Today we weren't able to edit our footage. Pinnacle Studios wasn't working on any of our computers so our teachers had us transfer the footage to our Google Drive account. This process took a very long time since we had to upload a lot of footage to two separate google accounts. Instead, our teachers had us plan out what we are going to do when we are able to edit. We watched the clips over and decided which ones we wanted to keep and which ones we wanted to keep. We were very disappointed because we saw that the clips were blurry and the colors were very monochromatic. In addition, sometimes the videos would be at a normal speed and sometimes they were in slow motion. We came to the conclusion that it was due to our poor camera quality that our footage came out this way. The sound quality was also terrible. However, we are going to do a voice over and added music to the commercial so we didn't have to use the original audio.
We had a lot of funny clips that we wished we were allowed to do bloopers for this assignment. For the first scene will be me running toward the camera. We took two different shots of me running, one of me facing toward the camera and the other me running facing away from the camera. We want to do a reverse shot from me running toward the camera, to me drinking Gatorade, to me running away from the camera. Originally, we didn't plan on having a scene of me running away from the camera in the first place which is why we had to get creative and find some way to blend it into our commercial. We lost the footage of Stephanie doing rhythmic gymnastics on the senior patio. Luckily, we did a retake of that scene on the track field and we still have the footage. So after Stephanie's rhythmic gymnastics scene we want to add in the scene of her drinking Gatorade. We also lost the footage of Stephanie drinking Gatorade on the senior patio. We also did a retake of that scene on the track field and we're planning to include that in the commercial.
For our stair scene, we noticed how some parts of the video were in flow motion. We aren't really sure how to fix this issue through editing yet but hopefully we will figure it out. The last scene, which is the close up of the drinks while Stephanie and I were sitting in the background we noticed the same slow motion issue. While filming that scene, Stephanie wanted us to smile while each of us were holding a Gatorade bottle. We are still planning on including that part in the commercial but I don't like it. I feel like that part looks unnatural and I feel that it doesn't belong in a sports drink commercial. Also, I don't like the way that scene was filmed. I envisioned the camera to be very close up to the Gatorade bottles to emphasize the focus was on them. I also wanted Stephanie and I to be not be in focus so no attention was on us. However, we weren't able to film it the way I imagined it to be. In order for the camera to get Stephanie and I sitting on the building five stairs, it had to be very far away from the Gatorade bottles. This drew more attention to Stephanie and I instead of the sports drinks.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Filming
Today Stephanie and I completed our filming. Stephanie forgot to bring her blue tank top that we decided for her costume so she wore a light blue t-shirt. We also discovered that we had less time to film than we anticipated. After receiving our equipment, we went to the senior patio to record Stephanie’s scenes. Originally, on our film schedule we planned to film my scenes on the track field in case it rained later on in our film process, but we had to film Stephanie’s first because we only had limited time there. We first filmed Stephanie doing rhythmic gymnastics and after we filmed a medium close up of her drinking a Gatorade. After we finished filming those two scenes, our camera died and we had to go exchange it for a new one. We then moved onto our high-five scene and close up of the drinks which we filmed at the big staircase of building five. Before filming the two scenes, we ran into another technical difficulty. We couldn’t eject the SD card so we could transfer it into the new camera. We had to ask our teacher for assistance and eventually we got it out.
In total, Stephanie and I brought seven Gatorade bottles. We ended up only using the blue and white Gatorades, though we planned to use those two colors and the purple Gatorades, because we felt that the purple Gatorade didn’t match the aesthetic of the other ones. My scenes, which were the last two shots we needed to film, were filmed on the track field. First, we recorded me running toward the camera at eye level. While filming the running scene, I proposed the idea that we should do a scene where I’m running but the camera is behind me. Stephanie agreed with the idea. For our commercial, we were required to include either a tilt or a pan, so we decided that we would make this new scene include a tilt. I was very tired from all the running I had to do in different takes and the heat outside was also draining. Stephanie mentioned that it would make the next scene we filmed, which was the shot of me drinking a Gatorade, look more natural and realistic since I was actually thirsty. We had to do a couple retakes because I kept accidentally spilling Gatorade on myself because I was actually drinking the beverage.
We had extra time to film so we did retakes of Stephanie’s scenes on the track field. We redid her drinking scene first. Stephanie sat close to the bottom of the track field’s bleachers while I recorded near the top of the bleachers from a high angle. We then did retakes of her rhythmic gymnastics scene in a grassy area in close proximity to the track field. I thought it would be a good idea to get multiple takes of her doing various tricks with her rhythmic gymnastics ball. Her first trick was her throwing her ball in the air, doing a spin, and then catching the ball. Her second one was her rolling the ball down her back and catching it. Her last trick was a combination of the previous two where threw the ball, did a spin, catch the ball, roll it down her back, and catch it from behind. We went back to the classroom to dump our footage onto a desktop. We had trouble locating our footage on our SD card because there was also another group’s footage on there, but with the assistance of a fellow classmate we successfully transferred our footage.
In total, Stephanie and I brought seven Gatorade bottles. We ended up only using the blue and white Gatorades, though we planned to use those two colors and the purple Gatorades, because we felt that the purple Gatorade didn’t match the aesthetic of the other ones. My scenes, which were the last two shots we needed to film, were filmed on the track field. First, we recorded me running toward the camera at eye level. While filming the running scene, I proposed the idea that we should do a scene where I’m running but the camera is behind me. Stephanie agreed with the idea. For our commercial, we were required to include either a tilt or a pan, so we decided that we would make this new scene include a tilt. I was very tired from all the running I had to do in different takes and the heat outside was also draining. Stephanie mentioned that it would make the next scene we filmed, which was the shot of me drinking a Gatorade, look more natural and realistic since I was actually thirsty. We had to do a couple retakes because I kept accidentally spilling Gatorade on myself because I was actually drinking the beverage.
We had extra time to film so we did retakes of Stephanie’s scenes on the track field. We redid her drinking scene first. Stephanie sat close to the bottom of the track field’s bleachers while I recorded near the top of the bleachers from a high angle. We then did retakes of her rhythmic gymnastics scene in a grassy area in close proximity to the track field. I thought it would be a good idea to get multiple takes of her doing various tricks with her rhythmic gymnastics ball. Her first trick was her throwing her ball in the air, doing a spin, and then catching the ball. Her second one was her rolling the ball down her back and catching it. Her last trick was a combination of the previous two where threw the ball, did a spin, catch the ball, roll it down her back, and catch it from behind. We went back to the classroom to dump our footage onto a desktop. We had trouble locating our footage on our SD card because there was also another group’s footage on there, but with the assistance of a fellow classmate we successfully transferred our footage.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Storyboard
Today my partner and I created our storyboard. Our commercial is for gatorade. Kaitlyn drew the pictures, while Stephanie wrote the camera angles, movements, location, etc. We both decided on what we will be doing in each scene, and where it will be located. We are strictly using elements from sports commercials. In the first scene, Kaitlyn is running towards the camera on the track field. It will be a tilt, and it will be filmed as a wide shot, and at eye level. In the second scene, Kaitlyn will be drinking the gatorade at the track field. This portrays her needing nutrients, so she is drinking the product. It will be a medium close up. In the third scene, Stephanie will be doing rhythmic gymnastics at the senior patio. It will be a tracking shot filmed at eye level. In the fourth scene, Stephanie will be drinking the Gatorade in a medium close up. During the fifth scene, Kaitlyn and Stephanie will be going up and down the stairs in different directions. We will meet at the middle and give each other a high-five. This will be a low angle next to the building five stairs. Lastly, the sixth scene will be a close up of the drinks (at eye level), with Kaitlyn and Stephanie in the background. This will also be by the building five stairs. During the filming process, we will predominantly use natural lighting.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Editing Lesson Blog
Today Stephanie and I had a lesson about camera equipment and the editing process. We first learned about the classroom procedure for checking out equipment. Then, we learned how to work the equipment which includes how to use a camera, tripod, a SD card, and SD card reader. I already have background knowledge on how to use everything except the tripod. I learned how to properly adjust a camera onto a tripod and how to adjust the tripod so the camera can capture certain angles and movements. After that, we took notes on the editing process. The editing program our teacher used to teach us was Pinnacle Studio, Stephanie and I will most likely use the same program. First learned how to dump footage from an SD card to a computer file. First, we connected the SD card reader to the computer. Second we click on the DCIM folder, where all the footage is kept, and drag our desired clips into a folder on our desktop. We were told that if we aren't able to find our footage in the DCIM folder we click the folder labelled Private instead, then click AVCHD, then click Next, and last click on Stream.
Second, we learned how to import footage from our desktop to our editing program. First we open Pinnacle Studio then click Edit then click import. Then we click the plus sign next to desktop and click our computer file where the footage is saved. After clicking start import, our teacher told us that we should wait until all the footage is uploaded so nothing gets messed up. Third, we learned how to actually edit the raw footage. AV Track 1 is used for inserting titles, AV Track 2 is for building the film and AV Track 3 is for audio. Our teacher showed us an example of how to cut a clip. First, we move the play bar on the place we want to cut the clip; after, we click the razor blade to split the clip then delete the unwanted part. Our teacher recommended that when we film we film extra parts so that when it comes to editing we won't accidentally cut out important footage.
Last our teacher showed us how to access special effects. We right click one of the clips then click special effects. In the special effects studio we are able to add things like transitions, colors, etc. The teacher demonstrated how to do voice overs. We right click on the clip then click detach audio. The audio will move down to AV Track 3. We can delete the audio to mute the scene or delete the scene the audio was extracted from to make a voice over. Last, the teacher showed how to insert titles which will appear in AV Track 1. I asked if we were able to make other inserts by using the same way we insert titles and she said we could. When we are finished with editing we can export the footage from the program to our desktop. Once our film is exported our teacher said that the editing program will automatically render the film so that all the editing runs smoothly.
Second, we learned how to import footage from our desktop to our editing program. First we open Pinnacle Studio then click Edit then click import. Then we click the plus sign next to desktop and click our computer file where the footage is saved. After clicking start import, our teacher told us that we should wait until all the footage is uploaded so nothing gets messed up. Third, we learned how to actually edit the raw footage. AV Track 1 is used for inserting titles, AV Track 2 is for building the film and AV Track 3 is for audio. Our teacher showed us an example of how to cut a clip. First, we move the play bar on the place we want to cut the clip; after, we click the razor blade to split the clip then delete the unwanted part. Our teacher recommended that when we film we film extra parts so that when it comes to editing we won't accidentally cut out important footage.
Last our teacher showed us how to access special effects. We right click one of the clips then click special effects. In the special effects studio we are able to add things like transitions, colors, etc. The teacher demonstrated how to do voice overs. We right click on the clip then click detach audio. The audio will move down to AV Track 3. We can delete the audio to mute the scene or delete the scene the audio was extracted from to make a voice over. Last, the teacher showed how to insert titles which will appear in AV Track 1. I asked if we were able to make other inserts by using the same way we insert titles and she said we could. When we are finished with editing we can export the footage from the program to our desktop. Once our film is exported our teacher said that the editing program will automatically render the film so that all the editing runs smoothly.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
A Planning Blog: Gatorade Commercial
Stephanie and I began drafting the script, costumes, props and schedules for our commercial. We are both going to be starring in the commercial. We also decided that we would be showing the sports we do, I do track and field and Stephanie does rhythmic gymnastics, in the video. Since winter is coming, we will be advertising Gatorade Frost Thirst Quenchers which include their Cool Blue, Glacier Freeze, and Riptide Rush flavors. I will be bringing hair ties, Gatorade, and a spray bottle with water in it. We will be using the spray bottle for fake sweat and to give the illusion that the Gatorade bottles are cold. Stephanie will be bringing small towels, Gatorade, hair ties, and a rhythmic gymnastics ball.
For costumes Stephanie and I discovered that we have the same light blue Brandy tank top. It resembles sports wear so we decided that we will include it in our costumes. We also agreed that we will wear black leggings. Our different sports require different shoe wear which is why I will be wearing white tennis shoes while Stephanie will be wearing black jazz shoes. I will also be wearing a headband because I typically wear one whenever I’m doing track. I wrote the script for our commercial. We wanted to do a voiceover that matched what was occurring in the scene. The voiceover will switch to the voice of the person in the scene. We also wanted to include one of Gatorade’s many slogans, we chose “When you give everything Gatorade gives it back.”
We will only have one day for filming so we must manage our time wisely which is why Stephanie created a filming schedule. We will start filming on the track field at 11:00 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.. From 11 a.m. to 11:15 we will be recording a wide shot of me running. From 11:15 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. we’ll get a medium close up of me drinking one of the Gatorade bottles. Next, we will be filming in the auditorium from 11:25 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.. From 11:25 a.m. to 12 p.m. we will be filming Stephanie doing rhythmic gymnastics. 12 a.m. to 12:10 a.m. we will record a scene of Stephanie drinking a Gatorade. From 12:10 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. we will be recording a scene of Stephanie and I high-fiving each other while walking on the stairs in opposite directions. Last, from 12:30 p.m. to 12:35 p.m. we will be recording our last scene which will be a close up of the Gatorade drinks. If all goes well, we will have an extra 25 minutes for reshooting. For our back up plans the times will remain the same but we will change locations. Instead of the track we will film in the hallway of one of building 5 and the rhythmic gymnastics scenes will take place in the overhang of the senior patio. The high-five scene and the close up scene will remain in the same place which is the large staircase in the bus loop.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Research blog: Commercial Convention
For our commercial project Stephanie and I decided to chose Gatorade as our product. We chose to advertise the blue Gatorade flavors because winter is coming. Before we begin storyboarding we are conducting research on the common elements found in commercials promoting sports related products. We already have an idea on things we want to include in the commercial such as a close up of a person drinking the Gatorade and slow motion scenes. We made it mandatory that at the end of the commercial we are going to show the Gatorade brand as either an insert or a close up on the Gatorade brand on the bottle. We are also planning on filming mostly on the track at our school. In case we aren’t able to film there we chose our school’s gymnasium as a backup.
After watching sports related commercials we found many common themes in all of them. First, the characters in the commercials were mostly athletes. There were many shots of the athletes in action as well. Common camera angles we saw were close up and wide shots. The color schemes were mostly cool toned colors like blue and grey. Most of the commercials didn’t show the actual product until the end of the video. If there was dialogue in the scene they were usually voice overs. The background music instilled an intense, upbeat mood that correlated with the action going on in the scenes.
Sadly, some elements we aren’t able to include in our film due to limited resources. The commercials we watched sometimes featured a celebrity but we aren’t able to have a famous figure in our film. My partner and I also noticed that the filmmakers in those commercials had a lot of time for their productions. We are working under a very strict time frame so we don’t have that luxury which will effect our production process greatly. The commercial producers most likely had large budget and had a big crew to assist with filming. However, our budget is very small and we only have the help of each other. Hopefully we are able to make a great commercial despite our not so ideal conditions. I’m ready to jump into action!
After watching sports related commercials we found many common themes in all of them. First, the characters in the commercials were mostly athletes. There were many shots of the athletes in action as well. Common camera angles we saw were close up and wide shots. The color schemes were mostly cool toned colors like blue and grey. Most of the commercials didn’t show the actual product until the end of the video. If there was dialogue in the scene they were usually voice overs. The background music instilled an intense, upbeat mood that correlated with the action going on in the scenes.
Sadly, some elements we aren’t able to include in our film due to limited resources. The commercials we watched sometimes featured a celebrity but we aren’t able to have a famous figure in our film. My partner and I also noticed that the filmmakers in those commercials had a lot of time for their productions. We are working under a very strict time frame so we don’t have that luxury which will effect our production process greatly. The commercial producers most likely had large budget and had a big crew to assist with filming. However, our budget is very small and we only have the help of each other. Hopefully we are able to make a great commercial despite our not so ideal conditions. I’m ready to jump into action!
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Introductory
Hello, my name is Kaitlyn and I am a high school sophomore. I’m enrolled in AICE Media, which is a class that teaches you about the elements of filmmaking. I decided to take this class because I was interested in improving my photography skills. In this course, we are required to create a commercial, the beginning of a film, and take an exam that tests our knowledge of film production. I’m looking forward to creating the commercial the most because I can express my creativity through cinema. I will be working with my partner, Stephanie, on the commercial and short film. She is reliable and focused which will be a big help when it comes to things such as storyboarding and filming.
Our first project is the commercial in which we created a 30 second video promoting a product. Initially, Stephanie and I planned to do a perfume commercial because we loved the abstract and uniqueness of those types of commercials. However, we found out that we had limited options and were not able to do the product we wanted. We decided to do a commercial advertising blue Gatorade because there are various types of blue Gatorade that we could use for the commercial. It is also convenient because at our school we have a track that we are allowed to film on which would be perfect for a sports drink commercial. We were also considering doing a Dunkin Donuts commercial but it would be hard because it would be tedious to keep the Dunkin Donuts food products intact during the school day. We plan to get our inspiration from Gatorade commercials and also sports apparel commercials because those types of commercials share common elements that we can use during our production process.
In our pre-production process we are starting with storyboarding. We have to make 5 slides, which represent 6 seconds of the commercial, that include different camera angles, editing, and sounds that will be included in our commercial. Then once our storyboard is approved by our teachers we will begin writing our script and filming. Stephanie and I will have to use our time wisely because we’ve only been given a small amount of time to do our filming. During our post-production stage we will be editing our commercial and getting it ready to be turned into Cambridge. Throughout this process we will be blogging our about our experiences during the production. I’m sure our commercial will turn out great, or at least I hope it does. Wish us luck on our cinematic journey!
Our first project is the commercial in which we created a 30 second video promoting a product. Initially, Stephanie and I planned to do a perfume commercial because we loved the abstract and uniqueness of those types of commercials. However, we found out that we had limited options and were not able to do the product we wanted. We decided to do a commercial advertising blue Gatorade because there are various types of blue Gatorade that we could use for the commercial. It is also convenient because at our school we have a track that we are allowed to film on which would be perfect for a sports drink commercial. We were also considering doing a Dunkin Donuts commercial but it would be hard because it would be tedious to keep the Dunkin Donuts food products intact during the school day. We plan to get our inspiration from Gatorade commercials and also sports apparel commercials because those types of commercials share common elements that we can use during our production process.
In our pre-production process we are starting with storyboarding. We have to make 5 slides, which represent 6 seconds of the commercial, that include different camera angles, editing, and sounds that will be included in our commercial. Then once our storyboard is approved by our teachers we will begin writing our script and filming. Stephanie and I will have to use our time wisely because we’ve only been given a small amount of time to do our filming. During our post-production stage we will be editing our commercial and getting it ready to be turned into Cambridge. Throughout this process we will be blogging our about our experiences during the production. I’m sure our commercial will turn out great, or at least I hope it does. Wish us luck on our cinematic journey!
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