Final Submission

My revised film features a new actor who plays the main character and another cast member for the teacher role. The film also has a new font style from the iMovie fonts which I feel connects to the film's title, "Grounded". The music is also new from iMovie, there are two different sounds.

Since my third quarter submission, I have not been able to film any revisions due to COVID-19. My actors have not been able to meet. If I were able to make these revisions, I would have re-shot the entire film. This is because the camera is a little shaky and the dialogue audio is not well heard because of unwanted ambient sounds such as wind.

Creative Critical Reflection Prezi Link

https://prezi.com/view/6b1ti5X4vfL1bh8j5kW5/

Creative Critical Reflection 4

I recorded my film on my iPhone 8 camera. The quality was up to par but could have been better. I didn’t use any settings as I wanted a natural look to my film. For editing, I used iMovie. It is one the simplest editing tools, allowing me to to put my scenes seemlessly together and remove any excess or unnecessary film material. I also added music, titles, as well as a transition or two.

Creative Critical Reflection 3

My production skills developed positively throughout the film. At the beginning, I was organized and thorough. This helped me greatly as I could reflect on my film easily and see what I wanted to do. I learned the importance of camera angles and recording first hand. I learned that the dialogue is not always the most important step. Before I did my film, I was also nervous about directing my actors; however, it was a fun experience to have my film come to life through your visions and commands. 

Creative Critical Reflection 2

Engaging Audiences:
To engage my audience I could utilize DVD's, radio advertisements, magazine advertisements, theaters, and festivals. The films I used for distribution research used the same methods.
My marketing method is going to be somewhat off the grid, this is because I am not going to have any internet presence. I would begin with interviews and advertisements for the radio, as well as posters and magazine ads. Then, if the sales are enough, I would feature at festivals and theaters as well as stream on trusted sites. The films Wreck it Ralph, Teen Spirit, and Boyhood distributed successfully through DVD's, sponsored by large motion picture companies, and premiered at festivals.
Distributed as real media text: 
The traditional distribution model for my film would be online through streaming sites or if major, through theaters. The films Wreck it Ralph, Teen Spirit, and Boyhood distributed successfully through DVD's, sponsored by large motion picture companies, and premiered at festivals.
My traditional distribution model will hopefully be done with posters, magazine ads, festivals and eventually, the theaters. A digital distribution option could be streaming sites and radio interviews and ads.

Creative Critical Reflection 1

Use of Conventions:
I open the film with a wide shot, following the person walking; therefore, giving a relaxed, normal feel. The scene then slowly becomes a medium close up. I did this to show the tenseness that exudes from the main character as she is merely studying.

I also use a close-up shot when the main character is sending her college admissions to capture her facial expression of bliss. This is to show the calmness she feels because she completed her task.
I have no sound dialogue in the end clip because it shows that what the college admissions person thought of her admissions was not what mattered. What mattered is that the character made a stressful decision that was hindering her focus and completed what she needed to do.
Social Groups and Issues:
My product's social groups includes high schoolers because I have two high school characters. They and the teacher also represent anyone who is educating or educated. Social groups could also include people who are struggling to overcome something mentally like the main character.
My film addresses mental health and normalizes mental struggle. Therefore I am addressing the issue of people alienating those who have mental struggle.

Revision post 3

The last change was the music. I chose two different ones this time rather than one and this provides contrast. The music is somewhat solemn in the beginning and after her motivational conversation with a teacher of hers, she is more confident. This is why the second sound I used sounds more upbeat. Both sounds are from iMovie. 

Revision post 2

My second alteration was changing the font to have a less common one and more relate to the film. The font is white with a black outline giving a bold feeling. The title, "Grounded" relates to this because they are both somewhat bold words. The font is still from iMovie; however, they have a large range of options.

Revision post 1

The first change I made was getting two new actors. I did this because in my old film I had one actor playing two parts, the friend and the teacher. This way it is less confusing and I am no longer in my own film; something that is against AICE guidelines for the Media Studies film submission. This change was a must.

3rd Quarter Submission

My revised film features a new actor who plays the main character and another cast member for the teacher role. The film also has a new font style from the iMovie fonts which I feel connects to the films title, "Grounded". The music is also new from iMovie, there are two different sounds.

Distribution Plan

Based on my research, I know I want my film to premiere at a festival because of the type of audience it will attract - youthful, fun people, and some possible film sponsors. If I were able to get a film sponsor to distribute my film across the globe rather than one country, then I would take the opportunity of having my film in theaters. I don't want online advertising besides when I upload my trailer. I would have numerous billboards as well if I get the funding.

Distribution Research - Boyhood

The film Boyhood illustrates the life of a boy as he transforms from a young kid into a college lad. The film has a similar target audience to mine: youth to teenage age. Boyhood premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and was released in theaters on July 11, 2014. I would be ecstatic to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival: one of the most influential and popular festivals. I would however prefer to show my film around the globe in theaters not only the U.S.

Distribution Research - Teen Spirit

When Violet, a shy teenager from the Isle of Wight, participates in an international singing competition, she has to learn to face the things that come with success including confidence. The movie titled Teen Spirit relates to my film with a main female actor who also finds success through confidence and will-power. Teen Spirit had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2018. Shortly after, Lionsgate and LD Entertainment acquired U.K and U.S, distribution rights respectively. Bleecker Street will co-distribute the film with LD Entertainment. It was released in the United States on April 12, 2019. The films distribution had the opportunity to be sponsored by such large film companies and was premiered at a festival! This would be my ideal distribution method.

Distribution Research - Wreck it Ralph

Wreck it Ralph is a film about a man who feels outcasted by the rest of the people in his world. In an act to earn their respect, he finds respect for himself. This relates to my movie because he found courage within himself to do what he pleases. This is similar to what my main character goes through. 

Wreck-It Ralph was released on Blu-ray Disc (2D and 3D) and DVD in North America on March 5, 2013, from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The film was made available for digital download in selected regions on February 12, 2013. Wreck-It Ralph debuted at No. 1 in Blu-ray and DVD sales in the United States. I would consider releasing on DVD because of the opportunity to allow people to own their own copies of the film as well as potentially make successful sales. 

Distribution Research

In the current day, film distribution can be done various ways. A major motion picture often plays at theaters that are owned by the studio or the parent company of the studio that makes the picture. There is also home video which includes but is not limited to DVD's, Blue-ray, and online streaming. There are many independent distribution options as well as finding a person to sponsor your film. To distribute my own film I would like it to show at festivals and be an independent distributor because the calm, easy going, and  fun scene fits my film better. 

Marketing Plan

For my film I would create a trailer, a poster (featuring the main characters), conduct interviews (including radio) with my cast and I, and have it in print in some magazines (including the title and a summary). I would also create a billboard but only feature the name; I would do this for suspense or wonder. The nearby theaters featuring the movie would also be stated. The one word would also catch peoples attentions as they drive by. I would not use online media because I don't want that presence.

Audience Engagement Research - Happy Gilmore

"Happy Gilmore" is about a man who finds his happiness again after suffering from an embarrassing hockey accident. Meanwhile, his grandma loves him. Although my film is more dramatic than comedic like "Happy Gilmore", our audiences are similar because our films both show a person overcoming a struggle in their life. The movie uses a trailer to market their film. The trailer gives away a lot of the plot - something I would not do in my trailer as to ensure there is adequate suspense still left for my viewers. The poster also gives away plot with mise-en-scene in the form of a golf club. I would not use such plot-full props on the poster. The poster also focused on the main character - something I would do because my main character is the focus of my film. Lastly, the film creator Adam Sandler had a small interview with his editor. I would have an interview conducted for my film either featuring myself or my main character.

Audience Engagement Research - The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The movie, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" shows students in high school, similar to my film. The film shows two students taking another under their wing and into the real world. This is similar to my film because they're both showing a person going through the motions of life and with a few wise words and exposure they see the silver lining or reality. In the movies trailer, they use persuasive techniques to make the audience want to see more. They make the audience want to see what the two students will show the introvert about "the real world". The movie also had a simple poster. The poster showed the three main characters against a wall, and the girl rested her head lovingly on the younger guy. This leaves suspense about the two peoples relationship. Additionally, they aired their film on television. Lastly, they used Facebook as a social media output. I would use a form of social media for my film; especially because my audience is primarily teenage students whom are the main users of social media.

Audience Engagement Research - Silver Linings Playbook

Silver Linings Playbook shows two bright, "normal" people who struggle with an unnamed mental disorder. They have limited awareness of their mental issue yet are still aware/present. Our target audiences are similar because they both have a psychological factor. The movie is most commonly known by its poster. The poster shows the two main characters in black and white and color in their eyes, making them feel soulful. They had the title in the middle of them as well as a sketch for a game plan; inferring that we are going to see the silver linings of the their plan. A very intriguing, plot-full poster. Also, it was advertised and shown on television. For my film I would create a poster and trailer, as well as advertise and air my film on tv.

Art Of The Title Class Activity

Artofthetitle.com shows various fonts and title sequences used in films. The Movie "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" is a spin off of James Bond and England. The intro shows him strutting in the scene with many extras. The first text is "London, England" giving the setting immediately because it is important to the film. Then the title is shown in the infamous 60's flower power font on a freeze frame of Austin Powers. The font is pertinent because it also demonstrates the time period. The rest of the credits were similar to the title font. The website artofthetitle.com said, "In time with Jones’ cheerful cuíca drum, Powers shimmies and shakes down the street, mobbed by vibrant and eager fans, his energy infectious and charming. Thanks to costume designer Deena Appel, the actors and dancers are a kaleidoscope of glorious hyper-chromatic colour, decked out in white go-go boots, velvet bell bottoms, and hot pink tights." The entire setting also represented the movie and setting. In my film opening, I will find a font for the title that relates to my film well. I will also make sure my main character is pointed out better, possibly a freeze frame like the filmi Austin Powers.

My Target Audience

The target audience age could be high school students or a person of any age. There is no specific gender audience for my film. The income level and geography audience could be countries that are developed because non-developed countries might not have access to or understand things such as schools, libraries or laptops - all of which are shown in my film. The education level would averagely be an elementary graduation. The person would only have to understand that the student overcomes her personal doubts - something a preschooler might not have ever struggled with. Some personal interests would be psychology, relationships, and the education system. The product will be appealing because the audience sees a driven student who overcomes a large mental road block and now they'd want to see how she maneuvers through college or the next chapter of her life. My audience - mostly the entire population - can relate to my film because they have most likely experienced something similar to doubt or a mental road block.

Feedback and Revisions

The feedback I received was to re shoot the film scenes that I am in and use an alternate font choice than the most common font choice that I had. Being in your own film or not shooting every scene of your film is against the AICE Media Studies guidelines for the submission. Using a common font choice is not a good choice because a more original or film related font will stand out to the judges. To do these revisions I will bring a replacement actor in for the student. In doing so, I will also create a new shot list. I will also review the iMovie fonts and explore other options for fonts.
The revisions I believe I need to do are choosing more original audio and making the audio fade in and out rather than being choppy. This will require using another editing software. The music will make my film feel more personal by connecting to the mood more.

Shot List

This shot is a mid-long shot. The purpose is to show the student focused completely on studying and her teacher enters from the stairs to say hi.

This mid shot shows the teacher saying hi as the student noticed and the closeness of the mid-shot gives a more happy feel than being farther away. 

This shot zooms in for a close mid-shot which shows the student going back into focus. 

This scene is a mid-long shot showing the student walking glumly through a library and not acknowledging anyone or anything, not even her teacher. The fast pace scene in contrast to the students steady stressed mood creates effect that makes her emotion stand out. 

The student emerging from the bookcases with the same mood  is important to dramatize how she's feeling. The shot is a mid-close up showing facial expressions.  

This shot is a mid-shot and is important to show the students lack of attention right now and how she doesn't recognize her teacher. 

This shot is a medium close up shot and shows the teacher noticing the student not doing her work. 

This shot is a medium close up shot and shows the students facial expression as upset or bothered and she's not doing her work. 

This medium close up shot shows the students facial expression as more positive because the teacher gave her a few intellectual words. 

This medium close up shot shows the students facial expression  and is showing how she knows her distraction is a bit far-fetched. 

Both the student and teacher look happy as the conversation ends in this medium close up shot. 

This medium shot shows the student exhaling and eliminating stress as she finishes her essay. 

The medium close up shot shows the student happy and carefree as she sends in her application. 

This medium close up shot shows the college admissions director retrieving the essay and looking unemotional.

The medium shot shows the college admission director reading her essay and remaining emotionless.

Challenging Conventions

I believe my film challenges the paranoid fiction genre because it shows an everyday person who goes through a mental difficulty or "bump in the road" with herself and conquers it. The film is casual and could occur in real life making it unlike other films in the genre which would be more gruesome or intense. The social groups represented would be high school students and teachers. The issue represented is a mental road block; meaning, the student experiences this and can't continue working on her college admissions and is distracted in studies.

My Movie - Grounded - Midterm Submission

The shots were mostly long shots where the whole body is visual. The second shot shown is mid- shot where half the body is shown to get closer to the actors during their conversation and feel the tenseness of the student. A few were over the shoulder to make you feel close to the scene. I did only these three shots to give a natural feel, as if we’re actually there. The angles were all eye level as to keep the authentic feel. The film was edited simply with one fade out because it was the turning point. The white font felt simple and colored seemed to look unconventional against the colors of my film. The font felt bold and sturdy because of its thickness and shape.

Schedule filming

My goal for my shoot is to obtain all of the needed film including pictures. The only scheduling I need to do is to make sure the time setting is day for my film. I also called the Fruitville library ahead of time to make sure I could film inside and outside the building. My filming went well. The scenes only had to be reshot a few times.

Casting my characters

College Admissions - Rico Eckert
Friend - Emme Landry
High school student - Me
The teacher exudes peace and intellectuality.
The friend provides a stable connection between her and the main character.
The main character is shown being focused - especially on her studies; however, she is too focused and doesn't pay attention to the world around her.

Scout Locations

For my film, the setting is academic and I was going for something resembling a school. My options were the Selby library, the Fruitville library, and the Gulfgate library. I chose the Fruitville library and the Selby library. I began shooting at Selby because of the stairs available for my first scene of the main character studying. I then transitioned in my film from the outside of the Selby library to the inside of the Fruitville library because the Selby library was closed inside. The Fruitville library allowed me to have inside shots and a studying shot of the main character outside. I didn't choose the Gulfgate library because the aesthetic was too modern and least appeared as a school or library.

Summary of film

The film demonstrates a teenage girl in high school who instead of living and thinking in the present, is distracted by all the other things on her mind. This is evident in the film as she constantly thinks about college and the factors leading up to college. She realizes the importance of not worrying, living in the moment, and trying her best after she writes her college admissions essay.

Script

Grounded Script: 

FADE IN: 

EXT. OUTSIDE LIBRARY - STUDENT ON STEPS - MORNING

FRIEND OF STUDENT, Same age as student and calm. 

FRIEND

Morning!

STUDENT, Focused on schoolwork.

STUDENT

Oh! Good morning. 

INT. INSIDE LIBRARY 

TEACHER, Calm, helpful and wise.

TEACHER

What’s on your mind, obviously not the assignment I gave you.

STUDENT

Nothing relating to the assignment, just college admissions and everything I have or haven’t done to prepare me.

TEACHER

Just remember to keep your admissions simple and personal. It doesn’t have to be specific things such as an achievement or event. Maybe how the process of preparing for college makes you feel. 

STUDENT

Hm, thanks. 

Fade to:

INT. STUDENTS HOME 

The student finishes typing her college admissions essay and prints. 

Dissolve to:

EXT. MAILBOX

Student puts her essay in the mail gladly and is received by the college admissions director.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PERSON, appears unemotional.

Cut to:

INT. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICE

The admissions person reads the essay. 

Production of film

I wrote, directed, and edited my film as well as completed all blog posts myself. I decided to do a non-group film so I could have total creative control. My actors, Emme and Rico, helped shoot a few scenes but where still directed by me. The script first started as an outline and then was given real dialogue.