Today in class we were supposed to edit our commercials. We had completed filming and were ready to get the footage in and edit it. I took our camera we borrowed from the class, took out the SD card and plugged it into the computer. From there we dumped the footage in and made a folder of all of the clips we had. We also saved the footage online on the Google Drive. Then I attempted to open up the program we use in class to edit. The program is called Pinnacle Studios. As it turns out, however, the computer didn't actually have the program installed. I then found out that almost none of the computers had the program we needed to edit. This became a big problem for our class.
We found that without the program no one could edit their commercials. Some of the computers didn't even work either. Others had trouble booting the computers up and getting anything to work in a timely manner. It also didn't help that the computers were extremely slow. To even open up a website it could take around five minutes. That isn't even counting the time it takes for them to turn on. For a computer to turn on, I was faced with a black screen for a long time and then came the loading page. Logging in took even more time. Thankfully I had used the computer before because if not, it would have taken even longer. Overall,it took way longer than necessary.
Thankfully my teacher said that they will be trying to fix the problem. Apparently we will be working on it as soon as we get new computers. We also could be using laptops instead. Currently we are using old desktop computers from around 2008. Obviously they are much too old for us to use now. This much is shown through the problems we faced just trying to edit our videos.That much effort to get it to work might be a bit much. For a media studies class its important to have the right materials to do our work. Though there are some problems, my teacher is working on getting is the right tools to be able to work. We just have to be patient for now and hope they come soon.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Filming Blog
During my Media Studies class I did a variety of things while filming my team's project. To start off, one of the things I helped do was collaborate with my teammate on making decisions throughout the process. We were filming outside and had to make slight changes when certain locations didn't work out. I had to help come up with new ideas for when lighting or people got in the way of the shot. For example, one of the locations lighting wasn't as we planned and we had to find a new spot. Or when a spot was taken up by other people, I helped figure out what we would do instead during that time until we could film there. I also in some parts gave input on what my group-mate would do in some scenes. For example if what she was doing looked a bit off, I mentioned it to her and we worked out something better. I wouldn't say I directed the whole commercial myself since she played a huge role in the decision making process as well. Though I definitely tried to help out in that area and contributed to some of the directing.
Another example of something I did during the filming process itself was the actual filming. My other teammate was the main actor of the commercial so that left me to do the filming when she was in a scene. Although I didn't film every scene, every scene that wasn't a nature shot I filmed. I really enjoyed getting experience filming and being able to learn about it through. While filming I also made decisions about the camera movement that would work best if the scene had limited space to move. If something didn't work out I had to change it and make a decision. While filming, I also had to direct my teammates acting a little. As I mentioned before this included just telling her if something looked wrong. I made sure that the shots came out right and would replay them to get the ok from my teammate. Once the shot was good, I helped move on to the next scene.
One more thing I did during the filming was setting up the scene. In each shot we needed the background to be clear of people or things that would get in the way. I helped make sure that the spot we chose was perfect for it. I also helped set up the camera equipment so we could actually film. One part of doing the was setting up the tripod. I had to make sure it was level and that it didn't mess up the angle of the camera. Another part of setting up was making sure the props were in the right places. I had to make sure that the water bottle we used was perfectly in line with the camera since the techniques we used require that. The prop placement was a key part of our commercial. Overall this was a fun part of the project.
Another example of something I did during the filming process itself was the actual filming. My other teammate was the main actor of the commercial so that left me to do the filming when she was in a scene. Although I didn't film every scene, every scene that wasn't a nature shot I filmed. I really enjoyed getting experience filming and being able to learn about it through. While filming I also made decisions about the camera movement that would work best if the scene had limited space to move. If something didn't work out I had to change it and make a decision. While filming, I also had to direct my teammates acting a little. As I mentioned before this included just telling her if something looked wrong. I made sure that the shots came out right and would replay them to get the ok from my teammate. Once the shot was good, I helped move on to the next scene.
One more thing I did during the filming was setting up the scene. In each shot we needed the background to be clear of people or things that would get in the way. I helped make sure that the spot we chose was perfect for it. I also helped set up the camera equipment so we could actually film. One part of doing the was setting up the tripod. I had to make sure it was level and that it didn't mess up the angle of the camera. Another part of setting up was making sure the props were in the right places. I had to make sure that the water bottle we used was perfectly in line with the camera since the techniques we used require that. The prop placement was a key part of our commercial. Overall this was a fun part of the project.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Storyboard
On our storyboard we listed several different camera angles, shots, and different editing methods that we will be using to make our commercial. Some camera angles we used were eye level, and low angle. Throughout the commercial those are the ones we will use the most. The shots we will use are medium shots, wide shots, and close ups. For the transitions we will use graphic match and action match as well as just normal cuts.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Editing Lesson Blog
Today in class we learned about the editing software we are using using along with the camera equipment we are provided. The teacher showed us the camera and how it worked. The camera is small and can be hand held or fastened to a tripod. It can fit snugly with your hand and can be turned on while holding it by simply using your thumb. The camera's screen is touch screen and can be flipped around. On the bottom of the camera is a little area where a piece can be screwed on to help fasten the camera to the tripod. Initially, when it is put on it still is a bit wobbly so you need to tighten it with a knob on the side. After that, it can be screwed onto the tripod by winding it to the right. The tripod can be lowered up and down using a crank on the side of it.This can make filming at different heights easier.
Unscrewing the camera is as simple as screwing it on. To get the footage off of the camera you need to use an SD reader. The SD reader can store the footage to bring to the computer. It can be plugged into the side of the camera to download the footage. On the computer you open up a new folder and put all of the footage in it to keep it all in one place. This is called dumping. Dumping is moving all of the clips to a folder. After every shooting session we are required to do this. In the editing software you open it up and highlight the footage you want to put in and insert it. To add audio on top you detach the audio from the video and add the audio on top. You can silence some parts of the audio from the original or keep it if you want.
To add effects, right click the effects editor. The effects editor is where one can find all different kinds of effects. You can find filters, and ways to make the video look like it is daytime or nighttime along with other effects. These effects can be added just by clicking on the boxes. After adding all of the intended effects and finalizing details comes rendering. Rendering is pulling everything together and making it look smoother. The final product should look smooth and coherent. This is one of the final things you do to the footage. Afterwards the files should be saved to a folder.
Unscrewing the camera is as simple as screwing it on. To get the footage off of the camera you need to use an SD reader. The SD reader can store the footage to bring to the computer. It can be plugged into the side of the camera to download the footage. On the computer you open up a new folder and put all of the footage in it to keep it all in one place. This is called dumping. Dumping is moving all of the clips to a folder. After every shooting session we are required to do this. In the editing software you open it up and highlight the footage you want to put in and insert it. To add audio on top you detach the audio from the video and add the audio on top. You can silence some parts of the audio from the original or keep it if you want.
To add effects, right click the effects editor. The effects editor is where one can find all different kinds of effects. You can find filters, and ways to make the video look like it is daytime or nighttime along with other effects. These effects can be added just by clicking on the boxes. After adding all of the intended effects and finalizing details comes rendering. Rendering is pulling everything together and making it look smoother. The final product should look smooth and coherent. This is one of the final things you do to the footage. Afterwards the files should be saved to a folder.
Friday, October 11, 2019
Conventions/Codes Blog
In commercials for water, there are common things that are done. A lot of water commercials use similar camera angles and editing. For camera angles, they tend to show close ups of the bottle. They also show medium shots of people drinking or interacting with the water. Tracking shots are used to show action or things going on in relation to the water, or the location where the water is bottled at or comes from. For editing, dissolving is used as well as cross cutting and cutaways. Often graphic match is used to switch from the bottles to where the water came from.
There is also common lighting and sound used in these commercials. The lighting is usually bright with little to no shadows. This is to create a mood of happiness that comes from drinking the water to the audience. The lighting tends to look natural to give the water a natural glow or reflect off of it. The natural lighting also correlates with the nature that the water companies portray in the commercial. For, sound ambient sound is often used. There will be things like water dripping, or pouring down from a waterfall. Voice-overs are also used to talk about and advertise the product. Music is also used, especially kinds that are calming and create a sense of euphoria and tranquility.
The commercials also have to use Mis-En-Scene to be a commercial at all. Common locations are in nature or where the water is bottled at/from. It can also be filmed in an imaginary location using special effects. These include up in the clouds, "underwater", and in a river. The actors are usually wearing casual, everyday clothes and not any crazy costumes or anything out of the ordinary. Actors may have light makeup on, or special makeup to make them look appealing on camera, but again, nothing over the top or crazy. The props used are always the water bottle, and sometimes things like notebooks or things children would usually carry around (if the actors, are of course children).
There is also common lighting and sound used in these commercials. The lighting is usually bright with little to no shadows. This is to create a mood of happiness that comes from drinking the water to the audience. The lighting tends to look natural to give the water a natural glow or reflect off of it. The natural lighting also correlates with the nature that the water companies portray in the commercial. For, sound ambient sound is often used. There will be things like water dripping, or pouring down from a waterfall. Voice-overs are also used to talk about and advertise the product. Music is also used, especially kinds that are calming and create a sense of euphoria and tranquility.
The commercials also have to use Mis-En-Scene to be a commercial at all. Common locations are in nature or where the water is bottled at/from. It can also be filmed in an imaginary location using special effects. These include up in the clouds, "underwater", and in a river. The actors are usually wearing casual, everyday clothes and not any crazy costumes or anything out of the ordinary. Actors may have light makeup on, or special makeup to make them look appealing on camera, but again, nothing over the top or crazy. The props used are always the water bottle, and sometimes things like notebooks or things children would usually carry around (if the actors, are of course children).
Planning Blog for Zephyrhills Commercial
In my media studies class we were assigned a project where we have to come up with a commercial idea for a product we chose. We had to choose from a list of products and come up with a plan for what materials we'd need, the costumes, and location etc. The product me and my partner chose was the Zephyrhills water bottles. It will be pretty fun working on creating this commercial with my teammate and I can't wait to see how it will turn out!
Props
Props
- Water bottle
- Backpacks
- School supplies
Costumes
- Casual Wear- regular clothes worn to school
Location(s)
- Baseball Field
- Cafeteria
- School hallways
- Pathway outside of Building 17
Schedule
- Editing Lesson- Oct 14
- Storyboard- Oct 15
- Filming- Oct 23
- Start Editing- Oct 25
- Finish Editing- Oct 28
- Blog Due- Oct 28
- CCR Lesson- Dec 21
- More Storyboarding- Dec 22
Backup Plan
If our plans don't work out, we will:
- Use/find difference locations at school
- Add or change our props, costumes, or actions being done in the commercial
- Worst case scenario, we will pick a new commercial idea
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Introductory
Hello. My name is Julia. One of my main hobbies is reading books and webcomics. One book I really enjoy and one that is a favorite of mine is The Book Thief. One show I am currently watching is a Netflix show called The Politician and my favorite show is Parks and Recreation. I also enjoy drawing and creating fictional stories along with going out with my friends.
I am a high school student and am currently taking a bunch of different classes at my school. I am taking journalism yearbook, which is a class where we learn about writing journalistic pieces and taking photos. Some other classes I'm taking are chemistry, algebra two, english, european history, and media studies. Media studies is the class which requires me to make this blog here. Overall my favorite classes so far are english and journalism though media studies has been pretty interesting as well.
Something I have been wanting to do for a while in my free time is start collecting different kinds of plants. I want to have a mini indoor garden for succulents and different small indoor plants. I feel like growing and keeping plants alive would be a fun hobby to have. Aside from the keeping the plants alive part, I believe I might be ok at it. Though I would most likely have to put more research into it before I can bring that dream to reality.
I am a high school student and am currently taking a bunch of different classes at my school. I am taking journalism yearbook, which is a class where we learn about writing journalistic pieces and taking photos. Some other classes I'm taking are chemistry, algebra two, english, european history, and media studies. Media studies is the class which requires me to make this blog here. Overall my favorite classes so far are english and journalism though media studies has been pretty interesting as well.
Something I have been wanting to do for a while in my free time is start collecting different kinds of plants. I want to have a mini indoor garden for succulents and different small indoor plants. I feel like growing and keeping plants alive would be a fun hobby to have. Aside from the keeping the plants alive part, I believe I might be ok at it. Though I would most likely have to put more research into it before I can bring that dream to reality.
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