Film Opening And CCRs

 Film Opening:

Am I to blame?

CCR 1 (Podcast):

Reel Talk

CCR 2 (White Board Animation):

White Board

Its Finally Complete!!

I can't believe this project is finally over. It feels like just yesterday I was coming up with ideas, and now it's all complete. This has definitely been one of the most challenging but rewarding projects I've ever done. There were so many moments of excitement and creativity, but also a lot of stress and frustration. I had no idea how much time and effort this would take, but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing because I’ve learned so much from this experience.

At first, I felt overwhelmed with everything that had to be done. From brainstorming ideas to filming and editing, every step of the process pushed me out of my comfort zone. But through it all, I learned how to manage my time better, stay patient, and trust the process. There were times when I doubted myself, but seeing the final result made it all worth it. The first time I watched my completed project, I couldn’t help but smile because I knew how much work my partner and i put, as well as our actress, had put into it, and it felt amazing to see it all come together.

This project taught me so many new things that I did not expect. It taught me patience, teamwork, new skills, and participation. I loved this project, and I found it so fun because it put a lot of my skills to work and let me show off what I knew. Working with my partner was an amazing experience. We had a lot of fun while putting together our film opening, and even with our complications and challenges, we were still able to succeed and do a great job. A little behind the scenes of us goofing off while creating our set:

This video also reminded me of confetti so i thought it fit the mood for the reflection of the film.

We put all of our hard work together and collaborated beautifully, staying organized and pacing ourselves well. I am very proud of myself and my partner by the end of this project. All the skills I put to work, and even the ones I learned, are very useful and exciting. My partner and I chose a genre we love and got to create something out of it.

Working on my CCRs taught me how to edit better and stay organized with my blog posts and schedule, which helped me correctly pace myself since this was such a big project, and I am a frequent procrastinator. This really improved my time management. I liked using the blogs to keep track of everything I was doing so I could reference it later.

Post production Of My CCRs

 How fascinating it was to use voiceovers with apps! Even though it was not easy to find one app that was free specifically for this project, doing some research, I was able to find 11ElevenLabs, which has a free trial that helped me complete the whole project. They have hundreds of voices in different languages and moods. It was very interesting using it. 

For the animation, also searching for creative ways of showing my work, I discovered SpeedPaint app (which I had to pay for using it), which I used for doing the whiteboard animation videos. I found it different and creative. For putting all the pieces together, I used Adobe Premiere Pro, which provides flexibility and user-friendliness to be able to play with all elements and deliver a high-quality media resource.

Production Of My CCRs

I ended up changing my initial ideas of the CCR... Instead of doing the therapy session and Director's commentary, I ended up doing a podcast and a whiteboard animation video. I made the switch because I thought that I would have more fun putting together these more creative ideas and would learn more using the resources I chose.

For the production, after choosing the media genre, I plan to do some research on which are the best apps I can use to develop what I want. I decided to search apps that do human voiceovers because I have been fascinated by how this new technology can emulate real voices, which I have been curious to try, and with this project, I found the perfect opportunity. I have created the scripts already, which I'm planning to use for creating the pieces. Additionally, Canva is one of the best resources I use for developing creative assets, so I'm planning to use it for the animation CCR. Adobe Premiere pro will be the perfect resource to help me edit all the work I will develop. 

CCR Question #4

I integrated several technologies throughout the project, which helped streamline the production process.

• Software
  We used Adobe Premiere Pro for editing the video. It allowed my partner to cut, arrange, and refine clips, adjusting colors, audio, and adding transitions for a smoother flow. For organizing ideas and scripting, I used Microsoft Word to create documents and share progress with my team, ensuring everyone was on the same page.

• Hardware
  We filmed the project using my partners phone, which, despite being a more basic tool, delivered good-quality footage. With careful adjustments and steady hands, I was able to capture clear visuals. A tripod designed for phones helped stabilize the camera during filming. 

• Online Resources
  We turned to online tutorials for tips and troubleshooting. Sites like YouTube were valuable for learning new editing techniques and solving technical issues. We also used cloud storage to back up my footage, ensuring it was safe and accessible across multiple devices.

Using her phone for filming, along with editing software and practical tools, allowed us to complete the project efficiently and create a professional final product. 

The question I made a script of my answer: 

CCR Question #3

My production skills improved significantly during this project. Here are some key areas of development:

Planning and Organization

I improved my ability to plan out my work and coordinate the many stages of the manufacturing process. In order to stay on course and fulfill deadlines, I made a thorough timetable.

Filming Techniques

As we became more comfortable with the camera, we tried out different shots and angles to enhance the narrative. We learned how to adjust the exposure, focus, and lighting to create sharper, more professional photos.

Editing

Editing taught my partner how to use digital tools more effectively. She became more proficient at adding transitions, modifying audio levels, and chopping and organizing clips. She was able to improve the final product's flow thanks to this procedure.

Problem-Solving

Throughout the production, we ran into technical problems including lighting difficulties and audio distortions. We were able to solve these issues by trial and error, which enhanced mour capacity for critical thought under duress.

The question I made a script of my answer: 

Group Meeting #2

During our second group meeting, we discussed various ideas for our Creative Critical Reflection (CCR) projects. Each member shared their plans and received feedback on improvements.

Simona

• Decided on a late-night talk show format for her CCR.

• Explored an alternative concept: a courtroom scene where she convinces a jury that she created the project.

• Noted feedback to lower exposure and make the title thicker for better visibility.

Ellie

• Opted for a podcast to highlight the sound elements in her project.

• Considered an interrogation scene for her crime film, emphasizing tension and dialogue.

Daniela (Me)

• Proposed a stop-motion Star Wars-style CCR.

• Identified a backup plan: a director’s commentary if stop-motion is unfeasible.

• Developed a second idea: a therapy session format to reflect on the project’s themes.

Brady

• We suggested a principal-in-trouble scenario, where the principal is being questioned in a way that implies wrongdoing.

• He accepted the idea and integrated it into his CCR plan.

The meeting helped refine our ideas and provided valuable suggestions for improvement. Moving forward, we will test our formats and adjust based on feedback.

Here is an image of my group without Simona because she had to leave early since she had a meeting to go to: 

CCR Question #2

Engaging with Audiences My project unfolds a deeply personal tale about a young girl struggling after her brother’s suicide—a story that taps into the very raw depths of grief and mental health issues. It’s not laid out in neat sections but rather spills out in moments that feel all too familiar for those who have faced loss or tough times. The film leans on pure emotion and intimate storytelling to build a bond with anyone watching, drawing you in almost without you noticing. Sometimes, the way the visuals speak is all that’s needed. Instead of relying only on dialogue, I let imagery do a lot of the talking. Take the shadowy light and cool tones, for example—they hint at isolation and lingering sadness while close-ups catch those subtle flickers of pain and longing, sometimes over and over. These unexpected bursts of visual cues work together in a way that pulls you right into her world. There’s also a real sense of being understood here. Lots of people have felt loss or seen someone struggle with mental health issues. The film shows grief in moments of silence, random flashbacks, and even in those quiet, almost mundane moments where emptiness just hangs in the air. This sort of authenticity, mixed with a few repeated details, lets the pain seem real and personal, nudging you to think about your own memories and feelings. On top of that, the film doesn’t shy away from the bigger conversation about mental health. By treating the subject of suicide with care and a gentle touch, it opens the door—however slightly—to discussions on loss, finding ways to heal, and leaning on support when it counts. In most cases, these moments spark thoughts about how important it is to have someone in your corner, making the whole experience resonate on multiple levels.

The question I made a script of my answer: 

CCR Question #1

The last thing before I can officially say my film project is done. And it's...well, it's the Creative Critical Reflection, the CCR. Which, basically, is where I have to, like, really dig into my film. Analyze it, explain why I did things, and, you know, show how it connects to real life. It's not just about, like, 'Oh, I made a cool movie.' It's about, like, why I made it. And why I made those choices.

The question I made a script of my answer: 

Our Production Logo

The logo development and font selection for the opening scene were the parts we focused on today. Our main goal was to have a clear look at the major changes to the screenplay. A few directions (and words) will be enough to describe who we are and what we plan to do, and with the contribution of the mind map, we focused on it (them). The process of designing the logo involved; getting the gif from Giphy app and then adjusting the models to achieve the desired design.

For the logo, we all went with Canva since it’s user-friendly. We began by using templates and modifying them to the way how we wanted it. Of course, the black background with white text was a good idea. Apart from that effect, we decided it was best to stick with the "D&G Productions" name, as this was the form it took. We are being very creative, so it won't take us more than a week to have the original name.

                                            

We usually use Canva, but for this video, we wanted more animation. After some research, we saw that there was such a feature, too, just like it is in the other software. Next, we were looking for a solution to animate the typekit. We grouped everything and then started to see some crazy animations. We eventually opted for "Baseline" and made the logo appear from the bottom at a central place. We agreed to do the cool, not overstated one.

Lastly, we started to look for the title and credits fonts. We really wanted something which will correspond to the logo in a simple way. We are down to a very short list of the most sensible ones.

Editing: The Fun but Time-Consuming Process (Thanks to My Partner)

I was totally clueless about Premiere Pro before this class, and I'm still learning the ropes. Luckily, my partner volunteered to edit our film. I watched her figure out how to stabilize shaky video, add zoom-in effects, smoothly change the volume, use the cutting tool, and fade out the audio. Things I'd never know how to do! Seeing her work made me realize how much goes into editing.

                                               

We ran into a big problem: we had way too much footage. She was already at a minute and forty-five seconds, and we still had more to film! It was a bit stressful, but she didn't give up. She spent a lot of time cutting and trimming the video until it was a better length, one minute and twenty seconds.

Obstacles During Filming

On our second day of filming, we had everything set up, the camera ready, the way to film the location, and the timing perfect to film during the sunset at 6:28 PM. Our actress had just arrived at my partner’s house, our filming location. And we were parking the cars two houses down to begin filming when she suddenly got a call from her mom. Her car had run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, and she needed help urgently.

It was around 6:00 PM when she got the call, and we quickly thought of a solution to the problem. And we realized that even if she left right away and managed to help her mom as fast as possible, there was no way she’d make it back in time for the sunset. By the time she returned, our time for filming would have closed, and the entire scene we had planned depended on that lighting.

It was frustrating, but there wasn’t much we could do. Sometimes, unexpected situations throw everything off schedule, and this was one of those moments. Now, we have to reschedule for next Monday but based on the time change we will have to film around 7:30 PM. This experience was a reminder that filmmaking isn’t always quick and easy, like how it went on our first day of filming.

Shooting Process

 Shooting Process for Our Film Opening

The filming of the two-minute opening sequence was both exciting and challenging. Because we shot everything inside Layla's room, we needed to make sure every shot depicted the emotional highlight we wanted to show. A lot of trial and error for angles, lighting, and movement to make them sit right was what the filmmaker went through. 

Directing Layla’s Movements

Since the emotions of Layla break down into the core of a film, body language and movement were a well-considered part of the equation. We directed our actress, Layla, to move sluggishly and deliberately to show her fatigue and emotional burden. Simple actions, like how she laid on her bed or paused before grabbing the bottle, filled out her character without requiring dialogue. 

                                        

Challenges We Faced

It was quite a challenge to maintain the natural look of every shot. Filming in a legitimate room meant working within the limitations of space. Certain scenes had to be re-shot multiple times in different angles and emulated the right emotion. Another issue was making sure that in some shots, the camera stayed steady. Some of the techniques we used were stabilizing on surfaces or creating smooth, slow movements with the camera in hand to achieve the right feel from the scene.