Final Project & CCR's

The Price of Happiness Film Opening:

The Price of Happiness.clipchamp

CCR#1:

Video Project 3.mp4

CCR #2:

CCR #2.mp4

CCR #2 Planning (Questions 1 & 2)

 In this CCR I'll be answering the questions in a simple video that I will be recording myself. I'll be answering questions one and two, my script is the following:

1. How does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues? 

My film opening mainly follows the conventions of a coming-of-age story rather than challenging them. Coming-of-age films usually focus on a young character going through an important moment that shows their struggle, growth, or search for identity. My opening uses typical conventions such as a teenage main character, emotional conflict, and visual techniques like close-up shots and dark lighting to show how the character is feeling. We chose not to challenge these conventions because we wanted the audience to easily recognize the genre and understand the story quickly. Since this is only the opening of the film, using familiar conventions helps the audience connect with the character and the situation right away. The film represents teenagers who are dealing with pressure, relationships, and the difficulties of growing up. It highlights how young people sometimes make risky or emotional decisions when they feel overwhelmed. 

2. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text? 

My film engages the audience by creating curiosity and emotional tension at the start. The viewer sees a teenager leaving their house in a rush, which makes them wonder what happened and where the character is going. The quick flashbacks and strong sound design help the audience understand that something important has led to this moment. This type of opening encourages the audience to keep watching to learn more about the character’s journey. If it were a real media product, it could be distributed through streaming platforms or short film festivals. It could also be promoted online through trailers and clips on social media to reach teenage audiences who often watch coming-of-age stories. 

CCR #1 Planning (Questions 3 & 4)

 My plan for this CCR is an interview or talk show and I'll be answering questions three and four. My script is the following:

3. How did your production skills develop throughout this project? 

During this project my production skills improved a lot. I learned how to plan my ideas more clearly by writing a script and thinking about the order of shots. I also practiced using different camera angles and close-ups to show emotion. While editing, I learned how pacing and quick cuts can change the feeling of a scene. I also became more aware of how lighting and sound can affect the mood of a film. Overall, the project helped me understand the filmmaking process better and made me more confident in creating a visual story. 

4. How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project? 

I used several types of technology during this project. I used a phone to film the scenes and capture the different shots I planned. For editing, I used video editing software to cut clips, adjust the timing, and add sound effects to build tension. I also used online resources to research film techniques and get inspiration for editing styles and storytelling. Technology helped me organize my work, improve the quality of the film, and turn my original idea into a finished media product. I also used blogger to document my process throughout the creation of this film. 

OWC. (n.d.). 5 steps to shooting pro-quality video on iPhone. MacSales Blog.https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/83821-5-steps-to-shooting-pro-quality-video-on-iphone/

 

Production Day #2

 Making props for our project turned out to be simple but really important for setting the tone of the story. We created a rope by tying old clothes together, which actually worked better than we expected. It looked worn and homemade, which fit the character’s situation and made the scene feel more believable. Even though it was a basic prop, it added a lot to the visuals for the scene where he sneaks out.

We also used an old pill bottle to represent the character’s struggle with addiction. Since the bottle plays a big role in the opening scene, we paid attention to how it looked and how it sounded when shaken. In the scene's rolling the pill bottle, having too many in the bottle made it too heavy and it would stop halfway through so we only kept a couple in to keep the rattling sound while still making it light enough to push.

Production Day #1

 Day one of filming our opening scene was challenging, but it also helped us figure out the tone of the whole project. Since it was just the two of us, we had to handle everything on our own, and filming was difficult in the dark and small bedroom. The low lighting made it hard to keep the scene clear while still making it feel tense and took a lot of patience. We had to redo several shots to capture the character’s nervous movements, like the shaking hands without losing the emotional impact.

Even with the tough moments, the day ended on a strong note. Once we got used to the space and found a rhythm, the shots started to look the way we imagined. Another challenge we came across was capturing the pill bottle rolling without getting our hands pushing it within the shot, after many tries we managed to find a way to push it off the desk by shaking it instead of using our hands. We also ultimately decided not to include a scene climbing out of the window and instead just including shots before and after to imply the action to avoid endangering our actor since the bedroom was on the second floor. Overall, filming went well and mostly according to plan, and I can see our project coming together already.