Critical Reflection Research

HAPPY FRIDAY!

So, we are considerable behind on our filming considering we haven't interviewed the star of the episode and I'm stressed, blog. We have all had so many conflicts and issues, mainly relating to health, during these past couple of weeks, so it's been hard to get together, but I am trying to stay calm and confident in our project. 

Since I can't show you any new film and I have already thoroughly planned the doc, I figured I'd do the next best thing... research for the critical reflection!

From TStok... Critical Reflection

Candidates must write an evaluative essay of around 1000 words. This critical reflection of their work should be guided by the following compulsory questions:

• 1. How do your products represent social groups or issues?

• 2. How do the elements of your production work together to create a sense of ‘branding’?

• 3. How do your products engage with the audience?

• 4. How did your research inform your products and the way they use or challenge conventions?

1. Our main topic is uplifting immigrant stories, so we know how our product represents social groups... 

Our product has two target audiences: the main is people who immigrated to the US in hopes of better opportunities, and the second is natural born US citizens. Our doc being produced in the United States is important as the US has the highest number of immigrants in the world. We know that people from foreign countries/ cultures are subject to prejudice, so our product presents immigrants in a positive light, hoping to help break this harmful habit. 

2. To show how the elements of our production showcase a sense of branding, I wanted to take a look at a project I did earlier in the year, the Brand Identity Project. The most important element of this project was the brand identity prism, shown on slide 3.

Slide 3:

Slide 3 Script:

For the brand identity prism, I wanted to focus specifically on self-image, reflection, relationship, and physique. My brand sees itself creative, helpful, and encouraging which is why our reflection is based on people who have a growth mentality. In order for the brand to achieve its purpose of helping people build up, it needs to target people who want to grow. Through our willingness to help, we create a close relationship with our consumers. Additionally, the blue, green tones because green represents growth. stricter lines with a little occasional curve

Personality: simple, modern

Relationship: close to consumers, willingness to help

Culture: honesty, connection, communication

Reflection: people who have a growth mentality

Self-image: creative, helpful, encouraging

What each element means:

I figured I could use the elements of the prism to showcase our portfolio project's sense of branding.

Physique: blue, global, bold

Personality: happy, resilient, outgoing, curious

Relationship: close, family, open

Culture: social causes, connection

Reflection: families, business owners, immigrants

Self-image: empathetic, encouraging

I believe these elements match well with our social media, magazine article, and documentary.

3. Engaging with audiences

source: https://amt-lab.org/blog/2021/1/surveys-interviews-and-recommendations-for-documentary-distribution

Since "Make it Happen" is a documentary based on immigrant stories, it has a relatively small target audience as it falls under the cultural/ societal. Although episodic documentaries are the preferred format amongst viewers in the United States, only 20.3% of people ages 19-29 and 11.10% of people ages 30-45 prefer cultural/ societal documentaries. Young adults watch cultural/ societal documentaries as they tend to provide educational and informative content while providing real-life stories that shed light on foreign experiences. The target age range for "Make it Happen" is 18-40. Viewers of this piece would either be immigrants, social activists, or people looking to expand their world view. It is meant to help audiences stay informed on social issues and challenge their previous beliefs about certain cultures.

4. How research informed our products and the way they use/ challenge conventions:

This question has been answered through a series of blog posts all relating to the research behind each component: the doc, the magazine, and the social media. I will link them below. Feel free to take a look!

Doc: https://marianasmediablogperiod4.blogspot.com/2024/02/genre-refresh.html and https://marianasmediablogperiod4.blogspot.com/2023/12/back-and-better-than-ever.html

Magazine: https://marianasmediablogperiod4.blogspot.com/2024/03/print-component-research.html

Social Media: https://marianasmediablogperiod4.blogspot.com/2024/02/social-media.html

Alrighty, that took quite some time, but I feel so much more prepared for the critical reflection! See you Monday ;)