Final Submission

Creative Critical Reflection Presentation

https://prezi.com/p/knmetxaya4jm/#present

Third Revision

After our second submission to the class, we got very interesting commentary to improve on in our final submission.   We found out we needed to have a clear protagonist because our surplus amount of characters and little scenes made it more confusing to the audience.  With additional dialogue and a clear plot our extract should make more sense. This was fixed through our new vice over which explained the clear antagonist which was technology and the static gaze caused by it.  The problems we faced with our extract were similar to the feedback received from our first submission, "Glitch".  Glitch was confusing due to the fact that our dialogue wasn't sufficient and our shots that we filmed were confusing to the audience and plot.  Thus we decided to re film, A Static Gaze which was supposed to fix the confusing element and add a more evil element to technology.  However, we need more dialogue in order to create a clear story line. In our final submission, we will re film shots and dialogue in order to have a clear story line that the audience can conceptualize.

3rd Quarter Draft- Static Gaze

After our first submission of the old extract, "Glitch", we realized our extract needed to show more of the idea of a simulation.  Thus, we added the glitching TV in order to represent that.  The static of the television gives the movie depth and a more of a sci-fi feeling to the audience.  The voice over explaining hypnotism gives depth to our film which leaves a sense of foreshadow for the rest of our film.  The actors in our film were all teenagers and adapted to playing their roles as accurately as possible.  Below, is our third quarter submission.

Creative Critical Reflection Rough Draft 4

Throughout the editing of our extract, our group used multiple editing sources in order to capture the shots accurately to audiences.  In our first submission we used the editing cite iMovie for our titles.  This was an easy way out because iMovie is a very generic editing software not offering any originality.  The titles being imported were also rushed which led to the, "Title Text Here", being shown in our opening credits.  Upon re editing our new extract, we used Davinci Resolve for the title slides which offer more originality and room for less error in having an unwanted credit being shown.  Davinci Resolve was also used as well as Final Cut for our sound in terms of effects and voice overs.  For color filtering and correcting, the software system Adobe Premiere to edit this part of our extract. Our extract needed powerful editing in order for our ideas to be properly displayed to audiences which is why we used so many editing software in order to have an understood meaning of our extract.

In filming, we used Carl's two different cameras, the  Canon 60D and the Canon 80D.  They benefited our extract by making it have better quality which helps make our extract look legitimate.  It was my first time filming on an actual camera rather than an iPhone which gave me a new learning as well.  I was taught how to film on both cameras which means in the future I should be able to adjust filming on a different camera.  In adding sound, we used a Blue Snowball microphone to obtain the accurate sounds that fit our film.  For example, the voice over that appears throughout the film was used from the Blue Snowball Microphone.  The depth of inflection used in the recording would not have been as accurately obtained without using the Blue Snowball Microphone.

Creative Critical Reflection Rough Draft 3

Throughout the filming process of our extract, we faced a variety of difficulties during the process.   To start, we faced a problem with agreeing on a finalized script because we had so many ideas.  We finally all decided on making a compromise between ideas below is the first copy of our original script.  It had many flaws but it was good because our film group incorporated some of the ideas from the original script.  Then, we decided  our first submission script was too confusing which led us to re filming and creating a new script.  The new script offered more adaptable to us behind the camera in ways of capturing the ideas accurately on camera.

At the start of the film, I had difficulties with editing because I had no experience in that version of the field.  Although, Victor edited the film he showed me how along the way.  On our finalized version we have many voice overs, which is an editing skill I developed an understanding for throughout this film process.  While filming on location, I learned what the actors have to got through in order to develop a character without a live audience.  During filming both times,  I learned that it helps when actors know what emotions they are trying to convey.  Overall, during the production of our film I developed and strengthened my skills during the process.

Creative Critical Reflection Rough Draft 2

In casting the revised version of the film, we wanted the cast to be all guys to give it a darker theme of a guy stalking a guy.  This also gives insight to the male dominated field of video games.   Our cast consists of teenagers ranging ages from 17 to 19 opening the door for teenagers to relate with the film and have more of an imitative to come see the film.  The actors are very skilled in connecting on screen with each other which means they should be able to do the same while on screen.  Young adults should be interested in our film as well because millennials are commonly attracted to technology which is the mere concept of our movie.

The real media text would be distributed through independent film cites with audiences wanting to watch a sci-fi film.  Our film takes a new idea of virtual reality would hopefully excited audiences on independent cites to watch our movie.  Cites such as CreateSpace and YouTube would be places we could produce our film to a wanting audience.  With gained traction, advertisements could be done to get more wanting to watch the film.   Independent cites have an audience, but not a live one which is what our film would need to obtain.

Fortunately, our town of  Sarasota also hold a film festival each year which is open for anyone wanting to submit an independent film.  The Sarasota Film Festival takes place on April,23rd this year.  Our town of Sarasota also has a film society which has tow locations Burns Court and Lakewood Ranch Cinemas. They have a Cine-World Film Festival every year which we could attend in order to get a feel for the independent film world and possibly submit our film to the festival as well. This could help our film gain attraction if we win anything or have an audience wanting to see the submissions in the festival.

Creative Critical Reflection Rough Draft 1

After re-filming, we realized we could resemble this world through less dialogue and a darker theme.  Technology is becoming an appendage to teenagers and we wanted to challenge the idea of technology being inherently evil. We wanted to show the affect of the overuse of  the addiction to technology. The immediate dark colors presented throughout our extract show the underlined maniacal tone of technology.

Additionally, young adults also can contribute to this obsession over the latest trends of technology. After re-filming, our movie opens up to those who want a sci-fi thrill experience in a dark nearing a horror kind of way.   Our film tries  to attract viewers with specific interest in technology.  This means we wouldn't be having many of the older generation coming to see the film.  Although, teenagers and young adults which would hopefully make up for the lacking older generation.

Overall, our film challenged conventions by not over doing the sci-fi factor but by implementing the factor of characterization and dialogue. Jacob Smith and Shawn Cacciola acting skills helped our extract by breaking  boundaries of typical teenage acting.  Our dialogue such as  the statement, "The idea of what is held back from us may be an enigma".  This breaks the convention of knowing what reality really is and challenging traditional patterns of everyday life.

Distribution Research- Shape of the Water

Shape of the Water is an independent film that shows a mysterious love story between a young lady and a genetically monitored fish like man.  Our film alike theirs are targeted to  a teen and young adult target audience.  The independent film, Shape of the Water  by Guiellermo do Torro was digitally distributed through iTunes on Apple devices.  This film was also can be ordered on Amazon digitally or the 4K ultra HD DVD.  This is yet again a form of the old distribution and digital distribution.  The impact of  the huge online selling cite creates a bigger impact for the film because it can allow for people who prefer DVDs and those who prefer digital downloads to order their preference.  Our group could learn from this way of digital distribution by allowing people to pick their preference of the way they watch their movie after it being released.  This would allow for everyone who is wanting to purchase our film have a choice in the way they want to watch it.

Distribution Research - Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

While trying to understand, how our group is going to digitally distribute our product to the public.  It is important to look at other films and the ways that they were digitally distributed.  For example, the second movie of the series, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.  The movie was digitally distributed on March 6th it was sold to retailers on 4K ultra HD and Blu-Ray DVDs. When the movie is bought, a digital version can be downloaded on the app called the Anywhere App.  Snapchat also offered a snapcode for fans to experience the world of Jumanji through a virtual reality experience.  This Snapchat package was offered when the DVD is purchased.  This is an interesting way to digitally distribute because it offers a mix of the old way to distribute and the new way.  Many people buy films digitally, which meant that Jumaji had to offer it digitally and had an added bonus through social media.  This gives fans an initiative to purchase the DVD.   Our group could learn from the digital distribution of this film by incorporating the production of DVDs and digital downloads of the film if we had the appropriate resources.

Digital Distribution Research

While trying to produce our film, digital distribution is a very important .  Digital distribution is the delivery of media content to the public.  It would be hard for us to distribute our film to the public because we are an independent film.  However, there are many sources for independent film makers  to digitally distribute to the public.  An article from PBS, explains the many resources of production of digital distribution.  For example, CreateSpace on Amazon allows creators to post their film and have customers pay to download it.  The website IndieReign is directed towards fans of independent movies and allows the film producers and directors to connect directly with their audience.  Although, independent films have the struggle of finding an audience who will watch their film. If we were to post ours on CreateSpace, it would be directed to those users because it is a paid subscription.  We would be able to post it on the horror and sci-fi page and hopefully make money off of how many watch it.  If the paid subscriptions on websites such as CreateSpace our film could be uploaded onto YouTube.  YouTube is a good alternative because it advertises videos based on videos you watch.  Thus, sci-fi lovers would find our film after watching similar videos.  This could lead t revenue as more people watch the video and subscribe to the channel.   


PBS Article- http://www.pbs.org/pov/filmmakers/resources/diy-digital-distribution-platforms.php

Second Revisions- The Final Filming Planning

As our re-shooting continues, our group plans to finish filming this weekend.  We have filmed on a local bus and will now be finishing the film at Carl's house. In order for our film to follow continuity from the last shooting, we will film at the same time of night and Carl will have to wear the same clothes.   Below our pictures of our contrasting films.  The top image is one of our interesting shots at a local gas station.   On the left, is our actor Shawn riding a bike during the day with the biggest mistake which was the TITLE TEXT HERE sign that appeared.  These two images are to show the improvements in the process.  As we plan to film this weekend, we will make sure the shots and editing will help tell a clear story unlike our first film.  Our new cast will consist of Jacob Smith and Shawn Cacciola.   The shots and editing used will hopefully establish a clear story unlike our last extract.

Below are the two major changes to our film, the script and the shot list.  Revising these two items makes are extract a lot clearer to the audience.  It helps our film group and the actors in our film as well be able to formulate the accurate emotions they are supposed to express as their characters.

Advertisement from Super Bowl Research

While watching the 2018 Super Bowl, the advertisements shown were directed to a target audiences.  Specifically, commercials such as the Tide ad with the celebrity from the TV series Stranger Things, David Harbour , who made fun of previous commercials seen on other Super Bowls. This commercial was advertised towards teenagers who watch the celebrity in Stranger Things and to adults who have seen the commercials and are familiar with the actor.  We could learn from their target audience by using popular celebrities in our film to help promote and make money for the film. Another example of the celebrity appearances were the Mountain Dew Ice and Doritos ad.  This commercial featured Peter Dinklage and Morgan Freeman.  They rapped popular songs from the 90s and early 2000s.  Yet again this commercial marketed towards an older generation who have been familiar with the songs and the notable actors.  Another commercial for the Alexa, had celebrities that the younger generation were common with.  These celebrities were Gordon Ramsey, Cardi B, and Rebel Wilson. With the use of popular celebrities promoting products,  audiences will want the product more.  This correlates to our film because if we had the connections celebrities would help our film be promoted.

First Revisions- Script, Shots, and Cast

While re-filming the video, we are trying to make the idea of a simulation less confusing to the audience. This will require a new script and shot list.  The script clearly explains what is going on and addresses the simulation through the world of hypnosis done by the narration in a understandable way. clearly.  The updated  shot list  helps develop flow throughout the extract when compared to the original. Our updated cast are very adaptable to our group who are all inexperienced when it comes to filming.  These revisions help the process of filming by allowing our project to move a lot smoother than our first extract.  Below are the updated  revisions of the script, shot list, and cast list.   We plan to re-film this Saturday night to finish the entire film.  Hopefully, our film will portray the idea of a simulation with the appropriate dialogue and shots used.

Target Audience Research- Black Mirror Advertising

The show Black Mirror shows the audience  a future where technology goes awry.  They advertise this product by showing this advertisement on Netflix to get the viewer interested.  The  hook of the question, "What's on the other side of your black mirror?", is referring to the technology being used.  This question opens up endless possibilities that makes the viewer want to know what is on the other side and might end up in them watching the TV series.  As stated before, Black Mirror has episodes focusing on the idea of a simulation which could help our group learn  how to develop appropriate advertisements.  Black Mirror markets towards the teen generation because of the excessive use of modern technology in their series.  Our group is marketing to the same generation with the same technology used.  We could have questions as advertisements about simulations and if the viewer might be in one to get them intrigued.  Using this advertisement style, hopefully our target audience of teenagers would be reached.

Target Audience Research- War of the Planet of the Apes

In major cities across the United States, billboards were seen with monkeys across them with titles such as "War".  The billboards were advertisements for the most recent of the film series, Planet of the Apes.  These images were marketed around major cities of the United Sates including Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles.  This meant the millions who visited these cities would look at these huge posters.  In Las Vegas, the starring monkeys were projected onto hotels.  Our group could learn from this advertisement broadcasting style  because it would get the word about our film out in the public.  The posters, the bill boards, and the images would be useful because unlike social media you can't skip the advertisement.  This would be useful because people will want to look at the billboard rather than an advertisements that you can easily skip online.  These billboards would help address the major theme of our film which is the idea of a simulation.

Target Audience Research- Maze Runner Death Cure

The newest addition to the Maze Runner series is coming out this Friday and advertisements have been all over social media in order to promote the movie.  Maze Runner is trying to reach the teen generation and they do this by putting advertisements between snap chat  stories and on twitter between posts.  They are trying to captivate teenagers through these advertisements to see the ending of the dystopian society.  Our movie would try to incorporate similar advertisements because we are trying to address the same teen generation.  Through social media cites such as snap chat where everything is shareable between friends, our film would receive the attention that would be needed to sell movie tickets.  

Target Audience Research- Carrie the Movie

While coming to the conclusion of our re-filming, it is important to research advertisement tactics that other movies took in order to promote their film.   The horror movie Carrie did a prank in a coffee shop on everyday citizens and filmed it to post on social media cites.  This helped create attention to the film because people were interested in the subject.  However Carrie is a horror film, we could still use the idea of pulling a prank through Virtual Reality in order to raise awareness.  It would be interesting to see how our group would incorporate similar themes into the public.  We are directing the movie towards the younger generation (teens and adults) who are not limited to but primarily males.  Males would be more interested in our film because of the fact that Virtual Reality is a video game and males are more attracted to them rather than girls.  This would not subject females from watching the film.