Today in class Nyaira and I made more progress on our commercial project. We left off our filming the previous class period with the Autumn transformation and end scenes. The plan for today would be to film the beginning scenes when the character wakes up and goes through their morning routine. We signed our paperwork and got all of our equipment. This included the camera, tripod, and SD card. We began on the Senior patio with may wake up scene. It was a difficult decision if we wanted a wide shot of me sleeping or a closer shot. We decided to set up the tripod for a full body shot.
Next, we decided to show the passage of time in the character's morning routine. Nyaira and I felt the best way to accomplish this would be to jumpcut scenes together of mundane tasks. We first took a medium close up of the character getting coffee. Then we took a wide shot of the character walking from the car to school. That moved into a high angle pan of more walking in a new location. It ended with a shot from behind of walking to the final spot in a new hallway. We felt that each jumpcut to another shot should be different from the first as to keep the viewer interested. We did this by experimenting with different types of shots, angles, perspectives, and locations.
After reaching the last location, we tried to line up the shot as best as possible for ease of editing when we connect the sleep scene to the autumn transformation. We are going to line up those scenes with an extreme close-up of the character's eyes. After shooting that scene, we packed up and headed back into the classroom. We would repeat the same process as the last class and dump our footage into our special folder. However, we would have to transfer all data to our google drive as the editing service is not set up on our high school computers. We hope it will be up and running by the next class because, we have a lot of scenes to cut, refine, and layer for our final project. My partner and I aim to create an elevated commercial with real cuts, graphics, and voiceover. Hopefully, this commercial comes together in the editing process from the raw footage we filmed today. Stay tuned.
Monday, October 28, 2019
Friday, October 25, 2019
Filming
Yesterday was our first day of filming. Nyaira and I prepared the night before by creating a list of things we would need for our first shoot as we didn’t have much time to film. Things on the list included props, costumes, and other things needed to get ready like mirrors, makeup, etc. Nyaira also decided to stop at Dunkin Donuts before coming to school to pick up a wide range of products for our commercial. I packed my bag and awaited the next day.
The next day, I went to school and I helped Nyaira carry in our Dunkin Donuts merchandise. In the classroom, we prepared for filming. I was the main actress so I got dressed in my first costume. Nyaira and I decided to work from the end to the beginning so I got ready into my “Autumn” outfit. While I got dressed Nyaira set up the tripod and began to film some of our still shots for the product promotion. I assisted her with some of our more artsy shots like the pouring of the iced coffee.
We then filmed our first action scenes where the character finally tastes the product and is amazed by the transformation. We are cutting the shot from sleepwear to the autumn outfit by zooming in on my eyes then zooming out. It was difficult to line up the shot of the eyes to be perfect in one continuous shot. After trial and error, we found the perfect spot and marked it on the ground for reference. We took a couple takes but, we think we came out with some pretty good shots. We then shot the next scene where the character is excited and rejuvenated from drinking the DD coffee. It was difficult to frolic and look happy without looking dumb and sarcastic. We did this with the tripod set up and the character starting off-screen so it doesn’t seem unnatural to have the girl start and stop when filming. Nyaira and I agreed to film extra happy scenes so we have many options to choose from and fill in with. This portion of the filming took most of our time as it is the bulk of our commercial. Overall, it was a learning process that I feel will help to film in the future. (I think on Monday!)
Lastly, we went back to the classroom when we had about 15 minutes left of the period. We were instructed to dump our footage onto the class computers. We received an SD card reader that we put our SD card into. Nyaira created a new folder for all of our footage from the day. We dumped it into the folder, labeled it so we can access it later, and saved it. Next class, we are aiming to accomplish initial editing and organizing of the footage we have. We can access what we have, what we need to improve on, and future shots. Next class I know we need to film some more aesthetic coffee shots for when we describe the coffee in voiceover. Additionally, we need to film the entire beginning premise with the sleepy and distraught character.
The next day, I went to school and I helped Nyaira carry in our Dunkin Donuts merchandise. In the classroom, we prepared for filming. I was the main actress so I got dressed in my first costume. Nyaira and I decided to work from the end to the beginning so I got ready into my “Autumn” outfit. While I got dressed Nyaira set up the tripod and began to film some of our still shots for the product promotion. I assisted her with some of our more artsy shots like the pouring of the iced coffee.
We then filmed our first action scenes where the character finally tastes the product and is amazed by the transformation. We are cutting the shot from sleepwear to the autumn outfit by zooming in on my eyes then zooming out. It was difficult to line up the shot of the eyes to be perfect in one continuous shot. After trial and error, we found the perfect spot and marked it on the ground for reference. We took a couple takes but, we think we came out with some pretty good shots. We then shot the next scene where the character is excited and rejuvenated from drinking the DD coffee. It was difficult to frolic and look happy without looking dumb and sarcastic. We did this with the tripod set up and the character starting off-screen so it doesn’t seem unnatural to have the girl start and stop when filming. Nyaira and I agreed to film extra happy scenes so we have many options to choose from and fill in with. This portion of the filming took most of our time as it is the bulk of our commercial. Overall, it was a learning process that I feel will help to film in the future. (I think on Monday!)
Lastly, we went back to the classroom when we had about 15 minutes left of the period. We were instructed to dump our footage onto the class computers. We received an SD card reader that we put our SD card into. Nyaira created a new folder for all of our footage from the day. We dumped it into the folder, labeled it so we can access it later, and saved it. Next class, we are aiming to accomplish initial editing and organizing of the footage we have. We can access what we have, what we need to improve on, and future shots. Next class I know we need to film some more aesthetic coffee shots for when we describe the coffee in voiceover. Additionally, we need to film the entire beginning premise with the sleepy and distraught character.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Story Board
Today in class we worked on our storyboard for the Dunkin Donuts(DD) commercial. I analyzed and confirmed with Nyaira on which way we wanted to go about the film. The first step was having a group discussion and talking out the whole commercial and editing out ideas that we felt were not cohesive. Originally, we were going to have a simple end card but, as we researched we realized that most coffee commercials stress the importance of coffee coming from a bean. We concluded we wanted a pouring bean scene then the final end card that promotes the new products. We then brainstormed with a rough draft of the storyboard that was an electronic note sketch. We then needed to transfer it to the paper square format. Lastly, we needed to finalize it and make sure this is what we wanted to bring our vision alive.
I started off with the basics of drawing the actor and the setting. Throughout the course of the commercial, you will see a transition in time. The beginning scene displays a girl sleeping. Time changes and now she is up and out to start her day, but is poorly dressed as if she just rolled out of bed. This is before Dunkin Donuts’ new Fall coffee. Fast forward a bit, and you'll see the girl walking into the school still looking drowsy. Low maintenance sort of speak. The scene afterwards the girl finally gets her burst of happiness when she intakes the DD coffee and now her wardrobe has changed.
We realized that it would not be a coffee commercial if we did not add the iconic coffee beans. It truly shows that coffee is a delicacy that derives from a natural bean. Thus we added the signature shot of the beans being poured into the cup. We also decided that we should have both versions of the coffee. This shows the versatility of the pumpkin flavoring that you can find at Dunkin Donuts for everyone. The hot cup of coffee as well as the iced version just to emphasize how equally good both are. We wrapped up our commercial with the all-time infamous slogan, “America runs on Dunkin”. This will remind people that they need to include Dunkin Donuts in their daily morning routine.
Monday, October 14, 2019
Editing Blog Lesson
Today on October 14th our instructor taught us about the procedural formatting, camera techniques, and overall editing. She began with how to retrieve a camera and all of the necessary equipment needed to film. The camera seems pretty simple to use especially because it is similar to my iPhone and other common electronics. You open up the side panel to turn the camera on, close it to turn it off; simple. The tricky part was the tri-pod. You must extend the legs fully or the camera will film wobbly footage. Then we learned to screw the camera onto a plastic base and then lock the base into the tri-pod. For extra height, we can crank the lever to fully raise it an extra foot or so.
Next, after filming one must dump all footage onto a computer. You then eject the SD card out of the camera slot and then place in into the SD card reader. The reader will transfer all footage onto the computer and will store it on a desktop folder. Then the importing process begins. You first move the footage from the desktop folder to the editing processor: "Pinnacle studios." I'll be sure to upload all the footage to the server so I can pick the best clip as my shot. Then I will drag my shots to the 2nd editing line. From there, I can cut, speed up, slow down and manipulate my video in many ways. Additionally, I can add effects like transitions between scenes.
Lastly, you would add sound effects and titles to the top editing line. I can manipulate when the sound plays with the video footage. Then when the footage is all edited we export the finished movie. I will click export and the video will begin to render. Rendering will take a bit of time. In class, some of the dates have been pushed back a day or two to allow for more time. My partner and I feel that this time increase will allow for a much better quality of work.
Next, after filming one must dump all footage onto a computer. You then eject the SD card out of the camera slot and then place in into the SD card reader. The reader will transfer all footage onto the computer and will store it on a desktop folder. Then the importing process begins. You first move the footage from the desktop folder to the editing processor: "Pinnacle studios." I'll be sure to upload all the footage to the server so I can pick the best clip as my shot. Then I will drag my shots to the 2nd editing line. From there, I can cut, speed up, slow down and manipulate my video in many ways. Additionally, I can add effects like transitions between scenes.
Lastly, you would add sound effects and titles to the top editing line. I can manipulate when the sound plays with the video footage. Then when the footage is all edited we export the finished movie. I will click export and the video will begin to render. Rendering will take a bit of time. In class, some of the dates have been pushed back a day or two to allow for more time. My partner and I feel that this time increase will allow for a much better quality of work.
Research, Conventions, and Codes
Nyaira and I begin on our Dunkin Donuts (DD) coffee commercial with research.
We started off with viewing all past DD commercials. The first one was from 1994 with its warm-toned lighting and graphics.
It displayed a friendly man pouring hot brewed cups of coffee to a grumpy line of people. They all took a sip and instantly are satisfied by the rich and bold taste. The next commercial was from a year ago with colorful graphics following a cheerful man walking down the street as he sipped from his morning coffee. The people all around him seem confused at his joy until he spots a woman also drinking DD coffee. They end up both being happy together as it cuts into a montage of the coffee.
I notice in both commercials that they dramatize pouring the coffee into a cup as it hits the ice in some cases. They also zoomed in on the dark color of the coffee and talk about how striking and smooth the taste was. In addition, both commercials are set in the morning and “the start of their day”. This makes sense as many Americans start their day with coffee for breakfast.
We feel that we could also similarly start in the morning with upbeat music. We wanted to emphasize coffee as being part of someone's daily routine. In these commercials, they always try to show all aspects of the coffee without just letting it sit there. They manipulate the coffee by pouring it on ice or out of the pot into a cup. They also show the versatility of the coffee by switching the toppings; like foam for hot and ice and straw for cold through editing. Some modern coffee commercials have visual illusions stressing that coffee is natural and comes from the coffee bean. They do this by pouring beans into a cup and then tilting the cup and watching coffee pour out. We think that it adds a subconscious sustainable/nature-y effect on the brand.
In the end, all Dunkin Donut coffee advertisements close with a solid colored background or a freeze-frame on what the camera was viewing before with the logo centered on the screen. Usually, the slogan is also said and written on the bottom of the screen. I think this is very effective because it is the final thing the audience will see and should remember from the commercial. I’ve noticed them highlight their branding colors, pink and orange, to not confuse Dunkin’s coffee with competitors. We were also going to match the traditional closing of DD commercials as to not confuse our audience with brands. That should keep it true to the Dunkin Donut coffee experience.
We started off with viewing all past DD commercials. The first one was from 1994 with its warm-toned lighting and graphics.
It displayed a friendly man pouring hot brewed cups of coffee to a grumpy line of people. They all took a sip and instantly are satisfied by the rich and bold taste. The next commercial was from a year ago with colorful graphics following a cheerful man walking down the street as he sipped from his morning coffee. The people all around him seem confused at his joy until he spots a woman also drinking DD coffee. They end up both being happy together as it cuts into a montage of the coffee.
I notice in both commercials that they dramatize pouring the coffee into a cup as it hits the ice in some cases. They also zoomed in on the dark color of the coffee and talk about how striking and smooth the taste was. In addition, both commercials are set in the morning and “the start of their day”. This makes sense as many Americans start their day with coffee for breakfast.
We feel that we could also similarly start in the morning with upbeat music. We wanted to emphasize coffee as being part of someone's daily routine. In these commercials, they always try to show all aspects of the coffee without just letting it sit there. They manipulate the coffee by pouring it on ice or out of the pot into a cup. They also show the versatility of the coffee by switching the toppings; like foam for hot and ice and straw for cold through editing. Some modern coffee commercials have visual illusions stressing that coffee is natural and comes from the coffee bean. They do this by pouring beans into a cup and then tilting the cup and watching coffee pour out. We think that it adds a subconscious sustainable/nature-y effect on the brand.
In the end, all Dunkin Donut coffee advertisements close with a solid colored background or a freeze-frame on what the camera was viewing before with the logo centered on the screen. Usually, the slogan is also said and written on the bottom of the screen. I think this is very effective because it is the final thing the audience will see and should remember from the commercial. I’ve noticed them highlight their branding colors, pink and orange, to not confuse Dunkin’s coffee with competitors. We were also going to match the traditional closing of DD commercials as to not confuse our audience with brands. That should keep it true to the Dunkin Donut coffee experience.
Planning
Our commercial will be split up into three parts: the morning (before coffee), experiencing the coffee, and information on new products. Our first section will feature pajamas as costumes because it will display how awful it is to wake up early in the morning after a long night. Props will include pillows and different bed accessories. This section will consist of strictly video, music, and sound effects. It will ideally be filmed on the senior patio tables and benches. The following scene will be a transition into a delightful mood due to the new DD pumpkin flavored coffee the character just drank. It will transform her outfit and attitude to an Autumn vibe and style. This costume will consist of warm tone and cozy knit wear. The props will be consisting of a DD coffee cup. Music will still be playing from the first scene. This scene should be outside and happy so it will be filmed on the softball field behind building 17. Lastly, the final section will be our promotional information, logo, and the slogan slide. It will contain a graphic of the coffee advertised and manipulated with ice pouring, coffee beans piled, etc. At the end, it will feature the DD logo and state “America runs on Dunkin” to close the scene. The script will describe the new and exciting fall products coming to DD. This last scene will be filmed on a table as it is simple and only need pans of the products.
After drafting our ideas, visual design, and filming arrangements we decided to establish a schedule and set back up plans if anything goes wrong. Our first class period we will finalize the script and costumes. Making sure that everything goes as planned, and if not, what is another way to go about it. The following class period we will film all material needed for the commercial. Whether that be, the coffee itself, the products, or the actress.The final class period we will edit, retouch, and add sound effects/music to the final copy. If any outside location is under inclement weather we will migrate to the building 5 back stairway for our “first section”. The main media stairs for our “second section”.
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Introductory
Hi, my name is Katie and I'm a senior at Fort Lauderdale high school. This platform will be my space to provide updates and developments in my AICE Media studies class projects. I am excited to take this class as I'm very interested in costuming and overall Mis en Scene in television, and editorial ad campaigns. I think this class will help me develop skills for the future because I want to work in costume design; hopefully for a Broadway show. It has only been about 3 weeks and I have come to notice all the vocabulary words taught in class when I watch television and movies in my spare time. The whole idea of coming from an idea to the big screen still overwhelms to think about. After this class, I think I will truly appreciate how movies/television are made and the time and effort it takes after completing some of my own tiny film productions. They will not be nearly as good but, the experience will teach me a lot.
I have some prior experiences to pull from creatively for my production work. To start, I do appreciate a well-edited video as I watch many travel montages on YouTube. I have even made a couple myself when I visited New York City last Summer and later a cruise to the Caribbean this past Summer. There is a clear difference between both the videos in production quality. My first major mistake with my NYC video was that I filmed horizontally and vertically so the footage was both properly formatted and cut with slim views with black borders. Overall, it did not look it's best but, it was an attempt at that. My next video the following year was much better. I filmed all the footage horizontally and even learned to cut in sound effects and better transitions. My only major complaint was that many of my transitions and pans from shot to shot were repetitive and did not flow. I think I can take my experience from my past films and the better equipment provided by the school to produce a much better quality video.
Additionally, I am a majorette in my school's marching band which I feel can help me take a concept and illustrate it in real-life production-wise. Last year, I choreographed a "Wedding" themed routine and performed it with my team. The costumes, music, and choreography all needed to match up which I realize now is "Mis en Scene". I think that is very important because, if something sticks out in a scene then the viewer instantly pays no attention to the message or plot of the scene and just pays attention to the "wrong" prop for example. I learned about this when I was younger because my father is very bothered by this especially for period pieces. For example, my father and I were watching Stranger Things and he was bothered that the main characters were carrying in groceries with a plastic grocery bag. He said they were not introduced until later and that paper would've been used. This "ruined" the scene for him because he couldn't think about focusing on the plot that was developing amongst the scene. Overall, I am very excited about the projects to come and the lessons to learn. Let's get to filming!!
I have some prior experiences to pull from creatively for my production work. To start, I do appreciate a well-edited video as I watch many travel montages on YouTube. I have even made a couple myself when I visited New York City last Summer and later a cruise to the Caribbean this past Summer. There is a clear difference between both the videos in production quality. My first major mistake with my NYC video was that I filmed horizontally and vertically so the footage was both properly formatted and cut with slim views with black borders. Overall, it did not look it's best but, it was an attempt at that. My next video the following year was much better. I filmed all the footage horizontally and even learned to cut in sound effects and better transitions. My only major complaint was that many of my transitions and pans from shot to shot were repetitive and did not flow. I think I can take my experience from my past films and the better equipment provided by the school to produce a much better quality video.
Additionally, I am a majorette in my school's marching band which I feel can help me take a concept and illustrate it in real-life production-wise. Last year, I choreographed a "Wedding" themed routine and performed it with my team. The costumes, music, and choreography all needed to match up which I realize now is "Mis en Scene". I think that is very important because, if something sticks out in a scene then the viewer instantly pays no attention to the message or plot of the scene and just pays attention to the "wrong" prop for example. I learned about this when I was younger because my father is very bothered by this especially for period pieces. For example, my father and I were watching Stranger Things and he was bothered that the main characters were carrying in groceries with a plastic grocery bag. He said they were not introduced until later and that paper would've been used. This "ruined" the scene for him because he couldn't think about focusing on the plot that was developing amongst the scene. Overall, I am very excited about the projects to come and the lessons to learn. Let's get to filming!!
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