Final Links

Film Opening and Creative Critical Reflections

Here are all of the final links for my project. Thank you for being here every step of the way of the production process for "The Seventh Lie" and enjoy!

Film Opening

Creative Critical Reflection #1

Creative Critical Reflection #2

Final Reflection

 The time has come!

    I have finally finished editing my Creative Critical Reflections which means that I have completed this 8 week long Portfolio Project. I have a lot of thoughts about this project now that I have finished, that I will be sharing in this blog post.

    To begin, I will say that I am so excited to be done with this project, because of the stress it has caused me, especially these last couple of days rushing to get everything completed in time. I have a difficult time in general with long projects because of my time management so it was somewhat difficult for me to finish this project. In the long run though, I have come to appreciate these last 8 weeks because I have never created something like this before. I am so proud of how far I have come from the beginning of this project or even the beginning of this class.

    I would normally sit here and say that I hate time consuming projects but this project isn't like any other. Normally, I try my best on school projects for the grade and praise, but with this project I genuinely enjoyed coming up with ideas because it was based on what I wanted to do not just what I was assigned to do. It was a journey of navigating through different visions, shots, angles, audio, lighting, and editing. I could go into everything I learned but it would take me forever and I want to show you my personal experience, not just what everyone else completing this project has learned from it.

    I am not going to lie and say I had the most amazing time throughout the entire process, but I will say I learned more about myself by the end of it. To be completely honest, my time management skills aren't the best but this project has made me learn how to stick to a schedule. If my partner and I hadn't made a schedule to begin with we would be all over the place. I would most likely procrastinate this process and turn it from an 8 week process into an 11 week one. 

    I have always been a perfectionist, and with this project it has made me realize it even more because I spent hours focusing on little details that most people probably wouldn't even recognize. However, it has made me even more proud of the work I have accomplished because I know how long this project has taken not only me but my partner as well. 

    To go more into depth about the relationship of my partner and I, we had a great time in the beginning brainstorming ideas, making things look pretty on Canva like our vision boards for our characters or the Production Company logo with a specific effect we liked on it. However, the more time we spent on this project, we realized this wasn't a film class. This project isn't about who is going to make the perfect film opening it is about learning and creating a film opening with full freedom to express your own ideas and edit them as such. 

     Though this Portfolio project was stressful for me, that isn't anything new coming from me because I tend to get anxious with big tasks like this. I really did enjoy this project, it was an eye opening experience into the filmmaking process and made me appreciate filmmakers and notice specific details in films that I wouldn't have previous to this project. Now that I have finished everything for this project I can't wait to share it with you!

CCR Post Production

Editing my CCRs

   First CCR

    Once I finished filming my CCRs I went straight into editing them. I chose to go a different route then my previous choices of editing software's such as Adobe Premiere Pro and even Clipchamp for another project. I decided to edit on iMovie for my CCRs because I thought it would be quicker since I can do it straight from my phone.
 
    I will say it was much easier to navigate at first then Adobe was, and adding the footage was super easy since the footage was already on my phone and I didn't have to transfer it to my computer.

    Here is what iMovie looked like while editing the clips on my phone. As you can see there is a section for videos, and if I detached the audio from the video I could also use that same audio for different clips which is how I incorporated those additional clips of the bulletin board with my voice in the background. I didn't have to do any voiceovers which made my life easier.

    I had a specific setting on each video of mine so that it all looked and sounded cohesive. I detached every audio and increased that volume to full, that way I sounded louder and then I added the "Vintage" filter over each clip to give it a warmer look.

   Second CCR

    For the second CCR video, to edit I used iMovie again because it was easy to use and I found myself editing quicker then when I had used Adobe Premier Pro. I wanted to test out the editing on my computer again but using iMovie and this is what it looked like.

    I used specific transitions that iMovie had like the cross dissolve, to smoothly transition the clips.

    I also used Canva to make this, which I put in the background for the "Behind The Scenes" title before I began answering questions #3 and #4. I thought this gave my introduction a little more character and would intrigue viewers.

    Overall, the editing process, did take longer than expected but for me personally, I found it easier to navigate iMovie when compared to other editing software's I have used before. Editing is a tedious process but it has helped me become a better editor, especially now that I have tested out different platforms.

CCR Production

CCR Set + Planning

    Now I have made it to the phase where I actually make my Creative Critical Reflections! I am just going to breakdown how both of my filming processes went for my CCRs.

   First CCR

    So for the first CCR, I took this picture because I realized this is where I wanted to film it. This was my setup before making the bulletin board, but I did have to move around the desk, and take all of the items that were on it off, for a clean look. I wanted a warm light setting so this was perfect.

    As mentioned in my previous blog post on "CCR Production Ideas" I mentioned making this video fit into the thriller genre convention by using a bulletin board full of pictures, questions, sticky notes, and red string to tie it all together as if I was solving a mystery. 
    This is what the final board looks like once I printed out the photos at Walgreens, drew on all the pieces of papers, and tying around the red string onto pins I found in my house.

    I took some inspiration from Pinterest for the board and for my costume so that I would fit into the conventions of an investigator or someone solving a crime. I decided to wear a white shirt with a blazer over, similar to this picture:

    The production for this CCR did take a long time but it was a fun idea to mimic and be apart of.

  Second CCR

    For the Second CCR video, this was a way faster process then my first CCR, possibly because I had gotten the hang of it at this point, or because of how I decided to film it. I faced away from the camera just like this video : Michael Bauman. (2025). How ‘One Battle After Another’ shot the car chase scene like a gritty ’70s film [Video]. YouTube. 

    At first I thought it would be too difficult to recreate this black background and professional lighting but then I had an idea!

    I found this large black cloth in a closet, so I decided to play around with my background options. I decided to use the same room as I previously used for my other CCR but switch it up but putting this black cloth as a background and instead of warm lighting I used natural lighting from the window. From the same pins I had found I stuck them into the wall, covering the TV that was on that wall as well. After different attempts, and standing on the chair to get high up, my idea came to life. I made sure to open the window curtain beside the wall to get the perfect amount of light for filming.

    From behind my tripod, this was the view of the room. I thought that the angle would be questionable but when I placed my phone onto the tripod, zoomed in and lowered the exposure I found it to be a great set and then began filming. 

CCR Question 4

 CCR number 2

    For my second CCR video, I will answer both questions 3 and 4 but question 4 will be the opening to the video. I will talk about the different technology products I used throughout this production process.

Here is the script:

    So my codirector and I had a specific vision for this film regarding how it would be filmed and edited, but we are beginner level filmmakers so our technology equipment wasn't anything extreme, it was more basic tools.

    The beginning of our film production consisted mainly of planning and researching which is why we used Google Docs, a digital platform for writing out ideas and where we made the final script of the film. We also used other online platforms like Canva, where we created our title using one of their effects. Throughout the duration of this project my most used online program has to be blogger where I blogged my entire production process of the film.

    For the actual filming process, we used hardware equipment like our phone cameras, mini microphones, for dialogue, specifically for that one dinner scene and a tripod to stabilize most of the scenes. We also played around with lightning on set, which was a regular house, but we incorporated this red ball light to add extra tension to scenes. After filming, I used my computer to start editingon a popular editing software called Adobe Premiere Pro which was very new to me and my codirector but we got the hang of it eventually.

    Overall I'd say that all of these technologies helped me tremendously with the production of our film. 
I wouldn't say that we had a hard time or problem with these technology tools, it was mainly just us learning how to navigate with them.

CCR Question #3

    CCR number 2

    For, my second Creative Critical Reflection video I will discuss how my partner and I have developed our production skills as we have been creating this project for about seven weeks now. I can proudly say that I have grown within my production skills in Aice Media compared to the beginning of the year or even before taking this class. However based on the 3rd question, "How did your production skills develop throughout the project?" I am considering answering this after question #4. In question 3 I have to reflect on my production skills throughout the entirety of this film opening portfolio project, which seems like a good ending point for my CCR.

    As mentioned in my previous blog post I know I want to execute this by doing an interview style video of my face and then integrating pictures and videos of the production process as I mention these entry points.

Topics to mention:

• Real life experience 
• My honest feelings on the project
• Research (updating blogs with thriller conventions or audience) 
• Process (location scouting, actors, costume design, lighting techniques)
• Filming and editing (discuss little experience before)

    
    When I first heard about this project I was worried I wouldn't produce a good film or even have enough tools for it. Especially considering my partner and I’s are doing this for the first time at a beginner level in film, editing, and creating a full production from start to finish. But now that we are done we have come a long way from the start of this course. Creating a film is a very long journey and to some may seem difficult but I found the actual process to be entertaining and interesting to be apart of. 

    My partner and I haven't had experience filming like other students who have been apart of CBTV or even film class. This was a completely new experience for the both of us and the process didn't come easy. However, we work well as a team and use each other to bounce back off ideas, which is how we came up with such an elaborate film idea.

    First, even just picking a genre we wanted to go based off was difficult with so many good options to choose from, but as we researched we were both fond over the idea of doing a thriller. For both of us, this was taking a big step and stepping outside of our comfort zone since they're specific conventions in a thriller that have to be mastered like creating suspense. We researched conventions and came up with possible film ideas, each landing on some we didn't love. With many class periods thinking strategically and different plot ideas we landed on ours. 

  
    Once we knew our idea it was time for the production process to begin such as finding actors, creating costume designs, character mood boards, location scouting, script making, and eventually start filming.

    We both came to the realization at some point before filming that we were nervous for the outcome because of how highly we talked about this project and how we both pictured the film to turn out professional. We were nervous our vision wasn’t going to come to life because we didn’t have the best tools like a professional camera or stabilizer. Once we began the filming process we got over our fear relatively quickly as we played around with different visions, shots, audio, and used a tripod to assist in filming. Because we spent most of our time with this project planning, organizing, scripting, and scouting for locations and especially actors compared to the filming and editing portion I think that is why we were able to develop such a well made production. 

    My true honest feelings about this project is I am glad we are finished with it! However, I really did enjoy making this film for the past couple of weeks. I found myself saying to my partner "I am actually excited to start filming," because it has been such a new experience. I have never in my life created something like this with so much detail and thought put into everything. But I also wouldn't say it was only the best of the best experience, because my partner and I also struggled with a couple of things. Finding actors took us a really long time which backtracked our filming process. This worried us because we felt like we were behind but once we figured it out everything went smoothly. In the end I think it has been a learning journey to say the least but has helped me improve tremendously my filming and editing skills, when compared to other projects we have done in class such as the One Word Sound project.

    

CCR Production Ideas

Creative Critical Reflection Brainstorming

    Now that I have gone over how I will answer question 1 and 2 I thought I'd bring to the table some of my ideas for both of my CCR's. I am planning on splitting up the 4 questions by answering questions #1 and #2 together into one video, and the other CCR will contain questions #3 and #4. Before I begin I would also like to address that I will be making a script for both of my CCR's that way my message gets across precisely and focused. As of right now here are my ideas:

1st CCR

    For this CCR I have now answered both of these questions in a basic format in my previous blogs that I will continue to edit as I get closer to the filming production process of it. My original idea was to film something basic like an interview or podcast to answer these two questions on conventions, audience, and distribution but I decided to take a more creative approach. As me and my partner were talking about our plans for the CCR she came up with an idea that resembles our thriller genre. 

    The idea is to have a thriller/mystery bulletin board with pictures from our film up on it. My partner hadn't developed how this would be filmed so I brainstormed a couple possibilities with this base line idea. I now know that I want to put small pieces of paper with different questions up as if I am trying to find clues to describe my film as a director and producer of the film "The Seventh Lie." I will include pictures from my film onto the board to show how my film uses thriller conventions throughout and represents a social group of people going through grief. Other pictures will show film festivals or a crowd of people to foreshadow question 2, that deals with engaging audiences and distribution methods.

    I feel this type of CCR is unique and is a creative way to bring in the topics without it being boring. As I explain what each picture, symbol, or question means from the board I will edit in pictures or videos of my research (from blogs), pictures and videos from my film, as well as pictures from the internet to make my video all the more visually appealing.

Here is how I picture it to look to fit some thriller conventions I mentioned in my other blog post:

    Having a setup like this will instill the idea that I am trying to solve something or answer questions people want to know about, as if I were solving a crime as a detective. By creating a set up like this, it will be more entertaining to watch for viewers and will be easier for me to recall when I see the photos and "evidence" up on the bulletin board.

2nd CCR 

    I am planning on doing an interview style Creative Critical Reflection for my second video to address questions #3 and #4. I am taking inspiration from videos like Variety on You tube such as this most recent video from a collection they have called, "Inside the Frame" where cinematographers give an inside scoop into a film for viewers.

Source:

Michael Bauman. (2025). How ‘One Battle After Another’ shot the car chase scene like a gritty ’70s film [Video]. YouTube. 

    For this CCR I plan on having a more professional set up as if I am being interviewed for a video like such. I will wear work appropriate clothing and have a clean professional background with no distractions. However, I've learned it is important to include visual aspects over my video so that I am not just a "talking head," because this isn't engaging for my audience. Since the 3rd and 4th questions focus more on the production process of filming I thought it would make more sense to do this type of video that way I can incorporate videos and pictures of the process as I begin to answer the questions. By doing so, this will automatically make my CCR more entertaining. Including videos and behind the scene pictures of the hardware, camera, lighting, microphones, tripod, and even technology software's my partner and I used throughout the production this will help assist my thought process. By including these pictures and videos over me explaining how my partner and I developed our production skills and the tools we used throughout it, my viewers will get a better understanding of how the production process went by not only hearing about it but visually seeing it.