style is casual and expressive—featuring light-wash jeans, a green tank top paired with a white cardigan, Converse sneakers, and gold jewelry. She wears glasses and keeps her makeup simple, with mascara, red blush, and burgundy lip gloss (#3d011f), reflecting her natural confidence and grounded personality.

For a seamless development process of my character, I used Pinterest to gather images that inspired my character’s appearance and personality. I organized these ideas in a Canva template to visually bring my concept together. I also used ShotDeck to select environmental shots that represent what my character advocates for and to develop a cohesive color palette that reflects their message. If I had done my station in person, I would have had one computer for my Canva presentation and another for a playlist of what my character would listen to. As well as having a place for my physical objects that my character would own.

In developing Jenny Garcia, I aimed to create a realistic representation of a young woman passionate about environmental activism. Her character challenges the stereotype that college students are lazy or uninvolved by showing her as outspoken, driven, and community-focused. Through construction choices like natural makeup, casual clothing, and a green color palette, I built a visual identity that reflects her grounded and eco-conscious personality. By using selection to focus on activism and leadership rather than popularity or appearance, Jenny’s character avoids common tropes and presents a positive, authentic image of modern youth advocacy.

Since I worked alone, I had to entirely depend on myself and hold myself accountable for everything. I went through the entire brainstorming and creating process by myself. I had to first establish what elements I wanted to highlight in my character and which ones were supporting that. Going through all the steps and thoroughly making sure that everything I needed was included was extremely important. The result of my efforts provided me with a product I was proud of, and I believe it developed my character to its fullest potential. Although my project wasn't perfect, I felt as if I made it easy to understand and thoroughly curated. 

 

Sound Project - OWF part 2

 

Basic Summary + Directions

I learned that sound plays a huge role in storytelling and can communicate emotion, setting, and action even without visuals. Different sounds—like footsteps, background noise, or music—help create atmosphere and make a scene feel realistic. I also learned how Foley artists use everyday objects to recreate sounds that match what’s happening on screen, and how layering and timing sounds can change the tone or feeling of a story.

For our initial sound project, we had the liberty of choosing our own scenario and planning out what would happen in our outline, and we had to use online sound effects in order to create our audio recording. In addition to this, we were given the task of also using Foley in four of our sounds. To build upon our base of sound, we were given a second project that added a layer of sound to a previous project titled "One Word Film". In this second part, we added many different sounds to it that would enhance the quality of our project.

Sound Project #1

The Approach

We had to start with thinking of a concept for this project that allowed us to make it easy for anyone who listened to be able to understand what's happening. The idea couldn't be too simple to the point where it wasn't interesting, or where we didn't have to add a lot of sound. It also couldn't be too complex to the point that we would run overtime, or that it just wouldn't make sense.

Brainstorming

In our initial idea, we knew we wanted it to take place in a location like New York City since it's filled with so many different sounds that we would be able to use. The more sounds we could use, the easier the process would be. So, we started making our outline, going scene by scene and adding what sounds would be needed in each one. In addition, we labeled which ones we created by the Foley technique. 

Outline Guidance

Our outline forces us to stop and think about what is necessary to include in each scene. It makes you slow down, which is good, so you don't make as many mistakes. This helped tremendously, so as we were creating the recording, we didn't take up time to stop and think about what was needed since we already had it written down. This also kept everything organized since every sound was placed in its assigned scene and order. 

Resources

My partner and I used Clipchamp, which made the process simple since we had everything right where we needed it. The controls were also very easy to use and helped us be able to convey our idea.

Analysis of our Performance

Our teamwork and work ethic worked very well together, which allowed the project to flow easily. We also had similar ideas and saw eye to eye a lot, and when we didn't, we were able to compromise with each other. One thing we could improve on is definitely communicating a bit more. Although we did speak to each other, I felt that since we were strangers at first and we're both very shy, we didn't talk as much as we should have.

Link to Project

SosaHalton_soundscape_p4.m4a

Sound Project #2

The Approach

In order to even begin to approach this, we had to rewatch our initial film and list what possible sounds were needed. We also needed to take into account sounds we would need that we had to create ourselves in order to make it as authentic and realistic. This was also needed so we could match up the timing for certain parts of our film, such as footsteps and cat-calling noises. 

Brainstorming

In this part, we mainly compiled all our ideas into a Word document, and then from there we organized them into the different scenes in our film. In this stage, we also decided to add sounds that you wouldn't normally take a second thought to think of, such as the environmental sounds: wind, birds chirping, grass moving, etc. Although you may not see every little detail that makes noise in your day-to-day life, you still must think of how to make it as authentic as possible so whoever is watching is almost there with the subject experiencing it with them.

Outline Guidance

Our outline, just as it did in the first sound project, allowed us to have everything laid out for us since we had done all the planning prior to adding sound. It gave us the green light to just find or create sounds and add them where we saw fit. 

Resources

My partner and I created our project using Clipchamp, which made the process smooth since all the tools we needed were easily accessible. The user-friendly controls helped us effectively present our idea.

Analysis of our Performance

My partner and I have worked together in the past, so we have a good understanding of each other's work ethic, which helped a lot. We were able to present our idea, and they worked together with the fluidity of water. One thing to improve our overall performance and quality of work is our attention to detail. I believe altogether our piece was great overall, yet I feel we could have cleaned up some moments in our piece.

Link to Project

OWFsound_Halton.mp4