Editing Music Video Blog

      Finally we’re finished recording all of our important footage. Everything else that we have left to record is minor. Mainly bits and pieces of other parts of the story in general. We dumped all of our footage from the camera. It took us a while because we did it late. We didn’t come to our teachers class the day we were supposed to because we forgot the camera. I reminded my group mate, Janell, to bring the camera and tripod the day after. She did so and the next day we had the class we started the editing process. After we got the SD card reader we used it to retrieve the footage from the camera and dump it on to the laptop.
       Afterward, we reviewed the footage and decided on which ones to keep and delete. I told my group mates it would be in our best interest to keep the shots we did twice. The reason being is so that when we decide to edit we will have a wider variety of shots to choose from in case some didn’t fit or whatever the case may be. We aren’t using pinnacle studios to edit. Obviously there were many technical difficulties with using this editing app last time in our previous project. We didn’t get to finish recording all of our footage. As i mentioned before, we recorded the footage that was the most important and that we had the availability to. We will record the rest of the footage this weekend at my house. We’ll be both inside and outside doing so and will also use this day to cut and put together all of our footage.
       We will be using iMovie to edit. We chose this editing app because it was one of the only ones that wouldn’t leave a watermark on our footage. We had a few ideas of what apps we wanted to use but they all had the problem of leaving a watermark so we really had no choice. None of us are familiar with this app but I will still edit and do so with the best of my ability. We also will be adding our song to the footage in the end when everything comes together. Our hope is for the music video to flow smoothly. Also for the editing process to be without error. We’ve learned from our past mistakes and will hopefully be able to successfully complete this project.

Final Filming Blog

       We got to film this weekend on Saturday. It wasn’t at all as I expected it would be. We were all running late on meeting at the Beach. When we finally reached Fort Lauderdale Beach we had to think of a place to film. We wanted our filming background to match our storyboard of course. My idea was to just sit down in a place and film. Generally, that doesn’t usually go so well being that we’re in a public place. However, the beach was full but the stores nearby weren’t as full so there was availability. Janell handed me the bag with the tripod and the camera after she’d emptied it out and set everything up. I had been the one in charge of the props. I brought purses for each of us and I brought my speaker.
       We decided not to film everything in order this time around. I said since we didn’t have everything exactly how we’d imagined or wanted then we should just film what we had first. One of Jessica’s friends came along and was the person who video taped us. Janell, Jessica, and I strolled arm locked together and attempted to recreate the part of the video where they did the same. After we recorded the shots of us females together, we forgot about the male. Leslie was supposed to film with us but he had family issues. This caused him to not be able to film on that particular day or at that particular time. Luckily, one of my friends Tavar was available. He came in under 30
minutes. Just as he was pulling up we were just finishing recording the main part of our music video. When beyoncé and the other friend consulted Kelly as she broke down.
       We then recorded the scenes where Kelly’s boyfriend was aggressive toward her. It was difficult because people kept walking through and we had to re shoot to get the perfect shots. When we did get the final and perfect shot, we all decided everything else would be recorded at my house this Saturday. We are going to either record the scenes of the couple at their home, or change the storyboard in regards to the location.

Filming Blog

        Basically in my group, we did nothing in regards to the actual filming process. My group mates and I have conflicting schedules. Also, we’re not available during the same time period nor on the same days. Jessica had to work so we said we’d just film Janell and I then at some point we’d add Jessica to the footage. We quickly realized that we did not have a male to play the part of the aggressive boyfriend. Our friend Lesly agreed to be apart of our film. We planned to have me go to our teachers classroom to retrieve the materials for the project (the SD card, camera, and tripod). However, our teacher was not there when we went. I thought she’d be there but I was mistaken.
        I told my group mates about the situation and they said we’d just come back another time. We were hoping she’d be there in the classroom. Eventually, Janell went to get the equipment but she forgot the camera. By the time we’d realized this, school was over. We all just went over the story board and made sure it was how we wanted the footage to be. We are now trying to figure out when we are all available to film. Jessica and I have to work Monday through Saturday and Lesly isn’t in our class at all. This isn’t that big of an issue because we have a break from school coming up and will be able to film then if we are available. I don’t work on Thursday because of the holiday (Thanksgiving) or the day after. Jessica works on Thanksgiving and this weekend, I also work Saturday.
      We plan to film this friday which will be November 29th. We will discuss wardrobes once again then meet up and find an area that matches our story board. The break starts this Wednesday and we will be back at school again on the following Monday. We will take advantage of this time and shoot our footage as soon as possible. It will be due in such little time. We also have midterms coming up and then we leave again for winter break. So we don’t necessarily have any more time to waste.

Planning Blog

The props that we will incorporate in our video are purses. We are young ladies in a music video, and we have to play the part correctly. Another prop we will have will be from the restaurant, such as silverware, napkins, and menus. This establishes our location and how we plan to do our video. The last prop we will have is a flower. This flower will be given to Kelly, me in our video, the young woman in the video who will be portraying the person that is in an abusive relationship.


Our costumes will pretty much stay the same throughout our whole video. In certain slides, I will be with Lesly, the young man who is playing my boyfriend, in which I will wear a regular shirt and some pants, and he will have on a snapback, a t-shirt and some jeans. For the other slides, me, Micahia, and Jessica will all have on dresses.


Schedule:

1) 11/15 - The blog was about song choice, genre, and conventions.

2) 11/21 - The blog was about location, safety, props, costumes, and storyboard.

3) 11/25 - Filming Blog #1.

4) 12/2 - Filming Blog #2.

5) 12/9 - Music video is due.

6) 12/11 - CCR is due.

Storyboard :

Costumes: we will be wearing dresses , the male will be wearing a hoodie or regular shirt . The victim or main character will be wearing regular clothing like a shirt and pants.

 Lighting: Our scenes will be filmed inside of a well-lit area and some out on the beach when we are singing. 

Acting: We will be portraying caring friends in a time of need for a friend undergoing domestic violence in her relationship 

Makeup: We won’t be wearing any but the victim might have a slight bruise 

Props: The male will bring her flowers 

Setting: A table and at the beach

Research for Music Video

    The commercial was a success and took longer than expected. The filming process was simple and was without error because most of our scenes were hand held. The editing process gave the most difficulty because of technical problems. This time around, editing will be much easier because we have learned from our mistakes. This project will be a music video and will be filmed outside of school so we will have a greater chance of successfully completing it. We will be picking a song for the video and that will be easy because we listen to music every day all day. So we know what music videos look like and what we like about them so it will be easier to do this project.
      The song we have chosen is called Girl, By: Destiny's Child. We picked this song because we want to bring awareness to the ongoing issue of Domestic Violence.

Genre: The genre of our song is Rhythm and Blues. We chose this genre to get into the melody and talk about a deep and important matter.

C- In the first scene, Beyonce has on a tank top and shorts, Kelly has on a nice shirt and pants, and Michelle also has on a nice shirt and pants. In the rest of the scenes, Beyonce has on a dress, Kelly has on a romper, and Michelle has on a pantsuit. These outfits bring out a mellow and beautiful type of woman.

L- In the video, there are different settings. In the house, the lighting is a golden dim type of lighting. Outside and in the restaurant is regular sun lighting plus the lights in the restaurant.

A- As said before, there are different settings of the video. In the house, it shows them acting by them being happy to see each other and sitting on the couch, staring at the television. Outside, it shows them walking down the strip, singing the lyrics of the song. In the restaurant, it shows a singing dialogue going on between the three, with different facial expressions to match.

M- In the video, the three have on light makeup. They also have on little jewelry. It shows the beauty inside womanhood as well.

P- Props in the video could be the computer, wine glasses, and menus and silverware in the restaurant.

S- The video has three different settings. In the first setting, it shows the girls in a home, first greeting each other, to sitting on the couch looking at the television. The second setting is the girls outside, walking the strip. The last setting is the girls in a restaurant.

Editing:

Editing in this video most likely had cuts in it. For example, they cut out the people talking in the background, so the song can be heard. They also had reverse shots in the video, from them walking, to being in the restaurant, and back to walking.

C- The costumes were the same as before. In the first scene, Beyonce has on a tank top and shorts, Kelly has on nice shirt and pants, and Michelle also has on a nice shirt and pants. In the rest of the scenes, Beyonce has on a dress, Kelly has on a romper, and Michelle has on a pantsuit. These outfits bring out a mellow and beautiful type of woman.

L- The lighting was the same. In the house, the lighting is a golden dim type of lighting. Outside and in the restaurant is regular sun lighting plus the lights in the restaurant.

A- In their acting, they had reaction shots where Michelle and Beyonce were singing dialogue to Kelly, and Kelly had an expression of confusion. Also, Michelle had a look of concern for Kelly to show she was worried about her situation.

M- The makeup was the same, except in the beginning, the girls had a more natural look.

P- The props how a reverse shot from the computer to the girls walking through the door.

S- In the house, it is an eye-line match between the girls and the television. Outside on the strip, it shows a cut away from them being in the restaurant to walking on the strip. In the restaurant, it shows a reaction shot where the girls are singing dialogue.

Final Commercial Blog

       After all the hard work and effort put in to this project, we’ve finally reached the end. Today my group mates and I were all here for this process. I took notes previously in class about how to access the files once we’ve dumped them from before. I reviewed my notes and we logged into the laptop. We later realized we’d logged into the wrong account because we couldn’t access the files though that account. I told the group we had to log out and log in through the account we’d originally dumped the files on to. I then reviewed my notes on my phone where I stored the log in information and we were able to log in and access the files at that time. We then took out our notes to review on how to edit. I showed them, my group mates, where we left off because one of us was doing majority of the edits. This was while I used the story board to keep us on track.
       The problem we had at first was that nothing would cut. We were told that we had to be under 30 seconds but the minimum was 25 seconds. Since one of  my group mates was the one doing majority of the editing, this time I decided to do the edits. As I mentioned before, we have minor difficulties cutting footage. However, I realized that we can delete footage as a whole instead of cutting it. I decided to highlight and delete what I needed to cut. This happened several times because we kept having to remind ourselves we had to stay within the time frame. The time was 30.12 seconds. I believed it had to be 30 seconds flat as the maximum so I had to keep cutting and deleting small amounts of footage to stay within the count. We also realized we had to keep the words in footage exactly as they were in the story board. So I told them we can just edit extra parts. Such as pauses or times of no action necessary for our footage. This was necessary to stay within the time frame and still be able to be accurate with the story board.
        In the end, the time was 29 seconds and that was just enough. We ended up staying about 20 minutes after the bell because we didn’t want to lose the footage. We didn’t see it when we tried to open it in google drive or in One drive. Eventually we decided to just upload the footage to our individual google drive accounts. Then we were finished

Editing the commercial

   Last class I recorded scenes for our commercial. I then blogged our filming process afterward and dumped the footage. The plan for the next class (today) was to edit and continue filming if necessary. But due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to edit today in class. The computers aren’t allowing us to access pinnacle studios and have it work fully. So instead of editing, I was given the chance to either upload the footage we dumped to a usb, or upload it to google drive. Being that in the beginning of the commercial process I was told to create a google account if we didn’t already have a professional one, this part was easy.

    One of my group members wasn’t present today in class so we had to do this part ourselves. My other group mates and I decided to save the footage on our drives. I reviewed the footage separately and then we logged into our individual accounts and uploaded the files. To ensure that I would be able to access the files later I said we should close all the tabs on the computer. I closed them and then logged back in and searched for the files. They were there and this was proof that we’d successfully uploaded the footage. 

      Pinnacle studios isn’t working for some reason so unfortunately as I stated before, we are unable to edit. I was looking forward to editing today. I was taught so much about it and I took notes on how to do this. We will have to wait until our school upgrades their software or the computers are fixed. Hopefully this process doesn’t take long because I have a dentist appointment I rescheduled because I didn’t want to miss class. Me even missing one class would delay the commercial process and then i’d be behind on a blog. I may just go later this evening. 

Filming the commercial

      My part in this process was to provide my group with the props needed for the assignment.  The camera didn’t have a memory card to I told my partner to just go back and ask what we should do. This was a good thing because I wasn’t aware that we needed one. We got the card and then I started setting up the first scene we were going to shoot. I helped create the story board for the film and although my group members did take part in the idea creating process, it was primarily my job to provide illustrations for the ideas we created for the film. That all came together in this part when we started to get our lines together. I explained the story board to my group mates and then I set up the props to match the pictures I’d drawn on the story board. This part of the process was easier than others because all I had to do was copy the picture exactly. After I set everything up, I was helping them decide which angle to shoot from because of the availability and lighting.

     There wasn’t light in every area and I was playing the part of a crew worker so my identification tag had to show and I wanted them to get both of us in this shot. We had to re shoot certain scenes over because either I was talking to fast or we forgot our lines. That is when the story board came in handy and I went to explain it again to have us match the pictures. Eventually we got it together. I took bloopers on my phone to show my group mates how we look from a different point of view. I brought back all the props and gave them to one of my groom mates to keep until they were needed again. 

    When it came time to dump the footage we were all confused for a bit of time. Being that in the beginning we didn’t have a memory card, I had to show them how to take out the card and get the SD card reader. I put it into the computer and then after my group mate used her login to open the computer to the desk top I opened a new folder. This was to empty the footage onto and review it. We did delete some footage because it was basically unnecessary so we just got rid of it. We were about to leave but I wanted to make sure the footage was properly dumped so I unplugged the USB and then looked for the file. It wasn’t there so I told my group mates to ask another individual in our class for assistance. He came over to us and then he helped us dump the footage properly. I then logged the computer out and we left the class a bit late but it was worth it to complete our first stage of filming.

Storyboard

List:
• Box 1: A jogger walks up and orders an iced coffee, a bagel, and breakfast sandwich. 
Shots: Wide
Movement: Pan
• Box 2: Business woman calls worked to remind her of her order 5 minutes earlier. 
Shots: Medium Close Up
Editing: Split Screen
• Box 3: Business woman is ready to pick up her order, only to find out that the worker gave it away.
Shots: Over the shoulder
Angle: Dutch 
• Box 4: The worker is confronted and agrees to make the food again, quickly.
Shots: Two shot
Angle: High 
• Box 5: Business woman is now happy and satisfied with her order. America runs on Dunkin.
Shots: Close up

Editing Lesson Blog

      Today we learned the basics of editing. It didn’t seem very basic, however, it was very interesting. In order to edit any film or a series of clips, we will be using Pinnacle studios. We were told to use the same computer because all our information will be saved to the desktop. We will go to pinnacle studios and open a new folder, then we were told to look for footage in “DCIM”. If the clips are not in there then they will definitely always be in the stream. In order to get to the stream we have to go to private, click “AVCHD” and click next folder. Everything from the SD card will be on the stream. We have to dump all of our footage, dumping in the process of which we take the footage from the camera and transfer it onto the computer. The footage can be either on a USB or in our Google Drives.
         Importing is the process in which we take the footage from the computer and transfer it onto Pinnacle studios. Every time we film we film, we were told we have to import footage. This is better for security because we can’t promise every time we go on the cameras that our footage will still be there. Everything unedited and untouched is raw footage. Pinnacle studios has everything layered and has AV tracks. AV track 1 is to be left open for titles because if not then the footage will hide it. AV track 2 is footage and AV track 3 is for sound. This application is very delicate so it has lines showing loading and if we rush it, it will crash. To blow up the footage we have to double click and hit the space bar to start it. When we cut we have to hit the razor blade icon and it will split or cut the clip. We were taught various ways to undo an action: hit edit then undo, tap one of the arrows, or highlight something then delete it.
        To add music we are to go into youtube and download the mp3 and export. The sound waves are blue and green. You can also mute the entire clip or just surround where you want to detach the audio and do so. In this project my group will not be doing voice overs but we were still taught how. We were told to delete the video, not the audio, and add it to whichever clip. To add transitions: open effects editor. If a green bar pops up, that is an indication that something was changed within the clip. To save and not lose progress or work, (save to desktop) go to file: save as; then put in folder. When we finish we have to export ( the button is next to import) and go to mp4: video file.

Planning

Planning: 

For this commercial, we are going to film products from Dunkin Donuts. Our products will be a bagel, a sandwich, and an iced coffee. In our scenes, we will roll the cart in with the products on it, the actors will walk up to the cart and start quarreling over the products. We will then have them do a dance off to win the food products. After the person that wins the dance off gets their food, we will film them trying to eat it. A bird will then fly by and steal the food. 

 Props: 

• A bagel
• A sandwich
• An iced coffee
• A chair
• Money 

Costumes:

•  joggers (Actor 1) 
•  business attire (Actor 2)

Schedule:

•  Convection/Codes (10/7): This was an introduction to the product that we'd be filming and background info.
• Planning Blog (10/10): We planned out every aspect of this commercial. We discussed and came to a decision on the props, location and even came up with a backup plan. 
• Storyboard (10/14): This is where we create a short illustration of what we will be filming. 
• Filming Blog (10/21): We will film everything that was in our story board.
• Editing Blog (10/23): We will edit our commercial and get it ready for presentation. 

Location List: 

We will be filming outside on our senior patio at one of the tables with the umbrellas. The cart we'll be using will be on the side of the table. Two people (our actors) will walk up near the gym from the entrance of the patio via the side gate. We are rolling the cart in on the patio(first scene) then we will film the actors walking up from the gate area (second scene). A bird will come in to take the items brought by the customers.

Backup Plan:

Same thing, different location. Building 8 by the corner where there will be no chance of rain ruining our commercial. 

Research blog: commercial conventions

The company that we will be working on in this commercial is Dunkin Donuts. I will be advertising a bagel, a sandwich, and an iced coffee. In most Dunkin Donuts commercials, they use:

• Dialogue between two or more people about the product.
• Usually in a work place.
• Advertises more than one product.
• Seasonal products.

In the picture to the side, it shows one of the many commercials that show three products in the same commercial. Usually, Dunkin Donuts tries to spread the variety of their products, instead of trying to advertise one thing at a time. Advertising more than one products at a time gives the customer a choice on what they should buy or if they want to get more than one thing. Another thing about Dunkin Donuts is that sometimes they convert their products to match the time of the year. For example, in the picture it has a pumpkin spice flavored latte, iced coffee, donut, tea, and muffin. Seasonal products gives the company a hype, it makes people want to go out and get it before that particular season is over. Also, the seasonal products cause more business because the people know they just have to have it.

The locations that the Dunkin Donuts commercials advertise in are usually workplaces. Two or more people are talking or there is a meeting going on and they get off topic of what someone in the room has from Dunkin Donuts. The location is important because the setting may be in a workplace where people do work obviously, but the main focus is really trying to get that product out to the world. Also, for many people who have busy mornings and need something to put in their stomach before work, these commercials would make them want to stop buy to Dunkin Donuts. The dialogue also compels the people watching these commercials because it talks about how good the product is and the price of it. For example, they use deals on bagels and sandwiches, like 2 for 5, to appeal to the customer's attention.

Introductory

    My name is Micahia and I attend Fort Lauderdale High School. I am a Junior with enough credits to graduate with the class of 2020. I thought about it but that's not a very good idea being that I am in the Cambridge program here at school and still need 2 more classes in order to receive my diploma. The diploma I am referring to is for the Bright Futures Scholarship which is pretty important when it comes to me paying for college. I honestly don't want to have to pay for school. I have dreams, goals, and hopes just like any other teenager.

      In terms of my post-high school plans, I obviously want to pursue higher education. I am currently a Police Explorer with the rank of Lieutenant. I am also in honor guard with my department and post. Being in this program is preparing me for what I want to do after high school. I plan on joining the Police Academy and after joining the force, to move up to the S.W.A.T. team. Ultimately, my goal is to join the FBI in the Behavioral Analysis Unit. I was in the Pre-Law program at my school and although it is a great program, I didn't exactly get the information and experience I needed for my career. 

    I am often preoccupied with preparing for my future, however, I do enjoy doing other things like watching sports on tv and listening to music. My favorite football team is the Seattle Seahawks and my favorite artist is Drake. I'm also into poetry but I only write ever so often, when the words come to me. I am trying something new which is this class. I've never been interested in media or even the study of it, (see what I did there) but it's opened my eyes to a lot of things I've been oblivious to in the past and is quite fascinating