Creative Critical Reflection

click here to view my creative critical reflection for our film Carmen!

Carmen- Final Cut with Discussion of Peer Review and Edits

Click here to view the final cut of our film Carmen.

We did receive some feedback regarding our film, mostly suggesting that we add credits or a voice over. However, my group and I opted to go for a quieter and more minimalistic approach. Another interesting and extremely useful comment: "The end of the opening felt a little too open ended and not closing; even though it's only a 'film opening clip.'" Nonetheless, my group and I decided to keep it a bit open due to the fact that it is the opening of the film.

Our Film - First Cut

Click here to view the first cut of our film - Carmen! 

Editing- Week 2

On the second day, we focused more on putting our actual film together. We worked on the transitions, the order of each clip, as well as conveying the mood throughout the film.

Instead of merely taking photos throughout our creative  process, we instead filmed a video discussing what we wished to accomplish. We wanted to create a record of our goals, as well as use the video as a matter of accountability to ensure we achieved everything we planned to do.

As you can see, in the first part of the video, we discuss what we've already done. 

The second part of our video, of Creative Director, Mickey, discussed how we could work on ensuring our entire piece remained cohesive throughout the editing process.

In all, I'd say that we accomplished a lot in our two days of editing. I'd say we definitely still have some touch ups (adding music/voice over), but feel extremely proud of our progress thus far!

Editing- Week 1

This week, we started our editing process. Initially, we faced some technical difficulties. The computer we first logged onto was missing Premier Pro, which cut into our editing time away. This difficulty put us under a stricter time constraint for everything we wanted to accomplish on day one.

However, we didn't let this stop us! We logged into a new computer and got working.

On day one, we planned to focus mainly on font and text. We feel that font can help to convey the mood, context, and the purpose of a piece of film. We tried out several fonts before finally choosing one that worked perfect for our piece.

The first font we looked at was definitely not the font we wanted to use. The font was messy and was almost reminiscent of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps font. Our film is more mystery, not creepy, so this didn't fit our vibe, and we tried a new approach.

The second font was a little closer to what we wanted. However, it was still a little too large and too romantic, it was definitely reminiscent of the 20's, but we wanted something more clean-cut. 

Ultimately, we found the perfect font for our film: it was perfectly sized and framed to fit the title of our film Carmen.

I would say our first day of editing was quite successful, regardless of a minor bump in the road. Our group is looking forward to another successful day tomorrow, where we will progress in our editing process.

Filming - Week 2

These photos (specifically the first one) perfectly fits the exact vibe that my group and I are trying to go with for this film. Cooper, Mickey, Kiley, and I will most likely go back to 5th Avenue to film some more at night time. The lights on 5th Avenue at night time would create such suspense as well as provide amazing visuals.

Filming - Week 1

Throughout these photos, my group members and I were location scouting for the film. We consecutively decided that 5th Avenue in downtown Naples was our best bet. We looked around the parking garage and decided to use this location for the more suspenseful parts of the film, as the light formed shadows in a way that created suspense. 

Preparing to Film

actors: Although my teammates and I have yet to fill the role for the protagonist, we have decided that the main character will be female (likely played by Kiley or I). In a role that would typically be depicted by a male actor, we are hoping to disregard societal norms/misogynistic views by having a strong, intelligent female protagonist.
costumes: Very much so 20's, with a trench coat, large hat, pearls, and extravagant makeup. We may as well throw a fake mole in there to add to the mystery of it all.
props: In the office, such props may include a desk and lamp. In the car scene, there will likely be specifically placed items for continuity purposes.
locations: My teammates and I will likely film the office scenes in one of our homes or in a classroom at Lely. The car scene will be filmed downtown on 5th Avenue, as the lighting and bustle of downtown perfectly fits our artistic idea for this film.
dates and times: Because the four of us participate in most of the same clubs and activities, I don't imagine it'll be difficult to sync up our schedules and find a time to film. When it comes down to it, we will probably meet once or twice a week outside of school to film.
scripts: The beginning of our film doesn't include a lot of on-screen dialogue, most of the dialogue is a voice-over. This will make writing and conducting a script much less difficult.
film equipment: We are lucky enough to own nicer cameras, and we are planning to borrow a tripod from Lely for the car scene. We also have access to editing softwares through both the school computers as well as our own editing materials on our computers. I am assuming we will use both.

Storyboard

1st shot: This first shot is the establishing shot of the film. Already kicking off the film with a creepy and mysterious vibe, a detective's office is shown. As depicted from the clock, it is just after 5 AM. The shot pans over to the second shot, playing frantic jazz to build suspense.

2nd shot: Next is a close-up of the main protagonist. The camera stops on her, where she says her first line. The monologue continues, but as a voice over as the shot quickly changes to the 3rd shot through the use of a jump cut.

3rd shot: As the voice over comes to a close, the music returns. This time, a smoother jazz, suggesting that the build up is over and the movie is reaching a much calmer point. The shot begins with a close up on the back of this car, focusing mainly on the license plate. As the car drives further away, the camera pans upwards and the angle becomes wider. The voice over returns, introducing the story.

4th shot: As the monologue continues, the camera follows the car as it drives through the city. The music is still going, but at a lower volume to place an emphasis on the monologue. Low-key lighting is used, and this is where the title of the film is shown. The shot then jump-cuts to the fifth shot.

5th shot: The driver of the vehicle is shown, and it is the protagonist from the first two scenes. This scene is a bit introspective, as the dialogue gets more direct. The lighting is dark, but bright enough to clearly see the protagonist as well as the fact that she is in a car.

6th shot: the camera jumps from the last shot showing the protagonist in her rear-view mirror to her side mirror, also providing the viewer with a shot of introspection and intensity. The dialogue is building up, and as this is the final shot, leaves with a "bang." The music also picks up to match the intensity of the scene. The coloring remains the same. 

Brainstorming for our Film

Personally, I really liked the opening to the first link “Rise,” where the camera focuses on the car mirror, then the soccer ball, and his soccer cleats, and kind of follows the character. In a way, this opening creates suspense for what is to come. My team and I will be creating a film noir, a film genre that highly consists of mystery and suspense. I did not particularly like the film opening for “Always Watching,” where the film focuses on two main characters talking to one another as an opening scene. To me, this is more of a shot for the middle of the movie.

Watching the different openings allowed my teammates to see what we do like versus what we don't like. My group and I certainly gained some perspective on possible shots to film for our opening scene.

What Inspired Me to Create a Film Noir

As defined by Merriam-Webster, a film noir is a "a type of crime film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by shadowy photography and foreboding background music." The word quite literally translates to black film in French. Film noir was first created in France in the 1930s. The first known film noirs include The Maltese Falcon and Laura. These films are dark, mysterious, and often give off the vibe as if they were created in the 20's.

My love for film noir films stemmed from 2010 television series Pretty Little Liars. The series follows four teenage girls following the disappearance and murder of their fifth best friend, Alison DiLaurentis. The entire series has a murderous and eerie tone to it, with their stalker “A” and other unwanted characters lurking in the shadows. However, in their fourth season, the series did something that they had never done before by introducing an episode done entirely in black and white.

Titled “Shadow Play,” this episode perfectly foreshadows upcoming events in the series whilst also taking viewers out of the perfect town of Rosewood and back to the 20’s for one hour long episode. The four friends are taken into this alternate universe as a result of Spencer’s overabundance of sleeping pills, therefore everything that follows in the episode is amplified by this feature. Ezra, Aria’s English teacher and long-term boyfriend is depicted as the villain, with his sidekick Mona (otherwise known as the original “A”). An otherwise grappling detail to note is that Alison herself comes back from the grave to make a feature in this episode, a foreshadow to the next season, where it is revealed that she was never really dead. In a way, this only multiplies the mystery and eeriness of the episode, as it left viewers thinking, “What does this mean?”

At only fourteen years old, I fell in love with the style of film noir from the instant that I saw the preview for this Pretty Little Liars episode on ABC Family. The beauty of the lack of color with the presence of shadows and mystery intrigued me. As shown in screen caps from Shadow Play below, the fashion and design known in this time period only added to this. Throughout the episode, the four main characters plus other female characters like Mona and Alison wear elegant outfits, hats, overdone makeup, pearls. It is very Great Gatsby in that sense.

      

With my own film, I only hope to create the same ambiance through color, shadows, acting, design and makeup, and setting. There is such a specific feeling given through film noir films, a feeling of horror and romance that cannot be replicated. I know that with proper work ethic, time, effort, and creativity, my group members and I can create the same beauty that most film noirs encapsulate.