Creative Critical Reflection

My CCR for BLOODMONEY, enjoy!!!

BLOODMONEY CCR

Film Opening!!!!!

 Here it is, the final product:

BLOODMONEY

CCR Script

 Slide 1 - Introduction

[Title slide with the film title and the names of the creators]

Hello and welcome to my reflection on the opening shot of our film. My name is Luis Castaneda and I will be discussing how our project challenged conventions, represented social groups and issues, engaged with audiences, and integrated technologies.

Slide 2 - Plot Overview

Two rival drug lords, Don Toro and Don Mateo, are preparing for a bloody turf war. The opening shot shows El Marino, Don Toro’s trusted hitman, receiving a phone call alerting him that Don Mateo has taken over one of Don Toros warehouses. The news prompts Don Toro to launch a full scale attack on Don Mateo.

Slide 3 - Challenging Conventions

Our film challenges conventions in several ways. Firstly, we wanted to break away from the stereotypical representation of drug lords as one-dimensional villains. Instead, we tried to humanize them by showing their relationships, motivations, and vulnerabilities. Secondly, we aimed to create a sense of realism and authenticity by using the new iPhone 14 with cinematic mode and other features, which made the film look more professional. Finally, we wanted to subvert the expectations of the audience by introducing the conflict between the two drug lords right from the opening shot, rather than building up to it gradually.

Slide 4 - Social Groups and Issues

Our film also touches upon several social groups and issues. At first, we wanted to highlight the impact of drug trafficking on local communities, especially those who are often caught in the crossfire, though we did not have enough time in the opening to show this. Having to adjust, we decided that we wanted to explore the theme of power and corruption, and how it affects the people who wield it. We also wanted to portray the stereotype of Latin American drug lords as hypermasculine, violent, and predatory.

Slide 5 - Audience Engagement

In terms of audience engagement, we wanted our film to be accessible and relatable to a wide range of viewers, but we knew that the crime genre usually tailors to primarily males aged 15-35, so we decided to focus on delivering to this audience. To achieve this, we focused on creating a compelling story with well-defined characters, exciting action scenes, and a satisfying resolution. We also aimed to create a sense of anticipation and buzz by releasing a teaser trailer on social media, using hashtags and influencers to generate interest.

Slide 6 - Distribution Plan

Our distribution plan involves several stages. Firstly, we plan to submit our film to several film festivals, both domestic and international, to gain exposure, recognition, and potential distribution deals. Secondly, we aim to partner with local cinemas, community centers, and universities to organize screenings and discussions. Finally, we plan to distribute our film digitally, through streaming platforms, DVD and Blu-ray releases, and merchandise sales.

Slide 7 - Production Skills Development

Throughout this project, we have developed several production skills, including camera operation, lighting, sound recording, and editing. We have also learned how to collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and manage our time and resources efficiently. We used Adobe Premiere Pro for editing, which allowed us to experiment with different shots, cuts, transitions, and effects. We also used Adobe Audacity for sound editing, which enabled us to add music, sound effects, and voiceovers.

Slide 9: In terms of distribution, if this film opening were to be released as a real media text, it would likely be distributed through various channels such as streaming platforms or movie theaters. With the popularity of streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, these platforms offer a great opportunity for independent filmmakers to reach a large audience. Additionally, movie theaters remain a popular venue for experiencing films on the big screen, and could also be a viable distribution option.

Slide 10: The production of this film opening allowed us to explore various conventions of the crime genre while also challenging some of these conventions through a unique story and characters. By representing social groups and issues relevant to the setting, the film opening provides a glimpse into the complex world of drug cartels and the violence that often accompanies them. With the use of advanced technology such as the iPhone 14 and editing software such as Adobe Premier Pro, we were able to create a visually stunning and engaging piece of cinema. Overall, the experience of creating this film opening has allowed us to develop our skills as filmmakers and storytellers, and we look forward to continuing to refine these skills in future projects.

Done editing, starting with my CCR

 I'm excited to say that I've just finished editing my film opening project and am ready to finish my CCR.

Throughout the editing process, I utilized several editing techniques to help bring my film to life. One technique I used was cutting on action, which involved making cuts during a movement or action, such as a character walking or picking up an object. This technique helped to create a seamless transition between shots and made the scene feel more dynamic.

One of the biggest challenges I faced during the editing process was maintaining consistency in the pacing and tone of the scene. It's important to make sure that the scene flows naturally and doesn't feel too slow or too rushed. It was important to make sure that the tone of the scene was consistent throughout.

Now that the editing is done, I'm excited to finish working on my CCR. 

Last day of shooting

 Today was our last day of shooting! I just got back from Italy two days ago so I'm extremely happy that we could get the last shots done before the week ended. I'm excited to see what the film looks like when were all done editing. Im also starting my CCR this weekend so I'm looking forward to that too. 

We came to a decision in my group to take a day to edit together on Saturday so that we could share our ideas and implement them together. Its much easier to work on editing together so there's no confusion on what each of us is thinking.

Our last day of shooting was rough due to the weather but we were able to make it through. We started filming at around 5:00 PM but rain was slowly starting to pour in. By 7:00 PM the rain was storming down and we had to stop filming, though we were happy with the shots we had done.

Starting my CCR

 Now that my film is in the very last stages of post-production, Im finally able to dedicate more time to my CCR. Im very excited to do the CCR because it will allow me to go deeper into our project and the ideas behind it. 

Ive chosen to do a slideshow with a voiceover as I feel it could be the most effective way of communicating my thoughts and it will ensure that I dont leave any information out of the reflection. I prefer a slideshow over the other options because it provides more information in both a visual and auditive way. I already have a script written for what Im going to say each slide. All I have to do now is create the presentation and record a voiceover. I will ensure to make the presentation visually appealing by adding pictures and videos as well as talking in an enthusiastic way to make sure I make the presentation  more engaging.

Getting ahead with editing.

 Since Im still in Italy and there is not much I can help my group with in terms of filming, we decided that I should start editing some of the shots we have so that we can get ahead. The editing process was a very fun one for me as I enjoy putting the pieces together and then watching the results. I was able to edit the opening scene with the title of the film as well as the first 40 seconds, which is the interaction between Don Toro and El Marino. I am very satisfied with the way the film is looking and I cant wait to see the final result when all the shots and scenes are put together.