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 ;)

Making the Magazine Article

Hey everyone!

Today I decided it was time to put together the magazine article! Let's take a look at the process:

First draft of the format (one paragraph has been copied and pasted throughout the article)

I added the name of our documentary/ magazine to the top of the page

I changed the heading to "Gone Global," added a subheading, took away the pull quote, and added content to the magazine

I added a line at the end of the article

I added a frame to the entire article

My favorites are the last two. I am unsure if I want the full frame or just the top and the bottom framed, but I'm leaning toward the top and bottom frame. Please let me know what you guys think by commenting down below. I will do one more magazine article update. It will have the picture of Javier and show the completed magazine. Stay tuned!!

Logo Designs

Hey everyone!

We wanted to focus more on the design of our Facebook page, so we decided to make a new logo that we felt fit the documentary better. I didn't love the old theme; it felt too patriotic. Here is what we’ve got so far:

Option #1

Option #2

I really like this one. It’s option #3. 

Option #4

And I like this one. It’s option #5. 

We made these while we were at the office filming Isa’s interviews. Here’s a pic! 

After careful consideration, we chose option #3. I hope you guys like the new logo!! Make sure to look on our Facebook to check it out! Here's a sneak peak:

Filming with Isa!

HAPPY FRIDAYY!

WE GOT TO FILM ISA’S INTERVIEW!!

Isa was feeling awkward talking during the interviews which made it hard for her to speak naturally. This picture is of her after having messed up while speaking for the millionth time. Why this picture, though? Well this time she was so frustrated that she flipped me off! This picture caught her halfway to the act. 

Anyway, enjoy this blooper of Isa calling Lucas a dog!

This is a clip of Isa closing up after we had finished filming. It was really dark out and pouring rain, but we had fun. 

We’re going to film our interview with Javier very soon! He had to go to a dinner today. He thought he would have time to film with us, but he ended up not being able to. We’re running short on time, but we’re hoping we get to interview him soon..

Best Video Editing?

Hey everyone!

Over the course of the past 2 years, I have used 3 editing softwares: DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, and Adobe Premiere Pro. I’m weighing the pros and cons of each before deciding which to use for this project. 

This Zapier article ranks Adobe Premiere Pro as the best, DaVinci Resolve as the second best, and iMovie as the last. The article provides a chart explaining what each software is best for, it's standout feature, and the price. Here it is:

I like that DaVinci has a generous free option and has two different workflows for editing, so I am considering it as an option. Throughout my experience using it, I have noticed it crashes and freezes less than Adobe Premiere Pro which is a definite pro. However, Adobe Premiere Pro had everything one could possibly need in a video editor. iMovie is simple to use, but it's too simple, and it is ranked last, so I'm removing that as an option.

DaVinci Resolve vs. Adobe Premiere Pro

Redress Compliance states that Adobe Premiere Pro is better for extensive collaboration while DaVinci is favored for its advanced color grading. Since this is a group project, Adobe Premiere Pro's collaboration feature has won me over. I would love for us to all collaborate on the editing, even though Lucas will be taking the lead.

CHOSEN SOFTWARE: Adobe Premiere Pro

Once we finish filming this Friday, we’re going to spend spring break editing (next week). Updates coming soon!

Magazine Spread

Hey everyone!

I wanted to start working on the article for the magazine spread alongside the design, but our class got cut short, so I was only able to start the design. I chose the format and fonts that I wanted. Here is what I have done so far.

I decided on the font "Atkinson Hyperlegible." I really like how the drop cap looked in this font. It also feels professional, but still a little fun.

As for the picture, I want to do a picture of just Javier in professional dress. Unlike this picture, he would be facing the camera directly a little more. If that didn't make sense, no worries, I'll show you all soon enough.

This is Bia. She’s the girl from the picture. She’s in my media class and she’s doing a great job with her project. Go check it out! Here is her blog link: Bia’s blog. 

Since I was already looking at fonts, I figured I might as well look at some for the title, "Make it Happen."

I was between “Gotham” and “League Spartan.” I decided on "League Spartan," it looks longer than "Gotham" which I liked, but it was still very bold and good for our title.

I added the "shadow" effect with 16 offset, 6 blur, and 55 transparency. It made a slight difference yet noticeable difference, and I liked it better than the original effect settings. It make the font look more bold while lifting it from the page.

Stay tuned for filming this Friday!! Bye blog!

Filming B-roll

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Our subject for this episode of "Make it Happen" is back from his business trip to Venezuela, soooo we can start filming! Here are some clips:

This clip looks at the door for his office building. It is meant to showcase the name of his company, “Sumiflex.”

This clip is a time lapse of Javier working. It’ll make good b-roll for when he talks about his companies successes. 

Filming went very smoothly. Javier is so kind and great to work with! He was pretty tired from his trip, so we couldn’t get too much content, but we are excited to start filming the interviews with him and Isa next week!

Next Week Filming Schedule (Updated):

1. Thursday (early release from school): On Thursday, we’re going to be focusing on Javier’s and Isa’s interviews. 

2. Friday (no school): On Friday, we’re going to look over footage, decide if we want to film more b-roll/ interviews, and start piecing together the doc. Video editing software researching coming soon!

Life Updates:

Blog, I am excited to keep progressing with this project, but it has been a WEEK for us..

Soo that's Lucas and me, both injured...

If you're wondering what happened, Lucas tore his ACL. As for me, I got into a dangerous sword fight, my toe was violently slashed by my opponent as I went to kick him. I was able to take him out, but not without my tragic injury... well at least that's what Tstok told me I should say...

Anywayy, I hope you enjoyed this weeks updates! See you all on Monday and stay tuned for our magazine layout ideas! I'm exciteddd!!