Group meeting summary

Dear blog hi!!

These are some notes on the group discussion #2 for class 🎉

My Blog

- Happy for bullet points 

- Tricky obvious what the plot is 

- Informative but not too much information 

- Creative copyright when it comes to sound production overall

Vicente's Blog 

- Not enough pictures 

- Start posting more often 

-Start filming zoon

Drawnen CCR Idea

- Car crash (doesn't have a car) 

- if you were taking and examine 

project 

- Is able to share photos of the team member ad their scheduling issues 

- Stubborn gymnast that is insured but tries to get her knee healed, should dedicate time to school but also is stubborn

- Have a better planned out schedule for issues

Andres Group member CCR Idea + Production

- Spy movie hallway and being a guy being set up and a police that shows a scape

- Based on storyboard look and go into slowly before scaping scene 

- Making POV shots of the crawling when scaping 

- Zoom In shoots while looking at the window scenes

David member CCR Idea + Production

- Serial killer that opens a death bogy and a detective that looks at old times

- Opening up a note on the hand that says "don't trust him" 

- Lacy opened up the door and what happened here 

- Looking at newspaper of who the newspaper were the murders are still happening 

- loved black and white videos 

- Different shows presented on the current video editing

Overall Tips

- Try and downloads all video footage beforehand

- Adding more visuals in all post 

- Elaborating more 

- Using the edit using computer easier to cut (NO PHONE!)

Research and/or script for #1 question of CCR post

 Creative Critical Reflection (CCR) Prep

Now that the film opening is complete, it's time to shift focus to the Creative Critical Reflection (CCR). For this, I'll be creating two videos, each taking a different approach to answer the two key questions:

1. How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
2. How did you integrate technologies—software, hardware, and online—into this project?

I've put some thought into how I'll approach these questions. While the final presentation will be more creative, these are the core ideas I want to express.

1. Development of Production Skills

This project was a huge learning experience, helping me refine several production skills:

• Casting & Dialogue: Initially, I didn’t prioritize experienced voice actors for the weather report, which led to re-recording it later with someone more skilled.
• Editing Takes Time: I underestimated how much effort goes into fine-tuning details like sound design and pacing. Even cutting a shot at just the right moment is a skill that requires practice.
• Rhythm & Flow: Through trial and error, I learned how to establish a natural flow in editing, ensuring that each shot transitioned smoothly into the next.

These lessons will definitely carry over into future projects.

2. Use of Technology

The entire project was made possible through a mix of hardware, software, and online tools:

• Hardware:

  • The film was shot entirely on an iPhone, which made capturing footage much easier and more flexible than using bulky camera equipment.
  • This also allowed for spontaneous shooting—many of the establishing shots were filmed on the spot when I saw an interesting location.

• Software:

  • Adobe Premiere Pro: Used for editing, color grading, and audio mixing.
  • Canva: Designed the studio logo and title card.
  • PowerPoint: Created the presentation slide shown at the end.

The combination of mobile filmmaking, professional editing tools, and online design programs made the process efficient and accessible.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on this journey, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for how much thought goes into every frame, sound, and transition. From challenging horror conventions to refining editing skills, this project pushed me to think more critically about storytelling and production.

With the film complete, the next step is crafting a compelling CCR video, ensuring that these insights are presented in a creative and engaging way.

Cinematography & Visual Storytelling:

 

1. Cinematography & Visual Storytelling:

   • The split-screen technique was one of the most exciting yet complicated elements to execute. Shooting both characters’ actions separately while ensuring their movements aligned perfectly in post-production required precise timing.
   • Close-ups of key props, such as the detective’s scribbled notes and fingerprint evidence, were shot using a macro lens to heighten their significance.
   • Handheld camera work was used during Santi’s frantic moments, adding an extra layer of unease and instability, while steadier shots framed Maria as a grounding force.

2. Post-Production Magic:

   • The transition from chaotic lighting to a more neutral tone when Maria enters had to be fine-tuned through color grading, ensuring it subtly reflects the shift in energy.
   • Audio design played a huge role—distorted background noises were layered into the detective’s scenes to emphasize his mental exhaustion, while Maria’s presence was accompanied by a cleaner, more structured soundscape.
   • The final scene, where the TV news segment reveals new information about Regina Sinclair’s disappearance, underwent multiple edits to get the right balance between exposition and intrigue.

3. Final Thoughts:
   Every production has its challenges, but Interwoven thrived on its unpredictability. The mishaps, the last-minute changes, and the problem-solving behind the scenes all became part of the story itself. What started as a vision on paper slowly evolved into a rich, immersive world, filled with tension, contrast, and mystery. Now, with post-production shaping the final piece, the film is on the verge of becoming exactly what it was meant to be—a dark, tangled mystery where every detail, no matter how small, plays a crucial role.

Production Breakdown for Interwoven

 Production Breakdown for Interwoven

1. Pre-Production Challenges & Planning:
   From the start, Interwoven was an ambitious project. The vision was clear—create a gripping, noir-inspired mystery with a unique visual identity. However, bringing this to life required meticulous planning. Securing the right locations was one of the first major hurdles. The investigative office had to feel immersive—dark, cluttered, and drenched in neon lighting. After scouting multiple locations, we finally settled on a small, unused backroom in an old office building. It was far from perfect, but with the right set dressing and lighting tricks, it transformed into the detective’s chaotic workspace.

   Casting the Roles: Finding the perfect actors for Detective Santi and Assistant Maria was another critical step. The detective needed to have an aura of exhaustion—someone who looked like they hadn’t slept in days, completely consumed by the case. The assistant, on the other hand, had to be sharp and structured, creating a stark contrast. After several auditions and chemistry tests, we found the ideal duo who could bring this dynamic to life.

1. Production Days & On-Set Challenges:
   Filming Interwoven came with its fair share of unexpected twists. The neon string, which was meant to be a simple set piece tying the case together, ended up becoming one of the most difficult props to manage. It wouldn’t stay in place, constantly falling or tangling at the worst moments. Eventually, we had to improvise—using hidden tape and fishing wire to secure it while still keeping it visually striking under the lighting.

   The lighting itself was another beast to tackle. The neon glow created an amazing aesthetic but caused technical issues with the camera. Some shots ended up overexposed, while others were too dark. Adjusting the intensity and experimenting with different gels became a constant battle throughout the shoot.

   And then there was the infamous power outage. Halfway through filming the detective’s key monologue, the entire set was plunged into darkness. For a moment, the cast and crew sat in stunned silence—until someone joked that it was just adding to the eerie atmosphere of the film. Production was delayed for hours, forcing us to rethink the entire shooting schedule, but in the end, the reshoot actually gave us a more intense, intimate take of the scene.

Editing!!

Hey everyone,

It’s been a while… I’ve missed you all! Let’s dive into post-production.

Here’s where I’m at: I’ve been organizing all the footage into a OneDrive folder, sorting through the best shots, and categorizing them by scene. Since I have to manually transfer everything from WhatsApp, it’s taking some time, but we’re making progress!

Once that’s done, I’ll review what needs to be reshot and update my partner, Maria, along with the actors. Also, exciting news—I’ll be filming the news reporter scene later this week with a friend!

Now, the big question: where am I editing this film opening? TikTok editing? Absolutely not. The answer is **Adobe Premiere Pro.** Thanks to this class (and a previous one), I’m already familiar with it, and it’s my go-to editing software.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Laat planning for production!!!

Production Finalization Recap

We are officially moving into production. Before we begin, let’s go over all the finalized details to ensure we are fully prepared.

Casting

The cast is confirmed. Due to scheduling conflicts, we had to recast the Detective, but fortunately,  marias friend volunteered. Here’s the final lineup:

• Detective Elias – Gabriel B. (Friend outside class)
• Assistant Jessie – Me
• Margaret Sinclair – Samia (My partner)
• News Reporter Lady – Sophia S. (Friend outside class)

Props & Equipment

All necessary props and equipment have been secured, and responsibilities have been assigned.

Props:

• Pictures – Samia
• Files/Case Documents – Maria
• Fake Documents – Samia
• Pink String (for crime board) – Maria
• Fingerprint Mats – Maria
• Missing People Posters – Samia
• Easel – Jenkins
• Pens/Writing Utensils – Available

Equipment:

• Colored Lights – Daniella
• Digital Detective Camera – Maria
• Mic for Reporter Lady – Santiago

Lighting Plan

Colored lighting will be used for certain shots to enhance the atmosphere. The lighting setup is ready 

Day 1 of Shooting Interwoven: A Journey of Challenges & Triumphs

 

Day 1 of Shooting Interwoven: A Journey of Challenges & Triumphs

A Series of Unfortunate Events

The Plan

Sunday’s goal was simple: shoot all the necessary office scenes for Interwoven. I had planned it down to the minute—setting up lighting, arranging props, and ensuring my actors knew their lines. I estimated it would take about two hours, allowing room for minor adjustments and reshoots. None of that went as planned.

The Problems

The problems started even before we arrived on set.

• Weather Woes
  I had checked the weather earlier in the week, but not the night before. A sudden storm warning meant dark clouds and unpredictable lighting shifts, completely ruining continuity.

• Sound Issues
  Our primary microphone malfunctioned, and my backup wasn’t picking up clear dialogue. The office we were using was unexpectedly noisy, with background chatter and a running AC unit disrupting every take.

• Location Mishaps
  The office we secured looked great in photos but was too cramped for our planned camera movements. I had envisioned smooth dolly shots, but the tight space forced us into awkward framing that felt uninspired.

After three hours of fighting through these challenges, I had to make the tough call: we had to scrap the footage and reshoot another day. It was beyond frustrating, but I refused to let it discourage me.

The Production

• Cinematography & Framing Fixes
  With a larger space, we could finally execute the tracking shots we originally envisioned. The lighting setup was improved, giving us the moody, noir-inspired aesthetic we wanted.

• Audio Enhancements
  Having a dedicated sound assistant meant no more mic placement issues. We ran multiple test recordings before shooting to ensure crisp dialogue without unwanted noise.

• Performances & Energy
  With fewer distractions and better planning, the actors delivered stronger performances with fewer takes. The overall mood on set was more focused yet fun, making the process smoother for everyone.