Week 6- 3/25-3/31

3/31-
Great news everyone we’re just applying the finishing touches!
So, this is the fake news stuff that I created using the app on iPad, News Maker.

We’re going to insert that in for a quick second maybe with a transition effect and news sound side effect to let it all play our smooth and then cut to the video of me training. Besides this, Connor is doing the 6 credits we need: 

1. Directed and produced by

2. Written by 

3. Edited by 

4. Cinematographers 

5. Major cast 

6. Music by 

That way on Tuesday which is an off day for school we will meet up and insert my part, his music, add the title, and then finish up any last overall touches. The process is going well barring any crazy last minute changes we should be on track to finish Tuesday and complete our CCRs. My plan for that is to do a screencast on my MacBook. My next blog will probably be a rough draft for the editing part of #3 that I did not complete and #4. 

Look forward to finishing this up LOL.  

Week 6- 3/25-3/31

3/29-

We actually did it! Or part of it lol. This is our first rough draft of the competed edited version of the video. I was a little surprised, I thought we would be over the time limit but turns out we’re on the money. My portion takes about 24 seconds and we haven’t edited that in yet. The three things we need are the credits, Connor’s music, and my part. I am going to edit in my part Connor will do the credits and together we will do the music on Tuesday, or that’s the plan at least. So, some things that I noticed was the color scheme. We had some shots of Connor leaving an area and starting in another that looked weird when paired next to each other so we switched the scenes of him boxing to the ones of him kicking because the setting paired together more efficently. 

Also, we decided to use I movie because we video we both forgot our class login stuff and it would be harder to save and edit on, we both are familiar with this and are able to both work on it because we both have an iPhone and the video. All we have to do is just send each other the updated version and create a new movie on IMovie when it’s all done. I think overall this shooting process was a lot better there’s more shots too choose from and better head room. Look forward to talking to you guys soon !

Week 5- 3/18-3/24

3/24
Hey everyone since we officially completed the filming process I can start the rough draft for #3 of my CCR. 

The question is as follows -How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
I can answer half of this question, because we have not started editing but we did do filming and that is a huge part of the whole production process. 
So, at first I didn't really have any real video filming experience. I did take Yearbook last year and I dealt soly with pictures, but not videos, I was surprised to see how little the two have in common, because I felt lost. All the important elements in a shot that Mrs. Stoklosa taught us during the year like proper head room and proper lighting with the whole rule of thirds can be overwhelming.My skills defiantly developed, throughout time I would understand if a shot wasn't good enough and would coinitiusly reshoot it. Even n the beginning like 3 weeks before we filmed Connors part, when we did my part it looked awesome at first but after shooting we barely had enough material too string it together because thew shots weren't consistent or filmed from the proper angle and it didn't look right. Fast forward a couple weeks and I implemented what I learned from that process too not feel overwhelmed or pressed for shots. To make life easy at the end of the process and not have 10000 shots we would look at the footage immiditly and delete the ones we wouldn't keep compared to having 60 videos not knowing how they look and waste time with useless stuff. This made the overall shoot much more effective and productive, and showcased my development as a producer. As far as the actual editing, before this project I have no editing experience other then a little sound montage I made for a project earlier in the year and that took about 5 hours for like 2 minutes. (Used Garage Band) I struggled and even had the monotone playing throughout my whole soundscape. I didn't even know how to turn it off LOL. This time I learned, first thing I did was change my platform from  to WeVideo. Also... 

Week 5- 3/18-3/24

3/23-

What’s up everyone. Change of events. For the better this time! We were actually able to film yesterday and it went very well. We made some changes to the process. The first two shots took the longest because we had to keep reshooting. It didn’t go as planned, the original idea was to have Connor take out an item from a bag and after each thing comes out a black screen pops up with a credit, after the first run at this we could tell it looked awkward with the pauses and we couldn’t find an angle that made sense. Instead, we jumped right into it, we ran into another problem showcased in the video here. We wanted to have Connor wrapping up his gloves but it was actually really hard to get a fluid movement and didn’t look good apparence wise either.  So, what’s next after wrapping, just putting on the gloves. That is what we went with and how we will open up, the credits will follow throughout the scenes accordingly.



Another challenge we came acrosss was the timing element. We spent a good 20 minutes filming one small sequence of Connor dropping the duffel bag. We weren’t quite sure whether we should have a long shot or cut right to a close up of him placing his belt in the bag and dropping it before training. This is something we will come across when editing. Overall I believe it was a very strong session, we had the whole place to our self. Hopefully we can start editing tomrw or Monday!

Week 5 3/18-3/24

3/21-
So, good news everyone, Connor and I worked out a time and we will be filming tomrw! This gives us ample time to edit throughout the process and complete our CCR. Today was an early release day in class but we still got something done. I am almost positive we found the basis for Connor's music, which will be playing through the majority of the film. Like the suggestions I got in the group meetings I searched for some type of Asian dojo music. At first I found some weird like trap rap which was not the goal, then I found stuff too relaxing, we want the music to match the shots in like a methodical manner, but it can't be to slow either. Here is what we found that works best. (1 hr and 59 min mark)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzVRs5WvTrA&t=7179s

However, we came across a slight problem. Getting this non copyrighted. At first we were going to tweet the owner of the account which has like 1k subs, but we came across a website that explicitly states its for free, and has the music already in download format. Here is the link and screen shot of that website. https://www.detikmusik.co/zen-warrior-sleep-music-chinese-instrumental-sleep-music-erhu-music-sleep-meditation-32208z

A key change we are making to the overall shot list is the sparring scene, because this would be tough to film properly, we are instead going to just do a training sequence of Connor and a person holding up gloves rather then him actually in the ring, Mrs. Stoklosa will be happy we aren't hurting Connor LoL. I will post the content tomrw! duces

Week 5- 3/18-3/24

3/20-
Whaddup people. Today was kind of disappointing and uneventful, we were supposed to film but complications occurred and we will shoot Monday the 25th. Instead, when life changes at you, you have to adapt so I will be productive and do a rough draft of #2 of my CCR.

So, the question is
-How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

2. Making an independent film is hard work, but distributing it may even be harder because you don't have the power and marketability of a big name company, so you have to get creative in other avenues because well frankly, I am good but this film isn't ready for the big stage, as Randy Jackson for American Idol would say, its a no from me dawg. But, I do have a plan. Because our product is one of power and force, and makes the audience want to get out their seat and go train, like the effect Creed had on me, why don't we bring it too the people actually fighting them self. My brother works for a Spanish MMA company called Combate Americas, all of their fights are streamed through DAZN, a subscription based, primarily sports and boxing streaming service that offers on demand and live events. (Pull up chart) This platform is no joke they showcase championship fights from Canelo Alvarez and...
Gaining an audience there, especially one that is so familiar with the content material will give us our feet in the ground, hopefully one day expanding to mainstream payperview like HBO or something like that, but lets stay in a more realistic ballpark. Next, entering a larger scale means film festivals, but I have to be smart, I don't want to enter "ROUGE" into one that doesn't match my tg audience- of 16-24, male, and predominantly lower to middle class. The story is about a fighter and one that rises from the bottom to the top, not one of daisy and flowers, no offense to daisy's and flowers. There are two major film festivals we will enter to totally spread our product and reputation. 
1. The Tribecas/ESPN Sports Film Festival, the premier showcase of sports and competition films, offers sports fans and film buffs alike the opportunity to screen new films.'' Offers a celebrity crowd filled with appearances made by, John Legend, Alec Baldwin, Spike Lee, Robert De Niro, and much more. It would be a vital networking event and allow us to take a huge step forward. This is NY.
2. The Newport Beach Film Festival. This is purely about #s baby. The 2017 event packed in over 50k people. This festival contains over 350 independent and international films, while having a section for action sports, this would be a huge exposure and branding opportunity for us. This is Cali. 

 Doing this, we will be on our way to running the industry. 

Week 4- 3/11-3/17

3/17-

 I am going to use this blog post to set up a rough draft for one of my CCR questions. The question I will be focusing on is:

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

1. (3) There are 4 main fundamental principles in any boxing movie, body vs soul, opportunity vs difference, market vs family values, and anger vs justice. For our film we hone in on #2, opportunity vs difference. Connors character, the champion endues a challenger, me for his belt and power in the industry. (1) Most boxing movies rely on the same tropes – the poverty-stricken fighter with talent, heart and one chance to escape the gutter. Before we started shooting we knew there had to be this type of contrast between the fighters. We wanted Connors to look very professional and almost like suave when he moved and the way he dressed, more traditional in an Adidas outfit with shots of his shirt off. Usually in boxing movies, the protagonist embodies the male body, its power and beauty. (3) The protagonist embellishes a strong man deprived of power in a metropolis dominated by money, position, and cunning. Although we don't have the special effects like they do in Hollywood, dropping little hits like having money in the bag or having the belt in the bag shows the money and power. Unlike the gangster, whose work is done in private, the protagonist works in public. (3) The 3 main settings in boxing films are the ring, the gym, and the training camp, we couldn't produce a legit ring so we decided to focus on the events leading up to it, the gym aka my shots in the garage and Connors at the training center.This is why we shot at a more professional atmosphere in a studio and city feel with real indoor lightning more then a ratchet suburb feel like my part. For me we wanted to create that rugged raunchy character dressed in all black to further the drive and separation between the two. The antagonist aka me mirrors the protagonist in comprising multiple figures, like our color scheme setting all while it serving the role as the hero's chief rival. That is the main takeaway from any boxing movie, it's about heroism and realizing your potential. (1) Looking out of the more specific into a general lens, we wanted to target sports films as a whole (2) The conventions we highlighted was the disruption of the equilibrium (by challenging the fighter) and foreshadowing a resolution (the fight)  We didn't really challenge any conventions, we wanted it to be very straight up and to the tee of a prototypical boxing movie, instead we used those conventions to display the best and most realistic interpretation of a fighting film that we could. 

Sources- 

• (1)
• (2)
• (3)

Week 4- 3/11-3/17

3/16-
Yesterday we had our second group meetings, it was nice because I got different feedback from different people and was able to get some good feedback. Overall the main change everyone suggested to make was adjusting the color scheme of my training sequence. Since we want to present this rugged dark like contrast to Connor, we should change it to a dark blue or yellow. I was a little confused what to do at first but they explained to me all I have to do is jusy play around with filters at the end rather then reshoot the whole thing because it can be corrected that way. Another change they want us to focus on is including more close ups of Connor. I agree, the intention of my training sequence was to be like almost like a scouting video or something you would see on YouTube and have that feel rather then an up close and personal look, which we will do more of with Connor to create a more professional atmosphere and contrast between my shots.


Lastly, my main question was the music. Not necessarily my music but what to do with Connors. I just needed reassurance that the song (Kush on the yacht) matched the tempo and pacing of my training video which everyone agreed it did. For Connor’s and what we will play throughout the majority of the film, it will be something zen or like some dojo music that resembles a quiet yet sophiscated sound scape. We will start researching this week most likely after we shoot. (Wednesday the 20th) At my next group meeting I hope to show everyone a rough draft of all the shots me and Connor film, they are really helpful.

Week 4 3/11-3/17

3/12
Well, I never really thought finding music was so hard. Connor and I want to do something that suits the movement of the video which is actually harder then it looks. In doing this we have to play each song over our film and see if it matches, this can get tedious, really fast. I thought third would take about 10 minutes but it’s lasted over a two day discussion. Part of the problem is copyrighting. After doing some research I had to find out what songs are copyrighted and if they are how to tell if they are. First, Mrs. Stoklosa directed us to the tab it should be under in YouTube. However, after doing further research I came to realize not all regular instrumentals are really free, if you click on it they are looped versions of the original Audio or remakes for purchase. There are only a select few that sound hype and uptempo without sounding cheesy that we came across. There’s a big balance between a channel making a beat, those are usually the corny ones vs a person uploading them onto a channel. The ones that are made by individual producers allowing there beats to be downloaded for free are the gems. Here is the main top 5 list we have.

• Free meek mill type beat- Zoom
• Future- Super trapper 
• 2 milly- milly rock 
• Young dolph- Kush on the yacht (my favorite)
• 6ix9ine - Tati

It was tough a lot of perfect songs we could have used like On the regular by Meek Mill or Outro by Meek Mill both have a choir element imbedded into the beat that we see a lot in boxing films, anything with that angelic tone mixed with a dark beat at a fast pace spits out success and a lawsuit because we can’t use it lol. Next class we will pick the song, and finish up the video!

Week 4- 3/11-3/17

3-11.

Note: The video image looks the same as the one I posted yesterday but if you click on it, it is different and is a rough draft for my brief part.
Today Connor and I made the initial video of my training sequence. We edited it all together using I movie and wanted to show quick powerful cuts. Our original plan was for it to be about 20 seconds but we found we were off by like 6 seconds. When we first edited, it looked ok with the cross fade transitions because without it we felt it looked kind of abrupt and didn’t flow properly without them.  We met with Mrs. Stoklosa she guided us in a better direction. If we add more shots which we will, two to three seconds of me doing sit ups, possibly  jump roping, and more speed bag shots we will be good and take off the transition effect. As far as the music that goes with the video, it is still in the works we are unsure which song to pick but we do know I t is going to be something rap based but we have to make sure it is not copyrighted. Next class we will pick the song and wrap up the video. Stay tuned.

Week 3- 3/4-3/10

3/10-
Today Connor and I started filming my part of the film. We shot it at my buddy’s garage and wanted to make it kinda look ratchet and ghetto with the boxes in the back, like a rusty training environment. A couple big take aways from the process, limited # of shots had proper head room but it’s ok because we have enough that look perfect for a quick 20 second montage. Also, it gets confusing which shots we are taking and deleting so when we film in the Karate center we will delete it right away if it looks bad and if it is good we will save it to an album in our camera roll. We will open it up with me doing sit ups while throwing punches almost like Master T from Rocky, transition it to some jab/hooks, push-ups, close ups of the gloves, and lastly the speed bag. The speed bag gave me some problems because it was deflated so it took us a good 20 minutes to find a rythm. We will edit it tomorrow in class, and end it with a clip of my hands with the camera moving up to my face challenging Connor. I think it was a very productive day. Connors iPhone X camera rose to the occasion and is more then suitable. It was pretty easy because we didn’t need lighting or anything but for Connor’s we may. Look forward to sharing more info with you guys when I get it.

Week 3- 3/4-3/10

3/7-
Today Connor and I took the outline of our storyboard and progressed it a step further with a break down of each shot and a more concise overall plan rather then a general idea of the start, middle, and end.
Changes- We made a big change completely taking out Midtown as the start, it would not flow, looking like a trailer. Instead we will open at the karate gym. Another big change we made was the editing software and camera. We will use Wevideo even though we rather not, it allows us to both edit from different computers through one account and that is a greater benefit then all  drawbacks. Also, we will shoot from our phone well, because the Cannon camera broke lol.


Here is the more detailed version of the shots we came up with today.

1. Hand opening door to gym with ring of door or open right away too to the duffle bag shot. (Undecided)
2. Camera in duffle bag, low angle, as he takes out equipment a credit appears.
3. Putting glove wraps on and close up of glove.
4. Warming up before the spar, stretching, jump rope, quick jabs into bag, start timer for spar.
5. Sparring scene phone on floor, touching of gloves close up, medium shot about 7 seconds of them feeling each other out throwing light jabs, quick cut to close up of Connor getting hit, cut back to long shot of Connor throwing 2 body shots, left and right  hook,  finish with big uppercut to head.
6. End with timer going off, drinking water
7. Goes and sits down and looks at Ipad and sees video of me, close up on his fingers holding ipad with fake blood. (New music for me)
8. Video of me
9. Closes Ipad upset, walks out and title appears.

Important upcoming stuff- We will work on soundtrack next class, and we are filming my part this Sunday.

Week 3- 3/4-3/10

3/5- Today Connor and I officially started the planning process. We first originally started storyboarding but we felt it was too big of a thing to do at once, instead we outlined our storyboard into sections, start, middle, and end. Here are the events we wrote down today for each.


Start-

• We will be filming outside at Midtown Athletic club, opening with a tilt up of the sand/lake. 
• We will then include a series of running shots, drills, and strength workouts to mimic a beach workout.
• The concluding shots here will be Connor packing up his bag and closing it. 

Middle- 

• The camera is placed in bag and Connor opens it at karate Gym unpacking items as credit scene appears
• We will film in the back room of the studio, a dark room and bring some lamps
• Shots of him putting raps on close ups of tape and such.
• Cuts to sparring scene of hum training against someone knocking them out.

End-

• Go back to back room and set up laptop, on screen is a pre made fake news recording of me boxing 
• Clicks video, rolls clip
• Ends with slamming laptop
• Title appears as Connor walks out in the distance

Side note: One of my best friends has an Irish flag I could wrap wound myself as I train, follow conventions of fighters, proud and usually rep a country. 

Side change: Switching most likely to iMovie for editing as the Cannon camera is compatible with that. Not positive yet will keep you guys updated. 

Week 3- 3/4-3/10

3/4-
In order to do anything in this project we need to actually film it, what a great opportunity to discuss what we will be filming on before we officially start our production process.  I knew my step mom had a nice camera I could borrow, I wasn't sure what kind or its capabilities, video recording being the most vital. It turns out it's the Sony Cyber Shot HX350. I was skeptical of it's non picture capabilities but after doing some research I concluded we are in good hands. Here are some of the key features we will be using.

• Exmor R™ CMOS sensor- This allows us to use movie mode and capture dimly lit settings, like the inside of the karate gym we will be using for inserts at a really high level due to the 20.4 megapixels in the sensor.
• 50x optical zoom- either for out tilt up/ establishing shot, zooming in on facial features and landmarks are vital in the intro. 
• Active Mode- Since camera movement is a big component of the filming, handhelds are required. This mode reduces blurriness and increases camera stabilization with movement. 
• Movie Mode- The most important. We wouldn't be able to film without it. It offers great resolution at 1080 full hd 24p, and even transfers the same quality on active mode. 
• Automatic Focusing- If we want to zone in on  a specific object like a seagull moving in the air, we would use this which allows for pristine tracking performance. 

Source for text

Source for image

Week 2- 2/25-3/3

3/3
Intro basis: Deciding what to do and how to plan out a 800 point story when you never have before, can seem like a daunting task. Since this is my first time doing this, I look for inspiration. The opening and ending scenes are arguably the most important part of this piece, we can't make it look like a trailer. So, I did some research. Black Panther. All though it is not a boxing film, the structural development of the plot and opening scenes are one I would like to mirror. I feel like it is important to bring in other genre aspects and ideas to an existing one to give it some new juice. In the beginning of the film, there are lots of establishing shots and cuts of Chadwick Boseman. (Black Panther) They want to establish first the relationship between the main character and the audience. opening setting scene (protagonist) A couple minutes later they intro the Antagonist, Michael B Jordan in the art gallery. opening setting scene (antagonist) I feel like based on commercials we can't intro both at the same time or else it will look like we are advertising the movie rather then starting it. So, if we open with Connor and end the opening briefly with me throwing a punch in a bag and the title popping up, it will be implied he is about to fight someone and illustrate a new villain to the audience.
Next class since we haven't started storyboarding yet we will put all this together.
Side note decision : Main outdoor filming location will be Midtown Athletic Club. Connor will wear white. I will wear black to follow good /bad color plot trends.


Image links : https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a859840/black-panther-cast-michael-b-jordan-killmonger-mcu-return/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/01/29/marvel-black-panther-superhero-diversity-cultural-touchstone-event/1071858001/

Week 2- 2/25-3/3

3/2-
Last class we had our first group meeting and discussed where we were currently are in the planning process. Overall I had an idea of what I wanted to do, boxing but needed help wrapping it up. I knew the beginning would intro the main character and the end the opposing, the group session really helped me fill that middle gap, here are the key takeaways and changes we talked about.

• Instead of using 3 big lamps, cut down to one via a LED circle that attaches to your phone, this way it is more cost effective and produces a similar result. 
• We won't have to worry too much about the lighting because at least of the film will be outside at a beach most likely. 
• The goal is to open with a tilt up establishing shot of the training location and a quick cut to Connor 
• As he takes stuff out a training bag a credit appears
• Middle- We discussed the idea of having inserts of having a fight scene, but we came to the conclusion it would look to much like a trailer.
• Instead we will have inserts of  of him and Karate instructor in studio, possibly with fog machine as him sitting down preparing for a fight
• Paired with this we are planning to use a fake news app and have a picture of me fighting in the background like a mock broadcast. (possible app)
• If beach does not work, alternate locations could be an empty street/ Midtown Athletic club where I work out, they have an outside lake area. 
• When the antagonist aka me appears on screen a shift in music will occur.

Image link