Monday, October 28, 2019

Editing blog

Today is October 28. In class today we had the goal of editing our commercials. Just as a reminder the first the last thing that we did last classToday is October 28. In class today we had the goal of editing our commercials. Just as a reminder the first the last thing that we did last class was, dumping all of our files onto the computer. So, when we opened up our computer we were surprised to find that the editing software, pinnacle studios, was not working. When discovering this I tried to open up a secondary computer to see if it was just an issue with that one. However, even after I opened it on two separate computers pinnacle studios was still not working. Next I tried restarting the computer in the program and it still didn’t work. To combat this issue I tried moving the takes onto google drive and saved them for later.

After trying and failing for virtually 30 minutes what I eventually did was start to plan the order in which clips we were going to use. We decided to first do the stair clip. Next we are going to use the running clips. Next, we are planning to use the clips of us throwing the football. Finally, we are going to do the soccer clips, and then the close-up of all four of us. When reviewing the clips that we did manage to access who is out they were all very good and surprisingly steady. The sound that we are hoping to use is in fact a lack of sound but we will add in the sound of somebody panting from one of the videos. We feel that this way the commercial will be more inspirational. Overall we have a pretty good plan for what we are going to do. However interacting with the software might be a little challenging so I will keep you updated in the coming days.

This last paragraph will be a complete overview of all of the video editing files that we have. We have a total of 38 takes. Of 38 I was in 18 of them. 12 of them are on me running. The other six were about me tying my shoe.  Over all this day in class was fun but very challenging. Our task for this class was to try to create a 30 sentence blog. On editing. We couldn’t edit today so I have to apologize but this was the best I could do.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Filming Blog

     On Thursday, October 24, we had to film all of our takes that we could then edit into our commercial. This was especially fun because thanks to a great team effort we knew exactly what we wanted to do. Our storyboard was instrumental in the process of filming. This was because unlike most other groups we knew what we wanted and we knew how to do it. This saved us crucial time, and unlike most other groups we have all the footage we need. This was probably the easiest part of the project. AS well as one that everyone enjoyed. However, we still have a lot to do. First, we must select what takes we want to use for our project. And then we must edit them all together to form a great commercial.

     However, I personally wouldn't say that that was an easy day for me. As we had previously planned in our storyboard, I was to be involved in nearly 2/5 of the commercial. And because this was a Nike commercial, that meant a lot of physical activity. First, I had to run by Eva, and high five her. This was a lot of running because at the time we were still trying to learn how to use the camera. The next thing I had to do, was tie my shoe. Now, this may not appear to be hard, but when you have to do it five times, it starts to add up. The final activity that I had to do was sprint around the track. This was especially hard for me because my team couldn't decide if I should wear the school jersey. This lead to a lot of takes.

     After we were done filming my part, I tried to convince my team that we should use the tripod. This plan failed ultimately when the plate that connected the camera to the tripod was missing (was not in the bag). After we were entirely done filming I had to get my group to hurry back to the room so we could dump all of our files. Here we ran into more trouble. This came in the form of not being able to find our files. We prevailed in the end because I had saved my notes on my phone. We had to access every file of the camera. Next, we had to determine when we had started to film. Finally, download all files from our period. Again, This project was ultimately very enjoyable and I can't wait to see the results.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Storyboarding

Today in class, we did our storyboarding. We planned out the actions for our commercial. We also talked about the different shots and transitions and how we would place them in our video. Since, we decided on doing a Nike commercial, we are sticking to mostly action shots. Commercials for brands that sell activewear are normally shots of actors performing different sports while wearing and/or promoting their products. We thought it would be a good idea to include a few different sports and broadcast diversity while doing it. For example, we will have actors if different races, body types, Nationalities, etc. doing different sports while wearing Nike clothing and accessories. Our idea is to show the audience it’s multiple different uses. For our first six seconds, we will show a girl sitting on the steps of some stairs and greeting another kid. In the next box, there will be that boy running on the track while wearing Nike sneakers. The next two boxes show athletes playing soccer and football. At the end, we decided on a split shot of four close ups of the actors. We wanted to promote a sense of unity by showing all of them in a singe shit with a voice over of the “Just Do It” motto. While we did the storyboard, we made sure to write down all the types of shots, like high angles and medium long shots. We are really enthusiastic about being able to film.


Monday, October 14, 2019

Editing Lessons Blog

     Today we learned about editing and how to use our cameras and this will be extremely crucial in the coming week. The first thing we learned about was how to use the camera as well as how to use the tripod. The first most crucial thing when it comes to using the camera is making sure it’s charged. To do this, it was recommended that we plug in the camera a day before use this way we will ensure that it is fully charged for one we would like to use it. In order for the camera to charge the video screen needs to be closed. The next thing we learned was how to actually use the camera. Do you particular camera that we will be using features a touchscreen and a silver pause/play button. The next thing we learned how to do, was how to use the tripod. To do this properly we must extend the legs and locking them into place. Next to attach the camera to the tripod you had to remove a small black desk and screw it into the camera, and then reattach it to the tripod.

     The next thing that we learned about today was video editing. The editing platform that we are going to be using is called pinnacle studio and is a lot like Premier Pro, which I am learning how to use in another class. The first thing that we have to do, after loading our computer up and opening the application, is insert SD card reader into our computer and dump all of our video files into a new folder. To find our files we open up the ST card folder of our computer and select the DCIM folder and if this does not work we then select the private AVCHD folder. After doing this we then remove the reader and import our files. Now saved onto our computers, we can start to edit. We will then drag all of our files onto the editing track called AV track two. AV track one will be used for any text that we might want to add on, and AV track three will be used for voice-overs and additional sound. If we wish to only use part of the video clip we can separate the good parts from the bad parts using the razor blade tool. To add transitions we will right click on a video clip, and select editing studio and then select the transition we would like to  add.

     Finally in today’s lesson we learned how to export our videos. To do this we will click the export button and then click on MPG4. For the best video Scilence we will select full size SD. This of course will be from a drop-down menu. After exporting we can close the exporting window but should only minimize our project. This will be strategic because if D recorder has not smooth it out all of our work, we will have to re-export. After doing this we will probably email it to Mr. Katz and Mrs. Katz and then be able to close the application. I am really going to enjoy this first project and as always, I plan to keep you guys updated.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Planning Blog for Nike Commercial

     Today we are trying to formulate a plan for the filming of our commercial. So, last blog i introduced you to some of my ideas and when i presented to them to my group they loved it. As of today the current members of our group include: Evangeline, Joaquina, Lucas, and my self. The first props that we hope to use is a book. We are going to use this to open our commercial. this will be important because it will symbolize that even people who don't play sports, or are athletic, can be a part of the Nike family. The next prop that we are going to use is a soccer ball. we are going to use this because it is a team sport, and this way we can include everyone. Overall the props that we are using are going to help express that Niche is for everyone, and we are using this because it is a main theme of most commercials.
   
     The costumes that we are going to use are primary athletic gear. The first example of this that we are going to use are Nike leggings and a Nike lanyard. Joaquina will probably be the one wearing this for the opening. Next, will be a Nike shirt and a pair of Nike shoes. This athletic outfit will be worn by Lucas. Third, will be a Nike jersey warn by Evangeline. Finally, I will be wearing Nike shorts and shoes. I might have to wear soccer cleats but that is okay.

     The order of events will be starting with the reading of a book. Then transition to a high five scene. Next will be a short scene of me running, but then tagging the next group member. from here, they will probably kick a ball to the stairs. After a short stair climb the camera will transition to a group shot of all of us. the locations we are hoping to use include: the library stairs, the track and another stairway. we aren't done planning but i will keep you updated in the coming days.

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Research Blog. Commercial Conventions

     For our commercial, we are going to focus on promoting the athletic brand, Nike. We chose this because this brand is everywhere and because two of the four people in this group are athletes. n addition to this throughout the 6 commercials we have watched there is a theme of everyone can do these activities featured in these commercials. For instance, in the first commercial I personally watched, there was a highway scene with the cars standing still because of traffic. The commercial appeared to take place in a Latin-American country, where gender equality is still in its early stages, with women doing sports that are primarily played by men. This includes boxing and other Mixed martial arts. In the last ten seconds of the commercial, all of the running women are stopped by a roadblock with men chuckling on the other side. This is until the group (of women) gets through and keeps going, smashing through the roadblock. Overall, one of the reasons why we picked this brand to represent is gender equality and women empowerment.

     Another reason why we picked Nike is the fact that it will be easy to engrain in our video. This is ultimate because of their popularity as well as their widespread appeal. Nike produces products for sports, cold weather, warm weather, and even just regular attire. As a result of this, we can make a compilation of different people doing different things, all wearing Nike, and call it a commercial. Another main theme of most Nike commercials is a great performance. This oftentimes includes people winning. However, I believe that the company is trying to impose a never give up attitude so that will definitely be a part of our commercial.  Overall, our commercial needs to be inspirational and express equality.

    In this paragraph, I would like to try to create a rough draft for our commercial. This will, of course, be revised once I bring these plans back to my group. So, it starts off with someone wearing a Nike hoodie, reading a book, this can be me or someone else. Another walks in and high fives the reader, this results in the camera transitioning to the new person and featuring their Nike gear. From here, the camera slowly raises showing the face as well as the activity that they are doing. If this is basketball, the camera will zoom into the ball. Next, it will zoom out and the player will be different, from here the person falls down. Finally, they are helped up by the others and they pose for a slow zoom out. The caption "anyone everyone, we are Nike".

Monday, October 7, 2019

Introductory Blog

         Hello my name is Carter and I am a sophomore at Fort Lauderdale High School. As you can probably determine by my name I identify as a male and my personal pronouns are him and his. I have had friends who have issues with this and I just wanted to clarify. I am an extremely busy high school student with a typical day filled with accelerated classes, school clubs and sports. I am 15 years old and while not born in Florida, was raised in Hollywood FL. When asked what hobbies I enjoy doing I would answer scuba diving, boating, robotics, and biking. However, I also run cross country for my school. Now you may ask why this is not with the list of my other hobbies, and I would respond: running hurts, but the athletic physique is well worth the struggle.

     My middle school was extremely small, and as a result I knew everyone, but while this was nice at the time, I was not prepared for middle school. During freshmen year I was an introvert, but i manged to make enough friends to be happy. Now, In tenth grade, i would describe my self as a loving friendly person who any one can talk to. I have three different friend groups, and i am a part of and am a part of the top 5% of my graduating class in terms of academics. Currently my favorite class is pre-calculus, and my least favorite Aice English. In my journey that is life I have dabbled in personal philosophy and realized that our lives are absolutely meaningless unless we have a positive impact on others. Because of this i decided to take an unconventional rout and actually try to save the environment form humans, so that humans can use later. but that is enough about me and my past now for my future.

      I am hoping to continue my education for another ten years, and get a Engineering Doctorate. With the advancement of technology this is the best path in my opinion. I will be able to keep up with the best technology, and not be threatened by automation. In the Future I would like to be employed so i must be better than a machine. From this class i am hoping to be able to understand and perceive media in a more in-depth way. 1 movie = 1,000,000 pictures and 1 picture =10,000 words. I love both TV and movies and so I believe that this class will be great for me. I am ready to dedicate my self to this class and here I go...