Film Opening and CCR's

Here are all the files: 

Film Opening: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QYi8NAjDX81rSNhZ1vdAYUea7ZpBKSgy/view?usp=sharing, 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QYi8NAjDX81rSNhZ1vdAYUea7ZpBKSgy/view

CCR Questions 3 & 4: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12vSrNfgZXELKMRL_XeF0JNNKa5kTWRUP/view?usp=sharing, 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12vSrNfgZXELKMRL_XeF0JNNKa5kTWRUP/view

CCR Questions 1 & 2:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1irXkCtatSyie4SXXIG_IsWfju3IxPek1/view?usp=sharing 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1irXkCtatSyie4SXXIG_IsWfju3IxPek1/view

Reflection

Finally Done!!

 Finishing this project was both challenging and fun. From start to finish, it was full of unexpected problems, learning moments, and chances to be creative. Here is a summary of what I learned and how I grew while working on this project.

An important aspect of this project was using all the skills I learned in class. These included shots, angles, composition, movement, mise-en-scène, editing, and sound. I even created a separate blog to focus on sound, where I went into detail about the music choices and sound design for my film opening. For this project, I signed up for a free trial on Epidemic Sound, which has a wide variety of music. I used four different songs to match the tone of different scenes. One was passionate and rhythmic for the flamenco dancing scenes. Another was soft and emotional for the moments where Triana reflects on her struggles. For scenes with tension, I chose dramatic and suspenseful music to show the weight of her health issues. Lastly, I used an uplifting track at the end to highlight her resilience and love for dancing. Sound was a key element in telling my story and creating the right atmosphere.

This was also the first long-term project I’ve done completely on my own. While it was rewarding to have full creative control, it was also challenging to manage everything by myself, from planning to filming to editing. I realized how important it is to plan ahead and stay organized, especially when unexpected issues come up. For example, I had to make sacrifices, like spending less time on other activities, to ensure the project was finished on time. I also learned that having backup plans is crucial to avoid delays on the project. 

Overall, this project taught me a lot about adjusting to challenges, working independently, and using what I’ve learned in class in real life. It was a tough but fun experience that helped me think more creatively and solve problems quickly. I’m proud of what I made and grateful for everything I learned along the way.

Editing My CCR's

After filming my Creative Critical Reflection (CCR), the next step was editing, which was important to complete the process. Since I didn’t want my CCR to just be a still talking shot, I decided to include pictures and clips of what I was talking about. This way, instead of just explaining my points, I could visually show them, making it more interesting.  Luckily, I didn’t have much trouble with the editing. Most of the work was simply putting the clips together and adding visuals to make it more engaging.

One of the small choices I made  was using different angles for my first two questions, which I answered as a student asking a teacher questions. I filmed that from multiple angles so I could switch between them, making it look more dynamic instead of sticking to one simple shot. This added a bit of variety without requiring too much extra editing effort. 

Adding extra visuals like clips from my film opening and relevant images was straightforward. It was mostly about matching the visuals to the points I was making. This approach made the CCR feel smooth without being overly complex or time consuming. By combining visuals with my explanations, I made sure the final product was clear and engaging.

Overall, editing was a smooth process that didn’t require a lot of adjustments. It mainly involved organizing the clips and visuals to make the CCR cohesive and visually appealing. In the end, I was happy with how everything came together and how it represented my work on the project.

Here is a picture of question 3 & 4

Filming CCR

I officially started filming both of my CCR's this past weekend!! To be honest it was so hard to come up with different ideas of the approach we were taking to answer the questions. I initially wanted to recreate the interviews were the questions are your " google search" but then my instructor said that it wasn't creative if we were recreating something, so instead, I came up with the idea of a student asking a teacher questions and a phone call with a friend who wants to know more about the project. 

For my first approach which was a student asking a teacher questions, I had to create a "classroom" in my room. Since the classroom was in my room, it was really hard to not get my nightstand or the door in the frame but I made it work. When I started filming, I thought that I was going to be able to finish it in one day but to this day my room is looking like a classroom and a bit of a mess. 

For my second approach, which was a phone call with a friend, I didn't have much trouble filming it. My dad reminded me that I had a mini tripod at my house so I set up my phone and started recording. The only setback that I encountered was remembering my lines. This made me waste so much time since I had to keep reshooting certain parts.  

Here is an unedited shot of one of my CCR's 

Script/Research For Question #4 of CCR

 Here is the script for question 4 of my CCR:

[Phone Rings, Friend Picks Up CONTINUATION OF QUESTION 3]

Friend: That's awesome. What kind of tech did you use?

Me: Well, the main thing I used was my phone for the camera. I didn’t have a professional camera to work with, so I had to make do with my phone, but it actually turned out pretty good. For lighting, I used a ring light, which was the only light I had. I wanted the film to have a dark, shadowy feeling, so I used the ring light to create some shadows around Triana while she was dancing. It helped keep a tense mood, but it was also tricky to make sure the shadows were where I wanted them.

Friend: Nice! So, the ring light was the only light?

Me: Yeah, exactly. Since the whole aesthetic was darker with shadows, the ring light was the perfect tool for that. It was kind of a challenge though, because I had to position it just right to make sure it didn’t light up the whole room too much but still kept Triana visible. It worked out, but it was definitely a bit of trial and error. 

Friend: That sounds a little tricky, but it seems like you made it work. What about sound?

Me: For sound, I had to get creative. I used a wired headphone as a microphone. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked for what I needed,  it was just about getting decent sound while filming the dance scenes.

Friend: That’s pretty smart! What about editing? How did that go?

Me: Editing was where things got a bit complicated. I used Premiere Pro to edit this project. I already had some basic knowledge, but when it came to all the effects and advanced features, I had to watch a lot of tutorials and try things out before I figured it out. For the text and fonts, I used Canva since I've experienced using this platform before. And for very few things I used Photoshop. 

Friend: That’s awesome. So, what did you take away from all of that?

Me: Honestly, I think the biggest thing I learned was how to work with the tools I had and adapt. I didn’t have the best equipment, but I made it work with my phone, the ring light, and the headphones. It wasn’t perfect, but I figured out how to make the production look good anyway. I also feel way more comfortable with editing software now, and I know that’s going to help a lot in future projects.

Friend: That’s really impressive. Sounds like you learned a lot. I’m super excited to see it all come together!

Me: Thanks! I’m excited too. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I’m really proud of how it’s turning out. Can’t wait to show you!

Friend: For sure. Let me know if you need anything!

Me: Will do. Talk soon!

[Call Ends]

Script/Research For Question #3 of CCR

 For question 3 and 4 of my CCR I will be answering the questions as if I'm calling one of my friends to talk about my film opening " Fallen Rhythm ".  Here is the script for question 3 

 [Phone Rings, Friend Picks Up]

Me: Hey! How’s it going?

Friend: Hey! Good, just chilling. What’s up?

Me: So, I’ve been thinking a lot about Fallen Rhythm lately and how the process has changed since I first started.

Friend: Oh, nice. What do you mean?

Me: Well, when I first came up with the idea, I didn’t really know exactly what I wanted it to be. But as I kept working, it all started coming together. I did a lot of research on flamenco and its emotional depth, especially the idea of pushing through pain. That really helped shape Triana’s character and how I wanted her struggles to come across.

Friend: That’s cool. So, you focused a lot on research?

Me: Yeah, and then when it came time to plan, I got really into storyboarding and figuring out the pacing. I wanted that fast-paced opening with flamenco shoes, a red skirt, and then Triana entering the studio. So I had to figure out how to keep it dynamic but not too drawn out.

Friend: Sounds like you had it mapped out pretty well.

Me: Well, I tried to be prepared, but things definitely changed once I started filming. One thing that I had to adjust was the lighting—it just wasn’t giving me the vibe I wanted, so I had to tweak that .

Friend: Yeah, that’s always tricky. Was that the biggest challenge?

Me: Honestly, no. The biggest challenge was definitely managing everything within the time frame. It reminded me of when I worked on the music video assignment, where I had to balance everything from timing to making sure the visuals matched the pace of the song. This time, though, I was also dealing with the difficulty of filming the dance scenes and keeping everything in focus, especially with the fast movements.

Friend: Oh yeah, I remember how you had to adjust a lot with that. Time management was an issue then too, huh?

Me: Exactly! And, also, filming the dance scenes, I kept struggling with not showing up in the mirror. It was so tricky to get the angles right without accidentally showing myself and this made me lose so much time because I had to keep reshooting. 

Friend: Yeah, that sounds tough! But did the blogs help with managing it all?

Me: Actually, yes. The blogs really helped me stay on track. They forced me to break down the process into smaller pieces, which made it easier to focus on what I needed to do . It kept me on top of things, so I wasn’t scrambling last minute.

Friend: That’s actually a good way to look at it. So the blogs kept you organized?

Me: Yeah, exactly. Even though it felt like a lot at the time, they made me think ahead and helped me get everything together in the end. It made the whole portfolio process feel more manageable.

Friend: That’s awesome. You’ve definitely grown from it. I’m really excited to see how Fallen Rhythm turns out!

Me: Thanks! I can’t wait to show you. It’s been a lot of work, but I’m proud of how it’s turning out.

Friend: For sure. Let me know if you need anything!

Me: Will do. Talk soon!

[Call Ends]

Script/Research For Question #2 of CCR

 Here is my script for question 2 of my CCR:

[CLASSROOM SETTING SCRIPT – QUESTION 2: AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT, TECHNIQUES & DISTRIBUTION]

(Scene continues in the classroom. The teacher, played by me, sits at a desk. Behind her, her name is displayed on the wall—no whiteboard. On the desk, there’s a computer, a notebook, pencils, and some decorations. A student—played by my sister—sits at another desk, ready to ask more questions.)

STUDENT: We talked about the genre, but who is your target audience?

TEACHER: My target audience is young adults and independent film fans who like psychological thrillers. In my blog, I talked about how Fallen Rhythm explores desire and the pressure to keep going even when it hurts. That’s something a lot of young people relate to, especially students, athletes, and artists who push themselves to succeed. I looked at films like Black Swan (2010), which also explores physical and mental strain in an artistic setting.

STUDENT: How did you make sure your film connects with that audience?

TEACHER: A big part of audience engagement comes from visuals and sound. Like how Euphoria uses a purple color scheme to create a dreamlike feeling, I used deep reds and shadows to show intensity and exhaustion. Red represents passion and danger, which both play a role in Triana’s story.

I also used editing to build tension. In my blog, I explained how quick cuts of the flamenco shoes, the red skirt, and the dance studio create an intense rhythm. Instead of using traditional music, I let the sound of the cane drive the pace. The silence between hits makes the audience feel uneasy, which fits the psychological thriller genre.

STUDENT: So, where will people be able to watch it?

TEACHER: Since I’m an amateur filmmaker, I’m focusing on online platforms. YouTube and Vimeo are great because they allow independent filmmakers to reach a wide audience without a big budget.

(Turns to computer, pretending to type.)

In my blog, I talked about how independent films often gain attention online. The short horror film Lights Out was first uploaded to YouTube and later turned into a feature film. That showed me how online platforms can help small filmmakers get noticed.

STUDENT: Are you submitting to festivals?

TEACHER: Yes! I plan to submit Fallen Rhythm to student film festivals. Festivals give independent films exposure and allow filmmakers to get feedback from a wider audience.

My distribution plan is to upload Fallen Rhythm to YouTube or Vimeo, promote it on social media, and submit it to festivals. This way, it can reach both online viewers and the film community.

STUDENT: That makes sense!

TEACHER: Alright, to wrap up—Fallen Rhythm is for young adults and independent film fans. It uses strong visuals, sound, and editing to connect with them. For distribution, I’m focusing on online platforms and festivals.

Any final questions?

STUDENT: (Shakes head) Nope.

(The teacher closes her notebook, adjusts a decoration on her desk, and the student starts packing up. End scene.)

Group Meeting #2

 Today we had a group meeting just like the last one. But this time we saw a little bit of each others footage and the discussed our CCR ideas. We fist started off by sharing our film opening ideas so that we could understand better. 

Cristian

In Cristian's film's opening, a teenage girl experiences nostalgia as she graduates from high school. Her friends then advise her to celebrate by throwing a large party and to make the most of it. The character needed to have her phone in the bathroom so that her friend could call her, but the dress she was wearing had no pockets, so that presented a minor challenge throughout the filming process. The group had to put it inside her dress in order to get it to work.

Alejandro

Alejandro's film opening is about a guy who is trying to quit drugs. He said his movie has a lot of action involved and that they put a lot of effort into the set of the opening. They filmed at an empty house one of his group member has because they are going to sell it. However, they had very limited time to film and the shots had to be perfect because the house was sold and they couldn't go back to it. 

Veronica 

Veronica shared her idea and it was about how a Venezuelan girl struggled to fit in to the new country she moved. She said that she was going to show her culture by making her eat Venezuelan food like " arepas or tequenos" and showing famous Venezuelan monuments in the background . One of her biggest challenge was filming quickly so that the sun didn't change position and affect her lighting in the shots. She then shared that one of her CCR ideas was to recreate something like " Hot Ones" but then our teacher shared that we should not be recreating things and that we should come up with it ourselves so she had to rethink her whole idea for the CCR. 

Mine

After I shared my idea for the film opening, I said that my biggest struggle was not appearing in the mirror when I was filming. Also we all agreed on how time management was our biggest challenge through out this whole project. I then shared my CCR ideas of the teacher and student approach and the phone call with friend and that concluded our meeting. 

Script/Research For Question #1 of CCR

Hey blog!! Today's entry is about the research and development for question #1 of my Creative Critical Reflection (CCR) for my portfolio project.

The purpose of a CCR is to reflect on the planning, production, and final product of my film opening. For this CCR, we need to take two different approaches for the four questions. After my teacher showed us some examples, I went on YouTube and watched some CCRs from different students. I came across one that was simple, but it made me think about how to make it more creative. The student answered her question by just referring back to a paper she had, and when I saw that, I thought of doing something similar but with a twist. I want to present my answer as if it's a conversation between a teacher and a student in a classroom. Here's what it would look like:

[CLASSROOM SETTING SCRIPT]

(Scene opens in a classroom. The teacher, played by me, sits at a desk. Behind her is her name displayed on the wall—no whiteboard. On the desk, there’s a computer, a notebook, pencils, and some decorations. A student—played by my sister—sits at another desk, ready to ask questions.)

TEACHER: Alright, class! Today, we’re talking about Fallen Rhythm and how it fits into the psychological thriller genre. Who wants to start?

STUDENT: (Raises hand) What makes a movie a psychological thriller?

TEACHER: That’s a good place to start. Psychological thrillers build tension through suspense, visuals, and sound. Instead of big action scenes, they focus on emotions and the mind.

(Opens notebook, glancing at notes.)

In my blog, I talked about howI studied the movies Get Out (2017) and A Quiet Place (2018). Both movies use camera work, pacing, and sound to make the audience feel tension. I wanted to do something similar in Fallen Rhythm.

STUDENT: How did you use those thriller ideas in your film?

TEACHER: Thrillers often use dark lighting, strong shadows, and close-ups to show tension. In my blog, I wrote about using fast inserts of flamenco shoes, a red skirt, and the dance studio to make the opening feel intense.

(Taps pencil lightly on the notebook.)

STUDENT: That makes sense. Did you change anything about the usual thriller style?

TEACHER: Not really. In my blog, I said I followed thriller rules because they worked really well with my opening. I wanted to focus on using them in the best way possible.

(Leans slightly on the desk, thinking.)

But most thrillers have an outside danger—like a villain. In Fallen Rhythm, the danger comes from inside. Triana’s biggest problem is her own body, which makes it different from other thrillers.

STUDENT: That’s really interesting. What about representation?

TEACHER: I’m glad you asked! Representation isn’t just about who is on screen—it’s about their story.

(Pushes notebook aside slightly, resting hands on the desk.)

In my blog, I talked about how the film explores ambition and what happens when you push too hard. Triana isn’t running from someone—she’s fighting against her own limits. That’s something a lot of people can relate to.

(Looks at the student, then gestures slightly toward the decorations on the desk.)

Flamenco is also important. It’s strong, emotional, and full of passion, which fits with the thriller style. I wanted to show it in a way that feels intense and real.

STUDENT: Yeah, I can see that. It makes everything feel more real.

TEACHER: Exactly! That’s why I focused on making it feel personal.

Continuing the Editing Process

Editing is moving along, and I’m starting to see everything come together for the opening of "Fallen Rhythm". After getting the clips in order and trimming them to keep the pace right, it was time to focus on the next steps—color correction and adding the credits.

I watched a few tutorials to help me get a better handle on color correction. The goal was to keep the colors natural, but with just enough adjustment to enhance the mood of the scene. I worked on the exposure, contrast, and a little bit of color tweaking to make everything pop, while making sure it still felt grounded in reality. The editing is all about creating tension, and the right colors help with that, so I spent some time getting the look just right.

Once the color correction was done, I moved on to the credits and title. I decided to have the title appear as Triana moves across the screen, in line with the flow of the dance. The credits show up in a similar way, matching the energy of the opening and making sure they don’t distract from the action. I wanted the credits to feel part of the movement, almost like they’re part of the dance itself.

It’s been exciting to get closer to the final product, and I’m happy with how things are shaping up. The editing process is challenging, but it’s amazing to see how the pieces are falling into place. I’m looking forward to what comes next!

Here is an image and link to the Youtube video I watched: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omtuw1Ua2Qk

 

Starting the Editing Process

Editing is finally here, and I’m both excited and a little nervous. After filming, it’s time to put everything together and make sure the film opening flows the way I imagined. The first thing I did was go over all the footage and organize the clips in order. I watched each shot carefully to see which ones worked best. Some shots looked better than I expected, while others didn’t fit as well as I thought they would. Since the opening is fast-paced, I need to make sure each shot connects smoothly and keeps up the energy.

Once I had everything in order, I started adjusting the length of the clips. Some shots were a little too long, and I don’t want any part to slow things down. I had to trim them to keep the pacing right. The rhythm of the editing is important because it needs to match Triana’s movements and her intensity while dancing. I also need to make sure the inserts like the close-ups of the flamenco shoes and the red skirt, appear at the right moments. These little details help set the mood, so I’m paying extra attention to them.

I’m also experimenting with the order of some shots. Even though I planned things out before filming, sometimes the clips work better in a different sequence. Moving things around helps me see what flows best. I want the film opening to feel natural but also intense, so I’m playing around with different combinations.

So far, the biggest challenge is making everything feel seamless. Since the film opening doesn’t have music, the sound of the dance needs to be just right. I’m adjusting how the beats of the cane and footsteps sound together, making sure they add to the tension of the scene. It’s a lot of trial and error, but I’m excited to see how it turns out.

Here is an image what my editing currently looks like:

Font Choice For The Credits and Film Title

  Hey blog!!When making a film, every little detail matters, including the font. From the beginning, I knew I wanted a cursive font for my film opening. It had to match the feeling of the story and bring out its energy and elegance. Flamenco is full of passion and movement. A plain or blocky font wouldn’t show that. Cursive fonts flow, just like the dancer’s skirt or the way she moves. I wanted the credits to feel like part of the dance, moving smoothly across the screen with Triana.

I also picked cursive because it looks more emotional. The swirly letters add drama and match the serious tone of my film. Since the opening is fast-paced, I didn’t want a font that looked stiff or boring. The cursive style makes it feel more artistic and alive. At the same time, I had to make sure it was easy to read. Some cursive fonts are too fancy, which makes them hard to understand. I picked one that is simple but still pretty, so people can read it easily while watching the film. The title of the film will appear as Triana moves, so the font needed to look natural and not out of place. 

The only thing I’m not sure about is the color of the film title. I don’t know if I want it to be red or not. Red feels bold and fits the flamenco theme, but I’m not sure if it’s the best choice. I want it to stand out without being too overwhelming.

Fonts might seem like a small choice, but they help set the mood. The cursive font adds beauty and emotion, just like flamenco itself. It needed to be bold, expressive, and full of life. 

Here are the two color options I have:

Foley Sounds

 Foley Sounds Within My Film Opening

Making the right sounds for the opening scene was important to make everything feel real and with energy. Since the film focuses on a flamenco dancer, the sounds were a big part of setting the mood. Here’s how I made some of the key sounds.

The first sound I worked on was the dancer’s heavy breathing. Triana works really hard during the dance, so I wanted her breathing to sound loud enough to show how much effort she was putting into it. I recorded her breathing closely to make it clear how hard she’s pushing herself.

Next, I focused on the "cajon" (the percussion instrument I played). The cajon is really important for the rhythm of the dance. I had the video playing in front of me while I recorded, so I could make sure the beats lined up with the dancer’s movements. It was tricky, but the sound of the cajon helped keep the energy of the scene going.

I also needed to capture the sound of the dancer moving a chair across a wooden floor. This sound was simple but important. The creak of the floor and the scrape of the chair added to the feeling of tension before the dance gets really intense.

Finally, I worked on the sound of the cane. I wanted to make sure it was loud enough to stand out when Triana picks it up. I used a wooden stick to match the sound of the cane hitting the floor. Since I didn’t have a mic, I used wired headphones to record, holding them close to the action to make sure I got all the details.

All of these sounds helped bring the opening scene to life. They added to the feeling of the moment and helped show Triana’s struggle and determination. I’m excited to see how it all comes together when we start editing the film! Here is an image of the headphones I utilized to record the sounds. And in this picture specifically I was recording the heavy breathing. 

Obstacles/ Issues During Production

 Obstacles During Production

Making a film opening is never easy. I knew there would be problems, but I didn’t realize how many small things would slow me down. From technical issues to unexpected problems, I’ve learned a lot along the way.

Limited Equipment
One big challenge was working with little equipment. I don’t have professional cameras, lights, or sound gear, so I had to get creative. I used a ring light and the studio lights for lighting. Sometimes, it looked good, but other times, shadows were hard to control. Filming on a phone was also tricky, especially trying to get smooth shots without a stabilizer.

Filming Without Being Seen in the Mirror
I didn’t expect this problem, but filming without being seen in the studio mirrors was really hard. Since mirrors were everywhere, I had to be careful with camera angles. Sometimes, I had to stand in odd places or crop the shot to keep myself out of the frame. I had to redo some shots multiple times just to get it right.

Noise From Cars Outside
Another issue was the noise from cars outside. The studio wasn’t soundproof, so I could hear cars passing by while filming. This made it hard to get clean audio. I had to redo takes when the noise was too loud, which took up a lot of time.

Short Time to Film
Balancing this project with school and other work was stressful. I didn’t have much time to film, so I had to work fast.  Finding a time were both of my sisters were available was tricky, especially since my older sister who is the actor is in college. 

Even with these struggles, I’m excited to see the final film opening. Every problem made me think and find new solutions. The process hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. I can’t wait to share the final product. Here is an image of getting everything set up to start recording: