Editing Blog 10/28/19

Today was our last day of filming the final shots for our commercial. This day was also meant to begin the process of editing for our commercial as well. However, none of the school computers would run Pinnacle Studios! This meant that we would be behind on the editing of our commercial by a day. Nonetheless, this also gave us most of the class to finish filming our shots, which worked in my group's favor. We first checked out the cameras and then gathered our props to head outside. I had to change into my costume since I would be included in the shots today. We then had to re-film some of our shots, as we had a costume change for Alicia and Audrey. We re-shot an over-the-shoulder shot, a zoom-in shot, and a tracking shot. After re-filming, we then proceeded to film the rest of our commercial.

This time, I would be playing a Vans store employee for the commercial. My part was to hand the box of Vans to Alicia. After bringing a table from the media center to the outside, we then began setting up our props to make it look like a Vans store. We had trouble deciding on what shots we should film first. However, I eventually came to a conclusion which my group agreed with. We filmed a medium-long shot, pan, POV shot, and a close-up shot in our “Vans store”. After this, Alicia changed into her Vans so we could film our next shot. Next, we headed to the stairs to film the tracking shot of Alicia's shoes. We then finished off filming by shooting a pan and zoom out of the crowd. Now it was time to gather our props and head back to the classroom to dump.

After returning our filming equipment, we asked for an SD card reader and began the process of dumping our footage onto Audrey's flash drive. Due to us dumping our footage last class, this time, dumping became a lot faster and easier to do. After dumping all of our footage, we then reviewed some shots as a group to see if they were satisfactory for us. We also reviewed some shots that we filmed last class to see if they were also satisfactory. After reviewing, we ejected the SD card reader and returned it back. I also ejected the flash drive and returned it back to Audrey. However, we could not begin editing today as Pinnacle Studios was down. But, it ended up working out for us, as we used the extra time to re-film some shots for our commercial. Moreover, the next class will be completely focused on editing. This is where our shots will fully come together to make the final product of our Vans commercial.

Filming Blog

For the first day of filming, I was in charge of filming most shots along with my group member, Nerlande. However, I was also in charge of dressing as a Vans store employee for the shots that I would be acting in. I had to bring a beanie, Vans shoes, and borrow a Vans shirt from Audrey to dress my part. After checking out our camera equipment, we each gathered our props and headed to the senior patio. We were first set up on a table near the restrooms; however, I could not get the umbrella to open so I asked another group how to open it. After still not being able to open the umbrella, I then found a new table with an already opened umbrella. This is where we started setting up our equipment. I helped to bring our props over and place them on a bench near our setup. This is also where I began putting on my props on to look like my character. However, one thing that Nerlande and I noticed was that we needed a screw to secure the camera to the tripod. After Nerlande and I ran back to the classroom to retrieve this screw, we could then finish setting up our equipment.

After Nerlande set up the tripod, I then secured the camera to it and we were ready to begin filming. It took a minute to figure out how the camera worked, but we eventually figured it out. We first filmed the establishing shot of the senior patio. After, we then moved on the recording the shots with Audrey and Alicia in them. We loosely followed our original script and had moments of improv while filming. I filmed a wide shot of Alicia, along with filming the POV shot. After we completed all of our senior patios shots. After I packed up the filming equipment, we then each gathered all of our props and headed to the media center stairs. This is where I filmed the tracking shot of Alicia's shoes. I then continued to set up our props on the media center to create our "Vans store". I then began to film the over-the-shoulder shot of Alicia, which took many takes to get right.

After filming all of these shots, it was my turn to be in the shots now. However, we had no time left to shoot any more shots if we wanted to dump our footage into the computer. So I packed up the filming equipment and we each took our props back to the classroom. I handed my props to Audrey because we decided to leave all of our props in the classroom. I later began the processing of dumping, with the help of Nerlande. We had trouble trying to dump our footage since we had never done it before. However, Audrey suggested that we should dump the footage into her flash drive instead of the computer. As Audrey and Alicia returned the filming equipment, I dumped our footage onto Audrey's flash drive. Then as a group we reviewed some of the footage that we recorded today which ended our first day of filming.

Storyboard Blog

-Establishing shot
-Two Shot
-POV Shot
-Reaction Shot
-Cutaway
-Jumpcut
-Tracking Shot
-Over the Shoulder Shot
-Pan
-Medium Shot
-High Angle
-Medium Close Up Shot
-Long Shot
-Close-Up Shot
-Eye-Line Match
-Wide Angle
-Tracking Shot
-Dutch
-Burn out
-Title

Editing Blog

To edit the footage that we’ve recorded, we will be using Pinnacle Studio on the school computers. Because of this, we must use the same computer with the same student login or else our footage won’t be found. However, to begin editing, we first need to dump our footage from the cameras into the computer. To dump, we must place our SD card into the SD card reader and then into the computer. Before opening Pinnacle Studio, we need to open a new folder and place our footage in that folder. This footage can be found in the DCIM section of the folder. However, if it is not found here, it may be located in the Private, AVCHD, then Stream section of the folder. The footage will be organized by time and date. After this is done, we can then open Pinnacle Studio and import the footage into the editing software. 
Pinnacle Studio's software is organized in 3 layers to edit, add sound, and add a title to our footage. After placing the raw footage into the editing layer, we can then begin editing. Something important to note before editing is that we must wait for the screen to turn green. If we click the computer before it has fully loaded green, we risk the computers crashing and possibly losing all progress, if any was made. Moving along, a common editing tool is the razor blade. This is used to cut the footage so that it is now two parts. Additionally, something important in this editing software is that you can move the red bar to see exactly how the footage looks without playing it. This is helpful when you want to make quick editing adjustments to your footage.
Besides the editing tools, there are also tools to enhance or create new audio. You can do this by detaching the audio to edit it or by adding a voiceover. You can also add music to your film by converting a song from YouTube into an MP3. Additionally, you can also add titles to your film by pressing the T icon. This is important for letting the audience know what your film may be about. Something that is also useful is distorting or enhancing certain scenes from your footage. This allows things, such as a nighttime scene, to be easily altered to create a more eerie appearance for the audience. Finally, when you have finished editing your footage, you can press export and click the option "mpeg4" to view your project in its full size.

Planning Blog for Vans Commercial

Our commercial is about Vans.
1) Props
The props that we will use in this commercial will be Vans shoe boxes, a skateboard, a Vans coupon, and Halloween decorations.
2) Costumes
The costumes that we use in this commercial will include Vans apparel. Specifically, Vans shirts, Vans hoodie, Vans shoes, a beanie, and chains for the actors playing on the Vans side. We will also include Converse shoes and shirt for the Converse-side actor.
3)Schedule
First, we will make the storyboard and the script for the commercial. After everyone learns their lines and places, we will begin filming our commercial in the senior patio. Continuing with the commercial on the next day, we will shoot extra takes of skateboard tricks for our commercial which will be featured at the end of the commercial. When we finish filming at the first location, we will then move onto our next location: the Media Center stairs.On the last day of this assignment, we will edit our commercial and put every shot in the order of our storyboard.
4) Location
The locations that will be used for our commercial will be the senior patio, specifically the steps and the tables. We will also film in the Media Center stairs, which is where our "Vans store" set will be.
5) Back Up Plan
So if it's raining,we will have to film inside the Media Studies classroom instead of the senior patio. Additionally, we will have to film our skateboard shots near the Media Center instead because we can still get outside shots, however we will still have a roof over us to not get wet. Also, if one of us who is acting is absent, we will have to change roles in the commercial and one of us would have to play someone else's part. Additionally, if our camera man is absent, we will have one of our actors film, while another actor takes their part.

Our commercial is about Vans products. Some common conventions and codes in Vans commercials include skaters as actors. The target demographic for Vans include teens and young adults, which is why the actors in these commercials are also generally young adults or teens. These actors are typically athletic and often run or do skateboard tricks in the commercials. They also wear Vans shoes and Vans shirts or socks in the commercials. Vans commercials may also feature famous athletes or skaters to talk about the products. The actors are normally within a group of friends; however, some commercials include skaters by themselves.

Additionally, the location of these commercials are usually outside in skate parks or on the street. Typically, the lighting of these commercials are very bright due to the sunny weather of being outside. However, commercials that feature more close ups of the shoes tend to have darker lighting. 

Lastly, common music found in Vans commercials include Rock or Upbeat music. Popular artists that make this type of music for Vans commercials are Avril Lavigne, Sik-K, and DJ, Mia Carucci.

Introductory

Hi, my name is Karen. I am in the 11th grade and I currently attend Fort Lauderdale High School. I am in the Cambridge program, so I take AICE classes. This year, I am taking AICE Thinking Skills, AICE Media Studies, and AICE Marine. Out of all these classes, I enjoy AICE Marine the most. Besides my AICE classes, I also take US History, Dance, Pre-Calculus, and AP English Composition. I find US History very interesting to learn about so I do like being in that class. I also like Dance a lot as well. It pushes me out of my boundaries and makes me more confident in my skills and abilities not only in Dance but also in myself as a person.
Some of my interests include music, cultures, and the environment. I enjoy most genres of music, but my favorite genres of music include Hip-Hop, K-Pop, and Alternative. My favorites music artists are Tyler, the Creator, Blood Orange, BTS, Kero Kero Bonito, LOONA, and BROCKHAMPTON. Additionally, I also like exploring new cultures. A dream of mine would be to travel the world and learn new languages. The idea that everyone is a part of a different culture fascinates me and is something that I am very interested in. Furthermore, another thing that I am interested in is the environment and its animals. I enjoy learning about ways that I can help or forward the conservation of our planet. It is also the reason why I've decided to go vegetarian, which is something that means a lot to me.
However, I do have some dislikes, which include rudeness, people who aren't open-minded, and humidity. One thing that I hate to witness is someone else being disrespectful or rude to someone for no apparent reason. Instances may be uncalled for and are only made worse through the hatred of someone else. Additionally, I also dislike people who aren't open-minded. Whether it's not taking a risk to make a change, or not being accepting of the opinions of others, I dislike this because it shows that a person is not open to having a formal and honest discussion about topics that really matter. Also, another thing that really gets on my nerves is humidity. One of the worst things about living in Florida, besides the drivers, is humidity. Something about making 82-degree weather feel like 97 degrees really limits the kind of clothes or hairstyles you can wear that day which is why it's something I really dislike.