Editing the Commercial

        Today we were supposed to start editing. I got into class and saw my group member so we decided to go check the computers. I logged onto my account since that’s the account we dumped everything in the previous day. I opened the folder we had made to see if we had everything and to make sure if any more filming was needed. We noticed that we didn’t record any voiceovers so we decided to go back out to film some quick voiceovers. We went outside but we had to keep moving around since there were a lot of noises in our background. My group member and I went to the track since no one was there and started to film the voiceovers. At first I had no clue what we wanted to say so we quickly watched some gatorade ads to get some inspiration. After that I decided that I was gonna be the one who did the talking so we quickly filmed that. Once the voiceover filming was complete we went back to class.
        Once we got back to class I went to log back into my computer. It was taking a while to load in so I got a little worried. I struggled a little to find the footage but we ended up finding it. We dumped all the new footage into the folder I had previously made. After the dumping was done I noticed that the pinnacle studies logo wasn’t there. I went crazy in my head because I thought we were going to fail our commercial now. Luckily right after I noticed, my teachers made an announcement that pinnacle studios wasn’t working so we should just upload everything into our google drive. In that moment I got so relieved. At first I had no clue how to even access google drive. I went to go ask my friend to see if she knew how to do it and she happened to know what to do.
        Once she came to help; I logged into my google drive. My group member started to do the rest of stuff so I didn’t really know what else to do. It was honestly pretty frustrating that the computer wasn’t allowing pinnacle studios to work. Now the editing has to happen next class, which sucks because I came into today thinking that the commercial would’ve been edited a good amount. While everything was uploading to the google drive I thought of some things we can do once we edit. For music we could do intensifying music since that’s some music they use in gatorade commercials. I think most of our transitions will be jump cuts and that’ll work out best for our commercial. I have an idea on which parts of the commercial we should put the voiceovers in. All the footage ended up uploading into my google drive so we were done for the day. Overall, it sucks that we couldn’t edit today but this prepares us for setbacks that may come again.

Filming the Commercial

        Today we started to film. Early on in the process we knew who was gonna do what for our commercial. My role was essentially the person who filmed during the whole time. While I was filming I kept trying to refer to what I remembered was in most gatorade ads so that we could get a really good outcome. I would say that we mostly stuck to the ideas we had on our storyboard. There were a couple of different changes but that’s because we had to adapt to our environment. I think dealing with the heat was probably one of the most challenging parts since all our shots were outside. I thought that we needed to change one scene from our storyboard so it would seem more serious. I was really stressed that we wouldn’t finish while we were filming and at times would be a little strict with my group members to make sure we would film enough. Overall, it was really enjoyable just filming and getting the shots that I thought would come out the best.
        All of our filming was done near the track and on the track. Since this was the first time I ever really filmed on a camera I had to make sure with my group member Brooke that I was doing everything right . For our first scene I had to film my group member Madeline walking on to the track. It’s a pretty simple process until you realize you need to wait for all the people who are walking the track to get out of the frame. While filming this opening scene, more people started coming on to the track which ended up just delaying our filming more. I was able to knock a couple of shots off our list here such as using a long shot and a medium shot. I decided that we should film it a couple of times to make sure it looks good and that we have enough footage of it. It’s essentially a short scene since it’s the beginning of our commercial but it starts off everything so I had to make sure it looked right. To show a passage of time I filmed her walking onto the track, aimed the camera towards her feet, paused it there, and recorded again in our new location in the same position. After this we went to our other location which was the track.
        Most of the filming was done here on the track. Once we got on the track we realized we only had little batches of time to film because at times people would be walking in our way. The next scene I filmed  was Madeline getting ready to run the track. For the scene I filmed her taking her shoes out her bag and putting them on, so I decided to use a high angle for this shot since it looked like it would portray it the best. The next scene is where we decided to diverge a little from our storyboard. Originally we were gonna have Madeline fall and Brooke throw a gatorade bottle at Madeline, but we thought that would be too silly since gatorade commercials are more about trying harder and not giving up. Instead for the next part in the commercial, we decided we were just gonna film multiple scenes of Madeline falling and essentially “failing” but not giving up. For this scene we set up the tripod and used a pan to focus on her. After that I filmed a close up shot of her drinking the gatorade and having one more attempt at it. Finally, we did our final scene which is where I filmed her starting to run again, let her run out of the frame, and then filmed her running back in the frame from the other side to show that she completed running the track. There was one more quick thing we wanted to film but we’ll just film it next class since we had to go back and dump our footage.

Storyboard Blog

Today in class we started storyboarding for our commercial.  For our commercial we plan on using low angles for certain scenes. We will most likely use eye level shots during scenes of the track. We plan on using tilt for a certain scene of our subject getting ready to run. We also plan on using a flash pan for a certain scene where our subject regains energy and can run again after drinking the product. For shots we will be using establishing shots to show our location of filming and close ups to intensify the scenes. We will also use wide shots for when our subject is in a certain location. For editing transitions we aren’t entirely sure yet but we have some ideas. We will most likely use a jump cut, cutaway, and possibly a fade out in our commercial.

Editing Lesson Blog

        Today in class we learned about starting the camera, the procedures for it, editing, and all the things involved with editing. Most of the things learned were pretty basic to process, but the lesson did help a lot. The procedure for the camera were simple instructions to make sure we use them the right way. Before we start anything we have to sign all the equipment out. To use the camera we flip the handle to start it, put in the SD card, press record, press the record button again to pause, and close it to finish. We also get to use tripods which i find pretty interesting since i’ve always wanted to use them before. To use the tripod you have to pop the legs open, look for the plaque near the silver button, screw it on the camera, and then tighten it onto the tripod. A really useful thing about the tripod is that we can use the handles to get pan or tilt shots. There’s also a little crane on it that allows us to raise it up which helps us with possibly high angles. These were essentially the knowledge we needed for when we go out to film.

        Before we can even start editing we learned that you need to dump all the footage first.  Dumping is essentially where we put all the footage from the camera onto the computer. At our school we have something called pinnacle studios that allows us to do all of this. Before we even put everything into the computers you have to take the SD card and put it into the SD Card Reader. Then you put the reader into the usb port and make a folder that you can put all the footage in. Once all the footage is out in we have to check a section called DCIM for the footage. If the footage isn’t found there than you click private, look for AUCHD, and click stream. After this you highlight all the footage and move it into the folder. Once you’ve done everything you can take the SD card reader out and put the SD card away. This is a crucial thing I needed to learn for the editing stage.

        Lastly, I learned everything required to start importing, editing, and exporting footage. The first thing you have to do is import the footage from the desktop to pinnacle studios. To do that you have to look for where it says import, look for the folder you previously made, and then it’ll import all the footage. Now we can start editing all of our raw footage. You put all the footage on AV track 2 since you went the title on AV track 1 and the soul  on AV track 3. If i wanted to cut the footage, I was advised to move the film right before i want to cut it, then click the razor blade icon which splits the footage, and then delete the footage I wanted cut out. If I wanted to add transitions I would click where it says effects editor and it gives me a variety of options to choose from. Another thing with editing that I learned was adding music. To add music, first you need to make sure it’s an mp3, then you add into the folder, and import it the same way you would import footage. If you would want to detach audio sound from the footage, you would click the clip, right click do you can detach it, and then you can delete the audio. Once you’re done editing for the day you can go to files, click save movie as, go to your folder and click save. Once you’re done with the whole project you’re editing, you can export it (but make sure it’s a mp4) by clicking export, choosing the best quality, click start export, and then put it into the folder. Before shutting down the editing software make sure it’s saved on the folder or else all your progress will be lost and nobody wants that. After this lesson i’m prepared to go out and film and edit to the best of my ability.

Planning Blog for Gatorade Commercial

Today our group is currently planning our gatorade commercial. Right now we’re discussing what props we need. We need to know what we are going to need to bring in so that we have everything and can film our commercial. We are also talking about the costumes, schedule, locations, and back-up plans. It is very important that we plan what we are going to film so that we can be efficient and use time wisely. These all matter because with the proper supplies and the proper plan we can make our commercial look to the best of its ability. 

1. Props:                                         

    gatorade items such as drinks and protein bars. 

    duffel bag acting as it has sport supplies in it.

2. Costumes:                                     

     athletic clothing such as shorts, jerseys, and sneakers.

3. Schedule:                                      

        10/10- planning

        10/14- storyboard

        10/21- filming 

        10/23- editing 

4. Location list:                                 

track- here we will run around the track, football field is also there incase we want to use it                 parking lot- to show us walking from there to track                           

5. Back-up Plan:                                                          

Media Center Stairs- incase it rains we can use the stairs to show us running up and down them                       Incase someone is missing- for the scene when someone would hand the runner the gatorade bottle, instead we’ll show the runner walking back to the bag and getting the bottle

Research Codes and Conventions

Today we got assigned our commercial project. We were given an option of up to four people in a group and we decided to work as a group of three. Our teachers gave us three options to choose from for our commercial. The options were a list of products, an anti-vaping campaign, or a commercial about our school. We decided to look at the list of products and ended up choosing to do a gatorade commercial.  Right now we have to research the codes and conventions that are typically in gatorade commercials.

    Our group was unsure of what codes and conventions were so we started off by figuring out what they mean. Some examples of codes in gatorade commercials would be the setting, objects, clothing, and captions. The setting is normally at a sports field or in a gym. The objects are typically things that show the product like gatorade bottles and athletes. The athletes are usually shown drinking the product and then playing a sport. They’re shown as working hard after drinking the gatorade, which seems like it gives them energy. Clothing that the actors in the commercials wear are typically sports attire and athletics wear. The captions are their slogans or message they’re trying to get across about gatorade.

       The conventions in gatorade commercials involve the camera angles, editing, lighting, and sound/music. They normally show close up angles of athletes and sometimes of them drinking the gatorade. The close ups are typically them preparing for what they’re about to do. The lighting is usually dim in certain scenes. The camera is often moving to show the actions that are going on and is never really still. The sound/music in these commercials are normally intense. The sound shows that there’s a lot of action going on or that they’re working harder. All of this is typically after drinking the gatorade. They use the sound effects of crowds to intensify the importance and excitement of the commercial. This is what compiles a gatorade commercial.

Intro Blog

        Hey everybody, my name is Leonardo but I prefer being called Leo. I would say that I consider myself a chill person for the most part. I'm a social person and can make conversation pretty quickly. People describe me as a funny, outgoing, and smart person. In my free time I normally hangout with my friends and just have a good time with them. It's probably the thing I enjoy most. Going to the pool is also something I enjoy. The one thing I don't like is waking up at 5:30 am everyday for school. I think its too early, but I chose going to my school and that just happens to be one thing that came along with it.
        I love music. I love almost any music genre except for country music. I personally just don't find country music appealing. My favorite genres are probably hip-hop/rap or R&B. My favorite artists to listen to are Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott, and 6lack. The first two artist just put me in a really good mood when I listen to them and the third artists relaxes me. Music puts me in a good mood and can make me feel really happy. During the morning bus rides I listen to chill music to get me relaxed and during school if I do listen to music, I listen to music that keeps me more in a good vibe.
        I'm currently a sophomore and have eight classes, I have my first four on a days and the other four on b days. My first period is Aice Euro which I think is a pretty interesting class. My second period is Chemistry Honors which I find a little difficult at times. My third period is Pre-Calculus Honors and I enjoy it a lot since I love math. My fourth period is Aice Thinking Skills and I would say it is a non-stressful class. That is what I have every a days and although I get a lot of work I actually enjoy those classes. My fifth period is Aice Media Studies and I can't wait to start filming. My sixth period is study hall and that just allows me to do homework or just take a break. My seventh period is Aice English which is an easy class, but it's not my favorite. My eighth period is French II Honors and I really enjoy learning that language. Those are my b day classes and those are pretty chill days. That's all for now.
See you later,
Leonardo