Creative Critical Reflection

"ObsessiveCompulsive Disorder (OCD): A Debilitating Mental Disorder."Www.healthxchange.com.sg. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

 "OCD: The Ones Who Suffer Silently | About Islam." About Islam. N.p., 10 Jan. 2016. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

 "Learn about OCD." Bay Area OCD and Anxiety Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

"10 Sign You May Have OCD." Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.

Final Project

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_d1UeccEiX8dTFIZzk4YjgwQzA/view

With the link above you can access my final film opening. I am so excited to finally show you my final product. I hope you love it as much as I do!



Music :www.bensound.com "Memories | Royalty Free Music." Memories | Royalty Free Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.

Smooth Landing

I have finally finished editing and I LOVE it, my expectations have been met. Since this is the last post where I can extensively explain and talk about everything, that is exactly what I am going to do. First, I have learned so much throughout the year and this project defectively tested all my skills. Although there were a lot of bumps on the road, there where many uphill climbs. I would say the biggest challenge was technology, for all the editing I had to go to my friends house. Once we got an idea and elaborated on it the development of the character and shots were pretty easy. The filming was also really good. Regardless of all the ups and downs everything was SO worth it. I feel the film opening is a clear representation of everything I have learned through out the year.

Most of the choices in my film were extensively thought out. Here are some fun facts and reason behind some choices.

Although we wanted to include voice overs, we didn't want to include too many so people can still focus on the overall story.

On the close up of the hand being washed I put lipstick on my knuckles to make it look like the skin is irritated. This is meant to symbolize the frequency that Ana washed her hands. From my past research some people with OCD wash their hands more than 100 times a day,  

The color of the font is all black and white to elaborate on the simplistic and theme we were going for.

We chose a white shirt to symbolize a clean and simplistic environment.


I have also started writing my Critical Reflection so here is a sneak peak...

Hello my name is Catalina Castro and welcome to my Creative Critical Reflection for my AS level Media Studies project. Throughout the course of  making my film opening I faced a lot of challenges ,but was able to overcome them. I would definitely not call this an easy project, but because of it I feel that my skills have been challenged and showcased.  I am so excited to reflect and share my long journey with you and the thoughts behind my film Formation.

Can't wait to upload my final film opening. Hope you enjoy!

Rewind

        I am currently still in the process of editing and putting everything together.I have to film the end again because due to the two minute limit I will not be able to fit everything I wanted. Even though I already filmed I realized I never explained my character in detail. Character analysis are extremely important in further developing a character. Having been in drama for a few years I know that your character must be developed before you can play that role. Having this film be about OCD I knew doing an analysis is something I could not skip, I wanted to accurately portray her and not have it offend anyone.

    Even though I am posting this after filming this is something I had written down. So here is a little bit more about the main character in the film...

Name- Ana Watz


Age-19

Background- Ana has always known there was something unique about her, she always felt a little strange, but never understood why. As she grew older she started becoming more anxious than usual and having breakdowns. Her parents thought it was school so they didn't worry about it. As she grew older Ana's parents continued to see unusual changes in their daughter and took her to a therapist. A few months later, at age 12, she was diagnosed with OCD. She would obsess and have compulsive actions that she could not control. It started with checking everything she did multiple times and increased to the point of not being able to touch things in public areas. Ana is still going to therapy and taking medication.

Occupations- Ana recently finished High School, but is taking a year off of school to work. She is currently in the process of applying for jobs. She also hopes to travel outside North Carolina for the first time.


I know it is not long, but it is enough for me to be able to play this role and make a great film opening!

Technology is NOT on my side.

        We are currently in our last week of our Film Opening Project. It feels like we just started last week. Although I am trying to work fast to be able to complete everything and be of good quality, I am having a hard time working with technology. Yes, technology is NOT on my side. Not only am I not used to Apple computers, but even the technology I am comfortable with is not cooperating. Due to storage issues Lianna was not able to send me the videos to my phone, she ended up deleting everything on her phone to be able to send them to me. Now that the videos are on my phone they won't send to my email (why does this always happen to me). We decided to start editing the film on the phone with iMovie and then transfer it to the computer. When we went to transfer it we emailed it and then had to change it from QuickTime to iMovie format. It's not all bad, at the end of the day we were able to transfer it and save it, but then today we go on the same computer and it DELETED. I don't understand why technology hates me. After school I am going to go to my friends house and try to edit as much as possible.

A few hours later...

      I just got back from my friend's house and I was able to accomplish a lot. I edited most of it. It looks better than I imagined! We still have to finish the end and add the voice overs. Although I did a lot I have encountered a little bump. When we were filming I thought we would not have enough footage, but it so happens that we have too much. The film in currently at 1 minute and 57 seconds and we still need to include the last scene where she meets the guy. I was thinking of just cutting that scene out, but then I feel there is nothing to hold the audience's attention and make them want to keep watching. I also considered taking out a part where she separates the cereal from the marshmallows. The problem with cutting that scene is that it plays such an important role on what OCD is. I am going to show my classmates tomorrow and see what they think.  I am a little less stressed now that everything is finally starting to flow.


"Redirect Notice." Redirect Notice. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2016.

Filming!!!

All I can say is what a day...Lianna and I started filming and it went really well. We already had our story board finished so it really helped guide us. Oh and did I mention we found the perfect song! This song is copy right free, so all we have to do is give credit to the website. This music allows us to add the voice overs we want without distracting from the music and will set the mood.

So how did filming go today..? Lianna arrived at my house at 3:30 and we first started by moving all the furniture in my room. It was only us two in the house and the beds where very hard to move since the room is in carpet. At the end we were able to move everything the way we wanted. Also I was really happy because we did not have to use artificial light because there was plenty of natural light in the room. 

As I mentioned before our story board really helped us with knowing what we wanted, but we still faced a lot of problems. One of our main issues from the beginning has been how to transition from a point of view shot to a long shot or mid shot. We tried not doing point of view, but it wasn't what we really wanted. We decided to stick to point of view in the beginning and cut to a long shot. Although we still have not put it together I truly believe it will look good and flow the way we want it to. 

Another conflict we faced was time, time, and time. We actually were not able to finish filming today as we had hoped, so we are planning to meet tomorrow again since we only have 8 days left (currently freaking out inside). We only have a few shots left and we need to find guy actor to be able to film the last scene. I think my friend will be able to act I just need to ask him. We also still need to record the voice overs that will represent the characters thoughts. 

I attached a scene that we filmed today. Although we still have a lot to do, I am so proud of Lianna and I for all we have accomplished. 

This scene will include the music and a voice over. We are thinking of her saying something like, "don't mess up today". I hope you enjoy!

Music: www.bensound.com "Memories | Royalty Free Music." Memories | Royalty Free Music. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2016.