Quarter 3 Submission Feedback

We received plenty of helpful feedback on our quarter 3 submission. For the most part, we received positive criticisms towards the film. Most everyone were able to understand the plot this time which was good to see. This was one of the main issues that plagued our mid-term submission and we tried the best we could to fix it. We also received positive comments on the quality of the shots which hasn't changed since the last viewing. However, there were still reports of some aspects we needed to improve on or change. For one, during the credits, "Audio Technician" is spelled wrong. We missed this but most of the class noticed it. We plan on just going back through the editing and correcting the error. Another thing we need to change is the shot of the bullet casing dropping onto the ground in slow-motion. The shot begins too early as when the film cuts to it, there is one to two seconds of nothing being shown. Austin Kuster and I plan on going back and cutting the scene by about one second as we still want to create an impacting scene. Overall, we believe that we greatly improved the understand-ability and quality of our film as the majority of people who watched it again could follow the plot.

Quarter 3 Submission

Here is the group's final edited version of the film. We improved the sound and credits as well as added in an extra scene in. We hope that these revisions will help the audience understand the plot better. Overall, I am happy with the final product and I was able to take away new filming and producing skills.

Question 4 Draft

Integrating Technologies

To achieve the best possible content for our film, we implemented multiple technologies. When we first started to develop the project, we extensively used the internet to research other films. We were able to find other AICE Media Studies films, film openings, and information about majorly successful films similar to ours. By doing this, we were able to implement the techniques that these other films used into our own. We also used the internet to help with scouting for locations to film at. For the actual filming aspect of the project, we used multiple types of hardware to achieve the shots we planned. For the majority of filming, we used a gyroscopic camera called the Osmo Pro. This allowed us to capture steady shots while moving in a high quality. For close ups and still shots, we used my own Canon Rebel T6i. The zooming lens and tripod allowed us to capture the text message and airport scene. We also wanted to have aerial shots throughout the film. We used a Phantom 3 Advanced drone provided by Austin Kuster which allowed us to get shots similar to those shot from a helicopter. Finally, in the editing process we used Final Cut Pro X on Austin Kuster's iMac. Witht this program, we were able to implement multiple editing features such as cuts, fades, music, and text for the credits. The technologies we implemented into the creation of our film made it into a product we would be proud to distribute.

Critical Question 3 Draft

Developing Production Skills

Throughout this project, I learned multiple new production techniques involving the film industry. Before we started, I had some experience working with cameras such as my Canon T6i. However, while filming the project I learned how to use other equipment such as the Osmo Pro. I also developed skills in shot positioning and lighting. I also had previous experience in writing stories from another class I'm enrolled in. While writing the script, I gained knowledge on how to format a script and how to implement a storyboard into it. Scheduling was also a challenge for a multiple reasons. For our film, we had to schedule times in which we had to film certain scenes as they needed to be in specific lighting and weather conditions. We eventually decided to take a whole day to shoot the major scenes as we need scenes in the morning and at sunset. We then had to scout locations that fitted our scenes' descriptions. We decided on the majority of filming to be done in Sarasota  and Casey Key because of the private beach we would have access to and the drone shots we wanted to achieve. Austin Kuster was able to shoot the opening scene of a plane landing at Tampa International Airport because the airport has a clear shot of the runway. He was also able to find a house to shoot at on Casey Key. Meanwhile, I found a parking garage which was in an ideal location for the film and that we would not be disturbed at. Finally for scene revisions, we added a scene at Sarasota International Airport. While shooting these scenes, I learned how to direct and position actors and props. Austin Kuster and I directed Sam Herndon where to position himself and how to act while Andre James ensured that the scene would be visually pleasing and accurate to other scenes. In the final process of developing the film, editing, I obtained new knowledge on how to create a film worthy of viewing. Austin Kuster provided Final Cut Pro X which he had ample experienced with. Through him , I learned how to cut and string scenes together. I also learned how to implement overlaying text which would be used for the credits and title sequence. All in all, I believe that my production skills massively improved over the course of creating our film.

Critical Question 2 Draft

Engaging With Audiences and Distribution

We researched ways in which we could engage with the audience in a way would enhance their experience of our film. Since our film is targeted towards a younger audience, we would utilize platforms in which they use the most. We would advertise on social media such as Snapchat and Instagram. Advertisements for the film would also be found on channels with a majority audience of young adult males such as Comedy Central. By using these platforms, we would be able to keep cost low while advertising to the majority of our target audience. To distribute the film, we chose to follow the the method most major films are released by called "standard release". Standard release is a business model that allows the film to take advantage of different markets, such as theater and home release, at different times. Production companies such as "M6" and "Europa Corp used this platform to release a similar film called "Taken".  During this process, the film is first released in theaters and then 16 weeks following, is released for home platforms such as DVD. We found that DVD and digital sales were among the highest in revenue. To take advantage of the digital market, we would release our film on services such as Amazon Prime and Netflix for rent and purchase. Most majorly successful films in recent times followed this method which convinced us to follow it as well. By doing this, we would hope that our film would find success in the film industry.

Airport Scene Revision

Over spring break, we shot an additional scene that helped the audience further understand the plot of the film. The scene is of the main character arriving to the town in which he is looking for his girlfriend. The character is walking out of the doors of an airport and then walks to his car which is featured throughout the film. This scene will be implemented at the beginning of the film after the flan lands. This will show the viewer that the main character was the one on the plane and that he is from out of town. The scene also shows where the character picked up his car. We used my Canon T6i DSLR camera with a tripod to film the scene. We then used a mid shot to show the character as well as a wide angle shot to show the airport name. Sam Herndon played the main character, providing the costume while I provided the camera and car. Austin Kuster filmed the majority of the scene and I assisted with positioning the camera. We hope that this extra scene will help the viewers fully understand our film.

Creative Critical Question 1 Draft

Challenging Conventions and Representing Social Groups

In our film, "One Call Away", we aimed to challenge conventions and implement our own way of filming. However, many of the techniques we used to film were derived from other films we had watched. In the introduction of most films, the setting is introduced along with the main character. We made sure to include an establishing shot of the airport as well as the city in which the main character has come to. One shot we believed was well-done was the shot of the bullet casing dropping from the gun. In this shot, we used slow-motion to create tension and add a dramatic effect. Newer methods were also used for capturing shots from abnormal angles. Using a drone and a gyroscopic steady camera enabled us capture aerial shots and steady shots while moving. Typical methods of editing were used throughout the film such as cutting and fading. For the majority of the film, cuts were used to transition from shot to shot but we included some fades as well. We also made sure to represent the majority of the viewers in the film. Through our research, we found that the majority of people who watch action films, such as ours, are young adult males. Although the common viewer isn't someone who lives through the events of the film, many who watch it could imagine themselves in the main character's position. We also found that most people who watch action films are in the middle class with free time. This means that most of the viewers most likely don't live action-packed lives in which they are busy all the time. Films such as "John Wick" do this as it gives the viewer a peak at what life would be like as a hit-man on a rampage. Overall, we believe that we created a product that attempts to challenge the norm and fairly represents its viewers.