Re-shoot: Minor Details

At last, Katelyn and I were able to get together to re-film. Our final project looked pleasing to the eye. However, the details were a bit off. For example, we had to fix the sound in certain shots.  Katelyn screamed in a shot, but it did not sound like we expected. Thus, we decided to re-film it. This was quite easy. Katelyn had to scream bye to her mom. We figured out the perfect pitch and volume. In order to accomplish this, Katelyn could not be too close or too far from the mic. To explain, last time Katelyn was too far from the mic. Hence, you could barely hear her scream. Another problem was the angle certain shots were taken at. An important part of our film were for the actors to be in the same spot throughout the dissolve transitions of the film.. This would guarantee that our film looked continuous. However, I am taller than Katelyn. So we had to re-film from a different angle. This time, I made sure to bend down so I appeared shorter. The shot was a medium close-up. Thus, you could not see my knees which meant the audience will not know I was bending down. To sum up, he re-film was a success. 

Re-shoot: Corona Virus

Katelyn and I were supposed to re-film today. However, the corona virus is spreading quickly. The corona virus is super dangerous and contagious. Thus, we were unable to meet up. Both of our parents were concerned with us getting sick. To explain, school has been closed for an extra week already due to the virus. Also, the government is recommending for people to not gather unless it is mandatory. So, Katelyn and I decided to take a step back and review our options. At the end we decided to postpone the re-filming. We hope this situation will get better. I am unsure if the exams will be delayed. Either way Katelyn and me are acting as if they are not delayed. This is because they have not been yet. Based on the announcement from health officials, I believe we will not be going back to school for a while or be able to meet up with people to film. Hence, I do not know what Katelyn and me will do. However, we are prepared and understand we might have to turn in the final project without re-filming. For the moment, our re-filling plans have been moved to another day in the foreseen future. We have not scheduled an exact date as we are unsure of what restrictions for o ur safety will be made.

Re-shoot: Plan

Today Katelyn and I discussed our plan for the re-shoot. Spring break is less than two weeks away. Thus, we thought we could film during spring break. However, after much talk we realized we both had really busy schedules. To explain, Katelyn is traveling. Also,  I have away track meets which take up a few days. In addition, the Corona Virus is becoming a huge dilemma globally and locally. Katelyn and I had to take this into account when picking when to re-film. We decided we would re-film this weekend. Unfortunately, our plans had to change. The Broward County School Board decided to stop all extra-circular activities starting this upcoming Monday until April 1. Thus, my track schedule was changed. Due to the cancelled meets and practice, I now have practice this weekend. It is important to me as I have been working extremely hard this entire season. Plus, I do not want to miss the few opportunities I have left to practice before we are no longer bger able too. To continue, the plan for the re-shoot is quite simple. Katelyn and I want to change the angels of some of  the beginning shots. This is because it will help our dissolve transitions be smoother. To sum up, I believe the re-shoot will be successful. I am also pleased that I get to work with such an amazing group. I know that Katelyn and I will be able to complete this so matter our schedules.

Re-edit: Analyzing the Next Step

The first step was for Katelyn and I to analyze the remarks. After, that we re-watched our video. This helped us understand what these remarks meant. For example, Katelyn and I saw that we were missing a low angle. This may not have been realized if the peer edits were not done. Then, Katelyn and I alongside the remarks looked for weak points. A weak point we found were some of the transitions. Overall, our video flowed smoothly. Certain parts of our video were choppy or even unpleasing to the eye. Katelyn and I had two possibilities from here. The first step would be to try to re-edit. To explain, Katelyn and I would try to change a dissolve transition to a jump or the other way around. This would allow Katelyn and me to see if we could use the footage. If not we would try the second step. The second step was to re-film. Katelyn and I have not gotten together to re-film. However, we marked down which scenes we wanted to re-film. This made sure we stayed organized so the process would be simple. Also, to make sure we do not miss any parts or scenes when it comes time to re-film. To sum up, I think our video was pretty strong for the rough draft and think that the re-filming will help it dramatically.

Music: Non-copyrighted

Katelyn and I need to add music to our final project. We did not want to pick a copyrighted song for two reasons. First off, we did not have a specific song in mind so it was simpler to pick a non-copyrighted song. Secondly, we were worried about the time it would take. To explain, it takes a lot of time to get permission. So, we started to look for free music. Katelyn took the lead on this. The first step was to go onto a MP3 website that allowed downloads. We learned from our previous music video project that an MP4 would not work. Last time, the MP4 caused our music video to not be able to be exported. Thus, an MP4 would make this more difficult than necessary. Also, we did not want to waste time on these difficulties if we could avoid them. This is because we wanted to focus on editing. Katelyn and I knew we need two songs. The first song would be upbeat and exciting. This would help tell the story that the girl was heading out to have a night of fun at a party. The second song would be suspenseful. This would help the audience feel the stress of the girl as she was being kidnapped. Finally, we found the perfect songs. The last step was to enter them into our editing software. 

Peer Review- Helpful

Katelyn and I both peer edited a group's video. I would say their video was incomplete for numerous reasons. First off, the video had no titles. This shows they were not able to finish as they did not add the requirement of at least ten titles. They also lacked multiple different camera angles and shots. For example, their video had no establishing shot, close up, low angle, shot reverse shot, nor eye line match. To add upon, the lighting in their video was quite strong. My one recommendation would to be to make sure the surroundings were also lit. Additionally, my favorite part was the transitions throughout the video. This is because the transitions were smooth and clean. Thus, helping the video seem continuous and flow. Personally, the hard part was understanding the story line. Their video mostly consisted of a guy typing on his computer. Therefore, I presumed he was a coder. However, another guy joined the video and I was unable to understand his role. 15 I believe the story line could be made clearer. This would be by making the sound on the telephone louder. This is because I was unable to hear it when I watched the video. But, I believe the phone call would have given background on the story line. Overall, the individual takes seemed strong and I think with a few minor changes the video could be strong.

Editing: Imovie

As I previously explained, Katelyn and I needed to restart all the editing. This was due to the error in Pinnacle Studios. Therefore, we chose to use Imovie. Imovie was familiar to both of us. It also was on our phones which meant we could work on it at home. This was a bonus because we had essentially already wasted multiple days with editing on Pinnacle Studios. The editing was quite simple. This is because we had already decided which takes we would use. This saved us a lot of time because we were able to import the chosen takes right away. Personally, the hardest part was the transitions. Specifically, the dissolve transitions were the hardest to get just right. To explain, on Pinnacle Studios you can adjust how long you want the dissolve transition to last. However, on Imovie this was not the case. Rather, there were only a few choices of pre-set lengths for the transition. This was extremely frustrating to me. Katelyn and I had spent such a long time  perfecting the transitions. Now we had to re-do them. At last, we finished the transitions and were ready to watch the whole video through. This step helped us realize how much we accomplished. I was able to be less frustrated by seeing how well Katelyn and I work together.

Editing: Postponed

Katelyn and I planned to continue editing today in class. We were both hopeful to reach the halfway point for our final project. However, we faced an unsuspected dilemma. The problem was with Pinnacle Studios. For some reason we kept getting an error. This error would not allow the software to load. Katelyn and I were unable to solve the error. Thus, we asked the teachers for help. The teachers examined Pinnacle Studios and the error. Unfortunately, to fix the problem would require a lot of time and effort. Before preceding to fix the problem, Katelyn and I talked. We tried to weigh out the risks and benefits. At the end, we decided with the time restart it was better to re-start editing on a new software. We discussed numerous options. Finally, we reached a decision. Katelyn and I agreed to restart editing at home on our free time. We chose the software we felt would give us the best results. Hence, we chose to use Imovie. This meant we lost all of our hard work we spent editing on Pinnacle Studios. Nevertheless, we felt it was worth the risk.

Editing: Pinnacle Studios

In class today Katelyn and I edited. We used Pinnacle Studios which was on the computers the school offered. At first, it took a while for the videos to import. This was quite frustrating as Katelyn and I wanted to start editing as soon as possible. I focused on editing. Meanwhile, Katelyn looked for music for our video. Katelyn played her top choices to me. I listened and we both had the same favorite music. This song was uplifting and exciting which would work perfect with our part scene. Class was almost over at this point. Thus, Katelyn sent me the link to the song. This meant we could download it next class. I completed about 30 seconds of our video. To explain, I shortened clips and chose which ones to use. Also, I created the transitions between each take. The hardest part with the transitions were doing the dissolve so each clip lined up. This took quite a lot of time and effort. Katelyn helped me by checking the transitions with a fresh set of eyes. Overall, this class was quite useful. It left me hopeful for the next class and the upcoming editing.

Editing: Plan

Katelyn and I are excited to edit. To be honest, my favorite part of creating a film is the editing part. First off, while editing you can be creative. Also, you get to see all your hard work come together. To explain, you have spent so much time planning out your project. I mean, between coming up with an idea. Then, completing your storyboard. Next, in my opinion the hardest part, filming. At last, you see all your shots and effort come together into a singe piece. I would say the most fulfilling part is when you can watch your whole video through. At this point is when you realize if your piece is successful. First off, is it pleasing to the eye? Is the film one cohesive piece? Is it continuous and flowing with a clear story line? In my opinion, all these are essential characteristics to a successful film. Thus, Katelyn and I save enough time to edit. However, before we even start editing, we must plan. Katelyn and I try to imagine how we desire our film to look like. Then, we focus on the details. For example, what transitions we want between shots, which shots to have titles, and the length of the shot. All of these steps help the editing process be easy and painless.