This is actually the end, and I truly hope you all enjoyed my blogs and my process, and I can't wait to see you all next year!!

 Film Opening:

Looking Ahead

CCR #1:

What's in my Character's Bag?

CCR #2:

Interview with... CATS??

 Final Reflection!

We're here....the time has finally come....THE END!..... jk I still have some things to say :) 

It's been a big self-discovery/ insightful 8 weeks. There have been many ups and downs, yet I believe it was all for my own self-improvement. I've learned what needs to get stronger and what is already done well. At the beginning, I was worried that any idea I came up with wouldn't be good enough, and if I did my best, it still wouldn't be enough. Thankfully, after doing more research on which genre I wanted to do and coming to terms with the fact that it's only 2 minutes and not an entire film, I definitely felt a lot better. Going into this project, I already had an issue that I knew couldn't get in the way of the quality of my film. Time Management. That is the one enemy that always seems to come back. In order to combat this, I made myself a Google Calendar that went day by day, of which blog would be posted when, and when I would film and edit everything. Some days it was hard to maintain that schedule and keep pushing, but even when I missed some days, I always came back the next day with the determination of a bull.  

The filming was super fun (mainly because I filmed with my best friend) and stressful at times because either one of us couldn't stop laughing, or we had to refilm certain things because something small went wrong. Either way, it was nice to see something I had an idea about come to life. The editing was all done by me and wasn't much of an issue. Deciding on the fonts, colors, and sequence of the clips was more of a critical thinking moment, but the outcome was definitely worth it. 

I know for a fact that I'm going to miss this project, even though it was the cause of many nights of stress; it is still something I thought of and created, and brought a lot of joy when I finished. The entire process of being able to document it was honestly a breath of fresh air because I love to document things and be able to look back on them.  In the end, this was a daunting task, yet with the proper guidance (Mrs. Stoklosa!!!) and previous knowledge, this was a challenge that I overcame with great confidence and even greater satisfaction!

 Editing the CCR!!!

Hey hey quick post but I just wanted to show you guys some snips of my editing from my CCR's.  Editing might not be my favorite part but I'm doing the best I can!!

Here is the link if the video doesn't work!!

 Production of the CCRs!

There were many, many manyyyyy takes so here is a compilation of me failing everytime!!!

When you get down, just get back up!!  <<Video link 

 CCR Production Ideas

Hello helloo!!! I am so happy to say that I have clear ideas for my CCRs!! I have written a more in-depth post about my 1st CCR, where I discuss the first two questions. Here is where I'll give a brief summary of the 1st + 2nd questions and then focus more on the 3rd + 4th questions since I haven't gone too in-depth about it. 

CCR Q: 1 + 2

I have decided to go with the Vogue "What's in my bag." It will allow me to show more parts of my character while also answering the questions. Josephine is an interesting character and has many layers.

CCR Q: 3 + 4

This CCR will take the format of the popular BuzzFeed interviews, where celebrities have to answer questions while they have either puppies or kittens. I have 2 cats that I love dearly:

Nala: 

Luna:

They will be the stars of the show and will likely take all the attention away from me. A recent popular example is the Stranger Things cast interviewing with kittens. I may not have that many cats, but I believe it's definitely a different approach to the CCR. 

 

 CCR Question #4

We are finally almost on our last week!!! I'm excited, tired, nervous, but in the end very happy. This post will be talking about the last question for the Creative Critical Reflection. I feel that the last two questions are the easiest to answer, so let's get straight into it!

How did you integrate technologies- software, hardware, and online - in this project?

Answer (more of an outline)

Software:

- Canva 

- Movai Video Editor

- voice recording (on iPhone for some of the foley)

- Pixabay

Hardware:

- iPhone 17 Pro

- phone stand 

- Mini Microphones

Online: 

 

- blogger

-Google Calendar

Integrating technologies into this film, in my opinion, was a given. Technology is advancing every day to make our lives easier. A few examples of that:

"The camera is front and centre of the filmmaking process, and developments surrounding this piece of equipment have led to plenty of new creative possibilities." - SAE Productions 

"This allows editors to work on entire sections of a film, piecing scenes together after the post production effects are added in, including audio too." - SAE production 

Everything I used in my film has only helped and provided me with a simple way of completing this project. 

SAE Institute. (n.d.). How technology is revolutionising film production. https://www.sae.edu/gbr/insights/how-technology-is-revolutionising-film-production/

Canva. (n.d.). Canva. https://www.canva.com/

Pixabay. (n.d.). Sound effects. https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/

Google. (n.d.). Google Calendar. https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r

Its Life With Bri. (n.d.). Blog. https://itslifewithbri.blogspot.com/

 CCR Question #3

What's up everyone!!!! In today's post i will be discussing the 3rd question and writing/ giving an outline for what I'm going to say. How I want to film this will be discussed in a later post, yet I have a clear idea of what I want to do.  The question I'm answering is: How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Answer

 

Throughout the course of the year in this class, the skills we've built up have helped our projects get better and better. A main one is getting well-equipped with whatever equipment you use. In my production, I relied on my iPhone 17 Pro, and in my opinion, it produced quality content. I did use a phone stand of sorts, and I had to teach myself its limits and how I could achieve each angle that I wished to include.

Another main component is the visual and the storytelling. The camera shots are what tell that story, and the writing has to match that emotion.     

This process has also taught me to overcome obstacles and think on my feet. Not everything will go according to plan, and you just have to learn to adapt. With that came the element of time management. Leaving this project to the last minute would hurt me more than it would help me. All in all, I feel as if many of my skills have improved, not just with getting the right angle but everything around that, which ultimately helps the entire production come together. 

SAE Institute. (n.d.). Top skills every film producer should master. https://www.sae.edu/gbr/insights/top-skills-every-film-producer-should-master/

 CCR Research and Script #1+2

Hello again!! It's now time to get into the nitty-gritty of my CCR. For my first one, I've decided to do the "Vogue What's In My Bag." It's human nature to be curious about others and their lives, and a peek into their everyday items is a good way to learn more about someone. From the Her Campus website, they say "The fascination and obsession we feel over WIMB videos come from a basic component of life: human curiosity. We naturally want to know more about the lives of others, especially celebrities." and "these videos can also show what people value. It’s sweet knowing that people are carrying around things that mean something to them. For example, lots of the notebooks carried around store their very personal ideas, feelings, or thoughts." My character Josephine is very closed off and reserved, so I want the CCR to show a bit more of her while she answers these questions. 

• How does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?
• How does your product engage with audiences, and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

Script Outline-ish 

( I walk in)

Me: Hi Vogue, I'm Brianna, and this is what's in my character Josephine's bag.

 

(Music with cuts from the film)

Me: For some context, Josephine is the character I play in the upcoming film "Looking Ahead," and in said film, she is portrayed in the teenage dirtbag aesthetic with her dark makeup and silver jewelry. She meets this girl named Kat, and a beautiful friendship blossoms from there, which helps Josephine through the grieving process of her dad.  

(pull out the picture of mom and dad)

Me: Aww, this photo is used at the very beginning of the film, and if you didn't know, these are my actual parents. 

Crew: Brianna, how does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?

Me: In the coming-of-age genre, it focuses mostly on teenagers and them overcoming some sort of challenge. A common theme is also a juxtaposition between friends. Josephine falls in line with these conventions because she is a 17-year-old who is trying to get through the death of her father. Kat is the opposite of Josephine, and she is the one who will help her on her journey of grief. I made the choice to not challange the coming of age convention because most films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower and All the Bright Places have received a lot of positive audience engagement. 

In many coming-of-age films, teenagers face the troubles of growing up and handling adulthood by finding different outlets. Most commonly, they find companionship, and they grow together.

(pull out pink bow and silver jewelry) 

Me: These were essential elements that enhanced each character's background. 

Crew: Brianna, how does your product engage with audiences, and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

Me: Our product engages with the teenage age range by having our film mainly focus on teenage struggles that usually aren't recognized by adults. Teenagers, most of the time, are able to connect and understand eachother better. (cut to scene of Kat and Josephine meeting)  Being recognized in films tends to have a bigger impact since it's more relatable. 

For distribution, it's been decided to first release it locally and see where it goes. Some local festivals in South Florida are The South Florida Film Forum, which supports "Unique cinematic voices and tradition." There is also the South Beach Film Festival, which "...celebrate independent cinema and provides a dynamic platform for filmmakers to showcase their innovative work." 

(pulls out last item, probably )

Me: For my last item..... Thank you so much, Vogue, for having me. It has been such a pleasure. Thank you for watching. Make sure to look out for "Looking Ahead at your local film festivals. I'll see you in the next one!

Vogue. (n.d.). In the bag: Hailey Bieber. https://www.vogue.com/article/in-the-bag-hailey-bieber

Fung, G. (2025, February 10). Why do people love “What’s in my bag” videos? Her Campus. https://www.hercampus.com/school/u-vic/why-do-people-love-whats-in-my-bag-videos/

South Florida Film Forum. (n.d.). South Florida Film Forum. https://www.southfloridafilmforum.com/

FilmFreeway. (n.d.). South Beach Film Festival. https://filmfreeway.com/SouthBeachFilmFestival-1

Edit Away, Edit All Day

 Editing..... I have so much to say, yet I will hold my tongue. It took me all day to get up to speed with my editing, yet I believe I have accomplished the unaccomplishable (idk if that's even a word, but it is today). I have been slaving away at my computer to get this done. All of my blood, sweat, and tears have gone into this. Here is the clip to prove this. 

lol

But really, it has been a very stressful yet productive weekend, and I swear I can see the light at the end of this very long tunnel. My editing was done on Movavi Video Editor, and my logo on Canva. I did so much research on what I wanted it to look like, and i think I am happy with it so far. 

Sorry for the short post, but there is still more to come!!